So, Oriental Spice! I picked this up at Bed Bath & Beyond awhile back; it's part of the limited edition summer collection Maybelline has been rolling out. I hadn't tried Maybelline's eyeshadows in a really long time, after having been completely underwhelmed by them years ago. I remembered hearing that the formula had gotten better, and seeing as how I've been wanting an orange-coral eyeshadow, I figured this was a good chance to try them out again. Bed Bath & Beyond was selling this duo for $3.29, and I was able to use a $1 off tear-pad coupon that was on the display, so I got the duo for a grand total of $2.29.
I have to say, this eyeshadow formula was a lot better than I remembered it! This isn't a fantastic, stand-out formula, but for $3? I'm not complaining! It's medium-to-opaque, and you can build the opacity with multiple layers. The formula is smooth and soft, but a bit on the dry side (as opposed to being buttery). But honestly, this is one of the better drugstore powder eyeshadow formulas I've encountered lately; it's certainly better than the new Revlon Colorstay eyeshadow quads. I think this is a good value for the money, and the formula is certainly workable, if not A+.
Oriental Spice contains two pans. I hate when one pan is bigger than the other! I suspect I will use the brown more than the coral, even though the coral is more than twice the size of the brown. The coral is a kind of flamingo pink meets orange satin shade; not quite matte, but it doesn't have noticeable shimmer or frost on the skin, either. It's just a little glowy. The brown is a very warm brown with shimmer that is almost metallic; just gorgeous. Take a look! For reference, these swatches are a couple of swipes of product. I used my finger to deposit the product as opaquely as possible, and the swatches are over bare skin.
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| Maybelline Oriental Spice |
Swatches in indoor light:
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| Swatch of Oriental Spice |
Swatches in indirect natural light:
Take a look at the individual shades up close; you can get a better idea of the finishes and opacity if you enlarge these.
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| Orange from Oriental Spice |
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| Brown from Oriental Spice |
Summary: These are beautiful colors, and you can't beat the price! I think there are better eyeshadow formulas out there (Wet n Wild, Urban Decay, etc...) but these are definitely a step above mediocre, and they exceeded my expectations. I also really appreciate how unique these colors are.
What do you guys think? Have you tried Maybelline's eyeshadows recently? Is it worth dealing with an imperfect formula in a great color if you know there are others out there that perform better for you? I don't mind in-between formulas if I really like the color and if the price is right, but I believe that difficult formulas are a waste of money and time, no matter how inexpensive they are. I'm pretty happy with this little duo!
I've never tried Mayeblline's eyeshadows!
ReplyDeleteNo, actually I did, I own Maybelline 24 Hour Tattoo but I've never tried a powder one!
I really like this duo, I'm not really into orange but I really like this one.
I still need to get around to trying the 24 Hour Tattoo shadow!
DeleteMaybelline eyeshadows have really stepped it up, but I dont thing theyre comparable to WnW considering how much more product youre getting for a palette. However, you got a good deal for this duo!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I definitely agree that WnW eyeshadow palettes are better quality and a better value for your money! I wish they'd put out some more sets!
Deletethat looks so pretty. i've really liked maybelline eyeshadows lately. i looked for this in 4 walgreens today and couldn't find it! ah, the thrill of the hunt. XD
ReplyDeleteGood luck, hopefully you'll find it! Probably as soon as you stop looking, you'll stumble on it somewhere... that's how it always seems to go for me!
DeleteI haven't used a coral-y colored eye shadow before but maybe I should give it a try...
ReplyDeleteGo for it! You can find nice coral eyeshadows that are very affordable, and you don't have to wear it all over your lid if it's outside your comfort zone! Doing a wash of brown or bronze from lashline up through the crease and then putting some coral in the outer crease on top of the brown (so that there's still brown above and below it) is a good way to start out, if you don't think the coral color would look good up against your skin :)
DeleteI love the duo!! Great colors, ill definitely be checking it out! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice little duo! Let us know how you like it if you end up picking it up!
DeleteI'm surprised at how nice these look- I totally remember Maybelline eyeshadows being VERY average (and that's putting it nicely, lol). I love these rusty shades, though. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too! I had pretty much written them off before this duo... I'm glad I gave them another shot!
DeleteI've never been a fan of Maybelline eyeshadows, mine always turned out to be super sheer for some reasons! That brown looks gorgeous though!
ReplyDeleteThey've definitely reformulated since I tried their shadows last, I'd had bad luck in the past as well. And yes, the brown is pretty amazing! I'm a fan.
DeleteReally beautiful shades indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you think so, too!
DeleteI can't stop looking at that brown. I can't tell from the pictures, are those duochromes? They look really complex.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal! The coral is definitely not a duochrome, just a satin with a tiny bit of shimmer; I think the shimmer is what is making it look pinker in places in the photograph. The brown is not a really truly pronounced duochrome, but it does look more bright copper or dark pink depending on how the light hits it, with its original and dominant color being a warm medium coppery brown.
DeleteNeat colours! I certainly don't mind Maybelline eyeshadows as you get a great deal for the price. I agree that the formulation isn't THAT great but for the price I like them better than Wet N Wild.
ReplyDeleteTotally! I think I prefer Wet N Wild's formula, but I really don't see a huge difference between the two formulas... And Maybelline has colors that I'll use more often!
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