Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette

Firstly let me start by apologizing for my absence. 

It's been a rough and busy winter. As for the busy part, I've found that designing and sewing have taken up a great deal of my time - these bustle skirts aren't going to make themselves!
But, I have picked up a TON of new things lately that I can't wait to talk with you about!

But lets start with one thing shall we?

If you've read my previous entries, you'll know that I'm a lover of Kat Von D's makeup line at Sephora. Not so much a fan of her tattoo work - which, I believe to be mediocre at best, but her makeup line knocks my socks off!
My interest in her life or anything remotely about her personally, has very little to do with my love of this off shoot.

There's been a ton of new, and exclusive, limited time products added to the line recently and I basically need them all!
Tattoo foundation is still one of my most prized possessions, along with Trooper eyeliner which I adorn every single day as my go-to for the best goth girl eyebrows in the world.

Her shadows have never let me down and I was excited when Esperanza hit the shelf.
The colours are stunning and can be worn by anyone regardless of tone, age or preference between dramatic or neutral.
They have great shades that speak to those of us who are begging for spring to come join us.

The Esperanza Palette can be purchased HERE

As with all releases, they come with some unique names and none that will equal any kind of trouble like "Celebutard" caused. That situation still makes me laugh to this day due to how bloody ridiculous it is. Someone was offended by the word "Tard" being used in the name. When are we going to start boycotting delicious CusTARD?! Get over yourselves, trust me, there's bigger things to worry about. But that aside..lets get back to the topic.

There are a few things that make this palette unique - it has a great mirror - larger than any in my current palettes and I LOVE that. The shadows are rich with pigment. There is a bit of fall out if you're working in a sweeping motion with them, but I prefer to press with these ones.
They're also infused with rose extract.
Rose extract has some great benefits for the skin and especially the lids. It's known for its anti aging properties, also it helps to sooth and moisturize the skin. All great things.

Another thing that makes this palette fantastic is the transformer shade. It can be worn on it's own or over another shade to turn it into a whole other level of awesome.

I highly recommend that you pick this one up while it's available because it won't last long - that I can promise!

I also strongly recommend that you get yourself a tube of Transformer Liquid Lipstick. Pretty much one of the coolest things out there right now to pucker up your pout.

Stila: Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow

There's something about Stila that always pulls me in - mostly it's because they usually are the first ones on the innovation train when it comes to products.

I started as a fan when I first tried the One Step Correct Primer. You could say I'm cursed with the ability to blush at the drop of a hat...or at least it can look like I'm blushing by the redness that often swallows my cheeks and nose. I loved the consistency, and what it did to even my texture, colour correct & even reduce the visibility of pores.

Then I was drawn to their new Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer. I'm not even sure where to start about why I love this. It's everything right there. The concealer in the correct shade [takes out the guess work and also forking over the dough for a separate concealer for those days you might need one]; which even has a tiny mirror in the lid!
The fact that the foundation is not delivered by a pump! It's actually a tiny spoon so you can scoop out just what you need and even get right to the nitty gritty at the bottom when you're just about out but are convinced there's enough for "one more day".
The darn thing even comes with a brush!
Awesome.

And then they released thier CC creams.
One of the best out there if you're looking to primarily address redness in the skin and aren't searching for something to even out hyper pigmentation [such as Smashbox's CC cream]. I enjoy the first application, where you rub the green onto your skin and watch the tiny pigment pockets turn it to a perfect shade. It's even okay for us oily folk.

But onto the real reason we're talking...the biggest and newest thing to hit the world of eye shadows.
Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow!!!!
When I first laid eyes on them, I was in love.
I hadn't even touched them yet and I knew they had to be mine.

What each package comes with:
ONE 0.07 oz eye shadow
ONE 0.06 oz special primer
ONE metal mixing pan
And you get it all for $42 CAD

You start by scooping out a tiny bit of the shadow which isn't a solid - it's more of a cream texture- and put it on the metal mixing pan.
Put a very small drop from the special primer and mix them together.
And BAM! You have this beautiful liquid metal right in your hands!

You can apply it dry without adding the primer if you like - but it'll be a more muted effect.

If you're looking for a more opaque effect, try patting it on with your fingers or with a small concealer brush. The primer not only turns your cream shadow into magic, it also works to provide a crease proof, waterproof finish.
It's also fantastic as a liner when applied with a liner brush...or heck, pop some on the your lips over a matte lipstick or stain [that's what I've been doing]

I know what you're thinking when you look at this - you're thinking the exact same thing I did - what the heck happens when all of the magic liquid primer is gone? Is this just a boring old glitter shadow then?

Can I purchase more magic primer on its own?
The answer to the question is no.
No you can't.
Very clever Stila....clever indeed...

But dont' fret! I've seeked out an answer and did a little trial and error [no, water will not work].
I tried a few different things - but the winner, by far...and even better than the magic primer you get with the shadow is Hard Candy's Show Girls Secret glitter adhesive

And it's yours....the whole freakin' bottle for just $5

You can get this amazing shadow in 12 different metallics and they're exclusive to Sephora.

And just to give you an idea of what they might look like in real life...on real skin without any fancy photography - just a silly camera phone - here you are:

The Colours featured above are:

                                                                                            Comex Platinum

Comex Gold

Metallic Merlot

Metallic Emerald

Kitten - nude pink