9 Realizations on Lustrous by Nadine Lustre + Facebook Live Video

Like most of you, I have watched and read a handful of reviews on Nadine Lustre's much- awaited and controversial makeup collection, Lustrous. And like most of you, I've had pre-conceived notions about the product which almost drove me to conclude not to spend time acquiring and reviewing the product, but then again experience taught me to never arrive at a conclusion without trying. After all, a good Beauty Blogger will try first then review.

I feel the need to disclose that this product has been sent to me for a review and to say that I am not a big fan of Nadine, but I think she is a good actress and a stylish being. I've seen Bloggers and Vloggers with good reviews of the product being tagged as "sponsored" or "paid" so just to clarify and get this out of the way, the set is sponsored, but I am not paid. Whatever you will read here are my pure thoughts and experience with the products.

You've already read and watched a lot of reviews about Lustrous already; in fact, I did a 1-hour video, try on, and commentary on the products on my FB Live (which you will see at the end of the video) so just check that out.

Instead, I have 9 realizations on Lustrous, based on usage and experience.

1. LUSTROUS IS A WELL- DESIGNED LINE

- The packaging is beautiful: the colors, artwork, and curation. It reflected Nadine's style and love for travel and nature very well. It's also worthy of being a limited edition collection because aside from exerting effort in producing new shades, the packaging is also quite different from the standard BYS packaging, the manufacturer of the products.

The Lustrous makeup set which retails at P2,999.00. The set includes eyeshadow palette in Calypso, lip and cheek tint in Raw, Brow Gel in Natural Brown, Mascara in Black, Bronzer X Highlight palette, and 5 mermaid brushes.

2. LUSTROUS MAKEUP PRODUCTS HAVE A LEARNING CURVE

- A lot of people have been complaining that the makeup products are not user- friendly for the average makeup gal. The thing is, it's not and never marketed as an everyday makeup collection, hence the special shades and textures. But I also understand the plight of the consumer who only wants a product that doesn't need magic to work. 

Lustrous is more for the advanced makeup lover or makeup artist who are looking for products that aren't exactly "regular" and can be used to accentuate whatever basic makeup products they own. If you're a beginner and prefer a no- brainer makeup, unfortunately, Lustrous is not for you.

3. LUSTROUS MAKEUP BRUSHES ARE GREAT BUT...

- For P2,999, you get 5 makeup brushes. How cool is that? Also, the brushes come in a charming gold hue and Mermaid design. However, the handles are plastic and the eyeshadow brushes are especially flimsy. So use carefully. On the brighter side, the bristles are very soft and do not shed!

4.  LUSTROUS EYESHADOW PALETTES WORK

- If you know how to work them. I realized over the years that makeup, whether expensive or affordable, need skills, knowledge, and complementing tools to work properly and look fantastic.

Calypso swatches

A lot have been saying that the eyeshadow palette is not great because they say that there are no matte shades. I get that an eyeshadow look needs matte and shimmer powder finishes to create the illusion of shadow and light, but one thing people missed is even if the Lustrous palette is all metallic, there is a dark shade which is good enough to create shadow, at least for Calypso.

To make the eyeshadow palette work, you need an eyeshadow primer because the powders don't have staying power on their own. The good ol' technique of wetting eyeshadow (aka foiling technique) will also work in enhancing pigmentation. In this photo, I used the Calypso palette only and I was able to create the 'shadow and light' effect that an eye makeup needs.

5. LUSTROUS BRONZER X HIGHLIGHT PALETTE IS THE BEST PRODUCT IN THE LINE

- Because I never found anything that I did not like with this palette. The bronzing powders are great because there are options for fair and warm skin and undertone of the powders are neutral and taupe. As for the highlighters, there are options for fair and warm skin also, and a daring lilac pink shade that they got right in terms of hue because it looks good on any skin tone.

The face palette is very pigmented. Also, they can also be used as eyeshadow alternative. If you really prefer to have matte eyeshadow, then skip the Lustrous eyeshadow palettes and go for this palette.

YASS. Pink highlight ftw!

6. THE MASCARA IS GOOD FOR ENHANCING FALSE EYELASHES AND COATING LOWER LASHES

- The mascara is too wet and requires time to set on your lashes. But I like using this to enhance false eyelashes whenever I'm wearing them. Also, it's very pigmented and instantly defines any hair strand plus the comb applicator works perfectly on the lower lashes.

7. LUSTROUS LIP AND CHEEK TINT IS BEST USED ON THE CHEEKS

- Lustrous has released daring and bold lip and tint shades, which a lot found to be quite dark and unappealing, especially if used on the lips because it cracks, sets into fine lines, and highlights dry patches like crazy. I agree with that, based on experience.

Lip and Cheek tint in Raw

But if used on the cheeks, it gives a pigmented yet natural- looking finish and doesn't look dark and unappealing at all, plus it's very long- lasting as well, therefore, I suggest use it on the cheeks instead, but hopefully, in the future Lustrous makeup lines, it will be reformulated to work better on the lips.

8. LUSTROUS BROW GEL IS ACTUALLY GOOD

- Another Lustrous product that most people didn't like because it's too wet, too pigmented, and too reddish.

Brow gel in Natural Brown

But me? I liked it; it matched my hair color and skin tone, and I didn't have a hard time using the product. Again, I've been doing this for 9 years so I don't think there's not a single product that I cannot work around with!

Lustrous Brow Gel is long- lasting and good for those with sparse brows and even thick brows because it does not cling onto the hair.

9. LUSTROUS IS BEST FOR MORENA SKIN

- Nadine is a loud and proud morena. She has a gorgeous tan when I saw her during the grand launch of her makeup line. Since this is her line, it's based on colors that she not only likes, but also look good on her skin tone. That's why I don't have much of a problem with the shades of the products (even the lip and cheek tints!) because the moment I swatched everything, I immediately realized they fit Morena skin perfectly.

But in the time of skin inclusivity, it's imperative that you come up with something that will suit a lot of skin tones, if not all. So maybe in the next Lustrous product launches, she should consider options for fair, medium, and warm skin tones at the very least.

Here's the actual try on and review of Lustrous makeup range:

I hope you enjoyed this video. Do let me know your thoughts on Lustrous by Nadine Lustre!

P.S. Happy Labor Day! Salute to all hardworking men and women who continually strive to put food on the table, clothes on backs, and contribute to the betterment of the economy!

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