Annabelle Cosmetics eye shadows
Annabelle is a Canadian drugstore brand based in Montreal that began in the 1960s. Most of their makeup products are actually made in Canada. I have already blogged about my love of the Annabelle lip liners, which are some of my favourite lip liners ever and very similar to the MAC lip liners. One of the things I like most about Annabelle is that their makeup has no scent or fragrance and is great for sensitive skin. I thought I’d do a brand spotlight to talk about some of the best Annabelle makeup products I’ve been trying out and also one that was a “miss” for me.
First up are the Annabelle eye shadows. This brand has quite an impressive selection for a drugstore brand as well as lots of good neutral shades (also hard to find at the drugstore). The Annabelle Quad Eyeshadow in Java Jive with the four shades Cream, Camel, Beige, & Brown is an awesome neutral palette.
Annabelle Quad eye shadow in Java Jive
The quad itself didn’t photograph well and all of the pics I took of it are showing as way too cool and purpley toned (sorry!), but the swatches, below, are more accurate.
Java Jive quad: Cream, Camel, Beige, & Brown
None of the four shadows are overly shimmery. They just have a bit of sheen and the darkest Brown shade is pretty matte. I like using the Cream shade to blend out with and on my brow bone. Its very light which is perfect for my fair skin. I can do an eye look with just this quad alone.
Annabelle Trio eye shadow in Haute Chocolate
The cool-toned neutral Trio Eyeshadow in Haute Chocolate was another awesome find!
Haute Chocolate Trio
Both the quad and trio I tried are very long-wearing and don’t crease on me (I always use an eye shadow primer). There are 5 other quads and 9 other trios to choose from! My favourite though are the Annabelle Single Eyeshadows which totally remind me of the MAC eye shadows. These are made in Canada and come in 15 shades.
Annabelle Single Eyeshadows look remarkably like the MAC eye shadows
I have three of these: #225 Ivory, Suedine, and #127 Brown Frost.
Single Eyeshadows in #225 Ivory, Suedine, & #127 Brown Frost
Ivory is basically a dupe for MAC Brule. Suedine (french for “Suede”) is a gorgeous neutral taupey-brown, and Brown Frost is a good, medium, cool-toned brown, and both have the prettiest (non-shimmery) sheen. The Singles are so soft, easy to work with and long-wearing they perform like high-end eye shadows.
I was also brave and tried one of their TwistUp Retractable Eyeshadow Crayons. I don’t typically have much luck with creamy eye shadows, but the shade Taupe, a slightly metallic, golden shade that wasn’t too warm-toned for me was calling my name.
Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Eyeshadow Crayon in Taupe
Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Eyeshadow Crayon in Taupe
I have used this on its own and under the Annabelle shadows and remarkably it hasn’t been creasing on me! I could barely get the swatch off my hand. Once these puppies are set, they aren’t going anywhere! Taupe is a beautiful, flattering shade that’s along the lines of MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl. Its like a browner, more coppery version of Powersurge.
The Annabelle Blushon powder blushes also bear a striking resemblance to the MAC blushes and are also Canadian made.
Annabelle blushes are like mini MAC blushes!
I have #44 Rose Fawn and #32 Pronto.
Annabelle blushes (L-R): #44 Rose Fawn and #32 Pronto
Annabelle blushes (L-R): #44 Rose Fawn and #32 Pronto
Rose Fawn is soft, cool-toned pink that is nearly matte with only a hint of sheen. It really reminds me of the feel and the quality of the MAC blushes. Its really pretty on fair skin and lasts all day. I’ve worn this one a lot.
One miss: I absolutely loved Pronto, the pale, neutral rosey-taupe type of blush shade I love, but sadly Pronto turned out to be a miss for me. It looks beautiful when first applied but it seriously oxidized on me and by the end of the day it was way darker and completely, straight up-bronzer brown. My BF even asked me what I had on my face. I didn’t have any issues with Rose Fawn oxidizing.
Another favourite of mine are the Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayons. I have the shades Romance a nude, mauvey pink and Vamp a deep, burgundy-plum.
Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayons
Romance and Vamp
These really remind me of the MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils (I’ve reviewed Kittenish and Spontaneous, and Sultana). Side note: How excited are you that MAC is coming out with more Patentpolish Lip Pencils in new colours???!!! The Annabelle Lipstick Crayons feel creamy and comfortable like a lip balm and you can pop them on without a mirror, but they stay on for hours. I mean, look how pretty they are:
Romance and Vamp
Annabelle is available in most drugstores – Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Rexall, Lawton’s Drugs – and Wal-Mart and Loblaws. If you are in the United States the Annabelle.ca site ships to the continental US, but doesn’t currently ship internationally. Here’s what I paid (yup bought all these myself and I’m not affiliated with the company in any way) for these Annabelle makeup items:
Prices
Annabelle Quad Eyeshadow: $10.95 CAD
Annabelle Trio Eyeshadow: $7.95 CAD
Anabelle Single Eyeshadow: $5.95 CAD
Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Eyeshadow Crayon: $9.95 CAD
Annabelle Blushon: $7.95 CAD
Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon: $9.95 CAD
I’d love to hear if you’ve tried the brand and if you have a favourite Annabelle product!
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Nerdy Librarian Girl ❤
Those Twist Up Lip Crayons are one of my favorites – I even used up a whole one recently, which is unheard of.
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Wow! When you use up a makeup product, that’s how you know you really, truly love it!
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Everything swatched really nicely! There are definitely some hidden gems in the Annabelle line! I want to try some of their stuff for drugstore looks!
Jenan
http://lavieenmauve-jj.blogspot.ca/
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Definitely hidden gems of the drugstore 🙂
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I really love Annabelle but I’ve never even tried their eyeshadow singles…now I want Suedine! That eyeshadow crayon is stunning too, I can’t believe it didn’t crease. What a great batch of products from an awesome Canadian brand!
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I think the singles are a little better quality than the trios and quads. They really are similar to MAC shadows. And the eyeshadow crayons rock! 🙂
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I LOVE the Annabelle trio in Haute Chocolate! It’s VERY reminescent of the Smashbox trio in Filter:
http://blingingbeauty.com/wp-content/themes/arts-culture/timthumb.php?src=http://blingingbeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Smashbox-Photo-Op-Eye-Shadow-Trio-in-Filter.jpg&q=90&w=630&zc=1
Don’t you think?
And the Annabelle single in Suedine is one of my ALL time favourites from any brand – such high quality and a beautiful taupe.
Aw so sorry that Pronto didn’t work for you – it’s one of my favourites! It’s such an understated beige colour – I actually prefer it over the infamous Tarte Exposed. I plan to buy a back of that shade! I only have a few Annablle blushes but I want more – I agree, they’re just as good as my MAC blushes.
I really need to try the eye shadow pencil now – they’re so handy.
Great brand overview of Annabelle! 😀
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I don’t have any of the Smashbox trios, but yeah is that ever similar! Glad to find another Annabelle fan! I was so bummed about Pronto. I have an issue with products oxidizing on my skin and when you’re pale even a slight shift can be really noticeable. But if its not something you’re susceptible to, Pronto is beautiful. I’m definitely up for trying some more of their blushes.
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My eye was immediately drawn to the Eyeshadow Crayons. Eye shadow in stick form has been my obsession as of late. I remember you recommending the Annabelle lip liners to me when I sent my shopping list to my mum when she was visiting Canada. Still love ’em. 🙂
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Aww, glad you’re enjoying them!
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I have a couple Annabelle eyeshadows and probably a blush, but all are from many years ago. The last thing I bought from them is an eyeliner a couple of months ago, but I haven’t tried it yet. Never tried the lipliners, but now I will definitely grab one the next time they’re on sale!
I do remember kicking myself for not buying their nail polish before they completely discontinued them! This was probablly late 90s.
Great idea for a post!
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Oh wow, didnt even know they did nail polishes!
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I don’t know how long they had them, but they came in these little, squat, roundish bottles!
I can only find one Annabelle nail polish photo online and it looks fancier/newer so I guess they changed the bottle at some point. http://jollywoodqueen.blogspot.ca/2011/12/notd-annabelle-nail-varnish.html
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I had never seen these. Neat!
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Oh… HA! I was thinking they kind of look like MAC before I saw they could be good dupes. I was just thinking that by the photos I first saw.
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They’re made in Canada (like MAC) so its possible and highly likely they’re made in the same factory. So no surprise they look so similar!
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OOohh, these look nice but I’m wondering if they are in the US. I don’t think I’ve seen this line. Our drug store lines are so so here. A few good ones but it seems we are lacking.
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I know, not having access to brands is the worst. Annabelle is available in the US through their website but not sure if its in any drugstores.
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I’ve never tried this brand. But i like your post, it seems very good.
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Thanks! Its worth checking out. 🙂
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I think I’ve heard of this brand but am not too familiar with it. Everything here looks really nice! 🙂 xo
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Its one of my favourite drugstore brands 🙂
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Too bad I don’t have it here to try 🙂
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