Shadow Stick Comparisons: Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, & By Terry

In 2013, I really got into eyeshadow sticks. I had always liked them, but 2013 was a year to really try some of the most popular ones out there from Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, and By Terry. 

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Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Bark, $28
I picked this one up during the Sephora VIB sale and I am glad I did. This nearly matte medium brown is a great shade for everyday looks, and it wears all day on me without fading or creasing. I'm definitely going to look at more shades in the line!

By Terry Ombre Blackstar Color Fix Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Moon, $43
Lots of bloggers rave about these By Terry Ombre Blackstar sticks, so I caved and bought one for myself. In general, I found these to be more metallic than the Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier options. There's not a "matte" shade in the lineup at all! Unfortunately for me, I have a problem with the shimmers in this one. They just keep migrating and getting in my eyes and lashes! At the end of the day, this fades a bit and creases on me, but not enough for me to be upset about it - and really, it could be a result of the irritation from the shimmers rather than the product's overall performance. 

Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Khaki, $26
I have been building my collection of these sticks for the year, and perhaps I have too many now, haha! I love the variety of colors available in this line, and I've been using Khaki non-stop all year! I love how easy to use it is, and it is budgeproof on me all day, though occasionally I see very very minor creasing in my monolid area. (You know, when you can tell it isn't perfect but really no one else can!) 

I can't pick a favorite, but it definitely comes down to Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown for overall value and shades available. Their formulas are so long wearing, and I don't even need to wear primer with them unless I want to. I really like how the Laura Mercier range has a variety of more shimmery finishes and less shimmery ones and so many colors to choose from. I'm bummed the By Terry Bronze Moon didn't work for me, but I think perhaps Laura Mercier Sandglow or Bobbi Brown Sand Dune might be comparable shades. 

What do you think about eye shadow sticks? Have you tried any of these or have a favorite one I need to try? I'd love to know what you think! :)

Love It or Toss It

A few weeks ago, Gummy and I were talking about editing our collections. She is quite fabulous at purging things from her collection, and I am really not. While I don't have a HUGE collection compared to many bloggers, I still would really like to have a manageable, reasonable stash that I really love. 

I grumbled to Gummy about just how many products in my stash don't get much, or even any use for quite some time, that I have so many makeup items that I just don't get around to reviewing because I rarely, if ever use them... and then Love It or Toss It was born.  

We selected a few items to use over the course of a weekend, and hope to continue this series on a regular basis. We welcome anyone who would like to join in - feel free to post photos on Instagram or Twitter and tag #loveitortossit. :) 

Read on to see what I selected, and what made the cut!  

I had a hard time deciding on most of these products that I selected, though I know one product is absolute LOVE.  

I am completely obsessed with this Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in 103. The formula is scent free and totally creamy, which is just a dream. It may even be the perfect nude, even on my somewhat mauve-y inconsistently pigmented lips. I definitely want more Armani lipsticks, from this range as well as the Rouge Sheers and new Rouge Ecstasy line.  

I'm a bit on the fence about Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Pencil in Black Plum. The formula is quite smudgeproof on me, and wears really well on my monolid area. No smudges for hours upon hours, and I totally love the blackish purple shade. It drags a bit, especially when I tightline, and I find it ridiculous to sharpen for some reason. The pencil edges get sharp?? I don't know how to explain it, but I do know that I love the shade and my fiance even complimented my eyeliner. (And he does not really like eyeliner!) I'll be keeping this since I love the shade and don't have anything like it, but I won't repurchase this liner. 

Swatches below. L-R: Armani Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in 103, Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Flushed, L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer partially blended & not blended, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Liner in Black Plum

Now I'm leaning towards toss for the two drugstore products here, but I'm still not totally sure. The Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Flushed was a purchase I enjoyed last summer, but I don't know if it is total love. I've gotten so many cream blushes since, and this one has a very silicone feel in comparison to some of the others. It also takes a bit of effort to blend, but for about $10 I'd say it is worth a try.

I feel the same about the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer - I've gotten so many lovely things since. I'd say this is an OK primer, nothing stellar in that department, and doesn't highlight pores or anything like that. I do like to wear it as highlight, but it is super subtle as there is no shimmer in this really at all. Those of you who find Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector to have too much shimmer may like this, actually. Mine suddenly started to be a bit runny, like water was separating out from it, which is strange, as it was just fine before. 

Here's a photo of me wearing everything in this post - not sure if you can see much of anything, but I thought I'd give it a try!

What do you think of these products? Have you tried any of them? Do you think I should keep or give away the ones I'm not so sure about??  

All of these products were purchased by me. This post contains affiliate links.