Lorac On Screen Duo, Fame & Fortune, $7 (on sale from 24)

I impulsively purchased this eyeliner/highlighter duo from Lorac last time I placed an order on Sephora.com. It was/is on sale for $7 from $24 so I thought it would definitely be worth it to try it out, especially since I've been wanting to try a cream eyeliner. Lorac's On Screen Duo comes in a nifty little jar that holds the pot of cream eyeliner in the bottom part and a small highlighter/eyeshadow in the top lid.

To apply the cream eyeliner I just used an angled brush and it worked out really well! I don't have much experience with cream eyeliners but I was surprised that I could get it on so easily and evenly. My favorite part about using a cream eyeliner is that you can get as close as you want to your lash line, so you definitely avoid that weird space that sometimes your eyeliner misses.

I applied some primer and topped that with the highlighter/eyeshadow. I didn't really like it as an eyeshadow but it really is the perfect shade to highlight your brow bone. I don't think I look too good in a pale nude shimmery shadow. The cream eyeliner goes over the eyeshadow fairly easily as well.

The cream eyeliner stayed on for the day but I contribute this to the primer. I feel like it might not stay on as well without it since it is so creamy. My other gripe is that I feel like it isn't black enough. I want my eyeliner to be super duper black and this doesn't feel like it is the darkest, purest, most pigmented black that it can be.

Final verdict:
Cost: $7! Can't beat that for a cream eyeliner, especially one by a brand like Lorac. Hurry and get it while you can for this awesome price.
What is the best part of using a cream eyeliner?: Like I mentioned above it is great for getting super close to the lash line, but it is also awesome to line the bottom eyelid as well. I found that I had way more control using an angled brush than I do with an eyeliner pencil. I was able to apply eyeliner to my bottom line without smudging and even doing it ever so subtly made my eyes pop. It is also great because you can definitely achieve a fierce cat eye with cream liner!
Repeat offender?: I think I have been converted to a cream eyeliner in a pot user. I really want to try the MAC kind because it is extra black. I like the Lorac cream eyeliner but I don't think I would get it again only because I'd prefer it darker. But it is a great product and a really good deal!

-M

L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Shocking Shadow Pigments, $9-$12

Well, I tried High Intensity Pigment's cream eyeliner a little while ago and didn't have that much luck with it. In the same trip to CVS I grabbed one their Shocking Shadow Pigments in Exciting.

I'm not sure why but I was under the impression that HiP's colors were generally matte. When I picked this up though, all I could see was the beautiful purple-pink-white iridescence. And if you know me, you know I can't resist anything that sparkles.

The color is predominantly white with a pink iridescent shimmer.

The eyeshadow is a loose powder in a tiny little 0.05oz. jar, which can get a little messy if you're not careful with it. Make sure it's closed all the way but don't close it too tight (stripping the inside)--I've learned from past (dumb) experiences! But, this closes pretty securely, so I'm not really worried about it leaking.

One thing that made me okay with paying $11 for eyeshadow is the free brush. It's a pretty good size (especially for the small container) and is soft. It grabs the powder well and makes it easy to apply.

As you can see, the color shows up really well. It would work great for any part of the eye (lid, eyebrows, corner) and as a highlighter. It blends well and seems really subtle at first, but then sparkles when you turn.







Final verdict
Cost: $9-$12, depending on where you get it. (Look for it and other colors on Amazon for around $9).
Color: Wow, the color is incredible! Dynamic, iridescent, and subtly dramatic (what a great oxymoron). If all the colors have this much life, I'll buy 5 more.
Easy to use: The brush it comes with is a great size--much bigger, softer, and more useful than most free eyeshadow brushes. The powder goes on easily and blends and builds well.
Repeat offender: I'd definitely buy this again! I want to go out and try other colors, too. HiP, you disappointed me with the cream eyeliner, but this totally makes up for it.

-T

Miss Fix-It Palette by Tarte, $22 (on sale from $44)

The Miss Fix-It palette by Tarte is a perfect little bundle of makeup for the warmer seasons. The colors included in this palette were what drew me to buy it in the first place. The bright blue, sparkly mint green, light lavender, and sandy golden shadows were the reason I bought this palette—mostly because I have nothing like the blue or green. I already own two Tarte eyeshadow palettes so I knew I would adore the quality of the shadow and it definitely did not fail to impress me. I wore the green shadow over some primer and it stayed on brightly all day.


The palette also includes two lipglosses and a highlighter cream. The highlighter is a sparkly mix of gold and an almost pearl-like tone. I put some on my upper brow bone for a “highlighting” effect. It can also be used subtly on the cheekbones for the always lovely glow. The lipglosses are both pinkish tones, the one on the left goes on more clear and the one on the right has a more subtle color. The lipgloss goes on smooth and does not feel too sticky on the lips.


The most brilliant part of the palette is that the eyeshadows are separated from the lipglosses and highlighter by a thick cube of plastic that is attached to the palette so it won’t mysteriously disappear and you won’t have a mess of sticky eyeshadow and powdery lipgloss (grossssss). The palette also includes two double sided application brushes for the shadow, lipgloss, and even the highlighter. A little mirror is also embedded underneath the top lid that folds down. This is a super sturdy palette to carry in your purse if you like to have your makeup handy for touchups. It folds up into a neat little cube and stays shut with a magnet in the lid.



Final verdict:
Cost: This palette is originally $44 but this week Sephora has select Tarte products on sale as Tori mentioned in Friday’s Sweet Deals, so it is marked down 50% for $22!
Do the colors go on the eyelids the way they look in the palette?: Yes! You know sometimes we all buy eyeshadows where the color in the case looks way more vibrant than it does when it is applied on your eyelids. This palette’s colors are definitely true to their color on eyelids too.
Repeat offender?: I will always buy Tarte cosmetics so definitely! Obviously I don’t need two of the same palette but I’d buy a different one with different colors.

-M