Burberry Beauty #09 Socket Line Eye Brush

Today's Burberry item is a bit different than all of the others.  Currently there are only two brushes available from Burberry, the kabuki and Brush #09, the Socket Line Eye Brush.

It's no secret that I'm a bit of a brush collector. I try to purchase at least one brush from the various makeup lines that I enjoy. After looking at reviews of both brushes, I chose the eye brush.

Burberry's Socket Line Eye Brush retails for $38 and is currently available via Burberry's website. Although Nordstrom previously stocked the full range of Burberry makeup brushes, that's not currently the case.

Burberry's website describes this as "Burberry Socket Line Eye Brush blends and softens eyeshadow for an elegant finish. Classic subtly tapered long bristle brush creates smooth and flawless colour. Handcrafted matte finish handle with polished metallic tip."  The old Nordstrom description reads as folows: "Burberry Eye Brush No. 09 is a long-bristled blending brush with a slight point. Made from ultrasoft goat hair, it is used to apply eyeshadow at the tip to create a deeper, but soft, socket line. Used by Burberry Beauty makeup artists to create an effortless smoky eye look."

I tried my best to get a good photo of the handle, but this was the best that I could manage. This is a lightweight brush (although not as light as Hakukhodos), with a nice shape. It's easy to handle, and has a really fluffy brush head.

Although other bloggers have raved about this brush, I've been left a bit disappointed. I suspect that it's largely due to operator error. This is a blending brush, but I have a hard time picking up sufficient pigment to create a wash of color to blend. I'm going to continue to work with this brush and appreciate the high-quality construction.  I'm not willing to give up yet- so you may see this revisited in the future.

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Glamorous Life

Today's NOTD is one of my many, many rose gold polishes.

Deborah Lippmann Glamorous Life is a light metallic rose gold that never fails to bring a smile to my face.  Swatches are with 2 coats, no top coat.

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow No 21 Midnight Brown

I can pinpoint the exact moment that I fell for Burberry's Sheer Eyeshadow #21, Midnight Brown.  It was this photo from The Beauty Look Book and her to-die-for swatches. Since I don't happen to live in CA, mine aren't as lovely. Still, I'll set this off with my own sunshine photo:

Isn't it lovely?  This was actually the second Burberry shadow that I purchased, way back at the end of February.

One of the things I find so amazing and hypnotic about this shade is the shimmer.  This is grown-up sparkle at its best.

Like all of Burberry's sheer eyeshadows, I get a full day's worth of wear with primer, with little fall-out.  Although this stunner is amazing on its own, I've been using it with Almond and Pale Barley.

Here are some swatches:

Outside, without flash:

Outside, with flash:

Inside, with flash:

I find the inside, with flash to be the most realistic.


Like the others, I pulled a few comparison shades to swatch:

Midnight Brown is unique in my expansive brown collection. Texture-wise, it's buttery and easily blendable. This is one of the stand-out products from Burberry beauty, in my opinion. It's a shade that everyone should own.

Coming Soon to QBB: Summer 2014!

I just wanted to give you a quick peek at some items that I've recently received and will be featuring on the blog soon.  Despite the weather, it seems that we've gone straight past spring into Summer 2014!


Butter London Lolly Brights Collection:

Ladybird, Sozzled, and Wink Eye Pencil- Holland Park


Laura Mercier New Attitude Collection:

Lip Gels: Clementine, Flushed, Heartbreaker, Temptation


And finally.... Tom Ford Summer 2014 Collection:

The Eye and Cheek Compact- Unabashed.

So while this blog has gone mad for Burberry, there are other brands in my life that I'll be bringing to you soon.

NOTD: Chanel Rose Insolent

Today's NOTD is one of my favorite cheery pinks- Chanel Rose Insolent.

Swatches are two coats, with a topcoat.

Burberry Lip Glow No 16 Ruby

Today's bit of Burberry is another Lip Glow, #16 Ruby. I kicked off Burberry month with Mallow Pink and decided to take the red lips plunge with Ruby.

Right now, Ruby is being promoted by Burberry as part of the Heritage Collection, celebrating the iconic trench coat. The promo images on Burberry.com are stunning. If I hadn't already bought it, I would've picked it up when I had a chance to view the mini collection in person.

Burberry's Lip Glows are rich and packed with pigment.

Here's a good look at the wand:

Burberry Lip Glows are packed with color but aren't glittery in the least. I know that liquid lipstick/gloss hybrids are the it product of the moment, but I have to break some news: Burberry's Lip Glows were close to being liquid lipsticks years before these new launches. Ruby is nothing like any other gloss that I've tried in the past. Staying power is good for a gloss- a few hours.

Here are some swatches.  Outside, with flash:

Outside, without flash:

Most importantly, here's a lip swatch. I adore this gloss:

I'm not a big red lips person (in fact, this is the first real red gloss that I own), so I don't have any comparison swatches to share.  This has kick-started my love affair with red lips!

NOTD: Ulta Blue Streak

Today's NOTD feels like a jolt of bright and cheery sunshine and hint of summer to come.  This is Ulta Blue Streak.

I picked this up on sale for $3 (score!) when I had been eyeing Clinique Splish Splash.  This accomplishes the same thing, for a lot less.

Swatches are with two coats and Ulta's base and top coats.

This bright cobalt blue is a creme finish.  The top coat is what's giving it the possible jelly-like reflection.

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow No 10 Antique Rose

As a part of Burberry Month, I'm trying to rotate around the type of products that I review on a regular basis. So far, I've brought you 1 blush, 1 lip gloss, 1 lipstick, and 2 eyeshadows. I'll readily admit that just under half of the items I have to share are eyeshadows, so expect to see them almost every other day.

Today's bit of Burberry is Sheer Eyeshadow #10, Antique Rose.

Before this blog and Burberry, I never would've gravitated towards this shade.  Which would've been a shame, because it's lovely.  Antique Rose has a brown tone to it that I couldn't capture in my photos.

 It's absolutely stunning, in the sun:

It's amazing in the pan and looks like several different shadows.  So, it's time to show you some swatches.  I didn't get any indoor swatches, but these should be enough to show the shade.

Outside, no flash:

Outside, with flash:

This is honestly more of a fall shade for me.  I pulled a few comparison shades and swatched them all together.  Out of all them, I find Estee Lauder Roseberry to be closest in terms of shade, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Pink Sapphire was too pigmented but had a similar texture.

Overall, I think Antique Rose makes a great lid color- but it's a fall shade for me.

Sunday Dreaming

Keeping in line with the Burberry theme, here are 5 of the items that I don't own but are thinking about buying shortly down the road. Some sooner than others (the foundation to be exact).


1. Sheer Eyeshadow- 08 Khaki

Photo via Burberry.com

I love my Sheer Eyeshadows, and normally I'd want a khaki right away. I passed on this because I already own a lovely Chanel khaki single shadow, but my Burberry collection feels incomplete without it.

2. Sheer Foundation- Trench 01 or 02

Photo via Burberry.com

I suspect that you'll see a foundation review on this site before the end of the month, but I'm not sure which shade to buy. Normally the lightest in the range is a no-brainer for me, but the pink tones in Trench No. 2 have me wondering.


3. Light Glow Natural Blush- 08 Misty

Photo via Nordstrom.com

I'm loving Burberry's blushes, and am looking for a soft pink. This looks to fit the bill.


4.  Burberry Lip Mist- #205 Rosy Red

Photo via Burberry

I love the sheer formula, and think this might be the ultimate red for me.  Saturated pinks are my wheelhouse, and I'm pushing myself to embrace more true reds.

Those are just a few of the Burberry products that I don't own that I've got an eye on!

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Dream a Little Dream of Me

Today's NOTD is one of my favorite polishes of all time.  Deborah Lippmann Dream a Little Dream of Me is a sheer pink with blue flashes of shimmer.

It always looks incredible on the nail.  Swatches are three coats, no top coat.

This requires great nails since you'll have VNL- it's so beautiful.