Entries for Friday October 10

BareMinerals’ Blendable Eye: Camoflauge Kit

• Manufacturer: bareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: beginning October 2005; was part of the regular line up until fall 2009; available through the webstore, boutiques, and channel partners
• Contains: three eyecolors
• Cost/Amount: USD$36 for three .57 gram colors
• Would you purchase again: yes

Another of the “blendable eye” kits (often called the “blandables”), this set actually worked together the best of all the kits — better even than Wine Country. I initially resisted buying this kit because I’ve never been a huge fan of greens or greyed colors on my eyes; but when I finally broke down and got it, I was surprised at how well it worked. I apply Foliage wet in the outer crease, softly blend the edges, then foil Gold Leaf over the top and use Vine as the liner and on the inner crease.

Entries for Friday October 03

Pure Luxe’s Luminous

• Manufacturer: Pure Luxe Cosmetics
• Availability: from their webstore beginning in summer 2007
• Color Range: medium peach-pink sparkle
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4 stars
• Cost/Amount: full 10-gram jar with sifter for $9.50
• Would you purchase again: yes
• Similar shades:

Pure Luxe’s Spoiled

• Manufacturer: Pure Luxe Cosmetics
• Availability: from their webstore beginning in summer 2007 as part of their purple eyecolors
• Color Range: bright violet-mauve shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4 stars
• Cost/Amount: full 10-gram jar with sifter for $9.50
• Would you purchase again: yes
• Similar shades: Bare Escentuals' Wildflower (slightly warmer iridescence)

Entries for Thursday October 02

Pure Luxe’s Liner Ultimates

• Manufacturer: Pure Luxe Cosmetics
• Availability: part of the regular line; available through the company's webstore
• Contains: 30 eye colors
• Cost/Amount: USD$1.25 for 1/8 teaspoon, $6 for a 5-gram jar with sifter, $11 for a 10-gram jar with sifter.
• Would you purchase again: yes

Many of Pure Luxe's eyeshadows have a bit less color payoff than average from indie vendors; and there doesn't seem to be much to help with adhesion. That said, the Liner Ultimates are a bit better. They're on par with the more-pigmented BE loose eyeshadows, or with some of the BE liner shades.

BareMinerals’ buxom Roxanne

• Manufacturer: BareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: through the webstore and all channel partners; part of the Buxom Lip Polish collection
• Color Range: berry rose shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: USD$18 for .15 ounces
• Would you purchase again: yes

BareMinerals’ buxom Raquel

• Manufacturer: bareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: through the webstore and Sephora; part of the Buxom Lip Polish collection; originally released as part of the Bare Crystals kit
• Color Range: chocolate rose shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: USD$18 for .15 ounces
• Would you purchase again: yes

BareMinerals’ buxom Tempest

• Manufacturer: bareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: through the webstore and Sephora; part of the Buxom Lip Polish collection; originally released as part of the Bare Topaz kit
• Color Range: blush rosewine shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: USD$18 for .15 ounces
• Would you purchase again: yes

BareMinerals’ buxom Ruby

• Manufacturer: bareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: through the webstore and Sephora; part of the Buxom Lip Polish collection; originally released as part of the Bare Ruby kit
• Color Range: crimson mauve shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: USD$18 for .15 ounces
• Would you purchase again: yes

BareMinerals’ buxom Dominique

• Manufacturer: bareMinerals/Bare Escentuals
• Availability: exclusive to Sephora; part of the Buxom Lip Polish collection
• Color Range: sheer diamond sparkle
• Staying Power: 3 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: USD$18 for .15 ounces
• Would you purchase again: yes

Benefit Cosmetics’ Strut cream shadow

• Manufacturer: Benefit Cosmetics
• Availability: from their webstore and channel partners
• Color Range: smoked denim shimmer
• Staying Power: 4 out of 4
• Cost/Amount: varies for 3 grams
• Would you purchase again: yes
• Similar shades: MAC Cosmetics' Delft