What is your favorite type of eyeshadow finish? Why?

Metallics have first spot for sure, but a satin/pearl (not semi-matte but not metallic) is such an underrated finish that has a very close spot after metallics. My heart still goes pitter-patter for a really great metallic eyeshadow, even if I’ve seen the shade over and over again. Just so… pretty to my eyes!

— Christine

17 Comments

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Carla Avatar

I have a weakness for eyeshadow, period.
I’m 58 years old, and if I absolutely had to cite just one favorite finish, it would be satin, at least for my lid, crease, and transition shades.
To highlight inner corners and browbones, though, I’m all about pearls or metallics.
And a good smooth true matte is always wonderful for some uses.

Vanessa Avatar

Forever mesmerized by a sparkly shadow like the PML astral shades, the kaja shimmers and urban decay moondust shadows. Also love anything duochrome, still have not tried a multichrome yet!

Kat Avatar

I’ve weirdly been very into matte eyeshadow lately! Maybe it’s the whole 90’s thing coming back, but I’ve been doing a lot of matte smoky eyes. It feels like an easier way for me to wear color than something metallic or shimmery. On the other hand, I just adore a glimmery shimmer shade all over the eye, something that’s not a dense metallic but just kind of sparkles when it hits the light.

Nancy T Avatar

“Shine bright like a diamond”
If it’s a beautiful, smooth and shiny metallic or pearlized shimmer, then I’m in love!
I may *need* mattes and nearly matte satin shades for the “framework”, but it’s the shiny ones that really make me feel joy once I apply them. Whether they’re multichrome or a simpler metallic or a really special shimmer, that’s literally the icing on the cake!

Maggie Avatar

Satin/pearl is my personal go-to in powder eyeshadows to WORK WITH bc that finish tends to have a easier texture to apply across many brands (in comparison to a matte) and yet not be so reflective as to look like a frost and thus, decrease the color saturation in certain lighting or make my hooded eyes look more hooded. I also find that it tends to be more forgiving on wrinkles across many brands. Matte finish can be a fussy texture to work with depending on the brand. Metallics and glitter are very fun to play with but one has to be careful with the brand bc it can look too frosty or reflective–which can make the color look less saturated.

Mariella Avatar

Shimmery, pearly sheen – the finish of the Marc Jacobs O!Mega singles like Brav-O, Prim-O – the shimmery ones – was just perfection as are the Velux Pearl shadows from MAC and Inglot’s Pearl finish. I love that bright, lush sort of finish that isn’t a glitter bomb or unflattering on my lids.

Genevieve Avatar

It’s no secret that I love shimmery shades full stop. I adore satins (agree with you there Christine that they are under rated and under used in palettes) and love metallics as well. Still wishing and hoping for a good all shimmer palette made up of satins, pearl, shimmers and metallics…..

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