Taupe Cream Eyeshadow and Crayon Comparison

Not content with collecting taupe powder eyeshadows, I seem to have branched out into collecting taupes in cream and crayon form. They suit my needs well as I find cream formulas tend to be speed friendly and they also make a good base for eyeshadows for when I have more time.

The ones pictured below are, from left to right, Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere, RBR Atlas Swallowtail, Topshop Mystical Crayon and Sephora Jumbo Crayon in Taupe.

I would say that the Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere (£13) is the darkest of the four and has quite a cool silvery tone to it. I've talked about Mystere before and mentioned that the fact that it does have quite a dry texture and I find it can crease. Despite this, I would say it is my favourite if want to wear a cream it on it's own as I love the colour.

My favourite to use as a base for powder eyeshadows is the Rouge Bunny Rouge Atlas Swallowtail cream (£24.50). It has quite a more golden tone compared to the others and I find it gives my favourite taupe eyeshadows an extra dimension. I apply straight from the doe-foot applicator and as it gives a subtle wash of colour, it requires minimal blending (I use my fingertips to blend rather than a brush).

Swatches L-R: Julie Hewett Mystere, RBR Atlas Swallowtail, Topshop Mystical and Sephora Taupe

The Sephora Taupe Crayon (€9.90) is a good multi-tasker. It's creamy and deposits colour easily with no dragging. It works well on its own or as a base and I find it delivers the long-wearing claims. When I use this, I don't feel the need to use a separate eyeshadow primer. It does have a metallic shimmer to it as you can see from the swatch. I would absolutely love it if Sephora made a non-shimmer finish version of this crayon too.

Unfortunately, it isn't obvious from my swatches (curse the winter lighting) but the Topshop Mystical crayon (£7.50) has the most spangly finish of the bunch, containing flecks of warm coppery glitter within the cream base. Mystical is still relatively new to my collection so I haven't used it as much as the others. I can't really offer a full run down of its pros or cons but one obvious advantage is the twist up pen format. Price wise, it's similar to the Sephora crayon but more accessible if you're in the UK.

I realised after I had edited all of the pictures that I made some omissions, namely Chanel Ombre d'Eau in Splash and Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes E105 (I've included links to previous posts). I would say that both of these are darker than the taupes I've mentioned here and, more importantly, they are both trickier to apply. The other taupe cream that I have often considered adding to my collection is the MUFE Aqua Cream in Taupe, however, I believe it is a little warmer than I usually go for.

Sephora Jumbo Crayon in Taupe with GOSH Truly Brown liner

Do you like cream eyeshadows or crayons? Have I missed any of your personal favourites here?

Taupe Revisited: Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere

I first showed you the Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere in this post. It's taken quite a few uses for me to feel confident about writing a review as there are definitely pluses and minuses to this cream eyeshadow.

I'll get the negatives out of the way first. The cream has quite a dry formula so it takes a bit of effort to pick up the colour from the pot. I have tried both finger and brush to apply and I prefer to use my fingertip as the warmth helps to pick it up. Although it looks opaque in the swatch, on my lids it is always quite sheer and requires a bit of layering. This can be a little tricky if you're using a fingertip. Finally, despite being quite dry in texture, I find it is prone to creasing. I get a couple of hours wear with an eye primer before I see light creasing.

All of this aside, I do like using Mystere and pick it out often as it is a lovely colour and I like the convenience of a cream eyeshadow when I'm in a rush. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives for me but whether or not this is true for you will depend on your stance on creasing etc.

I really like the silvery, slightly metallic touch to this taupe. The sheer effect on the lids is nice if you're after just a wash of colour and I like this best with a slick of eyeliner (I've used navy as well as the dark brown I used above). You could of course use this as a base for eyeshadow too. 

The Julie Hewett Hue eyeshadows are available in both pot and pan form. I bought this from Cocktail Cosmetics but unfortunately Mystere is no longer in stock. Julie Hewett products are also available from Mise Beauty where the Hue pots cost £13.

FOTD with JHLA Mystere and Ilia Arabian Knights

This wasn't particularly a thought out 'look', as I had applied several items specifically to take pictures for review posts. I was pleased with how it worked an ensemble though, so I hope you will forgive me for sharing in advance of the individual products posts. The Ilia Beauty lipstick in Arabian Knights is a recent acquisition and I also purchased one of the new releases from the line, Crimson & Clover lipstick.

Arabian Knights is on the left and Crimson & Clover on the right.

As always, I have included links to previous posts where possible.

Face
This Works Skin Defense tinted sunscreen
Rouge Bunny Rouge Sketches on Water tinted moisturiser in Adansonia
W3LL People Universalist in #5
Shu Uemura brow pencil
Ellis Faas concealer in S202

Eyes
Too Faces Shadow Insurance
Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere
GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Truly Brown
Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara

Lips
Ilia lipstick in Arabian Knights

Julie Hewett Lipstick in Nude Noir

This Julie Hewett lipstick in Nude Noir has been missing, presumed lost for a very long time. It re-appeared at the bottom of the pushchair (I suspect little hands were at work) and so I thought it would be a good time to share my thoughts and pictures. Just in case it goes missing again!

Nude Noir is a dark, slightly peachy nude. It contains quite a lot of micro-shimmer which I would say gives it an almost metallic finish. I would probably reach for this colour more if it had a satin finish. Metallic/frosty lipsticks tend to remind me of my first very forays into makeup and so they will always have a slightly dated feel to me. Nevertheless, I still think Nude Noir is quite wearable.

The lipstick texture is comfortable to wear. It feels creamy but not balmy, the colour lasts well and it doesn't dry my lips. This is the sort of colour I don't mind wearing when I will be eating and drinking too as it doesn't look peculiar as it fades.

The Julie Hewett line is probably best known for the reds and I have my eye on a few of the sheers. I think I've narrowed it down to Gem Noir (you can see it here on London Makeup Girl) but I also like the look of both Film Noir and Oona Noir. This lipstick came from Mise Beauty who ship worldwide. The Julie Hewett Noir lipsticks cost £18 and Mise stock both the original and sheer formulas.


Disclosure: The item was sent to me without cost for consideration for review.

New Brushes (and a New Taupe!)

I don't share hauls that often, I'm never entirely sure how interesting they are for anyone else but yesterday was such a great day for deliveries, I couldn't resist sharing. Plus, I also wanted to bring you an update on the Hakuhodo price increase that I mentioned here.

I want to start by saying a big thank you to Marcia of Beauty Info Zone for helping me with this particularly Hakuhodo order. You made this blogger very happy indeed! The brushes I have here are the B214BkSL Highlighter brush, the G5552 4mm powder & liquid round/angled brush and the K024 round and flat eyeshadow brush. I can't wait to have a play with them all.

The prices have been affected in exactly the way I anticipated. The G5552 powder & liquid brush from the G series was one of the more recent addition to their line up and already at a higher price. Pre-2012 the G5222 was priced $42 and it's current price is $45. If I've done my maths correctly, that is in an increase of 7%. I expected the Basics line to be the hardest hit by the increase and indeed, the B214BkSL has gone up significatly. Pre-2012, this cost $18 whereas it now costs $26, so that is an increase of 44%. The K024 eyeshadow brush has taken a similar jump, increasing from $12 to $17 (42%). At the time of purchase the Medium Pointed Yachiyo that I reviewed in December cost me $27 and I was sad to see this has increased to $40. At an increase of 48%, this is the biggest jump of the four brushes.

Despite the increase, I still think there are some reasonably priced brushes and they are of an excellent quality. If you're interested to see a complete break down of the price increases Glossed in Translation has compiled a rather marvellous spreadsheet. Although I am disappointment by the increase, I know I won't be able to resist a look at the Hakuhodo stand at IMATS in February (if I can get close enough to it of course, I may need to sharpen my elbows!).

Because a girl can never have enough brushes, I put in an order for some of The London Brush Company brushes whilst they were on sale on Cocktail Cosmetics. I ordered No. 12 and No. 14 (I have previously reviewed No. 17 and No. 18). The No. 12 brush was much bigger than I was expecting but I'm keen to experiment with this shape. I'm sure No. 14 will be a great lid brush as it's a smaller version of No. 16 which I find to be excellent for laying down colour.

On to the new taupe! Whilst putting in the order for the brushes, I finally caved and bought the Julie Hewett Hue in Mystere which I have had on my wishlist for more than a year. I have not dared disturb it yet but the colour looks very promising in the pot. I will of course report back on how I get on.

Have you treated yourself to anything in the sales? Also, what do you think to the Hakuhodo price increases, do you think it will put you off future orders?

NARS Grand Palais FOTD

We can blame my husband for the silly face!

Face
Lancome Teint Miracle foundation in shade 02
RMK Super Basic Liquid concealer
Shu Uemura Brow Pencil
Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain in Rouge

Eyes
TFSI
NARS Grand Palais duo - taupe on the lid, dusky pink in the crease
A smidge of the peach shade from the NARS Delphes trio above crease and on inner corner
LMdB Dualistic Pencil in Champagne to line
MUFE Smoky lash mascara

Lips
Julie Hewett Nude Noir lipstick


I've tried both the Grand Palais and Delphes palettes now and I definitely prefer Grand Palais out of the two. The colours in the Delphes palette have really variable levels of pigmentation and the green seems to dominate the other two. As has already been mentioned, the taupe in the Grand Palais duo is quite sheer and I needed to layer it here. It's a very pretty shade of taupe though. I'm interested to try if over a base next time and may try it over the LMdB Champagne pencil that I used as a liner here.

As an aside, I curled my hair using the Enrapture Totem Styler. I was quite pleased with how it turned out, it always feels a little alien looking at myself with curly hair though. What do you think: is it a Yay or a Nay?! Review coming soon.

My Current Wishlist

Things have rather gone to pot in terms of my plans to send Santa shopping in the beauty halls. I was all set to buy a Tom Ford lipstick before disaster struck (or more accurately my smallest child). My phone was mauled and an immediate replacement required. Goodbye Tom Ford lipstick.

I thought I would cheer myself up with a post about my current wishlist. I can always hope that my birthday will bring more joy.


Tom Ford Moroccan Rouge

Obviously this is top of my list having had an almost but not quite moment with it. The nest time I'm in London, I will be paying a visit to Selfridges and this will be mine!

A Julie Hewett palette and a little something from Burberry

Image from www.misebeauty.com

I've mentioned both of these on wishlists before. I think both of these brands excel at exactly the sort of cosmetics I love. Beautiful neutral eyeshadows, gorgeous lipsticks and in the case of Julie Hewett, some pretty creme blushers. I'm pretty sure of my choices with Julie Hewett, the palette and pan system definitely make it easy to try a few things at once. Edit: This Hue in Mystere is the first thing on my list and you can see Gaia's amazing review over at The Non-Blonde.  It sounds even more prefect than I first though. I more unsure what to pick from the Burberry line. It's too expensive to go to crazy so I have to pick one or two pieces carefully.

Armani Eyes to Kill
Replica from Visionary Beauty started this lemming. To be quite honest, she can take credit for a good portion of my purchases (Grace can take the blame for the rest). This is a new eyeshadow formula for Armani. It's an unusual almost cream, almost powder formula and the finish and colours look rather amazing. Replica has the shade #14 a gold/black which you can see here. Cafe Makeup did a lovely swatch post of #15 and I'm eagerly awaiting Reigning Beauties swatches having seen her sneak preview.



Rouge Bunny Rouge

I'll have the lot please!

 
I don't think there's ever a moment when I don't want something from RBR. I would love one of their liquid highlighters, the blush wand in Vermeer and the Glassy Gloss in Fleur Parfait really caught my eye after the seeing the line up for the Journey Through the Stars collection. My next purchase though will most definitely be the blusher in Delicata. Grace at London Makeup Girl recently posted about her collection of beige pink blusher and it did nothing to disuade me from this lust. Although, I think she might have convinced me that Sue Devitt Koh Samui should also be added to the list....

Chanel Cassis eyeliner 
I admired swatches of this liner when it was first released with Chanel's Autumn collection. It wasn't until I saw Dempeaux's post that I knew I should have picked this up. I think it looks like a great alternative to black and it looks like it's a little richer than RBR Delilah. I think I may have found the perfect way to spend the £15 on my Debenhams Beauty Club card.

Something from Make Up Forever

Image from www.gurumakeupemporium.com

Again, this is a brand that I have mentioned too many times to ignore. 2011 will be the year for me to buy some MUFE. I want to try the Smoky Lash mascara to see how it compares to my favourite Hourglass mascara. The HD Blush is also something I'd really like to try but I'm not sure on shade choices.

I was going to mention brushes but as colour always wins over tools for me, it seems a little silly. Lets just say there are a lot of brushes I want but you can't easily justify more on the basis of "they look so soft" or "mine are all dirty and need washing". Maybe I just need to come up with some better excuses?

Do you have an after Christmas wishlist? Or will Santa be doing a spot of shopping for you this Christmas?