Ethique- 'Loveheart' Mineral Eyeshadow

Applied Once

Applied Twice


I received a few testers from Ethique**, this being one of them.
Loveheart*** is definitely a GO.

The testers come in small bags -

which is great but fiddly if you don't know what you're doing. I don't know what I'm doing, so my floor is now an eclectic marbled mess, as are my socks- which is all part of the fun. And seeing as they're only testers, it's a sure thing that the actual product would come in proper packaging.

I jiggle the bag around and dip my finger in (no, I don't have any makeup brushes BUT last week I won some -lol see told you I win a lot!- so they will come soon!) and the skins oil on my finger means it picks up just the right amount.

- This is how much you want, if you're using a finger lol. You can always apply twice (see first pics)

DO NOT pack it on your finger as this will happen-

So scrape off the excess into the bag and gently swipe over eyelid. I recommend doing this BEFORE mascara as otherwise you end up with glittered lashes which aren't really what you want. Or do you?... -

I also recommend putting a nude shadow/primer on first which means this shadow won't fall into the creases throughout the day.

Anyway, this is a definite GO for me. I have pretty average skin and it's a weird* colour in which I find it hard to match up with the right shadows, but this is a beaut. It's funny though cause I always thought 'pink' eyeshadow would make me look like I had pinkeye; but this doesn't! It's warming and 'easy' so yes, a big bouncy poGO stick for this one! Well done, Ethique**. I will be buying some when I run out of tester.

*weird= like a pair of pants you try on in the store that fit perfect but look naff when you get them home. My face is perfect in the mirror BUT pale in photos, oily in photos, not enough coverage etc etc... Hence me finding it hard to match colours LOL as I don't know what I suit ... THE MIRROR IS A LIE!

**Ethique are a Christchurch based (me too!) company who make heaps of different body products and have now released a Mineral Makeup line. They do a pack of 5 testers for $3nzd and you can choose from face powders, blushers and eyeshadows.
-http://shop.ethique.co.nz/products/Testers%21.html

*** Loveheart; "Pale berry fruit coloured shadow, perfect for warming any look..."
-http://shop.ethique.co.nz/products/Love-Heart.html

*DISCLAIMER* I'm not giving a tutorial on what to do with eyeshadow as people will probably hit me over the head for being so amateur and CRAP about it. I don't have perfect eyebrows, nails or skin so I'm not going to go down the tutorial road but as my blog says, honest reviews by an honest mama- which means I don't care how perfect or unperfect my reviews are just as long as they help people make decisions. Especially us mums who want to know if products are WORTH paying for :)

OPI Purple With a Purpose

OPI Purple With a Purpose- GO

I actually won this polish (if you follow my future reviews, I will be reviewing other things I've won too so keep an eye out!) but chose the colour myself. I only had one purple by OPI and that was Done Out in Deco (will do a review on that at some stage) which a pastel lilacy grey so complete other end of the purple spectrum.

THE GO'S:

Goes on smoothly and dries in good time as expected by OPI.
Needs about 2-3 coats on it's own for full coverage.
It is a creamy shimmer so although it is shiny, it's not a 'sharp' shine. A top coat would probably enhance this.

THE NO'S:
I don't think there are any!

Thundercats are GO. This colour is perfect for (almost) any occasion- work, play, dinner out etc. Night OR day :)

Orly Precisely Poppy

Orly Precisely Poppy - NO.

Ughhh why must I review polish's that take forever to apply and remoooove?!

Again unfortunately this Orly one is NOT a fave.

THE GO'S:

If you're wanting a BRIGHT orange red, this is perfect for you but oh so wrong if you haven't got all day to maintain your polished fingers. The picture shows it as more orange than it really is.
Maybe 1-2 coats instead of the usual 2-3 for most other polishes, BUT, give at least 30 minutes drying time for each coat... And by 'at least', I mean it!

THE NO'S:
Again, long uncontrollable & thin brush.
Thick, gloopy polish. It's also really 'tacky' and sticky.
Because of the above; it takes forever to dry.

Thundercats are NO. This colour is awesome and has the right effect if you've got short nails like me; but any longer and people would be scared. The formula is a bit 'naff' and if it was improved, and I was offered some to try, then maybe I'd change my mind. For now though it's a definite Nahhhh.

Orly *Diamond Love*

Orly Diamond Love - Neither No OR Go

I bought this with the thought that Orly's brushes and formula would be as amazing as OPI's, but, it's not! Find out why -

THE GO'S:

Ends up looking okay, if that's what you're after.
Needs about 2-3 coats on it's own for full coverage.
Perfect for a wedding- bride AND bridesmaids, toes and fingers etc.

THE NO'S:
Brush is too long and thin so not enough control, whereas OPI's brush is wide and easy to control.
Formula is gloopy and thick.
Takes forever to dry.

I just don't know.
My aim with this blog was to either love or hate products but as a mum, a 20 year old girl AND a nail polish fanatic; it's just not possible sometimes to love or hate. It's a 'hmm' for me. I've barely ever worn it and trying it on again, I now remember why.

OPI The One That Got Away

OPI The One That Got Away - GO

There has been a lot of hype over Katy Perry's new nail-polish's coming out so I nabbed myself a few. I got Teenage Dream, Black Shatter and The One That Got Away.

Black shatter was NOT my thing so I sold it a few hours after I bought it.

Teenage Dream is gorgeous and my last review was on it.

THE GO'S:

Goes on smoothly and dries in good time as expected by OPI.
Needs about 2-3 coats on it's own for full coverage.
It makes me feel sophisticated LOL strange I know, but it does. It's a real 'mouth watering' colour; it sort of reminds me of berry coulis so I don't know how that makes me feel sophisticated- there is nothing sophisticated about dipping your fingers in berry sauce.
It's clean and 'sharp'.

THE NO'S:
I don't actually think there are any for this one!

Thundercats are GO. This colour is stunning and has the perfect amount of shimmer and shine for any time of day (or night...). Perfect for work AND play!

First Review- OPI Teenage Dream

OPI Teenage Dream- Yep, a big fat GO!

There has been a lot of hype over Katy Perry's new nail-polish's coming out so I nabbed myself a few. I got Teenage Dream, Black Shatter and The One That Got Away.

Black shatter was NOT my thing so I sold it a few hours after I bought it.

The One That Got Away is BEAUTIFUL but that's for another post.

Teenage Dream-

THE GO'S:

Goes on smoothly and dries in good time.
Needs about 3 coats on it's own for full coverage.
It looks different in every light, and the more coats, the darker pink it becomes.

THE NO'S:
No major, just the usual with chunky glitters- it dries quite rough and chips off UNLESS covered in a decent top coat.

So all in all, a definite GO. I love how I can put it over different colours to jazz them up. I ADORE it over OPI Done Out in Deco (which is SO HARD to find!!!).