Shadows that Pack a Punch?

[royalgoddessbeth]

I think I'd also venture to say that if you fret about using plain tap water, you could use something like contact lens solution. I figure it does have some preservatives, but if you can actually put it in your eyes, it should be safe for just your eyelids. You coulda probably get a 1 oz (or smaller, if you can find it) spritzer bottle and boil it for a couple of minutes before decanting the solution, just like moms used to do with baby bottles. I think the spritzer method is by far the quickest and easiest.

I'd also like to add that if Karen marketed something like that, I would absolutely purchase it. I've purchased the cream liner, mixing medium, and the Stick 'Em Primer, but even using a primer, I want a damp application and it just takes longer than I want it to with the Mixing Medium. Just saying......

[MBlovesSN]

It really is easy. I can do full eye makeup in five minutes from primer to shadow to liner to mascara. I've been using SN exclusively for four years now and probably have about 100 eyeshadows.

Wow five minutes is impressive! I am embarrassed to say how long it takes me!

What kind of brushes are you using? That can also affect the time factors. Most of the time I do 2 color eyes with colors like Idolize, Sari, or Brimstone. I use Bristol with the first two, and Fire (of course) with the third. My favorite three color combo is Chills, Thrills, and Frills.

Brush-wise, I am using the ELF Studio Eyeshadow "C" brush for the lid and the Face Secrets Small Shading Brush for the crease and to blend (love this brush). I just can't get some of the colors to show up on the lid as bright as I would like (some colors show up great using that brush). Any brush suggestions?

[cclee00]

Once upon a time, BSN (Before Silk Naturals), I purchased a couple of kits from the-famous-mineral-makeup-brand-that-shall-not-be-named and in one was a very nice eyeshadow brush, just "full tapered shadow brush" is the name printed on the handle. BSN, You-Know-Who was my only MMU use, but the brush seemed to work well with its loose shadows.

Whenever I get new eyeshadow (pressed, not loose), I sit down with it, swatch it, play with it, and try to figure out which brush works best with it. Brushes are way different (weirdly) and it can make a big difference in terms of finish, color payoff, ease of application, and pretty much everything. With loose, this brush always works well. It and a scratchy Walmart cheapie are my only brushes specifically for all-over lid mineral shadow application, and I've never felt the need to look for another (needless to say, I never use the Walmart one - I should toss it).

Having said aaall of this, I am NOT advocating you buy the other brush. I would not advise you to spend the price of a nice order from Karen on a single brush! Plus I prefer to give support to small companies like SN instead of corporations. I find it easiest to work with the flat-headed brushes, therefore I would recommend the Ultimate Wet/Dry Eye Shadow Foiling Brush here on the SN website. It looks much like what I have and in fact I would like to replace mine with it. If you don't mind working with a round brush, there's also the Ultimate Eye Shadow Brush. I have a couple of the brushes from SN and they are wonderful. It's a little more than e.l.f., but completely worth it, and synthetic, too! No animals. (Not vegan, but natural brushes are unnecessary.) Give them a try and I can pretty much guarantee you'll love them.

I always post long replies. Sorry. But hopefully it's slightly helpful.

[feyith]

What about Eco Tools bamboo 6 piece eye brush set?

(Mod edited out a link)

[kchalbi]

I find it easiest to work with the flat-headed brushes, therefore I would recommend the Ultimate Wet/Dry Eye Shadow Foiling Brush here on the SN website.

I just got this brush, and it's amazing. I also have a few brushes from big brand companies, and I can't believe how much better this one is with loose shadows. I can't believe I went without it as long as I did!

[MBlovesSN]

Once upon a time, BSN (Before Silk Naturals), I purchased a couple of kits from the-famous-mineral-makeup-brand-that-shall-not-be-named and in one was a very nice eyeshadow brush, just "full tapered shadow brush" is the name printed on the handle. BSN, You-Know-Who was my only MMU use, but the brush seemed to work well with its loose shadows.

Whenever I get new eyeshadow (pressed, not loose), I sit down with it, swatch it, play with it, and try to figure out which brush works best with it. Brushes are way different (weirdly) and it can make a big difference in terms of finish, color payoff, ease of application, and pretty much everything. With loose, this brush always works well. It and a scratchy Walmart cheapie are my only brushes specifically for all-over lid mineral shadow application, and I've never felt the need to look for another (needless to say, I never use the Walmart one - I should toss it).

Having said aaall of this, I am NOT advocating you buy the other brush. I would not advise you to spend the price of a nice order from Karen on a single brush! Plus I prefer to give support to small companies like SN instead of corporations. I find it easiest to work with the flat-headed brushes, therefore I would recommend the Ultimate Wet/Dry Eye Shadow Foiling Brush here on the SN website. It looks much like what I have and in fact I would like to replace mine with it. If you don't mind working with a round brush, there's also the Ultimate Eye Shadow Brush. I have a couple of the brushes from SN and they are wonderful. It's a little more than e.l.f., but completely worth it, and synthetic, too! No animals. (Not vegan, but natural brushes are unnecessary.) Give them a try and I can pretty much guarantee you'll love them.

I always post long replies. Sorry. But hopefully it's slightly helpful.

It was definitely helpful! Thanks for the thoughtful response. I have the "unmentionable" brush and while it did a good job, it is scratchy (like hard bristles on my eyelids) so I don't use it anymore. However, since you have had experience with that brush, and instead recommend the Wet/Dry Shadow brush, I will check it out as an option to my current lid brush!

[MBlovesSN]

What about Eco Tools bamboo 6 piece eye brush set?

(Mod edited out a link)

Funny enough I have these brushes but haven't used them yet.....they are just sitting there in one of my makeup drawers.....guess I need to break them out. Do you use these?

[MBlovesSN]

I find it easiest to work with the flat-headed brushes, therefore I would recommend the Ultimate Wet/Dry Eye Shadow Foiling Brush here on the SN website.

I just got this brush, and it's amazing. I also have a few brushes from big brand companies, and I can't believe how much better this one is with loose shadows. I can't believe I went without it as long as I did!

Okay this girl is sold!

[Springfairy]

What about Eco Tools bamboo 6 piece eye brush set?

I have the six piece set from Ecotools and they seem/feel to be identical to some of Karen's brushes (Bamboo Blending Brush), even the bristles and the density, I like working with them except for the highlighting eye brush in the set. I have the Ultimate Wet/Dry Eye Shadow Foiling Brush and the Bamboo Blending Brush from SN and I use those instead to apply eyeshadow, so far easy to clean, no fallout and they do a great job.