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Welcome to the world of eyeshadow!

Here, you will find the answer to these questions:

 

What are eyeshadows?

Eyeshadows are colored cosmetic products that are applied to the eyelid and surrounding area.

They are typically in a pressed powder form, though there are variations to this formula.

You can find eyeshadows that are pressed powders, loose powders, baked, creams, liquids, and more.

What are the different eyeshadow finishes?

There are many formulations and types of eyeshadow. Here are some of the most produced and used eyeshadow types:

Matte Eyeshadow

Has no shimmer or shine in the formula. Matte shadows are a flat color. Pigmentation of matte shadows ranges from sheer to heavily pigmented. Matte shadows are used to blend out other colors, create seamless gradients, and all over the eye for a matte, flat, and “dull” effect.

Shimmer Eyeshadow

A blendable color with fine glitter within the formula that creates a shimmery look on the eye. Much softer and easier to work with than a glitter, but can create similar looks. Often applied with a damp brush or finger for maximum color payoff.

Satin Eyeshadow

Between a shimmer and a matte, a satin formula is a blendable color that has a slight sheen to it.

Glitter Eyeshadow

There are a few types of glitter eyeshadow.

One is glitter mixed with a wet or creamy base, creating an almost gel-like consistency to put on the eyes.

Another type is pressed glitter, which is glitter packed into an eyeshadow pan, as opposed to glitter loose from a jar.

Loose glitter, which is eye-safe glitter pieces from a jar. Requires a glitter primer or glue to adhere to the eye. Is pretty messy, but has the most glittery effect. It is different from craft glitter – do NOT use craft glitter on your eyelid, it can cause micro tears in your skin and much worse damage if it gets into your eye!

Metallic Eyeshadow

Similar to a shimmery eyeshadow in performance, but looks shiny and metallic instead of sparkly.

Which are better: eyeshadow palettes or single eyeshadows?

This isn’t a question that has an absolute answer. Both eyeshadow palettes and single eyeshadows have their benefits.

Pros of eyeshadow palettes:

  • Several (4-30+) colors that work well together in a thought-out color scheme
  • Often has a good mix of eyeshadow finishes (mattes, shimmers, a glitter, etc)
  • Convenient to travel with
  • So many that there is likely a palette to fit your perfect color scheme and eyeshadow finish preference
  • Can get nice quality palettes for as low as $10-15

Cons of eyeshadow palettes:

  • Can be pricey, especially for high-end brands
  • You may not like or use every color
  • So many that it can be overwhelming to choose between 10+ similar palettes

Pros of single eyeshadows:

  • You get to choose which shades you buy so no eyeshadow is wasted
  • Can often find the same color in multiple finishes, so you can choose if you want a purple matte or a purple shimmer
  • Great for makeup artists who want to have one custom palette that suits their client’s particular needs
  • Can replace individual colors when you run out
  • Usually costs $3-15 each

Cons of single eyeshadows:

  • Can be a LOT more expensive than palettes when you add up the price for each color you buy
  • Have to buy an empty palette and magnetic stickers to organize, protect, and travel with them. Otherwise they are not travel friendly and are prone to breaking.

Overall, I believe most casual makeup users have no need to buy single eyeshadows, unless there is a particular color or small custom palette you want. Most people can find an eyeshadow palette that they love instead of buying singles!

On the other hand, buying single shadows is great for a makeup artist! If you use a LOT of one shade, you can just buy another single shade when you run out instead of having to buy a whole new palette, and you can change your custom palette for each person you work with.

Look at your particular needs and then decide which route to go. If you can’t decide or are a beginner, I would suggest starting with an eyeshadow palette.

What brand of eyeshadow is the best?

Once again, this question doesn’t have an answer.

Some people have strong preferences about which eyeshadows are the best. However, people all have different skin types – what works for one person, may not work for you. Likewise, your favorite formula might not work with my skin type!

There are some very prestigious brands that make high quality and well-loved palettes, a couple of which are:

As well as some other high-end brands that many makeup enthusiasts love:

If you have a little more cash to burn and want to get a high-end palette, go for it! For the most part, these brands consistently produce good palettes, just make sure you read reviews, swatch if you can, and look at pictures before you buy.

If you want to get a high quality palette at a lower price, I suggest checking out some drugstore/other brands, such as:

All of these 5 brands can be found in ULTA Beauty, and many of them have sample palettes you can see and swatch. Most of the high-end brands can be found in ULTA, Sephora, or both, too.

Personally, I love Colourpop palettes because of their price, quality, and HUGE range of choices.

How much should I pay for eyeshadows?

Honestly, this one is ultimately up to you, the consumer!

You can get some good quality eyeshadow palettes at the drugstore (and the drugstore section of ULTA, like Morphe and Colourpop!) for $10-15, and even some larger ones for $15-25!

These types of palettes are great to get started. They work well and will likely last you a long time!

But if you want to spend $30-70 on an eyeshadow palette, you likely won’t be disappointed in ABH or another high-end brand – and if you are, ULTA and Sephora have amazing return policies.

You should pay as much as you’re comfortable with – knowing that there are GOOD palettes at any price point!

 

How can I make sure I am using quality eyeshadows?

Look for these things when using an eyeshadow:

  • Is the eyeshadow easy to blend? Blending out into your skin, as well as into other colors?
    Good eyeshadows are easy to blend. “Bad” eyeshadows don’t blend well at all.
  • Is it pigmented (opaque, not sheer)? If not, can you build up the color with more layers?
    Good eyeshadows either are very pigmented or can be easily built up to the color level that you desire. “Bad” eyeshadows have little pigmentation and stay sheer even when you layer more color on top several times.
  • Is it even?
    Good eyeshadows apply evenly and consistently. “Bad” eyeshadows are very patchy, and cling to one spot of your eye, making parts look darker than others.
    If you have a good eyeshadow, it could appear patchy if you are using the wrong base on your eye, so be careful!
  • Does the color last all day?
    Good eyeshadow lasts through your work day and evening. “Bad” eyeshadow wears off really quickly.
  • Does it irritate your skin/eyes?
    Good eyeshadow does not irritate you! “Bad” (and usually cheap) eyeshadows may contain harmful ingredients that can hurt your skin and vision. If you have any irritation after using any eyeshadow, take it off immediately and do not use it again.

Something else to note: Different colors and finishes of eyeshadow are much different to formulate. For example, purples and deep shades are often harder to formulate than neutral and lighter shades, so a matte purple shade may perform completely differently than another shade in the same palette!

If you have any doubts about the eyeshadow palette you are using, search for it on the internet and look at brand and product reviews.

I hope this guide to eyeshadow is helpful! At some point I will be writing a simple guide on how to get started with applying eyeshadow, and would love to know when you want that post up!

If you have any more questions about eyeshadow, please let me know in the comments below.

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