ColourPop's recent Free Worldwide shipping offer was one that the bargain hunter within me couldn't disregard. Having seen swatches of the new items made in collaboration with model and video creator, Sonya Esman, the eye-shadow palette struck an immediate chord. The warm neutral shades, with a range of mattes and shimmers, seemed like a necessity for a makeup kit (or just another excuse I told myself) so I made a purchase, adding on a Lippie Stick following the positive reviews I've heard about them. Since I spent over $20 I received a free Ultra Satin Lip with around 5 shades to choose from. Of course, my intuitively basic choice was to go for a 'your lips but better' nude in the shade 'Strip'.
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| Gemini by Night palette by ColourPop in collaboration with Sonya Esman |
The palette comes with four shades:
Mattes
Golden Gate Bridge - a perfect, warm brown matte shade, perfect as a transition colour for nearly every single eye shadow look. I would compare this colour to 'Salted Caramel' in the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette.
Manhattan Coffee Run - The second, and final matte shade of the palette. A dark brown with what I would describe as 'hazelnut' warm tones. Perfect for adding into the outer crease for some added depth to Golden Gate Bridge. Both mattes work in great unison, making this ideal for everyday use!
Shimmers
The Hidden Hills - Described as a satin warm taupe, this shade comes off more champagne on my complexion. It's definitely more shimmer based than a plain colour so I use this to pack a pop of shine in the centre of the eye for a halo-look or if I'm lazy just pack it all over the mobile lid.
Moscow Sunrise - The star of the show. This metallic pressed shadow projects vibrant rose gold and copper reflects and is perfect for upping the ante and turning a day-look into one suitable for the evening. (Of course you could wear this every day as well! I am not ashamed to admit my tendency to wear "extra" makeup looks on the day-to-day).
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| Shades (Left to Right): Golden Gate Bridge, The Hidden Hills, Manhattan Coffee Run and Moscow Sunrise |
Having not used ColourPop shadows ever before, I was extremely surprised to see how creamy, pigmented AND easy to blend they were - particularly the matte shades in the palette. From first touch this palette pretty much knocked every single drugstore palette I've ever used out of the park as I have only found shadows with such impeccable quality by higher end brands such as Too Faced or Makeup Geek!
The shimmers however do not show up vibrantly enough on my eye when using a flat shader brush. Spraying the brush with Mac Fix+ after dipping it into the desired shadow does the trick perfectly though, giving a metallic and opaque sheen to the lids! I would highly recommend this step when using pressed satin shadows such as this.
If you don't have Mac Fix+ or any other setting/facial spray, your finger is the next best bet. I found it packed on way more colour and despite it requiring to be built up to project the most intense pigment, it didn't have to be layered as much as it would using a dry packing brush without Fix+.
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| Ultra Satin Lip - Strip (Sample) |
The product has a reasonably thick consistency (not runny at all) and appears quite opaque on the lips on the first application! The formula feels smooth and creamy, and leaves only a very slight tackiness on the lips.
Despite being a satin formula, the product looks completely matte but without the dry and uncomfortable feeling! I would describe the feeling to be similar to Mac's matte lipsticks which appear matte but are reasonably comfortable to wear.
Even though it feels comfortable, the product tends to emphasise the lines in my lips, even when first applying - have a look at the photo below. The creases become even more apparent the longer I am wearing it!
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| Ultra Satin Lip in Strip (one layer) |
Also be aware that the product does transfer slightly. Not an extreme amount, but I found that the outer parts of my lips were the first to come off, particularly when eating.
Not that the product requires it, but I also never layer it on. The colour actually gets darker the more you apply and becomes a dark mauve when applying the second layer so I recommend leaving it to only one to keep the lighter appearance.
I also picked up the Lippie Stix in 'Hotline', described as a deepened peach. I would definitely say this resembles Mac's Kinda Sexy, with it's peachy/apricot undertones. I am obsessed with the colour which is a combination of a peachy nude and fluorescent orange. Any brighter, and it would look extremely drying on the lips! The formula glides on the lips so smoothly and effortlessly and is genuinely one of the most comfortable matte formula's I've tried - alongside Mac's matte lipsticks!
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| Lippie Stix - Hotline |
It does tend to emphasise the lines and crevices in the inner portion of the lips, particularly when layered so I ensure I apply lip-balm beforehand and stick to one thin application all over the lips to reduce this!
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| Hotline in natural light |
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| Hotline in normal light |
I have found that although this is a matte finish, it transfers slightly! After about 4 hours I just take it off completely and re-apply because it tends to wear off mostly around the centre of the lips and can look very cracked and patchy if layered. Luckily this looks great with or without a lip-liner so it can easily be reapplied within seconds!
Overall I can definitely see myself re-purchasing from ColourPop - particularly their eye shadows and Lippie Stix! Their products are of such high quality and are reminiscent of higher-end brands but a quarter of the price - what more could you want?!
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Lexy xxx
