Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Review, Photos, and Swatches
Oh baby Bobbi Brown Black Velvet popped into my mail box today and I’m every so happy. Quite an exciting release for Bobbi with all sorts of deliciously dark, rich colors to choose from for Fall.
Wanna a peek?
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First off this is only my prior review as I’ll be following up shortly with products I’ve yet to purchase as basically, I wanted everything from the Black Velvet Collection, that goes without saying.
Now that my Velvet fever has cooled down considerably I will say that I’m a little disappointed but mind you this is first impressions only. I have to play a little more.
The things I liked…..
I liked the Black Velvet Sparkle Eyeshadow and I liked Black Chocolate Sheer Color Gloss.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, Bobbi’s Sparkle Shadows are the bomb dot com. Their a formula that simply works for me. Could be I’m a shimmer-a-holic, could be they are a joy to work with, whatever the case may be I likes ’em. At first swatch I got a little Denim Sparkle from this guy, kinda dupe-ish if you will however at second glance it comes across pewter purple. It’s one of those shades that will be ideal for a hint of sparkle with a nice tightly lined eye look.
Black Chocolate Sheer Color Gloss is for the most part opaque however it’ll prove perfect for pairing up with the darker shades of lipsticks released with this collection or on its own for a very subtle touch of chocolate-y berry.
Now I’ll share one of my biggest disappointments with you. Black Berry Metallic Eye Shadow captured my attention instantly due to its unique, dramatic color however it sadly swatches and comes across strangely matte black-like. It seems to not apply as smooth as other Metallic shades and proves very difficult to blend and work with. I think Bobbi intentionally wanted to create a shade that was black with a very subtle touch of berry however it’s very difficult to see that berry and I was simply mislead into believing that this would come across as beautiful as it is in the pan. I should have read more into it’s name, “black berry”, rather than make big assumptions and be disappointed. Needless to say the color is richly pigmented and with proper care and attention will create a very dramatic eye look but the color proves a little difficult for me to work with for some reason and isn’t as smooth or buttery as her normal range of metallic shades.
Black Maple Lipstick is truly for those seeking a bold, vampy lip look for Fall. It’s, in my opinion, truly not what you’d expect from Bobbi (well most of Black Velvet isn’t, is it?) and comes across incredibly rich and warm. The color is impossible to work with without proper skill and is best suited when used with a lip brush. I can’t honestly pull it off but damn straight I’ll continue trying well into Fall. I won’t be everyone’s go to shade but those who can pull off darker, richer shades of lipstick will easily find the joy in this and topped with a bit of Black Chocolate Gloss you may be surprised at how well it goes!
As with all her collections Bobbi throws in the token matte shades. One I got to try was Black Chocolate and of course, as with all her matte shades, I always recommend them as liners since they apply so smooth wet or dry. Those with skill working with mattes will easily find the joy in this richer, darker shade of chocolate with a heavy black base as an all over lid color or within a smoky eye look.
And finally a few of Bobbi Brown’s love little eyeliners made there way into my stash today. Black Chocolate and Black Plum are limited edition shades that are ideal colors to add to your Fall wardrobe.
I definitely need to head to counter shortly, possibly tomorrow during lunch break, to check out other pieces I feel I need such as Black Cocoa and Black Charcoal Metallic Eyeshadow as well as the other lippies. I’m hopeful that the other shades of shadow are more truer to their pan but I’m bracing myself.
Overall, Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Collection definitely has some key pieces if you prefer a vampy, richer look for Fall. Some of the shades will be difficult to pull off but with a lighter hand you may feel like they are easily done. I think it really all depends on your makeup skills. You also have to keep in mind the “black” theme here. Most of the shades are enriched with black pigments so you’re basically getting one shade that’s been enhanced by the addition of a blacker base. As for me I definitely need a little practice time with these shades. If nothing else I’ll have a good time trying!
Am I disappointed?
Yes a bit but there’s always Bobbi Brown Holiday 2010 to look forward too.
Have you played with Black Velvet yet?
Haul any of it?
What were your impressions?
Do share, curious what you are feeling about this selection of Fall goodies.