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Waiting for June
Lifestyle and Daily Shenanigans with a dash of Nerd Appreciation thrown in.


It's been a while since I posted something the slightest bit interesting on this blog and I really am sorry. Seeing as I just got back from New York a few days ago and have been catching up with friends and family while trying to get over this slight sickness, I'm still trying to get back into the swing of bblogging as much as I used to.

I realized that I don't have many beauty topics nor posts when it comes to this blog, but I have a bunch of accessory and lifestyle topics & posts here. So I felt that I should remedy that. Insert The Swatches Archives. It's obvious what this category is all about from the name. But, if not, here's a watered down explanation:
The Swatches Archives is a category completely dedicated to swatches (or, by definition, a collection of samples) that I've taken while out at beauty stores with testers, at mate's place, or while in the comfortable confinements of my own home. Alongside swatches, I'll include a description, the ingredients (depending on the length of the post), and my personal opinion of the products. More often than not, these swatches will either litter my arms or the fronts of my hands or in some cases, both. This is to bring awareness to brands and products that you may or may not know of and what they're all about.
...this is gonna be one of those things that'll be a doozy. So buckle up and enjoy the ride. In this archive post, all the products swatched here are from a trip to ULTA Beauty I took a couple days ago with my roommate, NIL. Because this post is going to be epically long, I cut it into two parts. Most of the opinions and descriptions of the products as well as collection pictures. The second part to this post will conclude the collection images, the opinions and descriptions, and include the pictures of the swatches.

Continue reading past the jump to delve into part one of this roller coaster ride. (I'm so lame, it makes me giggle)

As I stated earlier, this run to ULTA was done with my roommate, NIL, and it occurred after we dropped my (frequently mentioned) wife, otto. It was a nice day and so we decided to mull about a bit before heading back home and relaxing. I suggested ULTA because well, anyone who knows me outside of this blog, knows that I'm a huge ass cosmetics hoarder. In fact, I have so much stuff, that I'm looking into making my own makeup dresser or stand to keep everything properly organized in. So, anyway...to ULTA it was.

By the end of this journey, both NIL and I looked like our arms had been attacked by cosmetics and we both shockingly okay with that. I will say that I did forget to take a picture of the swatches on the front of my hand, but I'm pretty sure nothing would have properly showed up as it was mostly really, really sheer lip glosses. I can say, however, that everything (save for the sheer lipsticks on the front of my hand, a select few swatches, and some things not pictured, but were tested) was simply amazing and pretty much made it to my wishlist.

Before I go to the swatches and my opinions, let's get the truly important stuff out of the way now:
Any and all statements from this point forward are my opinions. I am not here to influence nor change another's opinions. I have mine and you have yours. What works for me may not work for you. That being said, if you disagree with my opinions, feel free to do so in the comments, but do so in a mature manner or I will not refrain from making you feel ignorant. In the same breath, I will not disrespect you. In this particular post for The Swatches Archives, none of these products are owned by me (yet!) nor have they been sponsored to me. I am also not under the influences of any of brands or companies touched on, so you are getting nothing but the raw, unadulterated, lullatoned opinion.
Collection Display: The Lipstick Queen collection section in ULTA.
Now, Lipstick Queen is not a new brand to me whatsoever as I've heard a lot of people talk about them. Some had positive things to say, others had not so positive things to say. Nevertheless, when I walked over to the cosmetics section of ULTA and say the Lipstick Queen section I knew I had to try out the lipsticks.

These are the swatches that I spoke about earlier in the post, the swatches that littered the front of my hand that I hadn't remembered to take a picture of. I tested out a few lipsticks in the Butterfly Ball, Saint, and Sinner collections which are, in order, the top purple container of lipsticks, the yellow container lipsticks, and the black container lipsticks.

Butterfly Ball is described on the Lipstick Queen website with the following:
The light, airy and magical look of the butterfly wing is the ultimate in glamour produced exclusively by Mother Nature. All the subtle Butterfly Ball shades pay tribute to this. They are as sheer as a butterfly wing with a beautiful hint of shimmer and Iridescence when they catch the light. The formula is incredibly wet, soft and moisturizing to condition your lips, while dressing them at the same time.
Saint is described on the Lipstick Queen website with the following:
Designed for when you just want a tint of super flattering color. Each easy to wear shade contains 10% pigment, giving just a hint of long-lasting color. Build the shade for a more dramatic yet casual approach to glamour.
Sinner is described on the Lipstick Queen website with the following:
Poppy designed Sinners to be the ultimate full-coverage matte lipsticks with 90% pigment. The Sinner formula takes creaminess to a whole new level. The formulation glides on, lasts beautifully and feels great on the lips. Each shade has been meticulously designed to be the ultimate in its category - lighting up your face and your mood!
So, let's talk about Butterfly Ball, Saint, and Sinner. I will say that I don't exactly have a set opinion on these lipsticks as I tend change my opinion on lipsticks after using them as opposed to just relying on swatches. However, I will say that all three of these lipsticks are sheer and not opaque at all. At least not against my skin. I will say that Sinner has an absolutely lovely finish and I say this being someone who loves matte lipsticks but finds it hard to find some that they can truly say they love. Now, I'm not saying I love Sinner because I don't.

The pigmentation actually did not show up well on my skin and I was not happy about that, but again, the finish is absolutely lovely, in my opinion. I did not like Butterfly Ball or Saint because I absolutely abhor lipsticks that are sheer rather than opaque and both of these collections are more on the sheer side. I will say that after wiping my hand off, the areas where lipsticks from those two collections were felt soft and supple. The moisturising aspect to the lipstick is legit and I love it. Now if only they could be more opaque.

Lip Gloss Example: CK ONE Colour Lipgloss. (I forgot which colour it's in)

Collections: The CK ONE Colour collection section in ULTA.
ck one Color which is the cosmetics branch of Calvin Klein. Let's talk about the ck one Color Lip Gloss.

The ck one Color Lip Gloss is described by the ULTA website as:
Lightweight high-shine lipgloss by ck one Color with vivid multi-dimensional color. Ergonomically designed applicator for easy + even application. Dimensional color. Mirror-shine. Lightweight, non-sticky formula glides on easily with a unique applicator for a soft, supple full lip look.
I absolutely abhor this gloss. Let me explain why.

First things first, the lip gloss smells horrid. Absolutely, positively horrible. I should point out that foundation, lipstick, and lip gloss are three cosmetics that must smell good in order for me to be willing to use it. Lipstick and foundation can have no smell or smell slightly fruity, but lip gloss is something that has to smell absolutely pleasant in order for me to wear it especially since my sense of smell is heightened more so than others. The fact that this lip gloss smells gross is enough to put me off it, but the wand is ridiculous and obnoxious. Really is just absolutely horrid in all aspects of life to me.

I was actually so put off by the smell and the wand that I did not test it out and I refuse to do so until it smell like flowers in a field.

I also tested out the Powder Eyeshadow Quad in Denim. The Powder Eyeshadow Quad is described on the ULTA website as:
Powder Eyeshadow Quad by ck one Color accentuates, illuminates, defines and lines. Easy to use eyeshadow palette with varied textures and finishes - from pearlized to matte, light to intense.

Accentuate: High intensity eyeshadow formula with the purest, brightest pigments for intense brilliance. Can be used as an accent color to highlight, brighten eyes.

Illuminate: Pearlized shades for a shimmering finish. Can be used all over lid for sheer sparkling finish or blend with other colors to add intense shine.

Define: Ultra-fine micronized powder to blend and obtain a deep color effect. Soft matte even finish. Can be used to contour and add depth to the eye.

Contour + Line: Provides saturated intense color in one sweep. Super matte dramatic finish. Color remains pure and flawless for hours on hours. Can be used wet or dry - to contour, line, shape eyes.
However, I only tested out the two blues before I got annoyed. The glittery blue in the Denim quad is overly shimmery and it doesn't have too much of a lasting power for me. The dark blue in the quad is lovely. It's one of those blues that I see it and I love it. If they sold it in single shadows (I shall be on the lookout for that), I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up if the price wasn't too much. It's lovely. Also, it has a matte finish. Uhm, yes!

I mentioned this to NIL while we were talking about the quad that the lighter and glitter shadows in the quads didn't seem to have the staying power or pigmentation that the darker colours did. This is a problem for me, because when I use quad, I tend to use the lighter clours as highlights or a base only and nothing else. If the staying power isn't there, then essentially the look can be thrown off in an instant. No gusta.

Another thing I tested out was the ck one color Eyeliner Marker in Renegade. This Eyeliner Marker is described by the ULTA website as:
Eyeliner Marker by ck one Color is a precision felt tip eyeliner marker that creates high-impact graphic lines with ease. High-impact. Graphic precision. Easy to apply felt tip marker creates flawless lines in smudge proof color that looks freshly applied all day.
Despite being consistently let down by the ck one colour collection, I do have admit that their Eyeliner Marker and their Pure Colour Lipstick (next to be talk about) are definitely the saving graces, in my opinion. This liner is not too thick at all, actually...it's surprisingly light, but the colour is really bold. What makes me love this is that not only is the colour bold, but it's bold with yu having you go over your initial line. One line is bold enough and I can't express how much I love and crave that in a liner.

Finally from the ck one colour collection, I tested out their Pure Colour Lipstick in Bite Me. I believe it was Bite Me. Either Bite Me or Little Liar (I have a thing for obnoxious pinks and bright/retro/dark reds). The Pure Colour Lipstick is described on the ULTA website as:
Pure Color Lipstick ck one Color for smooth, intense long-lasting lip color. Lipstick with pure, luminous, saturated color. Glides on luxuriously and stays silky smooth for hours without drying lips.
Now, I will say this. It's not long lasting (not a lot of the ck one products are) and it is drying. However, I did love the fact that the drying aspect of the lipstick made it look like it had a matte finish and any bright red, retro red, or dark red that has a matte finish or the illusion of a proper matte finish is a win in my book. My only major concern is that it may take more than one swipe of the lipstick to get the colour you want to achieve and it is not too moisturising.

Lip Gloss: The Cargo Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Route 66.
Now, Cargo Cosmetics, to me, had the best stuff out of everything I looked at and tested...aside from IMAN. Let's start with the lip gloss first.

I tested the Cargo Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Route 66. The Lip Gloss is described as such on the company's website:

A unique gloss formulation that provides staying power while moisturizing and providing a brilliant finish. The innovative ingredients work in synergy to deliver a long lasting effect and contains a high content of shining agents to give the ultimate in brilliance, illumination and a wet, glossy look. Special film-formers prevent water loss from the lips for healthy, moisturized and soft lips.

The application wand is a specialized flat velour coated application wand for a precise and perfectly even application of color. The convenient purse-friendly packaging is the perfect size at the perfect price (making it easy to collect more than just one shade!)
Route 66 is described in colour as a flamingo pink with silver pearls and I really wish I remembered to take a picture of the front of my hand because that's were the swatch for this product was. Nevertheless, I remember it vividly because I absolutely adored it. The pink is really vibrant and in your face and I've seen a couple flamingos, this pink is a tad bit brighter than flamingo pink. It's no less gorgeous.

Not only was it opaque, but it was thick without being too thick. It had a smell that was sweet, but not too sweet nor was it overpowering in the slightest. The silver pearls give it a bit of a shimmer without it being too much. Basically, it's shimmery enough that when it hits the light right, the shimmer is evident, but not enough to be distraction or uncomfortable on your lips. It really was the perfect lip gloss and I desperately need it in my life.


With that said, I'm bringing this part to a close. I do rather fancy leaving posts that have parts to it open ended and thus, I did it with this. The next post will include another Cargo Cosmetics product, IMAN, Laura Geller, Complete Colours, Butter London, and the images of the actual swatches.

Also, I'm sure there are tons of mistakes within this post, I'll come back and edit it later, right now...I'm too tired for it. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed the post and tell me if there's anything from this list that you've tired and how you liked it. Discussions make me happy.

Until next times, loveies. ♥

PART II


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