Friday, May 18, 2012

Shadow of a Doubt


I have to share my latest makeup application experience with you.  It has to do with one of my favorite cosmetic companies at the moment, E.L.F.  My best friend recently allowed me to practice some eye shadow techniques on her and I decided to try out a new palette I purchased called the 141 Piece Master Makeup Collection which retails for $45 but we all know I never pay retail.  I happened to get this palette along with two others (83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection and 27 Piece Mini Makeup Collection) for $33.  The eye shadows were the only product I had yet to try from E.L.F. and I’m glad it was. 

I used eye shadow primer on my friend and used the proper brushes for eye shadow application.  So I’m pretty sure the eye shadow was the problem.  I chose several beautiful purple shades to create a smoky eye with.  The first problem is that the colors aren’t named or numbered.  The second and bigger problem was that the consistency of the product was chalky.  So as I dipped the brush into the eye shadow and the shadow did not adhere to the bristles.  It fell off onto the palette and my friend’s face as I applied it.  The colors lacked pigment and the overall appearance left much to be desired.  Needless to say I was disappointed.  I now own 84 shadows (in this palette alone) that I just can’t use, not even to let my niece play dress up with.  But here’s the good news: I have already found a gem of a company that makes a huge variety of wonderfully pigmented colors at very reasonable prices.  Here’s my favorite: 120 Color Shany Eye Shadow Palette the Bold and Bright Collection.  It retails for $18.99 on Amazon.com.  Let me do the math for you, that’s about $0.16 per eye shadow.  With 120 colors in the palette, if you can’t find one to coordinate with your outfit, you may want to reassess your outfit.  As long as you use a primer with these shadows, the colors will appear as vibrant as they do in the palette and stay put all day and night.  If you’re looking for an eye shadow that can be purchased in a drug store, I’d suggest Milani.  There’s a palette that retails for $7.99 at Target and comes with six colors.  The colors are beautiful and it’s a good value if you choose not to make purchases online.  The bottom line is that you don’t need to spend $18 on one pot of eye shadow to create a professional look.  Spend your time learning technique and not your money on high end product.  And as always you should be…


Staying beautiful,

Makeup Maverick