Three in one: FOTD, Qianyu Palette Review and New hair

As the title suggests, this post features three topics. Shortcut? Maybe

Let us begin with this palette I received from my friend Leola. She requested a review. Firstly I would not call myself a “Makeup snob” although i have snobbed some items in the past. So if it was up to me i may not have picked up this palette. It’s called Qianyu  and this one is the No. 04, made in China. What captivated me were the vibrant metallic shades. Boy was i curious to see if pigmentation matched the appearance.

See for yourself

The palette:

Doesn’t look like much, but after swatching, i was so pleasantly surprised by the colour payoff, i couldn't wait to try these on my eyes.

The Swatches:

Honestly, can you tell the difference?

Now the best thing about this palette is the price, at TT$11.95 how can you go wrong?

Close up swatches: (click to enlarge)

The FOTD:

Ps: I took the opportunity to play around with my Razzle Dazzle lipstick palette

First pic: So natural

Second pic: Bon Bon

Third pic: A mixture of Gold Rush and Copper Kiss

More Pics: (click the pic to enlarge)

Colours used:

The review

Pros:

1.  Insanely cheap TT$11.95 available at your friendly neighbourhood Pennywise Cosmetics. Great choice if you’re on a budget.

2.  Insanely pigmented! Immense colour pay-off.

3.  The variety of shades – light to dark – is not too shabby.

4.  Easy to blend. Especially the darker colours. Creamy consistency.

Cons:

1. Considerable amount of fall out. I suggest you apply your eye shadow before foundation or create a barrier under eyes with a loose powder.

2.  Must, MUST apply a primer before applying. UDPP or Two Faced Eye Shadow Insurance, pretty much any good quality primer. These will crease!

3.  Sticky base should be used to minimize fall out like the Jumbo Pencils. (I used Arlene Villarule’s Amplified.

4.  Makeup snobs may not buy this because hey it’s cheap and who made it anyway??

5.  They literally stain! Make sure you have a very good makeup remover.

Final thoughts:

I personally love these. Like most eye shadows, a good primer/base is the key to longer lasting wear without too much fading/creasing. If everyone can buy Wet n Wild palettes, these babies deserve a try. I am definitely getting the other palettes. Love it!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 

And finally! Did you dig my new hairstyle??? Just needed to give my hair a little break.

Well hoped you enjoyed this post! Please share your thoughts

Limited Edition Black Opal Lipstick Palettes

Firstly Happy New Year to all my followers! Thanks for staying ;-)

One of my friends introduced me to these palettes, and i wasted no time in getting them myself. These compact, sleek Lipstick Palettes certainly won me over.

I got the chance to put it to the test on myself and a few clients, and i must say i am pleased with these buys. Check it out!

Each palette retails for US$20 on the Black Opal website.

The Palettes

Tutti Frutti is chocked full of plums and wine colors, there is also a hot orange. The lipsticks featured are Black Currant, Ebony Wine, Wine Not, Fantasia Plum, Rich Red, Heat Wave, Tropica and Spiced Rum.

Swatches

From top left: Black Currant, Ebony Wine, Wine Not and Fantasia Plum

From bottom left; Rich Red, Heat Wave, Tropica and Spiced Rum

The Razzle Dazzle palettes are a collection of gorgeous nudes which include So Natural, Bon Bon, Gold Rush, Burnished Bronze, Copper Kiss, Cocoa Cougar, Platinum Quartz and Pink Champagne.

The Swatches

From top left: So Natural, Bon Bon, Burnished Bronze and Gold Rush

From bottom left: Copper Kiss, Cocoa Cougar, Platinum Quartz and Pink Champagne

My thoughts:

I liked these because of the size of the palette, it’s not heavy at all and the amount of the product in each pan was a pleasant surprise. The mirror is HUGE, can’t go wrong with that!

I wanted some lipstick palettes for some time now for my makeup kit and these fit the bill perfectly. The nudes are a dream for the “naturalista” and perfect for brides and the plums well, they are for the divas (like me!) The lipsticks themselves are creamy and do not dry out the lips. I will still suggest that you apply a lip balm prior to applying the colors for added moisture. These lipsticks are all wearable individually or can be mixed for some added drama. I paired the nudes with some lipgloss as well.

These beauties retail at Pennywise Cosmetics for TT$113.00 per palette. A great buy if you ask me.

Have you tried Black Opal lipsticks? What are your thoughts?