Eyeshadows: Tried and True

It’s overwhelming to walk into a cosmetic area to purchase eye shadow.  As a solution to that problem, we might select either the least expensive or most expensive product. This makes sense because we think all this stuff must be the same, or if you spend more, you’re guaranteed to get the best.  However, not all shadows are the same and cost is not necessarily representative of quality. Not by a long shot!  Basic tips to consider when purchasing eye shadows:Before you know it, you are repeating trips to the store to perform exchanges or accumulating products in your bathroom drawers that are never used.  How frustrating is that?  A lot of money can be spent trying different brands of shadows to find the best one.

 

Here are some pointers about using and purchasing eye shadows and a few brands that shouldn’t disappoint you.  If you get it right the first time, you will spend less in the long run and achieve your desired look.

• Unless you are looking for a specific color, consider the palettes. Palettes have multiple colors in them that are designed to coordinate and achieve certain looks.
• Always use an eye shadow primer to enrich the color of the shadow and extend the wear. Try Urban Decay Primer Potion or Two Faced Shadow Insurance. MAC Paint Pods work well but can dry out easily.
• Brushes are an important investment and make a difference. Try the MAC brushes.
• Always have a basic neutral brown such as MAC Soft Brown or MAC Saddle.
• Always have a basic highlight color such as MAC Dazzlelight or MAC Vanilla.
• Great deals can be found on ebay but ensure you are buying from a reputable seller.
• Most retail stores will allow you to exchange or return opened makeup if you don’t like it.

Now, let’s consider the actual eye shadow brands.  There are so many on the market, it’s difficult to choose.  Unfortunately, something as simple as eye shadow can have a lot of undesirable nuances.  Some products don’t contain enough pigment or don’t blend well.  Others have excessive fall out, short wear or colors that look different on your eye than they do in the package.  Below are a few brands worth trying.

#1  MAC

The number one pick!  MAC offers a contemporary ageless collection of gorgeous colors.  Shadows usually need to be purchased individually but sometimes palettes are available. MAC palettes typically appear during the holiday season but a few are available year round for around $45. The individual MAC shadows are $15 which are not expensive when compared to other professional lines.  MAC’s shadows were recently named “Best Eye Shadow” of 2012 by Nordstrom’s Beauty Awards.  The shadows are smooth, velvety and easily blended.  Shimmery colors have little to no fall out and their products apply evenly.  If you want heavy glitter shadows, MAC is limited in that regard but there’s a good selection of metallics.  Also, MAC offers pigment powders. The powders have been reformulated and wear quite well but can be messy to work with.  The powders offer more glitter and can be purchased for $21.  MAC shadow refills can be purchased for $12 and inserted into custom palettes that you create with your favorite colors.

#2  Urban Decay

Urban Decay has an array of colors available and the company puts together palettes of their most popular and new colors.  Certain colors are limited to palettes but you can find individual shadows that are similar by Urban Decay for $18.  This brand is widely used by professional makeup artists. The company is known for being edgy so their colors may not be for everyone but try and experiment with colors you wouldn’t normally choose.  You’d be surprised at the beautiful looks that can be created with good blending.  These shadows blend exceptionally well and the palettes are thoughtfully coordinated. Most palettes can be purchased for $50 to $60 and often have 8 or more shadows in the collection.  For a woman who enjoys wearing neutrals, The Naked Palette and Naked Palette 2 are terrific choices. Urban Decay has some very glittery shadows that are beautifully worn at night and during the holidays.  While Urban Decay has improved the level of fall out with their glitter shadows, it’s still a bit of an issue so you have to be cautious when applying them. If you experience the glitter fall out, use a piece of tape to remove it and touch your foundation back up, if necessary. Urban Decay comes out with new palettes and looks every few months.  This certainly keeps things interesting.

#3  Smashbox

If Smashbox had more colors available, they might be higher on the list but their selections are limited.  However, they offer a great eye shadow product worthy of mentioning.  Smashbox shadows are rich with pigment and most of their colors are appealing to all ages. Their shadows blend well and they have a great line of neutrals (browns, coppers, nudes).  Smashbox has a few palettes that come out each year but they don’t produce palettes and new colors at the same rate as Urban Decay.  Most of their shadows come in trios that include a coordinated highlight, contour and base shade for $28.  The palettes achieve the looks they advertise and it’s hard not to find anything wrong with any of the colors they offer.  Once you start using Smashbox, you will find yourself wishing they had more variations available in the tones you fall in love with.  The Smashbox shadows never have fall out and are long wearing. The brand has credibility as the founders are the great grandsons of legend, Max Factor.  These are folks who have been doing makeup a long time!