Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Wet Foil

When Australis first launched the limited edition AC/ME Eyeshadows, I had a cursory swatch and dismissed them as nothing "must have". Sure, the colours were accessible, crowd-pleasing neutrals, they were cream shadow pots (my weakness), and the price was right, but they didn't seem unique or special enough to warrant a purchase. It wasn't until Shaaanxo mentioned them in her 2014 Drugstore Favourites, specifically the shade Bronzonce, that I was compelled to give them another shot. Of course by that stage, they became increasingly difficult to track down. I finally found them at a Priceline near me, but had to ask the sales assistant whether I could buy the tester for Bronzonce since it had sold out. Granted, the tester was barely used, but I'll be the first to admit that was some next level desperate.





l-r: Plum Diddy, Bronzonce


l-r: Australis Bronzonce, Benefit My Two Cents, MAC Rubenesque, Max Factor Auburn Envy, Urban Decay Chopper, Maybelline Bold Gold

Bronzonce looked so dazzling in swatches I'd seen and didn't disappoint in real life. The foil quality and sparkle factor is super intense. It's more ultra-reflective, concentrated shimmer than any underlying pigment, in that you really have to layer the product to achieve strong colour payoff. When it's blended/sheered out, it looks like gold, copper and diamond sparkles on a transparent base. I don't have anything like it, at least not in the form of a cream shadow. The spongy gold leaf shade in my Clarins Odyssey quad is probably the closest thing in my stash.

I would say Bronzonce is like a cross between MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque and Urban Decay Chopper. It's definitely more of a copper gold than a yellow gold like Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold. This kind of shade usually is fairly light on my lids (MAC Rubenesque barely shows up if applied in a thin layer), but the sheer density of shimmer (and hence pigment) creates a glimmering, foiled finish.

l-r: Australis Plum Diddy, Maybelline Pomegranate Punk, L'Oréal Burning Black, Rimmel Bad Girl Bronze, theBalm Caught in the Act Courtney

The other shade I picked up, Plum Diddy, is surprisingly complex, at least when swatched. On the lids, especially when sheered out, it loses a lot of detail. Plum Diddy appears to my eyes closer to a dark chocolate brown with red, copper, gold and diamond sparkles. The red sparkles are what gives it a plummy appearance, but the actual base colour looks more like a deep brown than purple.

The texture of these shadows is unlike anything I've encountered. They have a very wet formulation that's not quite mousse-like, but similar. There isn't that air-whipped consistency of mousse shadows, but there is a certain sponginess to them. They aren't firm to the touch whatsoever, yet I wouldn't describe them as "creamy" in the thin, emollient sense like the MAC Paint Pots or Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows. Honestly, they kind of feel like rain-soaked mud. Sludge. You only need to very lightly dip your finger into them to pick up a lot of product. You will move the product around or dent it if you make contact with the surface, either with your finger or a brush. Essentially, treat them delicately.

I found the best brush to use these with is the Ecotools Concealer Brush (from the Mineral 5 Piece Set, the one that comes with an eye blending brush, mini kabuki and small powder brush). It's already my preferred brush to use with my Maybelline Color Tattoos and it works brilliantly with the unusual formulation of the AC/ME Eyeshadows. Importantly, it doesn't pick up too much product, but applies whatever it has picked up in smooth, even, buildable layers. I can achieve full, dazzling opacity with two coats. Due to the wet texture of these, they do feel like they could slip and slide all over the place. My lids are on the drier side, but even I felt a primer was an absolute must.

35 comments:

  1. Wow, Bronzonce is so sparkly and beautiful! I will admit I was drawn to these but never really went out looking for them, and I never happened to stumble upon them either. The formulation sounds very cool but one that's becoming quite trendy! At least, those sorts of hybrid cream/powder shadow formulas.

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. Bronzonce is certainly a sparkler. Very high impact. The texture of these surprised me - very unusual!

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  2. I lol'd at your next level of desperate-ness, I don't think I have personally encountered an item that has made me purchase a tester but I guess I did come to a close call for a Maybelline lipstick after going to the drugstore many many times and each time they were always out of stock or some idiot opened it and made a huge dent/smooshed it. I think these AC/ME eyeshadows look absolutely amazing. The colour and pigmentation...mygod. If only Australis was available else where I would definitely go hunt them down as well!

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    1. I once wanted to purchase a nail polish tester but the chick at the counter outright refused, like it was illegal to sell me it or something. I was willing to pay full price for it (granted, it was on sale and looked barely used), so I didn't understand being denied. It was the limited edition thing that got me!

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  3. These look so good, esp Bronzonce is stunning. I can understand your desperation. These are so gorgeous. Do you reckon we can still get them ?

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    1. I have seen them at a Priceline - I think they even restocked! Who knows, Australis might repromote or even make them permanent. They seem to have been quite successful.

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  4. Whoaaa the pigment of these look amazing!

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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    1. They are very pigmented! Though Bronzonce can be sheered out to just a whole lot of glitter.

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  5. Amazing! Just look at that pigmentation! Aww the first time i have heard that someone bought a tester, i don't blame you either! <3

    zaras-bowsandpearls.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Haha, that's all there was left and at least it was barely used :p The pigmentation of these is excellent especially when built up :)

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  6. That seems amazing and the colors are so pretty. I've been wanting to try a cream shadow as well.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale | bloglovin' |

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    1. Neutrals are always a winner. Cream shadows are very versatile and you never have to deal with fall out!

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  7. Replies
    1. I had to get Bronzonce and Plum Diddy looked like a colour I'd get a lot of wear out of.

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  8. OMG, these are stunning! The light beige is sooo complex, it's not just a shimmery beige, how awesome! I totally need to own one or two of these babies! Thanks for the comparison!

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    1. Bronzonce is uber sparkly, definitely pleased with that one :)

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  9. THEY LOOK AMAZING. Yes I agree that was pretty desperate but they were well worth it.

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    1. Haha I couldn't let it get away - it was the whole limited edition premise that had me eager.

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  10. Wow, the swatches are amazing. Wish the brand was here in Canada!

    Erin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty

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  11. They look quite niceee :o
    I've been on the hut to get more cream shadows and shadow sticks...they make ours lives quite easier :3

    Take care*

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    1. They do! Love cream shadows and sticks - I've amassed quite the collection. It's a bummer when they dry out though. I would love to get a By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadow :)

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  12. These are so pretty! I love all the colors!

    http://arnellavanilla.com/category/home/

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  13. Replies
    1. Haha :) I felt kinda the same way when I saw Shaaanxo talking about Bronzonce in her 2014 Drugstore Favs!

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  14. Oh that is pretty! Do they have a antique gold kind of shade? I've been trying to find foil eyeshadow dupes for Stila Vintage Black Gold, I'm going to look these up! :)

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    1. They have one that's somewhat khaki-leaning called Jay Zed which kind of looks antique gold.

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  15. I've really been wondering about these as every time I'm at the pharmacy I see them. They look incredible and I hope they expand the line!

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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    1. At least they haven't sold out at your pharmacy! New shades would be really cool :)

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  16. Hahaha your description is soooo unflattering, but describe them to a tee! Haha!
    They are gorgeous shade though! xx

    Sweetaholic Beauty

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  17. Plum diddy looks trully amazing! I know what you mean about the texture, I have a KIKO mousse-y eyeshadow that I also have to be careful with in order to not destroy with my (apparently) mighty finger, lol.

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    1. Some of the newer cream shadows are so strange texture-wise! I've never tried the KIKO mousse-y eyeshadows but I do love their shadow sticks.

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  18. woah the formula of these sound really cool! I wanna have a play at Priceline when I'm there next. The second shade is stunning but only if it retains its pigmentation.
    I see what they did with the names LOL

    Chloé⎪ status.chlo

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