Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Black Tied: Swatches and Review

I caved and picked up the Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Black Tied ($20) because I couldn't resist the idea of black gloss with multi-color sparkle in a gorgeous formula.

In my experience, black gloss can be tricky. I much prefer straight up black lipstick or liner if you really want that goth chic look that is trending right now. I wasn't expecting this to be all that pigmented and mostly wanted it for layering.

This is also described my Smashbox as 'sheer', so there are no illusions going into this gloss. The formula is the same as Coraline, nice on the lips, smooth, and non-sticky.

The sparkles, black base, and minimalist packaging make this a really stunning piece on any vanity, but do you really need this black gloss?

Here is a swatch of Black Tied. It looks kind of like dirty water on the hand. The sparkles are so minuscule and very hard to capture without blurring the photo and adding flash, but are more apparent in person. 

Above is Black Tied on lips in artificial lighting. What this gloss does is bring out the pink/cool undertones in your lips very well. So, if you are looking for a very basic gloss that will enhance your lip color for cool-toned looks, this is a good choice. Although, I know that many reading this will want/expect more of a punch out of a color like this. 

Above is a more natural lighting scenario. You can see my lips appear cooler, pinker, and slightly gray. This gloss will in no way give you any 'goth' look. I tried layering this over other glosses/lipsticks and it cools them down a bit and adds plumpness and a slight sparkle to my lips.

You are not going to get much pigmentation out of Black Tied, no matter how much you layer it, so for $20, pass on this black gloss, no matter how pretty it looks in the tube, UNLESS you are looking for an easy to wear, comfortable formula for a my lips but cooler (toned) look. I personally like the way it gives my lips a finished look when I am just wearing black liner and mascara, but it is more of a frivolous un-necessity.

BA Star 5-Pan Eye Shadow Palette in Spice Natural: Review and Swatches

I've talked about BA Star Cosmetics here before and now, thanks to Brandbacker, I have a chance to introduce you to my favorite product from this brand.
For those of you not familiar, BA Star is an affordable brand that curates their collections around cheerleader, dancer, and performer needs. But considering the most strenuous thing I do is Zumba, I don't need my makeup to last through a sweat-session. However, the long-wear BA Star provides for athletes means that my makeup is going to last through a hot day easily.

This palette is called 'Spicy Natural' and is one of BA Star's 5 pan high pigment palettes. I also recieved a sample of their Body Shimmer Base (which is an allover glitter primer). These palettes retail for $8.75 on their website: http://bastar.com. The packaging is plastic, thin, and rounded, which makes it easy to store. My gold/yellow shadow came a bit chipped but I don't mind at all. It was nothing major, just kicked up some of the fallout you see in the pan. It also comes with a double-sided eye brush (one else a brush, the other a sponge tip).

These shadows have a creamy texture and I recommend patting them on instead of swiping, and then you can blend. Blending does fade them a bit, but they can easily be built back up to the desired pigment. The first three colors are a beige, a gorgeous orange/bronze, and a deep cocoa. They are all extremely shimmery.

The last two colors add the 'spice' to this palette: a plummy purple and a yellow/gold. 

Here are all of the shadows without any primer. Decent pigmentation. Average fallout, but nothing that ruins your look or you can't brush away. 

But...it gets better!

With a thin layer of the BA Star Body Shimmer Base underneath and much less of the eyeshadow, the results are spectacular. Just pat on to well-primed eyes and you get luxurious, almost 'foiled', looking color. I am so loving that purple!

Wear time is great. Lasts the whole day on me! (so 12+ hours) There is some minor glitter fallout throughout the day if I am in a rush and missed a tiny spot during priming because these really perform their best when held to the skin with a base. 

On the eyes, they are very, very glittery, but a wash of the beige on my brown bone is subtle enough for some daytime sparkle!

Every time I try BA Star products, I honestly like them more and more!

Lipstick Queen Big Bang Theory Gloss in Energy: Swatches and Review

Okay...I was lured into this gloss the second I saw it. It was red, sparkly, had an interesting shape, is space-themed, and by Lipstick Queen...oh and did I mention it was red? Yeah, just the first criteria alone did it for me. I was a lost cause. But did I get blinded my the galactic light? 

 *Note there is a little discrepancy as the packaging says Big Bang Illusion, but it is marketed as Big Bang Theory gloss...* This gloss comes in 8 gorgeous colors for $22 and every one is named after a part of Poppy King's 'Big Bang Theory' about fuller lips. Basically, this gloss is supposed to give you the full, pouty lips your long for without the stinging, tingling, or burning of other actual plumping glosses. 

 The packing is really sleek and pretty, but a little on the awkward side as the wand is very long and the doe foot brush is very small. This gives you great control, but it doesn't pick up much product, so I had to go back a few times to get full coverage on my lips. 

 I have to say, I was a little teensy bit disappointed when I swatched Energy for the first time. In the tube, it looks like a metallic red, blow-my-mind-away sparkle galaxy extravaganza. But on my hand...just...eh?  

 

On my lips...pretty, but lacking the wow factor I craved. However, I won't write this gloss totally off. It truly does make my lips look full and moisturized. It was also comfortable to wear once I got enough on my lips, had decent staying power (a couple of hours), and was very shiny.

 

Overall...Lipstick Queen Big Bang Theory Illusion Gloss didn't blow me away with the red option (but I do have high standards when it comes to reds now, since I have too many to count); however, I will be checking out their neutral colors. I think I was too caught up in the look of the red to realize that the nude shades we pretty as well and probably really do the formula more justice.

 

If you are looking for a solid red gloss---Energy is for you, but if you have an arsenal of red lipsticks and glosses, this is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Lipstick Queen Big Bang Theory Gloss in Energy: Swatches and Review

Okay...I was lured into this gloss the second I saw it. It was red, sparkly, had an interesting shape, is space-themed, and by Lipstick Queen...oh and did I mention it was red?   Yeah, just the first criteria alone did it for me. I was a lost cause.   But did I get blinded my the galactic light?  

  *Note there is a little discrepancy as the packaging says Big Bang Illusion, but it is marketed as Big Bang Theory gloss...*   This gloss comes in 8 gorgeous colors for $22 and every one is named after a part of Poppy King's 'Big Bang Theory' about fuller lips.   Basically, this gloss is supposed to give you the full, pouty lips your long for without the stinging, tingling, or burning of other actual plumping glosses.  

  The packing is really sleek and pretty, but a little on the awkward side as the wand is very long and the doe foot brush is very small. This gives you great control, but it doesn't pick up much product, so I had to go back a few times to get full coverage on my lips.  

  I have to say, I was a little teensy bit disappointed when I swatched Energy for the first time. In the tube, it looks like a metallic red, blow-my-mind-away sparkle galaxy extravaganza. But on my hand...just...eh?  

 

On my lips...pretty, but lacking the wow factor I craved. However, I won't write this gloss totally off. It truly does make my lips look full and moisturized. It was also comfortable to wear once I got enough on my lips, had decent staying power (a couple of hours), and was very shiny.

 

Overall...Lipstick Queen Big Bang Theory Illusion Gloss didn't blow me away with the red option (but I do have high standards when it comes to reds now, since I have too many to count); however, I will be checking out their neutral colors. I think I was too caught up in the look of the red to realize that the nude shades we pretty as well and probably really do the formula more justice.

 

If you are looking for a solid red gloss---Energy is for you, but if you have an arsenal of red lipsticks and glosses, this is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Lancôme La Laque Fever: Electric Pink

Every once in a while you come across a gloss that is just so gorgeous that it takes your breath away.Lancôme La Laque Fever in Electric Pink is that gloss. 

 Everything about this gloss intrigued me...the dark hot pink color, the crazy amount of shimmer, the sleek packaging....it was love at first sight. 

 And another one of the amazing things about this product...the wand. It has a large petal-shaped brush that cups the lip and lets you apply product cleanly around the cupid's bow. Simple, but nice to have! 

 

At $27, this is a pricy gloss, but it looks like you dipped your lips in glitter, and not in a teeny-bopper way, like a glam rock and roll way. I love it! The formula is thick and tacky, but it lasts forever on lips...about 5 hours, which is really long for a gloss on me. The glitter does migrate a bit, so it is important to prep with liner.

 

 

It sits on the lip beautifully and has high shine that really catches the eye. I am in love with this shade because it does glitter in a grown up way.

 

 

I think this will be a great color for fall coming up. It is comfortable to wear, as I don't mind the tackiness (think MAC) and it has a slightly sweet scent.

 

So happy that this gloss walked into my life!

 

Do you have La Laque Fever?

 

 

Lancôme La Laque Fever: Electric Pink

Every once in a while you come across a gloss that is just so gorgeous that it takes your breath away. Lancôme La Laque Fever in Electric Pink is that gloss.  

  Everything about this gloss intrigued me...the dark hot pink color, the crazy amount of shimmer, the sleek packaging....it was love at first sight.  

  And another one of the amazing things about this product...the wand. It has a large petal-shaped brush that cups the lip and lets you apply product cleanly around the cupid's bow. Simple, but nice to have!  

 

At $27, this is a pricy gloss, but it looks like you dipped your lips in glitter, and not in a teeny-bopper way, like a glam rock and roll way. I love it! The formula is thick and tacky, but it lasts forever on lips...about 5 hours, which is really long for a gloss on me. The glitter does migrate a bit, so it is important to prep with liner.

 

 

It sits on the lip beautifully and has high shine that really catches the eye. I am in love with this shade because it does glitter in a grown up way.

 

 

I think this will be a great color for fall coming up. It is comfortable to wear, as I don't mind the tackiness (think MAC) and it has a slightly sweet scent.

 

So happy that this gloss walked into my life!

 

Do you have La Laque Fever?

 

 

NYX Glam Gloss Aqua Luxe in I'm Coming Out: Swatches and Review

It is no secret that around here at PrettyPanda, I love NYX Glam Gloss. Here is another beautiful shade: I'm Coming Out 

 This is a gorgeous candy pink loaded with shimmer. For $4.99, these glosses have one of the most comfortable formulas I have ever experienced. 

 The thin, long wand helps with application and the consistency is smooth and feels moisturizing on the lips! I am so in love with these! 

 These also make great toppers for other glosses or lipsticks. Super versatile and a fun way to wear glitter! Have you tried NYX Glam Gloss yet?

NYX Glam Gloss Aqua Luxe in I'm Coming Out: Swatches and Review

It is no secret that around here at PrettyPanda, I love NYX Glam Gloss.   Here is another beautiful shade: I'm Coming Out  

  This is a gorgeous candy pink loaded with shimmer. For $4.99, these glosses have one of the most comfortable formulas I have ever experienced.  

  The thin, long wand helps with application and the consistency is smooth and feels moisturizing on the lips! I am so in love with these!  

  These also make great toppers for other glosses or lipsticks. Super versatile and a fun way to wear glitter!   Have you tried NYX Glam Gloss yet?

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas! Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but.... I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails! 

 I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails! Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it? 

Revlon Dazzle

Hi Pandas!   Sorry for my extended absence, the stomach flu kept me down, but....   I found this Revlon Brilliant Strength nail color in Dazzle and was very impressed with how it held up on my nails!  

  I love the peachy/pink color, the glitter, and the brush!! To see more swatches, check out my full review on Impressionist Nails!   Have you tried this formula? Love it or leave it?  

Couture de Minnie

Sneak peek at what is going on over at Impressionist Nails! 

 I picked up Minnie Style and Chic From Ears to Tail and I love them! Have you tried any of the collection? Head on over to my nail blog to see swatches! 

Couture de Minnie

Sneak peek at what is going on over at Impressionist Nails!  

  I picked up Minnie Style and Chic From Ears to Tail and I love them! Have you tried any of the collection? Head on over to my nail blog to see swatches!