Maybelline Limited Edition Salsa Sun Collection

As many of you know, I have been itching to get my hands on Maybelline's Summer 2010 Limited Edition collection, Salsa Sun. Finally I spotted the display at my local CVS the other day and it just so happens that CVS is having a 40% off sale on all Maybelline eye products this week, so I was able to pick up a palette and a liner (which I will show you later on in this post).

Maybelline Limited Edition Summer 2010 Salsa Sun Collection

This collection contains three LE eyeshadow trios, one LE eyeshadow palette, two LE eyeliners, LE nail polishes (I'm not sure, but I think that pink shade in the back is not part of this collection because it does not have a "Limited Edition" sticker on the bottle. There is also a green shade available--the model is wearing it), and four LE Color Sensational lipsticks.

Also, there is a tear-pad on this display with coupons for $2 off any Maybelline foundation (I don't know about you, but I don't like how many of these displays lately seem to feature coupons for products that are not actually part of the display).

As you can see, this collection is loaded with earthtones, golds, greens and colorful tomato-red type shades. I love it!

So here's what I bought (remember, these are currently 40% off at CVS, plus I had $1 coupons from the Sweet Thing display so it really helped cut my total cost down to just a few bucks a piece):

 Maybelline Limited Edition Expert Wear Eyeshadow Palette in Earthly Glow (retail: $8.49)

At first I thought, "Wow, the pans in this palette are tiny!" but after I started using them, I kind of got used to it, and I like how many colors are crammed into a compact that is the size of your average eyeshadow trio.

And of course, I immediately fell in love with these shades.  Lots of golds, bronzes, rusts, etc.  And there are different finishes to these shadow also. Some are shimmers, some are satins, and some are mattes.

As you can see, many of these shades have excellent pigmentation. One of my complaints about Maybelline eyeshadows is that some of them tend to be chalky with weak pigmentation. Not the case with this palette! I found most of the colors to be richly pigmented and they applied very smoothly.  The staying power is not as good as other drugstore shadows for me (like Wet n Wild, Revlon and Rimmel's new shadows) but of course you can wear a primer to keep things in place much longer.

If you're drawn to the colors in this palette, and you can get this on sale, I think it's a pretty sound investment because the shades are super versatile and can be worn in a zillion different combos.

Next, I purchased one of the LE eyeliners:

 Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Desert Jade (retail: $7.49)

As many of you know, I am an absolute sucker for green eyeliners. And you also probably know that I'm addicted to long-wear eyeliners because of my oily skin, AND my favorite type of pencil in the whole world is automatic (I hate sharpening!).  So this liner was a triple-threat for me. I had to get it.

And I am so glad I did! How did I not know about Maybelline Unstoppable eyeliners before? I am the queen of automatic, long-wear liners (Revlon Color Stay and Styli-Style Twist liners are my favorites)!

Ladies: if you have trouble with your pencil liners smearing and running, and you like Revlon Color Stay and Styli-Style automatic liners, you need to try a Maybelline Unstoppable.  I have been wearing Desert Jade for three days in a row now and I could not be more pleased with it.  It lasts and lasts and I have barely any smearing or fading on my LOWER lash line (the most problematic area for me) by the end of the day. Incredible!

Here's a swatch of Desert Jade. As you can see, it's a lovely, deep mossy green. Also, if you detect any sparkle in this swatch, it is NOT from the liner. I swatched this pencil after I used it on my eyes, so the sparkle is transfer from the eyeshadow I was wearing. Desert Jade has a very subtle shimmer to it but no sparkle.

Here's the same swatch after I did the rub test (I rubbed back and forth with my finger as hard as I could for about ten seconds). Please notice that while there was some fading, there was NO smearing or smudging.  It really stays on until you take it off, and it's definitely waterproof since I had a hard time removing it with regular soap and water. You do need makeup remover to remove this liner with ease.

And finally, here's a quick eye look I did with a few of the shades from the Earthly Glow palette and Desert Jade liner.

If you've got hazel or green eyes, I think you're going to love both this palette and this liner. I think these products bring out both the green and gold tones in my eyes.

So, do you own anything from the Salsa Sun collection? Is this collection speaking to you like it did to me, or are you "meh" about it? Either way, I'd love to hear from you!