Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Anastasia Beverly Hills Bold & Beautiful Kit for Spring 2013: Review, Swatches & Video

According to Anastasia Beverly Hills, The Bold & Beautiful Kit is "A luxurious book set for perfect beauty. Features a palette for perfectly grooming and defining your brows and a palette with shimmering and matte neutral shadows for the eyes." 

I love the idea of the possibilities in a book. That's why I have never defined beauty by one look or attitude. For me, it varies depending on how I'm feeling, what I'm wearing or where I'm going. Makeup sets the stage for how I want to be read that day. 

That being said, I created the Bold and Beautiful Kit to offer a collection that creates beautiful and balanced looks focusing exclusively on the eyes and the brows, which are the keys to glamour. And, as we all know, glamour is never out of style. In fact, glamour is everyone's style.

Simply put, if your brows and eyes are done correctly, you will look fabulous. Bold and Beautiful. It's beauty by the book. - Anastasia
Vol. 1 Bold Brows: "Brow Powder, Pomade, Mini Duo Brush, and Mini Tweezers allow you to sculpt, define, and beautifully layer color for perfect brows." 

Vol. 2 Beautiful Eyes: "Four matte and shimmering shadows in versatile neutrals are the perfect shades to finish any look. Layer them wet and dry to create anything from a subtle, sheer wash of color to an intense, nude smoky eye."

Features:
  • Youthful Synergy Complex in Shimmer shades. 
  • Brown Algae - A key ingredient that smooths, firms, hydrates, and revitalizes the appearance of skin. 
  • Diamond Core Powder - Diffuses light for a soft focus effect. 
  • Sea Whip Extract - Soothes the skin. 
  • Macadamia derivative - A natural hydrator capable of holding up to 300% more water in the skin. Powerful antioxidants of Vitamins A, B, C, E, and F. Balkan Botanical Infusion. 
This Two Volume set consists of: Vol. 1 Bold Brows, and Vol. 2 Beautiful Eyes
Vol. 1 Bold Brows
Left to Right: Deep brown pomade, and taupey ash brown brow powder. The pomade does an excellent job keeping the brows in place, and imparts little to no color to my nearly black eyebrows. However, I imagine that those with lighter brows will experience a deepening of their eyebrow color. The ashy color of the brow powder is a cooler hue, and while I doubt that this would qualify as a truly universal color, I do believe that it will work for a great many people. 

Unlike many brow kits, which include sub par tweezers, Anastasia distinguishes itself by including excellent quality tweezers that you will continue to use long after you have finished the pomade and brow powder. The double-ended brush/spool included is also infinitely usable, and of good quality. It really should come as no surprise that the brow portion of this two volume set is extraordinary- after all, Anastasia Beverly Hills is a well-known brow expert.
Vol. 2 Beautiful Eyes
The colors in the eye shadow palette lack individual names therefore I will simply describe the shades. 
Left to Right: The first shade is a matte nude shade; the second shade is a peach shimmer; the third shade is mid-tone tan, and the fourth shade is a blackened brown with warm micro-glitter that twinkles in the sunlight. 
The pigmentation is excellent across the board, and the shadows can be used wet or dry. However, it is the fourth shade that really benefits from a damp application because it profoundly enhances the complexity of this stunning shade.
The fourth shade applied wet, and with a light hand in order to show the sparkle. It nearly morphs into a complex taupe when applied in this way. Furthermore, it makes one of the most gorgeous eyeliners that I have seen in a long time!
I love that Anastasia sought inspiration for her collection, and her face charts, from several literary/filmic female protagonists, and created a two volume set that mimics the appearance of rare leather bound limited edition books. The abstracted quasi-Deco design on the packaging appears to allude to the grand and glorious decor often associated with the bygone glamorous movie theaters of Old Hollywood- which adds to the glamour and mystique of this well thought out collection. The references range from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, to The Hunger Games, to Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, and finally to Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls. These novels, turned major motion pictures, are beautifully exemplified by the face charts that capture the magnificence of their muses.

Face Charts:
The Great Gatsby: The Daisy "A New Money Smokey Eye." Daisy Buchanan's makeup is meant to exemplify romantic 1920s style that is soft and feminine. This is undoubtedly an ultra subtle look that creates a genteel femininity that will have you ready to stroll down that grand double staircase at Tara in no time!
District 12 "A Capitol Eye." Katniss Everdeen, from the Hunger Games, is depicted as a radiant and natural beauty on the verge of the no makeup look. She wears a barely-there nude eye shadow, modestly lined eyes, and strong brows. This is a stunning everyday look that is office appropriate, while simultaneously fresh and modern. 
Anna Karenina: Anna's Gaze "A Refined Smokey Eye." Anastasia has fashioned Leo Tolstoy's female protagonist as one who is both striking and confident. Her makeup is unflinchingly bold, sultry and sexy. This is a smokey eye that sizzles.
Neely from Valley of the Dolls "A Catty Eye." Neely O'Hara's striking cat eye befits the fictive character's profession as a singer and actress. Her strong cat eye is bold and positively stunning.


Ingredients:

BROW POWDER
NET WT. 0.6 g / 0.021 Oz. 
INGREDIENTS TALC, METHICONE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ZINC STEARATE, MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE, BORON NITRIDE, NYLON-12, SILICA, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, GLYCINE SOJA(SOYBEAN) OIL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROL, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR: (+/-) MICA, IRON OXIDES (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE(CI 77163) <111170> 
MADE IN USA 
HYPOALLERGENIC | HYPOALLERGENIQUE 
DERMATOLOGIST TESTED | DERMATOLOGUE TESTES 

BROW POMADE
NET WT. 0.6 g / 0.021 Oz. 
INGREDIENTS BEESWAX/CIRE D’ABEILLE/CERA ALBA, POLYISOBUTENE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CIRE MICROCRYSTALLINE/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, NYLON-12, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR: (+/-) MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) <12675R1> 
MADE IN USA 
HYPOALLERGENIC | HYPOALLERGENIQUE 
DERMATOLOGIST TESTED | DERMATOLOGUE TESTES 

EYE SHADOW PALETTE: 
NET WT. 0.7 g / 0.025 Oz. EACH | CHAQUE 
SHIMMER SHADES: 
INGREDIENTS TALC, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, ZINC STEARATE, SILICA, LAUROYL LYSINE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHYTOSTERYL MACADAMIATE, ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, BORON NITRIDE, NYLON-12, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, WATER/EAU/AQUA, ETHOXYDIGLYCOL, BARIUM SULFATE, PEAT EXTRACT, PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-14, GOLD, POTASSIUM SORBATE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE/BENZIMIDAZOLE DIAMOND COPOLYMER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALARIA ESCULENTA EXTRACT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SEA WHIP EXTRACT, TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, PANTHENYL TRIACETATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE, MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR: (+/-) MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), CARMINE (CI 75470), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)<12675> 
*CONTAINS CARMINE AS A COLOR ADDITIVE." 
*CONTIENT DU CARMIN COMME ADDITIF DE COLORATION. 

MATTE SHADES: 
INGREDIENTS TALC, TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, LAUROYL LYSINE, SILICA, ZINC STEARATE, METHICONE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR: (+/-) MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)<12675R2> 

MADE IN USA 

Overall assessment: This is an awesome set, and such an excellent value. I'm smitten with the face charts, and the literary/filmic inspiration for the collection. However, I am the most thrilled by the contents of the two volume set. One can generate a multitude of looks with these two palettes whether working from the face charts or from the imagination. This is another very well done set by Anastasia! I can't wait to see what they come up with next! I am also always thrilled when I can support a local Los Angeles- based company.

$36.00 available at Anastasia Beverly Hills, Nordstrom, Sephora and Ulta.
PR sample sent for consideration. All views expressed are categorically my own. Stock images and video courtesy of Anastasia Beverly Hills.

13 comments:

  1. Wow. This looks like a fantastic set! I purchased one of Anastasia's shadow duos a while back and I just love the colours and the intense pigmentation. Might have to add this to the collection!!

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    1. Hi Kate- I am really happy with this set. I have actually been happy with everything from the line that I have tried. This set is definitely worth having, and the price is quite good for what you get!!

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  2. Is this her first "book"? It's a great value, I have to say.

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    Replies
    1. It is the first book that I remember seeing, but that doesn't mean that there haven't been others. It is a really great value, and I really like the quality a great deal.

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    2. Have you received your By Terry order yet? I'm so excited to hear what you think! I'm so glad that you got in there while there were still gift bags available-- apparently they sold out quite fast! :-)

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  3. I adore my Anastasia Brow Powder! Wish I knew this was coming out, or I would have waited to repurchase! :P

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    1. Me too- it really is quite nice. This set is such a great value too considering that you get two palettes. That is a bummer that this wasn't out when you purchased your brow powder!!

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  4. What a fabulous set - your pictures are so terrific. Anastasia is top notch in my book.

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    1. Hi Marcia- I agree that it is a really fabulous set. I'm glad that you liked my pictures! I have yet to try an Anastasia BH product that I didn't love. I am very pleased with this kit!

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  5. Replies
    1. Hi Tiffany Nicole! It's a really nice set- I am so happy to have it!! I would definitely recommend looking at it!

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  6. Your review is very good, very comprehensive ;) This set looks perfect for eyes, it has everything :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks De Mons- that is so nice of you to say! It's a really great set, and the price is so reasonable considering everything that you get! Have a lovely weekend! :D

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