Eyes to mesmerize: Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Highlight Hyperliner in Amethyst Android

All your eyeliner are belong to us ;) A week ago I was perusing my local Mecca Cosmetic and noticed the entire staff wearing neutral coloured eyeshadow and turquoise eyeliner. Super cute, simple and fun! And that is how I put Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Highlight Hyperliner (try saying that five times fast!) in Amethyst Android.

Temptalia did a thorough review a little over a year ago -- a seed was planted.

Tarina Tarantino

Recently Tarina Tarantino decided to let her contract with Sephora end, a sale followed suit and I managed to nab a liner for $9.00 USD (regularly $15.00) during my visit to the States. Have no fear, Tarina's makeup range is due to debut on her own website as early as this month! In the meantime, I'm kicking myself for not picking up more colours.

Amethyst Android, blurple sparkle (blue and purple combined :)) is a soft eye crayon with amazing waterproof abilities. Your tears will have no fears should you happen to shed a few. Colour opacity had to be built up by way of making soft strokes (more like Morse code); by the time I reached the outer corners of my eyes, I found I wasn't having to go over my handiwork repeatedly as the crayon had warmed. This look was paired with minimal makeup -- I used MAC's Shroom all over my lids and painted black mascara on my lashes.

The sparkle is subtle, it mainly helps to enhance the colour's intensity by reflecting the light. It's appropriate for day, night or both.

Amethyst Android

The final look

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Highlight Hyperliner in Amethyst Android:

• $9.00 USD; regularly retailed for $15.00 USD. I hope Tarina doesn't increase her prices once the move is complete.

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – A total steal! User-friendly and lasts all day.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Can I have all the colours found in the rainbow?

Correction...

Tweet dated 22 December 2012

A glimpse at the lips: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Memento

Another "lust" list item fulfilled. Tho, I am disappointed. Truth be told I was expecting a lot more from OCC's Lip Tar. The pigmentation of Memento (pink/plum neutral) is intense -- you only need a small amount of product (two to three drops for my lips), but it didn't last all that long, maybe two hours tops! Your lips are intended to be primed with their clear formula, but I skipped their recommendation because I didn't feel like paying $16.00 USD for something I didn't think I'd use regularly.

Instead, I opted to use my chapstick and finished my lips off with Maybelline's Minty Sheer gloss.

OCC Memento

Helpful instructions included

And a cute lippie brush too!

Wearing Memento

Day two: Wearing Memento

As I was writing this review yesterday, I felt it was turning too negative; I wanted to do this Lip Tar justice -- so, I wiped it off and stepped away from my computer. Approximately three hours ago I painted one layer of Memento atop my chapstick and this time the colour stuck around. While I do like the colour, I don't think OCC's Lip Tars were meant for my lips.

Observations:

• Excess gloss will pool and dry where your lips part. You're left with a cakey line and people will notice when your lips move whilst talking. Not cute.
• The Lip Tar also settled within the wrinkles and lines of my lips; I prefer a smoother finish. To me, my lips look like the end of a tied balloon. Ick.
• Not as moisturising as I thought it would be.
• The Maybelline gloss I used yesterday created an oil slick atop Memento, I think this prompted the colour to shift about -- effecting its wearability.
• If your lips are even slightly dry, the gloss will find and highlight any flaky bits. Exfoliate prior to application.
• The mint scent was a plus.
• This gloss is meant for mixing, which is why I also bought NSFW (bright red) as well. Here's hoping NSFW performs a bit better. *Holds breath*

Swatches of Memento (left), NSFW (centre) and mixed (right)

Memento in full view

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Memento:

• $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 3 out of 10 bags – swatches well, but looks meh on my lips.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I'll do a full review of NSFW and see what happens.

Still interested in trying OCC's Lip Tar, but it's not sold near you? OCC and Suite 7 Beauty ship internationally. Sephora ships to both the US and Canada.

A little late to the party: Le Metier de Beaute's Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Silk Road

Historically speaking, the Silk Road was pretty important for trade purposes, exploration and travel. With Le Metier de Beaute's Kaleidoscope in Silk Road, it's simply a rich contraption featuring four spicy hues. Despite Silk Road's release in late 2011, I still wanted to purchase it -- the chance to try a Kaleidoscope was what I was mainly after.

Le Metier de Beaute's Silk Road

Silk Road swatches

Four shades work harmoniously together -- a symphonic experience for the eyes.

Tapestry - shimmery plum

Damask - orange-y gold

Ikat - matte-like mauve

Brocade - chocolate brown with golden metallic flecks

Each colour is soft, but not powdery; colour payoff is almost immediate and the ease of layering and blending is high. Working with this palette was enjoyable and seamless.

Creasing and fading are a non-issue -- these shadows like to stick around.

Let's play!

In order to create the look seen above, follow these easy steps:

• Start with an eyeshadow primer, apply all over your eyelid and blend out above your crease.
• Apply a neutral satin shade from your lash line to your brow bone. I used MAC's Shroom.
• Damask goes first, starting from your lash line and blended out slightly above the crease.
• Focus Tapestry on the outer half of your eyelid and sweep a bit into your crease. Make sure to leave a halo of Damask.
• Ikat should overlap a small amount of Tapesty and stop at the middle of your lid. Sweep and blend a small amount into your crease as well.
• Line the outer half of your upper lash line with Brocade and flick out to create a subtle cat eye effect.
• Finally, use a black liner to finish lining the upper lash line; I started at the inner corner of my eye and blended into Brocade. Liner of choice was UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.
• Oh shoot, don't forget mascara!

I think this look resembles a sangria at sunset ;) Cheers!

Some might think the price tag is a little hefty, but to help put things into perspective here -- you're pretty much getting four full priced shades in one nifty container. The thought of paying a boatload of money for "one" item can be a crippling thing; however, something tells me you won't regret this purchase :)

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Le Metier de Beaute's Kaleidoscope in Silk Road:

• $95.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags – Took one point off for the expense; but you get crafty packaging and high performing shades.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Their blush looks like a fun time!

pssst.. I'm wearing Burberry's Lip Velvet in Pink Amber on my lips.

A glimpse at the lips: Giorgio Armani's Rouge d'Armani 400

In the makeup "wins" column, Scott can place precisely one hash mark (so far). On Christmas morning I found two tubes of lipstick, which were never on my radar, in my stocking; Scott went out on a limb and visited the Armani counter by himself. Assisted by a very kind and patient assistant manager, Scott educated her on my likes and colouring. At the end of his brave Christmas shopping excursion, Scott nabbed two pretty hues: Rouge d'Armani 400 and 601 (to be reviewed very soon).

Rouge d'Armani 400 is a perfect true red -- almost equal parts orange and yellow, with a hint of blue. The formula is creamy, semi-glossy, dries down soft, moisturises and lasts. It lasts so long (more than eight hours) I had to remove it before bed time. The other refreshing thing about this particular hue is it wears evenly; I sometimes find richly pigmented lipsticks last well on my lip line, yet the opacity of the shade will wear out at the centre of my lips. Not cute.

The only negative thing I did experience was a bit of feathering, but in the lipstick's defence it happened after eating an oily pasta dish. Under normal dining circumstances I would've been fine :)

Wearing Rouge d'Armani 400

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Giorgio Armani’s Rouge d’Armani Lipstick in 400:

• $52.00 AUS / $30.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – An intense red that lasts and doesn't dry your lips out.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Flirty Lashes compiled a complete list of new Armani products due to hit shelves this month. Must acquire the Blushing Fabric.