If you haven’t spotted the new Annabelle Aqua Queen Collection for Summer 2012 in your local Canadian drugstore yet, you will be soon!  These gorgeous 2-piece collection is small, yet mighty! Included are the 10-shade Eyeshadow Palette ($12.95 CAD) in Hawaiian Hues, featuring an array of neutrals and colors with varying textures, as well as an oversized Biggy Bronzing Powder ($12.95 CAD) in Caribbean Sun. If you haven’t tried the brand yet, you may just want to start with this collection.

Eyeshadow Palette

The Eyeshadow Palette ($12.95 CAD) in Hawaiian Hues is totally eye-catching! Seeing the array of shades beneath the clear packaging (with a cute overlaid hibiscus flower decal) makes you start dreaming up the possibilities.  The palette also comes with a double-ended sponge, which I just toss (not a fan of those at all).  The shades are richly pigmented and contain shimmery and frosty shades (with one more matte texture).  They can be used wet, which I like best because it really brings out the pigmentation and vibrancy.  I’d definitely recommend wearing these on top of an eye primer, because I found that they faded after a few hours without one.

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

I’m a huge fan of the choice of colors and the fact that this eyeshadow palette is so sleek and thin- it can really fit into almost any travel bag without making a dent in it!  I’m really impressed with the quality of the eyeshadows (except the matte one lacked great pigmentation)… the only thing that is missing is a mirror (but I don’t regret it- it looks so pretty with the clear lid).

RATING: A-

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Annabelle Aqua Queen Eyeshadow Palette in Hawaiian Hues

Biggy Bronzing Powder

The Biggy Bronzing Powder ($12.95 CAD) in Caribbean Sun is a large, oversized bronzer that is divided into five different shades.  The shades range from dark to light, however it’s nearly impossible to select a specific shade, so I just recommend blending it all together and using it as a single shade.  I find that it produces a nice, golden bronze.  It’s quite shimmery, which I usually stay away from in bronzers, but I do like a bit of an extra bronzy glow in the summer.  The shimmer is very fine, so it’s not like chunky glitter on the skin.  The powder is smooth to the touch, and blends really nicely into the skin.  It does lean a bit on the warmer side, so it’s possible it could look orange on some skin tones (it looked fine on myself, but its a bit warmer than I would usually like).

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun

The packaging also comes with a clear lid (I’m pretty sure it also comes with a hibiscus decal- however my press sample didn’t) that lacks a mirror.  I know it is supposed to be oversized, but I’m not really a huge fan of how big it is.  It makes it more difficult to store, and I just find it to be unnecessary. I’d rather have a smaller, top quality product then a huge one… It’s understandable if you’re using it for face and body, but I just think it’s not necessary to be so big!

RATING: B+

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun

Annabelle Aqua Queen Biggy Bronzing Powder in Caribbean Sun (Swatched heavily on left, blended out on right)

Summary

• Price: $12.95 CAD for 0.33oz / 9.4g (Eyeshadows) and $12.95 CAD for 0.65oz / 18.7g (Bronzer)
• Availability: Canadian drugstores (Available to US by phone order)
• Selection: These are the only two products in the Aqua Queen collection
• Overall: I’m a fan of this small, simple set. A gorgeous array of pigmented eyeshadows, although the matte shade was not only outnumbered (wish there was more), but also lacking in pigmentation. The palette is very visually appealing though! The bronzer was ultra smooth and blends nice with my skin, but I’d prefer it to be a little more neutral and not so warm.
• Rating: A- (for the collection as a whole; individual products rated above)