Buxom: The Headliners Collection, $42. Photo courtesy of Sephora.

I bought this giftset by Buxom around the holidays and, since I’m just getting around to reviewing it now, I had to use the official photo on Sephora.com since I’ve used so many of the products already. I took some of my own pictures of the individual products below, except for the eyeliner which I kind of threw out after getting super frustrated with it (hey, I tried …).

I really love Buxom products. Well, most of them … as you will see after I review their Insider Eyeliner. I had been meaning to buy one of their mascaras for awhile, so I figured I would get this set, which includes a full-sized Amplified Lash Mascara, and try out a bunch of their other products as well. This collection is totally worth the price ($42) as it contains all full-sized items. As many of you probably know, Buxom is owned by Bare Escentuals and is sold exclusively in Sephora stores and Sephora.com. The Bare Escentuals website features Buxom products, and then links you to Sephora.com to purchase.  BUXOM: The Headliners Collection includes:

• BUXOM Amplified Lash Mascara in Loud Black, 0.22 oz. (individually $22 for 0.22 oz.; Sephora.com)
• BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Sydney, 0.03 oz. (individually $19 for 0.03 oz.; Sephora.com)
• BUXOM Insider Eyeliner in Onyx, 0.01 oz. (individually $14 for 0.01 oz.; Sephora.com)
• BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dani, 0.15 oz. (individually $19 for 0.15 oz.; Sephora.com)
• BUXOM Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug, 0.12 oz. (individually $18 for 0.12 oz.; Sephora.com)

BUXOM Amplified Lash Mascara in Loud Black.

BUXOM Amplified Lash Mascara in Loud Black Review:

The reason I bought BUXOM’s Headliners Collection was initially for this mascara. I had tried one of my friend’s Buxom mascaras awhile ago, and have been meaning to purchase it for some time now. I loved the way this mascara seriously lengthened and separated my lashes, which still haven’t fully grown back.

BUXOM The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) comes with a full-sized version of their Amplified Lash Mascara ($22 individually; Sephora.com) in Loud Black, which seems to be the only color this mascara is offered in. This mascara is described as “a do-it-all mascara with an innovative expandable brush.” To majorly volumize lashes, twist the mascara up to fully extend the brush; twist down to the “ultra compact position” to comb through lashes for “incredible length, separation and definition.”

I always have a bunch of different mascaras in my makeup case — either small-sized ones I have received as samples, or full-sized versions that I’ve either received in kits like this or that I bought myself to try out. I am constantly trying out new mascara formulas and I absolutely love this one by Buxom. I found that my lashes are extremely volumized when I use the extended brush (I do this step first), and I was shocked at how separated the compact position really made my lashes. It also noticeably lengthened them.

An independent U.S. study has shown that Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara volumizes lashes by up to 600% when using the fully-extended brush. When the brush is in its compact position, the bristles “squeeze closer together to expertly comb through each and every lash for maximum length, separation and definition.” The study was based on applying two coats of this mascara.

Buxom has these suggestions for use:

• For Booming Volume: Twist end of brush clockwise to extend brush into Fully Extended position (the first time you remove the brush from the tube it is already in the fully extended position). Dip into tube to pack brush with formula. Gently raise eyelid with finger and sweep mascara on underside of upper lashes from root to tip, slowly wiggling the brush from side to side. Let dry. Apply as many coats as you want until lashes are at their loudest.
• For Maximum Definition: Twist end of brush counterclockwise to contract it into Ultra Compact position. Dip into tube. Starting at the base of upper lashes, carefully comb upward to lift, lengthen, and separate lashes. Repeat on lower lashes. Let dry. Continue applying until lashes reach overpowering definition.

Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara is available in The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) and individually ($22; Sephora.com).

BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Sydney.

BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Sydney Review:

I apologize for the crappy, grainy image quality in the picture above. I’m going to start using my dad’s super nice camera to take makeup photos soon, instead of my iPhone. Anyway, this was my absolute favorite product in BUXOM’s Headliners Collection. I was not expecting to be so crazy over this product — I never, ever wear lipliner, and I figured the color wouldn’t be dark enough to color in my lips. I was totally wrong.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($19 individually; Sephora.com) is exactly how it sounds, a lip stick, a stick for your lips, in the most perfect nude color (Sydney). I seriously can’t believe I’ve lived without this product for so long. I line my lips with it, then fill them in. It is the most perfect staple on a “natural” makeup kind of day. If you don’t want to OD on the makeup with super glossy lips, this product is perfect.

Buxom’s Big & Healthy Lip Stick goes on so smooth and so perfectly since you’re able to line your lips with it first. It adds a hint of nude-taupe-pink color that has so much depth, yet is still perfect for a totally natural non-glossy look. It evens out my lips, colors them in the perfect color and then plumps them up in true Buxom fashion. Even though it’s not glossy, it isn’t totally matte either — it’s a creamy formula that adds a hint of subtle shine which really just makes my lips look so healthy and flawless.

This product is described as a “three-in-one” perfector that defines the shape of lips like a liner, fills them in with creamy velvet color and then plumps them to their full Buxom potential.

The formula contains “a deep infusion of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E for soft, smooth lips.” It also comes with a built-in sharpener, and, unlike many products that you have to sharpen (like eyeliners), this Lip Stick does not run out quickly. I use it every single day and I’m not even close to finished.

Independent consumer research has found that 90% of women felt their lips were more supple while using Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick, and 80% of women said this product “fulfilled their lips in every possible way” (exactly what I was trying to explain above).

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick is available in The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) and individually ($19; Sephora.com). Sephora is currently sold out of this product in Sydney, the color I received in The Headliners Collection. So, you can either buy it in The Headliners Collection, choose a different color (it comes in 20 different shades!), or, of course, wait for it to be back in stock.

BUXOM Insider Eyeliner in Onyx. Photo courtesy of Sephora.

BUXOM Insider Eyeliner in Onyx Review:

One of the only photos of products in Buxom’s Headliners Collection that I couldn’t take myself is Buxom Insider Eyeliner in Onyx ($14 individually; Sephora.com). I tried so hard to like this eyeliner, and what eventually ended up happening was that every time I tried to sharpen it to get a fresh, pointy tip, the liner would completely break off. Eventually I was down to nothing, hardly having used the product at all, so I got frustrated and threw out what was left of it.

This liner got pretty high reviews on Sephora’s website (4 stars), but I’m definitely not jumping to buy it again. It is described as “a velvety liner for the lash line and inner rim of the eyes.” So, in order to get a small point to properly line the lash line and rim, you need to sharpen it, right? Well, as i said, every time I went to sharpen it some of it would break off. I’m no noob at sharpening liners, so perhaps I got a defected product. I’m not sure, but either way, this wasn’t the only problem I had with this liner.

Buxom Insider Eyeliner is also described as a rich, long-wearing, gentle formula. It contains a healthy blend of antioxidants and vitamins “to protect the delicate skin along your lash line from environmental damage” and can also be applied along the outer lash line “for the maximum effect and glides on without tugging or irritating your eyes.”

I usually use waterproof eyeliner formulas because my eyes tend to tear a lot, and, while this liner never claimed to be waterproof, I was seriously surprised at how much it smudged throughout the day. A couple hours after applying, it either completely disappeared from my lash line and inner rims, or it was smeared and gave me raccoon eyes. I really like the idea of an eyeliner that is specialized for your lash line and inner rims, packed with good-for-you ingredients, but this eyeliner seriously did not deliver for me. As I said, it got pretty good reviews on Sephora’s website, so I guess others had better luck. Either way, I will not be purchasing it again.

Buxom Insider Eyeliner is available in The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) and individually ($14; Sephora.com). It comes in eight jewel-toned colors: Amethyst, Black Jasper, Chocolate Citrine, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Sapphire and Topaz.

BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dani.

BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dani Review:

Again, I apologize for the crappy photo quality. This product, actually, has the letters rubbed off a little bit on the tube because I have been using it so much — I carry it around with me everywhere.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dani ($19 individually; Sephora.com) is definitely my new favorite lipgloss. I’ve never tried Buxom’s glosses until I got this one in The Headliners Collection. I’m usually not too keen on berry-pinks but I definitely love the consistency of this gloss. Next time, I’m going to try it out in one of their other 25 different colors, probably a more nude-peach-mauve color (I really don’t think outside of the box much when purchasing lipglosses).

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish is described as “a pout-perfecting, sheer coverage, shimmering lip gloss.” It is a best-selling formula that “instantly creates the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips with luminous shine.” It is formulated with Vitamins A and E which help keep lips soft, smooth and protected “while the tingling sensation reminds you that it’s working.”

I seriously loved the feel of this gloss — it’s not sticky like a lot of other glosses, and it has just the right amount of subtle color and shine. The tingling sensation really does remind you that it’s working, and it makes your lips look full, soft and smooth. On a night out, or when I want to add a glossy shine to my lips, I layer this over Buxom’s Big & Healthy Lip Stick and it looks perfect. I will definitely be buying both of these products again as soon as I run out. 

Clinical research found that 86% of women who used Buxom’s Big & Healthy Lip Polish experienced an immediate increase in lip fullness; 75% of women felt that moisture in their lips had increased; and 96% of women were satisfied with the overall improvement in their lips.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish is available in The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) and individually ($19; Sephora.com). It comes in 25 different shades.

BUXOM Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug. Photo courtesy of Sephora.

BUXOM Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug Review:

This is one of those products that I wasn’t thrilled about, but I didn’t dislike either. BUXOM Stay-There Eyeshadow ($18 individually; Sephora.com) is a cream-based crease-free long-wear formula. I do like it, but I happen to like Maybelline’s Color Tattoo eyeshadow line a lot better.

Each Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow comes in a color named after a dog breed and in honor of this shadow and “the furry friends they’re named after“, Bare Escentuals is making a charitable contribution to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that “enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs.” I think this is an amazing cause as our furry friends can truly bring comfort and happiness to our lives, so this alone is a great reason to buy this shadow.

Buxom’s Stay-There Eyeshadow comes in 12 vibrant, lively colors. It’s still a fairly new product on the market, described as having a “plush, lightweight texture and vivid color.” I did find that I was quite surprised and how soft the shadow felt. I use a primer underneath, and apply two coats of this stuff and I’m on my way to a super simple “smoky” look (The Headliners Collection came with this shadow in Pug, a “smoky pewter”).

This eyeshadow formula is waterproof, and I found that it is truly crease-free and lasted for the duration of my day. These shadows are infused with minerals, paraben-free and non-greasy; they are packed with soothing Aloe extract and vitamin E, which is great for the delicate skin on your eyelids and around your eyes.

Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow is available in The Headliners Collection ($42; Sephora.com) and individually ($18; Sephora.com). It comes in 12 different colors.

This completes my (long) review on Buxom: The Headliners Collection. All in all, it was a great buy and totally worth the $42. I pretty much loved all the items in this kit except for the Insider Eyeliner. All items in this kit are full-sized and I have found a few products that are definitely going to become staples in my makeup collection. You can purchase The Headliners Collection exclusively at Sephora.com. It might be available in stores, but I’m not sure!

xoxo,
Amanda