I’m calling this first impressions so that I can reserve the right to change my mind…
If Addiction doesn’t ring any bells, it’s a Japanese department store brand with a reputation for complex eyeshadows and… that’s all I know about it (and all I needed to know, to make this purchase!). Feel free to head to Glossed in Translation to read more about the Addiction Brand.
I’d heard many a great thing about Fudge and Arabian Ruby eyeshadows, so I decided to take a plunge and purchase the two off Ichibankao at a hefty mark-up (around 32USD- you gotta do what ya gotta do).
Fudge is perhaps the most talked about eyeshadow within the Addiction line- it’s a warm, molten bronze shade. Arabian Ruby was described to me by many as a ‘complex shade with equal parts brown and wine’. That sounds so far up my alley I can’t even…
Swatches in direct sunlight
And in dimmer, artificial lighting
First Impressions and thoughts
Fudge really, really impressed me. I have an abundance of warm, bronze shades but I’m still pleased that I own this one. It’s bloody beautiful in all lighting and it took a single swipe with a sponge tip applicator to achieve the gorgeous-ness above. It’s quite soft but not nearly as soft as Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadows, which are like buttah.
Arabian Ruby is pretty and all but… I liken it to MAC Smut or MAC Beauty Marked. You see it in the pan and swoon at the complexity but once swatched, you need specific lighting or significant head-cranking to fully appreciate the complexity. I’m going to step on a few toes here but in most lighting, it’s sortof…blah.
Additionally, the swatch above required multiple swipes to obtain colour- the texture seemed harder than the Fudge counterpart.
Overall, I get the distinct feeling that Addiction eyeshadows are a bit hit and miss, which is a terrible inconvenience as most of us will have to purchase online. Thankfully, dinner with a friend lead to a spontaneous decision to head to Japan in A WEEK. Hopefully, I will be able to play with them in person and bring you swatches of the winners 😀
AND PIKCHAS. Will take many pictures!
xxkarima
wow, I’ve just visited Ichibankao and it is …wow… so many shades! I desperately need your pictures to come to a decision 🙂
I was in Singapore a few weeks ago and came across fancl and ended up buying the oil cleanser per your recommendation and thank you so much – it’s amazing !
Have a lovely time away ! X
I’m glad you like it as much as I do! I’m going to pick up a few bottles of Fancl while I’m in Japan (hopefully!)
xxkarima
Oh and that fudge – looks so beautiful !
It’s a winner 😉
Fudge is spectacular looking. I have to say, Arabian Ruby looks like a gorgeous color in the pan, but on your skin Fudge is definitely more flattering. 🙂
Will you be getting any more of these?
Yeah I wish Arabian Ruby was more ‘pow’ on me… I think I’ll try it over some coloured bases? Need to extract the complexity. I think I will get a few more while I’m in Japan (if I happen to come across Addiction). Everyone says Flashback is awesome but taupes do nothing for my eyes, at all 🙁
xx
I’ve been following your blog for awhile and I think its my favorite 🙂 I’m glad you got fudge- its one of my all time favorite eyeshadows. Sandcastles is my perfect highlight and Rigoletto looks great on the lid. Flashback is one of the prettiest taupes I own (but can’t compare to THE best LMdB Corinthian). Yay for Japan trip- check out the addiction cheek sticks too, they are fantastic! Can’t wait to see more of your addiction swatches!
I’m very flattered 🙂 Thanks for chiming in- is Rigoletto sheer, at all? I recall a reviewer saying that it’s a little on the translucent side. I’ve heard great things about Flashback but taupes always look boring on me! I will definitely swatch it in person, though. I’ve been eyeing the Addiction Cheek Sticks for a while now 😉 Revenge, perhaps?
xxkarima
Lucky Gal!!-please be sure to swatch every shade and let us other Addiction fans know which shades are the best!!-have lots and lots of makeup fun!
I will make notes, for you guys! Until then, I’ll link you to some great Addiction swatches:
https://drivelaboutfrivol.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/addiction-eyeshadow-swatches.html
xxkarima