Makeup of the Month: January| Burberry Lip Velvet and Sheer Eye Shadow

Hi, everyone! If you read my 2015 Beauty Resolutions, you'll know that I set an audacious goal for myself this year- only one makeup purchase per month! Quite the feat for this cosmetics junkie. January was my first month on this quest and I have to say that it was (almost) a complete success! My ideal for this resolution is to purchase one single item per month. Well, I did the next best thing: two items, same brand, same transaction. Not too shabby!

The brand that won my affections in January was Burberry. I'd been eyeing the brand for ages, but it wasn't until the line was pulled from Holt Renfrew a couple months ago that I really honed in. We always want what we can't have, eh?! So when Jenn told me that I could find the makeup range at the Burberry boutique in Yorkville, I nearly immediately rushed there, in a snowstorm made my way up there and the rest was history!

Before I delve into the specific products I chose, I first have to say that this was perhaps the most luxuriously packaged beauty purchase I've made. After being carefully wrapped, the items were tucked inside a gilded bag with the Burberry logo embossed on both sides. The bag was sealed with a bow and the receipt slipped inside a chic little envelope. I almost hated to unwrap everything! 

I also have to say that the customer service I received at the Burberry boutique was warm, friendly, and attentive. I've always been intimidated to have a peek inside the high-end designer shops in the neighbourhood, fearing that, despite my knowledge of fashion, my inability to afford the majority of items in the shop would become readily apparent and would somehow lead to my being completely dismissed. This was not the case at all at Burberry! I was welcomed kindly and was encouraged to browse, swatch, and test all of the makeup items on display. 

The beautiful wrapping and amazing customer service were icing on the cake, but let's get down to the tofurkey and potatoes of the post- the items I brought home that day! As you can see, Burberry cosmetics come packaged in chic, sand-coloured cardboard boxes with silver lettering. The products themselves are housed in weighty silver cases etched with the brand's signature plaid motif. The look just really screams luxury! 

As these were my first-ever Burberry items, narrowing it down to two picks was a tricky task. But based on several bloggers' raves and my own in-store swatching, I ultimately selected their Lip Velvet in Military Red and Sheer Eye Shadow in Pale Barley. Aren't they a pretty pair?

Burberry Lip Velvets come packaged in weighty metal tubes embossed with the brand's iconic plaid. They shut with a satisfying metal click, which any lipstick fiend will tell you is a beautiful thing! The shape and size of the Lip Velvets are nearly identical to that of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks, for reference. 

The Lip Velvets are designed to offer bold pigmentation, a luminous matte finish, and a lightweight feel on the lips. I have to say that each of these promises rings quite true! This is definitely one of the best lipstick formulas I've tried. Military Red is the real standout from the range, in my opinion. It's a vivid Hollywood red with subtle orange undertones and a flattering satin finish. It's one of those shades that instantly makes me feel powerful, feminine, and put-together. Just one swipe creates full-on colour and the wear time is truly impressive! 

I knew that my second choice had to be one of Burberry's Sheer Eye Shadows. I'd heard countless raves and the shade range is unique, yet sophisticated. The eye shadows come in square metal reflective compacts that include a foam applicator and a decently-sized mirror. Yes, they do collect fingerprints (see below), but the luxe, weighty feel really makes up for that. 

The Sheer Eye Shadows promise smooth, blendable, long-wearing colour in "weather inspired shades". I have to agree that these babies are ultra silky, buildable, and wear quite well all day! I swatched several of the colours, but ultimately went with the popular choice, Pale Barley. Pale Barley is a complex, unique, yet totally wearable neutral. I'd describe it as a warm, mid-tone gilded beige with slight bronzy undertones. 

Here are Pale Barley and Military Red swatched on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone), under slightly different lighting:

(L-R); Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Pale Barley and Lip Velvet in Military Red

So there you go- my first foray into Burberry cosmetics and my one and only makeup purchase of January. Do I have any regrets that these items were my pick? Not a one! I am thoroughly impressed with the formulas of both and have to say that I feel quite sophisticated when wearing them. Military Red was an instant love- the bold red speaks for itself! Pale Barley has been more of a sleeper. While I was unsure about it at first, I now seem to wearing it almost daily. I guess that says something! Look out for these two products in a Look of the Day on Sunday.

Have you tried any Burberry cosmetics? Any favourites? What makeup did you purchase in January?

Thanks for stopping by! xo