The LA Colors "Wine & Roses" palette is really pretty and contains five metallic eyeshadows. Now, if you're used to wearing subtle or matte eyeshadows, don't be scared off by the word metallic, this does not mean in your face glitter or shimmer, it's just a subtle shine in the colour.
The five round eyeshadows are packaged in a rectangular plastic case that feels quite flimsy, like the lid is going to break off at the hinges before I'm even halfway through using this, so be gentle with it when you open it. The black plastic base also holds a dual ended sponge eyeshadow applicator (which I haven't used, as I prefer brushes) and the lid is a clear, see-through plastic with "L.A. Colors" printed onto it in silver.
The first time I used this palette, I was disappointed. The colours didn't pop, they were very subtle and they creased but then I remembered that I'd forgotten to use an eyeshadow primer that morning! So off I went to play around a little. I tried them with both an eyeshadow primer and with a light coloured cream eyeshadow that I don't like using but keep to use as an eyeshadow base and the colours seriously popped! What a difference!
The first colour in the palette is a pale, off-white pink with hardly any sheen to it, so it's great to use as a highlighter under the brow or in the inner corner of the eye. Colour number 2 is a metallic dusty rose pink, the middle colour is more of a pinky bronze colour and the last two colours are both purple; a metallic lavender and a metallic deep purple.
So far, I'm really impressed. It almost feels wrong for a product this cheap to be this good! The colours last all day when used with an eyelid primer or cream eyeshadow base, they don't crease and they apply smooth with only a little fall out if there's too much loaded onto the brush.
Would I recommend or repurchase this? Yes! The only downfall about this product is the flimsy feeling plastic hinges (I deducted a point for this).
Now when I first started out buying makeup I was on a low budget because I was still learning. That is when I stumbled upon the LA Colors brand in The Warehouse. $5 an item to me is perfection as long as they are semi good.
The Wine and Roses palette was one of the first that caught my eye so in my basket it went. The packaging is pretty much what you would expect from a $5 makeup item. It was very flimsy feeling and felt like it should be handled with kid gloves in case it would break upon being opened. It comes with a double ended sponge applicator which was the reason why I throw away the applicator as soon as I get it. The sponges deteriorate after a few uses and washes and will cut up the eyeshadow when you dip it in. It has a clear lid that has LA Colors across it. I like that it shows the colours that are in the pans so I know what I am buying.
The colour in the first pan is like a pinky champagne colour and great for highlighting in the corners of your eyes or under the brow bone. The second colour is a dusty rose sorta of colour almost antique rose looking to me. The third is a light plum colour which I love most because it's in between and great by itself or as a smokey colour for the outer eyelid. The fourth is a light colour, almost creamy fuchsia and last but not least the metallic looking purple! These colours all scream bold but sultry and sophisticated at the same time.
The shadow itself is not very pigmented and feel a bit chalky when applying. There is a lot of fall out off my brush which is a waste of product and likes to cling to my clothes. I find that you have to use a fair bit to build up the intensity of the colour. I tried to dip the brush in water to see if it made the colours pop a bit more but just ended up with 'water colour paints'. The shadow tends to break up and sit in the crease of my lid after only a couple of hours wear at best.
I don't know if they should be called metallic eyeshadows because I certainly didn't feel or see that from them apart from maybe the darkest purple. Like my title says, this is great for beginners or if you are on a budget. I just prefer higher end shadows which is more pigmented and have better stay power.
Tips: Use an eyeshadow primer for a more intense colour and a fixing spray to keep in place for longer