I’m all for a bargain, but the budget versions of some things can be all sorts of wrong, like “discount laser eye surgery” and “bargain basement tattoos.”
Not good.
My favorite deals are on products I lust after and love, like Kate Spade bags, those $20 passes for 20 classes at the yoga studio down the street, and 2-for-1 specials on Tuttimelon fro-yo.
And now, thanks to Milani’s long-lasting and intensely pigmented new Powder Shadows, I can add a new line of drugstore eyeshadows to the list.
Powder Eyeshadows, $5.99 each
More Powder Eyeshadows
With these new Powder Shadows, Milani combined two of my favorite-est things — punchy pigments and killer wear time (8-10 hours for me) — and they managed to do it for less than the price of a soy chai latte.
Not bad.
Available in 12 shades and a mix of shimmery and matte finishes (I think the mattes steal the show), the line even features a few possible MAC dupes, like Pitch Black, which kinda resembles MAC Print to me, and French Vanilla, which reminds me of Brule.
Pearl could probably pass for Ricepaper, and Caramel Brown resembles a slightly nuttier version of Woodwinked.
And two of the brightest shades in the group, Shocking Pink and Olympian Blue, could have come out of Dolce & Gabbana based on how silky smoove they feel.
Powder Eyeshadow swatches from the left: White Lie, Pitch Black, Shocking Pink, Brown Stone, French Vanilla and Tickled Pink
For a quick hit of color, I like to pat a peck of Shocking Pink and Olympian Blue along my lash lines with a small, flat eyeshadow brush (love the MAC 239), but if bold eyes are more your thing (go on with your bad self, girl!), you could sweep either color into the crease, and blend, blend, blend.
If you decide to bring these home, you might want to pick up some extra makeup wipes. With these I do notice some fallout, particularly from the shimmers.
Powder Eyeshadow: Purple Shock, Olympian Blue, Pearl, Gold Dust, Caramel Brown and Just Perfect
Wearing Tickled Pink, Gold Dust, Just Perfect, Brown Stone and Pearl
Additional makeup worn in this look — my eyes: MAC Teddy Eye Kohl and MAC Extended Play Mascara; lips: MAC To Catch a Sailor Lipstick and MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass; cheeks: NARS Madly Blush
Powder Eyeshadows from the left: White Lie, Pitch Black and Shocking Pink
Powder Eyeshadows in Brown Stone, Tickled Pink and French Vanilla
Powder Eyeshadows in Purple Shock, Olympian Blue and Pearl
Powder Eyeshadows in Gold Dust, Caramel Brown and Just Perfect
The shimmers don’t seem as finely milled as the mattes, and they like to latch on to my lower lash lines.
It’s not the worst fallout I’ve ever seen and doesn’t really get on my nerves, but it might be something to keep in mind.
As is the price per ounce. These pans are pretty big at 0.11 ounces each, which is about twice the size of a 0.05-ounce eyeshadow pan from MAC. That works out to about $54 per ounce, versus $300 per ounce for MAC (incidentally, solid silver bullion is about $28.50 per ounce). A great deal considering their wear time and the amount of pigment you get.
PRICE: $5.99 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now exclusively at CVS/Pharmacy stores and online at milani.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (I do detect a little fallout, but no big deal)
Well color me clueless
Castello di Amorosa Winery in Napa Valley
I just realized it’s Memorial Day weekend! — which means El Hub gets Monday off from work.
Hmm… I’m not sure what we’ll do for the holiday. Maybe drive up to Napa if the weather’s nice. It’s about a 45-minute drive.
Have you ever been to the Napa Valley before? We go every so often, but I haven’t been wine tasting too many times. If you know of any good wineries, let me know.
Dining at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville, 2009; notice the dark hair! I kind of miss it…
Do you have any plans this weekend? If you’re one of the millions of Americans hitting the highways, drive safely out there, and have fun!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love these shadows too. You’re glowing. I’ve never been to Napa, matter of fact, when we met last year at BlogHer that’s the first time I’d ever been to LA. I might go back in July. I really liked it. Felt kind of like NYC but with no subways. I’ll let you know, and maybe we can do lunch! Hugs,
I love your dark hair!!
You look fabulous as always!!!!
These look really good for the price! I love how the teal looks on you!
We’re having a long weekend here too (Pentecost Monday)! In an hour and a half (it’s almost 7AM here) I’ll be hitting the roads for one of my besties’ wedding somewhere in the mountains. Won’t be back till tomorrow so I guess that’s just what I’m doing this weekend!
If you do go to Napa, enjoy the wine! xx
The pigmentation looks pretty impressive! The shades are lovely, too. I particularly like the teal and the hot pink. 🙂
I liked Cline Cellars in Sonoma, and I would recommend their late harvest Mourvedre (dessert wine). I loved it so much I bought a bottle after “tasting” it twice with my girlfriends!
Love the look of those eyeshadows, they are pretty and pigmented.
I like these eyeshadows!
Me and my husband are going to Toronto, Canada, leaving Sunday afternoon after I get off work (of course) and coming back on Tuesday. Have fun on your little adventure Karen!
OMG i just need to have shocking pink! not sure how i’m going to wear it yet but i just need to have this gorgeous colour! maybe I’ll add Tickled pink to it!
This weekend my family is driving to Washington, DC because I’m competing in the National Spelling Bee!
Knock ’em dead, girl! Best of luck!
Awww, thanks!!
Ricepaper is my favorite MAC unsung hero. If Pearl is a close dupe, then that’s an HG bargain eyeshadow! I MUST get to a CVS…STAT!! 🙂
I love the new shadows! I guess next time I go to Walmart I will be picking up a few. It is good that they are high quality for the price.
You look beautiful, always so glowy and happy!
I have 4 of these and theyve become staples — so easy to use, not powdery at all and just so pigmented. I have the bright and light pink, the brown and the ivory. Perfect everyday colors! 🙂 Plus – the bright pink doubles as a blush!
I am not a huge fan of Mac for some reason but I am learning more about the line from you… as if I needed more brands on my hoarding list of beauty products… haha
You need to come to Oregon for wine tasting. It is gorgeous and less hyped than Napa. Our Pinots are to dye for.
C
Ohhh, I need almost all of these in my life! Especially Shocking Pink and Olympian Blue. I would use Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal as a base with that one.
As far as wineries go, I left the Bay Area in 2007, but I always enjoyed going to Folie à Deux and Niebaum Coppola. Niebaum Coppola’s estate is GLORIOUS.
Enjoy your weekend!
I love your makeup in this post Karen! 🙂 I think I need all of these new shadows -___-‘ …I have no self-control lol