On Wednesday evening I found myself in the rather unusual situation of sitting FROW at a show designed to showcase Sleek’s new A/W collection. You might think that being close to the action would mean I didn’t miss a detail but, alas, no; terrifically tall models towering above one’s eye level on a catwalk does not make for a good view of make-up.
Based on the show, I can only tell you that models have very long legs and extremely high cheekbones (for these were indeed the only parts of their faces that were visible from the lofty heights at which said bones loitered). I’ve thus had to discount everything I saw – or, rather, didn’t see – that evening and have instead tested the range on my decidedly less angular face at home.
Let’s start with the Eye & Cheek palettes, shall we. There are two in this collection – Dancing Til Dusk and See You At Midnight. The quality of the shadows for this price point is impressive indeed – the shadows are creamy, highly-pigmented and blend well. Only downside? Cheapie applicator brushes (but at under a tenner that’s really a trifling point).
Dancing Til Dusk / Peachy, golden, warming. This is an exceptionally pleasing daytime palette containing: one matte bronzer (quite dark, more of a nestle-under-your-cheekbone shade than one to use everywhere), one shimmery peachy pink blusher (looks like Nars Orgasm in the palette but once on is far more pink), two matte eyeshadows (a beige and dark brown) and two shimmer eyeshadows (again, beige and dark brown).
See You At Midnight / More shimmer and darker, richer shades in this one, so it’s ideal for evening or for creating a jewel-toned eye. It contains two blushers (in dusty pink and deep, rich raspberry) and four shimmery eyeshadows (in deep purple, navy blue, brown and champagne).
The third new piece in the collection is the addition I was most excited to try. The Precious Metals Highlighting Palette is a quad of illuminators to highlight the face and body (so that would explain those cheekbones, then…).
The four colours pretty much cover all bases – there’s a pale platinum cream that looks good under eyebrows and in the corners of eyes, a glittery champagne for evenings, a creamy champagne that works well on cheekbones and collarbones and deeper bronze powder that could either be used as a highlighter on darker skin or as an eyeshadow.
Sadly the colours are the best bit of this one. The creamy highlighters do the job of reflecting light competently but are a little on the oily side and nowhere near as gently luminous and wonderfully discrete as my beloved Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors. The bronzing powder is too crumbly and the colour payoff poor. I’ve hung onto this for days when my skin is parched or for use on my body with a little lotion to thin them out but would only recommend if your skin is chronically dry and in need of a rather greasy highlighter.
GIVEAWAY // I’ve got the Sleek See You At Midnight and Gloss Me in Maria Maria (bright red – £4.99 here) to give away. To enter, just tell me what your favourite bargain make-up brand is in the comments field below this post and make sure you leave your e-mail address or a twitter handle so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be announced on the 29th of October. UK entrants only.