REVIEW & SWATCHES | Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 - Pink Sprint, Pumpkin, Lace, Flame and Sugar

REVIEW & SWATCHES - 

Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 

Pink Sprint | Pumpkin | Lace | Flame | Sugar

 

Blush by 3 is a trio shade blush palette that takes you effortlessly from day to night!  Each palette has 3 ultra pigmented shades to choose from in matte and shimmer shades. Use the matte shades for a subtle day time flush, and add the shimmery shade over the top for a touch of night time glamour! With 5 different shaded palettes to choose from , your only dilemma is which one to pick! Choose from Pink Sprint, Pumpkin, Lace, Flame, or Sugar. 

Sleek MakeUP is available in Superdrug and Sephora Portugal stores, and online sleekmakeup.com. 

Price: £9.99/€13.00/$15.99

 Size: 20 g / 0.68 oz

Availability: www.SleekMakeUP.com 

Standard International Delivery within 10 to 15 working days
$10 to $13.50

International destinations are considered as all other countries not listed as European.  Please note we do not ship to the African continent.

 

        Sugar         |       Lace      |     Pink Sprint    

         Flame         |         Pumpkin    

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes are priced at $15.99 each 20 g / 0.68 oz of product on the Sleek MakeUP website with an additional $10 - $13.50 for international shipping to the US.

I need to factor in the shipping because these palettes are not available in the US (as yet...rumors are they are coming to the US very soon) and you will need to pay for international shipping. Honestly I don't think the shipping is outlandish either since they are coming from the UK afterall. Now obviously the more products you purchase the better the deal will be since the shipping cost covers the entire purchase. Plus you can combine your order with friends to break up the shipping costs.

The Blush by 3 Palettes retail for $15.99 which is quite a deal. You get 3 full sized blushes which contain a total of  20 g / 0.68 oz of product. Compare these to M∙A∙C Powder Blushes which are $20 for 6 g / 0.21 oz of product. So you spend $4 less and still get more than 3 times the amount of product. Quite a STEAL!

These are considered drugstore makeup in the UK....our equivalent of L'Oreal, Revlon or NYX. But this time around the price/size beats even our drugstore brands!

 

 

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes are available in the UK at Superdrug Stores and Sephora Portugal stores but for beauty lovers in the USA we are able to order these palettes from the Sleek MakeUP website. However, there are plans to supply Sleek MakeUP in US stores very soon so be on the lookout for that!

These Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes come housed in a sleek (quite fitting) black palette with a full-sized mirror inside the lid as with other Sleek MakeUP products. Inside the trio of blushes sit pretty in all their glory. There are no applicators in these palettes - which isn't a loss at all.

The palette sports the Sleek Makeup logo on the front and a label on the back indicating the name of the palette, individual names for all 3 blushes, the ingredients and all that jazz. I find it really awesome that Sleek MakeUP has included names for each individual blush which is quite a treat! It's easy to reference the colors without creating your own labeling scheme.

"Wrapped in a typically luxurious Sleek MakeUP mirrored compact, BLUSH BY 3 houses 3 complementary shades of blush. Four out of the five palettes have at least one shimmer, and Pink Sprint is made up of three true mattes. Layer the varying finishes and shades for greater intensity, or apply alone for a burst of full-on pigment. The versatile shimmer shades can be used to highlight areas of the face that naturally catch the light for a luminous finish."

TEXTURES & FINISHES

There are two different textures to be found in these palettes - Four out of the five palettes have at least one shimmer, and Pink Sprint is made up of three true mattes.

Mattes - The mattes are soft and finely milled but not quite creamy in texture. On the good side they are not powdery or chalky but as a drawback the texture can leave them a bit patchy in spots. As described, these are full on matte textures with no shimmer, no shine and no glitter!

Shimmers - The shimmery shades are lovely. They are smooth, silky and decently soft. The finish for the shimmer shades is a low-to-medium frost which means there is no high-metallic shine. These will leave a subtle sheen/glow to the skin if applied lightly but can be built up for a more intense shimmer to the skin.

PIGMENTATION

The pigmentation of these shades vary by palette. The bright bold colors and the shimmer shades are great color payoff and apply very true to the color in the pan. The pigmentation of some of these colors is so strong that they can be used as eyeshadow if you so chose.

However, the lighter shades tend to have poor color payoff and do not show up well (or not at all) on my skintone. See the swatches for more detail.

COLORS

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes come with 3 complementary shades of blush which work very well together or on their own. You can chose to mix the colors, layer them, use one as a highlight and one as a blush color...pretty much mix and match until your heart is content!

There are some gorgeous shades to be found in the 5 options from neutrals to brights. These will work beautifully on all skintones - there is a perfect match for the palest of skins to the deeper hues.

APPLICATION

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes apply evenly onto the skin with the usual blush brush. For a light coverage of course it's best to use a fluffier brush but for more dense color a compact brush will work better. I would be very light-handed with the bolder/brighter colors and build up the intensity if so desired. 

For the lighter shades do not over-blend because you will lose the color very easily. The shimmers are the easiest to work with and blend well onto the skin. The matte shades can be tricky if the skin beneath them is not even or moist (from moisturizer or foundation). They can apply patchy in some spots so be sure to have an even, dry base to work on.

WEAR

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes wear decently for about 4 to 5+ hours before there is any fading in intensity. When used with a face primer/base and/or foundation, the product has something to grab onto so the wear is certainly prolonged a couple of hours. But on bare skin they start fading very quickly after 4 hours. 

Mattes - The matte shades will fade more quickly than the shimmer shades. These wear 4+ hours before the fading starts. With a good layer underneath these last at least 6+ hours before the intensity starts to dwindle. The fading is gradual so it's not too much of an issue but it's a point to note especially if you expect full long day of wear out of your blush.

Shimmers - The shimmery shades do much better with longevity. These last at least 6+ hours before you will notice any fading. With a good layer underneath you can get a full day of wear out of these - 9+ hours.

The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes are a fantastic addition to the Sleek MakeUP round-up. These are perfect blush trios which we don't see much (if ever) in the cosmetics world.....okay okay I know NARS did a blush palette and Coastal Scents has one too. But I love this concept and I wish other brands would catch on as well. 

What makes this such a great find is the awesome price! The Sleek MakeUP Blush by 3 Palettes will cost you less than other blushes (single or palette form)....okay okay I know Elf Blushes are like $1 each but come on cut me some slack here :)

The colors are range from subtle to bright and fun. You can mix these as you please and use different combinations for a unique look. They have good to great color payoff and decent wear time. The only thing I would complain about are the mattes which don't apply or wear the best but alas they are not horrid enough for me to write these off. In fact only a couple of the matte shades had trouble - the bright colors did just fine.

I definitely, HANDS DOWN, recommend giving these a go! For your next Sleek MakeUP order grab a least one of these! Lace is my favorite while Pumpkin is a close runner-up. I would skip out on Sugar unless you have pale skin.

What are your thoughts? Interested?

 

 

  

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REVIEW | LIT Cosmetics - A World of Glitter

REVIEW | LIT Cosmetics - A World of Glitter

 

 "No glitter, no glory" is our motto—fun, yet true. Being in "glitterology" (the science of glitter) for 6 years we have improved glitter/loose colour makeup as it is sold in the market today. With our liquid adhesive now perfected, we have also broken down our pigments into 4 different sizes and 4 different varieties - Lit simply specializes in glitter/loose colour makeup. Remember: There are no rules when it comes to Lit! From a single colour highlighter to having 10 shades blended over your eyelids-we dare you... Let the fun begin, and your creativity soar!

  

Colour Information

Lit glitter is available in 4 sizes:

• Size #1 (.002 x .002) - “Sexy Sophistication” the smallest glitter cut. Only available in Solid.

• Size #2 (.004 x .004) - “Fun Lov’in & Fancy Free” the most popular cut. Available in Shimmers,  Solids, Metallics and Electrics.

• Size #3 (.008 x .008) - “Go Bling or Go Home” medium cut. Available in Solids and Shimmers.

• Size #4 (.015 x .015) - “Diva” the big cut. Available in Solids and Shimmers—most stores will not carry this size.

Lit colours are available in 4 textures:

• Shimmers - see through iridescent sparkles with a touch of colour. note: Neon shimmers will glow under black light — a white eyeliner base will enhance this effect.

• Solids - pure glitter colour.

• Metallics - a matte shine with solid colour—a great alternative for customers who are not into glitter but are into shine and colour.

• Electrics - shocking colour with a little hint of sparkle. NOTE: Electrics will glow under black light—a white eyeliner base will enhance this effect.

How is Lit Cosmetics Glitter/Loose Colour Applied?

For easy, clean and quick application, Lit products are designed for use with our Clearly Liquid Glitter Base™ and specially designed brushes. Application requires three simple steps:

1. Dip brush into the Clearly Liquid Glitter Base™ bottle-remove excess drops of liquid.
2. On an angle, insert wet brush into loose colour, covering one side.
3. Paint on or fan out, starting at the tip of the brush using short fast strokes for proper coverage. Re-dip to cover eyelids or change colours.

HINT: Keep eyes half-open until product has dried to avoid transfer. May take 30-60 seconds depending on thickness and size of glitter. Use your blow dryer or hand fan. After product has dried, tightness may occur but don't panic! Your lids will loosen up within 20 blinks—and now you're Lit baby!

NOTE: For a more sanitary application, pour a small amount of base into the lid then apply. Discard left over base in cap. This method will help avoid colour or product contamination to your Clearly Liquid Glitter Base™ bottle and keep it clean.

Availability: www.LitCosmetics.com

                  
         The MiniMe Lit Kit                                   Multi Stack Lit Kits
                 
            Contains:                                                             Contains:
              • 1 glitter colour                                                    • Glitter colours
              • 30 ml Clearly Liquid Glitter Base                        • 30 ml Clearly Liquid Glitter Base
              • Detailer brush mini                                              • Liner brush
              • Shadow brush mini                                             • Round brush
              • Sparkle duster (removes stray glitter)                  • Sparkle duster (removes stray glitter)
              • Silk tote bag                                                       • Silk tote bag
             $35.95 (SAVE $8)                                           3 stack Lit Kit – $68.95 (SAVE $27)
                                                                                        4 stack Lit Kit – $78.95 (SAVE $31)
                                                                                        5 stack Lit Kit – $88.95 (SAVE $36)

                                                                                                      
                                  
                                     The Lit Gift Kit                                    
     
                                     Contains:                                                            
                                        • 1 glitter colour                                                   
                                        • 4 ml Clearly Liquid Glitter Base                       
                                        • Brush ING:PST                                             
                                        • Sparkle duster (removes stray glitter)                 
                                        • Lit sticker                                                      

                                           $20    

  

   

   Glitter Colors – $12.95 each

$10 Standard International Delivery 

 

The Lit Cosmetics Glitter Colors are priced at $12.95 each for 4g/0.14 oz of product. 

Lit Cosmetics is a Canadian based cosmetics brand that has taken the glitter cosmetics market by storm in the last 2-3 years. Although Lit Cosmetics has been around for over 10 years, it has only now been popularized on YouTube and in the makeup blog-o-sphere via makeup trade shows such as The Makeup Show and IMATS. I still consider Lit Cosmetics an indie brand since it is not available at the usual popular beauty retail stores (Sephora, ULTA, etc) and/or department stores (Macys, Nordstrom, etc). Remember, indie doesn't necessarily mean lower quality...just a smaller brand with a tighter marketing/production budget.

The price of each of the glitter colors falls right below that of our cheapest mid/high-end brand Make Up For Ever which makes me a bit uneasy. There are also sets that you can buy to "save" on the overall price but those include brushes and the Clearly Liquid Glitter Base which you can also find alternatives for less money. Now of course we have to factor in the shipping because these products are not available in the US and you will need to pay $10 for Standard International Shipping.So remember to keep that in mind if/when you place an order.

I will be honest, I am on the fence with the price of these glitters especially when the shipping fees are factored in. There are so many cheaper alternatives on the market and these are just glitters after all - not like we are looking for color payoff and wear time as with eyeshadows. I will say that Lit Cosmetics does offer some more unusual shades/mixes and the variety in sizes/textures makes some of the glitters unique to this brand. This price is something you must think through first to see if it's worth it for you and your collection.

 

 

The Lit Cosmetics Glitter Colors and Clearly Liquid Glitter Base™ are available online through the Lit Cosmetics website as well as select retail locations in Canada - find locations HERE. Of course since the company is located in Canada, shipping is $10 for Standard International Delivery. 

The Lit Cosmetics Glitter Colors comes housed in clear plastic cube shaped jars with mirrored accents. The blue and white Lit Cosmetics logo is inlaid within each lid on a reflective background. The name of each glitter along with the size and texture can be found on a stick-on label on the jar itself.

The outer packaging is also a clear plastic with the ingredients, company information, motto, product size, shelf-life and usage details all imprinted in blue.

+ | The jars themselves are quite rigid and solid which makes them resistant to the abuses of travel. The lids of each jars clicks firmly into place to ensure no spillage problems which is a major concern with glitter products. The jars are also stack-able...you can use the bottom of one jar as the lid for another and so on and so forth....until you have stacked all your glitters to new heights! Since the jars are see-through it is easy to tell the colors just by looking and of course the names are right on the jars for easy reference.

– | While the jars are quite cute and esthetically pleasing, I must say that they are not eco-friendly at all  - meaning there is a lot (and I mean a lot) of wasted bulk in the design. If you look at the actual amount of product you get through the clear jar it will amaze you just how much excess bulk is added just for esthetics. I find this wasteful and not at all convenient for the storage/travel conscious (Makeup Artists, dorm room dwellers, NYC apartments havers! and the like). So much for going green!   

       

Two glitters stacked together

 

Glitters are a bit tricky to review - how can I judge color payoff, longevity and all that jazz when it's simply glitter? I can't....but I can comment on the sparkly goodness of it all. 

SIZES

One of the great things about Lit Cosmetics is that they offer 4 different sizes of glitter from ultra fine to chunky sparkly goodness. The larger the cut of glitter the more shimmery the overall effect. 

•  Size #1 - This cut is ultra-fine and only available in solid textures. You can use these similarly to how you would use loose pigments but you won't get the strong shimmery effect of typical glitter.

• Size #2 - This is the most popular cut and is available in Shimmers, Solids, Metallics and Electrics. You can have lots of fun with this cut - using it as you would loose pigments but with a more shimmery effect.

• Size #3 - This cut is definitely more similar to other glitters on the market. It is available in Solids and Shimmers. This is more of the typical glitter we are used to with a great sparkly effect.

• Size #4 - This is the largest size cut in Lit's repertoire and is best suited for the more artistic effect. Lots of sparkle but not as much coverage due to the chunkiness of the glitter.

TEXTURE

There are 4 textures available - Shimmers, Solids, Metallics and Electrics. This gives way more options than other brands on the market and of course way more fun effects.

COLORS/VARIETY

Lit Cosmetics will blow you away with the variety of colors and blends available - from neons to metallics to multidimensional loveliness! This is where Lit takes the lead in the glitter market hands down. Just check out their list of over a hundred colors!

USES

Lit Cosmetics Glitter Colors can be used on the eyes and you can also use them on your lips, face or body for great, fun artistic effects!

Glitters are a touchy product in makeup because quite frankly they can irritate your eyes and cause damage to your cornea. Based on the information provide on Lit's website "all Lit colours are made from a rounded plastic" and therefore shouldn't be harmful if they get into your eyes. Cosmetic glitters are required to have rounded edges to avoid sharp corners that can scratch your delicate eyes. But I must be honest here and say just be careful not to get these in your eyes....I don't want any of us going blind because we wanted to sparkle and shine! 

Be WARNED not all that glitters is gold. Glitters used in arts and crafts, fashion and the like are NOT EYE SAFE! They are allowed to have those sharp edges that can certainly cause permanent damage if not blindness. Please be CAREFUL!

 

 

Lit Cosmetics Glitter Colors are a nice albeit pricey addition to the glitter world of cosmetics. I don't think glitter needs to be super expensive since you won't get as much use out of them as you would say an eyeshadow. So since they are somewhat of a superfluous makeup product we shouldn't need to spend a lot on them.   

Lit Cosmetics does have a fantastic array of glitters for those who loves the sparkly bits and I would recommend checking them out if you are a diehard sparkle fan. They also have amazing blends and multi-color glitters that are quite unique to their brand. If you want some special/different colors to play with then by all means go for it....they are gorgeous after all. 

However, if you are simply seeking a basic color glitter - like gold, silver, blue, purple - and you are not interested in any unique mixes then check out a cheaper alternative such as NYX or LA Splash.

 

What are your thoughts? Interested?

 

 

  

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