My Neglected Makeup: Judgement Day

As with music, my taste in makeup goes through phases, and even the most coveted pieces end up unloved for a period of time. I am, however, an equal opportunities makeup lover, so I often place them in my daily rotational makeup collection so that I can a) remind myself of how they look on me, and b) evaluate whether or not I want to keep them in my collection.

Here are some of the products that I have been re-discovering lately:

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in 22 Pale Barley, Shiseido Eyeshadow Trio in GD804 Opera and Dior Addict Lipstick in 872 Arty

Recent Favourites:

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in 22 Pale Barley

I admit that I wasn't in love with this eyeshadow initially, despite its awesome texture. I find the colour on its own relatively unremarkable when used as an all-over wash on my lids. This is probaly because it is not much darker than my natural skintone. I used it all over my lids and across my browbone one day and a snotty MGPIN makeup artist said that my eye makeup looked muddy. However unplesant that was to hear, deep down I kind of agreed. My eyes are not prominent by any means, and using a darker shade across my lids probably took away what little dimension my eyes had. But when I use this as an accent, that's when the eyeshadow comes to life. I've been using it in my socket lines, in conjunction with Suqqu Matsukasa, as well as simply smudged into my lashlines with some black kohl eyeliner. 

Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio - GD 804 Opera

I am in love with the colour story of this palette. It reminds me of when I used to work near the Palais Garnier in Paris. I might do a separate post on my more 'emotional' makeup items, otherwise I'll end up cluttering this post with nostalgic ramblings!

My main problem with this palette was that the I couldn't apply the colours using the standard eyeshadow application technique - i.e. using the lightest shade (in this case, the blue one) on the brow bone, like in the promo picture. The genius placement of the blue eyeshadow as a highlighter ended up making me look ill and tired. Recently, I saw Dain's wonderful technique of placing the highlighter shade lower down onto the socket line as opposed to the brow bone, and that has single-handedly transformed the way that I think about eyeshadow placement. It has also salvaged this product from purge-atory. Ok, that was cheesy. :D

The overall look is much more flattering on my eyes because my eyes are much smaller than my lid space, so by restricting the area of colour on my lids it also maintains the focus on my eyes. I shall try to post a picture to illustrate the differences sometime.

Dior Addict Lipstick in 872 Arty

I don't wear this colour very often because I somehow view this colour as one that is sometimes too mature for me. Don't get me wrong, I love looking polished, but that's certainly not how I feel most of the time! I prefer to go for bold, bright colours or youthful pinks, so that's probably why this one has often been over-looked. The plum isn't so dark as to look like a dramatic vamp, but dark enough to add more 'oomph' into my look whilst remaining work-appropriate. This lipstick remains one of my favourites because of its texture and colour; the finish is translucent yet pigmented, and the formula is moisturising without being waxy. It glides on wonderfully and I do feel as if I am waving a magic makeup wand over my appearance when I apply it. In my mind I morph into some kind of professional, polished vixen. :)

I spent a while yesterday trying on all sorts of lipsticks from Guerlain, ranging from their Rouge Gs to their l'Extraits. It was only when I finally reapplied my Dior Addict that I really appreciated its balmy and softly moisturising texture. I might also add that this particular colour was dark enough to conceal a drier and darker chapped spot on my lip. Win!

To be purged:

M.A.C. Mineralize Blush in Rhapsody in Two

I loved this for a good few years now, and admit that from far away, it does impart a beautiful shimmery glow on my cheeks without the metallic finish of my M.A.C. Soft and Gentle blush which I recently purged. The pigmentation of this blush is great, but upon closer inspection the shimmer particles are just too much for me. I'd prefer to look naturally glowing both from afar and up close, and for me this product fails at the second moment of truth. You can tell I've a marketer background, huh? :P  

Bonus if you can spot the tiny bit of pan showing :)

That's it for now. I have a few more products that have not seen the light of day recently, and those include:

• Etude House Sweet Eye Cupcake Eyeshadow
• Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in - OR302 Fire
• Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Cordura
• Benefit Hoola Blush
• Shu Uemura P822 Single Eyeshadow 

I have no intention of purging my Shiseido Fire though. The others will need to await their judgement day!