Saucebox is Awesomesauce

I always keep an eye out for cool, new make-up. Factors I like to consider are: quality, uniqueness, packaging and most importantly, value. As a freelancer, I live the "feast or famine" lifestyle. When times are good, they are amazing! When times are slow, it's beyond sad.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE color! I love great pigmentation. I've really enjoyed bright eyeshadows by Sugarpill and Sleek. But I've had my eye on a company I've never tried before...Saucebox.

I came across Saucebox via Facebook. The colors looked amazing. The prices are more reasonable than Sugarpill and easier to get your hands on than Sleek, the first chance I could, I placed a small order with Saucebox. I ordered their classic, neutral, Creme de la Creme palette. I also picked up a single shadow they have a hard time keeping in stock. It's a fantastically bright, neon pink called Oh La-La.

The package arrived very quickly via first class USPS. From California, it took 3 days! The box was a very lovely pink and once I opened it, I found my items carefully wrapped in pink tissue paper. Sure enough, there was my CdlC palette and screaming pink shadow. But wait, there's more! I also got a mascara! Very cool! I love extras!

But before I get to the actual review of the products, I want to touch base on something that I take very seriously when it comes to my dealings with companies: customer service. In my eyes, customer service can make or break a business. I bet you think I'm about to go off on one of my rants, but no. I was so pleased to find that the people at Saucebox were so welcoming and helpful. I had questions that were answered thoroughly and in a timely fashion. I established a great rapport with the company representative I was communicating with. It was a top-notch experience...from before the order took place until I received my order. I cannot praise them enough.

Now, for the good stuff!!

The awesome contents of my order!

Creme de la Creme Palette

I found the eye shadows in the Creme de la Creme palette to be very smooth and velvety.  There is GREAT coverage and pigmentation.  The black is probably the blackest black I have ever used.  It goes on evenly and does not require layering, like other black shadows do.  The rest of the colors in the CdlC palette are beautifully shimmery.  There is a gorgeous light color that is not a cool white and is perfect for a natural highlight under the brow bone.  You can see in my swatches that the next to the lightest color almost blends perfectly in with my skin tone.  I love that.  Not only can I use it on my eyes, I can use it as a natural-looking face highlighter too.  The browns are very easy to blend and I love the gray because it is not too cool.  It won't be turning blue on anyone.  I have to say, I think that the CdlC palette is an essential neutral set that every woman needs to have.  It is $35 and can be found here.

Oh my...Oh La-La!

Now, I was SO happy to get my hands on Oh La-La!  This is a color that is frequently out of stock.  It is a brilliant pink.  So very pink, that it is hard to photograph because the camera goes all loopy trying to capture all of the awesomeness.  The color is matte and glides over the skin.  The coverage is great and is not chalky at all.  While it's not for the faint of heart, it is a lot of fun.  And don't forget that it is possible to mix a flash of an ultra-bright color in with a basic neutral eye look and not have the color be overbearing.  Don't be afraid of color, ladies...it's too much fun!!  The single shadows are only $8 and can be found here.

Surprise!  Mascara!

I have not tried out the mascara yet, but as soon as I do (most likely the next time I do my make-up), I will tell you all about it.

Swatches!

More swatches and the look I did with the shadows for Halloween!

In conclusion, what else can I say about Saucebox?   Well, I really really want everything else they make.  I need to possess every eye shadow in BOTH my own personal stash and in my professional kit.  In their collection of single eye shadows, there are many that can also double as blush.  I haven't wanted to gush about a company so much in a LONG time and I really can't wait to get my hands on more products.

So, yes, fine powers that be at Saucebox, should you ever feel the need to sponsor a working make-up artist, then I'm your girl!  I'm not just a blogger, I'm out there working events:  doing commercial work, editorial work, work that gets published, anything I can to get get my hands on faces and make transformations happen!   :)

I'm An It Girl, Thanks Julep!

In an effort to keep my idle hands busy, I've decided to start working on making my nails look nice.  I have never really fussed over my fingernails.  I will paint my toenails, but that's about as crazy as I get.  I am a fine artist, in addition to being a make-up artist, and I am very tough on my hands.  Usually when I put polish on, it's wrecked in a day anyway.  I get hangnails that I mutilate in an attempt to get rid of.  Cuticles...don't even get me started.

Anyway, I recently signed up for the Maven program from Julep.  They had a sale where the first month was only a penny!  AND that included shipping.  This was obviously a great opportunity to try their wares.  They have you fill out a little style survey then let you know what colors they think would work best for you.  It's a little silly in my opinion, especially since they give you the option to select a different mix of products every month anyway.  But I completed the survey and was pleased to find that I'm an "It Girl", was there ever any doubt that I was anything but??

What I liked about being chosen as an It Girl was that the Maven goodie box for the month featured 3 nail colors and a top coat.  Most other boxes have a couple of nail colors and some other hand product like a lotion or a scrub.  While I should probably use products like those, I like colors...so I gravitate towards the fun stuff first!  The colors selected in my goodie box were:  Megan (a nice metallic, mid-shade turquoise), Hayden (described as a "neon peach", more to follow on that) and Leah (a lovely, bright grass green with slight shimmer).  The fourth polish was their fast-dry top coat.

I sat down this morning and decided it was time to swatch.  First I applied Hayden and my initial thought of the color was confirmed:  it's the color of a slice of American cheese.  I suppose I thought it would have a little more pink/red in it.  Not a lot, mind you, just a smidge.  The first coat was streaked.  The second coat was even more disconcerting because it created a thick layer with indentations from the brush strokes in it.  And it STILL didn't create an even color. It took about three and a half coats to get a fairly even color, but it's still not 100% and the thickness makes it difficult to work with.

Next, I gave Leah a spin.  I really like that it is a fresh, bright green.  Again, it took about three and a half coats to get a somewhat even color.   The first coat was nice and thin, but upon laying down another coat this polish also seemed to get thick and hard to work with.  Three coats was almost the charm, but there was still a streak, caused by the brushstroke, right down the middle of the nail.  That's where the half streak came in.  The only other thing that I found disappointing was that the pretty shimmer didn't really show up once the nail was painted.  It's SO subtle, the color looks like a cream.

Last but not least, there's Megan.  I thought this one would be a "gimme."  The first couple of layers went down nicely, thin and easy to layer.  I was still having streaks though.  I'm sad to report that I can't remember how many layers and touch ups it took to get a nice, even color with this one.

I followed up with their fast-drying top coat.  Sadly, the layers were so thick, there was no way this topcoat was going to dry anything, much less, in a quick fashion.  It gives a nice shine, smoothed out some of the imperfections.  But I'm used to Seche Vite, so I guess I'm spoiled.  I just don't see myself using this top coat.

All in all, I am not really a fan of these monthly subscriptions.  There are so many nowadays.  Some send a mix of samples and full-sized products and some let you have a little choice, like the Julep program.  And one thing I can say for Julep is they are very flexible in order to keep your business.  If you want to skip a month, you can.  If you want to send you're monthly goodie box to a friend to hold onto while you're on vacation, you can.  But for me, the bottom line is that if I'm going to spend my hard-earned money, then I want it to be on something I want 100%, not a surprise.

The sales Julep has offered on the Maven program have been good ones.  It regularly retails for $19.99 a month.  Not bad when you consider that their nail polishes are $14 each.  Obviously the sales they have are to get you in the door and committed to the $20 a month.  But I couldn't refuse the offer for a penny.  Sadly, I do not see myself purchasing another Maven box.  I simply do not like the formulas of the nail polish and even $20 a month for two of them and another product is not enough to entice me to continue.

Amazingly Lush Shadows

If you follow me on Facebook, then you have seen the "sneak preview" photos I have posted of the eye shadows I am reviewing.  I came across these while I was looking for more of the 88- and 120-colored eye shadow palettes.  What caught my attention were the claims that these eye shadows are better than MAC's and "flight attendants swear by them" (whatever that sort of thing means).  Anyway, I came across a palette that was pretty inexpensive compared to other ones I found online.

The brand is called Miss Rose. It is sold in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.  The palette I got is the "Shiny 24-Color Wet Eye Shadow."  The colors look amazing in the photos, but when my package arrived, I was lost for words when I opened the palette.  These shadows have SO much shimmer and sparkle!  The colors are beautiful!   And some of the colors are quite similar, but I don't mind since I got this palette just to dip my toes in the Miss Rose water.  In fact, it gives me a reason to try out other palettes!  For now, I will let the product photos speak for themselves.

When I played with these eye shadows, I found that they are extremely soft.  My gut instinct was to use my fingers to apply them.  But I am a tactile person, if something looks like it has a rich texture, then I have to touch it.  Although, the shadows applied best with fingers, a sponge applicator would be my next choice and lastly, I would use a brush.  Since the shadows are so soft, you would really have to dig into it with a brush to load some shadow onto it.  And while I know fingers and sponge applicators are frowned upon, it's just my two cents.  Feel free to apply your shadows how you wish!

I have also found palettes that look identical to the Miss Rose brand.  Some brand names to keep an eye out for are Miss Beauty, Lijindie, Oumeidie, Angel Cosmetics and Angel London.

Tinted Lip Balm Heaven

Tinted lip balms are my favorite lip products ever!!  They are tinted just enough to give you some color on your lips and you can apply them without a mirror!  They make your lips feel good and moisturized without feeling heavy.  I know there have already been tons of reviews on Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter, but here's my take on them.

As soon as I saw these in the store, I knew I wanted at least half of them.  I am a tinted lip balm junkie.  And I love all colors:  pinks, reds, nudes, berries, corals...you name it.  I don't discriminate.  And the range of colors they have are beautiful!  But this time, I decided to stick my toes in before I jumped headlong into a stockpile of new lip products!  Last week CVS and Walgreens had Revlon products "Buy one, get one 50% off", this week Rite Aid has that deal, if you are interested.  So, I went and picked up a couple.I got Berry Smoothie and Strawberry Shortcake.  And guess what?  Yep, you already know.  I fell in love with them.  They are moisturizing, the color is subtle and there is o overbearing fragrance or taste.  That's a big deal to me, if I find a smell or taste undesirable, I can't look past it.  I'm out.

Have I mentioned the packaging?  No??  Well, I love it.  The tubes are silver and come up to the top of the lip balm, so it's not packaged like a lipstick there.  But from the outside it looks like a lipstick.  The cases are clear, with a frosty finish.  There is a diamond pattern on two sides, with the other sides just plain frost.  And the case is a color some-what representative of the color inside!  Fabulous!  Perfect for the "throw it in your purse before you run out the door" types.  No one likes picking up a lipstick only to find it's not the shade they thought it was because the packaging was identical.

All in all, I have picked up a total of 7 of these.  The colors are mostly pinks and reds, although I'm eyeing up Creme Brulee which is a gorgeous nude.  But let's break down the colors I have:

• Red Velvet - A deep, red with cool tones.  Creates a lovely stain with a little more "oomph" or drama.
• Berry Smoothie - If you want a pinky color that is a tad darker than Strawberry Shortcake, this is for you.
• Pink Truffle - More of a nude color than a pink color.  This shade is universal and would work on everyone.
• Peach Parfait - A very sheery, shimmery coral.  
• Strawberry Shortcake - A very sheer wash of a basic pink that is not too bright.
• Sweet Tart - A lighter, warmer, bright pink.  Almost a coral, but not quite.
• Lollipop - A really fun, bright, mid-tone pink with a blue undertone.

I love these and I think you will too.  I am a huge fan of make-up that is quick and easy.  These fit the bill perfectly.  You will find these at most drugstores/big box stores for around $7.  Some places are a little less, some are a little more.  But you will usually find a sale at one of the drugstores around you, so be sure to check the weekly flyers.
 

Wholesalers and Discounters: Do or Don't?

I've been lurking around various cosmetics discount and wholesale stores that sell to the general public.  I've done my research and read blogs and reviews of sites.  I've taken into consideration that most of the time, products are dead stock or testers.  Sometimes the products may be sold because they are "scratch and dent" products or they may have the wrong label, be not quite the color they should be, there are any number of reasons products end up in the hands of these discount sites.  Does this mean they are not usable?  No.  Does this mean they are beyond their shelf-life?  Maybe.

I took a chance and ordered from AllCosmeticsWholesale.com.  I came across their site and they have an incredible selection of stuff on clearance, there are like 47 pages of it!  (I always check sale stuff first.)     Some brands you may have heard of like Stila, Lola, Pop Beauty, Pixi and MAC.  Other ones, like Gaultier's Le Male line (I am guessing it's make-up for men?), you may not have ever seen before.  But with the great prices they have to offer, it's worth it (to me) to try something out.  Nothing I ordered was over $6.99!!

I read some reviews about AllCosmeticsWholesale.com and the thing that worried me the most is that if you have any problems and need to deal with customer service, apparently it is a huge hassle and their customer service is sub-par.  And if any of you are regular followers of my blog, then you know I am a magnet for problems when I place orders!  So, I hoped Murphy's Law may kick in and I placed a small order.  That way if there were any problems, I wouldn't be out a lot of money. 

Now, to the good stuff.  I placed my order on the 12th and it arrived on the 14th.  Two days from Washington State to North Carolina is pretty darn good!  It was packaged well, in a USPS Priority box which was inside a USPS Priority envelope.  Once I opened the box, I found all the products securely wrapped in bubble wrap.  It was great.  Now, one gripe I have is that the shipping is EXPENSIVE.  I paid over $10 in shipping and the small flat rate box mails for $5.25.  And since they used USPS packaging, the only separate shipping expense they had was the bubble wrap, gas and time to take it to the post office.  So, when you think about it, it's not THAT bad.

  I got two mini Pixi eyeshadow palettes, a Pixi blush, three pots of Stila Barbie stuff, two Pop Beauty eyeliners and the Tokidoki eyeshadow Smashbox put out.  Everything was pristine.  The Pixi blush was labeled "tester", so it did not come with a brush in the little tray that slides out underneath.  That bummed me out a little, but it's no biggie, it's not like I don't have any brushes of my own!

Overall, I had no issues with AllCosmeticsWholesale.com.  The shipping was fast and packed well.  The items were pristine.  I think as long as you stick to powder products and some pencils, you really won't have to worry that they are going to expire.  I would worry a little more about lipsticks and lip glosses.  When they go rancid, you will know it and it won't be usable.   When looking at these sites and reading reviews, I'd say go with your gut.  I know ACW was very clear about if something was damaged or mislabeled, not all sites may be like that.  If you feel like it's too much of a gamble, don't do it.  But I tend to be adventurous when looking for deals. 

Have you purchased from any discount site before?  What sorts of experiences did you have?  Please comment below.

24 Hour Color Tattoo For Eyes

It wasn't that long ago that I read about this new product by Maybelline, called Color Tattoo by Eyestudio.  On it's label, it touts that it lasts 24 hours.  In my skeptical mind, I was thinking this is too good to be true, as these sort of things usually are.  But I was intrigued and figured I would try a color out.  The colors come in little glass pots and vary from light and neutral to very vivid and bright.  I chose "Fierce & Tangy" because everyone knows that's a perfect description for me!  Seriously though, I chose it because it was a lovely, orange color.  I decided if I was going to review one, it should be a fun color.

I swatched the color on my arm around 3:00 on Tuesday afternoon.  The color was bright, with good pigmentation.  Then the waiting game began.  I decided to take another photo around 12:20 AM.  The color still looked great.  In fact, I paid a little more attention and noticed that was a nice, soft sparkle to it.  After that, I went to sleep.  When I woke up the next morning, it was faded, but it was still there!  By this time, I was already sold on this product.  And even though I had made up my mind, I figured I'd leave it on and see what happens.  I can tell you it was still on at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon.  What's even more remarkable is that it was STILL on my arm when I woke up this morning, which is Thursday.  Granted, it's very faint now, but it's still there!

The 12:12 photo is under artificial light the rest are daylight.

 

With endurance testing like that, I decided I must go out and get the other colors I was interested in, so I went out and picked up some more.  I got Too Cool (a white shimmer), Audacious Asphalt (a shimmery, dark gray) and Tough as Taupe (a creamy, neutral taupe). What I like about these is that they are fast and easy.  Sure, I like to take my time and create some very elaborate looks that show off my skills, but it's not really practical on a day to day basis.  I am a mom who is frequently rushing around from place to place.  I love make-up I can apply and blend with my fingers.  It's an easy way to get a nice, smoky look.  Please take into consideration that the afternoon light was fading fast and we've had clouds moving in all day, hence the tone difference in the photos below.

Too Cool, Tough as Taupe and Fierce & Tangy

Too Cool and Audacious Asphalt

Victorian Disco Cosmetics Glitters And Shines

Be forewarned, this post is going to have many photos!

It's been a while since I came across an indie mineral make-up company that I really wanted to try.  But I came across a post on Beautylish.com and submitted my info to test some new products for a new line called Victorian Disco Cosmetics.  I like the name, it sounds lush and sparkly.  Then I started to see some sneak peek photos on their Facebook fan page and the colors looked fabulous!  I was seeing color combinations I had not seen before with other indie brands.  And Victorian Disco Cosmetics has mixed glitters!  So many people sell glitters and they are exactly what arrives from the wholesale company, but these have multiple colors mixed together and they are gorgeous.  These would be perfect if you're wanting to try out the new glittery eyebrows trend!

Cute Packaging!

 My sample package arrived yesterday and everything was so professionally presented.  The samples were all in a cute cellophane bag with a brand sticker sealing it shut.  The envelope was quite large for samples alone, but it ensured that they arrived to me safely and I can completely appreciate that.

Pigment Swatches (top to bottom):
Powdered Wig, Baroque, Revolutionary Ball, Sailor Saturn, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Pluto, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Uranus

 The pigments are so very pretty.  They are bright and what you see is what you get. I love that.  The only color that did not perform 100% is Revolutionary Ball, the more you try to blend it, the more it rubs down and loses intensity.  It sounds logical, but it doesn't just blend out, it disappears some.  And for the record, I used Too Faced's Shadow Insurance and NYX's pearly white eyeshadow base and it only disappeared when I swatched it on my arm.  It performed perfectly when I used it on my eye.  I find the Sailor colors very appealing.  The collection is actually quite large and I simply love the colors.  There is also a really fabulous Star Wars-inspired collection too!

Now, onto those glitters!

Bling Pro is a lovely deep pink/magenta color.  I used LA Splash's eye primer/sealer to set these.  Simply apply the base and tap the glitter onto it.













Predator is stunning.  It's not just another metallic gold or bronze.  There is a subtle mix of both colors and it creates a rich finish.

ACR is my favorite glitter out of what I received.  It's a great mix of a medium-purple glitter, silver glitter and I believe a touch of gold glitter.  It's a beautiful, multidimensional color that provides a subtle, yet very glamorous pop of color.











Riot Shield is a straight purple glitter.  It's almost a royal purple.  A must for fans of deep, twinkling colors.

After swatching the products, I was more than ready to play!

Here is the first look I created with Victorian Disco Cosmetics:

Colors Used:  Powdered Wig, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mercury

My next look was a more dramatic, smoky look:

Products Used:  Powdered Wig, Sailor Saturn, Revolutionary Ball, Baroque and it's all topped off with ACR glitter.

All in all, I'm pleased with the samples I got from Victorian Disco Cosmetics.  And I mustn't forget that they label all of the samples with the ingredients and if the products are lip safe or not.  I look forward to trying out more!