eyeliner

REVIEW: Sephora × Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

Sephora Singapore just held their bi-annual Beauty Pass Sale and in a bid to retain my Black status (as you could probably tell from the drop in my beauty reviews, I hadn’t really been shopping for makeup), I made some obligatory purchases which included a pair of peculiar-looking eyeliners born from the collaboration between Sephora and Stabilo! Yes, you read me right – Stabilo, as in the stationery brand of highlighter fame (they had their chance to release face highlighters but they blew it!).

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners 2020

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners 2020

This partnership might come as a surprise to some but considering that even Crayola has ventured into cosmetics, it goes to show that the lines between the beauty and non-beauty industries are blurring. It also makes perfect sense for Stabilo to ink the agreement because as girls transition to women (or boys to men), the need for stationery supplies diminishes thanks to electronic devices. One possible way to win this demographic back would be to appeal to their needs and I’m sure everyone needs makeup at some point in their lives 😂 Sprinkle a dash of nostalgia and we have a winner!

The eyeliner comes in 4 shades (Ink Splash, Back to School, Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday) and retails at S$15 each, or S$12 during the sale. Since I already have a staple black liner, my money went to the brown and blue (and I regret not getting the grey one now). Like the tip of your typical highlighter, the applicator is bevelled to allow for an alternation between thick and thin lines with an uninterrupted colour intensity and evenness from the start to the end of the application. The packaging is modelled after the original design of chunky Stabilo highlighers but maybe only two-third of the size (super cute!), making it convenient to bring around!

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners in Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday (sealed, front)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners in Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday (sealed, front)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners in Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday (seal, back)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liners in Chocolate Break and Summer Holiday (sealed, back)

Rub test

Rub test

Call me bias but I don’t always have a good impression of merchandise sold under house brands so I had my reservations about these claims being translated into reality. (But eyeliners in the form of highlighters? Who can resist?!)

Pardon my unkempt brows

Chocolate Break

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break (S$15)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break (S$15)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break on primed lids

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Chocolate Break on primed lids

It was a challenge manoeuvring the tip.. This was the best I could do.

It was a challenge manoeuvring the tip.. This was the best I could do.

Ahh...the gaps

Ahh.. the gaps

Don’t laugh, but the name reminds me of how Ms Yeah created her makeup with cocoa powder in one of her many ingenious videos.

But unlike the sheer payoff of the makeup that she had concocted, Chocolate Break is highly opaque and pigmented. It has a darker undertone as compared to the colour reflected on the packaging, so it appears almost like black which makes it ideal for those who do not wish to deviate too much from wearing the standard beauty look.

There was no bleeding, and attempts to rub this matte dark brown swatch off my hand were largely unsuccessful. Even after 8 hours, the colour still remained reasonably vivid despite wetting my hands on a few occasions! This little wear test took me by surprise, so I decided to wear the eyeliner on my upper lash lines and run 5km around my estate to confirm its longevity the next day. Surely, my oily lids coupled with my acidic sweat would be able to melt the makeup away?

Post-run

Post-run

Fading away..

Fading away..

Left-side going strong!

Left-side going strong!

And you guessed it – the eyeliner budged quite a bit. But even though it barely survived the run, I was glad it didn’t transfer onto my lower lash line and give me panda eyes (throughout my run, I was so paranoid that my eyeliner would smudge and I’d attract a lot of unwanted attention from other park users!).

Summer Holiday

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday (S$15)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday (S$15)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday on primed lids (and some of it somehow transferred onto my lashes)

Sephora x Stabilo Felt Liner in Summer Holiday on primed lids (and some of it somehow transferred onto my lashes)

A trip to a faraway destination might not be an option right now because of the coronavirus (I could have been in Bangkok 😭) but that does not mean you can’t feel like you’re on holiday at home (or while heading to the supermarket, whatever)! Transport the sea to your lash lines with this calming blue hue and you’re all set for a Zoom summer party (be sure to use a poolside virtual background while you’re at it)!

When tested on my hand sans primer, Summer Holiday revealed a pigmented coat of matte dark periwinkle colour (which is true to the colour of the packaging). It was mostly smudge-proof (but not as resistant as Chocolate Break to rubbing) and had a consistent product payoff. Again, the sceptic in me wanted to see if it could held up on where they were supposed to be, so I painted on the eyeliner and went for a run on another day.

Post-run

Post-run

Almost gone..

Almost gone..

Not too bad, but it smeared more than Chocolate Break

Not too bad, but it smeared more than Chocolate Break

Either my body had produced more sweat than usual on that day or this shade couldn’t really withstand humidity because it smudged more easily than Chocolate Break. There was hardly any product left on my lids after most of it migrated into the creases, or simply melted away with my sweat.

Opacity comparison with other brands of eyeliners I own

Opacity comparison with other brands of eyeliners I own

Based on my experience, both eyeliners yielded great results until they got exposed to moisture, so I wouldn’t want to wear it to watch tearjerker films, y’know, just in case. I also wouldn’t consider myself to be a fan of the bevelled tip as it really takes some getting used to. Even as a seasoned eyeliner user myself, angling the tip correctly to draw straight thin lines (especially those feline flicks) posed as a challenge to me 😩

It’s a pity that only a limited amount of colours was released because I could see how popular this would be if there were more to choose from! Perhaps if this is a success, Sephora might consider working with Stabilo again to come up with more interesting shades – this time, hopefully with a touch of fluorescence just like the highlighters 😁

Unfortunately, I don’t think this range is released in the U.S., so if you’re living in the States, you might want to get someone to ship it to you from Asia or Europe (wherever Sephora has stores in).

What do you think of this collaboration? Let me know your views in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Sephora × Stabilo Felt Liners are now available at Sephora Singapore.

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REVIEW: CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01, Make Keep Base, Make Retouch Base, Nose Shadow Highlighter, Lasting Lip Color N 402, Gokuboso Eyeliner R & Glamourlush Curl Mascara

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

Forget expensive shipping costs (and *cough* traveller’s fees). Thanks to local drugstores like Watsons stocking up on foreign beauty essentials on the cheap, products that could only be purchased while abroad previously are becoming more accessible than ever! Joining the ranks of Florida-based Palladio and Japanese cult-favourite drugstore brand Canmake is CEZANNE, which has been sold at selected Watsons stores since the beginning of the year (yes, I know I am slow again).

Some of CEZANNE products

Some of CEZANNE products

Established in 1964, CEZANNE was created with the intention to offer high quality yet affordable cosmetics to the Japanese beauty community through a three-pronged approach – being kind to the environment, skin and on your wallet.

A trendsetter in environmental sustainability, the brand adopts a refillable system which enables customers to reuse their cases. Additionally, metal pins are not used in the manufacturing of the packaging to allow for easy disposal, and packaging is also standardised to be simple and straightforward to reduce wastage and cost.

To minimise the probability of allergic reactions, patch tests are performed for all of their products (excluding nail polish remover) so those with skin concerns can use them in confidence!

Here are some CEZANNE products I was introduced to at their launch party in June! Please pardon my brief review (or lack thereof) on the face products – due to time constraints (damn early morning classes left me with very little prep time every day so I decided to skip out on the face makeup 😅) I couldn’t put them on long enough to form a fair judgement on their longevity and wear. But I will update this space once I’ve tried them all!

1. UV Clear Face Powder 01

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01 (S$17.90)

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01 (S$17.90)

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01 - original state (right) & spread out (left)

CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder 01 – original state (right) & spread out (left)

Available in shades 01 (Light) and 02 (Natural), the UV Clear Face Powder provides the skin a silky smooth and semi-matte finish that helps to conceal minor blemishes and even out skin tone. Formulated with SPF28/PA+++ to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, this face powder also doubles as a setting powder as it prevents makeup from melting by absorbing the excess sebum on the face. It also comes with a built-in mirror and a high-quality powder puff for targeted application.

2. Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Make Keep Base (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

CEZANNE Make Keep Base

A non-sticky primer to be used before foundation application, the Make Keep Base absorbs sebum and is formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant to reduce shine and slip, thereby helping with the longevity of the foundation. Apart from that, it also contains SPF28 PA++ for protection against the harshness of UV rays, as well as light-scattering ingredients to make pores appear less conspicuous. This supposedly fragrance-free (it actually smells like the bandung drink) primer yields a non-powdery finish, and yet is smooth to the touch but can be quite a pain to use due to its extremely runny texture.

To use, shake the bottle well and apply an appropriate amount of the Make Keep Base and spread it lightly and evenly on the entire face.

3. Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base (S$9.90)

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base (S$9.90)

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

CEZANNE Make Retouch Base

The Make Retouch Base provides shine control and can be used over and under makeup. It comes with a brush tip attached to the cap for a more precise application so you won’t have to worry about ruining your makeup with your fingers (although you would still have to pat with fingers after application).

There was a very faint craft glue smell when I first applied it on my hand, but it dissipated after a while, leaving with no smell at . Somewhat milky in texture at first, the product dried down to a slightly powdery but not exactly transparent (there was still some translucency) finish within seconds, giving the skin a soft-focus effect and smooth appearance.

4. Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 - rub test

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 – rub test

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10

Real-life wear test - not much change after more than 12 hours!

Real-life wear test – not much change after more than 12 hours!

Small-eyed people would most likely agree with me that eyeliners are the single must-have beauty staple because these godsent stuff literally open up the eyes and add definition to the otherwise two-dimensional feature. But it can be a challenge finding one that offers fantastic opacity in one stroke and yet does not smudge in this blistering heat of Singapore without burning a hole in our pocket. Well.. ladies, the search is finally over.

Admit it, we’ve all had our fair share of disappointing eyeliners that should be sold at the watercolour pencil section instead, and we can’t complain much about it for the price we paid for (*cough* Thai brands I’m looking at you). But the Gokuboso Eyeliner proves that even drugstore eyeliners can be as solid as upscale ones. The opacity of the ink, for one, caught me by surprise because I was expecting a really light wash of black out of it. Despite the affordable price tag, application was incredibly smooth and the thickness of the product stayed consistent from start to finish. Most importantly, this ah-mazing eyeliner is highly resistant to smearing – it did not bleed or fade an inch even after more than 8 hours of wear!

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 - swatch comparison

CEZANNE Gokuboso Eyeliner R 10 – swatch comparison

5. Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara - AFTER application

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara – AFTER application

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara - BEFORE and AFTER

CEZANNE Glamourlush Curl Mascara – BEFORE and AFTER

Available in black, the Glamourlush Curl Mascara is one of the four mascaras by CEZANNE specifically to add long-lasting curl and volume to lashes using a classic tubular wand that helps separate and lift each individual lash from the root, so every single strand is amplified to make the eyes the focus of attention. Clump-free and smudge-proof, this mascara is resistant to water (thus a great mascara to cry in) and rubbing (although I do not recommend you do this), and can be layered up for a more dramatic effect. Granted, the packaging does feel a little cheap, but the quality of the product is definitely up to the mark because my lashes did look fuller and a lot more balanced and uniformed after just two passes!

6. Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter (S$15.90)

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter - BEFORE (left) and AFTER (right)

CEZANNE Nose Shadow Highlighter – BEFORE (left) and AFTER (right)

No matter how affluent we are, we have this innate desire for things that offer a bigger bang for our buck. That’s why we’re often drawn to palettes rather than singles despite knowing that less than half the selection would be utilised eventually, and suddenly it doesn’t seem like we’ve saved much after all. Do your wallet a favour and opt for this no-frills contour kit that features just two sculpting shades you’re bound to use – one of a fine-grained white pearl for highlighting purposes and another of a beige-brown that blends softly with any typical fair Asian skin (sorry, dark-skinned ladies 😞) for a more natural finish.

The darker shade, which I foresee myself hitting pan really soon since it takes up only a-third of the compact, adds dimension to the face (more specifically, the bridge of the nose, under the eyebrows and cheekbones) by emulating shadows. The pigmentation, however, isn’t as buildable as I’d like it to be so I felt there wasn’t a noticeable difference to my face even after three swipes.

Complementing it is the lighter shimmery shade, which is strangely given a lot more emphasis in this kit, as it helps to add glow (that turned out rather beautifully) to areas where light would naturally hit, such as the top of cheekbones, center of forehead, nose bridge, center of chin and top of cupid’s bow. The compact also conveniently includes a small dual-ended applicator (brush to apply the bronzer and sponge-tip to diffuse the highlight) to allow touch-ups on the go.

7. Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402 (S$12.90)

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402 (S$12.90)

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402

CEZANNE might have brought in a whole range of products, but at the end of the day nothing truly excites me more than a wide array of lipsticks, especially when they are packaged in such pretty Victorian-styled tubes! #suckerforprettypackaging

With more than 10 conventional shades to choose from, there is certainly one for each skin tone. I was gifted 402, a cool-toned medium red (surprisingly not as dark as it seems on the bullet) with a shot of luminous shine that applied like butter on the lips. The glossy finish was sheer at first but buildable to a semi-opaque coverage with 2-3 more passes without settling into the lines. The moisture of my lips was retained and throughout the wear I did not feel a hint of dryness or urge to lick my lips.

But much as I love how feminine this colour makes me look, this lipstick unfortunately does not live up to my expectations in the longevity department because it transfers and budges way too easily (a typical trade-off for moisture, so no surprise there).

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402 - opacity comparison

CEZANNE Lasting Lip Color N 402 – opacity comparison

Based on what I’ve tried and tested so far, CEZANNE’s strength appears to lie in their eye products but seasoned users may disagree (their face products perform pretty well too according to most reviews I read online), so I suggest you head down to your nearest Watsons outlet and try their products out for yourselves!

What are your thoughts about CEZANNE and their products? Let me know your views in the comments below or simply take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

CEZANNE is now available on watsons.com.sg and in all local Watsons outlets.
Products were supplied by CEZANNE for my consideration but all opinions and expressed are my own.

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REVIEW: M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink/Mossy Green & Lipsticks in Apricot Gold & Nude Fudge

/ Fiona Seah / 3 Comments

Hello everyone!

These days, with influential figures like Rihanna paving the way for inclusivity in the beauty world, and an extensive spectrum of hues being held up as the standard to meet for every international beauty brand deliberating over new product launches, dark-skinned people seem to have it easier when it comes to makeup selection. But instead of pushing out tens of similar products to please everyone (especially people of colour) which makes little sense logistically, M·A·C decides to partner with American-Indian Padma Lakshmi on a collection that is mainly dedicated to brown skin. And quite frankly, I’ve never encountered any makeup specifically developed for brown skin that does not look great on other skin tones.

Padma Lakshmi for M·A·C 2018

Padma Lakshmi for M·A·C 2018

Padma Lakshmi is an author, TV personality and a former fashion model. But as glamorous as her credentials may seem, her life has been far from smooth-sailing. Growing up in Los Angeles in her teens, she had to cope with racial taunts and persecutions which heightened her insecurities of being a minority. Living with endometriosis also meant that she would experience chronic pelvic pain (among many other issues) during her menstruation, causing her to be bedridden every month for a week and as a result, miss out on important occasions throughout the years.

Instead of wallowing in self pity, Padma concentrates on leveraging her shortcomings for the betterment of life. In the hope that no other sufferers would slip under the radar like she had been, she co-founded The Endometriosis Foundation of America, a non-profit organisation which focuses on bringing awareness of the disease to the general public and helping to find a cure for it. Her choosing not to cover up the seven-inch scar on her arm inflicted by a car accident is another testament of her bravery to break the mould in the entertainment industry which is often unforgiving towards any forms of imperfection. Now, turning her struggles as an brown-skinned girl into a makeup collaboration with M·A·C, she has created a 17-piece collection that caters to darker skin tones, yet complements fair complexions at the same time and effectively hitting two birds with one stone.

MY HAUL!

MY HAUL!

Breathtaking lipstick packaging

Breathtaking lipstick packaging

Released in March, the gold-emblazoned collection with Mehndi-inspired design includes 6 Lipsticks (Sunset Rose / Nude Fudge / Mittai Pink / Sumac / Apricot Gold / Blue Blood), Cremesheen Glass in Nefertiti, 2 Powder Blush Duos (Moon & Shine / Melon Pink), 2 eye shadow quads (70’s Sunset / Desert Dusk), 3 Powerpoint Eye Pencils (Iced Heather & Kerala Sun / Indian Ink & Mossy Green / Bordeauxline & Molé Brown) and 3 brushes (#168 / #275 / #213) – out of which 4 across different product categories will be reviewed in this post.

Eye Shadow X4: 70’s Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70's Sunset (US$33)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset (US$33)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70's Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70's Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70's Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70's Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset

70's Sunset swatches using damp brush and dry finger

70’s Sunset swatches using damp brush and dry finger

Picking the right eye shadow colours can be a tricky business for most Asians since our non-existent eyelid creases and limited lid space do not allow for much leeway in creativity. The wrong choice of eye shadow can easily ruin our overall look, and too much makeup can also overwhelm our teeny-weeny eyes. But what other options do we have apart from boring ol’ neutrals? The answer – if I may jump the gun – lies in this specially curated palette of four unusual yet harmonious shades in a luxurious gilded case (with a push-to-open latch) which by far has the best colour combination that M·A·C has ever produced in the history of my makeup-obsessed life.

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to 70’s Sunset: Too Faced Clover Eyeshadow Palette · M·A·C × Rossy de Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Urban Decay × Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette

Sand & Clay is described as a midtone cool beige with a matte finish. Although rather low-contrast against my skin, this no-frills warm-toned apricot is pigmented with a delightfully smooth and even consistency, adhering well to the lids with no fallout when applied. Semi-opaque on the first pass, it is buildable to full opacity with the next layer and can simply be diffused around the edges. It can act as a base for heavy colours to build on and bring out the eyes. When used wet, the colour becomes darker with a tinge of glossiness. But once blended out, it loses its intensity and becomes as vibrant as its original dry state. Either way, this shade didn’t crease on my lids.

Sand & Clay swatch comparisons

Sand & Clay swatch comparisons

Cardamom is described as a cool light green with white frost and Veluxe Pearl finish. Infused with silver microshimmers, this shimmery pale cool-toned green has a smooth texture with very minimal fallout even though it has seemingly sparse particles. Sheer upon application, it is not quite visible on my lid unless hit by direct light. This shade works best as a topper or when applied at the inner corners of eyes to add a pop of sparkle or downplay tired-looking eyes. Adding it on the lower lash line can also help camouflage dark circles when light reflects off the eye shadow.

That said, only when it is wet that it can be used to its full potential. In its moist state, it transforms to a slightly metallic finish, and shimmers become visibly more densely packed which makes it more pronounce on the lid. Despite it being more rigid when wet, I was still able to blend it out with ease.

Cardamom swatch comparisons

Cardamom swatch comparisons

Mumtaz is described as a copper with gold sparkle and Veluxe Pearl finish but a swatch reveals it to be more of a cool berry than the rose-pink in the pan. A colour that defines the socket of the eye, it packs a lot of pigment while providing a smooth and even consistency. The intensity lightens a great deal when blended out even though it is still buildable to your desired level of impact. The texture certainly feels grittier when it is dry so some fallout and kickback are expected. To get around this issue, the eye shadow can be applied wet but the tradeoff would be that it would form harsh edges that are almost impossible to diffuse.

Mumtaz swatch comparisons

Mumtaz swatch comparisons

All’s Rosy is described as a midtone plum with gold pearl and a matte finish. This eggplant purple has microshimmers of a somewhat lighter colour and is cooler than Mumtaz in undertones. Although offers pigmented payoff, the texture can be a tad chalky. It is prone to leave fallout due to its loose consistency but on the plus side, it makes it easier to blend out the edges and add a little more depth to the eyes. That said, this shade is best applied wet as it intensifies the colour and it would also be more manageable when the shimmers become more densely packed. But doing so would take you awhile to soften out the harsh edges.

All's Rosy swatch comparisons

All’s Rosy swatch comparisons

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Primed my lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Primed my lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Starting with Sand & Clay

Starting with Sand & Clay

Sand & Clay as the base colour

Sand & Clay as the base colour

Followed by Mumtaz

Followed by Mumtaz

Mumtaz to define my eyes (and to create a subtle ombre!)

Mumtaz to define my eyes (and to create a subtle ombre!)

All's Rosy is next

All’s Rosy is next

All's Rosy for an added depth, and to complete the ombre

All’s Rosy for an added depth, and to complete the ombre

Cardamom as the finishing shade

Cardamom as the finishing shade

Wetting the brush so that the shade would be more prominent on my lids

Wetting the brush so that the shade would be more prominent on my lids

Cardamom on the inner corners to add a pop of sparkle to the eyes

Cardamom on the inner corners to add a pop of sparkle to the eyes

Complete the look with some colours (can be in the same sequence as those on the lid) on the lower lash line

Complete the look with some colours (can be in the same sequence as those on the lid) on the lower lash line

Voila! A look that's not too subtle and not too heavy!

Voila! A look that’s not too subtle and not too heavy!

Optional: line the eyes for maximum impact (I'm using the Rollerwheel Liquid Liner which I had reviewed some time ago)

Optional: line the eyes for maximum impact (I’m using the Rollerwheel Liquid Liner which I had reviewed some time ago)

Finished!

Finished!

Powerpoint Eye Pencil:
Indian Ink/Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil

M·A·C is known to boast a plethora of eyeliners just like it does for lipsticks. Powerpoint Eye Pencil is one of its many ranges which promises waterproof, long-wearing in metallic, shimmery or matte finish. From experience, this range of liners does not give the most pigmented of colour but it does stay on the lid for as long as I want it to, and it does take a bit more effort to remove it. Although I’m not really a fan of the application, it was just too hard to pass up on the offer of having two shades for the price of one (to be exact, they’re 50 cents more than those in regular packaging but whatever). Furthermore, that green is GORGEOUS.

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

Indian Ink is described as a pure black which is a complete lie (seriously, who does all these inaccurate descriptions on the website?) because anybody with a normal vision would be able to see that it is a cool-toned navy blue. The first stroke of this matte liner gives a sheer coverage but it is buildable to semi-opaque coverage with three passes. The texture glided moderately smoothly across the lid without tugging the skin and deposited enough colour for it to be prominent enough atop the eye shadow. As expected, it didn’t budge or smudge on my lower lid throughout the nine hours I had it on despite the oily surface.

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink & Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink & Mossy Green

Mossy Green, on the other hand, is described as a deep green with a slightly metallic finish. This stunning cool-toned army green has tiny gold flecks which are aren’t conspicuous unless viewed up-close. It glides smoothly and has a lightly creamy texture. Smudge-resistant, it provides semi-opaque pigmentation in one stroke and is buildable to a full coverage. But much as I love this shade, it unfortunately doesn’t translate well on the lid especially on eye shadow because it kinda appears greyish? Nevertheless, this shade wore well on me for over nine hours.

NOTE: I just remembered that I do have blue and green eyeliners somewhere in my stash so check back soon for some comparison swatches of this eye pencil!

Lipstick: Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

Apricot Gold is described as a midtone peach nude with Amplified finish. This terracotta orange glides on the lips to instantly brighten the face and give a glistening texture that feels both lightweight and comfortably moisturising. I can see it working beautifully on dark complexions as well, which could jolly well be true judging from its sold-out status online. But it accentuates lip lines and doesn’t really apply evenly especially on the wrinklier areas such as the inner corners of the lips. Still, it’s a lovely everyday colour which was able to withstand a light meal. It wore well on me for about five hours before fading to a stain.

Swatch comparison against Apricot Gold

Swatch comparison against Apricot Gold

Lipstick: Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

Nude Fudge is another universally flattering shade described as a midtone neutral with a matte finish. This medium cool-toned rosebrown tugs slightly during application but offers an even and opaque coverage. It has a smooth and creamy texture that isn’t too drying despite it being a matte, which is a plus for my flaky lips. On top of that, it is also able to conceal imperfections pretty well. Similarly, this shade wore well on me for about five hours before some product noticeably settled into the cracks. But it didn’t make my lips look awfully parched so I’m willing to close my eyes to that. With such commendable application, it beats me why it hasn’t been wiped off the shelves yet.
Swatch comparison against Nude Fudge

Swatch comparison against Nude Fudge

The overall great quality and uniqueness (I’m lovin’ all the greens – such novelty!) of the products in this collection, as well as the element of surprise in them makes this collaboration one of the best that M·A·C has done so far. I like how certain shades appeared to be impractical for daily use but turned out to be subtle enough for those who shy away from bold colours and yet made a world of difference to the look. Definitely my best makeup purchase of 2018. I’m kinda bummed out that it isn’t given much airtime to garner enough hype before the next collection (*cough* Patrick Starrr *cough) was rolled out.

What do you think of this collection? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi is now available on MACCosmetics.com and AT ion & vIVOCITY tangs OUTLETS.

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