So Susan Wide Awake Palette & Lacquerlove Box


I remember seeing the So Susan Wide Awake Palette in a beauty box a year or two ago, but other than that, I haven't really heard much about the brand. Interesting fact - So Susan was created by Susan Chyi - who previously created Jelly Pong Pong. Is it just the same brand under a new name? I am not sure. The products are similar or almost identical to JPP. I also noticed that the brand is based in London, but the prices are in dollars. I am slightly confused... Anyway... Let's find out what I think about the products.

I was very excited to try this little palette. The packaging is a little bit flimsy and on the cheap side, but the design is cute and quirky and the compact comes with a mirror, brush and tweezers. Inside, you will find two cream products (illuminating cream and highlighting cream) and a very odd coloured 'eyebrow sculptor' trio. Let's start with the latter. I have never seen aubergine or green eyebrow powders, plus they have a shimmery/metallic finish! The middle shade could possibly be used for eyebrows, but the other two are more suitable as eye shadows. Who wants shimmery eyebrows? Not me!

The pink toned Illuminating Cream is meant for concealing dark circles and it is ok, but I found it hard to work with and it creased badly (for reference, I don't  even have a lot of lines around my eyes). The highlighting cream is more yellow toned and it was design for adding glow to the cheekbones, but... it doesn't look good as a glowy highlighter. It works better as a light contour colour, but again... it is quite hard to work with and it accentuates dry patches. 

I am seriously disappointed with this palette and I am really sad about that, because I wanted to love it. It sounded perfect. If you want shimmery green eyebrows, creased concealer and a patchy yellow base - this one is for you :) 

PS. This palette is almost identical to the Jelly Pong Pong Wide Awake Palette (£15.00), which actually features colours suitable for eyebrows, without shimmer. I am soooo confused!


Thankfully, the Lacquerlove Box* ($21.00) was really good and it came with four 4-free Nail Lacquers ($9.00 each) and an extra full size makeup product (Water Based Pure Luminizer - $30.00). That's a total of $66.00 for only $21.00. Great value for money right here! If you subscribe to the box, you will receive one every two months and it is a UK only service.  Read more about it here. I think it's fab for nail polish addicts.


The nail polishes are nicely pigmented and provide opaque coverage in 2-3 coats. They also have a very glossy finish and last on my nails for 3-4 days chip free. The formula dries pretty quickly as well and it is enriched with Rosehip oil to moisturize and strengthen the nails. The lacquers are 4-Free, which means that they don't contain DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Resin (really nasty stuff!).


The selection of colour in my box was lovely and I received:

68 Ivory - a pink toned nude shade
45 Meteorite - glittery gold 
29 Deep Space - purple with multicoloured glitter - it give an absolutely stunning galaxy effect.
34 Smurfette - a gorgeous and vibrant teal colour 

Left(one coat) to right (two coats): Ivory, Meteorite, Deep Space, Smurfette.
This product is my favourite from the selection and I am glad it was included in the Lacquerlove box. As the name suggests it is a water-based liquid illuminator and it is infused with 'micronized pearlescent pigments'. It is perfect for adding a gorgeous glow to cheekbones and it can also be mixed with foundation to make it look more luminous. I use it with my fingers or a stippling brush. It's a beautiful product and I have been reaching for it a lot! Just like the Wide Awake Palette, this seems to be a Jelly Pong Pong re-launch and it sounds indentical to the oil free All Over Glow.


Overall, the brand seems to have a mix of good and bad products (based on this experience and selection) and I would definitely recommend the water based highlighter - it is fantastic. The nail lacquers are pretty good too and some of the products on So Susan website look very promising as well. If you stay away from the Wide Awake Palette, you won't be disappointed :) I am just being honest, as always. The brand is also cruelty free, which is always a very good thing!

Have you tried So Susan products? You can buy them from www.sosusan.com with free UK delivery.

*PR samples



  


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