Eyeshadow: Single shades or sets?

[PRgal]

Which do you prefer?  I'm NOT that huge a fan of sets because I always end up using up one or two colours before the rest are done.  I'm also a bit on the lazy side and prefer crayons/pencils (like Clinique's Chubby Sticks) to powder and brush. 

[Petunia13]

I think most people are more in your preference. I also will buy colors outright if I like them since the amount that comes in a palette or kit is small. When you really like it the size given will have you hitting pan. 

[Frozendiva]

I don't like the huge palettes. Far too cumbersome to put in the bag for touch-ups at work. I take public transit and with things like rain and snow and wind, I do need to fix stuff after I get to work.  I am more of a fan of the 4-5 shade palettes but I do admit to not using every color. Might use 3 out of 4. They are easier to put in my bag and do not take up much space or are too heavy. Ideally, I would like to make my own palette, or maybe have replaceable shades available. Some companies do have that option.

I like the idea of single colors,  especially for a more neutral ivory shade. However, I also admit that I am a) a bit lazy in terms of keeping them handy and in some sort of useable form (mostly throw in a makeup case and rummage through it daily), and b) I really don't want to schlep them back and forth.

I also get bored easily and the smaller palettes allow me to use up the product. Maybe it is just the never ending amounts of makeup that is released.

[NutMeg]

Small palettes can be a good way to experiment and see what works for you. I would never have thought that a tiny, tiny bit white could add a little something and make me look less tired after a short night, discovered that by chance because I had white in my palette. Same as I had no idea how I could make taupe, purple and pink work for me until I tried. Now I'm able to zoom in to different nuances if need be but at least I buy individuals after knowing what works and what doesn't, after having tried colors that were not even on my radar.

[MargeGunderson]

I like palettes because I'm terrible putting colors together. With a palette (especially those that come with instructions - thanks Tarte!) I play around a little more.

[PRgal]

7 hours ago, NutMeg said:

Small palettes can be a good way to experiment and see what works for you. I would never have thought that a tiny, tiny bit white could add a little something and make me look less tired after a short night, discovered that by chance because I had white in my palette. Same as I had no idea how I could make taupe, purple and pink work for me until I tried. Now I'm able to zoom in to different nuances if need be but at least I buy individuals after knowing what works and what doesn't, after having tried colors that were not even on my radar.

I agree here - two shade minis are amazing, especially when you can put together colours yourself (e.g. Shu Uemura.  I just  bought a duo consisting of purple and dark grey).  :)

[ryebread]

I prefer singles.  As I get older, I can't wear shimmers anymore.  Or blue.  Or purple.  Or red.  I pretty much stick to a matte bronze, a deeper brown and a highlight shade.  Olive green if I'm really feeling feisty.

Used to love palettes.  I have a few nice ones but not as many as her. LOL.  I do understand the obsession, however.  It's a collection, like anything else.  

When I got my first nice palette, Lorac Pro, I remember how it felt in my hand and how buttery they felt on my lids.  How the case snapped closed.  Loved it.  Bought a couple more after that but most of the shades sit unused while I've hit pan or totally emptied many of the others.   Singles for me from now on. 

This picture makes me laugh.  This lady really loves her palettes. 

[grisgris]

 Oh, yeah. That's Zabrena. I like to watch her YT videos sometimes. She's not a professional MUA, but she has some good ideas and product evaluations. Her eye shadow application technique doesn't work for me, but I've got a good 20+ years on her!  I also find that I'll use just a few shades in any given palette and also try to shy away from shimmery finishes and ditto as well to some shades that have a lot of red dye in them. I've recently tried Makeup Geek. You can choose your own colors and there is quite a good selection of mattes as well as shimmers. The shadows are good quality, highly pigmented and blend well. They are also cruelty-free and at $6/pan they are a bargain!

[Petunia13]

Lol first I've watched gurus who had like 30 or something more palettes in their collections . I wanna say Amy Macedo or Tati have a lot. I totally can see this especially if a person is eccentric or awkward socially, so they have more of an emotional connection  through commercialism and the gratification of a new or unusual purchase is a needful affirmation.  Or if someone's v rich and it's not a big whoop in terms of $ or space. 

[grisgris]

On the other side of that, I am sure that a lot of those "gurus" get tons of free makeup palettes sent to them in return for evaluation and promotion on YouTube.  I thought I was being overly extravagant by owing only four eye shadow palettes! LOL!

[ramble]

I just got a single eyeshadow for my birthday gift from Ulta. It's Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy. Which is described as "pink champagne shimmer with silver glitter." I don't really wear shimmers or glitters because they don't look as good on my skin now that I'm older, but I was still stupidly happy to get a birthday gift & may try a smidge of it in my eye shadow mix when going out at night. I spent my $10 birthday credit plus quite a bit more & called it my birthday gift to myself. The justification worked for me!

Edited October 9, 2016 by ramble

[MargeGunderson]

22 hours ago, ramble said:

I just got a single eyeshadow for my birthday gift from Ulta. It's Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy. Which is described as "pink champagne shimmer with silver glitter." I don't really wear shimmers or glitters because they don't look as good on my skin now that I'm older, but I was still stupidly happy to get a birthday gift & may try a smidge of it in my eye shadow mix when going out at night. I spent my $10 birthday credit plus quite a bit more & called it my birthday gift to myself. The justification worked for me!

That's so pretty! I'm a sucker for rose gold/pink champagne.

[Petunia13]

i never got an email from ulta  for my bday gift ? I have bought that eyeshadow before. I had a really big urban decay thing for a while 

Edited October 10, 2016 by Petunia13

[ramble]

Aww, Petunia I'm sorry. I believe I got the birthday email because I'm a platinum rewards member. I buy far too much at Ulta throughout the year. With me & two teenage girls to shop for it's easy to hit the platinum level. My mom also uses my rewards number whenever she gets her hair cut there. My kiddos even got my ex to use my number when he was buying them some Christmas gifts last Christmas. My closest Sephora is 30 minutes from me & Ulta is less than 10 so Ulta is usually my go to spot. 

[Petunia13]

That's probably why. I seldom shop Ulta,  plus I think they messed up my account info. I called to correct it but I dunno. 

I have to concur w the others palettes rock for getting people to try new shades or experiment, I know it does for me. I like that. I do buy individual shadows when I know they'll work and that's handy because you have more product and won't hit pan for a while. And 3 eyeshadow pots are easier to tote than a palette lol. I just bought a set which contained a palette but I'm buying two more eye palettes soon one for me and one as a gift. Probably Kat Von D ones. 

[Petunia13]

Too Faced is coming out with a Peanut Butter and Honey palette

[aradia22]

I was very into eyeshadow (and everything else) when I first got into makeup... mainly in college. I generally don't wear it anymore unless I'm going for a specific look or it's a very special occasion. I also like the way I look better with just concealer or just concealer and eyeliner. I've experimented with almost everything... eyeshadow palettes, MAC style shadow singles, cream sticks, cream eyeshadow pots, even pigments... which I hate. I've become a fan of stick products lately (liquid eyeliner, lipstick, etc.) so I tend to use a cream stick if I just want to put one color down for some visual interest. But I still prefer powder shadows. I like a palette. Yeah, you're probably going to get colors you don't like or use less but it's still probably a better deal and I don't use my single shades any more than the palettes. And if it's a small palette, it's easier for travel. I'm a bit fickle with makeup. I like having options.

[callie lee 29]

So I went to Ulta tonight to use my 20% off coupon and came home with Butter Glazen eye gloss in frosted and Stila Magnificent Metal foil finish shadow. The latter has a little pan and its own primer with dropper. Edited to try it as I really wanted a metal shadow. 

[luckyroll3]

10 hours ago, callie lee 29 said:

So I went to Ulta tonight to use my 20% off coupon and came home with Butter Glazen eye gloss in frosted and Stila Magnificent Metal foil finish shadow. The latter has a little pan and its own primer with dropper. Edited to try it as I really wanted a metal shadow. 

I have that Stila metal foil shadow but haven't used it yet.  Let me know how it works for you.

[Steph619]

I love eyeshadow, although I do tend to use more neutral colors so I only have two small palettes from Tarte and Too Faced. I prefer palettes to single shadows, but I did recently treat myself to two single shadows from the Selena MAC collection and I'm very happy with them.

[callie lee 29]

On 12/24/2016 at 8:52 AM, luckyroll3 said:

I have that Stila metal foil shadow but haven't used it yet.  Let me know how it works for you.

So I've been really neglectful I giving an update but here you go. The Stila is... okay. I actually don't notice much difference between it and the Maybelline Colour Tattoo. I haven't tried it without the primer mixed in, maybe it'll be different, but right now, not really worth it. 

[Petunia13]

Has anyone tried Juvia's Place? 

I also got some colour pop singles and have to try them. 

[stream26]

I love the nude by nature neutral colour trio! However, unfortunately these don't come in a pallet (they come in individual little tubs in a box) so if your set on that then this won't be helpful. But I find they are really great and they come with a fantastic little brus too!

[Petunia13]

The Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Shimmer pallete (which is the same as the OG fave matte one, but for this special edition palette made shimmers) looks so beautiful to me and the packaging is different. Some of the matte pigments with their richness look so gorgeous with a shimmer or foil. 

[ikmccall]

Urban Decay will release a new palette at the end of this month. It'll be called "Heat" and is described as shades of amber.

[Petunia13]

22 hours ago, ikmccall said:

Urban Decay will release a new palette at the end of this month. It'll be called "Heat" and is described as shades of amber.

Yes it's the newest in the Naked palette line called Naked Heat so it's warm neutrals. A lot of reviews panned it but my friend got hers a week ago and recommended it. It comes out I think earlier on the Urban Decay site and at Sephora then later this month at Ulta. 

[Jac]

I prefer palettes to singles because they are much more cost effective provided you like and would use more than 50% of the colours, singles run $15+ in Australia so you are looking at $45 minimum for a three shadow look. I have only recently started using eyeshadow regularly, mostly because I have hooded lids and it took me a long time and many a youtube tutorial to learn how to apply eyeshadow effectively.

I don't have a ton of eyeshadow but I do like what I have a lot, I currently have:

Makeup Revolution's Redemption Essential Mattes Palette

Makeup Revolution's Mermaids Forever palette

Urban Decay's Full Spectrum palette 

And I am lusting after Anastasia's Modern Renesence palette.

[MargeGunderson]

@Jac, can you recommend a few YouTube tutorials? I also have hooded eyes and could use some tips!

[Petunia13]

Stephanie Nicole's has one. Also Wayne Goss who is a makeup artist and has a line of brushes has several videos on YouTube. He's very direct and sensible. 

Finding a tutorial for hooded eyes that fits a particular persons learning style or aesthetic is hard. 

My sibling has a monolid and has a very difficult time with any eye makeup. 

[Jac]

@MargeGunderson I would love to be able to recommend one perfect tutorial but it was more a case of watching about 50 tutorials and experimenting. I find that Wayne Goss is great for beginners and explaining technical concepts.

 

Sephora had a sale and I just went halves with my sister in Kat Von D's Serpintina palette. My sister bought Kat Von D's Pastel Goth Palette and we are going halves in Urban Decay's Electric palette. After we get Modern Renaissance we are done for eyeshadow.

[aradia22]

Quote

@JAC, can you recommend a few YouTube tutorials? I also have hooded eyes and could use some tips!

I have the teeniest art background so I think of makeup as painting my face. I think the best option is to find someone who looks something like you (when I first got into makeup and was looking for tutorials and product recommendations, I was mostly following Asian girls... never did find a mascara to keep my eyelashes curled though) and watch what they do. It's less about nailing one technique and more about getting a better idea of what looks good on you in general... where to place darker colors, etc. I think Wayne's style can be a bit much and his advice wasn't that useful for me in the long run. Kind of basic and old school. Sam from pixiwoo I think also has hooded eyes and as a plus, I think she's better at explaining things than her sister. Tati (glamlifeguru) doesn't have hooded eyes but I really like her product recommendations because she's so obsessive in naming the pros and cons (whether or not what she recommends actually works for me). Obviously don't be wasteful, but I like her tip to just play around with some makeup before you wash your face at the end of the day and figure out what works for you. I also find it useful to watch people who are experts at transforming like dope2111 (Halloween makeup style character transformations) and drag queen makeup tutorials to get a sense of how you can really distort the face and create the effect you want. Seeing someone go dramatic it makes more sense to me later when I'm trying to create a much subtler effect. 

[Petunia13]

I bought the Kat Von D Shade and Light Glimmer palette this morning. It's a limited edition of the other flagship eye palette but different finishes/formulas in it. 

[Atlanta]

I prefer sets. I really like the Maybelline nudes ones. I've yet to find an eyeshadow difference with drugstore stuff vs. dept store. With makeup, I tend to splurge on foundation. I love IT Cosmetic's stuff and their Your Skin But Better and Bye Bye Redness cream. 

[littlewonder]

Urban Decay's Electric Palette is wonderful.  Supremely pigmented.  I also use some of the blues (mixed with lip balm) to make lip stains.

[luckyroll3]

I just received the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette.  Love, love, love!!!!

[Petunia13]

The Shade  and Light Glimmer is awesome. If you are hesitant because of the Glimmer effects there are several satin shades and also this pairs perfecting with OG Shade and Light also Visearts matte shadows. Some of the shades also double as cheekbone and collarbone highlights since there's some icy and golden whites, bronzes, and deep shimmers. The darker shades have strong staying power. The Light ones it can't hurt to use your fix plus, smashbox spray primer/set water, or all nighter. 

[Jac]

On 14/07/2017 at 4:47 AM, littlewonder said:

Urban Decay's Electric Palette is wonderful.  Supremely pigmented.  I also use some of the blues (mixed with lip balm) to make lip stains.

I got this palette about a month ago and I am in love with it. I also have UD's Full Spectrum (mostly because I got that palette on deep sale at Macy's when I was living in Chicago) and I love mixing shades from both. I haven't tried using it as a lip stain yet but it works great on the cheek and eye. My favourite shades from the palette are Trash, Urban, Savage and Slowburn.

[Petunia13]

On 7/12/2017 at 11:16 AM, Atlanta said:

I prefer sets. I really like the Maybelline nudes ones. I've yet to find an eyeshadow difference with drugstore stuff vs. dept store. With makeup, I tend to splurge on foundation. I love IT Cosmetic's stuff and their Your Skin But Better and Bye Bye Redness cream. 

For drugstore eyeshadows Wet n Wild and Milani are phenomenal quality, super inexpensive, and cruelty free. They actually have been kicking ass in the lip product and highlight stakes too. They make a lot of dupes for high end products. 

[Girlydiva53]

I also swear by the Maybelline various Nudes palettes and Wet n Wild eyeshadows. The Walking on Eggshells trio is universally perfect. It looks good on everyone. I have at least three backups just in case. 

[aradia22]

On the rare occasions I wear eyeshadow these days (especially in summer) I've been going for purples and pinks. So I mix my Maybelline Roses palette with shades from a very old WnW palette. I think it's called Lust. It has purple shades. I think it was discontinued or the formula changed.

[SunnyBeBe]

I'm normally pretty subdued with my eye color. shades  Less is more, you know, but, I'm curious as to whether anyone has any tips on how to bring out my own eye color the most.  I have blue eyes and want to accent the color, not detract.  

[Petunia13]

3 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I'm normally pretty subdued with my eye color. shades  Less is more, you know, but, I'm curious as to whether anyone has any tips on how to bring out my own eye color the most.  I have blue eyes and want to accent the color, not detract.  

Use orange or a subtle rust or burgundy and golds also! There's so many palettes out with these shades. ABH Modern Renaissance or many of the Viseart ones including their new one. Juvia's Place also has some palettes with these warm shades. At the drugstore you may have to try a couple of these in singles but Wet n Wild has some trips and quads that'll work with these rich tones that'll make your blue eyes electric. 

 

Jazzi Filipek has blue eyes and many tutorials on YouTube on using these tones to make them stand out. 

[SunnyBeBe]

Thanks,. I'll check it out.  Lucky for me, I bought a sample package yesterday of shades in that family.  I did read that dark brown or navy liner is better than black, so, I'll have to switch that up.  

[Frozendiva]

Not a huge fan of the large palettes or sets. Fine for home, but I like to have a small quad or quintet for work. I take public transit to work and with wind and other weather (rain, snow, etc.), lugging in a large palette to work is not a good idea for touch-ups. Which I normally have to do. My bag is heavy enough as it is. Maybe if some could function as snap-in and snap-out palettes - i.e. the big palette can be reconfigured for what you need for the day into maybe 4 shades.

[callie lee 29]

Oh. My. Gosh!!!  I wonder if I can just direct deposit my paycheck to Sephora???Urban Decay Heavy Metals Palette

[aradia22]

I don't get UD's obsession with weird bright colors. It can't be that they've mixed up a giant batch of them and need to dispose of it in palettes. That's not how makeup manufacturing works. I feel like there's always a palette I'm sort of into but way too many of the shades are nonsense like bright purples, pinks, or blues or way too intense oranges or pinks that would make me look diseased. And the texture of these shades usually isn't any good. They're glittery or powdery and just don't apply well. There are a couple of dark shades and the few times I've tried to apply them, most of the color (like purple or blue) fades so I'm just left with a muddy dark smudge on my lids. Why?

[LuciaCiesielski]

I like the idea of single colors,  especially for a more neutral ivory shade. However, I also admit that I am a) a bit lazy in terms of keeping them handy and in some sort of useable form (mostly throw in a makeup case and rummage through it daily), and b) I really don't want to schlep them back and forth.

[aradia22]

Popping in to say there's a major Tarte sale going on right now. I was bad and bought 2 palettes. In my defense, even though I have SO many palettes I don't use (I rarely have the time for eyeshadow, I just wear liner), I haven't bought new eyeshadow in a long time. 

I got the Swamp Queen palette and some kind of contour set that was cheap enough that I'll have fun playing around with it. 

[callie lee 29]

To continue my eyeshadow obsession...

Urban Decay Beached, May 7th

[Petunia13]

 That looks pretty. The bronzer and gold shades are perfect for spring and summer and the blues are SO IN for doing a pop of color on the lid or using on the lower lash line. The entire palette is very on trend. 

I am for sure gonna get the Kat Von D anniversary palette. I'm also intrigued to see what the upcoming Mac Aaliyah collection will look like.