Buxom Cosmetics has recently released the tropical-themed Vibe Island Collection, and whether you’re planning a getaway or not, this grouping will definitely give you all the vay-cay feels. Apart from the kitschy-cute packaging & names that are sure to make you smile, it’s the performance of everything here that has won me over. Now I need to actually book a trip somewhere, and I’m set.
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Tiki Bar Eye And Cheek Palette, limited edition (CAN $51.00) | Housed in sturdy cardboard packaging (similar to that of Urban Decay’s Naked palettes) which includes a mirror on the inner lid, I’m really loving the thatched bamboo print on the cover that goes so perfectly with the name! Inside are 6 new eyeshadow shades that come with the brand’s primer-infused formula and names inspired by popular cocktails, along with a cult-fave blush shade and a new highlighter hue, both in Buxom’s Wanderlust™ formula.
Of the 6 eyeshadow colours, there’s one matte and the rest range between shimmer to metallic, with all displaying amazing colour saturation and being super easy to blend out. There’s some powdery kickback in the pan, but no fall down on the skin upon application. By the way, the shade Burning Up really blew me away with how pigmented it is. All have a very buttery smooth texture, and applying any of the shimmers/metallics with a dampened brush really amps up the brilliance. Considering the fact that my eyelids tend to get very oily, I was curious to see how this primer-infused formula would work on me and I have to say that the shades all lasted beautifully without creasing for a good 7-8 hours. The blush is in a universally flattering shade and provides a soft hint of natural-looking colour to cheeks along with a subtle hint of shimmer. The highlighter can be made to work on both cool and warm complexions (sheered out for cooler skin tones, layered up for warmer types) and both can even work as eye shades as well.
- Go Coconuts – shimmering soft golden/nude
- Summer Fling – shimmering rosy pink
- Tan Lines – matte rose nude
- Burning Up – shimmering garnet
- Sippin’ – metallic rose copper
- Throwing Shade – sparkling blackened khaki
- Golden Hour – soft gold (Wanderlust™ Glow Highlighter)
- Seychelles – antiqued rose (Wanderlust™ Primer-Infused Blush)
Full-On™ Plumping Lip Cream, limited edition (CAN $28.00/each) | Housed in tall transparent tubes with eye-catching ombré fuchsia caps, these glosses also come with a flocked doe-foot applicator. The shimmer-free formula includes the brand’s cult-fave lip plumping effect thanks to a signature peptide complex — a definite tingle you can feel immediately upon application, and which takes several minutes to dissipate, with the addition of moisturizing vitamins and hyaluronic spheres help to “fill in & smooth” the appearance of lip lines. Each also bears a yummy tropical fragrance, but one which also seems to dissipate quickly after application.
While I enjoy wearing lipstick, I’m primarily a gloss girl because of how easy they are to sport, and what I like about these is how creamy smooth they feel upon application, as well as the hydration they impart. As to the plumping effect, I can’t say I noticed anything dramatic but I found that within a few minutes of wear, my lip lines appeared to look less visible and more “filled in” — almost as if I had layered a primer underneath. I confess that I could do without the tingle, but that’s more a personal choice than anything else.
- Seychelles Breeze – bronzed nude
- Dolly Daquiri – soft mauve
- Bahama Mama – mango
- Ibiza Bomb – rose
- Tulum-Tini – warm red
- Pacific Punch – warm brown
As someone who tends to stick to luxury brands, I surprised myself by how much this collection appealed to me. All the shades of the Tiki Bar Palette are winners and work beautifully alone or combined, while all the sunset-inspired gloss hues are eminently wearable as well. And considering the price points + how well everything totally delivers, what’s not to love? I’d guess that would be the fact that it’s a limited edition collection, so … you know the drill.
Available at Sephora, Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix (online), London Drugs
Kindly provided by Buxom Cosmetics for my unbiased consideration