Bare Minerals Loose Eyeshadow Swatches and Review!

Hi everyone!

Recently, some friends and I took a little road trip to do some serious shopping, and I really did try my best to buy clothes, but ended up expanding my makeup collection... Most of my purchases were over in the cosmetics department (on sale, though... that justifies it, right??), and I want to share all these great finds with you!



First up is a product set that I'm very, very, VERY fond of, and that is a Bare Minerals loose eyeshadow kit. I swear I went into the Bare Escentuals store with the innocent intention of browsing, and got wrapped up in this wonderful kit. I got the whole thing for $20, and once you know what came with it, you'll see what a great bargain this was!!

The kit came in this metallic clutch which isn't one of the best I've ever seen (and which I can't seem to find... messy? me?? nah....), but hey, it came with the kit, so I'll take it.

The kit itself is made up of two of Bare Minerals's loose eyeshadows in the colors "Masquerade" (a slightly metallic, duochrome teal), and "Mystery" (a GORGEOUS purple shimmer with red and gold duochrome).

I mainly caved and bought these eyeshadows (priced at $13 each) because they are unlike any other eyeshadow colors I have ever seen. Duochrome eyeshadows normally don't catch my eye, and I find they are very difficult to wear on a day-to-day basis. These are totally different. Applied dry, they make great subtle crease colors (Mystery looks fantastic with MAC's paint pot in Rubenesque); applied wet, they are just so unique. Masquerade makes a great metallic teal eyeliner, and looks very striking when applied over the entire lid.

Left: Masquerade. Right: Mystery

 Mystery is probably my favorite of the two. I have done so much with this eyeshadow that it is the one product I grab when I'm in a rush (that, and Rubenesque... it saves my life daily). Applied dry, it is a very pretty crease color. Applied wet, it is absolutely amazing! It goes on a shimmery purple, but shines in a very unique metallic red when hit with sunlight. It makes for a one-of-a-kind smoky eye, and looks fantastic as an eyeliner. I am so in love with this eyeshadow, and I cannot say enough good things about it.

(left to right: Masquerade wet, dry, Mystery wet, dry) in natural light

Same swatches with flash

I said this buy was a bargain, and I wasn't kidding. The eyeshadows alone would've set me back $26, but the kit also came with the metallic clutch and...... a full-sized BUXOM Lash Mascara! ($19). So really, I paid $20 for a kit that was worth $45!! Plus the little clutch.

Now for the bad news... only one of these shadows is available online. Masquerade is on sale for $9.50 on the Bare Escentuals website, and it's on its way out, so hurry! Mystery is not available online, which suggests to me that it's been discontinued. Don't be discouraged! Check your local Ultas, Sephoras, and Bare Escentuals boutiques for it! Trust me. It'll be worth it.


Stay tuned for a review of the BUXOM mascara!