Should You Use It? black|Up Cosmetics Product Review.

Posted: July 31st, 2012

It’s been a week since the black|Up Cosmetics store opened at the Ikeja Mall (click here to read about the opening). The event was a smashing success and David Coranson, the official makeup artist for the brand, was a hit with the ladies. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t get a chance to get my face made up by the professional. I did, however, get to test some products at home!

black|Up Cosmetics or as I like to call it “Makeover Time”!

I hate to waste a perfectly good made-up face when I’m not going anywhere but what kind of beauty writer would I be if I didn’t test every single product, take pictures of myself wearing said products (like I’m 13) and write reviews about them?  It was my duty to play. The things I do for you guys.

Without further ado, here is my review of some of black|Up’s most popular products:

Two Way Cake:

I’ve been testing the Two Way Cake (my shade is TW11) for a couple of weeks now and I am loving it! First of all, the product works as a foundation and a powder. I don’t know about you guys but any product that knocks out a step in my makeup routine is going to become a staple.

Secondly, the product is so light, it felt like I wasn’t wearing anything. It’s hot in Lagos; who wants to feel a layer of makeup on their face?

Thirdly, I received so many compliments on my skin! I met up with a friend that I hadn’t seen in a long time and she raved about how fresh-faced I looked. My face is a discolored mess due to years of acne and it has been looking particularly haggard due to a recent run-in with malaria.

Me, makeup free. Plus de maquillage?

Two Way Cake.

If someone I hadn’t seen in a while thought I looked fresh-faced than the Two Way Cake is a keeper. I want to be buried with it on.

Two Way Cake in TW11 with the usual bronzer and blush situation (and mascara and lip balm). Ready for a day out!

Even after I applied the rest of my makeup, I was pleased to see I didn’t look like I was  competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Lipshine:

At first I was really skeptical about the lipshine in LPS10. For a girl who tends to gravitate to pink-tinted lip balm, this super shiny purple gloss with specks of gold was downright scary. But this actually ended up being super-cute! When applied, the color is vampy but not goth. The gloss isn’t sticky either but the staying power is pretty impressive. I’ll definitely wear it again when I’m feeling saucy.

black|Up Lipshine in LPS10.

Matte Lipstick:

Last but not least, I tested black|Up’s Matte Lipstick in M30. Confession time: I am so not a lipstick person. Highly pigmented, full-on lipcolor has never been appealing to me though I think it looks great on other women. But  lipsticks are great substitutes for blush or in this case, EYESHADOW!

The Matte Lipstick M30 (a true black lipstick) was the perfect texture for easy application. It blends so well that I just couldn’t resist attempting a smoky eye with it. To smashing results I may add.

Smokey Eye Achieved With black|Up Matte Lipstick in M30. C’est magnifique!

Don’t knock it till you try it.

Long story short, the black|Up products I tested are pretty bomb. I definitely recommend the Two Way Cake for those who prefer lighter coverage, the Lipshine for lovers of gloss (the lipshine comes in great colors) and the Matte Lipstick for the bold… or for someone looking for a killer cream eyeshadow!

Have you tried black|Up products before or did you get made up at the Ikeja Mall? Leave your comments below with your thoughts and observations s’il vous plaît.

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