They're here! The new Disney Dare to Dream Beauty Books featuring Ariel, Pocahontas, and Mulan! Similar to past Disney collections (villians, Jasmine, Belle etc) these are available at Walgreens, however unlike the past collections, they are not in collaboration with E.L.F. cosmetics.
Mulan
Each Dare to Dream: Beauty Book comes with a written tutorial on a day and night look using everything that comes inside. All 3 Beauty Books include the same makeup components but in different shades.
The Mulan Beauty Book includes 9 colorful shades, 2 blush, a lipstick, black eyelinder and a dual-ended applicator.
Eyeshadow Swatches from left to right:
Destiny (shimmer, microglitter) - deep, dark olive that's almost black with gold microglitter
Fortune (satin) - seafoam green
Blossom (satin) - duochrome blue violet
Jade (satin) - turquoise
Tranquil (matte) - magenta
Honor (satin) - soft peach
Typhoon (matte) - ivory
Serenity (matte) - light mauve
Porcelain (matte) - white
Blush Swatch from left to right:
Palace Puce (shimmer) - deep coral
Dynasty Dahlia (matte) - cool pink
BOTTOM LINE:
Some shadows are better than others. Jade and Tranquil were among the better ones, and Fortune was just the absolute worst. Barely any color payoff, no matter what I tried (brush, primer, finger, sponge applicator...nothing works!) I would say from a packaging and collectability perspective this is a great value at $10, but in terms of the actual product, I wouldn't recommend. There are better performing makeup items at a comparable price in other drugstore brands.
Ariel
Dare to Dream Beauty Ariel Book Cover
Dare to Dream Ariel Beauty Book Day & Night Looks
Dare to Dream Ariel Beauty Book Components
Eyeshadow Swatches from left to right:
Oceanid (matte) - cerulean blue
Dinglehopper (matte) - pastel blue
Gizmos (matte) - seafoam green
Whatzits (shimmer) - deep purple
Thingamabobs (shimmer) - reddish purple
Gadgets (satin) - pastel blush
Whozits (shimmer) - seaweed green
Snarfblatt (shimmer) - golden bronze
Treasures (matte) - warm beige
Blush Swatches from left to right:
Coral Fixation (shimmer) - deep hot pink
Shell Spell (shimmer) - bright coral
BOTTOM LINE:
The Ariel Beauty Book performed much better overall than the Mulan Beauty Book. The darker shades (Whatzits, Whozits) were very chalky and patchy, but the lighter shades swatched properly and were a lot softer to the touch. The two blush shades were also very pigmented. The finish walks a fine line between shimmer and glitter, but used with a lighter hand it applies evenly on the cheeks.
Pocahontas
Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Cover
Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Day & Night Looks
Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Components
Eyeshadow Swatches, left to right:
Willow (shimmer) - warm bronze
Sycamore (shimmer) - deep brown
Heroine (matte) - cool taupe
Headstrong (satin) - terracotta red-orange
Warrior (matte) - deep raspberry
Wingapo (satin) - soft peach
Riverband (satin) - aqua blue
Ripples (shimmer) - cerulean blue
Dreamcatcher (matte) - pastel blue
Blush Swatch:
Sun Sweet Berry (shimmer) - muted mauve
Bronzer Swatch:
Voices of the Mountain (matte) - light bronze
BOTTOM LINE:
Of the 3, the Pocahontas Beauty Book is the most unique in that it includes a bronzer and a blush versus 2 blush colors, and a lipgloss intead of a lipstick. The eyeshadow colors are very earthy, and consequently, much more wearable for an every-day look for those who don't use bright colors very often. In terms of quality, the Pocahontas Beauty Book reigns supreme. All of the colors swatched beautifully, even the dark shades. I would recommend this as it's both a great collector item and has actual practical use.
