Hold Me Closer, Shiny Dancer from Sephora by OPI - Swatches, Photos and Comps to Milani Silver Dazzle

 Will you hold me closer?

Happy Monday everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!  I thought I would do something a little different for those who are less sweet on Vday.  Here is Shiny Dancer from Sephora by OPI.  This shiny microglitter, charcoal foil is from the Urban Ballerina collection.   This shimmering slate grey is a tough, cool antidote to those who aren't for mushy, love-y dove-y stuff.

Shiny Dancer - not your typical Valentine's Day mani.
 Milani vs Sephora by OPI.  

From the bottle, this reminded me of a Milani color that came out a little before Christmas that I had a hard time tracking down, and then it didn't seem relevant to swatch it.  The Milani is more of a dense glitter vs. the foil-y finish from Shiny Dancer.   Silver Dazzle is from the Milani One Coat Glitter family, but I find you need two coats to get good coverage, not to mention the two coats top coat of a smooth finish.  I think both are pretty, and they are different enough to warrant both.  But if you have a preference for glittery - less glittery go for your pick!  Also one is about half the price of the other, if that helps?

Milani One Coat Glitter on pinkie and ring.  Shiny Dancer on middle and index.

Sephora by OPI Shiny Dancer is $9.50 available in Sephora stores and at sephora.com.
Milani Silver Dazzle One Coat Glitter is $4.99 and available at milanicosmetics.com and at drugstores nationwide.

What mani are you sporting this Valentine's Day?

Hey DJ Keep Playin' That Polish - Sephoa by OPI Who's Spinning Tonight

 Please don't stop the music.

Happy Friday everyone!  Do you have your dancing shoes on?  Whether you're off hitting the clubs or rockin' out while singing into your hair brush at home, who doesn't love good music?

Sephora by OPI's Urban Ballerina collection sets the stage with six new colors that combine edgy twists on classic pretty colors.  Who's Spinning Tonight is an vibrant eggplant puprle creme with micro-mini purple shimmer.  If Mila Kunis' character from Black Swan was planning on doing her nails before a night out of dancing, this would be the color she would rock.

 Who's Spinning Tonight?
Enlarge to see the micro shimmer.

So you at home DJs, what's on your playlists?  What do you spin on your iPods?

Hello Kitty by Sephora - Say Hello Eyeshadow and Lipgloss Palette in Super Fun - Swatches and Review

 Say hi to Say Hello Palette from Hello Kitty by Sephora!

If you saw our First Look at some products from the Hello Kitty by Sephora line, you have probably been tapping your foot waiting for me to swatch this palette.  I really wanted to give it a thorough road test before I brought it back to you guys.  I didn't want my opinion to only be based on the good looks of this palette.  So.. with that let's begin.

Say hi to Hello Kitty by Sephora's Say Hello Palette in Super Fun.  The palette consists of two layers, 1 mirrored, holding four eyeshadows and four lipglosses, all in an absolutely adorable pearl/metallic case resembling that icon snowball-head cat, HK.  Being burned by a lot of the products from the Toki Doki line, I swore that I wouldn't be overloaded by the cuteness from just packaging again.  My experience so far has been mixed on collaborations of non-cosmetics company collaborations with Sephora (e.g. Toki Doki, Kat von D, etc).  I wasn't sure how these products would measure up as a cosmetics line vs. just a pretty package.  If anything, I think I may have judged this line with a little bit of extra scrutiny.  It's not fair to get away with good looks alone, right?!

Let's see if this line has anything to back up that pretty little kitty face....


 
Adorable silver bow on HK.  She has a beautiful opal glow!

 The shades.  Super Fun colors according to the label! 

 Eyeshadows (clockwise starting with upper left): Sugar Plum, Sweet Plum, Goodnight Dreams, Raindrop.

 
Swatched dry, no base.  Left to right: Sugar Plum, Sweet Plum, Goodnight Dreams, Raindrop. 
 
Swatched over Urban Decay Primer Potion original.  Left to right: Sugar Plum, Sweet Plum, Goodnight Dreams, Raindrop. 

I guess "Super Fun" translates into cool purple, silver and sparkley black shades in Hello Kitty's world.  lol  I actually thought that these shades were really complimentary, and they looked great on the eye together and alone.  I created looks with all four and also with only using two.  I wasn't expecting much in the way of pigmentation, but I think that they delivered well over an eyeshadow primer, nice surprise!  The black shade, Goodnight Dreams, was surprisingly very, very carbon black.  However, a big downfall was the texture.  Chalky and dry.  The texture wasn't the worst, but I experienced a lot of fall out during application, which is always a hassle. 

Lipglosses (clockwise starting with upper left): Snowflake, Strawberry Cookie, Sweet Plum, Pink Confetti.

 Left to right: Snowflake, Strawberry Cookie, Pink Confetti, Sweet Plum.
The lipglosses left a lot to be desired.  They were all extremely sheer, and once applied on the lips, looked very similar.  Also without applicators, you will have to use your own lipbrush (or finger) to apply. 
It could just be nostalgia, but these glosses have somewhat of a strong fragrance.  To me they have that classic Sanrio lip product scent.  I remember begging my parents for a tube of what was basically chapstick with Little Twin Stars logo printed on it, and it smelled exactly like this.  I personally don't find the scent offensive or distracting, but I could see someone not being a fan of the lip portion of this palette for this reason.  The scent to me was always a mix of wax, rose and candy.  It wasn't really something that I wanted to taste on my lips.  The Say Hello Palette's glosses' scent fades over time, but some may still not like this aspect.  If you are sensitive to scents in lip products, make sure to see (sniff) this in person.

If you missed the VIB pre-sale, don't worry... Hello Kitty is almost at Sephora stores.  Sign up on Sephora's site for updates on the exact day this line will be launched. 

To Review:
Hello Kitty by Sephora Say Hello Eyeshadow and Lipgloss Palette in Super Fun - $35 for 4 x  2g, 0.07oz eyeshadows, 4 x  2g, 0.07oz lipglosses.  Available at Sephora mid-January. 
Pro: Ah-door-rah-bull packaging.  Pigmentation better than expected on eyeshadows, but still leaves something to be desired.  Pretty and complimentary shades.
Con: Fragrance of lipglosses (personal bias).  Extremely sheer finish on lipglosses.  Fallout from eyeshadows.  No applicators.
Overall Beautyburg Rating: B 
(Might have been a B- if it weren't for the "looks." haha)

Do you think better packaged products get away with more?  When does design/packaging become not as important as the product? Do you have any items from the this line you want to check out?

Do you have a Sanrio character you would like to see with a makeup line or product?  I want to see Badtz Maru eyeliner, Deery Lou (did you know he's a GUY?) mascara, Purin body lotion, My Melody blush and Tuxedo Sam anything, he's a favorite.

Hello Kitty by Sephora Liquid Nail Art - Blueberry and Minty

Hello to cute nails!!!

Minty and Blueberry.

As part of the upcoming and highly anticipated Hello Kitty by Sephora line, here are two nail colors from the collection.  If you missed our first look, click here. Sephora had a two day private shopping event online for VIBs, and even when I got to the sale on the first day, many of the items were sold out.  I was able to grab two of the Liquid Nail Art ($10) colors in Minty, a pastel Shamrock Shake green, and Blueberry, a blurple creme, and a set of Nail Art Stickers ($5) in Classic Icons.

I was hoping that this line's products would have some substance, and it wouldn't be all about the packaging.  Generally, I steer away from bottles that are short.  The short neck leads to a short brush, short handle, meaning less control of the overall application.  I also found the formula a little thick.  I couldn't find the exact amount on the bottle, but it does seem small. 
Hello Kitty Blueberry and Orly Snowcone.

These two are similar but not a complete exact match.  Blueberry has a little bit more of a purple base.  Snowcone is just more of a straight up medium blue creme.  

Blueberry with Classic Icons Nail Art Stickers.
Nail Art Stickers in Classic Icons

The Nail Art Stickers come in four varieties Classic Icons, Lace, Modern Icons, and Rhinestone Flowers and are $5 each.
Hello Kitty Minty and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Mint Sorbet.

Now these were **exact** dupes.  I swatched them on alternating fingers and could not see any difference what so ever.  I prefer the Sally Hansen however.  The application and formula are just a lot nicer.  Also a bottle is only $2.99.

 All Minty.

 Left to right: SH Mint Sorbet, HK Minty, Mint Sorbet, Minty.
Can you tell the difference?  I can't!

So is this line all about the packaging?  At $10 a polish, for not such a great polish, I would say yes. 

When does cute packaging mean more than quality product?  Or does it all have to come together?

Say Hello Palette in Super Fun coming soon!

Hello Kitty by Sephora - Sneak Peak First Look- Swatches and Review Coming Soon!

Hello Kitty by Sephora Say Hello Palette
I couldn't wait to post a preview of this collection.  Recently Sephora did a 2 day shopping preview for VIBs for their new Hello Kitty collection.  It's full of whimsical packaging and some cute looking shades.  Much of the collection sold out quickly, but I was able to snag a couple items.  The collection officially launches in January!
Say Hello Palette eyeshadow layer (there is a lipgloss one too!)

 Classic Icon Nail Decals!

 Liquid Nail Art in Minty and Blueberry


Are you excited about this line?  Do you still love Hello Kitty?!  Who are your favorite Sanrio characters?

Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - SWATCHED! - Part 5: Pencils, Blushes and Cream Eyeliners! OVERALL REVIEW


Phew!  Can I catch my breath for  second?!  Swatching this entire mother ship of a palette has been exhausting but super fun!  I really wanted to bring you a comprehensive look at this year's Blockbuster offering from Sephora.  These palettes have become somewhat of a holiday tradition and have even started to inspire copycat "blockbusters" from places like Saks and Ulta.

Before I get to my final swatches, I wanted to take a second to review the palette as a whole.

As a product, the value is phenomenal.  You get a lot of makeup, tons of variety and many different kinds of products all for a relatively small price ($48).  But the key words to remember of Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster palette is that it's QUANTITY over quality.

With that in mind, I wouldn't recommend this as a gift or as a purchase for someone who already owns a lot of makeup.  They will be disappointed with the overall quality of products (though I do admit I notice significant improvement from version 1.0 and some earlier models).  However, I was quite impressed with some products, namely the cute iconic tote design, the cream eyeliners, some lip colors, bright cool toned eyeshadows.  While other things, such as the pencils, neutral eyeshadows, applicators and extremely flimsy packaging, were disappointments.  Overall, year of year, serious improvements, though it may not be enough for a makeup junkie like me.

Another positive, that I haven't mentioned before, is that with each purchase comes a lottery ticket for Sephora's Silver Ticket Sweepstakes, a chance to win $1,000 Sephora shopping spree, a one year supply of Sephora Collection products and a $1,000 donation to the Arbor Day Foundation in the winner's name (there are some 2nd prizes too).  However, you don't have to buy a Blockbuster palette to enter.  Click here for details.

What's in the Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster, one last time:

This set contains:
- 98 eyeshadows
- 70 lipglosses
- 6 cream eyeliners
- 2 lip liners
- 3 pencil eyeliners
- 1 mascara
- 3 blushes (one could be used as a bronzer)
- 4 applicators



Limited Edition, $48 at Sephora.

Now, here are the final swatches and see below for a recap of my review:


The pencils - two eyeliners and two lipliners.
These were hard but still somewhat creamy.  Not terrible, but again not great.

3 Blushes - surprisingly pigment, though the texture was chalky and hard.

Cream eyeliners - can also be used as an eyeshadow base color.
These were actually pretty impressive!
Sephora will you make a kit of just these?!

The brown was quite nice.
Links to other swatches:


Summarize the review (the quick and dirty):
Pros: HUGE value. Cute packaging.  Tons of colors. Sweepstakes ticket.  Some pigmented and nice colors.  Better than previous years.
Cons: Flimsy packaging (albeit adorable).  Quantity over quality (some may see this as a PRO).  Mostly soso pigmentation on most colors with hard, chalky texture. 
Overall Rating: B-

Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - SWATCHED! - Part 4: Warm Lips

 
Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - Warm Lips

I have to say... swatching this entire palette is a TON of work!  Oh so many colors to go through.  But I knew that this was the gutbuster of all holiday palettes, which probably explains why it's growing popularity as a holiday gift offering from Sephora.  Each year they just seem to get bigger and better.

UPDATE: for swatches of the palette!
Links to other swatches:
    Again, here is what's inside the Endless Color Blockbuster Palette.  Limited Edition.  $48 at Sephora.
    This set contains:
    - 98 eyeshadows
    - 70 lipglosses
    - 6 cream eyeliners
    - 2 lip liners
    - 3 pencil eyeliners
    - 1 mascara
    - 3 blushes
    - 4 applicators

    Now to the swatches!  There was a nice mix of frost, shimmer, gloss, glitter, metallic, balm and creme finishes.   Many of the lip colors were surprisingly pigmented.  Plenty of room for experimenting.  I liked using some of the colors from Row 1 to give other shades a warm holiday shimmer.  Definitely, feel free to mix up your custom color.  Overall, a good variety, but I wish there had been a few more nude lip shades.

     Row 1

     Row 2

     Row 3

     Row 4

     Row 5

     Row 6

    Row 7

    This palette is all about *quantity* over quality, though the quality isn't terrible.  If you want a show-stopper of a present for someone who likes makeup but doesn't already have a significant stash... this may be the gift to give.

    Are you giving away makeup gifts this season?

    Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - SWATCHED! - Part 3: Cool Lips

    Cool lip shades from Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster Palette

    It's the palette that doesn't end.  Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster Palette contains 70, they say lip glosses/I say lip colors.  Here is the cool side swatched for you.

    I was pleasantly surprised how pigmented most of these shades were.  Definitely more lipstick than lipgloss.  All of the swatches below were swiped with a q-tip.  The pot itself doesn't allow for much product, but with 70 little pots... that can be a whole lotta lip.

    The textures varied from thick lipstick, satin finish, matte creme, balmy gloss, clear gel-like top coat.  Definitely something for everyone in here.  I loved that there were even some "artist" shades (e.g. the very violet purple and milky white baby pink).

    If you missed the eyeshadow swatches, click here for WARM and click here for COOL.
    Row 1

     Row 2

     Row 3

     Row 4

     Row 5
     Row 6

    Row 7 - mostly clear glosses


    UPDATE: for swatches of the palette!
    Links to other swatches:

    Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - SWATCHED! - Part 2: Cool Eyeshadows

    If you missed Part 1: Warm Eyeshadows, click here!


    The cool eyeshadows close up.

    So many shades!!

    Sephora's Endless Color Blockbuster Palette is a makeup kit busting at the gut!  For $48, 180 colors seems isn't a bad deal.  Real makeup gurus maybe disappointed with the overall quality (which is okay not good, great, amazing), but those who love makeup but who may not own that many colors will probably love this.  The packaging and design is also hard to turn down.

    When swatching each and every eyeshadow, I really got to test the quality of all 98 colors.  If you want variety, this palette has every shade under the sun.  Mathematically, you could have millions of eyeshadow combinations!  I was actually impressed that some of them had such good color pay-off (especially on the cool side) from the bright shades, but overall, I would say that I wouldn't jump to this palette to be impressive on quality.  The texture of the shadows were hard and sometimes chalky.  The lighter shades were disappointing in texture and

    This is about quantity, not quality, people.  So just keep that in mind.

    Review (Eyeshadows only):
    Pros: A lot of colors and makeup for yo' money.  Bright colors had good color pay-off. 
    Cons: Hard texture.  Washed out neutral shades.

    These two rows were surprisingly pigmented!



    This is where the color started to get more washed-out.

     

      

    UPDATE: for swatches of rest of the palette!
    Links to other swatches:


    Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette - SWATCHED! - Part 1: Warm Eyeshadows

    Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster Palette 2010

    As part of our Holiday Gift Guide, I had done a First Look at this year's Blockbuster Palette offering by Sephora.  For the past few years, this set has become somewhat of staple in the array of beauty holiday gifts.  Year over year the design, colors, packaging and, in my experience, quality has greatly improved.  I'm head over heels for this year's iconic tote bag design, and the cream eyeliners.

    To help with your holiday shopping decisions, I will be swatching this entire palette, all 180 colors!  A reminder of what's in this jumbo palette:

    This set contains:
    - 98 eyeshadows
    - 70 lipglosses
    - 6 cream eyeliners
    - 2 lip liners
    - 3 pencil eyeliners
    - 1 mascara
    - 3 blushes
    - 4 applicators

    Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster Palette, $48 at Sephora stores and Sephora.com

     
    Cool and Warm Eyeshadows.  98 total!




    I will review these eyeshadows when I post the swatches of the cool shades.
    The palette is designed to look like the iconic Sephora shopping bag.


    Would you like this as a gift?  Have you ever given it as one?  What do you think about this year's version?

    UPDATE: for swatches of rest of the palette!
    Links to other swatches:

    First Look: Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster palette Holiday 2010 - Gift Guide Series

    Sephora Endless Color Blockbuster

    UPDATE: for swatches of the palette!
    Links to other swatches:


    Here is another first look for our Holiday Gift Guide series. In recent years, Sephora has come out with a large eyes, lips, cheeks palette that seems to get bigger each year. Appropriately named, these yearly releases are dubbed as "Blockbuster" palettes. This year's version, Endless Color Blockbuster, is a huge offering of eyes, lips, cheeks, face options.

    This set contains:
    - 98 eyeshadows
    - 70 lipglosses
    - 6 cream eyeliners
    - 2 lip liners
    - 3 pencil eyeliners
    - 1 mascara
    - 3 blushes (one could be used as a bronzer)
    - 4 applicators




    The iconic shopping bag shape

    The palette.

    The bag opens in half to reveal two eyeshadow levels.
    One side cool, another side warm.


    The warm toned shadows.


    Detail of the cool-toned shadows.

    The shadows slide out to reveal the lip layers.


    Cool lips. Purples, wines, berries.

    Detail of glosses. Pearly, shimmer, glitter.

    Warm toned glosses. Neutrals, reds, corals, pinks.

    Blushes, mirror, applicators.

    Dusty bronzy rose, pink and coral.


    2 lip liners, 6 cream eyeliners (sorry didn't get a photo of the pencil eyeliners).


    We will be posting extensive swatches, reviews of this palette and hopefully looks too. This is all a part of our Holiday Gift Guide series to help you pick the best purchases for your money. In past years, I had never paid much attention to the Sephora Blockbuster palettes, but after having this one a few days, I do see the appeal. There are literally thousands of combinations right at your finger tips. I'm excited to see how this stands up against other palettes that are offered this season. What do you think? Would you like this palette for a holiday present? Have you ignored these in the past too? Or have you bought one in the past? Did you like it?


    Will You Merry Me? Sephora by OPI Merry Me for Holiday 2010

    Sephora by OPI's Merry Me

    I say, "I do" to Sephora by OPI's Merry Me. Merry Me is a pretty jelly cranberry red base with red, pink and silver glitter. The effect is like glittered vinyl. This color is limited edition and is available now at Sephora for $9. Remember today is the last day of Friend and Family, so use code FF2010 for 20% online.

    3 coats with 2 coats of Seche Vite.
    Application wasn't too bumpy or gritty.


    Photo in shade.
    You can get a better sense of the glass-like effect.

    Love the color in the bottle too.
    See the silver glitter?

    Would you wear this shade for the holidays? Maybe even after?
    If you haven't tried Sephora by OPI and would like to, enter my giveaway for 18 minis!

    Sephora by OPI Giveaway! 18 Adorable Minis! - CLOSED!

    Another giveaway? Yes, why not?! When I first saw this set on Sephora, I had to post right away. I wasn't the only one to get excited about this set, so I thought it would be a great item for a giveaway.

    If you haven't had a chance to try many Sephora by OPI (or $OPI as this brand is often referred as), this set seems like a great way to try a lot of different shades and finishes. Retail is $48. The main complaint about this brand is the high price tag ($9 per bottle), and unfortunately, this set isn't really cheap either. But $48 for 18 shades seems like less of a pill to swallow. And if you enter this giveaway, it could be yours for free!



    The colors close up.







    How to enter?

    Simple:
    1. Leave a comment with your email for 1 entry.
    2. For additional entries (all worth 1 each, make sure to add the link in your comment when applicable):
    • Tweet about this giveaway
    • Blog about this giveaway (sidebar is good for us)
    • Post the link on your Facebook
    • Put Beautyburg on your blogroll
    • Follow Beautyburg
    • Follow me on Twitter
    This giveaway will end November 25th, 11:59pm PST. Open to international and domestic friends! Retail value is $48.

    Good Luck!