Despite a valiant effort to channel my inner Tim Gunn, I just couldn’t MAKE IT WORK with Bobbi Brown’s Starry Purple ($22) cream eyeshadow.
Argh!
Maybe my recent luck with Bobbi’s products (Ivy League, yo!) led me to expect too much.
Blah-chaay — that’s all I can say.
Starry Purple’s one of eight new Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows.
I’m bummed because the shimmery purple, with all of its multi-colored glitter, really got me pumped! I had visions of turning out serious Purple Rain worthy looks.
Oh, well. Problem is I just can’t get the color to translate well on my lids.
It’s not a highly pigmented shadow and applies with just a whisper of color. Layering seems to punch up the purple, but not in a uniform way. The resulting application looks blotchy and uneven.
On top of that, I had to struggle to diffuse the edges. It just didn’t blend well on me.
I tried a handful of different brushes and techniques, but nothing seemed to work. I guess Starry Purple and I just weren’t meant to be.
On the other hand, if you like sheer, light washes of color over your entire eyelid, Starry Purple might be worth a try. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: C
Latest True Blood … thoughts?
Last night I belatedly watched the latest episode of True Blood, I guess if you could call dozing on and off “watching.” It wasn’t my favorite episode so far. If it hadn’t been for Evan Rachel Wood’s fierce makeup (matte red lips and black cat liner — so classically hot!) and hair and Jason’s musings on shape shifting, I might’ve passed out.
The whole maenad business seems to be dragging on a little too long, doesn’t it? I wish I could email the writers: “Let’s get the storyline resolved, folks. You’re killin’ me over here.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Diana Kim says
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 pmBeautiful in the pot, meh on the eyes. I wish it turned out better for you!
Karen says
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 pmHi Diana Kim,
Me too! I was ready to fall in love!
How was your day? It was a hot one here in Nor Cal — I finally stopped sweating!
amy says
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 pmIt looks like a beauty in the pot. I was thinking maybe you can use MAC’s Pearl Glide liner in Rave or Fluidline in either Waveline or Macroviolet as a base under the Starry Purple. I think it would even out the colour and bring out the purple, since they are all violet tones.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Medusa’s Makeup Eyeliner Seal =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 amHi Amy,
That’s a great idea. I’ll try that!
Paris B says
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 pmhmm.. it looks dry on your eyes – pity coz it looks so promising in the pot!
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Review : Biotherm Skin Vivo Reversive Anti Aging Lotion and Fundamental Cream =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 amHi Paris B.,
Would you believe that’s the best I could get it to do? Ugh!
Marisol says
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 pmGorgeous color but doesn’t seem to be very user friendly. Bummer!
TB – it was a filler episode for sure getting us ready for the season finale. FYI – it won’t be on this week due to Labor Day. My favorite parts of this episode were Eric’s use of the phrase “teacup humans”, jason & his convos with Andy & Pam’s Fierceness. If they follow the books, the Maryanne story line will be over this season. I forget, did you read the books? I just finished #9.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Another survey… =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 amHi Marisol,
Yup, I’m on book 4. Jason’s observations cracked me up!
shontay says
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 pmThat sucks, Karen. I know how much you like bobbi brown, so I’m bummed for you. It sucks when you really like a brand, but there’s a product or two that just doesn’t work. Maybe you have to use it as a base for another shadow?
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 amHi Shontay,
That’s what I’ll probably end up doing — I bet it will look nice with MAC Push the Edge Pigment.
What’s on your plate for today?
Blovet Beauty says
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 pmi really hate to buy a really pretty shade and have it look so blah on me…. maybe u gotta pack it on top of another shade on the eyes?
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Ulzzang Inspired Wide Eyed Looks & Revlon Eyeliner Swatch =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 amHi Blovet Beauty,
Yeah, that’s what I’ll probably end up doing. It seems to defeat the purpose, though, ya know? I need flexibility!
charlie says
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 pmOMG! i know what u mean! the episode was sooooo freaking boring. they hyped it up so much but totally not worth it.
i’ve never found a cream shadow i love… creasing is a pain and it has to be worn so freakin sheer. not my scene either
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 amHi Charlie,
Have you ever tried the Benefit Creaseless Creams? They’re pretty good!
Tammy says
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:55 amNow THAT is a pretty shadow in the pot. Too bad it didn’t work out on the lid! I was so excited to see the picture and so disappointed to read you didn’t like it! 🙁
.-= Tammy’s last blog post… Caring For Your Keratin Hair Treatment =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 amHi Tammy,
I was bummed too. 🙁 It has so much potential!
Tavia says
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 amDid you try to apply it after you use a primer first (from 2 faced shadow – it works wonders for me)? If you have, then I dunno what else can I say…seems that it’s just not right for you, and it was such a lovely color.
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Silver eyes – cool and natural makeup look =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 amHi Tavia,
I did. 🙁 It’s very blotchy any and every which way…
Tiffany says
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 amaww, that sucks that the shadow didn’t work for you!
did you see the promo for the next ep?
http://www.inentertainment.co.uk/20090902/true-blood-season-2-finale-video-sneak-peek/
looks like it will be more exciting, at least 🙂
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 amHi Tiffany,
OOOOHHH why is Eric making out with the vampire queen?!?
tali says
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 ampretty in the pot but i knew they would end up like this!!
.-= tali’s last blog post… Body Shop: Goody Bag Favourites, YSL Haul & Make-up Rant! =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 amHi Tali,
You are a makeup psychic!
Glosslizard says
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:18 amBoo! Life’s too short for non-creamy cream shadow! Just such a pity that the beautifulness of the purple didn’t translate!
I’m waiting for TB season 2 on DVD, the good part is that when a relatively blah episode comes along, there’s no waiting for the next (hopefully better) one! Of course the bad news is that I have to wait……
I’ve been busy as can be with new school schedules and fall transitions (oh, and it’s hot!), but I finally have a second! How’ve you been?
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:14 pmHi Glosslizard,
Girlfriend, that’s what internet is for! You gotta watch that stuff online. 😉
Things on this end are okay. I’ve had a rough few days but it’s getting better.
Are the imps liking their teachers?
Sarah says
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 amThat is a real shame, I was hoping for better results of that amazing color.
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… I found Vinny’s Christmas Gift =-.
gio says
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 amIt’s too bad the shadow didn’t work on the lid! It looked so gorgeous and promising in the pot. Bummer! 🙁
.-= gio’s last blog post… Looks: Purplish blues =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pmHi Gio,
I know! I had such high hopes!
auroragyps says
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 amWhat about putting it on top of another creme shadow, so that it has more “slip” and workability. Something that makes it’s consistancy somewhere between a creme shadow & an eye gloss. It’ll make it last less, but it might also make it easier to fix later.
I was really looking at the green Patina one, but it’s just too much $ to spend on something that’s I’d probably just wear for special occations. Thanks for the great review that totally backs up my decision. Good luck making the violet work for you…. the color’s just too pretty to not keep trying to get it looking good.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 pmHi Auroragyps,
That’s a good idea. I’ll probably do a MAC Pearlglide beneath and some Pigment on top. It seems like a lot of effort to get something to worth, though. Sigh…
Have you tried any of the Benefit Creaseless Creams? They’re so awesome!
Trude says
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 amTotally. I just spent the whole episode sighing over Eric’s suit. 🙂 Hated how they portrayed the Queen though! Love the show, but the books are still a million times better.
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Mom’s (ssh) 50th Birthday =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pmHi Trude,
I wanted her to be more… I dunno, menacing? I didn’t get the sense that she was powerful. Her hair and makeup was badass, though!
Catherine says
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 pmWow… that’s terribly disappointing. I’ve heard the same thing about the other colors too. =/
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Fuzkittie’s Birthday Butterfly Princess Style Bracelet =-.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:07 pmHi Catherine,
Yeah, I’m probably gonna have to do some crazy, creative layering to make it happen!
JillyB says
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:55 pmI agree with you on True Blood, I thought season 1 was better. Hope they kill off Maryann before season 3. Although I do like the Bill/Sookie/Eric triangle.
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 pmHi JillyB,
Argh, I know. Have you noticed how much Tara’s character has changed? I miss the spunk she showed in the first few episodes.
Glosslizard says
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 pmYeah, I should be, but I wanna wait for Hubby to catch up so he can watch with me anyway!
So far, school is a hit this year! Yay!
Glad things are okay, I hope they’re up to fabulous in short order!
Karen says
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 pmHi Glosslizard,
I hear ya… it’s much more fun to share all the twists and turns with your beloved. 😉
Rachel says
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:11 pmI want Eric and Sookie to get together sooooooo badly! It’s seriously killing me 😉
Karen says
September 4th, 2009 at 8:22 amHi Rachel,
LOL! I didn’t understand Eric’s appeal until he started showing up half naked… 😉
Louise Gray says
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pmI am not a BB fan. I think that is because her items are not readily available in my town. You can get them at Saks downtown or Nordstroms but I prefer convenience. Speaking of purple or starry purple, have you set your eyes upon the new Stila Barbie collection. There are two gel type liners which I am really wanting to buy. One is a striking purple. Just gorgeous. The second one that I must have is black with tiny flecks of purple glitter in it. At $20 each, I would love to have both. Purple is such a good fall color. Don’t you think??? Louise
PS: Purple is the color of my favorite beverage—Wine
hahahahahah!!!!
Karen says
September 4th, 2009 at 8:18 amHi Louise Gray,
I want all of those Barbie Smudge Pots, bad!! Speaking of wine, I had a nice Pinot Noir last night by Howling Moon. Sooo yummy!
L says
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 pmYeah, I rushed out to buy two of the shades — Starry Night (dark blue) and Goldstone (clearly, gold) — and I had a similar problem. They’re both pretty sheer, which is fine for the gold, but I fear the blue one won’t work as well (haven’t tried it yet). Blue needs punch to it or else you just look like you were, well, punched. I’m a bit sad because I’ve been waiting for these to come out for what seems like forever!