August 27, 2010

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?

Jump!

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.

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

    • the Muse

      i dunno what I’m doing wrong M but it comes across black 🙁 I thought it would be a nice cherry maroon???? but I case I should have take the “black” velvet part more serious!

      • Jharna

        Hey was that with the primer? I saw some other swatches, where they looked so different with the primer.! see if it works. 🙂

        • the Muse

          hi jharna nope this isn’t with a primer. with a primer it swatches considerably better however it would be a tad misleading to post a review with a primer underneath so I swatched it as is so readers can get the full effect of the primer. With primer on the lid it still comes across black however with primer on the back of my arm it comes across berry but that doesn’t really help me as I’d like to see that on my eye eh 🙂

      • steph b

        Wow. I was expecting Black Berry to be similar to her Eggplant but a bit deeper. I’ll stick with my beloved Eggplant!

  • Nia

    Muse, you made my day with having the swatches up!

    You are right, Black Berry looks nothing like what I expected it to look like. But I might be persuaded to look very closely at the Black Velvet Sparkle Eyeshadow (it would be my first!). And Black Plum liner, love it! And it looks all kinds of creamy 🙂

    No lippies for me, I am already *very* well equipped in the vamp lip department 😀

    Have a great weekend 🙂

    • the Muse

      yay nia so glad you found them helpful. the sparkle shadows are very worth getting both imho! and the liners are beautiful and some of the lippies as well. so far though black cherry proves a bit of a disappointment. I thought it would come across maroon but it’s pure straight black with a tiny hint of berry that is barely noticeable. Def think of the name of the collection and that basically follows through on the shades, heavier black bases 😛 gonna check out the other metallics and see what happens 😀

      u too!

  • Dina

    muse, how are you wearing the sparkle shadows??? over a cream base, matte shadow base, primer only?

    • the Muse

      hi Dina sparkle sometimes on their own over UDPP of course or sometimes over a matte shadow or sometimes over a cream shadow for the most part I prefer them on their own over UDPP.

  • Phyrra

    Thanks for the swatches. Sorry to hear that the shadows were disappointing. I HATE it when you see an awesome shadow in the pain and it looks like it should be metallic and sparkly, and then you swatch it and it’s just a matte.

  • Becky

    Ok, educate me.. what’s the cheapest way to get the sparkle shadows? Does Bobbi have sales very often or do I wait for Nordstrom? Is there anywhere else that Bobbi is sold? Can’t wait to check the other shades out in person!

    • the Muse

      Hi Becky this is a new collection and you prob won’t get it on sale. BB had a FF two years ago I believe but I’ve never seen one since and nordstrom doesn’t put counter makeup on sale sadly.

  • Gina

    I am also disappointed : – { I love the lippies the black cherry moisturizing thingy and the black raspberry lipstick. The black Rasperry looks scary and black in the tube but it is beautiful on., Everyone was getting the blk, rasp. The black cocoa eye shadow that looked so awesome in the pan was an almost black shadow with some copper shimmer. It looked terrible on me. Back 2 the counter I go. I wish the eye collection was called Brown Velvet instead. you were so right Muse, all the eye stuff had a black base to it. I also liked the black plum eye pencil.

    • the Muse

      glad I’m not the only one gina. Dunno what was going on with this but def couldn’t pull it off. I was thinking I’d have a broke haul on things I didn’t get to test out but nope, nada appealed, can’t believe the shadows, those were the most shocking and disappointing for me 🙁

  • sammie

    Oooh fun!! Sorry you didn’t like everything as much as you were expecting. :[ I think that black berry does look very pretty in the swatch, but I can’t imagine pulling it off as an eyeshadow!…maybe as a nail color but that’s all my little imagination can handle! And oh my goodness at first when you said “If nothing else I’ll have a good time trying!” i totally thought you said “If nothing else I’ll have a good time buying!”and i said to myself, “Now that’s the spirit, Muse!” ahahahha <3

    • the Muse

      LOL sammie! hahahahaha! that would really make me an officially awesome junkie right?

  • Olly

    I would try patting the shadows on. Sometimes metallics when treated to harshly (I.e. Rubbing or swipping) they will break down a bit and lose the metalic part of them. Also try on the eye over a primer. Again sometimes that really is the true test. If that all makes sense?? 🙂

    • the Muse

      hi olly yup makes sense sadly even with a base of cream I still get a bit of the same effect, very black

  • emily

    Awww I wanted to see a swatch of black mayple (can’t spell at all right now..6 am way too early) lipstick. Put one up pleaseee.

    Love you
    Xoxo

  • jonnie

    Wow, I’m so glad you swatched these! I really wanted the black berry eyeshadow but based on this, it is not what I am looking for. You did, however, confirm that I want both the lip gloss and the black plum liner. I *will* be investing in one of the lippies; not sure which one yet… I’m pale but I can pull off dark gothy lips (I think I can, anyway) in fall/winter as long as the rest of my makeup isn’t overbearing.

    Thanks for the swatchies! I’m hoping you will get to more lippies before I make my purchase. If not, I will have to decide with no help… the horror! 😉

    • the Muse

      you’re lucky jonnie. I tried dark gothy lips but it never works 😀 my pleasure!

      • jonnie

        Well, I ended up limiting myself to black maple lipstick and black chocolate gloss. I’m pretty excited to get them! I hope they work for me. I figured my UD rockstar 24/7 with some zero will make a good black plum eyeliner… as for sparkle eyeshadow, I’m holding out for holiday collections!

        • the Muse

          i think you’ll like them jonnie. the shadows are a tad uneventful but the lippies have some gems 😀 sounds lovely to me 😀

  • Robyn

    does black berry look more black when applied to eyes cause the swatch looks pretty berryish ? i think id like it if it looks like the swatch

    ooooo black plum eyeliner looks amazing never used bobbi eyeloner before could you tell me how creamy they are ? in comparison to UD 24/7 eyeliners, pretty please 🙂

    • the Muse

      black berry is the lipstick robyn? did you mean black cherry 😀

      They are quite creamy but not as nice as UD 24/7. 24/7 come across with a better glide. Bobbi’s have a good formula but they don’t glide as nicely if that makes sense? D:

  • Betty

    The lipstick & Black Velvet are calling me. I wonder if I can sneak this into Sept. purchase!

  • Jasmine

    The colors look sooo much darker when swatched that it’s surprising. Then again this collection is a surprise in itself 🙂

  • masterofboots

    hey the different shades of black look delicious. just when i was wondering what new colour to get for eye liner

  • Christina

    hi muse!
    I had a lady at the counter show me the sparkle shadow technique for Denim Sparkle the other day.. apparently you have “gradient” options, put on a little it is just the sparkle, put on some more it is about the shade you swatched, layer on even more it becomes quite opaque..

    I loved the Denim sparkle look but knew there was more sparkle shadows to come with black velvet.. what’s your favorite? do you have experience with the sparkle shadows – I am a bit afraid of putting on too much and making my lid sticky 🙂

  • Lilly

    I think it is a very impressive collection for fall, very serious and dramatic. Quite opulent as well. I am loving the lipgloss, looks just like melted chocolte to give a delicious impression on the lips. However, ’cause I am lucky enough, there is no Bobbi brown in Spain (epic fail) and I cannot buy anything, but this is definately a wonderful collection to take a peek at.

    Way too matte, maybe?. i have seen the ‘big’ collections (givenchy, dior, chanel, etc…) are going with such a transparent, fresh feeling to it. It is like… Almost pure, don’t you think?. In my oppinion, Bobbi brown has got an excelent view in fall colours, but a bit too serious. Amazing, tho ^^

    • the Muse

      Agreed Lilly. Just wish it came across better than it did le sigh. I love it to bits but the application wasn’t so fab which disappointed me majorly 🙁

  • pretty addicted

    Muse – how would you say Black Berry compares to Korres Plum eyeshadow?

  • pretty addicted

    Haha! Thanks for your reply. Would you say that in terms of color they are in the same family? I guess I am trying to figure out if Korres Plum is a higher quality dupe for Black Berry.

    • the Muse

      hi pretty addicted I sent over a link to the swatched for plum…they are def nothing alike if you compared the two swatches…??? black berry comes across pure, dull matte 😀 black did you read the review? 😀

  • pretty addicted

    Thanks I did read it, but to be honest between my crazy monitor plus the lighting in the pics I can’t truly see how different they are. I appreciate your help though!

    • the Muse

      whoa LOL pretty they are SUPER different. Is your monitor from the 70’s girl!? LOL 😀 the shades are utterly different texture wise, formula wise, pigmentation, and colors. Nothing at all unlike. as I said in the review the shade is really mate and black. with primer, swatched it comes across a little bit reddish berry but with primer on your lid it’s pretty much matte black with a bit of chunky glitter. head to a counter and have a little swatch….maybe you’ll love it…personally I kinda felt let down by the metallic shadows 😛

  • Vonvon

    Muse, I swatched Black Berry just now….while swatched dry, it looked meh…but dampen your brush slightly, and you would get a super gorgeous intense blackened burgundy shade!

    Try it! 🙂

  • jonnie

    So I got my Black Maple and Black Chocolate last week… they both look awesome on me! I wore the Black Chocolate to the Jay-Z concert last week and the Black Maple to, well, IKEA… love!

    • the Muse

      rockin’ Jonnie 😀 glad you’re lovin’! any shadow hauling with this!? curious what you thought of the shadows 😛

      • jonnie

        I decided not to go for any shadows… these seemed sooo dark I thought i’d hold out for holiday releases.

  • Nia

    So, I finally saw the collection and I was a bit disappointed. The eyeshadows do not swatch so great and I only got the Black Sparkle Eyeshadow. But this one makes it up to me 🙂

    How are you doing Muse?

    • the Muse

      I’m great thanks Nia ;-D and you!? Yeah, sigh, bit of a let down for me too dude!

  • Nancy

    I got both the Sparkle shadows and I am obsessed with them!!! I love them so much. I went to the counter today to look at the rest of the collection and I picked up Starry Purple from a different collection the Metallic Long wear shadow. I am trying to find your review on it. I read a few on make up alley and they are not good.