Review: Cargo Best of Cargo Collection

Returning something to Sephora can be dangerous to your wallet--well for me at least. Especially since I just got a Sephora in my town and even though it is a downscaled version in a Penney's store I am verklempt. So, while wandering around the store knowing I had a $32 credit....I found this really great Best of Cargo Collection. The set is housed in a nice re-usable tin and features an eye shadow palette in shade Shanghai, Suede Blush in Montebello, High Pigment pencil in black and Classic Lip Gloss in Sig Sur. All full sized products and all only for $34.

The Best of Cargo Collection is ideal for an everyday neutral look. Shanghai eye shadow palette contains a nice white shimmery shade for highlighting, a pale shimmery pink that can also be used as a highlighter or as a nice lid shade, a peachy nudish shade also nice on the lid and a taupe shade with a lot of grey in it. The palette is neutral, maybe leaning toward cool.

I especially like the Montebello SuedeBlush. It is a pretty pink that imparts a nice glow but is not shimmery or glittery, which is a bit strange because when I swatched it on my hand at Sephora it was very, very shimmery on my hand. I would have skipped this set for that reason alone had the sales associate not told me she was wearing Montebello and it looked very nice on her. I think because the blush has pale pink, a deeper rose and beige swirled together, it appears more subtle on the skin. The pigment is very good though, which allows you to build the color--the more you apply the deeper the color you get. I find one swirl gives a very natural look to my light-medium skin. For deeper skintones, just go a bit heavier.

Cargo's Classic Lip Gloss is Big Sur is a mauvy rose shade--very very pretty. The texture is fairly thin and not sticky at all. This gloss comes with a time-strip that you insert into the tube and it turns red when you need to replace the gloss. A silly gimmick and pretty much useless in my opinion. I can tell when it's time to replace my gloss; not that I ever fully use one up . I love this shade but I wish it was longer lasting.

The High Pigment black eyeliner is fine; not the best, certainly not the worst. It's just fine.

Overall: The Cargo Best of Cargo Collection is a real beauty bargain. At $34 each product works out to only $8.50. The eye shadow palette alone retails for $28.

Best For: Any skintone and anyone who likes a neutral daytime look. I really don't think this set can be 'smoked up' for a dramatic night look.

Do You Need It?  If don't have many neutrals in your makeup arsnel, this would be a good addition at a great price. It would also make a nice gift for someone who loves makeup. If however, you do have a lot of neutrals in your 'stash' you can certainly pass it up. But.....it is a great bargin even if your favorite things are only the blush and the gloss.....and the eye shadow :)

I purchased this collection myself at my local Sephora.