SEPHORA IT PALETTE - SMOKY

Some of you may know that I was one of the lucky five to receive this palette during the opening of Sephora's Tampines 1 outlet. This set wasn't set aside specifically for me, it just so happened that the Vanity Case we picked up included it.
More on that here.

I have previously encountered this palette on my many trips to Sephora but have never had the desire to purchase it.

Why?
1) It didn't swatch great in store.
2) For something that didn't swatch great, it had a hefty S$49 price tag.

This palette includes;

- 12 x 0.033 oz Eyeshadow

- 01 x 0.039 oz Eyeliner Pencil in Black

- 01 x double ended brush: Eyeliner Brush + All-over Shadow Brush

It also came with a (unhelpful) insert, shown above.

Moving on to the product close-ups and swatches; 

Note: All shadows are layered twice in order for it to turn up on camera, which says something :/

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1 & 2: Almost identical but 1 was much patchier. Barely any pigment
3: Glided on relatively smoothly but needed two swipes to build up the intensity.

4: Excess needs to be shaken off else you will get the powder bits as seen on the top edge of the swatch above. Worth noting that this colour is extremely similar to Mac's Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line

5 & 6: Glided on relatively smooth with good pigment.

7: Extremely powdery with larger chunks, more so than 4. It was also chalky.
8: Appears barney purple in the pan but actually a black base with purple glitter when swatched.

9: Difficult to build up.

10: Extremely chalky but the insert did label it as an eyeliner, though it did not feel like one.

11: Barely anything showed up. A chalky black base with sparse blue glitter. 

12: Barely anything showed up, though slightly better than 11. Black base with sparse silver glitter.

The black was not an intense black, more to a blackish gray.

Liner also smudges easily. Only had to run my finger over lightly for it to smudge.

The saving grace of this kit? The double ended brush!

The All-Over Shadow Brush was soft and non-scratchy. Not too dense and not too sparse.

The Eyeliner Brush was soft yet sturdy. I'd imagine it's be good for gel liners.

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Overall, I'd say only 5 out of 12 shadows (3, 4, 5, 6, 9) are worth your time. The liner for me was also a miss because not only is it not intense, it's smudges at the slightest friction! The brushes felt really well made but those alone aren't enough to justify the S$49 price tag.

ALTERNATIVES

Sleek Palette - Vintage Romace
Source

If you're out for something similar, check out the Sleek palettes. One of their palettes, Vintage Romance, contains shades that are Matte, Metallic and Satin finishes. Those are S$22 or even S$15 if you can catch them on sale. Not the best in the market but better than the IT Palette, in my opinion. Sleek palettes also comes with a sponge applicator. The money saved can be used to buy a good eye liner. You'd probably have money leftover as well. 

Urban Decay - Shadow Box
Source

Otherwise, another metallic paletter to consider would be Urban Decay's Shadow Box. Retailing at S$52, it is only S$3 more expensive than the IT Palette. Though it contains less product per eyeshadow at 0.01 oz, the quality makes up for it. Plus when was the last time you used up an eyeshadow?

Hope my brief opinions were helpful!

♥ Sheena V

Sephora IT Palette - Smoky, available here. 
Use code ZBAPC2h to get 15% off your first purchase. 
Sleek Palettes available here.
Create an account and use LUCKY30 to get 30% off your first purchase.

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Recently, I blogged about buying 2 additional shades of Sephora's Cream Lip Stain (here).

Hence, I thought I'd share how the 3 shades I have matches my skin tone, as well as lip swatches.

NOTE: All photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated. Products should be true to colour.

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Sephora Cream Lip Stain | 04

This is the first in the line that I bought. At the time, I was really into a dark vampy lip and this was the darkest Sephora SG had (Sephora SG didn't carry 07 back then). This colour wears opaque on my lips, which is great as I have uneven pigmented lips. Even when it fades a little after I eat, it leaves an even stain. Nothing weird looking. However for the majority, it doesn't budge at all or even transfer. Removing is also relatively easy for something that doesn't budge. One wet wipe does the trick.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain | 05

Colour 05 was a bit off for me. From a distance, it still looks fine with the subtle sheen. Looking at the second photo though, it was slightly streaky on me and not opaque. I would imagine that this wouldn't be an issue for those with lighter lips. I can still make this work, it's not gonna be an entire waste. If I use it on top of another nude lipstick like Mac's Fast Play or Siss, it will work. Otherwise, I could just gift it to my sister. One thing to note when removing this colour though, it will leave glitter everywhere if you're not too careful. So proceed with caution.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain | 07

I happened to be browsing in Sephora when I saw they had an even deeper version of 04. Boy, was I was excited! Tried it on in store, using their disposable doe foot applicator, and fell in love with how it looked. It complemented my constantly angry face. Hahaha. While it's stunning, it's also a bitch to remove. I had to use a legit lip product remover for this one. Wet wipes do not cut it. So if you decide to switch to a lighter colour while you're out and about, good luck with that!

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The red one is this collection, whilst I do not own it (I own Urban Decay's F-bomb, which I love), is a real showstopper. The intensity is really, WOW. I've recommended it to my friends who were looking for a good first red and so far no one has complained. I even randomly recommended it to a teenage girl who happened to be browsing beside me. Guess what? She bought it. HAHA. Even Q, who was with me at the time, was amazed she listened. Reading what I'm typing about it right know is making me want get it! Maybe, just maybe. Heh.

I hope this has been somewhat helpful!

♥ Sheena V

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I think the Sephora Collection in Singapore is underrated.

I mean, I don't think all of it is good. I've had my fair share of epic product fails that I wish I didn't waste my money on. For example, Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara was plain bad in my and a friend's opinion. However, I do think there are some stars to this collection.

NOTE: All photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated. Products should be true to colour.

SEPHORA COLLECTION

My thoughts: The three items above are somewhat repeat purchases.

I received my first Sephora Lash Plumper about 3 years ago from an ex-colleague and ever since I've stopped using Maybelline mascaras. Come to think of it, the only reason I even started using Maybelline products was due to their campaigns and as an impressional teen, of course I fell for it. 

I used to love Maybelline's Cat Eyes but those tend to leave my eyelashes crispy hence when I wash it off at the end of the day, I always lose a few lashes in the process. I have sparse lashes, I can't afford to lose any! While I rotate between Benefit's They're Real Mascara, this is a painless option (I tend to poke myself in the eye with the sharp bristles). No close up picture of the bristle as it's unopened until I'm done with my current mascara.

You could purchase this in Singapore but whilst it retails for 28SGD here, it only retails for 12USD/16SGD on the US site.

Same thing with the Sephora Cream Lip Stain. It retails for 24SGD here but 13USD/17SGD in US.

Since I was already purchasing other items from the site, why not just add this into the cart?

About a year ago, I came across a random Singaporean YouTube video whereby she was wearing the cream lip stain on her lips. This was before Popular YouTubers like essiebutton started raving about it. I feel kinda cool discovering it before they did hahahahaha. I thought it looked nice so I went and bought the shade in 04. And boy was I glad! This is the ultimate lip product for those who are constantly eating. Lolololol. Once it sets, it doesn't budge, even after eating a bowl of oily noodles! I mean in reality I would still wipe it off after eating and re-apply luh, but it's good to know I don't look like an idiot while eating. 

Below are the new shades I got;

Sephora | Cream Lip Stain in 07

Sephora | Cream Lip Stain in 05

I really hope you give these a try if you're looking something fuss-free and relatively affordable. Tip: If you're planning to buy them from Singapore, Zalora always has discounts going on. Not to mention, free shipping for purchases above $40. Still not as cheap as the US but not full price either.

♥ Sheena V

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