Splurge vs. Save (Dupe Version): Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow vs. Shadow Eyez 12 Hr Wear

Top: Make Up For Ever (Aqua Shadow) in 30 E
Bottom: Milani (Shadow Eyez) Champagne Toast

One of my favourite high end makeup brands is Make Up For ever, due to the versatility in products and overall quality. With that being said, high end is always going to be pricey and today I come with a dupe to one of their popular products (with a dupe shade!).

As I was cleaning through some of my shadows and pencils I stumbled across Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow and Shadow Eyez 12 Hr Wear. When I saw them at a quick glance, it seemed to be the same colour. Yes, ladies I wasn't aware I had a hiding dupe in my stash. As much as I love makeup, I am not one for buying two of the same product! So I decided to do a quick swatch to confirm what my naked eyes already knew. And guess what? Same shade, finish and texture. I am referring specially to Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow (30E) and Shadow Eyez 12 Hr Wear (Champagne Toast).  Both shades can be described in colour as a pearly pink beige.

Let's Look in Depth

Side by side comparison! (Can you spot the difference?

Formula:

Though I consider these two dupes (very close to being identical), the Milani champagne toast has a very slight frostier finish. However has seen in the swatch above, they look the exact same when tested against my skin tone!

Longevity:

I have to say that both formulas, stand the test of time. I wore both for 10 hours and the wear of them were the same!

Packaging Details:

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow (4 grams of product), I find aqua shadow to have a more secure cap on the pencil. Which in the long term prevents the product from drying out.
Milani Shadow Eyez 12 Hr Wear (2.8 grams of product), has a bit of softer application (applies smooth as butter!)

Final Thoughts: Definitely SAVE! If I knew I had the Milani shadow pencil in champagne toast, the Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow would've stayed on the shelf :)!



Have you ever found a dupe in your stash?

bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolors

bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolors in Meteorite 

This product was bought as part of a duo set from Sephora at an amazing price of $12. Usually a $48 CDN price point for 2 x 0.05oz of product.  This product is a vibrant, pigmented metallic eye shadow.   It has a smooth formula that feels velvety to the touch.  It also has a true opaque finish, that also lends to doing 'foiled' looks.  This product can also be used as a wet application. Like the name suggests this is a high shine loose pigment like shadow.


Pros: This product is very pigmented and opaque.  A little will go a long way.  This product reminds me of having a 'foiled' look without doing all that work.  However, if want to intensify that 'foiled' look, go through the process and you'll have a fantastic look.

Cons:  This product can get a little messy when using due to it's pressured 'pop up' application wand.

Tips: Use a tackier base for the shadow to stay all day.  This product works even better when using the 'foil' (wet) technique.  When applying tap, the wand applicator to reduce fall out and have an overall cleaner application.  Having a lighter hand upon application would benefit you, since this product is truly pigmented.

Swatches

Pictured below is Meteroite (top) Bronzed (bottom)

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Flash

Texture and True Colour

Left: Metroite

Right: Bronzed

Kat Von D - True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in Ludwig (Review & Swatches)

The Kat Von D Ludwig True Romance Eyeshadow Palette is a shimmer and matte combo eyeshadow palette that is apart of the True Romance Palette Collection. This palette and collection is solely exclusive at Sephora.  This product is priced at $43/$36 (CDN/USD) for 0.05 oz per eye shadow (8 eyeshadows included).

This palette is packaged in a sleek sturdy plastic (black) casing, with a snap to close lid.  The compact has a beautiful stenciled imagery of roses (reminds me of a tattoo). As mentioned before it includes eight shadows (plus two applicators).

This palette includes a range of nudes to hues of green (2)- Perfect for a smoky eye. The eyeshadow formula has an infusion of rose extract which is hydrating to the eyelids. This is easily a day to night palette.

Swatches:  Single Swatch and no blending

 Flash

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Texture: Super soft and silky to the touch.
Pigmentation: 5/5
Scent:  Has a soft powdery rose scent (barely recognizable).
Application: Due to the texture this product is very easily blendable.
Fall out:  There is fall out (as with all eyeshadows) but this product stays on the lid (even better if you use a shadow primer).

Tips:  The applicator this product comes with, isn't the best for applying the actual eyeshadow to the lid, crease or brow bone.  Better used as a liner brush!

The Eyeshadows - (listed left to right):

Lucifer (matte charcoal black)
Orbi (shimmer golden green)
Dimebag (metallic lime green)
Clay (shimmer beige with gold)
Tequila (metallic cornsilk shimmer)
Downtown (metallic light copper shimmer)
 Baroque (shimmer golden bronze)
Leather (matte deep chocolate brown)

Flash

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Final Thoughts: If you love mattes, you may not like this palette as it only contains two mattes colours (Lucifer and Leather).  However, as someone who loves
working with frost, shimmer, metallic, glitter and matte; I find this palette to be so versatile (especially if looking for a neutral eye).  Definitely, check out
Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palettes, I'm sure there is one to suit your needs; plus with such a formula and colour pay off, your sure not to be disappointed.

Do you own any of the True Romance Palettes?