Makeup shop talk.

Pop Beauty Eye Class-- Brown Eyes:: First of all, I don't have brown eyes, but I got this kit because I generally stick to neutrals when it comes to eyeshadow. I have fairly opaque blue-grey eyes, and anything without a little shimmer tends to make them look sunken in. I tend to stick to neutrals, too-- beiges and pinks and peaches with a little bit of gold work the best on me for a natural look, and this provided a nice range. This kit has 12 eyeshadows in thin bars. Basically, enough to get good use out of the colors, but used daily, I'm guessing this kit will last three months or so.

I was really surprised at how nice the yellow-y color looked on me. I'm not a yellow kind of girl-- it tends to make me look sallow. But this was a nice warm golden-yellow, and very pretty. The gold next to it has way too much glitter for daytime wear, and if you don't want glittery cheeks, I'd advise you to dip your brush in Visne before applying. The tawny and peach colors are beautiful neutrals. Of the mid-toned colors, the definite standout is the golden-shimmery pink, which looks more golden peach on the skin. These are all really nicely pigmented. I haven't really used any of the liners yet, but a test with the black liner went very well. It doesn't have the oomph of a pencil or liquid liner, but will do the trick. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this product, and I'm looking to buy a few of Pop Beauty's Eyecakes.

Stila-- Fiber Optics Mascara:: It's mascara. Not that exciting. I've been using Bourjois mascara for awhile, which I like, but I wanted to try something different. The result was a definite thicker, darker lash, but also one I had to be careful not to clump. It's less natural-looking as mascaras go, but that's okay with me. I like dramatic lashes, as long as I don't look like Tammi Faye Baker. ETA: This crap clumped like a mofo. Ick. Save your money.

Pixi-- Perfect Red Gloss Kit:: In short, don't waste your money. I was really impressed with their teeny eye kits, which are pricey, but really well-pigmented and handy. I took a chance on this. The colors aren't nearly as well pigmented, nor are they as dark as pictured. It's a standard reddish tint thing, but nothing with any real color. The little brush is handy, though. The wear is standard. For the price, I was expecting way more. My first instinct was to return it, but it's moisturizing enough, so I'll at least stash it in my purse for quick fixes. Its size is at least good for something. But really, what a whopping disappointment. I should have just gotten another Stila gloss pen.

Stila-- Kajal Eyeliner in Emerald:: Very nice. For the summer, I've been using unconventional colored liners because I just got plain sick of black. Aside from my teal liner, this is my second favorite. It's a deep emerald, no shimmer, and really brings out the green tints in my eyes. It's super soft, which means it doesn't hurt at all to put on-- no "new pencil poking me in the eye" sensation. Unfortunately, if you're a dunce and forget you're wearing makeup and rub your eye, it will smudge. Other than that, it's really nice. Stila should expand the color range.

Bourjois-- Metallic Green Mascara Top Coat:: This was fun and cheap-ish. It's also really cool looking on. Not natural, that's for sure-- it gives your lashes a peacock-feather like iridescence. I paired it with that emerald eyeliner, and it looked great!

I also got re-orders of BeneFit's Realness of Concealness kit, which is hands-down the best pocket fix-it kit ever (after you toss the totally ineffectual 'Lip Plump,' that is), and a full-size of Too Faced's Lip Injection gloss, which is a really nice gloss overall and gives my lips a natural flush without looking too makeup-y.

Next to try-- some sort of wet-look mascara, once I find a good one. I've been reading MUA reviews, and some brands have just been panned. I want to try one of Too Faced's Quickie Chronicles pallettes, I just haven't figured out which one. Maybe a Fresh eyeshadow trio, since there ain't no fucking way I'd pay $22 for a single pan, even though they sound really cute. I'd rather shell the bigh bucks out for a Nars duo, thanksverymuch. Hard Candy has a new stain out that I want to read reviews of. And Cargo has new bronzer/blush cakes that look nice. Still, I dropped some cash in my last order-- it'll be quite awhile before I make another. Back to windowshopping I go.