Saturday, August 25, 2012

A Bit of Prestige

I recently picked up Prestige Mono Eyeshadow in Champagne (C-93) and rather than doing an individual review, I thought to dedicate a post on the three Prestige eyeshadow singles that I have. In addition to Champagne, I have Topaz and Bacchus. While each eyeshadow retails for $13.50 in Australia, I bought Champagne at a chemist for $6, Bacchus was fished out of a bargain bin for $3, and I didn't pay a cent for Topaz as it was included in a Priceline freebie bag a couple of years ago. Each shade has good, buildable pigmentation, even if the texture isn't exactly buttery and rich. I still had to do a few swipes for the swatches, and I find that the eyeshadows can be a bit thin when first applied and you need to go over a couple of times to deepen the colour.

l-r: Champagne, Topaz, Bacchus

Champagne

Bacchus

Topaz


l-r: Champagne, Topaz, Bacchus

l-r: Bacchus, Topaz, Champagne

Champagne (C-93) I'm not exactly sure what drove me to purchase this because I can tell immediately it's a shade that I would have trouble wearing. I guess I wanted to take a risk, hoping for the best case scenario, especially as it isn't a safe neutral or a colour I'd normally be drawn to. While the name Champagne suggests a kind of shimmery light beige, this is definitely more a warm peach with golden shimmer. Built up, it starts acquiring slightly more of a bronze tone, but remains distinctly orange. It reminds me quite a bit of Urban Decay Chopper from the Naked2 palette, except Chopper is darker, more bronze and vibrant. (I just swatched the two alongside each other, and honestly, the quality of the Urban Decay eyeshadows is just incomparable.) On my lid, this isn't totally a disaster, but it's nothing remarkable. I don't love the orangeness, but it's light enough that it's not too unwearable. If anything, it doesn't really show up that well. It could be nice as a light wash of slight colour for summer, but I don't see myself reaching for it much, if at all.

Topaz (C-94) Topaz seems so promising, but simply doesn't flatter me. I've returned periodically to it to see if I can somehow make it work, but remain underwhelmed. The colour is a little difficult to describe. It's like a muddy, khaki brown. It does nothing for my eyes and dulls up my whole complexion. While this has been invariably described as a taupe (and lightly swatched on my hand, appears as such), it definitely has more of a dirty olive tone (than brown or grey) when applied.

Bacchus (C-233) I think this is a super pretty colour, but it has limited use, being so dark. It's a deep purple with plum shimmer, similar to L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadow in Burning Black (but Burning Black is more blue toned and slightly blacker). I see no other purpose for this shade except for a purple smokey eye (or deepening lighter purple eyeshadows). But considering I have Burning Black and the Sleek Bad Girl i-Divine Eyeshadow palette, I definitely didn't need Bacchus as well.

55 comments:

  1. These look so pretty, it is such a shame that you can't get them to work for you - at least you didn't pay full price for them all!
    x

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    1. I know, I'm glad that I only really forked out for the Champagne shade, as Bacchus was $2-$3. But even then, I kind of wish I hadn't bought it :p

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    1. That one definitely holds the most promise for me, even though it's too dark to really incorporate into a daytime look.

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    1. The colours are pretty, wish I could make them work better for me though.

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  4. Ah it's a shame they don't work for you, as they look so lovely in the pan.
    It's annoying when names and how it looks are deceiving :(

    xoxo

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    1. Tell me about it - the names were so off! :p But they worked in luring me in I suppose!

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  5. They're gorgeous in that last photo, but I agree- I can't envisage making much use of them. Sad that Topaz doesn't flatter you, because it looks like it would be just your type! I especially love Bacchus in the finger swatch- and the fact that Bacchus is the fictional god thingy of wine... I love names like that! x

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    1. I didn't know that, thanks for the bit of trivia :) It seems to be the most appropriately named shade in that case. Whenever I think of topaz, I always think of blue. I wish it worked for me as it does seem like a shade I'd normally be drawn to, but it's just terrible when applied. I guess I'll stick with my trust Urban Decay, Sleek, Revlon and Bad to the Bronze ;)

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  6. I really like the look of Bacchus but you're right - it is difficult to wear because of how intense it is! If only it were a little lighter than maybe it could be a bit more versatile. Having said that, I would have still bought Bacchus, telling myself that I'll miraculously chalk up special occassions to wear it to. AHAH.

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    1. Nothing wrong with that ;) I'm pretty sure that's my justification for about 70% of what I buy :p

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  7. The little embeddings on the eyeshadow remind me of an ice cream cone or a pizzelle. They look like edible cookies to me, LOL. Topaz sounds interesting, a dirty olive, but I can see why the shade wouldn't really work on. Bacchus looks really pretty though! But then again Burning Black is Smoldering Plum in Canada/Australia/England, if I remember correctly? You know I love that shade, hehe. :)

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    1. It looks dull and muddy on my lid unfortunately! I'm pretty sure that Burning Black is Smoldering Plum - it's so confusing that L'Oreal decided to name the shades differently all around the world. I loved your post about wearing it 3 ways - so creative and inspiring :)

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  8. The colors are pretty!! What a pain you have to work with with so much though.

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    1. I do wish they were easier to wear and flattering by themselves, but I just wasn't blown away.

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  9. These look so pretty but such a shame that you can't get them to work for you :(
    S xx

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    1. I know, oh well! At least I have plenty of other eyeshadows that do :)

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  10. The bacchus color looks really nice! Probably would be best used for a smokey eye, or even as eyeliner!

    -Lisa
    The Lovely Memoir

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    1. I haven't tried it as an eyeliner - but great suggestion! Might try that one day :)

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  11. Bacchus is such a BEAUTIFUL shade. I am so tempted to get my hands on it. Aah!

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    1. I'm not sure whether it's discontinued because mine was in a bargain bin. Hopefully you manage to one day track it down :)

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  12. Bacchus is not something I would usually go for as it is quite dark, but gosh is it pretty!

    Sandra from The Puzzle of Sandra's Life

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    1. It is! I really like dark, smokey plum colours. I think purples generally agree with my colouring.

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  13. all of them are gorgeous! but I like topaz the best, based on your swatches..
    I have never heard about the brand, is it australia's local brand? sounds interesting though!

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    1. I think it's American? I'm actually not 100% sure. I just tried to access http://www.prestigecosmetics.com/ but it didn't load for me :S But they seem to have an active Twitter: http://twitter.com/PrestigeUS

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  14. These look gorgeous when swatched! I think I like Bacchus the best :)

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  15. hello, thanks for your comment... great post!
    www.petitgraphie.blogspot.com

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  16. Huh.. I have to check out prestige now.. Bacchus looks truly gorgeous :3 x

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    1. I don't know much about this brand at all, are these available where you live and for how much? Bacchus is probably the most impressive in terms of pigmentation and the actual shade :)

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  17. Shame that you aren't in love with these, sometimes shadows can be nice but just not hit the spot. I have a few of those in my collection that I need to give my nieces to thrash around with. BTW, what camera do you use? I adore your photography.

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    1. Which shades do you have? I definitely liked the look of these, but opening them up and actually trying them out, I was fairly underwhelmed. But I guess we can't be blown away by everything we take a chance on :)

      Thank you, I use an old and extremely entry-level DSLR (a Nikon D40).

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  18. I actually love all three shades! I think they are gorgeous:)

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    1. I'm glad that you like them! They're a small change from the usual taupes and bronze colours that I go for.

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  19. They look so pretty, such a shame that they don't suit you. I've bought eyeshadows in the past which looked amazing when swatched, but just did noting for me when I actually applied them x

    http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I know what you mean - I think we've all experienced that multiple times, not just for eyeshadow but pretty much anything else as well :p It's funny just how different a particular colour can look when applied to the face as opposed to swatched on your hand.

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  20. Beautiful colors! I love Bacchus; it's such a deep brown/purple! :-)

    ~ Yun

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  21. I love Baccus! It's perfect for plum smokey eyes now when fall is approaching.

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    1. It is a really nice purple, I like that it's not too black and not red-toned.

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  22. I've never tried any Prestige products because they're not that accessible for me, they're only available at one particular grocery/drugstore which I hardly visit lol. It's too bad they don't work well for you but Bacchus is really pretty! I think another way I would use it is by smudging it on top of a black eyeliner as an alternative to dramatic smokey purple eyes. :)

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    1. Oh really, I realised making this post that I know next to nothing about Prestige. I just assumed it was widely available internationally, especially in the States. Thanks for the tip about Bacchus, I would've never thought to smudge it on top of black eyeliner. I like the idea of my own DIY dark blackish purple eyeliner :)

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  23. I really dislike orange-toned eyeshadows, I think they don't flatter my skin tone either and I find myself many times thinking why oh why did I ever purchased this or that colour, knowing I already have something similar that I love or knowing that I will have a hard time making it work. It's the thin line between beauty collector and hoarder that sometimes becomes a little too blurry haha

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    1. Amen! I have the exact same problem :p It's a compulsion, I tell ya! We really should listen to that inner voice of reason going: no, step away, resist, do. not. buy. :p

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  24. I was actually quite convinced Champagne was going to look a lot more neutral when applied when I first bought it, I don't even know why, and was quite disappointed when I first swatched it - and I definitely have to agree with you on the quality of the shadows in comparison to alternatives like Urban Decay! xx

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    1. I have yet to try an eyeshadow that's better than the ones in the UD Naked palettes, especially the shimmery shades (I don't use the mattes much, if at all). Champagne is misnamed in my opinion - it should be named something that hints more at the distinctive orange tone it has.

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  25. thanks for the reviews! they sell this brand in drugstores in my area but i never really got the opportunity to try them out. bacchus is indeed a really pretty color! shame the shades are similar to ones you already own but you got them at some really great bargain prices!

    btw, i love your photos! the quality is amazing *O*

    alex @ carouselstreet.com

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    1. Thanks Alex! At the point when the new eyeshadows I buy are beginning to resemble existing ones I have, I think it's safe to say I need to cease buying in general :p

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  26. at least they were all such bargains, right? haha Champagne looks very pretty in the pot and I would've been drawn to it too. however these warm peachy pink tones never suit my skintone and I always have to make sure I go for cool shades.

    well lesson learnt I guess! now you know what shades to steer clear from :) at least Bacchus could be of some use :)

    metallicpaws.blogspot.com

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    1. I guess, and at the very least my curiosity about these has been satiated (though probably not for the better, lol). Champagne did call out to me when I saw it, hence buying it even though orange-toned, peachy shades look horrible on me. I never really figured out the whole warm/cool skin tone though, I learn more by trial and error :p

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  27. I hate when I pick up make-up that I wished I hadn't. But hey, at least you know it wasn't for you! I do love the "waffle" design on the colors, it's cute at least?

    Evani

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  28. Love the quality of your photos!

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