Hourglass Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo - Suede

I'm just going to admit it...I can't pass up a beige/taupe eyeshadow duo. Yes, they're the same two colors, but I could have a million and still justify another because it's just slightly different. I ran across this little gem on the MakeupAlley message boards, and I had to check it out for myself. After a little searching and looking at swatches, I decided that I definitely needed this duo. Dermstore had a 20% code, along with 7.5% cash back through Ebates, so I had to jump on it. A beige/taupe duo for $30.40? Yes, please!

Hourglass Visionaire Eyeshadow Duos come in the cutest little compact! The lid lifts up to become a mirror like a normal compact, or you can just slide it open if you don't need to use the mirror. But, it also swivels 360 degrees so that you can flip it over and use the duo as a mirror without actually exposing the eyeshadow. In addition, Hourglass also decided to add a real, soft brush that you could actually use in a pinch...not one of those useless sponge applicators! They definitely get an A+ for packaging.

Now I'm sure most of you don't care as much about the packaging as I do, so let's get to the shadows themselves. Do they live up to the standards the compact set? Most definitely. The texture of this duo is to die for...both of the shades are extremely soft, buttery, and pigmented. I barely had to touch my brush to the shadow to pick up product, and the color payoff was excellent. The shimmer in these is also perfection...it's perfectly between satin and shimmery. There's a definite hint of shimmer, but it's not full-on frosty and there's no chunks of glitter. It's just subtle, eye brightening shimmer.

The darker shade is a toss-up, no one can seem to agree on what shade it is. It's split between those that say it's an ultra light taupe and those that say it's a dark beige. I have to agree, it's hard to say. It does look more beige in the pan, but I feel like it swatches slightly taupey on my fair skin. I'll settle on saying it's somewhere inbetween. Teige? Baupe? Taupige? Your choice. It doesn't matter anyway, it's pretty and that's all that counts.

Do you need this? Yes...if you are a beige/taupe lover, definitely. Although I must have a gazillion beiges, this duo is still unique and worth owning. Since you barely need to touch the brush to the shadow to pick up product, this will last quite a while. I feel it's definitely worth the $38 retail, and you can always pick it up for even less at Dermstore. It's a guaranteed 10% off and sometimes even more. Bottom line: buttery, pigmented beiges and taupes with subtle shimmer. Need I say more?