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FOTD: MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Bleuluxe
Sunday, September 29, 2013
I think I may have mentioned this previously, but I never allow myself to get too excited by an upcoming MAC collection anymore. Usually there's a couple of months worth of pre-launch hype and teasers attempting to make you really want it, then when you go into your nearest MAC counter you have a little browse and notice that it really isn't all that. Even if there is something in there genuinely worth getting excited about, you tend to find that it goes out of stock within minutes. Literally, minutes.
So when MAC started hyping up their Indulge collection I found myself a little surprised. There were a couple of items that actually caught my interest. When the collection was finally released, I had to visit all three MAC counters to get my hands on the one thing I was dying to try. Only one counter had received any of it, and even then they only received three. Yes, that's three for the whole of Manchester!
So what was it then? It was of course the Three Ring Yellow eyeshadow. I was also interested by the Gilt Gourmet Fluidline, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but it seems MAC produced quite a lot of that so I didn't have any difficulty getting it. Even though it was a bit irritating to be traipsing around Manchester looking for Three Ring Yellow, every cloud has a silver lining.
Except in my case it was more of bluey-silvery lining. While I was trying out the first MAC counter, in Selfridges, my attention was diverted away from the Indulge collection momentarily by the Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow palettes, there are six different varieties from pink through to brown, but I naturally opted for the blue one, named Bleuluxe. I swatched it on my wrist and was blown away by quite how sparkly it looked, it's also a little sheer but the microscopic glitter had me entranced. Despite the annoying lack of Three Ring Yellow, I couldn't just leave empty handed so I purchased this little surprise package instead.
How stunning does this look?
Maybe it was my disappointment about Three Ring Yellow being out of stock (although technically it was never in stock), maybe it was the misleading fluorescent lighting in-store, maybe it was just me acting on impulse or more likely it was a mixture of all three. Either way, I was fooled.
As gorgeous as it looks in the photos, this palette is truly ordinary. Ordinary is probably being a little bit generous actually. The fluorescent lighting definitely played its part in MAC's trickery, beaming down on to every tiny little piece of glitter on the swatch, accentuating the shine and sparkle.
When I took it home, I packed on Bleuluxe 3 (the medium blue in the middle) all over the lid. The colour was quite soft, very sheer and the tiny little glitter particles transferred onto the lid quite nicely, though it did feel a little heavy. I was very, very disappointed with the lack of colour, to the extent I actually wiped it back off. I prefer my eyeshadows to be opaque, and I was probably being naive to think that an opaque, sparkly eyeshadow exists!
After a bit of experimentation I found that to bring out a more intense finish, I needed to apply this wet. This results in a kind of semi-opaque, metallic finish and even then, it doesn't have anywhere near enough intensity for my liking. In the end, I grabbed my tried-and-tested Sleek Ultra Matte Brights Palette, applied the colour 'Bolt' over the lid and lower lash line, with a dab of 'Sugarlite' in the centre of both the lid and lower lash line to add a bit of dimension to the finished eye look.
To complete the look, I applied Bleuluxe 3 all on top of the Sleek Colours. And applied Bleuluxe 1, which is the pale silver, in the inner corners of my eyes.
The results were astonishing.
THE REST OF MY FACE:
*FACE*
YSL Touche Éclat Foundation in BD50 (MAC equivalent NC37-NC40)
NARS Powder Foundation in Barcelona
NARS Powder Foundation in Barcelona
*CHEEKS*
Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Crush
*LIPS*
MAC Lipstick in Dark Side mixed with RiRi Woo (thank you to my LaaLaa for the RiRi ♥)
MAC Lipstick in Dark Side mixed with RiRi Woo (thank you to my LaaLaa for the RiRi ♥)
The finished look is beautiful when using an opaque base eyeshadow underneath, for my look I used the ever-reliable Sleek Ultra Matte Brights palette, but in reality you can just use your own favourite opaque shadow. As good as this look is, there is a teeny-weeny little caveat. The fall-out is pretty bad as you should always expect from a glittery eyeshadow, by the end of the day I had glitter particles all over my face!
As far as the MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow palette goes, if you are into your big, bold, opaque eyeshadows then I'd give this a miss. It isn't big, it isn't bold, it isn't opaque and it probably shouldn't even be called an eyeshadow either. It's just tightly pressed glitter in a palette.
Having said that, the festive season is on it's way so I'll be using this quite often, if only to make sure I get my thirty quids worth of usage out of it. Yes that's right. £30. Would I repurchase? No. It is ridiculously expensive for what it is and you could purchase a couple of Barry M's Dazzle Dusts to achieve a similar look at a fraction of the price.
Sorry MAC, must do better!
35 comments
Your eyes look amaxing! Thank you fir the roundabout applying eyeshadow wet- it's something I've never tried before but if it makes it more opaque then I have too.
ReplyDeleteShame the palette didn't live up to expectations :(
X
I love the shade in the middle! And the whole combination suits you :) Btw - you have amazing hair :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Moon. Shame that it didn't live up to expectations though!
Deletexo
woow love your eye makeup!! it's beautil and really suits you
ReplyDeletexx
bianca
www.worryaboutitlater.com
Thanks, Bianca! I do love a bit of bleu ;) Just wish it was a lot more opaque!
Deletexo
you look gorgeous! I love your eye makeup
ReplyDeleteThank you, Caise :) xo
DeleteYour stunning just love this review the shade looks beautiful on you :)
ReplyDeletewww.krystelcouture.com ♥
You are so beautiful! Glad you got it to work for you, the results are amazing! Can I ask what the YSL foundation is like? I'm on the hunt for a new foundation that's long lasting and suitable for combination/oily skin, just wondered if you think it would work for me (: Thanks for commenting on my blog by the way, stop by any time! xx
ReplyDeletemypalaceofalice.blogspot.co.uk
D'aww, thank you Alice!
DeleteI'm oily/combination too and it works well with my skin type. Occasionally, it appears a little too dewy for my liking so I dust a little powder on top. I'll probably do a full review on this in the not so distant future!
xo
Wow, your hair and makeup skills are awesome! xx
ReplyDeleteOMG this look is super cool!! Love it! x definitely following your blog to see more blog posts!
ReplyDeletewould love a follow back xx
http://lifeofacameo.blogspot.co.uk
You're so pretty Halima! Your make-up is always so stunning :)
ReplyDeleteEve & Faye x
Sugar Spun Sisters - A blog about cosmetics, clothes & coeliac disease
Love that eye look! So pretty.
ReplyDeletekatespitz.blogspot.com
It looks very pretty on you, it's a shame you're not happy after forking out so much ( I hate that feeling) but hopefully you can make it work. As always you look stunning!
ReplyDeleteLuxx Mint
It looks very pretty on you, it's such a shame you don't love it after shelling out £30 ( I hate that feeling) Hopefully you'll make it work. As always you look stunning.
ReplyDeleteLuxx Mint
Halima your eyes are so stunning!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the patience, skills and time to be able to apply eye-make up with the much detail :)
x x
The Lobster & Me
This looks beautiful!
ReplyDeletexox soph
I love it! And your eyes are crazy cool!
ReplyDeletehttp://lasaloperie.blogspot.com
Your makeup looks STUNNING! New follower
ReplyDelete♥ Filthy Fashion ♥
well doesn't this look gorgeous? I am not surprised you ended up buying this! It's so pretty!
ReplyDeletehareem x
Wowza, your eyes always look really pretty but the colours in this look? Eeeep! Absolutely beautiful. The sparkly blue is my favourite. <3
ReplyDeleteTara xo
how nice
ReplyDeleteOMG the shades are STUNNING, and with your contacts they look incredible! i neeeeeeeed this! xx
ReplyDeleteGemma | Miss Makeup Magpie
I love that lipstick so much!
ReplyDeletexx,
Justina
www.abentpieceofwire.com
It looks so good on you though, I'm sad you hate it.
ReplyDeleteI have a makeup question, please help! I'm looking for a orangey-pink blush, my skin takes on a terrible, grayish pallor as soon as the sun retires for the season (moving back to the UK soon, ISA, God help me then!), and I bronze like it's nobody's business but I can't for the life of me find a blush that goes on good and stays on long. I've tried NARS, Clinique, and MAC - but MAC was a while ago, I'm willing to go back, any recs? Your blush looks lovely but I'm terrified of cream blushes.
I'm going to end my essay now, please help! x
your makeup is amaaaaaazing. new follower
ReplyDeleteamazing eye make up!
ReplyDeletexx
wow very pretty make up doll!
ReplyDeleteI love your blue contact as well.
xoxo
You are SO talented at makeup! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnnie | www.raspberphobia.com
your eyes look completely amazing, wish I had the confidence to be so inventive! X
ReplyDeletemyuniyears.com
Your eyes look brilliant!! Your hair is so cool! Love the way you've blended those eyeshaddows together! That pallette looks lovely! I think I may try it xx
ReplyDeleteAbbie xxx
http://alittleebitofeverything.blogspot.co.uk/
You are absolutely beautiful, your make up looks
ReplyDeletea m a z i n g
http://lunedoll.blogspot.co.uk
Love the colour of your hair and your make up, you are so amzing and talented <3 :)
ReplyDeleteBit disappointing about the eyeshadows not being as good as they looked.
ReplyDeleteYour hair is incredible by the way, I wish I had half the the confidence to wear a colour like that!
Hmm maybe...