Paul & Joe Eye Color Set CS

Update Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

Last update for this post, promise!

I had time to redo the swatches to show a blend of Cream Eye Color CS 085 and Eye Color CS 085 (at far left):

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Update Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

Finally got around to wearing the Cream Eye Color CS 085 below without any primer underneath, and it creased immediately upon application T.T So sad to say but this is a no go. At least I know that Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer is able to hold these cream colors for a couple of hours, which is really a feat as it is!

Boo. Hiss.

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Update Tuesday, February 3, 2015.

Doing a bit of experimenting here with the Cream Eye Color CS 085 below. For a case this morning I finally wore it on top of Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer, then topping with a sheer wash of Excel Shiny Shadow in SH07 Shiny Beige, and line with Eye Color CS 085 on the upper and lower lash lines for a soft look. It was glowy and sheer gorgeousness! I was so surprised to see the end result turned out to be a glistening wet finish and not too sparkly at all where work is concerned (I usually don't wear makeup to work, and when I do I apply gingerly)! The Excel SH07 by itself is super sparkly, so I'm thinking the cream base must have taken that down a notch or two somehow. Love!

But guess what. Less than two hours later, it creased. I want to blame the EH Proof 10, but even then that's a stretch because this stuff is completely budge proof. Then again, may be a cream base on top of an eye primer is overkill. I want to blame the Excel SH07 next, but I've never had any problem with these creasing before.

So I will try wearing this P&J Cream Eye Color without any primer underneath to see how it fares then. Sigh. Will update again.

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Original post Wednesday, January 28, 2015.

This Paul & Joe Eye Color Set CS in 085 Princess was part of my purchase last summer, along with three Lipstick CS' and four Eye Gloss Lip Gloss Duos. This Eye Color Set CS includes a Cream Eye Color CS 085, Eye Color CS 085, and Eye Color Powder CS 085. There aren't actual names for these colors, other than the number 085. What a funny contrast with many oddly-named Japanese cosmetics ^.^

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

I guess the Cream Eye Color and Eye Color are self explanatory, but they neglected to mention that the Eye Color Powder is actually a loose powder stored in a twist-cap bottle. After all, the Eye Color is powder too, albeit pressed. And there's a lot of it in that bottle too, 1.5g of loose powder shadows, which pretty much guarantees I'll never be able to use it up! 

The packaging is cute, a "storybook" box with a magnetic cover, which makes sense since the collection is named "Fairy Tale". But practicality is zero -.-" Who would carry this box around? Not to mention fumbling with first the cream base, then the loose powder shadow. In conclusion, this Eye Color Set is meant to be displayed on the vanity. And believe it or not, all three eye shadows are scented, yes, including the loose powder shadow O.o The upside is that the scent is mild and pleasant. As a matter of fact, it's the exact same scent as the Face Powder S and the lipsticks!

I haven't actually worn these and have only swatched them, so I can't comment on lasting power and whatnot, especially for the Cream Eye Color. I swatched it on the back of my hand and left for a good 5 minutes, after which I was still able to smudge and blend it, which probably means by itself it'll crease like crazy on my oily lids. On the other hand, it seems to stay better with the pressed powder Eye Color layered on top, which is what you're supposed to do. 

Now the pressed powder Eye Color has an incredible texture - buttery soft, smooth, and pigmented! Wow! This is my first Paul & Joe pressed powder eye shadow and I'm impressed. Are they all like this? I guess I'll be stalking the next sale xD The Eye Color Powder is drier, which is to be expected since it's basically just a loose sparkling top wash. Good thing the sparkles are fine and not big glittery chunks.

- Cream Eye Color CS 085: shimmer, very sheer. A powder pink but is pretty much a sheer wash of pinky micro-shimmers after blending. This supposed to work as a cream base to layer the pressed powder Eye Color over.

- Eye Color CS 085: shimmer, medium intensity. A beautiful shimmery satiny purplish taupe. This one is decently pigmented that can sheer out and worn all over the lids, or on the crease as a deeper medium shade. I only wish it was metallic, which would have made my day, but it's very pretty as it is. For more complexity and sparkles, layer this over the Cream Eye Color above for a lighter and more translucent shade of purplish taupe but with an added pink sheen. I should have swatched it but I forgot, so you'll just have to take my word that it's gorgeous when layered ^.^

- Eye Color Powder CS 085: high shimmer, very sheer. A sparkling champagne top wash.