review: physicians formula (the gold vault)

Two things I cannot ignore? Shimmer and discounted makeup. The Gold Vault 24-Karat Gold Collagen Face Palette from Physicians Formula checked off both boxes and then some. This set had a little bit of everything: bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, and mascara. (All with lots of shimmer and shine...mascara included.) Not to mention, it was also found at a discounted price. Always a bonus! This is something that caught my eye several months back and was used a lot during the holiday season and beyond. Now? I am finally ready to share my thoughts here on the creation of beauty is art. Keep reading for a full review of this product and a makeup look featuring these oh-so-shimmery drugstore items.

Yes...this is shimmery! Everything inside is overloaded with sparkle and shine. It is certainly not ideal for the matte lovers out there. However, if you are someone who loves a little glitz and glam, then The Gold Vault might be something to consider. According to Physicians Formula, this is "the ultimate, easy-to-use, all-in-one, complexion-enhancing face palette that has everything you need to create customizable looks from a natural, healthy glow to intense radiant perfection." It claims that these are luxurious gold-infused formulations that are designed to suit all skin tones. Certainly intriguing! This set comes with a shimmery bronzer, highlighter, eight shimmery eyeshadows, and a 24-Karat Gold Collagen Mascara. 

The packaging is fairly simple but still cute. There is a marbled effect on the outside with gold details. It all comes in a sturdy cardboard box with a magnetic closure. While it doesn't feel ultra luxurious,  it doesn't feel flimsy either. This falls solidly in the middle and is impressive for a drugstore release. Inside the palette, there is a great guide. It includes two different makeup look ideas: Into The Gold and Gorgeous To a Vault. I love that there are makeup ideas inside. This is something that Too Faced used to do and it was super helpful for me when I was starting out with makeup. It really makes the palette more accessible. Whether you are a beginner or have been using makeup for years and years...there is value in a little inspiration. The inner packaging also reviews the three different ways to use the 24-Karat Gold Collagen Mascara. For instance, it can be used as a primer, on the tips of the lashes, or fully coated. Wondering why there are so many ways to use this mascara? It is not a black mascara...it is a fabulous shimmering gold. This is without a doubt the most unique mascara that I have ever tried. It actually works well as a primer and looks great on the ends of the lashes. I've worn it full out and it separated the lashes well, but I felt like the look needed more contrast colour wise. My preference is to wear it as a primer or as an accent on the lashes.

As for the other products included in The Gold Vault? There is a ton of shimmer going on. The bronzer is ultra sparkly and quite light. It works for my skin colour but is unlikely to do much for anyone with a deeper skin tone. The shimmer means it can't be used for contouring, but it does look nice and glowy on the cheeks. The golden highlighter is stunning and so sparkly. This is something that I have used as a highlight before but have also incorporated into different eyeshadow looks. There are eight eyeshadow shades in this palette as well. Some of the shadows are fabulous and some are lacking in pigmentation. The first shadows in the top and bottom row are some of my favourites. (Unfortunately, none of these have names.) The first is an ultra sparkly white and the first on the bottom row is sparkly with a holographic kind of finish. The next two have just as much sparkle and shine. The texture is a bit rougher but the glitter looks gorgeous. The third shadow on the top row is a little lackluster because it lacks in pigmentation. On the other hand, the third shadow on the bottom row is beautiful and has such a gorgeous shimmery finish. The last two shadows in this set fall flat as well. These are supposed to be the darkest colours but it takes a lot to actually build them up. I've found myself using the bronzer through the crease instead for more depth. 

There is a lot to love about The Gold Vault 24-Karat Gold Collagen Face Palette from Physicians Formula. For starters, that gold mascara. What a unique item to include! It is a fantastic primer and also can add a little extra glitz to my lashes. The bronzer works for me but would likely not work too well for anyone with a deeper skin tone. However, the golden highlighter would definitely stand out! There are some really gorgeous glitter and shimmer eyeshadow shades to choose from here, but not all of the shades have a ton of pigmentation. All in all, there are some really special products here. This is a unique drugstore release and it has been a lot of fun to use. Physicians Formula is generally good quality and The Gold Vault is no exception. 

Have you tried The Gold Vault? Are you a fan of Physicians Formula products?