Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Sparkle Eye Shadows Review and Swatches

Bobbi Brown launches into fall with the Black Velvet collection. Black Velvet is BB's take on an edgy fall look, and the theme is black "infused with red, plum and maple tones". I recently picked up two items from BB's new collection, Black and Black Velvet Sparkle Eye Shadows.

Sparkle Eye Shadows are described by BB as "a grown up take on glitter". They have a very unique cream texture which turns to powder on the lid. These shadows are essentially a clear base with fine glitter throughout. They are nearly identical in texture to the "shine" component of Dior's 5 Couleurs Designer quints. Photos taken indoors with flash on NC 42 skin.

Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadows in Black Velvet and Black.

Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadows in Black Velvet and Black.

Black Velvet is an aubergine-black base loaded with multicolour glitter. Black is a straight black base loaded with the same multicolour glitter. Both shades are highly pigmented and very, very pretty. Sparkle shadows are best applied with a very dense firm brush such as the MAC 214 or 239. Avoid the temptation to apply these with your fingers - BB reps tell me that the oils on your skin actually cake up the surface of the product.

Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eye Shadows in Black Velvet and Black.

In general the Sparkle shadows tend to be sheer (especially the other shades such as Mica or Sunlight). Luckily the addition of the black base allows these two to have good impact with very little layering. In real life, the two shades looks more distinct than my photo would suggest. However, the two are not so radically different that its necessary to own both. Black Velvet is a slightly warmer black, but if forced to pick one, I would go with Black because of it's versatility. It is also worth noting that the glitter component is much more pronounced to the eye than in the photo.

I think these are really beautiful and a great way to mix up the usual tried and true smokey eye.