February 27, 2008

Beauty on a Budget: Milani Runway Eyes Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Review, Swatches, Photos

Uh oh.

I think Vincent Longo is sitting at his desk and being uber pissed at the fact that Milani turned around and snatched his formula for their new Runway Eyes Wet/Dry Eyeshadow! They not only duped the eyeshadow, formula, and part of the name but I think they actually, if it’s possible, did it better then Vinny!

Oh my!

“Grrr! Damn Milani! Who do they think they are stealing muh eyeshadow formula! Get my lightsaber! This means war!”

Last week I was wandering around my favorite Drugstore Queen’s blog, Vanessa, when I noticed she was pimping out Milani’s newest eyeshadows. We bow to you Vanessa and your awesome, artful application with mere drugstore brands! How does she do it!? She’s actually Wonder Woman in disguise! Able to leap tall buildings, race faster then the speed of light, and apply $2.99 eyeshadow like it’s Chanel! Seriously, have you seen the art she creates with really cheap cosmetics? I honestly can’t believe my eyes! This is talent people! TALENT!

Behold Milani’s New Eyeshadows! Pretty!

Swatches from Left to Right Milani Lily White, Vincent Longo Sparkle White, Milani Shamrock, Vincent Longo Verite, Milani Blue Lagoon, and Vincent Longo Mermaid Blu

Shamrock vs Verite

Blue Lagoon vs Mermaid Blu

Lily White vs Sparkling White

Anyway.

Somehow whenever I visit with Vanessa I get these strange urges to purchase drugstore brands! I’m slightly disgusted by these urges but I must say I have them none the less! She makes everything looks so appealing! Suddenly Covergirl sounds like the call of MAC to my ears!

I’m a snob. I admit that while blushing. I just don’t have any true feelings for drugstore brands stateside and I just can’t put any love or money into inexpensive brands but the more I read ‘Nessa’s blog the more I struggle with my intense lemmings to go to CVS and Walgreens! Lord!

Last week I gave into my temptations and wandered over to CVS to purchase Milani’s Runway Eyes Wet/Dry Eyeshadow! And I’m actually glad I did. This is my first drugstore purchase in….years…! I rarely touch drugstore brands stateside and you’ll never catch me setting foot into a CVS, Walgreens, or Harmons!

My Haul of Yum!

Strangely enough as I entered CVS last week I thought maybe the building would fall down around me and crumble because it was such an epiphany to have me enter it’s realm! I think I heard angels sing as I entered through the sliding glass doors and perhaps a single ray of pure sunlight touched my face in welcome! I could have made that all up but you’ll never know for sure because you weren’t there so nanner nanner on you!

Now I’d never admit to you that I actually had to visit three freaking CVS stores before I found these eyeshadows! They were sold out everywhere but I’d never admit that I went to three separate stores to find them because that’s just not the case…not me…no way…I’d never do anything THAT extreme!

I gathered up eight compacts in my arms and frantically searched and proceeded to panic when I couldn’t locate the light blue shade and pink shade that I had seen on ‘Nessa’s blog! My god the horror! They sold out of these essential colors! Didn’t they realize the Muse was in their presence?!!?

Now the shadows are $5.49 USD but last week they were on sale so you’d buy one at the price of $5.49 and proceed to get the second at 50% off which brought it down to $2.75 for the 2nd shadow. I had the audacity to turn to the cashier and ask for a rain check after I brought the 8 colors! Hells here I am shelling $350 some odd dollars out for the MAC Fafi Collection last week yet I was worried about missing out on the buy one get one 50% off sale at CVS! Lord!

Anyway I guess you wanna here my review on these bad boys after all that long babbling dontcha?

The review is easy. Ready?

Get them now.

Run, Fast, Quick now and get yourself some of these! They are GOOD…no..sorry..they are GREAT!

Milani did a most fabulous job with these. If you like sparkle, if you like glitter and shimmer and shine you want these. I’m literally keeling over that these only cost $5.49 USD regularly! Who’d have freaking thought!??!?!?

The quality is excellent! Pigmentation is actually BETTER then the Vincent Longo Diamond Wet/Dry Eyeshadow. Shimmer? BETTER then Vincent Longo’s! These go on smooth, silky, and light your eye up with gorgeous glimmer and twinkle! Dry they are stunning and wet they are bold and vibrant!

The applicator these come with is a dual end. One end is a sponge and one end is a brush. It’s rubbish in my opinion. It’s twisted in such a way that you can’t really make too good a use out of it. Garbage for me. But aside from that very minor flaw these shadows have knocked my socks off!

I’m utterly devastated I wasn’t able to lay my hands on the other colors (I believe I’m missing two now! The pink and lighter blue shades.)

All the colors available in my humble opinion are sincerely workable with any coloring! The shades range from black, to white, to beautiful golds, browns, and greens!

I can’t begin to explain how shocked I am how good these are! They contain much more shimmer then the Vincent Longo ones and I find they go on better as well! I get alot of fall out with Vincent Longo’s while these aren’t nearly as bad and clean up is a bit easier! I’ve noticed that these contain a very fine shimmer of golds and silvers where as the Vincent Longo shadows only contain silver which I guess accounts for the intensity of the sparkle you get in these and why they are so much more brighter and eye popping then the Vincent Longo ones!

Black Out

Lily White

Silver Charm

Beach Sand

Bronze Doll

Blue Lagoon

Shamrock

Overall, these are a freaking steal! If Milani puts out more items like this in the future they’ll have a fan for life!

Well done!

These come with the Muse’s highest seal of approval! I haven’t been this excited about a product in a very long time!

Get you to your local drugstore and pick them up now!

Want ’em?

Have ’em?

Love ’em?

Tell the Muse! I definately want to discuss these with you!

By the way, Iris, if you’re reading this, I got you some! YOU NEED TO TRY THESE! I think you’re going love ’em!

60 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Haru

    Aww, Izzie, that’s so sweet of you! Thank you, dear! I’m seriously behind on getting out a package to you but I’m hoping to finally make it to the PO this Friday ;=p

  • Vanessa

    HAHAHAHA Izzy you are HILARIOUS! I swear I was reading your blog at work and I was sitting here at my desk just crying! I bet my cubicle neighbors here think I am weird! LOL.

    I am glad you like them, aren’t they just gorgeous!?? And you are right! They look so similar to the Vincent Longo eyeshadows! Crikey!

    Yeah since I spend so much money on MAC I need to find some medium in between that is inexpensive, thank God for Milani!

    Hope you are having an awesome day my sweet Izzy fo sheezy!

  • Jennifer

    that dog is TOO cute!! and i’ll admit to being a complete and total beauty snob-but now i too feel the need to purchase these. i’ll definitely be stopping by my nearest drug store after class to see if i can find these, i love the colors and all the shimmer.

  • mayaari

    I was wondering what VL stood for when you left your comment…now I know 🙂 Yup, these are a great find, I’m thinking about picking up a few more of the colors (if I can find them) to add to my ever-growing collection. The brush included is total crap, but a minor detail considering how my eyeshadow you’re getting for under $6 and how versatile it is 🙂

  • the Muse

    hey Iris!

    Aw my pleasure! *hugs* Awww you don’t have to go crazy for me honey!

    thank you! *hugs*

    Believe me I know how busy a person can get 😉

    You’re a doll and I love ya!

  • the Muse

    LOL ‘nes!

    Glad I made you laugh superwoman!
    😉

    They are stunning, just stunning! I’m amazed!

    They are way better then VL I can tell you that!

    I’m not a Milani covert thanks to you!

    Aw you have an awesome day too sweetie 😉 Cheers for fab friends and fellow bloggers like you babe!

    Hugs!

    Owe you an email btw! Will get to it soon!

  • the Muse

    hi Jennifer!

    lol glad you like the dog 😉 I am a big time snob too! But these are honestly outstanding and well worth your $5!

    hit cvs and look on the side of the display that should be where they are located!

    Good stuff!

    Let me know if you get ’em curious what you think!

  • the Muse

    hi mayaari!

    Ooops! hehe! VL=me lazy and not typing the name out 😉

    Totally get the other colors 🙂 good find for sure! Thanks to our ‘nessa 😉

    I have to say the brush is garbage, agreed. But the shadows are so good we can forgive ’em 😉

    Thanks for the comment love!
    Hugs
    !

  • the Muse

    hi maybel!

    Aw 🙁 I know the feeling when I want something from another country 🙁

  • Dalenna

    wow! that lily white color is gorgeous! where you do find Milani? i’m from Mars, what can i say?

  • Row

    Oh. My. God.

    You know I love Vincent Longo but these sound like that bomb! I want them I want them I want them!!!!

    p.s. I’m a snob like you but mannnn, its great to find a bargain!

  • Chica

    Not available in the UK? 🙁 Gutted- Shamrock looks beautiful! Love your blog btw 🙂 x

  • the Muse

    hey d!

    I got ’em at CVS! Go figure! Who’d have thought CVS had good stuff hehe!

  • the Muse

    Hi Chica!

    Aw 🙁 I know! I feel your pain! I always lem everything from everywhere else and it’s always so hard to get BLAH!

    Thanks so much 🙂 I really appreciate that compliment! Tickles me you love it!

    Hugs!

  • MandyPandy

    Well, well, well… looks who’s come crawling back… Back to the drugstore, that is!

    Seriously, DS products are great, and CVS carries Essence of Beauty and Lumene, two brands which are def. worth a look.

    Broaden your horizons, Izzy! Price and quality are not always related, you know!There are lots of excellent DS options, like Maybelline’s new liquid Mineral Power Foundation. I also suggest you try Milani’s new ‘Mineral’ blushes, in either Sweet Rose (my personal fave) or Luminous (a great highlighter in the vein of Nars’ Albatross).

    I feel a Milani review coming on. I shall try to post sometime tonight…

  • anna

    i think you’re also missing another color the brown one called coffee shop (i think thats what its called). anyhoo… love the blog!

  • Mrs. Lynne

    She sure does get me lemming! I have yet to find these, but I know that once I do… oooh, better watch out, lol!

  • Courtney

    AHH i have been on the prowl for some Milani! Does anyone happen to know where i can find Milani wet to dry in SAN FRANCISCO or internet?…there has to be somewhere.

  • petitebelle

    ok, that’s it, I’m a convert. I need to go out and get some of these. But here is the problem: I don’t live anywhere NEAR a CVS!!!! I only have Longs Drugs and Walgreens near me and I have searched both of these stores to no avail. Sigh, I guess I’m goin to have to wait until I go back home to visit a CVS. But by that time they’d probably all be on backorder 🙁

  • krstylkleer

    Awww…that pup in the chair made my day! What a cutie! I still haven’t even used my Milani shadows yet. I need to get on the ball. :]

  • the Muse

    listen here mizz mandy!

    I have to say I’ve always been somewhat disappointed in US DS brands. I never tried EoB or Lumnene to be honest. But stuff like CG, Loreal, Maybelline, is all kinda blah to me!

    I was going to pick up the mineral blushes tonight! Damn! Must go back!

    😉

    OH MY I AM SO THRILLED! I got the mighty Mandy to come out of lurkdom and blog!

    Praise jeebus!

  • the Muse

    hi Anonymous!

    The beach sand is def my fav! It’s a gorgeous goldy beige!

    Yum! If you get ’em tell us whatcha think!

  • the Muse

    hi gretah!

    No 🙁 It was last week! But it’s still a deal at $5.49! Thanks so much! Glad you love it *mwah*

    Tell us what you think if you got them!

  • the Muse

    hi anna!

    Actually I’m missing bronze baby I think it’s called? I think! Not sure! I’m missing 2 total now as I located the pink and the blue and just looking for the bronze and the purplish color 😉

    Thanks! Glad you love it 😉
    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hey lynne!

    What’s up girlie 🙂

    I noticed some cvs have ’em and some don’t. I bet they are sitting on a shelf somewhere in the back of the store and lazy reps didn’t put ’em out damnit!

    ‘nes totally makes me lem ds brands 😉

    I can’t wait for you to get these and do FOTD!

  • the Muse

    hi Courtney!

    If you look on the website milani.com they have an 800 number you can call and ask where in your are to buy 😉

    Internet I looked but didn’t find them! ‘nessa has some colors she is selling off if you want to buy from her! Or check your local cvs!

    You can buy on ebay as well or cvs.com and walgreens.com but not these new shadows!

    Good luck!

  • the Muse

    hi petitebelle!

    LOL! me too!

    I’m a lag at CP’s but if you don’t mind the wait just email me and I can see if I can help somehow!

    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hi krstylkleer!

    Hehe isn’t he cute?

    Can’t wait to see what you create using them!!!!!!!

  • Shop With A Vengeance!

    I’ve had the Beach Sand one for a while, I bought it when they first came out! I loved how sparkly and shimmery it looked and I was a little disappointed when it took a bit of work (not much, but I’m lazy) to get it to look that way on.

    But, once you do layer it a bit, it’s really pretty!

    Thanks for posting!

  • psychoexgirlfriend

    LOL, Muse you certainly are one of the best writers out there in the beauty blogosphere! I’m a dept store snob too but Vanessa’s blog is so tempting, I went out and bought a crapload of Rimmell and Maybelline lipsticks the other day. I’m lucky Milani eyeshadows aren’t available in Canada otherwise I’d snatch up these wet/dry eyeshadows!

  • christianadivine

    great review! 😀 i’m guilty of being a drugstore shopper. i actually only have two MAC items. i know, shame on me. LOL. but i do have two of these milani shadows. 😛 they were sold out of the two ORIGINAL colors I wanted (Shamrock and Bronze Doll) but I got two other colors that are pretty too (Coffee Shop and Blue Lagoon). 😀 I had to go to THREE CVS’ too! Haha. 😛

  • Jennifer

    so i stopped by 2 CVS’s yesterday. the first one had a COMPLETELY empty display-nary an eyeshadow to be seen. the second one i went to had all the colors except for the one i really wanted-beach sand :(. luckily i was able to locate the light blue one that you weren’t, and will probably go back to get the light pink one as they had this one in stock too.

    i didn’t get the great deal on them that you did, but they’re still ridiculously cheap so i’ll be popping into more CVS’s throughout the city to find these. i’m wearing the blue today and it’s beautiful! some blues tend to make me look a bit like a cheap hooker, but this one looks great on.

  • the Muse

    hi Shop With A Vengeance!

    Maybe it’s just the Beach Sand? I tried Shamrock and it’s really pigmented and went out with a single layer of color which impressed me! Beach Sand seems sheer! I’m gonna try it and see what happens for me 😉

    Thanks for the comment love!
    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hi psychoexgirlfriend!

    LOL thanks *blush*

    Vanessa’s blog is drugstore crack lol!

    Now she has avon lippies up that I’m lemming hehehe!

    If you want any help getting the milani let me know and I can see what I can do from my end!

    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hi christianadivine!

    Thanks hun! Yes but you create beautiful looks with drugstore brands for some reason I lack that talent with ds brands!

    LOL I was literally hopping from cvs to cvs trying to get these! They are sold out everywhere! Lucky enough my cvs restocked so I was able to get a second batch for a mate! But I’m still missing out on the purple and the bronze I think but everything else I got!

    w00t!

    They are truly a steal for the price!

    Thanks for the comment! Hugs!

  • the Muse

    Hey Jen Jen!

    I KNOW! All my cvs are totally out of stock! GRRRR!

    I got the light blue night and the pink w000t! Two more to go..the bronze and the purple! 😉

    I’m obssessed! More milani more milani!

    I’m wearing the shamrock today and the lighter green shade the name of which escapes me at the moment!

    They are off sale this week sigh 🙁 But $5.49 is still awesome for such great pigmentation!

    I haven’t tried the blue yet. Can’t wait! I’m so pleased you’re loving these Jen!

    Thanks for comment babe!

    Hugs!

  • Vanessa

    Hello my sweet bella Izzy! The mini BJ eyeshadows were only $6 each!! What a steal! I thought they would fit in my MAC Palette but sadly they don’t, so I might just have to go back and snatch me the actual palette from BJ made for these suckers…lol.

  • (g)ezebel

    walgreen’s sucks rocks!! it took me three different ones to finally find milani. i think i might drop by that one tonight. 🙂

  • nilla cookie

    Hey Muse!

    I’m finally just getting around to catching up on my blog reads for the week and this review is freaking hilarious! I have never seen you so excited about anything before – that I can remember anyway 😉

    I can’t find Milani anywhere in my area, but then again, I’m not looking that hard. I’m kinda like you – I refuse to go hunt down something that’s from a drugstore. But reading Vanessa’s blog perks the curiousity in me, for sure! 🙂

    Hopefully you’ll keep finding products that knock your socks off!!

  • ‘ * : . b | u 3 . : * ‘

    LOL, this is one of the funniest reviews i’ve ever read 😀

    I’m kinda glad though that I don’t have a CVS to tempt me, because I just spent more money on AdamBeauty.com 🙂

    btw, do you have any problems with glitter/shimmer fallout on your cheeks with the T’estimo eyeshadows? I just tried out the Frame Impact eyes I ordered, and even after cleanup, i get more shimmer falling on my cheek after an hour or so of wear.

    I tried spraying my eyeshadow with a fine mist of water to set it but it didn’t help. Do you have any tricks to avoid that?

  • the Muse

    hey ‘nes!

    Thanks darling! I’m wanting somes 🙂

    The palettes are cutes and inexpensive too so it’s worth it 😉

    Nice haul from Ulta lovie!
    Love ya love ya love ya!

  • the Muse

    hey gez!

    tell me about it! I was fiddling all over the place to find these damn things!

    Grrr!

  • the Muse

    Hey Mizz cookie!

    Me too! I’m slowly catching up 🙂 Aw lol glad you laughed!

    LOL I love getting beauty buys 🙂 these are definately a buy plus they work w0000000t!

    I’d be happy to help you CP these if you like just let me know and I’ll go a hunting for you!

    After reading and seeing ‘nes’s fotd and haul I knew I MUST HAVE dems!

    I love me some cosmetics 😉 So I’m sure something will arise where I get all excited and hyper hehe!

    Love ya!

  • the Muse

    hey ‘ * : . b | u 3 . : * ‘ !

    LOL glad I made ya laugh darling!

    AdamBeauty rocks my socks! He has some killer deals and not bad prices. When mates can’t CP for me I normally turn to him for my Japanese fix!

    No probs with fallout after application although I do have fallout during application! Are you prepping well? primer? Etc? I normally lemon aid my eye, prime up with UDPP, and then powder myself prior to app of the shadow. Lasts all day and doesn’t move wahoo!

    Definately prep prep prep prep! My shadows last all day without fall out, fading, creasing, or flaking when I use UDPP plus the other bits I mentioned above 😉

    Hope this helps!

    Hugs!

  • AhCapp

    Hi Muse,

    After reading your post, I emailed my husband who was in US to help me get the lovely Milani runway eyes. He said Milani is pretty hard to find, but he finally managed to find 5 colours for me. I am so happy. =) Can’t wait to see them in real life!

    Btw, I want to say that I love reading your blog. In fact, I check for new posts every day and read it like the newspapers! I was chatting with 2 other friends from http://www.cozycot.com and found that they read and love your blog too. So u can see how popular your blog is.

    Keep up the good work and I certainly look forward to more wonderful posts from ya!

    Many hugs!

  • the Muse

    Hi AhCapp!

    Aw that’s great! You’re lucky as I must say they are damn hard to get here! I had to check several stores!

    You’re going to love these. Please stop by when you get them and let me know how you like them!

    Aw thanks for dropping by here daily it means the world to me and I appreciate it greatly 🙂

    I’m a member at Cozy myself hehe!

    I really appreciate your wonderful comments and it makes me feel so wonderful you’re enjoying my blog!

    hugs!

    Can’t wait for you to get your goodies!

    hehe!

  • Dross Zero

    I bought blue lagoon and i love it. and it was glad to see that someone gave the milani eyeshadows a good review because like you i am very much a makeup snob but these eyeshadows are great!

  • the Muse

    hi there dross zero

    sorry for the delayed replied! Thanks for your comment 🙂

    Blue Lagoon is yum isn’t it? Love all the smokey dark blue looks I created with it 😉

    I must say these are a makeup snob’s dream come true as it’s not everyday I run across such cheap makeup that’s good quality 😉

    Cheers for that!

    Hope to talk to you again soon!

  • Brehia

    I just bought them today! I went to Walgreens looking for a good quality eyeshadow with shimmer/glimmer and i bought the Milani Lily White and the Milani Beach Sand and i am in love with them. They are really good for a drugstore brand. I think i might try some other Milani products in the future.

  • Brehia

    I cant believe i just found them now when they have been out FOREVER!! I am sure glad that they didnt discontinue it

    • the Muse

      enjoy brehia ;-D they are fab. they have some new ones too!

  • Lin

    Haha! Wow this post is much different from what you blog now! I just found the green one/shamrock at the dollar tree yesterday. I haven’t tried it yet but glad to have ran into an old post of yours!