Product Review: Jane Iredale's Artists' Eyes I & II

Mission: To find non-toxic eyeshadows that are pigmented and performs exceptionally.

Merchandise: Jane Iredale's Artists' Eyes I & II

Taken Directly from their website:

Artists' Eyes is a palette of matte shadows created especially for makeup artists working in commercial settings. This kit contains six eye shadow shades designed with the professional makeup artist in mind. Includes hues of pure black, canary yellow, chocolate brown, regal mauve, deep teal and neutral peach, packaged together in a black and gold, faux alligator skin wallet and displayed in a formation reminiscent of an artist's palette. Formulas glide on and stay put with a crease-proof finish.
Artists' Eyes II is a palette of matte shadows created especially for makeup artists working in commercial settings. This kit contains six eye shadow shades designed with the professional makeup artist in mind. Includes Blue Sky, Cut Grass, Grape, Copper, Indigo and Truffle, packaged together in a silver faux-croc slim case and displayed in a formation reminiscent of an artist's palette. Formulas glide on and stay put with a crease-proof finish.


Jane Iredale introduced her unique skin care makeup line in May of 1994. Her cosmetic line offered not just color enhancement but also benefits to the skin. Plastic surgeons were the first to recognize the benefits of the line and were confident enough with it to use it on skin that had just undergone laser resurfacing. It not only effectively and safely covered the redness but also provided essential sun protection. The products are based on micronized minerals and are made without fillers and binders (such as talc and mineral oil) and without chemical dyes or preservatives. As a result, the Iredale products are carried by salons, spas and medical clinics throughout the world.

On my quest to find cosmetics that are non-toxic, the very first line of makeup that I used were from Jane Iredale. I remember it well. The first products that I purchased were the PurePressed® Base Mineral Foundation with SPF 20 along with the Balance Antioxidant Hydration Spray. After using both products for a few weeks - my skin loved it! It felt light and didn't break my skin out. Then I thought, if my skin responded well to the foundation, let's give the other products a go!

Eyeshadows:

PROS: First thing that I noticed - the packaging of course! Both palettes were separately encased in these faux-croc skin containers with magnetized lids (similar to Inglot's packaging). It looked very glamorous and soft to the touch. The shadows glided on to skin easily and are HIGHLY pigmented.

CONS:  As a makeup artist, I want to be able to have easy access to all of my products at a glance. However lovely the packaging looked and felt, de-potting these eyeshadows might be a challenge. I'm also unsure if Jane Iredale sells individual eyeshadow/blush pans. I may have to reach out to them and find out. As soon as I do, I will post an update. 

Artists'  Eyes

Artists' Eyes II

*Although the description states that the formulations are matte for both palettes, Artists' Eyes II has a bit of a sheen or shimmer from all the shadows, especially from Truffle and Copper.*

Swatches:

Natural light/Outdoors

Dimmed lighting w/ flash/Indoors

Until next time,  

Love, Laugh, Live Positive

 

Product Review: Nvey Eco Organic Moisturizing Liquid Foundation (#510, 511,512,515)

Mission: To find liquid foundation that provides coverage and moves with the skin.

Merchandise: Nvey Eco Organic Moisturizing Liquid Foundation

Taken directly from their website:

"Chamomile, cucumber and organic calendula combine to create this soothing, moisturising and aromatic liquid foundation. The luxurious addition of Rose Absolute assists dry and sensitive skins. Tinted using natural earth elements, ECO Moisturising Fluid Foundation is available in a range of colours for a natural everyday radiance."

*Enriched with Vitamins A, C, E
*Oil Free, Fragrance Free
*Moisturising
*Evens skin tone

NVEY ECO prides itself as being one of the first totally organic cosmetic brands in the U.S. market. With a passion for the environment and all things beauty, Rohan Widdison founded NVEY Le Maquillage, the parent company of NVEY ECO, in Australia. As more and more Americans looked for ways to live an organic lifestyle, the company introduced its bold, organic cosmetics to the U.S. in 2006. (Skinbotanica)

When I first ordered a sample of their products, (and yes, I firmly believe that reputable companies should ALWAYS offer samples) the first thing that struck me was how generous the samples were. The samples were placed in a small, quarter-size plastic container. Just to give you an idea, I used their liquid fundation samples for five (5) different people. Five makeovers. Amazing!

The second, was texture. The consistency was airy and managable and provided light to medium coverage that was buildable to conceal problem areas or trouble spots. The product glides on to skin like a dream  - so inconspicuously, you could hardly tell if you were wearing makeup. I was told that this is their version of a tinted moisturizer. I could only wish that all tinted moisturizers in the cosmetic market were this luxurious and applies so well.

And the third was the smell. Highly aromatic foundation or powder is a deal breaker for me. The last thing I want is my foundation or powder to compete with my perfume. And let's not forget that fragrance in cosmetics can potentially irritate skin. EPIC FAIL. 
Not the case with this product. It gave off a very mild pleasant odor (rose-scented) that was not overbearing and dissipated upon contact with skin. Halleloo! haha!

Overall, I recommend this liquid foundation for everyday use with the flexibility for medium coverage and BONUS also photographs well. Truthfully, what's not to love? 

Love, Laugh, Live Positive,

Product Review: Nvey Eco Organic Creative Eye Color System (#1 & #6)

Mission: To find a versatile natural eyeshadow pallette

Merchandise: Nvey Eco Organic Creative Eye Color System (#1 & #6)

Taken directly from their website:

"Finely milled with an extra soft base of Corn Silk and Jojoba Oil, NVEY ECO, Organic Eye Shadows can be used in combination to enhance and contour the eye or individually for a flush of color. Chamomile and Vitamins A, C, and E make for a smooth and soft formula excellent for dry and sensitive skin. Single shades can be used, or step it up with a combination of shades; can be used wet (with water only). Each palette selection contains five (5) full-size shadows; these shadows are also available as singles."

I first heard of Nvey Eco through New Beauty magazine.This particular cosmetic line has been featured in several beauty/lifestyle magazines as one of the pioneers in the natural/organic makeup industry. Needless to say, I was very excited to try it.

I love the packaging and color combination from both palletes. The colors are buildable and applies easily. However, I would use these shadows for daytime wear as opposed to evening wear. I suppose you can use these colors for evening, but I prefer colors with a bit more tint for an effective smokey-eye look.

For a different perspective, I brought this with me to L.A. to have one of my Glaminar sisters (Samantha) swatch the colors and give me her take on the product. She states that "it goes on so light and I like the shimmer. It reminds me of an ULTA pallette. It's not bad, but I would prefer a heavier look". As far as pigmentation goes, I would have to agree.

But I've found that if you foil these shadows (mix shadow with water) the color payoff is amazing!

*Eyeshadow tip*
If you feel "iffy" about your eyeshadow pallete, try foiling them for a more dynamic look. Works like a charm.

Nvey Eco is an Australian made product with an impressive track record from beauty and lifestyle publications, "green" makeup artists, and celebrities who continue to support and endorse their products.

*Green tip*
Cosmetic products are minimally regulated by the FDA in the US. However, Australia has one of the most stringent regulatory systems in the world for cosmetic chemicals through NICNAS,  Australia's government regulator of industrial chemicals for the protection of human health.

With that in mind, I understood why the demand for these items. Clean ingredients and versatility of use.

Laugh, Love, Live Positive,

Product Review: Ecco Bella body lotion - Vanilla

Mission: To find a natural lotion that smells of yummy french vanilla cake.

Merchandise: Ecco Bella Herbal Body Lotion Vanilla

Taken directly from website:
"After your bath or shower, enjoy our best natural and organic body care products. Herbal Body Lotion, made without water will transform dry, irritated, flaky skin into silky suppleness for hours after other lotions have worn off. 70% organic body care ingredients. 100% Preservative Free. Vegan. Gluten-free. Not tested on animals. Excellent for dry environments. Pure luxury."


Going to my local health food store is always an adventure for me. I'm always up for trying new products from exotic fruits to natural/organic cosmetics. After shopping for the essential foodstuffs, I always make it a point to make my way towards the front of the store where they have all the natural/organic lotions, potions, soaps, and all sorts sweet smelling items. This time around, I made a bee line towards the creams and soaps area.

With the change in the weather, I needed a body lotion that has an ultra-rich formulation, non-greasy, hydrates like a dream, and gives off a delicious vanilla scent..

Please welcome, Ecco Bella body lotion in Vanilla. YUM!

I LOVE anything vanilla. I'm  pretty sure that if they created a scatch-n-sniff vanilla scented CELL PHONE, I'd be very inclined to try it out. I'm not kidding. And lemme tell yah, I'd be blogging about it the very next day! hahaha!

Four fab  facts I love about this moisturizer:

• 100% preservative free
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Not tested in animals

This is  definitely my favorite winter lotion. It easily absorbes into my skin, leaving my skin smooth and hydrated. Another point I wanted to make is, because the texture it's super rich and luxurious (without being greasy or sticky)  I tend to use less - which ends up being cost effective.

Brilliant!

So, If you 're a vanilla lover such as myself, this product is definitely a must try. And if you dare slather this body cream at any point in time, be prepared to hear comments/compliments such as:

"Who smells good?"
"Smells like cookies/baking"
"Can I have some of that?"

Cool!

Too bad they don't sell these by the gallon. If they did, I'd purchase two. haha!

Love, Laugh, Live Positive