Review and swatches: Femme Fatale Cosmetics

I was following Ethereal Beauty’s blog for a while – I like discovering other Aussie bloggers and her looks were just stunning. She makes blending look effortless and always has amazing colour combinations I don’t think I’d have the skill to make work! When she mentioned she was thinking of starting up her own line of eyeshadows, I just about jumped for joy.

Fast forward several months later and Femme Fatale Cosmetics is now up and running with its own website, and a healthy start-up collection of eyeshadows, blushes, a L.E Christmas collection (partly sold out and only available in sample form) and a Valentine's Day.

This is a combination of two orders. Sample shipping from FFC cosmetics is free worldwide as Sophie recognised that the main customer base of indie make-up is American, as is the main gamut of companies, so most Americans aren’t used to paying international shipping prices, you lucky sparkle-hogs! Samples were $1 each when I ordered. Sophie has recently put the price up to $1.10 to help with the huge losses she is taking offering said free shipping. I was bowled over when my order arrived a few days later. Aus post is not the best, I was expecting it to take at least a week.

The eyeshadows are extremely smooth and last magnificently over primer (I never do eye looks without primer anyway because my lids are so darn oily).

I totally forgot to take photos of the sample bags before I destroyed them de-potting, but let me tell you about them. On EVERY sample bag is written the ingredients, where it's safe to be used AND whether or not it's vegan. Mega props to Sophie. It is all neatly squeezed onto this teeny label and I think that's brilliant. Here's my first (and definitely not last) full-sized jar, which has all that information on the bottom:

Without further ado – swatches! I ordered a mix of pinks/neutrals for work and for review and fun purposes, I got some brights and duochromes as well. Everything's swatched over P.E, but rest assured these look and perform beautifully just over primer as well.

Divinity "A pale pink shadow with an orange shine."
I just got Rapunzel Had Extensions from Fyrinnae, so expect to see a comparison between these soon. A really pretty, delicate shade.

 
Enchanted "A pale coral red base complimented by a red/pink shine."
This shade comes across as more straight pink than coral on me, but it is a really lovely colour - coming from a girl who was anti-pink for many years!

Heroic "A soft copper tinged peach, Heroic has an incredible gold shimmer."
Over straight primer this is less gold, I actually prefer wearing it without PE.

Hibernate "A shamrock green shade, highlighted with a subtle copper-gold shine and a scattering of sparkles."
Cheerful, grassy green. The copper-gold shine is very subtle but keeps it from being plain.

Ignite (free sample) "A burnt amber base with a golden orange shimmer and a scattering of warm tone sparkles."
Not a hugely unusual shade but a nice, wearable orange nonetheless.

Inscribe "A mid brown shadow with a hint of red and green."
Soft brown with a hint of a difference. Would make a great crease colour. Unfortunately gets neglected among my now huge brown stash!

Levitate "A soft amaranth pink with lavender tones, Levitate has a frosty violet shimmer with blue, red and pink sparkles."
I really want to do a matching eye and lip combo with this colour! I love the lavender undertones.

Obliterate "A muted cerise with subtle colour shifting shimmer which alternates between green and blue."
A great way to ease into red shadows, I think. Beautiful berry-ish colour.

Shooting Stars "A soft wisteria violet tinged with pink, highlighted by a heavy blue duochrome shimmer."
I have so many purple-blue duochrome colours, because they are so gorgeous, I can't resist them. This is no exception and I'm glad I managed to capture both colours here.

Smokebomb (free sample) "A deep black based grey with colour shifting shimmer. Shimmer alternates between red-gold and bronze as well as an unexpected gold green depending on the angle of light."
Would make a kick-ass liner when foiled. I admit I hadn't even tried this colour until swatching it because I love my brights, but it's a really awesome dark duochrome.

Spark of Life "pale moss green with intense green shine."
I would describe this as a minty green rather than moss. It went very metallic over PE but I think you might be able to get it to be a bit softer on a sticky base.

Archangel "yellow toned ivory shadow with a soft violet shine".
With PE on top, on bare skin underneath to try and get some of the base colour to show up. The strong duochrome on this one reminds me of the Sailor Moon collection from Persephone Minerals.

Space Cow "A soft lavender tinged with grey and a muted reddish pink shimmer."
SO PRETTY and the name cracks me up. I absolutely do not need more purple shadows, I pretty much only got this for the name :P

Wisp "A cool grey shadow with an intense blue shine."
Again, the duochrome is super strong here because of PE. If you wanted the soft grey base to show up, over primer will give a very different effect.

Reindeer Dust (limited edition) "soft blend of coral and gold highlighted by a very subtle gold/green colour shift and blue sparkles".
Really pretty, soft , shiny shadow. I have already posted a look with it here.