ELF 32 Eyeshadow Palette - Quick Review & FOTD

I bought this ELF 32 eyeshadow palette months ago from Winners for $9.99 CDN. I'm not really sure what compelled me to purchase it, but it ended up in my collection and untouched for months.

I was interested in blogging about this palette and reviewing it, but I hardly touched it. I used it once initally when I first purchased it, but I wasn't impressed - I really had to dig in and pack the colour on, and it faded unusually bad by the end of the day.

I finally decided to dust it off the other day and try to do a look using the palette:







Here is what I used:
» Using my finger, I primed my lid and brow bone using UDPP.
» Using my finger again, I applied MAC's Soft Ochre paintpot on my lid and blending it into my crease.
» Using a stiff eyeshadow brush - I used my SpaResource's Medium eyeshadow brush - and applied the first shade heavily on the inner two thirds of my lid, blending it slightly in the crease.
» Using the other side of the same brush, I packed on the second colour on the outer third of my lid and blended it in the crease.
» I blended everything using my MAC 217 brush.
» Using the same blending brush, I applied MAC's Omega eyeshadow as a blendind colour between the crease and brow bone.
» I applied MAC's Orb eyeshadow on my brow bone using the Quo All Over eyeshadow brush.
» Lined my eyes using the Sonia Kashuk bent eyeliner brush and MAC Blacktrack fluidline.
» Applied Maybelline's Falsies mascara and false lashes (not sure of the brand or #, I mixed all my lashes up) with Duo's clear lash glue.

» For my face I applied my MUFE HD Foundation in #127 with my Sephora Professional #45 mineral powder brush and set it with the Tarte Amazon finishing powder.
» I contoured with my ELF Studio Line blush brush and MAC's Harmony blush and applied Essence's blush in Adorable.

The colours are pigmented enough, on a scale from 1 to 10 - 10 being very pigmented, I would give the palette a 6. However, once you start blending, the eyeshadow tends to fade, so you do have to go back and forth and pack the colour on.

I'm not a big fan of the colour selection, just because I feel it's hard for me to find colour combinations to work with - I usually tend to go for monochromatic looks though.

I think this would be a nice palette for someone who is starting out in make-up, these palettes retail for $5.00 on the ELF website. Which is pretty reasonable - but like I mentioned, I purchased my palette and Winners for $9.99 CDN. If you're someone who has an established collection, you probably won't reach for this palette often because of the fact you have to go back and forth to pack the colours on.

Urban Decay's Fishnet e/s FOTD

I pulled out my Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box the other day and did a look with a colour that I wouldn't normally use - Fishnet eyeshadow.

It's this really pretty pink-purple duochrome eyeshadow, but not really my type of colour. I paired it with MUFE infamous #92 eyeshadow and I love how it brought out the purple of Fishnet. I only used 2 eyeshadows as well! (Well, not including the highlight).

I really loved this look, I didn't even want to take it off at the end of the day.





With Flash:






Without Flash:




USED

EYES:
» I first applied UDPP as a primer all over my lid up to my brow bone using my ring finger.
» Using my ring finger again, I applied MAC Painterly paintpot all over my lid and blending it up into my crease.
» Using my ELF $1 eyeshadow brush, I applied Urban Decay's Fishnest e/s all over my lid, staying under the crease.
» With my MAC 266 pointed crease brush I applied MUFE #92 e/s in the outer third of my lid, and blending it all the way across my crease.
» I blended any harsh lines with my Sephora Professional #29 blending eye brush.
» Using Quo's all over eyeshadow brush I applied MAC's Orb e/s as my highlight and blending it down into the crease colour. I also took the same color and applied it in my tearduct.
» I then lined my eyes using MAC's 266 angled eyeliner brush and MAC's Blacktrack fluidline.
» To keep the lower lashline from looking too bare, I applied Annabelle's Glitterama liquid e/l in Violet Venus just under my lashes on the lower lashline.
» I applied Red Cherry lashes - sorry I'm not sure if the # - using Duo lash glue.
» I blended my real lashes into the falses by applying Maybelline's One by One mascara.
» I then finished off the look by filling in my brows using Maybelline's Define-A-Brow eyebrow pencil in Dark Brown.

Grey & Purple Smokey Eyes FOTD

After my initial success with Maybelline's Colour Tattoo 24 Hour eyeshadow in Painted Purple, I decided to pick up a second one in Tough as Tauple.

It's not a colour I usually wear, but I pulled it out for this look:


Without Flash:




With Flash





USED:
UDPP (primer)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe (base)
MAC Electra e/s (on lid)
Annabelle Carbon eyeshadow (in crease)
MAC Omega e/s (blending colour between crease and highlight)
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Vanity Palette (matte black in outer V)
Wet n' Wild Brulee e/s (as highlight)
Annabelle Eye Kohl e/l in Fiesta (on lower lashline)
MAC Violet pigment (on top of Fiesta e/l)
MAC blacktrack fluidline
Red Cherry lashes
Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Dark Brown
Maybelline One by One mascara

I ended up adding the purple on the lower lashline, because I'm not a huge fan of grey smokey eyes on myself.

Surprisingly though, this look ended up creasing REALLY bad at the end of the night. Not sure if it was Tough as Taupe base, or because of the Annabelle Carbon eyeshadow in the crease. I've noticed that whenever I use Carbon, I have trouble getting an opaque colour, and I notice it creases/fades badly on me.

Quick FOTD

I wanted to quicky share this look I did the other day with you. Not much to say so here goes:

With flash:







Without flash:

USED:
UDPP (primer)
MAC Painterly paint pot (base)
MAC Expensive Pink e/s (inner third of lid)
MAC Woodwinked e/s (middle of lid)
MAC Sketch e/s (outer corner)
MAC Nocturnelle e/s (crease)
Joe Fresh Honeybell e/s (highlight)
Annabelle liquid liner
Red Cherry #111 lashes
Maybelline Define-a-Brow in Dark Brown (eyebrows)

Review: Maybelline Color Tattoo e/s in Painted Purple

A few weeks ago I seen a new display of these Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo eyeshadows at my local Shoppers Drug Mart. They had a nice range of colours, and they were reasonably priced at $9.99 CDN. I swatched the tester and was pretty impressed that these cream eyeshadows were nicely pigmented.

I didn't pick them up because I wanted to read reviews and see swatches before I purchased anything. If you follow my blog, you know that I have oily eyelids, and cream eyeshadows can be a hit or miss for me. Also, I'm trying to get into the habit of researching and checking out reviews about products instead of purchasing things blindly and potentially throwing out money.

I was surprised to see that no one had mentioned anything about these. Google came up with zero results. I was pretty shocked because it's usually guaranteed that someone would have swatches or reviews about a new product. So I decied to skip and wait until I learned more about them.

Butttt.. everytime I walked into Shoppers, I was immediately drawn to the unique selection of colours and thought if anything, I could use it as liner or something, but luckily I was able to show some restraint. ;)

Finally, last week I walked into Shoppers and noticed that they were on sale for $8.00 CDN and thought, maybe that's a sign I should pick one up to try. I originally was drawn to the neutral shades but I decided to go for Painted Purple because I didn't have anything similar in my collection.

On a side note: I really wanted to pick up more than one to swatch for you guys (this is before all the reviews came out) but as much as I would love to do that, I know I probably wouldn't use certain shades often and I don't want to just hoard make-up just to swatch.

Name: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow
Colour: Purple Passion
Packaging: Glass container with a plastic screw top lid, see-through bottom which allows you to see the colour.
Amount of Product: 14oz/4g
Price: $9.99 CDN *reflected on the regular retail price at Shoppers Drug Mart


This product has a nice creamy consistency which makes it easy to apply and blend. The colour I chose is nicely pigmented aswell. However, I did notice that it applies kind of patchy. It's not that noticable, but if you do want a solid wash of colour, you have to work a bit to blend and pat on the product to get an even application.

It's also really easy to build up the intensity of the colour, which I love because it makes the product really versatile.

Swatches:


This is one layer of product. If you enlarge the photo, you can see patchyness in the swiped swatch.

This is two layers of product, this time, instead of swiping on top of the first layer, I patted it to try and get an even wash, but you can see it is still a bit patchy.

This product is marketed as a long-wearing eyeshadow, but I liked to use it as a base under eyeshadow. However, I definitely think you can use this as a cream eyeshadow and do a wash and not have to worry about creasing or fading at all.

Here is a FOTD that I did using Purple Passion as a base under my eyeshadows:





USED:
UDPP (primer)
Maybelline Color Tattoo cream e/s in Purple Passion (as a base)
MAC Digit e/s (in the inner third of my lid)
MAC Parfait Amour e/s (middle of the lid)
Indigio e/s from the 88 Matte palette (in the crease)
MUFE No. 92 e/s (in the outer corner)
MAC Orb e/s (as highlight)
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
Maybelline Falsies mascara
MAC Night Maneuvers e/s (to fill in brows)

MAC Studio Fix powder in NC40
MAC On A Mission blush
MAC Harmony (to contour)

MAC Hug Me l/s


I did use a primer under this cream eyeshadow, but I wear a primer all the time regardless.

I was surprised when I came home 12+ hours later and my make-up looked just as good as it did when I first applied it. There was no oily/shinyness showing through or breaking down my make-up. I've never had that before, no matter what primer or base, or different combinations of primers and bases I use there is always is creasing/oilyness/shinyness on my eyelids sometimes a mere couple hours later after;

First Applied:





Twelve+ Hours Later:







You can see that my eyeshadows look just as intense as when I first applied them. There was a tiny bit of creasing, but noting noticable. There was no oilyness shining through either:



All in all, I was really impressed with this as a base, and I'm definitely looking forward to trying the other colours. These remind me of MAC paint pots, but for half the price. Like I mentioned, these were $9.99 (regular price) at Shoppers, and if you're Canadian, you know that Shoppers is on the more expensiver side, especially with cosmetics. I haven't looked at Wal-Mart (which I've read some people have found them at as well) but I'm sure it would probably be $1-$3 cheaper. Regardless, I wouldn't mind paying $9.99 for them.

I also want to mention, this is a prematue "review" since I've only worn this product once, but I'm planning on picking up a more neutral colour that I can use daily - if there are any changes or anything, I'll definitely keep you guys updated and let you know :)

2 Different FOTD's Inspired by 2 Lovely Bloggers

Here's a look I did on Christmas eve. My family and I don't celebrate Christmas, but we took the opportunity to go out for dinner. I did this look after seeing a FOTD that Janella from Bold & Beautiful posted using MAC's Expensive Pink eyeshadow. I've recently discovered her blog and she posts a lot of beautiful looks. I have a few colour combinations that she's posted FOTD's on that I can't wait to try out. Expensive Pink eyeshadow is one of my favourite eyeshadows, and I loved the look she created so I decided to recreate it. Here's my take on it:

USED:
UDPP
MAC Perky paintpot
MAC Expensive Pink e/s (on the lid)
MAC Satin Taupe e/s (outer corner and crease)
MAC Sketch e/s (outer V)

MAC Studio Fix powder foundation in NC40
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW30 (as undereye concealer)
MAC On A Mission blush
MAC Harmony (to contour)
Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray

MAC Hug Me l/s


Sorry I didn't get any close ups of this look. But it's pretty simple and the placement is the exact same as most of my other looks.


Andddd, here's a look I did today. I've seen this photo on someones tumblr:


This photo is from a FOTD that Ronnie at Bows & Curtseys posted here (she also has a video tutorial here!). If you aren't fimilar with Ronnie's blog, I HIGHLY suggest you check it out. Her looks are stunning and I get a tonne of inspiration by just flipping through her blog.

I loved the rainbow liner. Bethany/iwanted2c1video on YouTube did a tutorial based on this here aswell. I decided to do my own take on it. I was actually heading to work today, so I didn't decided to narrow it down and use one of my favourite colour combinations - green, blue and purple. Here is my take:












USED:
UDPP
MAC Untitled paint
Wet n' Wild Color Icon e/s in Brulee (all over)
MAC Cork e/s (in crease)
MAC Soft Brown e/s (in crease)
MAC Femme Fi e/s (right under brow arch)
MAC Vanilla pigment (on tearduct and lower lashline)
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
Urban Decay Graffiti, Peace and Ransom e/s (as the coloured liner)

I didn't get any good close-ups once again, sorry! I was in a rush to get to work, and I think I need to play around more with my camera to see what settings/lightings work best for clear photos.

I got a few compliments on this look, and I really liked it!

I've been trying lately to get out of my comfort zone and try out new eyeshadow combinations and techniques, but it's a lot harder than it seems. If you guys have any favourite bloggers or gurus that you get a lot of inspiration from, please share! I'm always looking for photos or looks that other people to do try to recreate and get my out of my rut!

FOTD: Sunset Inspired

I did this look a long time ago, and loved how it turned out - but of course I couldn't find my camera so I could do a FOTD. I ended up recreating it last week and this is probably one of my favourite looks:

USED:
UDPP (primer)
MAC Soft Ochre paintpot (base)
MAC Goldmine e/s (inner corner)
MAC Expensive Pink e/s (middle of lid and lower lashline)
MUFE # 92 e/s (outer corner/crease)
Wet n' Wild Brulee e/s (highlight)
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion mascara
Bonne Bell Eye Definer e/l in Glow (on waterline)
MAC Night Maneuvers e/s (brows)

MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW30 (under eye circles)
MAC Prolong Wear Foundation in NC35
MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus
NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (to contour)
NARS Deep Throat blush

I can't remember what I used on my lips :/

The photos kind of wash the look out, but I love how it turned out.

Also, I've been having trouble with doing the final installment of my brow tutorial, but I will have that up soon!

A Different Type of FOTD Post

In my last FOTD, I talked about how I was getting tired of doing the same type of look over and over again, so I decided to try and spark my imagination and try a different type of application with my eyeshadows. I ended up doing a cut crease look (I know, I know, not very imaginative). This is what I came up with:

USED:

NARS Smudgeproof e/s primer
MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (as a base)
Revlon Matte e/s in Vintage Lace (in tear duct)
Wet n' Wild Pride Palette - shimmery green e/s (on inner part of lid)
MAC Shimmermoss e/s (applied on middle/center of the lid)
Stars Makeup Haven Ultra Violet e/s (shimmery violet on outer third of lid)
MUFE # 92 e/s (outer v and used to cut crease)
MAC Vanilla pigment (on lower lashline)
MAC Era e/s (to highlight)
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara
Bonne Belle Eye Definer e/l in Glow (on waterline)

MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW30 (on undereye circles)
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Medium Plus
NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (to contour)
NARS Deep Throat blush

Rimmel Moisture Renew l/s in Nude Delight
Annabelle Lip Shine in Breathless

I really liked the colour combination, but I wasn't too happy with the application as far as the eyeshadows go. I felt like my cut crease wasn't crisp enough, and it kind of made the distinction between the eyeshadows on my lid vs. the cut crease sloppy.

Also, I'm not sure if it's the base I used, but I noticed that the Stars Makeup Haven eyeshadow I used faded pretty quickly, and also contributed to the whole application to look like I'd been wearing it for hours.

You can see what I'm talking about more clearly in the photos below:




I wanted to share those photos with you, because I know when I'm taking pictures to do FOTD's for my blog, I try to choose a flattering photo of me and my make-up. Photos that make my makeup look top notch and flawless (which it *always* is - haha, I wish) -- but there are times where a look doesn't turn out how I'd like it to. Either my eyeshadows don't apply how I'd like them to, or my application is completely out of wack. Get what I mean?

It's kind of like, in photos my make-up might look flawless and beautifullllll, but in real life, it looks completely different - and I'm not talking about the colours and shades and hues, but more of my eyeshadows aren't blended seamlessly or my eyeshadows are creasing like crazy.

I'm really rambling, and probably not making sense, but I hope you get the jist of what I'm trying to say?

I don't wear contacts anymore, and most of the time my makeup gets lost behind my glasses, so it wasn't so bad.