Do you ever use dark or black cream eyeshadows as a base? How did it go? Favorite combos?
For a really deep, dark smoky eye, I love ’em! If you have an iridescent or duochrome eyeshadow, dark bases also work well underneath them. I love MAC Blacktrack set with black eyeshadow + MAC Vex.
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Yep! I use my MAC blackground as a base before I do smoky eyes or use any metallic duo chrome shadows. The best!!!
Hi Julie (and everyone else!)…I feel dumb but it NEVER occurred to me to use black or white as a base before eyeshadow. Duh. I am a major fan of duo chrome shadows and would love to learn how to use them more effectively.
I don’t own any cream shadow – I’ve tried many but have allergic reactions or problems using without creasing or patchiness, etc. and cannot afford to try more now.
Can I use a black matte powder shadow and achieve the same effect or does it have to be cream? I don’t get how the black doesn’t overpower duo chromes. I’m partial to purples but most duo chromes catch my attention. I would really appreciate anyone providing remedial training!
It’s not the black overpowers the duochrome, it’s just that it just alters the specific hue of a duochrome. Any color or shade used under a duochrome will have a different impact on how the light absorbs and reflects the color. This site has a few examples: http://zoffe.blogspot.com/2009/05/quick-tip-duochrome-eyeshadows.html
You could probably get away with black powder, but it’ll be harder to keep it layered instead of it blending together. Black eyeliner might give you a better base. Just color in the lid first and smoke it out with pencil. (If you do have any cream bases on hand that don’t trigger allergies, try layering concealer or primer over your lid, then using a powder to set it before applying the cream. I find it reduces creasing a bit on my eyes.)
Hi Veronica…I am a visual learner and the link made it click for me! Didn’t think about how layering powders would blend and be muddy. I’ll try the black eyeliner pencil idea…black is too harsh for liner on me so this will give me a chance to put it to use. Thank you!!!
Of course, why not? Darker bases bring different dimensions to eyeshadows. I do this with my dark liners all the time by setting them with loose pigment shadows.
If I am doing a smoky eye, It would not occur to me to start with a light base, It’s one less step to begin with a dark.
Ooooh! Vex over black! As soon as I read that I ran to my makeup table to swatch it myself. Very interesting combo 🙂 I’ll have to do a look with it soon now.
I normally do it as an eyeliner, for something a little different. Though, I do love it as an eyeshadow base! I really should invest in blacktrack. I always try to use a UD pencil as a base but they dry down way too quickly for my taste. I like creamy products that I can blend and work with for a bit. (must be the OCD in me. no matter how comfortable I get with doing my own makeup, I still need everything to be perfect before proceeding… even a base that’s going to be covered anyway. Lol)
Dark? Black? Me? No! Never 😉 I almost always use MAC’s black Paint Stick.
I’ve tried before with a darker purple, but it completely ate the base color which wasn’t really what I was aiming for. So generally no. 😀
Yeah the black bases works well when I want to do smokey eyes.. they really make the eye shadows look deeper .. 🙂
I haven’t – yet, but I plan to purchase two MAC paint pots next time I get into the city, blackground and painterly, to experiment more with bases. 🙂
Sure, usally a gel eye liner or a pencil all over the lid and blended
Definitely! Currently using MAC’s Blackground paint pot and MAKE UP FOR EVER’s aqua creams (from Black Tango palette). I’ve started with Maybelline color tattoos as well.
I found that rich ground fluidline + antiqued on top doubles antiqued’s intensity!! love it with black in the outer corner blended out <3
Yes! I use the Black Ground Paint Pot by MAC cosmetics! I love using a black base for having a beautiful and intense color ^_^ !
Yep, I love to use black creams as a base. My new favorite is Inglot’s cream/gel liner. It is so black!
I also love to pair the black base with super bright colors like electric blues, etc….that might otherwise look clownish on me.
Yes, NYX black bean pencil. I’ve used it under Embark eyeshadow for a brown smokey eye.
SOMETIMES I DO .. SOMETIMES I DO NOT. IT DEPENDS ON HOW DEEP I WANT MY EYESHADOW LOOK TO VE.
Not often, no! I’ve never really mastered the smokey eye – it’s something I still want to improve upon. I would love to sit down and pick Dusty’s brains about it some day!
They are a must for a nice smokey eye 🙂
Yes, for a smokey eye look. I used nyx black jumbo stick or the brown one. Both work well with a bit of UB eye primer potion underneath