Shadows that Pack a Punch?

[MBlovesSN]

Hello all!

I am having trouble finding shadows that are as saturated and true to color when applied as they are in the jar. While I do have some shadows that seem to "stay true," others don't apply as expected. For example, yesterday I wore Fire, Eden, and Brimstone. Fire was gorgeous. I was expecting Brimstone to be a smokey coppery purple but it turned light lilac on me. Eden, a medium burgundy GWP, turns light pink/brown when applied.

I have several theories as to why this is happening:
1) My skin tone - I have medium beige/yellow/olive tone skin nearly year round (right now I wear a light-medium mix and wear a medium-medium dark mix in the summer).
2) My primer - I use the basic ELF eye primer now but have used Bare Escentuals eye primer (too hard to blend colors when used IMO) and Palladio eye primer (too many chemicals in it I am trying to stay away from) in the past. I really don't like sticky primers as I find it is hard to blend colors when using them.
3) My selection of colors - I might not be picking the most saturated colors or best colors for my skin tone.

So, what do you all do to make your shadows pop and stay vibrant

I am looking for some golds and other neutrals (but will take all color recommendations) that you all think might be a good choice based on my skin tone, my primer, and color saturation.

Thanks in advance. I am sure I am not the only person who has experienced this issue before.

[kchalbi]

Have you tried foiling? On me colors are more vibrant when applied wet.

[egerandi]

Foiling, definitely. I also highly recommend the SN eye shadow primer: it works on my lids even better than UDPP ever has.

For golds, I just got Element and I can vouch for it to be vibrant. If you don't have other pale golds, Bond could be a good option for you too. I also recommend Heat and Legend.
As for more neutrals, Inspire may be a good base choice. I don't do neutrals too much, but suedes and eyelights seem to stay true to their colors when I apply them.

[MBlovesSN]

Thanks for the input!

I've never tried foiling before. I will have to try it as an option; however, I don't know that I would foil each time I put my makeup on. I guess I am looking for a simpler method for those days when I am in a hurry (most days).

From what I have read, the SN V4 primer seems to make colors pop. I did buy it but haven't tried it yet. Is this primer sticky or difficult to work with? I should break it out as maybe the primer is the answer!?! What seems to be the best method for application?

I have been wondering about Bond and Element. I'd love to see more swatches of those as I am afraid to do all out gold shades. I have been eyeing Legend but have wondered if it would be more orange than copper. Heat looks promising. Inspire looks like a sure bet. I have seen others post about it so I think that one might have to hop in the shopping cart!

Any more recommendations are welcome!

[cclee00]

Thanks for the input!

I've never tried foiling before. I will have to try it as an option; however, I don't know that I would foil each time I put my makeup on. I guess I am looking for a simpler method for those days when I am in a hurry (most days).

From what I have read, the SN V4 primer seems to make colors pop. I did buy it but haven't tried it yet. Is this primer sticky or difficult to work with? I should break it out as maybe the primer is the answer!?! What seems to be the best method for application?

I have been wondering about Bond and Element. I'd love to see more swatches of those as I am afraid to do all out gold shades. I have been eyeing Legend but have wondered if it would be more orange than copper. Heat looks promising. Inspire looks like a sure bet. I have seen others post about it so I think that one might have to hop in the shopping cart!

Any more recommendations are welcome!

I've been thinking the same about Legend - I'm mostly brave with eyeshadow but these days I don't really have enough time to work bright colors into a look!

As for foiling, I'm lazy and don't like to bother getting a cup of water (or however you might do that) if I want to use that look - my main problem with all those pretty baked shadows in stores. Hence I ordered Mixing Medium - Karen specifically says on the page that you just dab it on and pat your shadow on top! I don't foil much, but when I do, MM makes it a lot easier.

The primer (and being just about six months with SN, I don't know what the differences between past and present primers might have been - I have the clear Stick Em) works beautifully. I always use it with loose shadows and it definitely enhances them. I have noticed lately that I get a tiny bit of creasing, but I think my skin's been oilier lately and that would do it. It's not sticky per se, but it would probably be considered a "sticky" primer, thus the reason it's so good with loose shadows. It's especially good with glittery shades - it holds on to the glitter so you get the pretty sparkle and way less fallout. I'm a firm believer in primer - I NEVER use eyeshadow without primer anymore. I use one of my old tubes of UDPP for pressed and Stick Em for loose. Makes a ginormous difference, seriously. I haven't noticed any troubles with blending that I can think of. If you already have it, you should definitely give it a try. I think you'll be amazed and fall in love! If you have any eyeshadows with the Eyelight finish, try those - they were literally born to be on Stick Em and they are beautiful.

Sorry for the length but hope that helps!

[egerandi]

I have to check Legend when I get home, but I would say it's more copper. As for the primer: squeeze a bit on finger, enough to cover the lid and apply with finger. It's like applying a light gel lotion to your lids. Wait a few seconds to let it settle, then apply the shadows. It makes a huge difference in color payoff. I just recently received Devilish, and tried it on last night without primer, just to get an idea. I liked it, applied over primer today and whoa! Intensified but the same color. I'm getting another one of them, I like it so much, and it's going out of production. It (Devilish) may be a good option for what you're looking for, too.

[MBlovesSN]

Thanks for the input!

I've never tried foiling before. I will have to try it as an option; however, I don't know that I would foil each time I put my makeup on. I guess I am looking for a simpler method for those days when I am in a hurry (most days).

From what I have read, the SN V4 primer seems to make colors pop. I did buy it but haven't tried it yet. Is this primer sticky or difficult to work with? I should break it out as maybe the primer is the answer!?! What seems to be the best method for application?

I have been wondering about Bond and Element. I'd love to see more swatches of those as I am afraid to do all out gold shades. I have been eyeing Legend but have wondered if it would be more orange than copper. Heat looks promising. Inspire looks like a sure bet. I have seen others post about it so I think that one might have to hop in the shopping cart!

Any more recommendations are welcome!

I've been thinking the same about Legend - I'm mostly brave with eyeshadow but these days I don't really have enough time to work bright colors into a look!

As for foiling, I'm lazy and don't like to bother getting a cup of water (or however you might do that) if I want to use that look - my main problem with all those pretty baked shadows in stores. Hence I ordered Mixing Medium - Karen specifically says on the page that you just dab it on and pat your shadow on top! I don't foil much, but when I do, MM makes it a lot easier.

The primer (and being just about six months with SN, I don't know what the differences between past and present primers might have been - I have the clear Stick Em) works beautifully. I always use it with loose shadows and it definitely enhances them. I have noticed lately that I get a tiny bit of creasing, but I think my skin's been oilier lately and that would do it. It's not sticky per se, but it would probably be considered a "sticky" primer, thus the reason it's so good with loose shadows. It's especially good with glittery shades - it holds on to the glitter so you get the pretty sparkle and way less fallout. I'm a firm believer in primer - I NEVER use eyeshadow without primer anymore. I use one of my old tubes of UDPP for pressed and Stick Em for loose. Makes a ginormous difference, seriously. I haven't noticed any troubles with blending that I can think of. If you already have it, you should definitely give it a try. I think you'll be amazed and fall in love! If you have any eyeshadows with the Eyelight finish, try those - they were literally born to be on Stick Em and they are beautiful.

Sorry for the length but hope that helps!

Yeah hate to say it but I think I am too lazy to foil as well (can't believe I just admitted that). I have a tendency to get ready slowly so I think it would take up too much time. But, never say never, next time I have a day to play around with my makeup collection, I will try foiling. I will take a look at the mixing medium though.

I am relieved to hear the primer isn't super sticky or difficult to work with. I used a different sticky primer once and ended up with a way brighter look than intended, plus my matte shadow I used for blending wouldn't blend properly. It turned out okay but it took me forever to straighten out that hot mess! I thought about patting a little of the Stick 'Em on over an already created eye look (especially a little on the lid) and then patting some of the same lid shadow over it to enhance the color a little. Maybe that is too much work too.....

Everybody keeps talking about the eyelights. Guess I need to check them out!

[MBlovesSN]

I have to check Legend when I get home, but I would say it's more copper. As for the primer: squeeze a bit on finger, enough to cover the lid and apply with finger. It's like applying a light gel lotion to your lids. Wait a few seconds to let it settle, then apply the shadows. It makes a huge difference in color payoff. I just recently received Devilish, and tried it on last night without primer, just to get an idea. I liked it, applied over primer today and whoa! Intensified but the same color. I'm getting another one of them, I like it so much, and it's going out of production. It (Devilish) may be a good option for what you're looking for, too.

Let me know about Legend.....it looks beautiful in the swatch but I didn't know how true the color was. I actually looked at Devilish.....are the eye wands easy to work with in your opinion?

[egerandi]

I have to check Legend when I get home, but I would say it's more copper. As for the primer: squeeze a bit on finger, enough to cover the lid and apply with finger. It's like applying a light gel lotion to your lids. Wait a few seconds to let it settle, then apply the shadows. It makes a huge difference in color payoff. I just recently received Devilish, and tried it on last night without primer, just to get an idea. I liked it, applied over primer today and whoa! Intensified but the same color. I'm getting another one of them, I like it so much, and it's going out of production. It (Devilish) may be a good option for what you're looking for, too.

Let me know about Legend.....it looks beautiful in the swatch but I didn't know how true the color was. I actually looked at Devilish.....are the eye wands easy to work with in your opinion?

Sorry, hectic night last night, I'll check Legend tonight.
As for the eye wands, I don't find them too difficult. I tap the bottom, and slowly pull out the wand, not yank, because it sticks a bit. There will be fallout, so I tap off the excess into the sink, rather than having it end up on my face. I apply with the wand over SN primer and I can use my finger too, to finish off the look. I haven't tried blending it yet, but it works nicely for me. Yesterday, I wore Devilish on my lid and highlighted with Angelic. The day before I used Rascal on the lid, Devilish in crease and Angelic to highlight.

[egerandi]

Legend and others.

legend.JPG (32.81 KiB) Viewed 7278 times

From left to right:

Velocity
Luxe (top)
Orbit (bottom)
Legend

I hope this helps!