Had to Have Minis

The second last installment, I promise! (Also see parts 1 & 2.)

Stila 3D Dazzle Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Set

Rating: 6/10

After missing out on the previous incarnations of this set, I was determined to make this set of three mini Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows mine. This one comes with Golden Girl ("duochrome golden fawn"), Perlina ("duochrome opalescent white, bright blue, pink and purple pearl") and Kitten Karma ("champagne with silver and copper sparkle").

l-r: Perlina, Golden Girl, Kitten Karma

I found these to be a relative disappointment. First, Golden Girl (the shade unique to this set) is really sheer and at the same time, quite similar in colour to Kitten Karma. It's basically a sparser, more watery version of Kitten Karma minus the chunkier silver glitter. Second, while I was strongly drawn to the iridescent glitter in Perlina, and admittedly it's more pigmented than the similar MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid in Not Afraid to Sparkle which I recently purchased on holiday, it has a strong white, pearly base which isn't the most flattering against my yellow skin tone. Kitten Karma is the most reflective and glitter-dense, but I have similar, albeit less intense, cream shadows like Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Amaze and Australis AC/ME Eyeshadow in Bronzonce.

The main problem with these liquid shadows is when applied over other shadows as a glitter topper, they dissolve what's underneath. When I placed this over a powder eyeshadow and then tried to blend it, a bare patch of eyelid emerged. The only way I've gotten around this is by taking a tiny amount of product onto my fingertip, then gently dabbing it my lid, making sure I don't blend into or rub anything that's already been laid down. If you apply directly with the applicator onto your bare lid, there's less of an issue, but it does set fairly quickly so you'll need to work swiftly to blend out the edges to your satisfaction before it's too late.

The packaging is beautiful and the set is good value for money compared with buying one full size shadow, but I wasn't in love with either the colours or the application. Combined with the two MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid Eyeshadows I purchased, I can safely say I'm done with these glitter topper/liquid shadows. I'm sticking with creams and powders. Way less temperamental.

Bite Beauty Sweet Treats: Holiday Hangover Lip Care Set

Rating: 8/10

Containing 5g of the Agave Lip Mask in Lavender, a mini Agave Lip Balm (2g) and a sample of the Agave Sugar Lip Scrub, this is a bargain at $19. I've always wanted to try the Agave Lip Mask but a tube costs $40 which I simply cannot bring myself to fork out for A LIP BALM. However, this duo of smaller sizes in miniaturised packaging is the perfect introduction at a much more palatable price point. I love the lavender scent of the Agave Lip Mask, though it does impart a tiny bit of a blueish-purplish tint to the lips. Nothing too noticeable, but I would've preferred completely clear. The Agave Lip Mask is comfortably plush and cushiony in texture and more like Lanolips than Kiehl's/Carmex/Blistex/Vaseline. It also tastes sugary, if that's your jam. The mini lip balm has pleasing matte packaging and is adorably tiny, and with such a small amount of product, there's a high likelihood I might actually be able to finish it, unlike the 1091829 other lip balms I have lying around, some dating back to the Dark Ages. It's a bit of a harder texture but does soften upon contact with the lips. I love the scrumptious vanilla scent and I've found it makes an excellent base for matte liquid lipsticks as it's slightly tacky and moisturising but not shiny or greasy. The lip scrub sample was packed with largeish sugar granules and oils, but I didn't find it to be anything transformative on the lips and you can get similar products for much cheaper (e.g. Lush).