little white truths

I recently reviewed Marsk's Mineral Eyeshadow in Vanilla Frosting, and since that product is the same as this one (aside from the colour), I'll basically rehash that review here.

As mentioned in that review, you may have heard me say before that I really like Marsk products - in theory.

I like the packaging and the general look of the products; the formulas generally feel like they're high quality; and they apply and blend well.


In reality, however, the loose blushes, bronzers and eyeshadows I've tried from the brand (quite a few now) don't quite deliver. Perhaps because they're loose, there's significant fallout and these eyeshadows in particular end up everywhere - plus within a few minutes the colour's gone (probably because it's spread itself where you don't want it due to rubbing/oily eyelids, and it's also slipped off so it's now sitting below your eyes).

PLUS - and this is a big one for me - all Marsk colour items at the moment are sparkly. That's right, they all contain noticeable glitter chunks, and we know how I feel about noticeable glitter. That's all personal preference of course, but I think brands should offer a variety of different finishes, and this one doesn't - at least at present.


The above swatch is taken in natural, indirect light, and the below in direct sunlight. You can see that the colour isn't super pigmented and there's plenty of noticeable glitter.

I'm also not a fan of the colour - it's too yellow. Something more gold would have been nicer: this one looks a bit trashy (as my husband has reminded me on the few occasions I've worn it. Ha).


If you're wondering how I ended up with so many Marsk products (two bronzers, a blush and two eyeshadows - all loose), it was via Lust Have It. I certainly didn't keep buying the products and then complaining that they're glittery ; )

Marsk claims/product details:

• 100% natural, mineral based loose powder
• Strictly cruelty free (not tested on animals) 
• Available in a range of striking shades that offer endless colour possibilities for a professional makeup effect
• Creamy texture, highly pigmented 
• Easily blendable
• Offer you the ability to create depth and intensity around the eye
• Rich List is described as 'glitzy gold'
• Can be used wet or dry
• RRP $24.95 for 1.2g

See eye swatches above and below. The colour was initially easier to see, but within minutes of applying it, most of the product had transferred/slipped off. You can still tell that it looks a bit too yellow, and I can't imagine it would suit many people.

You could of course try it with a primer, but I personally don't think you should have to rely on a primer to get at least a couple of hours' wear from a product: products should have some lasting power on their own.


Verdict

This product doesn't last well at all. It lasts better if you eg use it as a brow highlight, but since this is a dedicated eyeshadow I think it should give some lasting power on the eyelids.

On the lasting power, I should mention that I have puffy eyes, meaning that shadows do tend to transfer due to the rubbing that happens. But I have cheaper shadows that last much better than this one: this one's pretty bad in that sense.

As mentioned, I'm not a fan of the glitter but the formula itself looks and feels ok: it's finely milled and blendable, and it applies well.

What it doesn't do well is stay where you want it to: do expect product fallout, even more than you would from most loose powders, which have a tendency to move around.