5 Beautiful Rich Purple Eyeshadows

Purple can be a tricky shade. There’s just something about purple products that often lack in pigmentation, but these are five that don’t disappoint!

1. Make Up For Ever #92
2. Inglot #439
3. Urban Decay Delinquent
4. MAC Violet
5. MAC Plush

What’s your favorite rich purple eyeshadow?

Bright Purples with Make Up For Ever by Nicholas Lujan

While I was in Las Vegas last week, there was one mission I KNEW I had to accomplish: visit the (relatively) newly opened Make Up For Ever Boutique in Sephora at the Venetian. I’ve never been to Make Up For Ever’s flagship boutique in NYC, and their range is more extensive than what you normally find at Sephora, so I really wanted to see what else they had! I popped by on Tuesday afternoon and met with the oh-so-fabulous Nicholas Lujan. He was absolutely phenomenal–so knowledgeable but even more? infinitely passionate about all things makeup and Make Up For Ever.

Over the years, I’ve found myself getting less and less “makeovers” by artists at counters because I recognize more now than I did before that for many, those are just jobs (and retail ones at that)–which is OK but we, as beauty aficiandos, have to understand that. Too often there is a lack of emphasis on artistry and technique, and instead, artists (even those who would love to teach and show more) are compelled to push product. If you’re lucky, you’ll find and connect with the artists that are passionate about their job and makeup, and then you can learn so much from them.

Make Up For Ever is ALL about artistry. Lujan (along with the others who work at the Las Vegas boutique) were trained in a one-month long makeup “bootcamp” and had hands-on training with Dany Sanz herself (founder of the brand). It’s easy to tell when someone is passionate about what they do, because you can hear it in their voice.  He knew the brand’s history, products’ history and development, and most importantly, he knew how to use everything.

I recommend visiting the boutique if you get the chance, and if you have some time, book a session with one of the artists working that day. They have shorter sessions (30 minutes or so, approximately $50 redeemable in product) and longer sessions (60 minutes or so, approximately $120 redeemable in product)–and it’s not hard to spend either amount on their products. My session was complimentary, as I came as press, but I could not leave without purchasing their Liquid Lift Foundation–I was willing to find a way to cram it into my quart-sized liquids’ bag!

The look you see in this post was created by the talented Lujan–I wanted to give him freedom to do something he thought would look good and work for me. Surprisingly, the black liner on the upper lash line was not as irritating as liner typically is, so I’ll be testing that out myself over the next few weeks.  He called this his “spotlight” look, because of the brightness popped onto the center of the lid.  Lujan also told me that my eyes are set far enough apart that I can get away with wearing dark eyeshadows on both the inner and outer creases/corners.  He also told me to go nuts with the lower lash line, because it works well with my eye shape!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Make Up For Ever #2 Aqua Cream (steel), Make Up For Ever Eye Seal, Make Up For Ever #116 Eyeshadow (lilac), Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow (vibrant purple), Make Up For Ever #940 Star Powder (white iridescence), Make Up For Ever #1 Diamond Powder (white), Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Eyeliner (black), Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash (black)
• Face:  Make Up For Ever Liquid Lift (02), Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (170), Make Up For Ever Velvet Finish (01)
• Cheeks:  Make Up For Ever #6 HD Blush (coral-orange), Make Up For Ever #5 Eyeshadow (orange)
• Lips:  Make Up For Ever #1C Aqua Lip Liner (beige-brown), Make Up For Ever #23 Rouge Artist Lipstick (nude), Make Up For Ever #16 Lab Shine Lipgloss (sheer beige)

For eyes, Lujan applied #2 Aqua Cream with Eye Seal using the 6N brush. He then applied #116 eyeshadow in the creased with the 17S brush. He applied #92 eyeshadow in the corners with the 14S brush. He patted #940 Star Powder underneath the arch and the inner corner. He then mixed #940 Star Powder with #1 Diamond Powder onto the center of the lid. He lined the upper lash line with Aqua Black eyeliner. The eyes were finished with Aqua Smoky Lash on lashes.

For cheeks, he applied #6 HD Blush onto cheeks with #5 eyeshadow used as a highlight. Lujan contoured with #170 HD Foundation and set with #1 Velvet Finish.

For lips, he used #1C Aqua Lip Liner to line lips, and then applied #23 Rouge Artist Lipstick for a nude lip. He topped the lips with #16 Lab Shine Lip Gloss for shine and shimmer.

Check out more photos!

I did this look for fun before I took a shower on Sunday, and in my hurry, I forgot to take close-ups of the eyes/lips, so there’s just a couple of full-face photos, but hopefully you get the idea

I wanted to use Illamasqua’s Static pure pigment, since it sure looks pretty, but I was so not feeling it in practice — it was gritty, never melded together, and really didn’t work.  I layered it on top of the paint pot and then put the eyeshadows on top of that, and it even looked heavy and accentuated every little line on my eyelid (which aren’t even really noticeable until you pile makeup on top!). Static is really similar to MAC’s Pink Opal pigment, which is cheaper (by a lot) and never had any problems using before.  Oh, and packaging?  I think I already lost 10% of the product on my floor and countertop after only opening it twice.  Two thumbs down for that!  I’ll probably review it later, so you can hear me gripe it about it on the official then!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Illamasqua Static Pure Pigment (iridescent pearly white/fuchsia), Digit eyeshadow (pale, light purple), Beautiful Iris eyeshadow (medium purple), Parfait Amour eyeshadow (cool medium-deep purple), Make Up For Ever #92 eyeshadow (matte deep purple), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), Stila Violet Smudge Pot (deep purple), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Face:  Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (in medium)
• Cheeks: Petalpoint blush (raspberry pink), Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer (rosy highlighter)
• Lips: Guerlain Gemma lipstick (medium pink), Guerlain Crystal Pearl KissKiss Gloss (pearly white)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Petalpoint = Dollymix + Well Dressed

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply Illamasqua Static pure pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Digit eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Beautiful Iris eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Parfait Amour eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Make Up For Ever #92 eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Lust Liner on lower lash line, and Stila Violet smudge pot on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Petalpoint blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Guerlain Gemma lipstick to lips, and then top with Guerlain Crystal Pearl KissKiss Gloss for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

Digit, Beautiful Iris, Parfait Amour, MUFE #92

Just a quick look I put together the other night!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (nude base), MAC Melon pigment (peachy-pink), Make Up For Ever #5 Eyeshadow (matte orange), Make Up For Ever #75 Eyeshadow (matte hot pink), Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow (matte purple), Make Up For Ever #159 Eyeshadow (matte blue), MAC Nylon eyeshadow (yellow-gold highlighter), Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Liner (purple), Urban Decay Lash Primer, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara
• Cheeks: MAC Petalpoint blush (plummy-pink)
• Lips: Urban Decay Naked lipstick (pinky-beige), MAC Crystal Rose lipglass (fuchsia-purple)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush), 165 (highlighting brush)

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply MAC Soft ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. Apply MAC Melon pigment just on lower lid with the 249. On the inner lid, pack #5 eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply #75 eyeshadow to the middle portion of the lid. On the outer lid and crease, apply #92 eyeshadow with the 226. Darken crease with #159 eyeshadow using the 219, and then blend out with the 226. Sweep MAC Nylon eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight with the 217. Apply Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Liner on lower lash line. Smudge lower lash line with #151 eyeshadow with the 214 brush, pressing into lower lashes. Apply Aqua Smoky Lash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with MAC Petalpoint Blush using the 129. Apply Urban Decay Naked lipstick to lips, and then top with MAC Crystal Rose lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

Make Up For Ever #79 Eyeshadow

Let’s talk purples!

• #79 is a dirty mauve-plum kind of shade. It’s a bit muted, which makes it an excellent color for smoky eyes, but it’s also nice for subduing bolder colors. It has a slight iridescence to it, but it isn’t overly frosty. I thought the pigmentatoin was good as well.
• #160 is a matte eggplant shade of purple. I really love using this with pinks and purples in the crease. It also works really well all over the lid and then a matte black in the crease for an ultra smoky eye. #160 is smooth and has plenty of color for you to enjoy.
• #142 is a shimmery medium purple with a silver sheen/shimmer to it. This isn’t quite as lovely as I was hoping, as it could pump out more color right away, but it layers decently so you can still get a more intense color if that’s what you want (like me).
• #92 is one of the brand’s more famous eyeshadows. It’s a matte, bold shade of violet-purple. It’s incredibly bright, and it goes on smoothly and packs a lot of color from the get go. I haven’t used this yet in a look, but I’m definitely eager to!
• #89 is a soft, pearly fuchsia-purple shade with slight violet sheen. It reminds me of a lighter, less frosty version of MAC’s Stars ‘n Rockets.

Which of these are your favorites?

Check out more photos!

Make Up For Ever #79 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #79 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #160 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #160 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #142 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #142 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #89 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever #89 Eyeshadow