Beauty Review: Colourpop Cosmetics

After so much Youtube hype, I eventually decided to order some of the ColourPop cosmetics online. Three orders later and this is what I have accumulated. Instead of doing individual reviews I thought I would just go ahead and swatch all of them in one big review post. I have since ordered more, but I'm not sure if I will swatch those... 

ColourPop is an American cosmetic company that only sells their products online through the Colourpop store. Despite the low value of the Aussie dollar and the cost of shipping these products are quite cheap with Eye shadows and lippie stixs costing $5 each, Ultra Matte Lip (liquid lipstick) costing $6 and Cheek/Face products costing $8. I bought all of these with my own money.

^When I got the box in the mail I started opening stuff up and it looked like this. The products come in little cardboard boxes with a window to see the product inside. You also get Information cards on how to wear the products and a Thank You card with a fun little compliment on it. Not everyone gets a box (It depends on how much you order and what kind of products etc). I ordered a fair bit each time because I have to pay postage to Australia, so I tried to make it worthwhile. 

^Here is one of my Thank You cards. I tossed the others, but I decided to keep this one because Elvis lyrics.

^Face and Eye products are packaged like this. The product has a pattern through it (makes you a little hesitant to use it at first because its so pretty). The packaging is  white and "ColourPop" is written across it in silver holographic letters, which looks like a rainbow in photos. The LippieStix reminded me of Pantone/Copic marker packaging, which I thought was very neat. A lot of people dislike the screw top lids of the eye shadows and blushes, however there isn't much that the company can do about it because the mousse-like formula needs to be kept in air-tight packaging. I also find the packaging can get pretty dirty especially since the best way to apply the product is with your fingers.

The formula of the Eye and Face products is squishy to touch. Its a mousse formula that sets to a powder. It is designed to be free of fall-out and to last on the eyes. I think the formula is really cool and interesting, but there are definitely downfalls, such as:

-having to experiment with different methods of application

-learning what products from other brands do and don't work with this texture

-Whether or not you like the feel of the product

-It can dry out in the pot if you don't shut the lid

-The products expire a lot quicker than normal powder eyeshadows

-I feel like you go through product quicker (but not sure if that's just because I use some of these products almost every day)

Positives are:

- That there is literally no fall out (with one exception - read the 'Metalic Eyeshadows' review to learn more).

- Product stays in place all day

- So much more pigmented

- Touching weird squishy stuff during your morning make-up routine makes it more fun. 

The names of the shades are also a talking point. Some are cool and make total sense. Calling a purple blush 'Rain' makes sense, but there are a lot names that I don't understand the relation to. There are also some names that are a bit controversial or that you wouldn't want to say out loud. There is a lipstick that I don't own called 'heart on'. Spells one thing, sounds like something else. Also names like 'Between the Sheets' and 'Prenup' made me reconsider some shades just because I didn't like the name. I know some people dig funny names, but for me it can sometimes be a bit of a marketing fail.

EYE SHADOWS:

^From Left to Right:

Top Row (Matte) : 'Bites', 'Flux' and 'Cowboy'

Second Row (Matte) : 'Play', 'Girl Crush', 'Bill' and 'Hustle'

Third Row (Pearlised) : 'High Tide', 'Plunge' and 'Partridge'

Bottom Row (Metallic) : 'Swan', 'I Heart This', 'Flipper' and 'Sequin'

I wanted to write about the eye shadows first because I feel like these are the most talked about products. I own more of the shadows than any of the other products. Technically they are called Super Shock Eye Shadows, but I'm just calling them eye shadows. This is going to be a long post so I'm saving on unnecessary repetition where I can.

I do use a primer underneath these. My favourite primer to use is the 'Lime Crime Illuminating Eye Shadow Primer'. I find that some of the shadows can catch onto dry patches in my inner corner, so I have to be careful of that. 

Arm Swatch (Mattes) : 'Hustle', 'Bill', 'Girl Crush', 'Play', 'Cowboy', 'Flux' and 'Bites'

The mattes are my favourite eye shadows because they are so pigmented and are not chalky at all. I have never known a matte eye shadow before that actually looks white without a thick base underneath. I have used powder eyeshadows by Sleek Cosmetics and Milani over the top of these with no problems and I find that the ColourPop shadows help to make the colours of powder shadows look more pigmented the same way my NYX eye shadow pencil would. 

I find the best way to apply these is with a finger. Some Brushes do work, but it's a very quick way to use up your product. I like these colours for the lid or the outer half of the lid. If you are going to use these in the crease you need to use a brush to sheer out the product or it will go patchy. 'Hustle' is probably my least favourite eye shadow because it is tricky to blend. I think the only way I have found to wear this shadow is to use it to add warmth and dimension to the outer corner (or outer v) of a darker eye shadow look.

Arm Swatch (Metallic) : 'Sequin', 'I Heart This', 'Flipper' and 'Swan'

(Pearlised) : 'Partridge', 'Plunge' and 'High Tide'

The Metallic shadows are very "Out There". They aren't just glittery, but they are so sparkly they almost look "Wet. My photos really don't do the shadows justice. I think 'I Heart This' would suit anyone and I think 'Flipper' is super duper fun looking. I wasn't impressed with 'Sequin' because it is so much darker and redder than I thought it would be. For Some reason 'Swan' is very sheer and goes on a bit clumpy' (I think it might be a little dry). 

My tips for the metallics is to apply your crease colour first because if you apply it afterwards it can break up the glitter. Wear a good primer and beware of letting your eyelid get too powdery or the shadow won't stick and you will get FALLOUT. Also after a long day the metallic shadow can crease in the inner part of your eye-lid, so I highly recommend putting a different colour in the inner quarter/third of your eye. 

The Pearlised shadows can be a little bit on the sheer side. They are great for the inner corner or for layering over a matte ColourPop shadow. My least favourite is 'Partridge'. Don't get me wrong; I love this shadow, but I just wish the duo chrome was a bit more intense.

BLUSH/BRONZER:

Bronzers (Left to Right) : 'Bon Voyage', 'Paradise Cove'

Blush (Top Right) : Aphrodite

Blush (Bottom, Left to Right): 'Quarters', 'Pre-nup', 'Rain'

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Bon Voyage', 'Paradise Cove', 'Aphrodite', 'Quarters', 'Pre-nup' and 'Rain'

I Really liked the two bronzers I got. 'Bon Voyage' is slightly darker than my skin tone, so I highly recommend it for pale people. I think these bronzers are definitely more of a blusher/bronzer type product and I wouldn't use it to contour or frame my face like I often do with my Bourjois powder bronzer. The formula is a bit tricky to apply so I try to limit where I place the bronzer or I find I can end up looking muddy. 'Paradise Cove' has a shimmery golden glow to it, which is perfect for lazy days because its like a blush/highlight/bronzer in one. 

I didn't like the 'Aphrodite' contour colour because it is way too red for me. I sometimes use it for deepening up another blush colour, but otherwise I don't really wear it. I regret buying this colour and do not recommend it. 'Quarters' is a fun colour that's probably better suited to darker skin-tones, but you can tone it down by applying very lightly. I really like 'Pre-nup' and think it would suit anyone. 'Rain' is something different, but I don't wear it much because it's not super flattering. 

My Experience with Blush Application:

- A lot of people out there recommend applying these in a stippling motion with a small duo-fibre stippling blush. I don't own a brush like this and wasn't about to buy one purely for the sake of applying this product, but I am intrigued so if you have any drugstore stippling brush recommendations I am all ears. 

- I tried applying this product with my fingers and I found that it tends to mix in with your other make-up, which sheers out the pigment of the blush and ruins the coverage of your foundation. For someone like me with blemishes in that area, I find that this can really enhance my blemishes and that after a while you can't even see the blush.

-I tried applying this with a damp ChiChi Blending sponge and nothing transferred.

-If I used a dry blending sponge to stipple the colour on I got really good pigmentation, so I had to be careful with colours like 'Quarters' which can look really full on. 

-Stippling the blush on makes it last longer on your skin through-out the day and doesn't mess up your make-up as much.

-The product is mousse-like and sets, however it can feel a little bit uncomfortable on your face, like some other cream blushes do. So you need to powder your face after you apply the blusher which can take some pigmentation away. If you apply powder before the blush, the blush goes on muddy.

HIGHLIGHTERS:

Top Row: 'Road-Trip' (Tie-dye Collection, Limited Edition), 'Spoon', 'Stole the Show'

Middle Row: 'Hippo', 'Monster'

Bottom Row: 'Teasecake', 'Butterfly Beach' and 'Wisp'

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Road-Trip', 'Spoon', 'Stole the show', 'Hippo', 'Monster', 'Teasecake', 'Butterfly Beach' and 'Wisp'

I really like the highlighters however some of the shades were not what I expected. Unlike the blushes, you can apply these over powdered skin, with your finger and have no problems. I have found that some of the lighter shades are a little glittery though and that once again these are more of a cheek product than anything because they are a little too OTT to put on your cupids bow or nose like you might do with a conventional champagne coloured highlight. 

While the first three colours in the swatch look very similar in the photo, they are actually quite different in real life. I found all of these colours to be too much for every-day wear, especially 'Road-trip' which has flecks of glitter through it. I really like 'Hippo', 'Teasecake' and 'Wisp' for everyday looks as they are more subtle and can be sheered out. These colours are only noticeable when the light hits your face. 'Monster' is my absolute favourite highlight, which has a bit of a duo-chrome to it. It is a bright pink, and it looks great with bright lip colours and a neutral eye look. 

'Butterfly Beach' is too rosy and too dark for my pale sallow skin, but I love it as a blush. The shimmers don't look super crazy when you where these as a blush as the only reflect where the light hits them. I would definitely recommend the darker highlighter shades as blushes as they are easier to apply and last longer over the course of the day. 

LIP PRIMER, LIPPIE-STIXX and ULTRA MATTE LIP:

The bottom of the products. 

The lip primer is a very temperamental kind of lip product. If you use it carefully it can make the lip product last longer, but if you don't it can be kinda gross.

My Tips:

- Don't use a lip balm before this. The product is a bit drying and while I feel like I need a lip balm under it, the balm actually stops this stuff from setting and makes it go white and sticky. 

-Put this on clean lips and leave to dry down before lipstick application.

-Apply a thin layer only

-Don't use with matte lip products. It works great with 'Topanga' which is satin and some of my creamier Besame lippies. 

I would only recommend the primer if you are going to buy satin or glossy lippie-stix.

Swatches (Left to Right) : 'Chi Chi' 'Topanga', 'Tootsi', 'Pitch' and 'Wet'

Ultra Matte Lip: 'Sundae' and 'Bumble'

I am not the hugest fan of the matte finish lippie-stix with 'Chi Chi' being my least favourite (it really shows the lines in your lips). I do really like 'Tootsi' though and highly recommend it if you have always wanted to try a greige without drying your lips out too much or paying a huge price. The matte formula is creamier than a lot of matte lipsticks I own, but it doesn't last ages on the lips. 

'Topanga' is my absolute favourite and I highly recommend it. It is the perfect muted coral colour and it is great for those times when you really want to wear lipstick, but you don't want anything too bright. 'Wet' is a gun metal colour. It is really weird, but I really like it and think it would be cool with a warm toned eye shadow look or something. 

I really like the Ultra Matte Lip (Liquid Lipsticks). They have a great range of colours and they are a lot like the Lime Crime liquid lipsticks. I highly recommend applying over the top of a lip balm because they are quick drying and this gives you more "play" time to apply the product. These do come off when you eat greasy food, but honestly what doesn't. The swatches of these colours stained my hands for three days, so I don't think I will be swatching the the liquid lipsticks from my next order. 'Bumble' is amazing and 'Sundae' has a tiny bit of blue micro-shimmer which really makes it stand out on the lips. 'Sundae' looks great with the 'Monster' highlight, pink blush and minimal eye make-up. 

OVERALL:

I am really impressed with these products. They are affordable, the range of colours is amazing and the packaging is simple. I would highly recommend the eye-shadows, the highlighters, the liquid lipsticks and select shades of the other products. I think they are a really fun and cheap option to fill the gaps in your make-up collection, especially if you would like to try some more out-there colours without paying the high-end price tag. 

Please let me know if you have any questions about the products featured here or if you would be interested in seeing what I get in my next order.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Saving Your Pennies: Beauty

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I don't know if you've seen my 'Saving Pennies: Style' post, but I thought it was about time I did another post of this nature, but this time make it about beauty. Because carrying signs around that say "Give us money, we are pretty" is not guaranteed to work. I don't begrudge anyone spending their money on expensive cosmetics. Spend your money how you like. I just thought I'd do this post for people with money troubles who don't want to neglect their appearance. I do not claim to be an expert. I am no make-up artist or hairdresser. Just a girl who reads a lot of magazines and owns way too many beauty products.

I thought I'd break this post up into the following sections: hair, make-up, skincare and nails. I want to include a few tips and notes from my experiences with different things and a list of basic products that most people need to create a variety of looks. And, yeah this post is probably going to be pretty extensive. I will try and keep it as short as possible. I just wanted to write something basic that separates what you really need from what all of the magazines will tell you that you need. I would love to actually create a list of items and prices as an example, but I don't want to be seen as advertising or defaming anyone.

Also, I want you all to know that I'm not trying to say that people have to do anything to make themselves more beautiful. It's up to you if you want to wear make-up or not and how much. This is simply a guide for people who want to buy this stuff, but are on a budget. Make-up does not always make a person look better. If you use make-up correctly it can help you to accentuate your best features. Sometimes the best looks are the more natural ones or the ones where you emphasise one feature. 

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HAIR:

I wanted to cover the topics of hair-colouring, styling for special occasions, everyday styling, hair-cuts and haircare. Hair can be one of the most expensive aspects of a woman's beauty regime.

HAIRCUTS:

Most hairdressers recommend a period of about 4-8 weeks between trims, but this depends on the style of haircut and the type of hair you have. Unless you are a hairdresser or are really handy with a pair of scissors I wouldn't recommend cutting your own hair (though I know of a few vintage enthusiasts who do and they seem to do a fine job). The price of a trim is usually cheaper than a "Style Cut" and the price will vary between places. You will have to check around for prices, but the home-hair dressers are usually cheaper than salons because they don't have to pay salon rent or wages for other hair-dressers. You can also try a barber shop if your hair cut is pretty basic and you just need a trim. I've done it a few times and I didn't have any real issues with my hair cut. 

HAIR COLOUR:

Getting your hair coloured by a hairdresser is definitely more expensive that getting it coloured at home, but hairdressers can usually apply the colours a little neater and they can do all the tricky stuff like Ombre tips, streaks and foils. If you want to dye your hair a plain colour at home I recommend getting a friend to do it for you. I often dye my mother's hair and she dyes mine. If you don't have any gray hairs you could just choose not to colour your hair. I know some people who actually can't colour their hair. The colour just doesn't "stick" and it rinses out pretty quickly.

HAIR STYLING:

There are a lot of books, YouTube videos and blogs designed for the DIY hair stylist. Though, while it is arguable cheaper to style your own hair it's not for everyone. My sister had her hair styled professionally for her graduation and debutante ball, And, I think it was money well spent. It looked pretty flawless and it lasted. Again, shop around for prices from different hairdressers sometimes they will have deals on offer where you can get your make-up applied professionally as well.

HAIR CARE:

If you don't have any problems with hair being too oily or dry you usually don't have to spend too much on a shampoo. I wouldn't go for the cheapest brand, but there's usually something decent available in a supermarket that will do the job.

CURLING:

If you like to curl your hair can pick up a packet of pin curl clips pretty cheap on eBay (correct name double-prong clips), but this method is time consuming. If you are going to by a hot-tool it's important to consider what effect you want to create, because some tools only have one purpose. I have seen a few people use a straightener to create a few different effects, but I have tried it and i don't think it works as well as the individual tools do. It is important to consider the quality of a product versus the price, because if it doesn't work you've just wasted money on it. Some examples of the different tools you can get include: curling irons, curling wands, straighteners, hairdryer (and attachments), wavers, crimpers and hot rollers/sticks.

YOUR ARSENAL:

Basic items that everyone should have:

- A shampoo and conditioner (check the quantities the larger containers are usually cheaper per litre)

-A leave in conditioner or hair oil ( good for winter months or after swimming in chlorine pools and can reduce frizz)

-A hairbrush and comb. (something with longer bristles if you have tangly hair. A tail comb is handy for styling hair)

- some hair spray

-pins/barrettes/alice bands/hair bands (whichever you prefer for keeping your hair tidy/styling)

Extras that are only required for specific needs:

-Dried shampoo

- mousse/gel/wax

-shower cap

-specialty brushes

-pomade

-shine/gloss spray

-detangling spray

-setting lotions

-hair masks

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MAKE-UP:

There was a feature about women's beauty products on TV the other day. Apparently most women have hundreds of dollars worth of make-up products stored in their bathroom drawers and they just keep buying more. My dad looked at me and I said "hey! I'd never store make-up in the bathroom. hello? Mold..." which obviously wasn't the point, but the point is, that unless you are a total make-up fanatic who likes to experiment with a heap of different eye shadows and liners, you probably don't need a lot of make-up. And, if you are, there are ways to hoard every colour of the rainbow without going broke. 

Brands I would Recommend:

E.L.F (Eyes Lips Face) is a brand that sells a big range of make-up at lower than average prices. Not all of the products are winners though, so I would google reviews for the products you want to purchase. 

Sleek Make-up I really like this brand. Not everyone is a fan, but for the price you can't complain. I find it cheapest to buy direct from their website.

NYX  has a big range of colours and specialty make-up products. This brand is available from Crush Cosmetics.

AVON pretty decent prices. Though I usually do wait for catalogue sales. Some of the Colour trend stuff isn't very long lasting though.

Sites I would Recommend:

Crush Cosmetics I have done a few purchases on here. Some brands do get marked up quite a bit, but not all of them. The shop has it's own brand of make-up brushes that are really soft.

Priceline Is an Aussie department store that specialises in Health and Beauty products. 

Fashion Addict Another Aussie Site. The prices are really good on here, but watch out for the cheaper, lower quality products.

MULTIPURPOSE PRODUCTS:

- You can use lipstick as a cream blush and cream eye shadow. (not recommended for oily skin)

- You can use blush as an eye shadow

- You can use a light pearly eye shadow as a highlight.

- You can use a concealer as an eye-primer (a pencil concealer can also per used as a nude lip liner)

APPLICATION:

There are a lot of websites and books out there dedicated to helping you get the perfect winged eyeliner and statement lip, but if you are still unsure about doing your own make-up for special events you can get a make-up artist do it for you or purchase a lesson with one so that you can do your own in the future. 

YOUR ARSENAL:

Basics that can create a variety of looks:

- Eye shadow colours: a matte neutral, a champagne colour (for highlights), a medium brown (for contouring) and a metallic colour (like gold or silver for a night out). You can usually get a neutral palette that has most of these shades included.

- A medium neutral lip colour (such as a mauve, pink or brown)

-A red lipstick for good occasions (you could choose another bright or dark colour instead like plum, fuchsia or tangerine)

-a clear, shimmery lip gloss.

-A blusher and a bronzer (you can sometimes get these in a palette that comes with a highlight shade.

-A waterproof mascara ( I always by waterproof when I can unless the colour is purple or something and it's not available in a waterproof variety)

-chosen base (if you have relatively clear skin a tinted moisturiser is fine)

-primer (your skin will thank you for it)

-concealer

-an eye liner in black or brown

-a basic set of brushes (one for powder, blush, eye shadow, brows, lips)

Extras that you don't need, but can buy if you want:

- a variety of liners

- a variety of lipsticks, paints or glosses

- a variety of blushes

- a variety of eye-shadows

-an eye shadow base or primer

- a variety of mascaras

- a brow kit

- a variety of lip pencils

- a highlight

- setting sprays

- lip seal

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SKINCARE:

Thanks to Department store brands and a few other affordable brands like 'Simple', most skincare products are available at a fairly cheap price. It doesn't matter if your approach to skincare is chemical or natural, you can usually find a decent product for less than fifteen bucks. If you are really stretched for money try the 'Beauty Essentials' brand from Priceline, which is by far the cheapest I have seen. 

Basics that everyone should have:

- Cleanser for face (In the old days cold cream cleansers were very popular and they are still very available today)

-Eye make-up remover or Makeup wipes. If you are going to wear make-up you will need this.

-Face Moisturiser

-Body Wash and Hand Soap (try something soap free if you have dry or sensitive skin)

-Moisturiser (even if you don't have dry skin, this will come in handy for winter months and sunburn affected skin. If you have sensitive skin choose something that's fragrance free. Redwin's Vitamin E cream is fairly cheap and is a rich moisturiser.

- Deodorant

-Sunscreen (supermarket brands are way cheaper than other brands. I go for water resistant SPF 50+)

-a good lip balm

Extras that not everyone will need:

- Toner (good for people who have problems with larger pores)

- Exfoliating Scrub (good for buffing away dead skin)

-Clay Mask (good for drawing out imperfections)

-Pimple Cream

-Eye Cream

There are some vintage beauty guides out there that offer a DIY approach to skin care. Depending on what methods you use, you might save some money.

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NAILS:

Now I don't know about you, but I find it pretty hard to hand over $20 for a bottle of nail polish just because it has a special brand name. Now if you are going to do nail art you are going to need a whole heap of different tools and pens and paints. However, I decided to just do a section for the average nail painter who wants plain nails.

I have bought most of my nail colours from the chemist in town. Ultra3 brand is usually $2 each. There is a MUD brand available at the supermarket for about $3. Sinful Colours from Target is about $5 and there is an Essence brand available on Priceline for $2.75.

If you are not big on nails and don't have a steady hand you may be better off paying for your nails to get done professionally instead of spending money on nail polish .

Basics:

- a nude or light pink polish and white polish/tip whitener for a french manicure look

- a medium pink

-a red (to go with your red lipstick)

-a manicure set (you can usually pick one up for under $10 from a cheapy store)

-nail polish remover.

-top coat

EXTRAS you might want or need:

- Base Coat (if you have issues with your nails yellowing)

-Nail strengthener (if you have brittle nails)

-Matte top coat (if you want a matte finish or have a pastel polish that goes streaky)

-all the polishes you heart desires.

-Nail art stuff.

AND NOW TIME FOR SOME FUN GIFs...

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'Princess Diaries' Movie

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'Wish Upon a Star' Movie

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'St Trinnians' Movie 

AND, REMEMBER: STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF...

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'Ten Things I Hate About You'

Don't feel like you have to wear makeup if you don't want to or don't have a lot of money to spare. I just wanted to share a few of my favourite shops and brands that are quite affordable who those that want to do the full face make-up and can't afford to buy expensive products or don't know where to start. I hope this was helpful.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie