Eyeshadow: Spend or Save?

Hello Again, Beautiful Friends!

Today we are going to discuss eyeshadow. If you are like me and have a moderate addiction to magazines, you will know that almost every beauty editor ever known has said to spend on foundation, powder and  moisturizer and save on lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, blush...ect. Well, let's examine that, shall we?

It is my personal belief that, if something is cheaper but you have to use much more of the product to acheive the same results you would get from a more expensive product, then that cheaper product is not actually cheaper, because you would have to buy more. Such is the case with eyeshadows. Eyeshadows need to have a certain quality to them to look good. That doesn't mean that you have to shell out $50 for an eyeshadow quad a la Dior, but you do need to know what you are looking for in a quality shadow.

Fisrt off, I firmly believe that you need to get a quality eyeshadow primer You will notice such a difference in the way your shadow looks and stays on. I use a shadow primer by Urban Decay in the color Edun, but if you don't want to spend that much, then just hop over to your local Sally's and pick up Palladio Herbal Shadow Primer. It's fantastic! If you use a primer to get a blank canvas on your lid, then the quality of your eyeshadows doesn't matter as much. If you do use a primer, be sure to brush a flesh toned shadow or some loose powder all over your lid after applying the primer and before applying your shadow so your colors don't just stick to one spot and refuse to blend.

Now, on to eyeshadows. What you are looking for in a shadow are texture and  pigmentation. If you buy a super cheap shadow, it ususally doesn't have much pigment or color pay off to it because pigment is expensive. It will also have a slightly grainy or chalky texture to it, which will make it very hard to blend, again because pigment is expensive, but talc is not. Cheap shadows are mostly talc. So, if you can, try to run your finger along the shadow and see how much color you get on your finger from one swipe and then rub your thumb and forefinger together and feel the texture. Is it silky? Almost creamy? Can you see your skin through the color?

Ok, now for the normal people who can't feel shadows because they shop at drugstores and there are no testers, here is a cheat sheet of great quality shadows at low cost and where to get them.

1. NYX shadows (Ulta, cherryculture.com) These are my favorite low cost shadow. The color pay off is excellent, the texture is excellent and right now they have smokey shadow kits in a few different colors (my fave is the bronze one) with lipstick in them for about  $10. They also have fantastic jumbo eyeshadow crayons. Check out French Fries in those. Try to stay away from the glitter shadows. Not the shiny ones, the really chunky glittery ones. As a side note, at cherryculture.com they also carry NYX blushes, which are amazing as well. Try the powder blush in Peach. It looks good on everyone.

2. L'oreal HIP- These are ok and have a better color pay off than most drungstore shadows, but it varies from shade to shade.

3. Cover Girl- Yes, I said it. Cover Girl has reformulated and SOME of their shades are actually pretty good. Try Mink and Brown Smoulder. Do NOT use the Smokey Shadow Blast Sticks. A total waste of money and time.

4. Avon- The quads are great and a good quality.

5. Urban Decay- AMAZING shadows but also expensive. In this case, you get what you pay for though. I barely have to touch my brush to the shadow and almost get too much color instead of going back again and again trying to get a color pay off.


A Side Note about Brushes-

My fave eyeshadow brushes are actually from Essence of Beauty. They are called the Crease Brush Duo for Eyes and come in a 2 pack. You can get them at CVS. I love them.

I also love my 217 brush form MAC. I use it for literally everything.

I welcome all of your comments and questions. Happy Shopping!

Love,
Thrift Store Barbie