Currently Testing, #1

This week, I thought that instead of posting my makeup bag selection, I would show you guys some of the products I am currently testing for future features. 

There's a few items I haven't included here, such as Marc Jacobs Highliner and Chantecaille Sel that you can expect to see very soon. As I've mentioned previously, I'm hoping to compare Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage some time this month as well. Since a lovely reader sent me a sample of her Bourjois Bronzing Primer, I think it would be quite useful to compare it to the cult favorite, Chanel Bronze Universel.

I also plan to eventually post about Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks, of which I now have four, and I've been testing out the much hyped By Terry Ombre Blackstar. I'm also looking forward to trying Bite's lip primer, and spending a little more time with Tarte Exposed, the new lipsticks from Urban Decay, and the Lipstick Queen lipstick I received in my Space NK gift with purchase last month. 

Do any of these products catch your eye? Are there any that you've tried, or anything that you want to read about soon? I'd love to know! :) 

What I Wore, #20

Sometimes I wonder when I'll ever finish any makeup product, with how often I put on makeup for everyday. Oh well, I'm working on it. :) Here's a peek at what I wore a few days this week.

Tom Ford She Wolf, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Clinique Super Fine Liner for Brows, By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

I've posted about Tom Ford She Wolf (here) and I'm currently testing out the Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer and Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in hopes of offering a comparison soon. By Terry's Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon is also an exciting new addition, and the Clinique and Nars have been long time favorites.

Posts This Week: Lush Fair Trade Honey Shampoo // Fall Look Featuring Tom Ford // The October Sampler // September Beauty Purchases // Empties #5 // Worth the Splurge? Tom Ford She Wolf

Products I Loved: As I'm working through my sample stash for the October Sampler, I've discovered that I quite like the Jack Black Epic Moisture Body Hydrator. It is lightly scented, not greasy to apply, and very comforting on my skin. I'm also liking the Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask, though I'm not sure if I like it enough to spend $79 on it just yet. 

Product Disappointments: Nothing this week that I felt too disappointed about! 

Beauty Purchases: So far so good - I haven't bought anything! Wooohoo. 

Added to the Wishlist: I spotted a jojoba oil at Trader Joe's, and then a set of hand creams that are packaged like L'Occitane. I'm curious to try them, so I may just have to pop them into my cart next time I'm there. I'm slowly adding Sephora Formula X polish and other holiday gift sets to my list too... 

What products are on your radar this week? I'd love to know! 

Worth the Splurge? Tom Ford Ombre Eye Color in She Wolf

At the end of August, I was just dying to get my hands on this eyeshadow trio from Tom Ford's fall collection. Everyone was posting gorgeous photos of She Wolf, and I knew that I'd regret it if this little LE trio sold out in a flash and I missed what promised to be a perfect everyday palette. 

So I hit check out in a frenzy one night, and I've spent quite a while contemplating this little $60 trio of eyeshadows.  While I'm a fan of Tom Ford's lipsticks, pricey as they are, I just never was convinced by the even pricier eyeshadow quads. None of the quads made me desperate to have them (not for $75!) and every time I swatched them at the counter, they didn't seem particularly impressive. 

As you can imagine, this was quite the decision, but everyone said it was wonderful and so I couldn't bear not trying it. I was happily surprised by the formula, which seems to be smoother than the quads I had previously seen at the counter. The formula isn't as soft and creamy as the Burberry powder shadows are, and I find them to be difficult to swatch with fingers. Actually, the formula sort of reminds me of Kevyn Aucoin eye shadow, but don't quote me on that as I haven't spent nearly enough time playing with those just yet!

I'm terrible at swatching, but thought I'd share anyway and show you my favorite combination of shades too. I've used my fingers to lightly swatch the shades below, darkest to lightest. Swatch on far right is shade #2 layered over shade #1.  

I love the darkest shade for lining my eyes or for creating the smokiness for a neutral night time look. It is the perfect everyday shade for accentuating my monolid area too. I think this could make a pretty good crease or contour shade - which makes me think I should do some experimenting!

The medium shade is a nice, slightly shimmery gray tone and may just have the best formula of the bunch. I particularly love this shade layered over the darker one, as shown at right in the swatches above. 

The glittery shade is my least favorite, though in the pan it is quite pretty. The shimmer/glitter is quite a bit stronger than i prefer these days, and I'm not even sure I know how to apply it correctly anymore. On my eyes, it mostly ends up as little glitters, rather than a highlight shade that I was hoping for. 

If it helps, check out this video I posted about a week ago where I apply She Wolf on camera. 

BLOG - bronzerbunny.com TWITTER - twitter.com/bronzerbunny INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/bronzerbunny PRODUCTS USED: Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation in OC-2 Clinique Super Fine Liner for Brows in Soft Brown Giorgio Armani Waterproof Smooth Silk Liner in #2 Brown Dior Diorshow Maximizer Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara Tom Ford Ombre Eye Color in She Wolf Tom Ford Lipstick in Crimson Noir DISCLAIMER: Products marked with an * were provided for review.

All in all, I think this is a nice and versatile neutral palette that you can wear day or night. Even the little included brush works ok in a pinch, and who can avoid the temptation of Tom Ford makeup? However, at this price, it is hard for me to urge you to get it even though I am very happy to have it - it isn't a miracle after all. If the price makes you cringe and you have very similar shades already that you love, I think you can skip this without losing sleep. If these are the kind of shades you've been looking for, then perhaps you NEED to put this in your shopping cart RIGHT NOW! (Haha!) 

What do you think of Tom Ford She Wolf? Did this end up in your shopping cart too?? I'd love to know! 

Purchased by me. Affiliate links. 

2013 Empties: #5 August & September

Can you believe it is October already? I sure can't! I had hoped to have more empties to show you today, but I suppose some empties are better than no empties. :) It sure feels good to toss out all that empty packaging! 

I will definitely be repurchasing the Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo and Lush bath bombs. They are staples that I'll be sure to use for ages! The other highlights that I'm likely to purchase are Elemental Herbology Detox Bath Oil, Living Proof Thickening Cream, and a serum or oil from Jack Black's skincare range. 

Do take a peek at the video below to hear more about this round empties. I'd love to know what you think about these products, so please leave a comment below! 

BLOG - bronzerbunny.com TWITTER - twitter.com/bronzerbunny INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/bronzerbunny DISCLAIMER: Some products in this video were provided for review. All other products mentioned were purchased by me or given as gifts by friends and family. All opinions are my own, and I am not being paid to make this video.