The Saem Freely Soul Jelly Cushion eyeshadow - (더 샘 프릴이 소울 젤리 쿠션 섀도우) 02. Soul Brown (소울 브라운)

The Saem (더 샘) is a Korean cosmetics brand that is currently endorsed by IU AND G. Dragon.  It is a relatively newer store in Korea, and the first time I came across it was last summer during my annual Korea trip.  The first time I went to the store, I left with a very bad taste in my mouth because the saleswoman was so pushy and I ended up buying things I hadn't really wanted (easily persuaded).  Anyways, I recently went back to the store and found a few items that I was really intrigued by. 

I purchased a few different shades of the Jelly Cushion shadows because they felt really cool and squishy - kind of like the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush but more jelly-like.  The colors were also very pretty and the price of these was not too bad.  ($6-8)

The color I am reviewing today is 02. Soul Brown.  It is a nice purpley gold color with shimmer, and the shades (before mixed) are gold and purple.  I purchased my eyeshadow in Korea in Myeongdong 명동 area, but I saw other Saem shops around Seoul.  

This time, the sales lady was very nice and not pushy, and she was amused that we were from Hawaii.

Anyways, I quite like this shadow and I think it is a very pretty all over the lid color.  I would use a primer under it for best results, because it is kind of like a cream shadow and could potentially crease throughout the day.  

eSpoir eyeshadow in "Prince Street" 에스쁘아 아이섀도우 (프린스 스트리 트) Review and Swatches

eSpoir is a Korean cosmetics brand that is on the mid to high end price range.

I want to talk about the store a little bit before getting onto my review of this single eyeshadow.  

eSpoir is interesting because though it is based in Korea, the store has a French makeup artist.  I'm not clear on all the details of the store, but in eSpoir's YouTube videos, the makeup artist is a French man.  The theme colors for the store are orange and purple, and the store has a very classy look with its orange sign and clean, spacious interior.  I saw multiple eSpoir shops in Korea, with two being in Myeongdong 명동 area (a young shopping area similar to Harajuku in Tokyo).  

The single eyeshadows cost 10,000 원 won which is equivalent to about $9 US.  However, while I was in Korea, eSpoir had a promotional sale for their new eyeshadow shades and all eyeshadows were 2 + 1 and you got a free eyeshadow case for every 3 shadows.  This promo made the eyeshadows come out to about $6 each, which is a pretty affordable.  Most of the eyeshadows here, and in Korea in general, are very shimmery/glittery, and tend to be more towards the sheer side. 

This definitely goes for the eyeshadow in the shade "Prince Street." 

In the pan, this eyeshadow is dark and taupe-y colored and looks like it'd be a good outer corner, contrasting color.  However, I found that it is pretty sheer, and though it can be built up, it is too shimmery to use as a contrast color and as you build it up, you will just get more and more shimmer with the color.  Now, this is not saying that I don't like the eyeshadow -- because I do! It is a beautiful color for all over the lid, and it is a cool toned taupe silver brown shade that I really like.  

The eyeshadow formula is very smooth and I find that, as with many Asian eyeshadows, it is best when applied with your fingertips (and over a primer).