Dupes? Sparkling Mint Greens

Glamour Doll Eyes Jolie (DQ) vs Aromaleigh Ekhidna (Limited).

Over Glitte Fix by GDE

One of these is discont'd one if limited 

Dupes? Brown/Blue comparisons

Here I am looking for dupes. I love dual shades and brown-blue (and sparkles!) happen to be my favorites.

Make-up Geek Insomnia (~$9)
Urban Decay Solstice (~$20)
Darling Girl Sierra (~$5.90)
Backstreets Algae ($6)
My Pretty Zombie Trepanation ($5)
Glamour Doll Eyes Dinospotz ($6, discontinued) 

The jars. Do note they differ in volume. All were purchased by me in the past 12 months. 

I was totally expected to see some of these look exactly like each other (they have on my hand swatches!). I used these over a glitter adhesive (Glamour Doll Eyes Glitter Fix), a primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion) and bare skin. 

Left to right: MUG, UD, DG, BS, MPZ, GDE.

Left to right: MUG, UD, DG, BS, MPZ, GDE.

Left to right: MUG, UD, DG, BS, MPZ, GDE.

My Pretty Zombie: Trepanation -,

Glamour Doll Eyes: Dinospotz - 

Darling Girl: Sierra -

Backstreets: Algae - 

Urban Decay: Solstice -

Make-up Geek: Insomnia - 

I am surprised at how different these all came out. While the sheen is there, they each stand alone. Perhaps it is because the brown bases differ, or the added sparkles differ. I left these on my arm (but I am sadly too tired to add the detailed descriptions at this time) and although they rub down to a less dramatic changes, they still stand alone. Although this could be due to glitter fix drag, all but the Glamour Doll Eye shadow preform nearly identical on the UDPP as the glitter fix. 

Check out the video and see if you agree I can justify having all six shades for now. 

Colour Comparison - Lips with a flithy wicked bite

I was excited to see the spoiler for the May Vanishing Cabinet as the diablo lipstick looked to be very similar to the custom Shiro lipgloss I had already ordered in Detrovore shade Filth. 

Here are my sample lipstick and gloss side by side. I ordered this one with the peppermint flavouring, and I really like it. 

Both are deep magenta pink/red with blue sparkles. 

The clamshell is a bit hard to work with (tubes would be better so I would not judge the full size). Wicked Heart is on the left and Filth is on the right. Both are close built up and then blended out.

Second angle/lightening to help show the shifts and minor differences.

Here they are layered on me.

And a close up. 

Dark Matter Anti-Gravity Sticky Primer and what was I sent?

As mentioned, I tried out some samples from Dark Matter (find them on Etsy) and I liked a few of the shades on my first try to order some full sizes. 

But... what do I see? I didn't order Ursa Major, I ordered Cassiopeia. 

Time for science! I have the samples, let us compare and see which one it is!

Swatched left to right: Cassiopeia, mystery full size, Ursa Major, Space Cowboy, PI.E, and Libra because I had "room" and I wanted to see it again. Top to bottom is: Bare skin, Dark Matter's Anti-Gravity (awesome name!), Primer (I believe it was my first time using Urban Decay Primer Potion!) and Darling Girl Glitter Glue over primer.

I used a shadow brush and did a fairly heavy swatch.

With flash and bright lights as pictures couldn't be taken until the kidlets were asleep.  Left to right: Cassiopeia, mystery full size, Ursa Major, Space Cowboy, PI.E, and Libra. Top to bottom is: Bare skin, Dark Matter's Anti-Gravity, Primer (UDPP) and Darling Girl Glitter Glue over primer.

Cassiopeia is just lovely!* *over a sticky primer. The other shades are lovely as well. I really need to remember to always use primers and for these shadows it appears a sticky base is key.

Top to bottom: PI.E, Space Cowboy, and Ursa Major.

Top to bottom: Libra (notice the shift is trying to appear),  PI.E, and Space Cowboy. Sparkle sparkle.

Here we have the arm a couple hours later (because I could just leave it). Darling Girl glitter glue has held up better (especially with PI.E, Space Cowboy and Libra), but Gravity isn't too far behind. Dark Matter's Ursa Major is looking more beautiful as I review these swatches, clearly is the shade that has the most staying power. I suspect this might stain, but it works well with primer only.

I have been impressed with Dark Matter and I suspect they are quite clean with how they handle their cosmetics. I'll be posting more on Gravity as my shopping ban resumes ;)

Oh, and clearly my mislabeled tube was what I ordered, Cassiopeia. I've contacted Dark Matter and I should have a new label sent to me. The nerd that needs labels to be correct and look pretty is delighted. The same nerd that was excited to test these out tonight. :)

Treats Box vs Project Candy Box - February

I love candy. I learned about subscription boxes and although I don't like consumerism, waste and greed... well, ... I like some boxes. And it's candy. I'd be buying it anyway. ;)

I couldn't find any online comparisons between the (only?) two Canadian Candy boxes I found. So I decided I would order one of each and compare myself. In the name of Science I must eat this candy! 

Check out my reviews on the boxes for a more detailed break down of each box. I'm comparing a regular Treats Box (~$30) with a regular Project Candy Box (~$27). Both were purchased by me for the February box.

Yey! Candy! Both a very clearly the boxes I ordered. Project Candy Box ships mid-month (and is very fast to my location, usually one day) and Treats Box ships around the 5th (taking about 4-5 business days from their Ontario location). So both ship fast.

Side view. Project Candy Box is about twice the height of Treats Box. Room for bigger candies?.... 

Presentation would go to Treats Box. They know what they are doing for "standard" subscription box class/anti-environmentism, and the packing squiggles probably aid in preventing candies from breaking.

More side by side. Project Candy Box does link to an information page that gives more details on the sweet treats.

Above: The contents of Project Candy Box

 The contents of Treats Box.

Side by side of the awesome Candy goodness.

A side-by-side for February. 

Both boxes shot the theme right though the heart. Had I not left the box unopened for review, I would have been able to (re)gift some items to the kidlets for Valentine's Day. 

Treats Box seems to specialize in smaller items, and plenty of them, Of these two boxes, I think this one has the lower value although I paid more. You could pay less on a subscription or go epic and get double the candy (which might be the way to go if you have lots of candy lovers with good dental hygiene). 

Project Candy Box appears to be trying to find a niche in locating hard-to-find candies. I hope the current dollar slipping won't affect their buying power and allow them to maintain providing unique treats.

I like how Treats Box expands beyond candy, and if you had young kids, provides a toy. I like how Project Candy Box offers some more refined taste candies. It would be easier to justify as a candy loving adult.

I didn't use a promo code, but I have seen them for Treats Box. I.e. use buddybox to save 15% on your order. I have not yet seen a promo code for Project Candy Box.

I live in a world where I could justify both boxes. I'm someone who includes a candy line in my food budget. Seriously, I do!

Let me know what you think of these boxes, and if you could choose one, which would it be?