Beauty Product Reviews | Page 14
A toast for Bobbi Brown Champagne Shimmer Wash!
Like Bone and Beige Shimmer Wash, Champagne is a nice addition to the neutral family. It's a beautiful balance of beige, peach, gold, and cream that looks like candlelight! Compared to Beige, it's definitely a bit warmer compared to Beige's subtle gray tones. It's a fab neutral for most shadows (though I would stick with neutral-warm shadows for this one). For those that think Bone Shimmer Wash is too pale for them, this is a slightly deeper alternative highlight and base shadow. I would recommend this particular shadow to Pale-Medium skin tones on an every day basis.
***Please see my review on Beige Shimmer Wash for a detailed overview on the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash line
The perfect and creamy cream shadow!
Bone is so appropriately and inelegantly named :) Yes, it's the color of a bone; a pale off white with shimmer. However, it has a subtle gold warmth to it that makes it one of my favorite eye shadows.
If you are looking for a VERY subtle shimmer eyeshadow, then this is the best lid/brow bone/highlight shade for pale skin! On darker skin tones, this could be used as a more dramatic base or highlight tone than Beige Shimmer Wash. I pair it with just about anything; it's a nice alternative to all the frosty pale neutrals out there.
***Please see my review on Beige Shimmer Wash for a detailed overview on the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash line
The perfect “subtle shimmer” eyeshadows out there!
As a teenager, my mother was VERY strict on what makeup I could and couldn't wear. She insisted that I not wear overly frosty....anything. Thus, I was on the hunt for a wearable eyeshadow that was still enhanced my youthful eyes.
And then came Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Wash eyeshadow. I bought these first when they were in the rounded screw top packaging, but the current repackaging has the same formula. They have a silky texture and the shimmer is DIVINE. These are perfect for an office look as washes, crease shades, and even liners! At $20 a pop, these are not cheap, but they are a great investment into your every day makeup wardrobe. The Shimmer Wash texture is unique to Bobbi Brown, luscious, and long wearing!
I love this formula because it's appropriate for all age levels. This is great for:
-Younger girls just getting into makeup! This is an appropriate starter shadow before trying frostier textures. -The working diva! The perfect texture for a more formal office setting. -The mature woman! Frostier or glittery eyeshadow tends to not perform well on more mature, wrinkled eyes. The Shimmer Wash textures sits well on older women and still gives them a flattering finish on the eyes.
Beige Shimmer Wash is one of those great shades in your makeup wardrobe. It's got the right balance of tan and beige create a neutral base that's great for light/medium- dark skintones (for fair complexions, I recommend getting Bone Shimmer Wash). For a simple look, I use Beige Shimmer Wash all over the lids (with Bone Shimmer Wash as a highlight since I'm fair), apply Bobbi Brown Taupe shadow lightly on the crease, and line my upper lash line with Bobbi Brown Caviar Ink Gel Liner. Apply some mascara, peachy pink blush and clear lipgloss, and you're out the door in less than ten minutes!
Excellent brush to have in your collection, shapes brows beautifully!
Bobbi Brown's angled brow brush is a unique brush on the market. It's stiff bristles make sure to pick up pigment well, and its angled design makes shaping brows easy! The wood of the brush is good quality, the lettering has not worn off even with daily use, and the bristles remain rigid and straight up.
I use this brush with matte neutral shadows that match my eyebrows. Typically I don't fill my eyebrows in everyday, but sometimes they need an extra kick when my eyeliner is particularly strong. I lightly dab (read: not stab) the brush on the shadow and brush it off on my hand to make sure that I haven't applied too much pigment. Then, I run the brush through my brows, both combing and filling them in simultaneously.
Great quality brush but there are other options for the value!
Don't get me wrong, this is an excellent brush. Finely constructed, great quality bristles...it's a nice staple to have in your collection. However, I feel like there are so many other good quality eyeshadow brushes on the market for way less than BB is charging (a whopping $28) Money aside, let's talk about why I like this particular brush and why it might be right for you!
I love that Bobbi offers two variations of brush: regular or short handle. I personally prefer short handle because I do my makeup closely in front of a mirror and it doesn't bang into it. The quality of the brush itself is solid and will not break apart; it's definitely a brush to have for years and years. It's not a super densely packed brush so I use it for light and even applications of color, and even on some occasions, for crease with lighter shades when I'm in a hurry. It's the brush you can always depend on and always work.
So if you're willing to spend the bucks for top quality brushes that will last you a long time, I do recommend this is a basic staple. However, if you do a little research, there ARE cheaper alternatives for your eye shadowing needs :)
Beautiful Shimmering Pewter liner
Bobbi Brown's long wearing gel liners have become a cult favorite in the industry! Their texture is rich and smooth and, on my oily eyelids, last all day with minimal (if any!) smudging.
Graphite is one of those unique products that you won't find many of on the market. I always like using alternatives to black for everyday liners because I don't need an ultra dramatic and strong look. Graphite Shimmer is a shimmering pewter charcoal that brings gray to a whole new level. Contrary to the name, the liner is not frosty at all; it has a subtle glimmer that kicks up an otherwise flat (matte) base. I love wearing it with purples, blues, taupes, forest green (mostly cooler toned shades). However, I've found that when I pair it with a glimmering warm peach gold (like MAC All that Glitters), it makes for a really unique and unexpected pairing that I believe will flatter many different colorings.
Since this is a pot product, you need to use an eyeliner brush with it. The Bobbi Brown gel liner brush is a good match with it (I personally prefer the ability to make a thinner line). Instead, I recommend the MAC 263 Angle Liner brush for a precise and thinly marked line (this enables you to do a great winged liner as well).
Since this product is long-lasting, it needs to be washed off with a powerful cleanser, cleansing oil, or makeup remover (I use either a cleansing oil or makeup remover and it comes off easily). Also make sure to wash your brush quickly after application to avoid the product caking up on it. This doesn't have to be a full washing; rub the brush with some makeup remover or baby shampoo and rinse....you're good to go!
Because this is a pot product, make sure you screw the cap on tightly so the product doesn't dry out (it's cream based!) I'd say the gel liners have a max shelf life of one year before you have to buy a new one, but if you spend $21 on one eyeliner for the year, that's pretty good investment for a high quality product.
Long-lasting shimmering ivy liner!
Bobbi Brown's long wearing gel liners have become a cult favorite in the industry! Their texture is rich and smooth and, on my oily eyelids, last all day with minimal (if any!) smudging.
Ivy is one of those unique colors that makes my honey brown eyes POP! It enhances the green bits in them and overall gives me a sultry alternative to the typical black. I love wearing it winged on the upper lashline AND on the lower waterline with matte warm browns and peaches. The combination of the shimmery liner texture and matte shadows creates a balanced and not over-the-top eye look.
Since this is a pot product, you need to use an eyeliner brush with it. The Bobbi Brown gel liner brush is a good match with it (I personally prefer the ability to make a thinner line). Instead, I recommend the MAC 263 Angle Liner brush for a precise and thinly marked line (this enables you to do a great winged liner as well).
Since this product is long-lasting, it needs to be washed off with a powerful cleanser, cleansing oil, or makeup remover (I use either a cleansing oil or makeup remover and it comes off easily). Also make sure to wash your brush quickly after application to avoid the product caking up on it. This doesn't have to be a full washing; rub the brush with some makeup remover or baby shampoo and rinse....you're good to go!
Because this is a pot product, make sure you screw the cap on tightly so the product doesn't dry out (it's cream based!) I'd say the gel liners have a max shelf life of one year before you have to buy a new one, but if you spend $21 on one eyeliner for the year, that's pretty good investment for a high quality product.
Great colors, smooth application, long-lasting
Bobbi Brown's long wearing gel liners have become a cult favorite in the industry! Their texture is rich and smooth and, on my oily eyelids, last all day with minimal (if any!) smudging.
Caviar Ink is a gorgeous deep black brown (leans slightly towards a grey/brown base). When I was looking at the gel liners, I wanted an everyday liner that still gave my honey brown eyes impact, but that wasn't as harsh and dramatic for daytime as a black liner would be. Caviar fits the bill! It's the perfect compromise, a matte deep neutral. It matches every shadow I own and even mixes well with other gel liner shades! Typically I wear it on the upperlashline with a neutral shadow for everyday, but sometimes I go dramatic and pair it with a BRIGHT blue eyeliner on bottom (like the image attached).
Since this is a pot product, you need to use an eyeliner brush with it. The Bobbi Brown gel liner brush is a good match with it (I personally prefer the ability to make a thinner line). Instead, I recommend the MAC 263 Angle Liner brush for a precise and thinly marked line (this enables you to do a great winged liner as well).
Since this product is long-lasting, it needs to be washed off with a powerful cleanser, cleansing oil, or makeup remover (I use either a cleansing oil or makeup remover and it comes off easily). Also make sure to wash your brush quickly after application to avoid the product caking up on it. This doesn't have to be a full washing; rub the brush with some makeup remover or baby shampoo and rinse....you're good to go!
Because this is a pot product, make sure you screw the cap on tightly so the product doesn't dry out (it's cream based!) I'd say the gel liners have a max shelf life of one year before you have to buy a new one, but if you spend $21 on one eyeliner for the year, that's pretty good investment for a high quality product.
Good product, kind of expensive.
This is another great brush to have in your makeup arsenal. It's VERY densely packed so it can pack on heavy color, smudge/smoke eyeliner and eyeshadow, and place eyeshadow precisely in the crease to blend. That said, it's a bit costly at $24.50 when Sephora's #12 brush is a great duplicate at $15. <a href='http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P188207&categoryId=S4906&shouldPaginate=true' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>http://sephora.com/browse/product.j...</a>
If you're kind of OCD and need to have all the same brushes, then go for the MAC at $9 more. These brushes are high quality and WILL last you if you take care of them properly.
Great brush to have, however, lots of cheaper alternatives
This is a nice angled eye brush. You can shape your brows with a brow toned eyeshadow, apply gel liner (albeit it will be a thicker line), and even apply your lipstick! At $19.50, however, there are far too many good and cheaper duplicates to warrant the price of the brush. I recommend trying EcoTools, Boots No. 7, or Sonia Kashuk brands from Target for possible dupes.