Sugarpill Cosmetics is the neon hued sparkly brainchild of Amy Doan, whom I’ve known of through her internet moniker Shrinkle since 2004-ish. Amy’s style and creations has been a mainstay on the DIY scene for a number of years, easily recognizable for its wild, outrageous clash-but-match colors. Sugarpill is no different; it is a tidal wave of intense, vibrant color. Amy was kind enough to send me a generous helping of her products to use for this review.
Firstly, let’s be real: I am a make-up dummy. I barely learned about things like primer within the last year or so. I am in NO way someone who pretends to know what’s what, just a girl who digs a bold look when she steps out.
Shipping & Packaging: Amy and I happen to live within a solid morning’s drive of one another (or half a day if you drive like a granny), so I can’t comment on shipping EXCEPT to say that Sugarpill does ship worldwide at very good prices! The contents arrive in a durable box stamped with a cute sugarpill kitty and inside is a plethora of hot pink tissue along with the products, all nicely packaged in custom designed Sugarpill boxes, stickers and business cards. STICKERS! Ooooh ~ Okay, back to the make up.
The product themselves are PACKED to the brim, so be aware when you open your loose eyeshadow! I’ve had a few mini spills already. On the plus side, you get exactly what you pay for (5 grams of loose eyeshadow is exactly 5 grams), but on the downside – whoa, spillage! I urge you to open them over a paper surface so if there is any spillage, you can just slide it right back in the jar.
The goods in their custom packaging
Received Loose Eyeshadow: Asylum (rust red), Absinthe (bright green), Junebug (gemstone green), Starling (bright teal), Magpie (pewter blue), Royal Sugar (sparkly violet-blue), Hysteric (bright purple), Goldilux (opaque gold), Lumi (sheer snowy shimmer)
Received Pressed Eyeshadow: Dollipop (vivid pink), Buttercupcake (intense yellow), Midori (green), Afterparty (bright blue) *not pictured*, Poison Plum (royal purple)
Favorite Colors:
Junebug – I never would have thought I’d come to love a dark green as much as I love this color. It’s classy and unique. Magpie – I knew I wanted Magpie when Amy first revealed the colors. Blue is not usually my color, but this pewter-blue is just stunning. Like Junebug, classy, elegant and unique.
Goldilux – I love opaque gold! Glittery, bright and bold, this is THE top gold loose eyeshadow, hands down.
Starling – I surprised myself loving this blue, but it’s great on its own or combined with the majority of the other colors.
Honorable Mentions:
Asylum – Probably the best red you will find in eyeshadow form. It’s not over-the-top fire engine red, it’s not pinky or too orange, either. It’s a solid rust without the brown. I have no other way of explaining it, but it is perfect for the clubs or that classy charity event to match the red with black overlay evening gown (as I wore it).
Absinthe – I love a good lime green, and this is strikingly vivid lime that definitely gets recommended.
Least Favorite:
Lumi – Sheer shimmer just isn’t my cup of tea. Makes a nice highlighter though.
Buttercupcake – I’m not into yellow on its own, but this is a good yellow for mixing.
Midori – Too standard of a green for my liking.
Application: I’m learning as I go, but I highly recommend a good primer for the loose eyeshadow and to apply them wet. I find, for the loose powders, if I do not have a sturdy primer or if I try to apply them dry, they loosen and leave streaks on my cheeks and parts of my eyelid above the crease (you can see this in some of my images). I haven’t had this happen every single time, but this is why I emphasis a good primer.
Lasting Power: Pressed or loose shadow, Sugarpill lasts a LONG time. I’ve worn them from just a couple of hours to all day and evening with little signs of wear.
Removal: The easiest eyeshadow/make up I have ever removed in my life. A couple of quick swipes from a make up remover wipe and it’s gone!
Looks: Here are a few looks I took pictures of while testing out Sugarpill.
Blues+Violets
Starling matches my blouse exactly!
Top: Dollipop Bottom: Royal Sugar mixed with Hysteric
Rainbow
Lumi – Asylum – Buttercupcake – Midori – Afterparty – Hysteric – Dollipop
Purchasing: Shadows run $12 a pop, a fair price because, as I said earlier, you get your money’s worth in quantity as well as quality. Shipping is $5 flat rate, which I have mixed feelings about because if I only want to order one color I would hesitate. I’d try to go in on a bulk order with some friends and maybe get enough folks to buy-in to reach that FREE shipping on orders of $75 or more.
Overall, I simply adore Sugarpill. It’s also handy to have met the girl behind the make-up, to know that Amy is truly passionate about quality control and what her customers have to say about the products. That kind of personal touch is rare with big-name companies, and I’m more than happy to pass on the standard fare in favor of some indie business love.
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