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

Stila Smudge Pot Collection ($32.00 for 4 0.07 oz. smudge pots) is a limited edition set of four shades of smudge pots (two exclusive to the holiday set, two existing) half the size of the full-size individual versions (which contain 0.14 oz. and retail for $20.00 each).

• Kitten is a soft, shimmering beige with a slight golden touch–but it’s not warm. Stila describes it as a “nude champagne,” and I’d agree on that. It works well as an all-around eyeshadow base, as well.
• Violet is a bright pop of blue-violet with slight glitter/shimmer particles. I found this one was the least opaque of the four, and I noticed some drag when swatching. It was easier to use with an angled eyeliner brush on the eyes than it was to swatch on the skin, though!
• Starry Night is a deep dark navy blue without much shimmer (though there’s a touch). It goes on very dark and pigmented.
• Black is a dark black with no shimmer whatsoever.

With the four miniature smudge pots, this set is like getting two full-size smudge pots for the price of $32.00, which is about $8 in savings, so I’m liking it as far as value goes. The pots are also on the small size, so they’re easy to travel with or keep one in your purse without adding much weight.

I like Smudge Pots in general, because they’re easy to use, have great pigmentation, and they stay on well throughout the day with no creasing or smudging. I personally prefer to use my Smudge Pots for lining rather than as eyeshadow bases, but they’re up to meet either challenge head-on. I love me a multi-tasker!

Bottom Line: The only reason I’m not ultra excited over this set is because the shades themselves just don’t grab me as much as I thought they would. I think I’d have preferred a more distinctly purple shade, rather than a very blue-based violet and a navy blue together — it’s a bit too much blue, you know? Also, if you already own Kitten and/or Black, this set isn’t so high in value any more, either. It’s a blessing for those who haven’t yet tried them, and a curse for those who want to collect ‘em all!

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’ve wanted to try Smudge Pots, here’s your chance to get four different shades for the price of two.

Availability: Sephora

See more photos and swatches…

Stila Smudge Pot Collection: Violet, Black, Kitten, Starry Night

Stila Smudge Pot Collection: Kitten, Violet, Starry Night, Black