Rose Gold Goddess Cool Lids Cream Eyeshadow by Laura Geller

Rose Gold is one of those colors that looks good any time of the year, although spring and fall seem especially appropriate seasons for it.  I picked up Rose Gold Goddess ($19) with my Birchbox dollars and an anniversary discount, and it has proven to be good choice!

First of all, the "Cool Lids" name is appropo, as my lids do indeed feel cool for a brief minute after applying.  I'm guessing that's a result of the water based formula, evaporation perhaps?  The formula is more liquid so the tube packaging works well.  Only a small amount of the cream is needed for full, opaque coverage, and I usually start out with a pin head size amount, adding more if needed.

The finish is metallic or a "shimmering wet-look", which I was afraid would translate as frosty, but it's working for me both on it's own or as a base shadow.  I have no issues with patchiness and the wear time is a solid 8 hours over primer, so Rose Gold Goddess is a winner for me! 

Available in six ocean-inspired hues, I'm now curious about one called Opal Oyster, and they are all currently 20% off at Laura Geller's site.  Hmmm.....

Beauty a la Mode Duo by Laura Geller

 Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Beauty a la Mode contains a dessert inspired duo for cheeks and eyes, the Blush -n- Brighten in Dreamsicle and the Baked Eye Pie shadow trio in Apple Peach Pie. 

Laura Geller specializes in baked products, and while I've dabbled a few times in her products, I've yet to get hooked on any.  Okay, I did use up an entire Balance -n- Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation a few years back, but the Baby Cakes Blushed palette (review here) is still languishing, unloved.  Could Beauty a la Mode change my perception, perhaps?

Well, yes and yes!  Both items are really lovely, with good pigmentation and smooth color.  Let's start with Apple Peach Pie, the eyeshadow trio.  The top triangle is a lovely coppery gold shimmer, followed by a mossy green satin, and then a salmon pink satin.  I was uncertain how all three would look together, but found they do complement each other.

 

Here's a few looks I've done with them.  You can also use these wet to intensify color, which is what I did with the green above my lash line.  The iridescent lighter green on the inner lower lash line is Kudos from the Bare Escentuals Star Treatment palette. :

 I'm even more enamoured with Dreamsicle, a warm learning medium pink with a satin finish.  I didn't have to struggle to get color with this one (I'm looking at you, Baby Cakes palette), nor was there the high shimmer factor that's in a lot Laura Geller's baked blushes.  Love.

I bought Beauty a la Mode on sale from Ulta.com, but I don't see it there anymore.  It is still available at laurageller.com for $39. 

Laura Geller Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette

You know how you have some makeup item that you used a lot when you first got it but isn't getting much love now?   That's probably not that unusual for product junkies.  The Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette is one such item for me.  I think I haven't used it much recently because it seemed like I had to really layer on the blush for it to show up.  That may be true, as I swatched the blushes rather heavily to get the colors below.  However, that may not be unusual for baked blushes, or shadows for that matter.

Sugar Free Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit, Golden Apricot, Sunswept

When you see swatches of baked eyeshadows, you usually see a dry swatch and then a wet swatch.  The wet ones are always more vivid, as the pigment just comes alive somehow when applied wet.  That's not really an option for blush however.  Anyhow....these really are lovely blushes, and I'm going to start using them again now that I've reestablished that in my mind.   Plus, they are mineral oil and paraben free.  Besides, look how pretty the swirls of color are:-) 

Sugar Free Raspberry

 Sugar Free Raspberry is the only matte blush in the palette and is a soft berry pink.

Pink Grapefruit

 Pink grapefruit is a pink shimmer.

Golden Apricot

 Golden apricot is a soft coral with gold shimmer.

Sunswept

Sunswept is a more brownish coral and might be a good bronzer for some.  Here you can the colors in comparison to each other.

Sugar Free Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit, Golden Apricot, Sunswept

The retractable brush in this palette was useless to me, which is usually my experience with blush brushes included in sets.  The palette is $39.75 and is available at Laura Geller, Ulta, Amazon, and various other online retailers.  Interestingly enough, on Amazon I saw this listed for $134.84 from Groceries to Your Door.  Crazy!

Laura Geller Real Deal Travel Collection Review and Swatches

The Real Deal Travel Collection gave me a chance to try some Laura Geller products that I have not used before.  Included are the Real Deal Remedy Stick, Real Deal Foundation SPF 15 in medium, Real Deal Concealer in medium, Real Deal Blush Stick SPF 15 in Spiced Mauve, and a cute makeup bag.

I don't think I've ever seen a solid primer before!  It was easy to blend and can be worn both under makeup to extend wear and over makeup to eliminate shine and freshen makeup.  I'll be sticking this in my purse for the over the makeup option.  It contains Vitamins C and E to fight free radicals - nice touch.

The makeup stick was a good match for my skin tone.  However, it settles into my pores and no matter what I tried, I can't get it to blend out well.  I've tried using my fingers, a non-latex makeup sponge, and a brush.  The brush worked the best but it's still not that great.  I'm disappointed, as I really tried to make it work.  Interestingly enough, the Real Deal Foundation Stick was rated 8.5 by beauty editors on Total Beauty's review of the 12 best foundations.  However, they did note in their review that it wasn't the easiest foundation to work with.

The blush is such a pretty color, but I also had the problem of it settling into pores.  Applying with a brush helped and I think I'll be able to use this provided I do careful blending.

The concealer is highly pigmented, and a tiny bit goes a long way.  I tried it under my eyes and it settled into creases, but almost everything I've tried under my eyes does that.  It's a bit too dark for an under eye concealer anyhow, so I'll use it for blemishes and other discolorations.

Top to bottom:  foundation, blush, concealer

The makeup bag, although somewhat small, is uber cute and nicely constructed so it will get used.  I considered returning the kit because of the foundation, but given I can use the other items I've decided to keep it.  The Real Deal Travel Collection is available in six different foundation shades and is $29.99 at Laura Geller.  I could have sworn I got mine at Ulta, but I don't see it on their web site anymore.