Silk Naturals Summer 2013 Collection: Lippiepalooza and Preview Swatches

Silk Naturals has just released their new Summer 2013 Collection consisting of twenty (!) new lip products, eight in a new vegan lipstick formula that's been formulated to have a longer shelf life and staying power and twelve in the Slick Stick formula (similar to their Amplifying Lip Glaze formula but without the mint and plumping ingredient). They've also added a new color to the Chromatic Cream Eye Colors (I reviewed one of the colors, Gotham, in this post), and also several skincare and gadgetry items.

All images are sourced from SilkNaturals.com.

The new lip products. The first eight are the vegan lipsticks in the new formula, the last twelve are the Slick Sticks. The new vegan lipsticks retail for $4.75 currently and the Slick Sticks retail for $4.50.

Here are swatches of the eight vegan lipsticks.

The new Chromatic Cream Eye Color in Marvel. This is actually the Chromatic Cream Eye Color version of their popular eyeshadow, Doubloons!

and here's a comparison of Marvel against the other Chromatic Cream Eye Colors.

The new skincare and general gadgetry items. The blackhead remover is $2.25, the epistick hair remover is $1.25, the Konjac sponge is $5.99 (I have one myself though not from Silk Naturals and I quite like it), the Magic Hair Bun Maker is $.99, the Japanese Style Scrubby Towel is $4.99, and the Strap Perfect Bra Strap Holders for four for $.99.

I've yet to try the new Slick Stick formula so I'm rather tempted to purchase one to give it a go. I'm also very tempted to try the new Chromatic Cream Eye Color because I've seen swatches of the eyeshadow it's based on and it looks very beautiful.

Are you thinking of getting anything from Silk Naturals' Summer 2013 line?

Silk Naturals Chromatic Cream Eye Color in Gotham: Swatch, Review, and Photos

I Purchased This

It seems like every purchase I make lately has been fueled by a fellow blogger and this is no different. Silk Naturals's new Spring 2013 Collection came out with a new product called the Chromatic Cream Eye Color, basically their take on a cream eyeshadow. Not many indie companies make a cream eyeshadow so I was super intrigued. I purchased Gotham after hearing raves about the formula from Phyrra. I'll show my swatch of it first then my thoughts on the formula, followed by a photo of my wear time test.

Where to purchase: Silk Naturals
Price: $4.99 for 4.5 mL.
Do they test on animals? They do not test on animals. 
Packaging: The chromatic cream eye colors are packaged in a lipgloss-style tube with a doefoot applicator. The bottom of the tube is clear so you can store them upside down to see which color is which.
Product description: Chromatic Cream Eye Colors are "luminous, well pigmented, and smudge-proof but not waterproof. No parabens, silicones, oils, or petroleum products. If you have really oily lids, you may still need a separate primer." From what I can tell, all the colors in the line are vegan and gluten-free.

Swatch

Swatch taken in natural daylight with no flash. The swatch on the left is one layer of the color then blended and the swatch on the right is two layers (I did one layer, blended out then did another layer on top). The one layer swatch is a little overblended, it's actually a little more pigmented than it appears in the swatch. I do think it looks best with two layers as the color is more true to tube. (and Silk Naturals does suggest two thin coats for maximum intensity)

Gotham is described as a deep, dirty grey with a hint of brown and the description is spot on. I think with one layer, it looks more brown than grey but with a second layer, it's definitely much more grey. This is a color that will work on everyone in my opinion.

My Thoughts on the Formula: 

I almost hesitate to call this a cream eye color, its much more reminiscent of a liquid eyeshadow. My first thought was "oh this is kinda liquidy, is it gonna be sheer and take forever to dry on me?" but it's actually quite the opposite. Despite the liquid texture, you have to work quickly to blend the color before it dries down. The time it took for me to apply and to blend it out with your fingers before it dried was about 25 seconds. Although it comes with a doefoot applicator, I think fingers are best for blending the color out; I found it wasn't as even looking when I used the applicator to apply it.

Once it has dried, it's locked down and doesn't have a heavy, tacky, or sticky feeling on your eyelids. Gotham blends out beautifully and there's no "hard edge" between the eye color and your skin. This is one of those products that looks like you put more effort into it than you really did (which I'm always a fan of).

The best and worst thing is that it removes easily with water. No joke, you don't need a fancy makeup remover for this, water on a cotton pad is enough. That being said, it's not the best for someone who gets watery or teary eyes from allergies and the like. I would agree that it's smudgeproof but if you smudge the inner corner and your finger gets a little wet from your eyes, you will remove the color.

The biggest deterrent? Simply put, its shelf life of six months once opened. I don't think it's a big deal for the neutral colors like Gotham or the highlights which are so wearable that you'll reach for it often. However for the bolder colors that you might not wear every day, it might potentially be a problem. 

Wear Time Test

The surprising part for me was seeing how well it lasted on my lids despite the fact that it removes so easily with water. The two qualities almost seem mutually exclusive. After seven hours on my double whammy hooded and oily eyelids with no primer, Gotham had only begun to crease. I think you could go six hours without any creasing at all.

Final Thoughts

I'll easily recommend Gotham, after all it's only $4.99 and you'll be hardpressed to find another indie liquid/cream eyeshadow that's so easy to apply, lasts well, yet removes so easily. I'm a little less hesitant to recommend some of the brighter colors only because I'm not entirely sure how often you as a consumer will use them before the shelf life is up.

If I could make a suggestion, it'd be great to have a manufacture date on the tubes. I think most consumers would use and open the tube right when they purchase and for the forgetful types (like me), it'd be an easier way to keep track of when six months is up. If not, maybe an option for consumers to write in a "opened on" date. Oh and I'm personally not fond of the sticker on the packaging. I've had my tube for less than a week and the sticker is already starting to lift off the tube.

I'm so sold on this, I just love the idea of a product that lasts so well yet isn't a pain to remove. Are you thinking about picking this (or any of the other eighteen shades) up?

Disclaimer: I purchased this product myself. All opinions are my own. None of the links in this post are affiliate links.

Silk Naturals Spring 2013 Hot in the City Collection Promo Pictures and Swatches

Here are some promo pictures and preview swatches of Silk Naturals' new Spring 2013 Collection, Hot in the City. The collection features new cream eye colors, cream blushes, lip products, and a new monthly Gift with Purchase Club!

(All images taken from Silk Naturals)

This collection will premiere their new cream eyeshadows, the Chromatics Cream Eye Colors! These are packaged in a lipgloss tube with a doefoot applicator for easy application. These will retail for $4.99 for a 4.5mL of product. 

These don't contain any parabens, silicones, oils, or petroleum based products.

Swatches

The Slick Sticks featured in the collection are new; they are actually same formula as the Amplifying Lip Glaze but without the lip plumper and minty tingle and with a vanilla scent. If you liked the Amplifying Lip Glazes but weren't into the tingle, this may be right up your alley! These retail for $3.99 now but will increase in price May 1st.

Swatches

The collection rounds off with some face products, a cream blush and cream bronzer. You get a slim line tube for $4.50.

Swatches

Fun Stuff! This section includes a new black blending sponge (similarly styled like the Beauty Blender/Sonia Kashuk sponges) and a GWP monthly club. The blending sponge is $4.99 and there are several options for the GWP clubs.

The chromatic cream eye colors look potentially interesting; cream eyeshadows aren't usually offered by indie colors much less ones that are paraben, oil, silicone and petroleum by product-free. I might not get anything yet but maybe in the future!

Is anything catching your eye?

Top 12 Eyeshadows of 2012

To continue my compilation to sum up the end of the year, I wanted to talk about my twelve favorite eyeshadows of 2012. I was much more into eyeshadows than lip colors this year so that's why I was able to come up with a top 12. Like with the lipsticks, these are all equally my favorite and aren't in any particular order. Pretty much all of them are loose eyeshadows; I found I didn't really favor as many pressed eyeshadows this year but that might change (especially since I was introduced to the Bare Minerals READY Eyeshadows. Unfortunately a few of the eyeshadows aren't available anymore but you can still enjoy the look of them.

All the eyeshadows were swatched dry over primer and pictures were taken in natural daylight. All the links take you to my previous reviews on them!

Aromaleigh Alohomora: "Gilded bronzy copper with matching sparkle" Unfortunately this isn't available anymore, it was an eyeshadow I got from Aromaleigh when they were clearing out their old stock. It just reminds me of antiques and watching Antique Roadshow which is why I love it.

Aromaleigh Tunnel Vision: "Deep silver based taupe" More silver than taupe really, it's another one of those eyeshadows that was clearanced from Aromaleigh. I'm always seeking a silvery taupe and this is almost the perfect one for me.

Darling Girl Jeweled Taupe: "Metallic bronzy taupe with multi-colored shimmer" Ever since Jeweled Taupe was released, it's pretty much been one of the top sellers for the brand and it's not difficult to see why. I love the purple and red glitter shining through the bronze base. Love it!

Darling Girl Persuasion: "Medium lavender base with gold shift and turquoise sparkles" Persuasion is a color that works best when applied with a glitter fixative but it's worth it. The  green shift shining through the lavender base is a unique but gorgeous combination.

Fyrinnae Newcastle: "Sparkly deep antique bronze-gold" The brown base with the gold sparkles to it, a perfect color for a smokey eye.

Fyrinnae Sacred: "Not gold, a light gleaming truly metallic taupe." I remember I couldn't find the shade on the Fyrinnae site anymore and

L'oreal Blinged and Brilliant: Metallic high shine peach toned beige nude"

MAC Coco: "Neutral taupe with frost" You ever have one of those colors that you love almost as much because of the hype and the fact that you can't get a hold of it otherwise? This is one of those colors.

MAC Goldenaire: "Rosy with a gold pearl" See above re: MAC Coco

Silk Naturals Flash: "Shimmery complex gold color with a hint of silver and diamond pearl" I know just looking at it, especially compared to the other shades it seems a little out of place. Something about it though, the mother of pearl-esque color just appeals to me.

Sugarpill Goldilux*: "Brilliant, highly-reflective metallic gold with breathtaking shine" Goooooold. Gooooooold I can't handle this it's shiny and reflective and metallic gold all in my face. 

Venomous Versicolor: "Maroon with green sheen" I know, I only just reviewed it a week ago so it almost seems like a premature addition to my favorites but I do love the maroon base with the green sheen peeking through.

Disclaimer: I purchased all these eyeshadows. All opinions are my own. The link marked with an asterisk contains an affiliate link which gives me a commission based off your use of the link and helps support the blog! Feel free to use a non-affiliate link.

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Can you guys tell me what your top eyeshadows of 2012 have been?

Silk Naturals Holiday 2012, Last Chance Products, and Discount Code

Silk Naturals has released their Holiday 2012 Collection with many many different products for sale. There's also a coupon code (gobble12) for 6% off for their sixth anniversary, available for use until December 20th!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but one of the reasons why I like Silk Naturals so much is because they challenge the assumption that anything organic and/or vegan must be synonymous with expensive. You can see that it is easily not the case when lip products retail for under $5 with many being vegan and organic and the eyeshadows are $4.00 and many are vegan. It makes it very easy for someone on a budget to indulge their cosmetics loving soul without hurting their wallets.

I compiled the different products, their prices, and made all the pictures clickable to the product listings. None of the links are affiliate links! Happy shopping!

There is one new eyeshadow formula and a new product type available in the Eyes section. The Prism formula is new, and is said to be "100% pure pigments that look like a certain color in the jar, but come alive with bold interference effects- like looking at a crystal or prism.  To get the full effect wear them over a primer." 

They are also offering something called an eye shadow mattifier that "tones down colors...takes away some of the sparkle, lightens them ever so slightly, and adds just a touch of neutral". I think this is really new and something I haven't seen yet from any brand so I am curious to see how it works! 

The eyeshadows and mattifier retail for $4.00. The trio is $8.99. All the eyeshadows are vegan.

Some of their Holiday lip products include additions to the Amplifying Lip Glaze Line, Black Label, and Kisser Slickers. They also have two new lip palettes which includes a mini collection of one Amplifying Lip Glaze and four Kisser Slickers. I'm not sure how much product is in each palette but for $11.99, it's a great way to try out both bright red/pinks and nudes/browns. The ALGs are $4.50, the Black Label is $4.95, and then Kisser Slickers are $4.50. Believer, Bustle, and Hustle are vegan, the other four listed are not.

There are more additions to their skincare, a few body butters, a calendula salve, cuticle balm (though I could have sworn that was there before), and a lotion bar! The calendula slave is $6.95, the body butters are $4.99, the cuticle balm is $4.75, and the after bath lotion bar is $9.95. The body butters are vegan but the rest are not.

There's a new set of skincare targeted towards men called "Stark & Son" (is it sad that I immediately thought of Iron Man and Howard and Tony Stark? The Stark btw refers to the owner of Silk Naturals!). I think some of the lip balm products are interesting (the matte finish is probably for people who don't want a particularly shiny lip balm), especially that caffeinated lip balm!

The Aftershave retails for $1.25 for a sample and $11.95 for a 4 oz bottle. The matte lip balms retail for $3.95. The aftershave is vegan, the lip balms are not.

Something new to their lip balms are the Lip Click Balm Tins and a few Organic Lip Balms. I think the labels for the Lip Clicks are so cute, it's so vintage and reminds me of the old time pharmacies. The Lip Click Balm Tins retail for $4.50 and the balms retail for $3.75. The balms are not vegan.

The last new Holiday item is their Botanical Hydration Serum, meant for parched Winter skin. A 5 mL sample retails for $.99 and the 1 oz bottle is $8.99. This is vegan.

Lastly, it looks like both the Kissable Creams and the Butter Creams lip products/formula are going to be discontinued as these were in the "Last Chance" section. Be sure to get them while you can! The return policy does not apply for these Last Chance products. The Kissable Creams are now $3.40 each and the Butter Creams are $3.15. 

Lots of new things coming out, are you thinking about getting anything?

Silk Naturals Lip Products: Swatches and Review

I've done a few posts now featuring Silk Naturals eyeshadows but their lip products were a new foray for me. I had heard great things from Cait at Swatch Storm (click to see her links to swatches of their lip products) so I had to try them out myself. I bought these a few months ago and finally found the time to write my thoughts on them.

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I purchased three of their lip products in three of their formulas. I got an Amplifying Lip Glaze in Provoke, a Kissable Cream in Joy, and a Kisser Slicker in Maiden. I decided to swatch and review all three formulas in one post (as opposed to subjecting you to three posts)
Packaging: A slim line twist up tube containing .07 ounces. I do like the slim tube because the shape fits my lips much better than larger round lip balms or oval balm tubes.

Where to purchase: Silk Naturals

Do they test on animals? They do not test on animals.

Gluten Free?: The brand actually makes note of which products have gluten or not for those of you who may be sensitive to it. All three products are gluten-free. 

I'll talk about the price and my thoughts on the formula for each product. 

Silk Naturals Eye Spy Fall 2012 Collection

Silk Naturals has just released their Fall 2012 collection which includes a few matte eyeshadows, lip products, blushes, and a cloned mini eyeshadow collection that you might like to try.

 Each product listing has swatches too so don't forget to check those out!

First off, they have their clone collection of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. 



I remember asking them months ago if they had any plans in the works to replicate it and they mentioned that they didn't. It turns out though that Urban Decay's decision to sell in China spurred them to create it and while Urban Decay has decided to not sell in China, Silk Naturals is still going to release the collection. Their clones aren't perfectly spot on because Silk Naturals takes effort to not include talc and other ingredients that are often more common in mainstream cosmetics.

Secondly, there are a few new lip products in the Kisser Slicker formula.



Thirdly they came out with a few eyeshadows. How often do you see loose white matte eyeshadows? That matte teal looks extremely appealing too.



Lastly, there are a few blushes out to round out the collection.



I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up anything from this collection but I'm sure that a clone collection of the Naked 2 Palette has been eagerly awaited. Are you going to pick up anything?

My Current Favorite Nude Lipcolor

This is a content lite post but I just wanted to show off an awesome "my lips but better" color I got from Silk Naturals. This is Maiden, supposedly a clone of MAC Bare Slimshine but since I don't own Bare I can't compare the two.

Forgive the no makeup face, I took this picture before I hurried off to work and I didn't want to bother with any real makeup this morning! I got three Silk Naturals lip products in a recent order and I'll be swatching them soon so until then, enjoy Maiden.

An Extraverted Flash EOTD

I've been spending the last of my Spring Break catching up on blogging and playing around with my Silk Naturals eyeshadows (thanks again Cait! She's got swatches of the new Silk Naturals Spring collection here by the way!) I came up with this look using Extravert and Flash, two of my favorites from the set I got from Cait. I am a little sad that Spring Break is ending but I only have about one month and a half before my spring semester ends. Unfortunately I'll have my summer class soon after that but I'll manage it somehow.

These pictures were taken using flash.

These pictures were taken in daylight. I still have to work out lighting because I think the pictures look really bland compared to the flash pictures hmm.

Silk Naturals Posh and Chic Brown EOTD

It hasn't been that long but I do feel like it's been ages since I've done an EOTD or FOTD. When I got to swatching my massive Silk Naturals present, I did a quick EOTD with a few of the eyeshadows that were supposed to go well together and they really did. Sorry about my undereye looking a little cakey, I applied a little too much concealer!

The eyeshadows also looked so much better in person!

Eyes
Coastal Scents Shadow Worx Matte Primer

Silk Naturals Posh on the inner third of the eye

Silk Naturals Chic on the middle of the lid

Silk Naturals Vogue in the outer third of the eye

Wet n Wild Brulee Eyeshadow as a browbone highlight

Physicians Formula Eye Booster Liner in Deep Brown

Inglot Eyebrow Powder in 567

Ardell 110 and 137 lashes layered on top of each other

Benefit Erase Paste in Medium and MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30

Even More Silk Naturals Eyeshadow Swatches

I got sent the most kindest package ever from Cait of Swatch Storm. She was on a destashing spree and sent me jars and jars of Silk Naturals eyeshadows that she no longer used AND I bought a mega lot of samples from her.

She's gotten me hooked on Silk Naturals and I know that was her intent and so she'll feel no guilt for it >(. Here's my picture heavy swatch post of the eyeshadows I got! Sorry for some of the pictures having small amounts of eyeshadows, some of the eyeshadows were samples so I didn't have a lot to take a picture of.

Bon Voyage, Charmed, Chic, and Demure

Bon Voyage: "A deep shimmery navy blue with just a hint of shimmer" I quite liked this shade, I felt like it wasn't too sheer but the shimmer doesn't show up as well in the picture.

Charmed: "A light apple green with fun flecks of gold" This is their clone for MAC Juxt but since I don't own Juxt, I can't compare it. Utterly gorgeous, one of the colors that I'd definitely use for green. The gold flecks are very obvious in real life. This is their clone for MAC Juxt but since I don't own Juxt, I can't compare it.

Chic: "A deeper midtone tan- a smidge on the golden side, and goes wonderfully with Posh, Vogue, and Cream" I liked this brown too, especially with the slight golden sheen to it. I also have Posh and Vogue and I can definitely see them going well together!

Demure: "A light, pinkish lavender shimmery pearl" This was an eyeshadow that was recently discontinued. It was one of the Eye Wands that was an eyeshadow packed into doe foot tubes. I did like the color but I definitely thought it was a bit of a mess to deal with. I can see why it was discontinued.

Flash, Fusion, Grassroots Green, and Juiced

Flash: "A very very shimmery complex gold color with a hint of silver and diamond pearl" This was extremely sparkly but there was a lightness in texture to it. I wish I could capture how it feels in words but I can say that it's not creamy the way the other Silk Naturals eyeshadows are, but not in a bad way. Of all the eyeshadows I got, this was one of my favorites and I wish I could convey my thoughts on why I love it. It is semi sheer, not a color you can get totally opaque but that makes it a color you can pat on the center of your lid to add dimension to your eyes.

Fusion: " At its core is a deep plum that when worn over primer becomes a something almost primary- and it pops with golden highlights" It's a dirty brownish plum, a color that I don't gravitate to normally and it stands true in this case. I do like the golden highlight since it prevents the eyeshadow from being one-dimensional.

Grassroots Green: "A deep shimmery green-sort of like the green on the back of a dollar bill". This applied a little sheerer than swatched on the website but there is a fair bit of green shimmer to it.

Juiced: " A pale gold with suede pearl finish, and a fair amount of gold glimmer". The swatch and product picture on the site looks really off on my monitor, making it look gold and yellow when it really isn't. I'd say it's a cream colored beige with gold glimmer. I really like this as an all over lid wash for lazy days. Oddly enough, it's not listed with the rest of the eyeshadows, you have to search for it using the search menu.

Opal, Posh, Resort, and Sapphire

Opal: " A light pink with just a hint of lavender" This is one of the colors that looks white in the jar but changes over a black liner and I would love to pair this with Sugarpill Love+ as a highlight color!

Posh: "A nice shimmery golden tan color that you could use as a simple one color wash, or pair it with colors like Chic, Cream, and Vogue" This is a clone of Stila Wheat but I don't own Wheat so I can't make a comparison. I can definitely see this going well with Chic and Vogue and would be a brilliant one color wash.

Resort: " Deep golden green shimmer" I don't have an official description for this since it's discontinued. It is a slightly olive-y grass green color.

Sapphire: " A rich jewel toned navy" This is similar to Bon Voyage so I did a comparison further down to show the difference. I've really been into navy blues and I loved the jewel tone to this!

Sizzle, Teacher's Pet, Trouble, Vogue

Sizzle: "Starts out blue, and has wonderful gold flecks in it". This photographs extremely mint green on the site but it isn't green at all. It is a slightly dirty looking blue which I'm personally not drawn to but I do like the gold duochrome.

Teacher's Pet: " A medium taupe pearl with hints of golden bronze glimmer". The site swatch is completely off, it's not green at all! Are there colors that you just like even though you can't explain it? This is one of those colors.

Trouble: "A light pinkish sand color" This is a clone of Urban Decay Sin and I compared the two later on in the post. This is a pretty color because it's not such a cool toned pink, there is a warmth to it.

Vogue: " A very deep brown shimmery liner color with glints of copper, and gold" I wish I could properly photograph this color. There's such a richness to the eyeshadow, it's like crushed velvet with tons of shimmer.

GWP Eyeshadows

Blitz, Catch, Extravert, Gobble, Meadow

These are all GWP eyeshadows that you unfortunately can't get anymore, but I thought I'd swatch them just for future reference. Extravert is an especially gorgeous color, it's a dark forest green on a dark base with TONS of shimmer. It's also got that crushed velvet look to it.

Here are the two comparisons I did!

Bon Voyage and Sapphire, these two do look very similar but there are differences. Although it doesn't look it, Bon Voyage has a lighter base than Sapphire but Sapphire has a lighter blue shimmer so it makes it look lighter than Bon Voyage. Since these are so similar, I wouldn't get both. If I had to choose, I'd get Sapphire.

This is Trouble against Urban Decay Sin. Sin is much shinier/metallic than Trouble so it looks lighter than Trouble.

Thank you Cait, I really didn't need to be hooked onto another eyeshadow company :(

Disclaimer: I was given these eyeshadows by the lovely Cait of Swatch Storm. I didn't get paid to swatch these eyeshadows and all opinions are my own.