Review - Shu Uemura Égérie Eye Shimmer Duo

Duo color eyeshadow that includes a shimmering creamy liquid and hyper sparkling glitter powder. After applying the liquid base, layer on the soft crushed glimmering powder which stays on perfectly for sparkling and enchanting eyes.

The 130th shu uemura Spring Mode Makeup Collection invites you to be an "Égérie:" a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. The collection is inspired by the glamour of rock and roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin sheen finishes to transport you under the spotlight of the captivating rock stage.


Mmmmm, Shu Uemura, the makeup brand that even people who know nothing about makeup recognize. I got this Égérie Eye Shimmer Duo in two color combos, the blue and the purple. The idea is that you first prime the eye with the liquid base (which is a deep gunmetal grey with the purple shadow and a medium brown with the blue), then wait for it to dry, then put the powder over it. I'm not sure which color is supposed to be more prominent, or if the effect is supposed to be a more iridescent one, but I will tell you this: with the purple powder/grey base, the color looked like a glittery grey (lovely). With the blue powder/brown based, the color definitely looked blue. Without the base, the powder worked fine, but they are definitely intended to be a pair. I was impressed with the staying power - these are more evening colors than day, and when I put it on before going out for the night, it performed admirably. You all know I'm a cheapo, and would never buy anything this expensive with my own money, but I was very happy with it otherwise.

Review- Youngblood Pressed Individual Eyeshadows

Our rich, ultra smooth mineral formulation is offered in our new individual pressed magnetic compact. Glides on effortlessly, is long lasting and ready to apply. A beautiful combination of new and existing shades. Apply dry for subtle shadowy looks or apply slightly moist for a more defined look. Available in sixteen shades. .071oz/2g

I have this eyeshadow in Flush, a beautiful dusty rose sort of shade. It is the perfect shade for my pale pinkish complexion. I wore it for times I wished to look a little more mature at night or to a business meeting and it had the exact affect I was looking for. I really liked the staying power and the matte finish of this powder. It is very highly pigmented so I only needed one swipe for the perfect amount of color. I never tried to use it with water, since the shade wasn't necessarily the kind I wanted to be super dramatic, and the subtle effect really worked for me! Two thumbs up on this one, I would definitely recommend it for a wonderful professional look.

Movie Maven says: Mineral eyeshadows allow for a wide range of looks, since they can typically be used wet or dry, and can easily be layered for more intense or less intense color. This Youngblood Pressed Eyeshadow in "Czar," a deep bronzy brown, is a great option for using as a liner (either wet, for high drama, or dry, for a smokier look) since it is extremely dark and intense. I tried using it as a regular shadow - it's simply too dark for me, but it did go on quite smoothly. Ladies with darker skin and warm undertones might like this shade. I got a little bit of creasing as the day wore on, but when I used it with my favorite primer, I got better results.

Review- Smashbox eye shadow Quad

Create Beautiful eyes effortlessly with this AWARD WINNING Eye Shadow Quad. Each container has four perfectly coordinated hues to take the guesswork out of choosing what shades to wear together.

This thing is BIG. I have a feeling it's going to last forever, it's a little bigger than the palm of my hand! So if anyone has been apprehensive about buying one, rest assured, there's a lot of shadow in here and it's going to last you a very long time! On first use, I decided to just try the shades out in stripes on my lids to see how it went with my eyes. I cannot begin to explain the texture of this shadow. It's like the softest, finest, most silky powder I've ever used. I know it's not exactly sanitary, but I had to have friends touch it to believe it! Everyone agrees it's silky smooth. I'm wearing it as I type this, and have been religiously using it as my shadow of choice for over two weeks. It has extremely reliable staying power and can go on VERY bold *or* very soft, whichever you'd like. I highly recommend this to someone who wants ONE quad to carry around with them that will last forever. As an added bonus, it has not flaked, chipped or fallen to pieces knocking around in my make up bag all this time.

Trish says: This really really is one of the softest, silkiest, easiest eye shadows ever! I was surprised at how smooth it glided on and how sophisticated all the pigments looked! I tried the GlamourEyesBrown quad - which consisted of a charcoal gray, deep brown, nude beige, and soft tan shade. The beautiful part being that if you're anything like me, matching single shades can be a bit tricky sometimes, but with this quad everything is meant to blend perfectly together- so that you can build each shade on top of the other and look as if you know exactly what you're doing! No more guessing work and trying to figure out what shade goes where and how well it will match. Plus, as an added bonus, this quad in particular makes the ever elusive smokey eyes a simple breeze! Instant sexiness in one simple package! If you're at all short on time, space, and skill - this is the best quad ever for an all-in-one easy look!

Hillary says: Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I am a huge Smashbox fan. This eyeshadow quad has done nothing to dampen my "rah-rah" spirit. This is a quad for hazel eyes and it brings them out beautifully. Honestly, looking at the four colors together you sort of scratch your head and think "How is this going to work?". But on, they are gorgeous. I read somewhere that Smashbox eyeshadows don't offer a full "color payoff" meaning they are more of a medium coverage, but I tend to disagree. I feel that you can apply their eyeshadows for anything from sheer to full coverage, which is one of the things I love about them.

Review - Smashbox Reign Eyeshadow Palette in Monarch

Decadent mirrored compacts with 6 baked shadows in both matte and shimmer for higher pigmentation and longer wear. Wear the shimmery shades wet for a metallic, smoky look or dry for a gorgeous wash of luminous color. Use the matte shades as a base, or in the outer corners and crease to intensify a smoky eye. $42 each

I have a lot of different eye shadows and palettes. This is probably one of the most unique ones that I own. The presentation is simply stunning. A brown leather compact with a mirror and three different shades that can be worn in various ways. This palette is so versatile, wear it dry or wet for a more dramatic look. The middle of each shade is matte while the outside circle is metallic. The colors are so pretty. One of the hottest trends for fall is smoky eyes with contours and this palette will give you that and much more. This is a must have for your fall makeup collection.

Malikah says: I am so in love with this eyeshadow palette! The rich brown leather compact is so luxurious, it really makes your beauty routine feel special. The shadows have really strong pigments, helping you create a variety of sexy, chic, or dramatic looks. I especially love the daring burgundy shade. If the traditional black smoky eye is too much for your taste, the matte and metallic burgundy hues create a really modern take that look, giving you warm, rich, and sultry eyes. I've been wearing the shimmery champagne shade this summer, but I can't wait to start experimenting with more intense looks come Fall.

Review- Face Stockholm Eye Dust

Fine, loose sparkling powder with diamond intensity. These, soft translucent shades, add subtle highlights during the day, or dramatic evening glamour. Available in a myriad of jewel-like shades to apply wet or dry for a variety of smooth, shimmering styles. Mix with moisturizer, foundation or body lotion for an allover glow. 0.11oz (3.5g) | $22.00

I'm completely head-over-heels in love with this Face Stockholm Eye Dust! I tried the the loose shimmering powder in a shade called "Loving" (not pictured here), which is a warm and gorgeous sunset pink. They also have a wide variety of other colors to choose from as well. As described, the sparkling powder comes in a fine, loose powder, which is delicate and soft in nature, yet still nicely pigmented and highly sophisticated. I wore it alone on my eyelids for a subtle effect, as well as building it on top of my golden-colored eye shadow, which really brought out the color of my brown eyes. As a note: wearing this shade by itself leaned on the light side next to my medium-toned skin. However, this powder is so versatile, I also used to it highlight my cheekbones by adding it on top of my blush, as well as applying it over my lipstick to create the perfect pout. It works wonderfully well making my lips look so much fuller and had a gorgeous shimmering effect as well. The best part about the Eye Dust is that not only is it versatile and blendable in every imaginable way, but also the quality of the powder is so amazing that everything it touches automatically looks more alluring and classier at the same time. Really, you can't go wrong, as this fine powder delivers instant high glamour in so many countless ways!

Review- Dex New York Modern Minerals Loose Pigment

Highly pigmented bold color infused with advanced anti-aging technology -palmitoyl hexapeptide-14 stimulates eyelids and allows for cellular turnover. Paraben Free.

I must confess I am so on the mineral make-up bandwagon. I adore the versatility of powdered minerals and I'd use them for lots of purposes- eye shadow, liner, nail polish and highlighter. These loose powders from Dex New York are high quality pigments. I have two- Gansevoort Lavender and Chinatown Rose. The Gansevoort is (duh) lavender with just a touch of opalescence, not so much that everyone can't use it. It goes on very light but can be made more opaque by adding layers. I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.

Chinatown Rose is a darkish, vaguely fuchsia, reddish pink. I know that sounds confusing but just know this this color makes green and blue eyes pop like crazy! This color has a more opaque consistency but can to be easily blended to give it a more sheer look. This is a bold color but I absolutely love it. It's not for the faint of heart, but I think you can handle it ; ).

Movie Maven says:
I love living in New York, you guys. I love to love it, I love to hate it, I even love the MTA (no, really). But Dex New York? They really love New York. They love it so much that they named every single product they make with a New York-based name. It's a cute idea, kind of, but then you realize that these products have little to nothing to do with the actual streets/landmarks after which they are called. Bedford Avenue lipstick is not the color of disillusioned hipsters (it's tan). Stonewall pigment is not the color of gay rights (it's "jungle red"). They did try, in a couple of cases: St. Marks Place pigment is described as "Purple Haze," and considering the number of head shops there, it's apt. St. Patrick's pigment is green (well, "olive").

But MoMA pigment? The one I tried out? It's "golden pink." Which makes no sense to me, but whatever, I like MoMA. But when they say "golden pink," guys...they mean "GOLDEN pink." I first used this as a blush and I looked like a drag queen version of C-3PO. Not the worst look, certainly, but also not ideal for normal life. This pigment serves better as an eyeshadow, where the golden tint is an asset rather than a liability. Like Hillary said, these colors are bold, y'all, but you can do it! The pigment itself was great - super fine powder, easy to apply with a brush, and while it's a bit pricey at $22, the package is large and should last you a while. Overall, a good product from a solid company (their lipstick is great as well).

Review - e.l.f. Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick

Achieve color intensity for your eyes with twist-up ease (no sharpening required)! Glide on the dark soft gel “liner” to create dramatic definition to the eyes. $3.00

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e.l.f.'s studio line has more chic packaging and a slightly higher price point than their regular products. The shadow stick line is a great product for $3.00. I have it in black liner with the smoke shadow. The black liner is easy to apply, so you don't need to go heavy. It glides on and is very black, it also is retractable so if you are heavy you can twist out a small amount so you don't break it. I don't line the inside of my eyes EVER so I use this on my lash line when I am wearing fake eye lashes; it really helps hide any bit that would appear to be false. The liner goes on smoothly and creates a nice straight line. I do notice that the only downfall is that it does smudge easily and can feather. I luckily carry the ELF shine eraser wipes so clean up is quick and easy.

The gem of this set is the smoke shadow - this goes on so smooth and deposits a soft smooth application that has GREAT pigment. You'll swear you are using a premier shadow, not a "recession-friendly" product. The color is great, a medium platinum gray. I love this and found application to be so easy and it looks great in the crease of my eye. It stays on throughout the day with only minimal creasing. I am really hoping more colors will be added to the selection - right now there are only four options. Next on my list is the pearl / glow. This smoke is a great color for day and apply a little heavier for night.

Amanda S. Says: I really love this eyeliner, when I cracked it open I thought 'great, some complicated gizmo....' but really, it the shadow and eyeliner work great together and it's so easy to carry it around. The last time I got a 'combo' thing like this... the caps fell off and the stuff got ruined! But this has survived the nightmare of my purse for over a week so far, I'm glad to say. As for the liner, I haven't had one go on smoother, and that's even comparing it to liners upward of $15 in price. The shadow I think is cute, although I am not sure I will use it as much as other shadows I have. This is a steal at this price, if you use eyeliner all the time and HATE how expensive it can be and also hate when it goes on all messy, get this!

Movie Maven says: Once again, e.l.f. has blown my mind with their value products. $3.00?? What? $3.00 for just the eyeliner would be a steal - it's smooth, has a great retractable feature, is crazy dark black (a plus in my book, but fair girls be forewarned), and stays pretty well in place. I found the amount of smudging to be on par with most drugstore brands - there was a bit, but nothing major.

But then - to include the shadow stick as well? Stick a fork in me, ladies, I'm done. I am a very lazy woman, as well as a consummate snoozer in the mornings, so something that is quick and easy to apply is ideal for me. The shadow stick twists up, you swipe it on, and you're good to go. I found the need to reapply the shadow after a day of wearing it, but what girl wouldn't want to pump up her look a bit before going out for after-work drinks? A plus plus.

Hillary says: Products that multi-task have a special place in my heart (and my purse). This dual purpose sweetheart from e.l.f. is no exception. My stick is in black (eyeliner) and smoke (eyeshadow) and is perfect for the "smokey eye on the go". As I'm sure I've mentioned on this site in the past, I often put my make-up on on the subway on my way to Manhattan. Call me tacky, but it saves me time and the lighting is great. To this end I have to carry everything with me (minus foundation which I do at home). This stick fits right in with my arsenal with a liner which is neither too soft nor too hard and a creamy, blendable shadow. One caveat about this particular color of eyeshadow, make sure to end your application at least a 1/2 inch below your brows and blend up. The first time I applied it I put it too high and it made me look like my eyebrows had grown by leaps and bounds; it stuck right in there. The next time I used it I took my own advice and got a perfect sultry look. For an even softer look you could apply the shadow and go over it with a foam applicator sponge- ever so lightly. That would give you a nice blend. And as you've read above- it's $3. Why $3 and not $1 as e.l.f. usually is? Well e.l.f. has recently released their new "Studio" line (roll your mouse over Studio on the main page of their website). This new collection is chock-full of double duty products which are perfect for ladies on the go. There are also all new Studio brushes which encompass some of the harder to find brushes. I'm totally getting the Studio brow set which comes with a wax and a powder and I'm thinking I can "splurge" and get the Studio Mini Makeup Collection for $15. Check out the site and they'll even recommend products and colors especially for you!

Sheba says the $3 price is outrageous! I am not complaining --it is so amazing. I have a storage area full of liners that I never learned how to use or they didn't look right or something. Believe me, they all cost a lot more than $3 and I gave them plenty of chances!! This took all of one try to look good -- it actually looked like I knew what I was doing. The shadow goes on as easily and you can get a light, medium or heavy look by adding a little more or just wiping a little off -- it stays pretty well and I agree with Movie Maven -- you want to refresh it before heading out at night. However, that is nothing against this product -- I do that with any shadow that I wear. I want to look fresh, even if I don't feel that way. So investing $3 is well worth it for this combo. I think it is a terrific bargain!!

Review- e.l.f. Brightening Eye Color Quad

Luxuriously smooth, corn silk formula provides eyes with a neutral base and an awakened brightness. The formula blends into skin for a long lasting, beautiful effect. The 4 color quad allows for both natural and dramatic looks. Mirror in compact included. $1

Ok, so this eyeshadow quad (we're talking 4 colors here)is $1, glides on beautifully AND I got 2 separate compliments on the colors? What strange planet have I landed on? The combo I got is called "Butternut" and while it wouldn't match everyone, it is a perfect fit for me. It is a yellow, a salmon/orange (not orange-orange), a light chocolate brown and a dark brown. They all have a bit of shimmer to them but with these shades, the shimmer seems almost natural. In no way overdone. I didn't use the sponge applicator included (it's a little small) but had great success applying it with an eyeshadow brush. I put it on about 8 hours ago and where I won't say it hasn't faded at all, it still looks reasonably in place and decent (mind you I didn't use a shadow primer). There are 9 quad combinations to choose from, and I'm sure if you look you'll find something that piques your interest. So what are you waiting for? Click the link above and spend that dollar burning a hole in your pocket!

Deedlejuse Says: I feel like a broken record but.... ahhh..... all that Hillary says and more! My complexion is quite different from Hillary, we are both pale, but I am blond with a rosy (ok, pink) undertone to my skin. I believe I got the same "Butternut" compact and it is to die for on my skin. Super understated and just really lovely. The lighter colors are great for highlighting and the darker browns add a great "pop" to my lids. I am 100% satisfied with my $1 eyeshadow, even Wet 'N Wild can't compare to this amazing line. I love it!

Amanda S. Says: I can't believe this is $1. Seriously. I just went to the drug store and decided to compare the prices, and they ranged from $5 to $12. And we're talking for items that are, at times, of WAY lesser value and usefulness. I love these colors and it's amazing how well this stayed on. It was 90 degrees here yesterday, and me, Amanda the compulsive eye-rubber, wore three shades of this amazing quad and it lasted.. from 6 am when I applied it until 8 pm when I returned home and washed it off. !!!!!

Review- Physician's Formula Eyebrightener

Brightens dark or dull eyelids with subtle hints of pearlescent color for a natural-looking finish! $7.95

This is a very unique and useful product. It looks marbled in the case (I have Touch of Smoke as seen above, but there are 6 colors altogether) From the look of the powder you would never guess that it could lighten your lids, but magically it does just that. It adds a slight bit of irridescence (we're talking slight), but other than that, you look like you- only better. I happen to have eyelids that are a few shades darker than my browbone (I think most women do), but if I don't feel like doing a full face of make-up, I can just throw this on w/ some tinted moisturizer & lip and cheek tint and I'm ready to go. It really does brighten the eye area, hiding any discolorations in the process. Yet it goes on so light, you hardly feel like you are wearing anything at all. What amazes me most is the way it looks medium grey in the pot then lightens my lids once it's applied. How'd they do that? I highly recommend this product for either the "un-makeup" look or if you are just making a quick trip out and want to look fresh and awake.

Review- Revlon Matte Eye Shadow

Soft, suede-like texture glides over lids smoothly and evenly. Provides high-impact color and a soft matte finish.Feels smooth and luxurious on the eyes. $4.99

I really love the texture of the new matte eye shadow from Revlon. It feels so soft and smooth going on; luxurious one might call it. And the color stays on. I got this in Vintage Lace (pictured above) and it makes the perfect brow highlighting shadow. I know ivory might not be the most exciting color, but I can use this shadow with practically any other shadow I've got. I also like it because it's sparkle-free. Sometimes a girl doesn't want sparkles on her eyelids. Sometimes we feel like playing it down. This eyeshadow is perfect for that (although a few of the colors available are too wild to be played down). This shadow distributes a decent amount of color (I use an eyeshadow brush but it does come with an applicator). Check out the colors next time you are at your favorite cosmetics watering hole, I promise you won't be disappointed.