Burberry No. 22 Pale Barley Sheer Eyeshadow

Let me start off as to why it took me this long to review Burberry Cosmetics...because my thoughts can help explain my review on the product:

As some of you know, Burberry was only sold at a very few Nordstroms, and my closest one was in Paramus New Jersey (not near me at all). I refused to buy anything online sight unseen. Then it became available at my local Saks this past fall and when they first arrived there, I wasn't in a rush to see the counter. Plus the biggest deterrent was the packaging. I seriously dislike Burberrys packaging...so much that it took me this long to buy something from them.

And when I finally went to the Burberry counter back in October, I was a bit ... let down. I saw the colors and they're all muted, flat colors (in the pans). Nothing stood out at a first glance to me. I've realized then that I like makeup lines that have some color variation (mixture of neturals and color eyeshadow...and so on...)  

I then realized I needed to take Burberry cosmetics for what it's worth -- makeup that's pretty much fail proof in terms of a soft, everyday, work appropriate look. You can pack on the eyeshadows and it will still be a soft eye, that will never be too dark like a dark smokey eye. A fellow makeup girl I speak to, described it best: it's what Bobbi Brown cosmetics COULD have been. Soft colors with nice textures that are staples in your everyday work bag.

Ok, so I went back to the Burberry counter and saw their Spring/Summer collection. For the few moments that I stood at the display, an associate came up to me and asked me if I needed anything...and then I decided to really sit down and really experiment, since it wasn't busy.

And so then I left with a few products...including Pale Barley Eyeshadow :)

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Color: its this beautiful beige leaning taupe shade, with this subtle sheen. I want to say it's neutral, but ever so slightly warm in undertone. I can see myself wearing it on the lid every day. I couldn't help but stare at it in the pan, and even when swatched it's just a beauty on it's own. The sheen isn't over the top, either. I'm definitely smitten with this shade.

Packaging: Yes I dislike the Burberry pattern, and the packaging is on the bulkier side. It has a little mirror, which is convenient. The Burberry pattern is embossed on the eyeshadow too (gag). I do like the magnetic open/close and it's pretty sturdy overall. 

Texture and Formula: The texture is definitely soft and creamy. It reminds me of a Dior eyeshadow in terms of how creamy it feels against your finger. The downside is that the eyeshadow by itself (no primer) is that the eyeshadow doesn't last long at all on your eyelids. On me it lasts like 2 hours with visible fading (and keep in mind its winter so my skin is drier). With primer, the lasting power is much better. I know most people only wear eyeshadow with primer. I work long hours and I have my makeup on for over 18 hours at times, and I do like my eyeshadows to perform well on its own. I'll get over the subpar lasting power on its own, but it is something to keep in mind.

Price and Size: $29 for 2.5g, or .088 oz

L to R: By Terry Misty Grey, LMdB Jojo, Burberry Pale Barley, RBR Gracious Asari, Solstice Halycon, Embrace of Cashmere

L to R: By Terry Misty Grey, LMdB Jojo, Burberry Pale Barley, RBR Gracious Asari, Solstice Halycon, Embrace of Cashmere

By Terry Gingembre Sable | Ginger Biscuit (#3) Powder Eye Shadow +

Happy New Year and I hope everyone is having a great 2012 so far ! I'm not one to discuss my personal life, but December and January have been awesome in terms of an amazing romance of sorts. I've met someone who I've been spending a lot of time with and he makes me so happy. Ok enough sappiness talk, but I'm now back to my normal schedule. Christmas and New Years are over, and getting back to the swing of things has been difficult, but now I'm ok.

So as for my first review for 2012: I've decided to talk about By Terry. I love her line, but one area I've completely ignored are her eyeshadows. I'm not really an eyeshadow person, as most of you can tell, I'm a lipstick/gloss kinda girl :)

Moving along ...

Packaging: It comes in a gold screw top single. I have no idea how to depot these eyeshadows and I'm afraid of doing so because of damaging the shadow and who knows what else. The eye shadow packaging is a bit on the bulkier side, so it's not too space friendly in your stash. They're slightly less bulky than Rock and Republic shadows, to give you an idea. Otherwise, it's pretty straight forward, screw top packaging.

Texture/Formula: Now, these shadows are not the most buttery/creamy in feel (like say Dior, RBR, Suqqu), but they're definitely not gritty, at all. The sheen is subtle, yet present...definitely no micro shimmer in this particular shade. I've grown to like Ginger Biscuit each time I use it. The biggest stand out in terms of these shadows is that they have insane lasting power by themselves, even in heat. I know it's winter time, but trust me, I've been in really hot situations, to the point of sweating bullets. These eyeshadows when layered on top of cream eyeshadows, the effect is quite magical. mmm.

Color: Ginger Biscuit is an interesting soft yellow gold kind of shade. Not a normal color for me to purchase since I prefer how I look in cooler neutrals. It's a warm shade that's safe enough for me to wear as a lid color and not look sick. The color is something I need to get more comfortable wearing since I always tend to grab a taupe eyeshadow instead. 

Price and Size: $40 for 1.5 g, 0.05 oz. They're slightly bigger than Becca's, slightly smaller than Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadows. 

Are they worth the purchase? I think if you find a unique shade or two, then yes, but otherwise I don't really see the need to buy the entire line of eyeshadows, just because for the price point you can get a slightly larger eyeshadow that works just as well.

top clockwise: Becca Tussah, Le Metier de Beaute Jojo, By Terry Ginger Biscuit, By Terry Pearly Rye, RBR Solstice Halycon

L to R: Becca Tussah, Le Metier de Beaute Jojo, By Terry Ginger Biscuit, By Terry Pearly Rye, RBR Solstice Halycon (flash)

Becca Tussah, Le Metier de Beaute Jojo, By Terry Ginger Biscuit, By Terry Pearly Rye, RBR Solstice Halycon (no flash)

bottom row, 2nd from left is Shu IR 800 (2nd gen), below is By Terry Ginger Biscuit

L to R: Shu IR 800 (2nd gen), By Terry Ginger Biscuit (no flash)

L to R: Shu IR 800 (2nd gen), By Terry Ginger Biscuit (flash)