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Palette

Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette: Review & 6 Makeup Looks

by Lina Clémence July 23, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

The best part of a new palette is starting to imagine all of the possibilities that lie within it. I purchased the Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette this past August and I’ve been playing with it on and off since then. I’ve done quite a few makeup looks using it so I’m ready to share my thoughts on it as well as show you SIX different makeup looks that I’ve created using this colourful and versatile palette!

Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette

The packaging is fairly sleek and made of cardboard making it a sturdy palette. The bright colours on the outside are very representative of the fun that you can find inside the palette. I always love when the packaging is true to the product.

Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette

Inside the palette there is a mix of matte and shimmer shades. The top row being all matte, the centre row being the darker of the shimmers and the bottom row are the lighter shimmery shades. The bottom row truly reminds me of coloured sugar.

The colour pay off in general was a bit less than I expected but I learned to work with the palette. I think it would be perfect for someone who is just dipping their toes into colourful eye shadow as the shades are more buildable than intense. I found that the matte shades were difficult to use in the crease with my go-to Sigma E40 brush but once I started using my Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush I had a much easier time with them. The shimmer shades were difficult to apply with a brush but I got excellent payoff using my fingers.

Look #1

Transition/Crease: Mint Choco
Lid: Pistachio
Outer-V: Jelly Bean
Under Eye: Jelly Bean

Look #2

Transition/Crease: Pearberry
Lid: Sherbert & Orange Cream
Outer-V: Pearberry
Inner corner: Banana
Under Eye: Pearberry

Look #3

Transition/Crease: Bubble Gum
Lid: Strawberry & Grape
Outer-V: Jelly Bean
Under Eye: Jelly Bean & Bubble Gum

Look #4

Transition/Crease: Bubble Gum & Jelly Bean
Lid: Sugar Crystals & Cotton Candy
Outer-V: Jelly Bean
Under Eye: Jelly Bean & Bubble Gum

Look #5

Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette Makeup Look

Transition/Crease: Blue Razz & Jelly Bean
Lid: Limeade & Sweet n Sour
Outer-V: Blue Razz
Inner Corner: Limeade
Under Eye: Blue Razz

Look #6

Violet Voss Sugar Crystals Palette Makeup Look

Transition/Crease: Banana & Pearberry
Lid: Lemon Drop
Outer-V: Pearberry
Inner Corner: Butter Cream
Under Eye: Pearberry & Banana

Looks #2 and #4 are definitely my favourites of the bunch. I’m not usually into wearing blue shadows but I am surprised with how much I enjoyed #5 and could definitely see myself doing that one again!

In general, I am not sure if this is my favourite Violet Voss Palette as I didn’t find the eyeshadows as nice to work with as usual, I am still glad I got this palette. Once I adjusted my technique and changed out my brushes to fit the palette I had a lot of fun using it. As I said earlier, it would be the perfect palette for someone who is starting to use colour as it is not as intense as some of the other rainbow palettes on the market.

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

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July 23, 2025 0 comments

Cosmetics

Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette Looks

by Lina Clémence June 29, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Hello, beautiful people! Today I’m sharing two Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette Looks with you by indie beauty makeup expert and lover Cordelia Frost. I recently purchased the Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette because I’m a huge fan of the color story as well as Bellabeautebar’s eyeshadow formula.

Price
$75 but you can save money if you use my code CORDELIA

Where to Buy
Bellabeautebar

About Bellabeautebar

Bellabeautebar is an indie beauty brand that’s cruelty-free and vegan. BBB has Leaping Bunny certification for cruelty-free, too.

Other Bellabeautebar Features

About Ocean Jewel Palette

Bellabeautebar’s Ocean Jewel Palette is inspired by the beauty found in the ocean and the abalone shell. There are 7 multichrome shimmers, one of which is a holochrome, and 11 buttery mattes. There is also a sequin matte and a duochrome shimmer. Please be aware, Bellabeautebar does include talc in their eyeshadow formulations.

Ethereal Look for Yoga

I put together this entire makeup look featuring the Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette in 20 minutes. It’s an ethereal look I wore to yoga on Sunday morning.

BROWS
Nyx Clear Brow Glue (v)

EYES
Danessa Myricks Universal Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder (v)
Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette (Oyster – inner lid, Colorful Moon – outer lid, Conch – crease, Heart of the Ocean, liner at upper lash line.) (v)
Stila Vivid Sapphire Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner (cf)
Thrive Causemetics Brynn Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (best vegan mascara ever, I just placed another order to stock up)

FACE
LYS Beauty LN1 Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick (cf)
Em Cosmetics Seraph Heaven’s Glow Blush (v)
Girlcult #27 Miaowu Highlight Blush (v)
Huda Beauty Pound Cake Loose Easy Bake powder (cf)
one/size On Til’ Dawn setting spray (v)

LIPS
Buxom Cosmetics Magnetic Mauve Power Line Lip Pencil (cf)
Half-Magic Beauty No Fux Fuchsia Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss (cf)

Monochromatic Pink Look

Mother of Pearl from the Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette is the star of this look. I wore this look to the mall to find new running shoes with Dave. And yes, even my mascara is pink!

Above is the Dead Roses Palette that I pulled in for this look.

BROWS
Nyx Clear Brow Glue (v)

EYES
Danessa Myricks Universal Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder (v)
Urban Decay Blurred Out Naked Eyeshadow Stick (cf)
Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette (Mother of Pearl – lid) (v)
Bellabeautebar Dead Roses Palette (U Wish – transition, Single AF – accent, As If – outer lid) (v)
Thrive Causemetics ShantaQuilette Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (best mascara ever)

FACE
LYS Beauty LN1 Triple Fix Blurring and Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation Stick (cf)
Em Cosmetics Seraph Heaven’s Glow Blush (v)
Danessa Myricks Universal Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder (v)
one/size On Til’ Dawn setting spray (v)

LIPS
Buxom Cosmetics Magnetic Mauve Power Line Lip Pencil (cf)
Half-Magic Beauty No Fux Fuchsia Magic Drip Glitter Lip Gloss (cf)

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll say it again, I love the Half Magic Beauty Magic Drip Glitter Lip Glosses. The formula and colors are so pretty when worn!

Danessa Myricks Universal Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

For the monochromatic pink look above, featuring Mother of Pearl from the Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette, I applied my blush a little differently than usual. Instead of focusing on the apples of my cheeks, I swept it along the tops of my cheekbones, closer to my eyes.

After applying my blush and foundation, I tried using the Danessa Myricks Universal Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder all over my face with my fingertips. It was supposed to blur everything out, but on me, it just caked up, emphasized texture, and made things worse.

While this balm powder works beautifully as an eye primer, I personally cannot use it across my whole face on top of other products, even though it is marketed for that. I really dislike the look and feel of a cakey base. Thankfully, the Huda Beauty Pound Cake Loose Easy Bake powder never cakes on me and continues to be a reliable favorite.

Real Talk: I’m Finally Obsessed With My Brows

Let’s get real. I’m in love with my current brow routine. Brows have always been a bit of a challenge for me. Mine are definitely sisters, not twins, and I’ve spent years trying to get them to cooperate. On top of that, my natural brow color always looked too ashy and faded, more like a muted medium brown than the rich, deep tone I wanted to match my black and vibrant hair colors.

The product that changed everything for me is the RefectoCil Hair Tinting Kit in Blue-Black. It pairs perfectly with my dyed blue-black and cool-toned neon pink hair, giving my brows the bold, defined look they were missing.

These days, my routine is blissfully simple. I swipe on a heavy-duty brow glue to hold the hairs in place, and that’s it. Occasionally, I’ll use Silk Naturals Tour eyeshadow (use my code CORDELIA to save at Silk Naturals) to fill in a few spots for extra definition, but most of the time, it’s just glue and go.

Minimal effort with maximum payoff. Finally, my brows feel like they truly belong on my face.

Blush Brush Obsession

RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Powder Blush Brush Review by Cordelia Frost, indie makeup expert — Em Cosmetics Baroque and Seraph blushes shown with RMS Skin2Skin Powder Blush Brushes

I am completely obsessed with the RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Powder Blush Brush. For the first time ever, I’m not applying blush with a heavy hand. This brush gives me the perfect soft flush of color every time. It’s made with synthetic fibers and has a soft dome shape that gently deposits pigment without disturbing the foundation underneath.

Right now, I’m actively paring down my brush collection, but I still keep two of these on hand. They’re the only tool I want to use with powder blush. For cream products, I reach for the Half Magic Baby Paw Blush Brush, which I also adore.

That said, there are two drawbacks to the RMS Skin2Skin Powder Blush Brush in my opinion. First, the handle is way too thick and chunky for my taste. It feels clunky in the hand and doesn’t match the sleek luxury aesthetic I expect at this price point. Second, the price itself. At $45, it’s steep. I did buy mine during a sale, which helped, but I would feel better about the investment if the design felt more refined.

Despite that, the performance is unmatched, and for me, that’s why I keep reaching for the RMS Beauty Skin2Skin Powder Blush Brush.

Final Thoughts

I’ll have swatches and a review of the Bellabeautebar Ocean Jewel Palette for you soon! You know I love the Bellabeautebar eyeshadow formula. Currently, I’m swamped with work and life, but I’m hanging in there and doing my best. How are you doing? I miss chatting with you!

More to See

June 29, 2025 0 comments

Indonesian Beauty

Focallure Everchanging Palette (Focallure Part 2/11)

by Lina Clémence June 22, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Recently, I hauled hard from Focallure. I’ve been resisting buying this brand because I don’t trust it, but it’s getting really popular in Indonesia thanks to several sponsored videos from big beauty bloggers, so I thought I should buy their products and give my honest review. I bought my Focallure products straight from the official Focallure store on Aliexpress. This is part 2 of my 11 part review.

Video review here:

_________________

Everchanging Palette

Ok, I admit this palette has gorgeous colours. The duochromes are a dream. Here’s the swatches:

It’s also really cheap at $11.28. I bought these from the official Focallure store on Aliexpress, which has perpetual sales and sometimes list 2 different prices for the same item, so the price may have changed.

But here’s why I can’t recommend this palette:

The ingredients lists are sketchy

This shares the same ingredient list as the loose pigment in Blue Brown & the 9 Colors Eyeshadow Palette in 05. Completely identical, down to the colourants. 3 different products with different colour schemes have the same identical list of colourants. One single loose pigment colour supposedly contains ALL the colours that exist in a 14 & 9 colour palette. That’s right.

It does not say “May Contain”, which is the common thing brands do when they don’t want to print different ingredients lists for different shades within the same collection. It listed all of the colourants in, which makes me think that either they don’t understand what ingredient lists are, can’t give a fuck about creating proper ingredient lists, or both.

To be fair, I haven’t had any adverse reactions to this palette yet, but I’m still not sure if I’d like to push my luck.

The palette’s description at the back is a mess

It says Everchanging at the front of the box, but the back listed the palette as the Tropical Vacation palette. There’s also a glaring typo where “eyeshadow” is spelled as “eyeshaodw”. I know this is a minor thing, but I feel like if the brand can’t give a fuck about checking things like typos, I don’t know what else they don’t give a fuck about.

Eyeshadows are ABH Subculture level of crumbly

Like the Twilight palette, this is just a mess of kickback and fall out.

The darker matte shades are terrible

Mystery is especially streaky and it took a lot of praying to the eyeshadow gods to make it work in this tutorial:

Would I buy this again?

Nope. I feel like a 5 year old would put more care into creating this palette.

June 22, 2025 0 comments

Canadian Beauty

Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette

by Lina Clémence June 9, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

I’ve been getting into affordable eyeshadow palettes this year so when I saw the Elf Rose Gold Sunset palette while browsing and doing a little online shopping on Orabel Inc I knew I had to pick it up. While I wear a variety of shades of eye shadow, I do have a soft spot for warm tones. I’ve been wearing this palette and travelling with it so I’m ready to share my thoughts on this very easy to use and afforable palette.

Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette

The first thing that drew me to the Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette, aside from the $15 CAD price tag, was the colour selection. While it does lean warm, there is a nice variety of shades included which makes it fairly versatile. I’ve created both soft and neutral looks with it, as well as some warmer and bolder looks. You really don’t need any supplemental palettes which makes it great for travel.

Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette Swatches

The eyeshadows are quite soft, however I think that makes them super easy to use. The mattes blend out effortlessly and can easily be built up if you’re looking to add more drama. It also makes it a very fuss-free palette for rushed mornings and travel. While the shimmers look fairly light swatched, they pack on more pigment when applied with a flat brush (I use the MAC 242).

Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette Makeup Look

The first look I’m sharing is a rather quick and neutral “every day” look. The eyeshadows are unfortunately not named (eyeshadow palette pet peeve!) but I used the third and forth shades in the crease and under my eye. On the lid I have the first two shades with the forth in the outer-v area.

Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette Makeup Look

The second look is a bit spicier – I used the forth shade and the last shade in the crease and under my eye. On the lid I have the sixth and seventh shades with the last shade in the outer-v to add some depth.

Overall, I really enjoy the Elf Rose Gold Sunset Palette. It leans on the softer side but I think that makes it very user friendly and great to effortlessly slap on the eyes when you’re in a rush. It’s definitely become my go-to for rushed work mornings. Better yet, it costs a whole $15 CAD so it is very afforable. I picked mine up at Orabel Inc, who I notice also carries a cooler toned version (the original Rose Gold Palette) which I’m tempted to pick up next!

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

Instagram | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

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June 9, 2025 0 comments

Indonesian Beauty

Focallure Twilight Palette (Focallure Part 1/11)

by Lina Clémence June 4, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Video review here:

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Twilight Palette

This pallete’s price ranges on their official site. Officially, it’s $15.99, but I got it for $7.36 on sale and as I’m typing this, it’s on sale again for $10.71. So yeah, it’s pretty cheap for a palette of 18 shades, but is it worth it though?

So here are swatches of the colours:

This eyeshadows in this palette are really, really soft. Especially the shimmers. There was just loads of fallout & crumbling. As in ABH Subculture level of crumbling. I think this could be worse, but I didn’t get the Subculture palette after all the terrible reviews so I’m not sure.

I’ve never had a pressed palette pigment be this crumbly before. I feel like I’m sharting fairy dust around whenever my brush hits the shadow. I opened the palette on my bed while trying to write down the shade names in the swatch picture, and I shimmer bombed my husband. Our entire bed is covered in eyeshadow.

I think the eyeshadows would be better placed in secure containers and labelled as loose pigments instead. When I worked with this, I have to work the way I would with loose powder eyeshadows. I love working with loose powder eyeshadow, and there’s a couple of palettes that have plenty of kickback but I love anyway (Absolute New York’s Icon palette, Makeover’s Smoky palette) but this is way worse than anything I’ve ever encountered. After just 1 swatch session, the palette looked grimy and dirty, like a ravaged drugstore tester palette after Black Friday.

The mattes aren’t as crumbly, but as you can see from the swatches, you definitely need primer for these. While they’re ok blended in softly with a fluffy blending brush when I was applying them, it’s slightly harder getting an even layer when you’re using a flat brush trying to get a pigmented, opaque layer. The darker colours were especially painful to work with and just swatching them was a frustrating ordeal that made me nearly scream, “SCREW. THIS.” while throwing the palette across the room, so many times.

There were also a lot of colours that are too similar too each other, that you can barely tell the difference once they’re on your eyes. These are the colours that are close too each other, that you they turn into the same shade with some blending, or you could easily interchange the colours without anyone noticing:

Naked & CamelNaked is white, Camel has a slight yellow tinge.

Tiramisu & Rose ValeTiramisu is Rose Vale with a slight brown tinge.

Magic & Chili (sic)Magic is a warm toned version of Chili, but both look almost identical over primer. Chili performs worse over primer though.

Need Fire & SunriseShould’ve swatched this side by side in the same row, because any difference you see in the swatches is due to lighting. In real life, I can barely tell them apart.

Party, Copper Rose & SummonThe only difference is the duochrome sheen. Summon & Party are basically Copper Rose with a blue duochrome & bigger red shimmer respectively. You can tell them apart when you pack them on hard with your fingers, but once you’re using brushes or blending them out, they’re the same shade.

I think they’re a waste and one of them should be replaced with a different colour, so it feels like I’m actually getting 18 shades instead of just 12.

Would I buy this again?

Nope. It’s a waste of space given how there’s more like 12 colours instead of 18, and the mattes are terrible.

June 4, 2025 0 comments