Essence 'Hello Autumn' Eyeshadow Palettes - Review

Ola loves! It's been a long time since I was this excited over a limited edition. Essence released a limited edition 'Hello Autumn' which was wonderful to behold: all the shades I adore, and all this in the cutest packaging ever. You can check out the entire collection HERE and HERE. Today I bring you the reviews of two eyeshadow palettes that are a part of this beautiful collection - they're so cute, right?

I love these palettes. The packaging is sturdy and strong , this is the same packaging as the Catrice Nude and Matt palettes. You get a sponge applicator with the palettes, but I've never been a fan of those so I don't really use them. I suggest using eyeshadow base with these palettes because it really makes the colors pop and last longer. When it comes to pigmentation, each shade is different. Some have stronger pigmentation, others have very weak pigmentation. When it comes to the shades that are not that pigmented, it makes a world of difference if you apply them with a wet or a damp brush. No two shades are identical in these two palettes, though some may look similar. Both these palettes offer shades with sparkle and glitter particles, so they will not suit you if you're trying to avoid glitter. These shades really stand out. Application is very easy, and the shades are easily blendable and easy to work with. Overall, I've fallen in love with these palettes. Price: 32,90 kn

Essence, Hello Autumn, eyeshadow palette, 01 Walk in the park

This one is my favorite out of the two. I love the Ombre look of the palette, and I think you all know I'm a nut for golden and bronze shades. The texture of the eyeshadows is dusty and this palette contains lots of tiny sparkles and glitters and shimmer. Now on to the individual shades, and swatches are below:

1: White and shiny (has tiny sparkles that shimmer in the sun), with a pearl-effect and a metallic-like shine, has weaker pigmentation (suitable for brow-bone area)

2: A gold shade with a bronze undertone, good pigmentation, contains tiny shimmer particles

3: This is a 'true' bronze shade, though a bit lighter; has good pigmentation, a metallic-effect, and contains tiny gold shimmer

4: Copper bronze shade, great for the crease area, contains tiny shimmer particles

5: Brown with a gold shine, has a metallic effect, good for the outer V-corner

6: Brown-oak shade, with metallic effect and silver sparkles (has a silver shine), good pigmentation

Essence, Hello Autumn, eyeshadow palette, 02 Keep calm & go for a walk

At first I wasn't sure if I should get this palette or not (since I'm not a big fan of green eyeshadow), but the bronze shade (no.3) makes it worth it to me. I think this palette is visually less appealing than the first one (or maybe that's just me, since I love bronze shades), but it's still cute. A lot more glitter and shimmer in this palette, though. Individual shades review and swatches are below:

1: Shimmery white shade with a pearl effect and a strong metallic effect, very strong white tone, good for the inner corner of the eye, very dusty

2: Yellowish golden shade, with a metallic effect, dusty, somewhat weaker pigmentation

3: A dark bronze with gold sparkles, has strong pigmentation, contains tiny shimmer particles, this is my favorite shade from both palettes

4: An 'evil' shade of green (a villain's shade), strong metallic effect, easy application, good pigmentation

5: Weak green shade, contains lots of gold sparkles, has a metallic-like effect and oil-spill effect (color-wise), has the weakest pigmentation in this palette, suitable for the lower lash-line

6: Black with a blue glow, contains visible gold glitter, has super strong pigmentation, and it almost has a matt-finish

What essence says about these products: ''The eyeshadow palettes offer six long-lasting autumn colors in the combinations gold-brown and beige-green with various effects ranging from semi-matt to metallic. The double-ended applicator is included in the set and guarantees easy application and blending.''

Comparison: Though some shades may seem similar on the promotional photos, or on the swatches, no shades are true 'twins'. For instance, shade 3 from 02 palette is not the same as shade 4 from 01 palette (shade 4 is brighter), and it's still not similar to shade 5 from the 01 palette, because shade 5 has weaker pigmentation.

Shade 2 from the 02 palette is not the same as shade 2 from the 01 palette (this one is more golden), nor is it similar to shade 1 from the 01 palette (this shade is more white, and it's better pigmented).

The shades that are the most similar are 1 (01) and 1 (02), however, 1 (02) is a tad whiter (better pigmentation), and 1 (01) is more nude, or beige white.

I'd say if you're into eyeshadows that have a matt finish, or if you want very strong pigmentation, you will not find what you're looking for here. However, if you're a palette nut like me, if you love gold and bronze shades, this is something to buy. I think the 01 palette will be great to take with me when I'm traveling.

The rest of the collection is also to die for, everything is cute and hard to resist. This collection has already hit Muller stores, and it's just arriving to dm's in Croatia. Will you grab anything? Other than the palettes, the things that have caught my eye are the eyebrow sets, blushes and the gorgeous bronzer. Overall, this has to be the prettiest essence limited edition in the last 2 years. Would you agree?

Thanks for stopping by, see you guys soon! Don't forget to follow me on facebook, bloglovin' or GFC.

Love, J.

Catrice Absolute MATT Eyeshadow Palette: Swatch And Review

Hey everyone! When I saw the promotional photos, I knew I had to have this product: the gorgeous Catrice Absolute Matt Eyeshadow Palette. I already had Nude (but I skipped Bright because it sucks, LOL) so I needed this to complete my 'collection'. When Nude came out, I immediately said how happy I'd be if there was a matt version - and here it is! Yaay! I am a palette 'nut', so naturally I love this product and I've been enjoying it so much!

Type of product: Eyeshadow palette, 6 matt shades
Product name: Catrice, Absolute Matt Eyeshadow Palette, 010 Eyes Wide Matt
Price: 39,90 kn (6g of product)
Where to purchase: Muller (Croatia)
Rating: 10/10
Would I repurchase: Yes
My opinion: Let me start off by saying I've been really enjoying this palette and I use it almost daily. It's just what I was looking for: the colors are soft and easily blendable. Now, when it comes to palettes, I love them all, so it's hard to be objective, but I'll give it a try. The packaging is sturdy and you can bring it with you without fear of it breaking. All the shadows have basically the same texture, which is quite powdery (soft surface and a bit dusty). At first I was afraid that there would be a ton of fallout on my cheeks while applying these shadows. However, I was wrong and have no fall-out problems. All the shades are matt and give a matt finish which I adore. The colors have the same durability as any Catrice matt eyeshadows (which is pretty good). I always use eyeshadow base though, so I can't say how they behave without the base. Application is easy. Now, on to the individual shades:

1: A soft white matt shade. I do not use it under my brow (too light for me), but I do use it for the inner corners of my eye. The shade isn't very pigmented, so it's great for me, since I don't like the chalk-look. This shade is barely visible on my skin if I apply a thin layer.

2: A nude-pink shade. Barely visible on my fair skin. This is the shade I use under my brow: it's a very nice matt highlight shade.

3: A light brown with a hint of a rose undertone. This shade is very light (none of the shades are very pigmented, they're light, which makes them easily blendable and great for everyday; also great for when you're in a hurry and want a little smokey eye, but don't want to look like a panda).

4: A nude brown shade, with a purple undertone (visible in the sun). This shade is everything, it's my favorite in the palette.

5: A true brown, great for inside the crease.

6: A dusty brown-black shade (again, not with strong pigmentation). It seems black, but again, lacks the intensive pigmentation to be very black, so it still looks more brown-ish.

Conclusion: I love all my palettes, but I've been using this one a lot. It's just what I was looking for: great for an everyday look, the shadows are really matt (which I love). The ''lack'' of pigmentation is a plus for me, since I needed some matt eyeshadows with light pigmentation to use in a hurry. The shadows are easily blendable, and, despite I was afraid this might be the case, there isn't a lot of fallout on my cheeks. Also, you can apply just a little, or you can build up the colors for a more dramatic look. Overall, I'm happy with this palette because I got exactly what I was looking for.
This product is for you if: If you love matt eyeshadows, if you're into the Kylie Jenner look, or if you love Catrice eyeshadows.
You should avoid this product if: If you don't like matt eyeshadows, if you're looking for shimmery eyeshadows, or if you need eyeshadows with very strong pigmentation.
Swatches: I'd say the swatches are true to real colors. The eyeshadow base goes through the middle of the swatches - it makes a slight difference.
Links: My review of the Catrice NUDE palette HERE

Catrice Limited Edition Palette review HERE

Here is the brush that comes with this palette, it's quite similar to the brush from the NUDE palette. Nice try Catrice, but I honestly take out these brushes and I never use them. They're just not my thing.

As far as comparisons go, I do not have the BRIGHT palette (because it sucks), but I do have the NUDE one. Honestly, there's no point in comparing them: one is full of matt shades, the other is full of shimmery shades. I love both palettes, so pick and choose what you prefer. Obviously, all the shades are different.

So, this product arrived in Muller about a month ago, but they still did not have testers out. However, I think they put out most of the testers last week, so hopefully now you can check out this palette before buying it. I know many of you loved the NUDE palette, I wonder if the MATT palette will have the same effect. Will you get it? Are you excited about this palette? Let me know, and thanks for stopping by.

love, J.

Avon, Baza za sjenila, Recenzija

CROATIAN ONLY. Pozdrav svima! Danas donosim recenziju Avonove baze za sjenila, koju sam uzela zato jer su je (skoro) svi hvalili. Na kraju je ispalo da nisam baš oduševljena. Baza je OK, ali nije 'sveti gral' kakvim ga neki opisuju. Ovaj proizvod bi se mogao svidjeti svima vama koji padate na fancy-schmancy stvari hehe.

Podaci o proizvodu: Avon, eye shadow primer, nijansa 'Light Beige' (jedina dostupna kod nas)

Cijena varira od 25 do 35 kn (za 3g)

Proizvod dolazi u maloj kartonskoj kutiji, a ono što mi se jako sviđa kod Avonovih proizvoda jest sigurnost da ih nitko nije dirao prije vas (aleluja!). Pakiranje je jednostavno: staklena posudica i plastičan crni poklopac. Ne sviđa mi se staklena posudica, oblik joj je ovalan i nezgodan za nošenje, i preteška je za ovako sitan proizvod. Uvijek ju oprezno spuštam na površine, znajući da mogu nešto slomiti ovako teškim staklom. Poklopac dobro drži, bazu sam uzela u travnju i nije se sasušila (na fotkama korištenog proizvoda izgleda kao da se počela sušiti, međutim, baza je još uvijek u savršenom stanju).

Ovo mi je prva baza koja dolazi u kutijici (a ne u tubici), pa nisam bila sigurna hoće li mi se uopće svidjeti. Zeznuto ju je koristiti ako imate baš jako dugačke nokte, ali za sada bez problema vadim prozvod van. Ne znam zašto, ali osjećam se totalno FANCY kada apliciram ovu bazu na kapke. Kao, tapkam prstima, ovo-ono, zabavnije je nego s drugim primerima. LOL ''fancy'' baza! Tekstura baze je lagana, podsjeća me na 'moose' pudere. Nemam nikakvih problema s mirisom proizvoda ili iritacijom kože.

Imam jako masne kapke, imajte to na umu. Vjerujem da bi baza bila vrlo dobra nekome tko ima normalnu (a ne masnu) kožu. Nijansa je bež, ali sa snažnim rozim podtonom. Budući da nosim naočale, imam problema s masnim kapcima, jer mi masnoća pređe na trepavice i zmaže mi naočale (joj te naočale haha), tako da bazu uglavnom nosim svaki dan, čak i kad ne stavljam šminku. Baza izgleda fenomenalno sama po sebi. Ujednači mi boju kože, izgleda kao bež-vanilija sjenilo. Posebno dobro dođe ujutro, jer izgledam 'budnije' nego što stvarno jesam. Međutim, nakon 5-6 sati, sama baza mi se nakupi u pregibu i imam bež linije po kapcima (užas, jelda?). Pokušala sam koristiti manje i više proizvoda, definitivno vidim bolje rezultate s manjom količinom proizvoda, jer sa velikom količinom kapci mi izgledaju suhi i 'cakey'. Sama po sebi stvarno izgleda super, baza matira kapke i dobro se stapa s mojoj nijansom kože (nije mi presvijetla kao neke).

Produljeno trajanje sjenila? Hm...moram reći da ne, nije spektakularno. Jednom sam koristila ovu bazu za svadbu i u pregibu su mi se skupila sjenila. Tako da ono što pričaju neke cure, da im ova baza pruža apsolutnu trajnost šminke, za mene to ne vrijedi. Nakon nekog vremena, sjenila će se skupiti u pregibu u jednu veliku crtu.

Izgledaju li boje intenzivnije? Pa razlika je jedva vidljiva. Neke baze stvarno pružaju intenzivniju boju, ali s Avonom to jedva primjetim. Jedino ako je neko sjenilo jedva vidljivo, onda se s ovom bazom malo bolje vidi. Ali, ništa spektakularno. Kod svakog bolje pigmentiranog sjenila razliku nećete primjetiti.

Kako bi rekli, 'tresla se brda, rodio se miš'. Proizvod je ok, ali nikako nije savršen, nezamjenjiv ili fenomenalan. Neke stvari radi ok, neke radi lošije (masnoća na kraju ipak razmrlja sjenila). Najviše sam se nadala ne-masnim kapcima, a to se ne događa (posebno nije za heavy-duty dane, više od 12h itd.). Proizvod je u istom rangu essence ili sličnih baza po ovoj cijeni. Dala sam mu šansu, ali čak i ako nanesem samo bazu, sve se skupi u pregibu prije ili kasnije. Šteta, budući da je tako fancy, hehe.

Znam da puno vas koristi ovu bazu, što mislite - oduševljene ili ne? Kako funkcionira kod nekoga tko nema masne kapke? Nadam se da ću stići napisati još koji post ubrzo. Do tada, vidimo se.

Love, j.

Catrice And Essence Sale, August 2014

Bok svima! Trenutno u dm dućanima traje essence sniženje (dok su novi Catrice proizvodi već stigli), a u Mulleru traje i Catrice i Essence sniženje. Dio proizvoda sam već ugrabila (kliknite OVDJE za taj post), a ovo je iz drugog 'pohoda'. Svi essence proizvodi na sniženju su 9,90 kn, a Catrice su 16,90 kn.

Essence, All about matt!, Oil control make-up base: Ovu bazu obožavam, ne isušuje mi kožu, zaglađuje ju, a matira me bolje nego išta. Inače, ovu bazu više neće držati u dm dućanima (ali moći ćete ju ugrabiti drugdje), pa ju se isplati uzeti sad kad je snižena (snižena je samo u dm dućanima, ne u Mulleru). Inače, ne vjerujem da ovaj proizvod treba koristiti svaki dan, ali budući da imam jako masnu kožu, definitivno ju uvijek imam pri ruci. Recenzija OVDJE.

Catrice, Ultimate Colour Lipstick, 270 Matt-erial Girl: Ne znam zašto mi je tako dugo trebalo da uzmem ovaj ruž. Dugo sam ga gledala, ali nisam bila sigurna bi li mi nijansa odgovarala. Sada kad ju imam, u jednom danu postala mi je favorit! Ruž je mat, predivne teksture, stvarno obožavam sve Catrice mat ruževe. Apsolutno preporučujem! Ubrzo dolaze dvije nove mat nijanse u novu kolekciju, ako volite mat ruževe, to je nešto što se isplati škicnuti. ;)

Catrice, Absolute Eye Colour Mono Eyeshadow, 710 Lilac Del Rey: Što reći - obožavam Catrice sjenila. Sve je super - od pakiranja, do teksture i kvalitete. Ovo je divna tamna ljubičasta nijansa, šteta što je otišla, ali nova ljubičasta nijansa dolazi (već ju možete pronaći u dm-u, ako ste slabe na ljubičasta sjenila).

Essence, Mono Eyeshadow, 70 Fox In The Box: Inače ne uzimam essence sjenila (pokleknem samo kad je popust), ali stvarno su sjajna. Preferiram Catrice zbog pakiranja, ali essence ne zaostaje. Ova nijansa izgleda potpuno drugačije na suncu i u mraku (u mraku je zemljano-smeđa). Padam na zlatna i brončana sjenila, šta ću kad sam slaba... :P

Essence, Sun club, Shimmer bronzing powder, 10 Sunkissed: Budući da preferiram mat proizvode, odlučila sam napraviti promjenu i uzeti shimmery bronzer. Ovaj proizvod SNAŽNO miriši po kokosu. Miris me poprilično odbija. Nijansa je ekstremno blaga, jedva da se primjeti, ne vjerujem da bi se uopće vidjela na tamnijoj koži. Skoro pa je ovaj proizvod potpuno proziran, na koži ostane samo lagani shimmer, pa je ovako ok za u žurbi, posebno ako ste na moru. Samo za JAKO svijetlu kožu.

Essence, nail art effect nails, 08 I'm so glamour: Ove perlice za nokte obožavam, kad sam ih krenula koristiti iznenadila sam se koliko dugo traju na noktima. Super nijansa, super zabavan proizvod. Za sve koji vole hot pink.

Essence Studio nails, XXL nail thickener: I jedna baza, eto da se nađe. Ne mogu reći je li dobra ili nije, jer sam ju samo jednom isprobala. Njihovim lakovima sam za sada stvarno bila zadovoljna.

To je to za danas, znam da je puno vas kupovalo proizvode na ovom sniženju - jeste li ugrabili nešto dobro? I love a good bargain! Čitamo se brzo, pratite me preko bloglovina, a možete me pratiti i preko Twittera i Facebooka, gdje ću javiti čim spazim nove proizvode u dućanu.

xoxo, Jelena

Catrice, Al Burgundy, Velvet Matt Eyeshadow - Swatch

Hello ladies! A new arrival from Catrice is this Velvet Matt Eyeshadow in the shade 'Al Burgundy'. Other shades of the Velvet Matt Eyeshadows do not interest me that much, but this is one of the most beautiful eyeshadows I've seen in my life. No joke.

Type of product: Highly pigmented matt eyeshadow with a metallic finish

Brand: Catrice

Product name: Velvet Matt Eyeshadow, 040 Al Burgundy

Price: 31,90 kn

Where to purchase: dm (in Croatia), Muller (available in a few weeks)

Rating: 100/100

Would I repurchase: YES

My opinion: This eyeshadow is red, burgundy, maroon, brown, purple, golden and bronze - all in one, that's how spectacular this shade is. The luxury silky texture is superb - fingers/brushes glide over it, and it's so easy to apply to the skin (and it blends well). The color payoff is amazing, this is one of the most pigmented eyeshadows available at drugstores. The finish is matt, and who doesn't adore matt eyeshadows? This eyeshadow contains ultra-soft shimmer pigments that make it really pop in the sunlight. The packaging is the exact same as the Catrice Intensif'eye wet&dry eyeshadows. However, I do not think you want to throw this is your bag because the dusty, gentle texture can't handle a lot of bumping (or dropping).

Conclusion: Best eyeshadow EVER.

This product is for you if: If you use make up.

You should avoid this product if: If you've done something horrible and don't deserve the good things in life. LOL

Swatches: The photos below are taken with no base, and it's just a light swatch. That is how pigmented this eyeshadow is. Photos are taken in the sunlight.

Links: This product on the Catrice website HERE

Other Catrice products I've reviewed HERE

Isn't it gorgeous? You can get it in Croatia NOW in dm stores that carry Catrice. Thanks for stopping by, and see you soon!

xoxo, Jelena.