Elizabeth Arden Drama Defined Color Collection {Part 1 Review}

Finally the day for this post has arrived!!! I have been so excited to share my favourites from the new Elizabeth Arden Drama Defined Color Collection and I’ve finally managed to put pen to paper, so to speak. There’s A LOT to get through, so grab your coffee/wine….and let’s get this party started!

What is the ‘Drama Defined Colour Collection’?

Define your drama with attention grabbing eyes and flawless skin ready to face the day head-on, prepared for anything. The new Drama Defined Color Collection from Elizabeth Arden provides infinite, show-stopping looks. Create statement eyes with the Standing Ovation Mascara and High Drama Eyeliner. Achieve a flawless complexion to obtain a no-makeup, makeup look using the High Performance Blurring Loose Powder, applied with the High Performance Powder Brush. Correct imperfections with the Stroke of Perfection Concealer completing the look.

So there are 5 products in this collection and I was fortunate enough to receive all of them. I can’t even tell you how excited I was about receiving this package…like I’d made it in life! #TrueStory 

High Performance Blurring Loose Powder

What’s this powder about?

The High Performance Blurring Loose Powder’ promises a shine free and natural finish. The blurring properties are said to create a flawless ‘no-makeup, makeup look.’ Whether worn on its own or used to set makeup, the soft focus technology imparts a smooth, even complextion. 

The Key Ingredients are:

• Ceramides 1,3 & 6: Help reinforce skin’s moisture barrier so skin looks smooth and healthy.
• Nylon 12 + Hylauronic Acid: Smoothe the look of skin.
• Polymers: Optical diffusers that diminish the look of fine lines.
• Mineral Powders: Skin balancing properties to minimize shine and dryness.

  

Packaging

The powder comes in a convienient, touch-up-ready package, including a mirror, swivel mechanism for precise dosage and space for an applicator.

The packaging, to look at, is stunning and luxurious! Practically, I’m not so sure. I wish they did not have the compartment for the sponge and I could lift the top to reveal the powder. You need to turn the powder upside down, unscrew the lid and tap powder into the lid to get it out. I just wish this was more user friendly. There’s no point to the mirror, when the mirror is part of the lid, that needs to be upside down, so you can use the powder. It’s not awful though, and on the plus side, it’s not messy at all!

What does it cost?

There are 3 shades, Translucent 01, Medium 03 and Deep 05.  This powder retails for R560 and there’s 17.5gms of product.

Application and my experience

I opted to test the translucent shade. Complaints about beautiful (but impractical) packaging aside, I absolutely love this powder. The powder dispensers a bit ‘lumpy’, but it melts into your brush or sponge, and consequently, melts into my skin. It is incredibly lightweight and I hardly feel this on my face. I also feel if definitely does blur my pores and imperfections. There’s no caking or ashiness and I think the Hylauronic Acid actually helps with preventing creasing under my eyes. This powder smooths away any creases or wrinkles, so much so, that I am quite sloppy with smoothing my concealer before I powder. I almost feel like this is a fail safe setting powder under my eyes? It’s going to fix whatever I did wrong and hence why it featured in my April faves!

Would I recommend it?

Definitely! Price wise, this is really pricey for 17.5gms of product….there’s no denying that. For me though, a person that owns more setting powder than I’ll ever need, I would be excited to finish this. To finish any product is a blogger’s dream! If you work out cost wise what you’re wasting with products that are cheaper per gram, but that you end up never using….it’s actually more expensive. This argument makes sense in my head! If you love good setting powders, and you don’t mind ‘splurging’, I’d say go for this. I’d definitely buy it when Elizabeth Arden has a gift promotion on, or one of the stockists have some sort of beauty festival on.

High Performance Powder Brush

This supersized kabuki brush applies makeup evenly for a flawless finish. The angled brush captures loose powder and imparts the perfect amount of coverage all over the face. Use the travel sachet for on-the-go application.

What does it cost?

R380

My experience and would I recommend it?

This is a very nice brush. It is incredibly soft and great for powder. I have never paid this much money for a brush before…so I feel if you have a powder brush in your collection, you probably don’t need this. If you don’t mind splurging, and you’re in the market for a big fluffy powder brush, you’d enjoy this one.

Standing Ovation Mascara

What’s this mascara about?

Achieve bigger, bolder lashes with the high performance, high intensity Standing Ovation Mascara. The innovative, supersized brush and smooth, fiber infused formula work together to amplify, build and curl lashes for a fanned out, ‘false lash’ effect. The smooth formula softens and nourishes lashes, is smudge- and flake-free and clinically proven to increase lash volume by 128%.

The Key Ingredients are:

• Carnauba Fibers: Creates extra volume and length.
• Marula Nut Oil: Leaves lashes lustrous, hydrated and soft.
• Panthenol & Antioxidants: Help nourish and protect lashes.

Packaging

The tube outer is matte back, soft to the touch with gold detail. It’s really pretty.

What does is cost?

This mascara comes in 2 shades, Intense Black and Intense Brown. I received the shade Intense Brown. This mascara retails for R370. 

Application and my experience

The wand on this mascara is HUGE. I have to really concentrate to ensure that I don’t get this all over my lid or my under eye area. The formula is quite thick and wet, so there’s a lot of build up on the wand. You have to be careful when applying or it could possibly become a clumpy mess.

This mascara gives me lots of volume and it makes it appear as if I have double the amount of lashes that I have. The fanned out effect they promise is there, however I don’t get length with this mascara, which is the one thing I crave. My lashes don’t feel stiff with this mascara and I experience no flaking or transferring.

Would I recommend this mascara?

Sadly not. The price is up there, so I expect it to curl, volumise and lengthen, and it just does not tick all those boxes for me. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad, but….I need length!!

I thought I’d be able to do the whole collection in this post, but then we’ll be here until Father’s day! We didn’t bring enough coffee for that unfortunately…. Speaking of coffee, don’t forget to check out my review on the Elizabeth Arden Everyday Perfection Bouncy makeup….that contains…CAFFEINE! I have found another holy grail item within this collection, but I’ll share the information in ‘part 2’ of this post, so keep an eye out for that post.

Have you tried any of these products? Is there anything you have your eye on?

Disclaimer: Elizabeth Arden sent these products to me, but as always, all opinions are my own and 100% honest. As if I purchased them with my own cash 😉 Always.