What do you look for in an eyeshadow review?

I like knowing the pigmentation, whether the texture is firmer/softer (and if there was fallout), and what application method seemed to work the best.

— Christine

11 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

I want to know about fallout potential, how blendable the shadows are, how pigmented and easy to work with. Of course, having way too much eyeshadow, I also want to know about dupes because I really have a glut of shadows in certain shades. And I really love to see a look done with the shadows being reviewed. Your looks, Christine, are often the impetus for me throwing caution (or common sense) to the wind and buying the shadow(s) or palette! They are what’s spurred almost all my recent shadow purchases – Huda Jaguar, the Dior quints, a few ABH singles…..

Adrienne Avatar

Definitely pigmentation, how long it lasts, and how best to apply it! And whether it’s opaque or more sheer, matte, metallic, foiled, or glittery, and whether there is fallout. Nice to know if it is super pigmented versus more buildable. Basically all the things you cover! 😆

Nancy T Avatar

Ease of use, blendability, pigmentation, how smoothly it lays down and true, realistic swatches instead of those stenciled, built up ones. Another is how long it lasts before creasing, as I have oily lids (yep, I do use primer!).
Beyond that, I also like to know if any of the eyeshadows have problematic ingredients, such as PET glitter in them.

Ana Maria Avatar

I am very interested in actual eye swatches / looks. In time I realized that colors in the pan or on arm swatches never look exactly like on the eyelid, it’s something about the physiognomy of th face and eye that adds shadows changing the color.

I also want to know about fallout. I always do my face first, so I want to know even the slightest possible fallout.

Blendability is also an important note. I don’t have the time and skill to make an eyeshadow work, if someone who does makeup on a more professional level needs effort to make an eyeshadow work, I’m not even going to make a try.

Genevieve Avatar

Eyeshadow reviews by you Christine, are the most anticipated and, indeed, vital reviews because regardless of the brand and price – they could be stellar or duds.

So what I look for is what you review – the pigmentation, the finish, the longevity of the shades and whether there is fall out when applying them. How easy they are to blend and possible eye looks to demonstrate how the shades look on the eye.
Your dupe list is invaluable to me as well.

brendacr1 Avatar

Ana Maria made a point, if someone with skill has to make an eyeshadow work then I’m not going to even try, that is myself as well, I don’t have the patience to try and make something work. I love the way Christine does her reviews, you cover everything that we need to know so that we can be confident in our purchases and I haven’t been let down yet. Pigment, fallout, bendability, it’s all covered.

Jen Avatar

Pigmentation, and how easy it is to use. Of all things, eye shadow application is my weakest skill so if something needs a lot of work to make it look good I have to nope myself right out of there no matter how pretty it looks in the palette.

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