Saturday, October 2, 2010

Review: ELF Neutral Eye Beauty Book

Today I have a review and swatches of the ELF Neutral Eye Edition Beauty Book. This is a really nice eyeshadow palette to have for everyday looks. It has colours that are wearable by everyone and appropriate for work and school, nothing crazy or colourful here. I especially like that this one has a variety of browns and purple shadows, and I prefer this one over the Smoky Eye Beauty Book. There are lots of lid, crease, outer corner and highlighter colours here, you can definitely get an entire eye look with this palette. The best part is these only cost $5 on the ELF website, so they are affordable.

This Beauty Book comes with the standard mirror inside, 12 shadows, an eyeliner and sponge. Also there are directions on the page left of this to show you how to apply the shadows effectively. The shadows in this are matte and shimmers, which is great. I found several MAC dupes in this palette, which is great. The pigmentation is really good and minimal fallout with these. I would suggest always using a primer underneath with these, the swatches make this palette look great, but applied with a brush on your eye it does come out looking more muted so a primer intensifies the look. Only thing is these are very soft, so you have to be careful not to push down too much when swatching/applying them. Some of the shadows do not show up as much and are on the chalky side, I will go over that in the swatches below.

Row 1 of the palette includes a creamy white (bit chalky), champagne brown, golden brown and purpley red shade. The farthest right reminds me of Twinks by MAC.

Row 2:  pale white with pink undertones, light pink, purple mauve, and matte dark purple reminds me of MAC Shadowy Lady (love this colour). The two on the right here would be great to pair together I think.

Row 3: light peach reminds me of MAC Naked Lunch a bit (does not show up much), copper orange, redy cranberry reminds me of MAC Cranberry and matte medium brown.

There is a "brightening eye pencil" that comes with this palette too, in the shade "coffee" I have swatched it for you here to compare to the brown shadow in the last row. I don't think too highly of the eyeliner and wasn't surprised that it pretty much sucked. It pulls at your eye and isn't very smooth. The applicator that comes with this is a plain double ended sponge too, not too keen on that either.

I think you get awesome value with this palette for the price you pay. I don't know if these are limited edition or not, since they were a 'back to school' line, so I would urge you to get these soon if you like them. I know in the US, these palettes were/are also available at Target. I've also read people in Canada have found them at Winners and Zellers, so definitely look around, you may luck out and not have to buy them online.The eyeshadows that you get are quite large and there is a wide variety to use for different looks, you can mix and match the colours well with this palette.

Do you have this Beauty book or any of the others? How do you like them?

7 comments:

Jamie Dorman said... Best Blogger Tips

Good value for neutral lovers or people who work.

Cinnabunnie said... Best Blogger Tips

like the new banner! and that palette is tempting. the browns and purples are beautiful shades! thanks for the review :)

Oreleona said... Best Blogger Tips

mehn the colors are nice and much more pigmented than i imagined them to be. and to think i passed the when i went to target smh@me. I'll have to hurry and get me some before they stop sellin' thanks for the review :)

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Cinnabunnie - thanks! I changed the layout a bit too, more stretched out now.I don't like change, but I think it's easier to read this way. Hope others think so too! :)

Stevista said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks Justine, these look great!! I hope that we'll get them too! :)

I like the change of the layout!! And that banner is so cute and girlie! :)

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Stavroula - thanks! :)

Beautynewbie said... Best Blogger Tips

These look awesome! I want I want! hahah