The Best in Eyeshadows, Eyeliner, Mascaras and Eyebrows
Reviews of eye makeup
The Eye makeup category consists of various products including eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascaras and eyebrow products.
The eyes are the windows to the soul so how you frame them with makeup can make a lot of difference to your look.
Eyeshadow Palettes
New Eyeshadow Palettes are released all the time. Big Beauty Brands know the appeal of small coloured squares on beauty enthusiasts. Different colour ways, different finishes, effects or textures might be all it takes to make you hand over your wallet.
But alot of palettes can be design over substance. Whilst it is fun to have a wide range of eye colours to play with its important to think about what colours you will actually use. Is a mega covers all bases palette whats right for you? Or do you enjoy the freedom of smaller palettes you can switch up for different looks?
Here are some of my recent favourite Eyeshadow palettes with reviews.
Wildlife Life Palettes, Barry M 5/5
Available in a whole range of animal themed colour ways these cute palettes have 9 coordinated shades with enough differentation that you could create some create looks with just the one.
I have a few because I love them inside and out. Plus they help raise funds for various wildlife charities.
It makes me so happy when a palette with looks pretty actually performs.
Life on the Dance Floor Palette 4/5
The Life on the Dance Floor, After Party Palette from Revolution (by Makeup Revolution London). A gorgeous Silver glitter-covered palette filled with 24 shades including mattes and shimmers.
These eyeshadow’s have a strong pigment, smooth texture, minimal dropout and amazing shimmer. One of the key best features about this palette is the great range of shades which are included. From neutrals such as Celebrate and 3am to more unusual tones such as Aurora, Fizz and Walk Me Home; there is such a range in this palette.
The only real let down of the palette I have found is perhaps the pigmentation of black cab and too some extent Break of Day but with careful repeated application this can be fixed!
At such a bargain price this is a wonderful palette to own which, in my eyes (or on my eyes!) at least, can create a whole range of looks.
Abracadabra glitter palette from Revolution 4/5
These pressed glitters are super pigmented and absolutely irresistible. It is part of a collection of 3 palettes.
The glittery make-up in the Abracadabra Palette is highly pigmented and looks super magical! I applied it over primed eyes with no other eye shadow colours. The glitter looked complete and lasted well.
The green shade Alchemy is definitely my favourite and would look beautiful applied over coloured lids for a more dramatic look.
Rich In Life, Patricia Bright x Revolution 4/5
There are two palettes as part of this collection. I went for Rich in Life.
The other palette has a lot more bold and bright colours in which is where these palettes excel but I chose Rich in Life as it seemed more wearable. I wanted to make sensible purchase choices not just because it’s pretty!
I really loved the shades in this and most of them have a great blendable formula with lots of pigment. Bar perhaps the blues which are quite sheer.
The glitters (which are the most beautiful colours) are pressed so quite a thick formula which needs to be applied differently and mine already has a big dip in (because it is such a beautiful colour)!
It was quite an expensive palette for Revolution at £20. It does have a good range of colours. There are a few almost repeats such as the blues and some of the paler chalky pinks-but you could easily complete whole-eye looks with just the one palette.
Overall I would give this palette a 7/10 mostly because I have had other palettes from Revolution with better formulas and colour payout.
Wild Animal Palette Collection, Revolution
Courage 4/5, Integrity 1/5, Fierce 4/5
The Courage Palette from Revolution’s Wild Animal Collection has a great range of flattering colours. I really love the pink shimmers included in this and they stay put too! Mostly I just used the shimmers which had minimal fall out.
I have the Integrity Palette from the same set and did not get on with the matte colours at all. They lacked enough pigment when applied and had terrible fallout. I did enjoy the jewel green shades which made my blue eyes pop. But the palette isn’t up to Revolution’s normal standard.
I used the Fierce palette make-up look for my Minnie Mouse bound for which I also used the shimmery shades.
Penguin, Snow Globe Palette, I Heart Revolution 3/5
How pretty is the packaging of the I Heart Revolution Snow Globe Penguin Palette?!
This was part of a range of 3. The other two being Artic (which has some lovely colours in) and Snowflake (which has some extremely pale colours in).
I must admit I mostly bought this for the cute packaging. I had hoped the front was squishy (I purchased it online) but it’s not. However, it is super pretty still.
I really like the shades inside but they take a lot to build up colour and they are quite powdery especially compared to other Revolution products!
Beauty Therapy Palette, Human Beauty 5/5
The beauty therapy palette is a new palette from the wonderfully UK-based Indie brand Human Beauty.
Part of a range of vegan cruelty-free products this eyeshadow palette shines bright with an amazing range of colours and finishes.
Stand-out shades for the palette are the four shimmers which give the most payoff I’ve ever experienced for this finish.
Pastel Palette and Bright Palette, Beauty Bay 4/5
These palettes from Beauty Bay do exactly what they say on the tin. a series of matte shades in either pastel or bright.
The pastel palette I have has 8 shades, whilst the bright has 9. I think the square 9 is their most current format.
The colour range and pay off on both is beautiful. I love every colour and they are actually super unique from each other.
However I also have their ‘Berry’ palette and whilst about 4 of the 9 shades are beautiful and flattering the others lack payoff and aren’t different enough. I would only give the EYN Berry Palette 3/5 which shows it is a little hit and miss! This palette is older though so it could just be the formula needed to improve.
Other Eye makeup colours
There is more than eyeshadow in the world of eyecolours. Liquid products are whole different style of makeup.
Barry M’s Crushed Jewel Cream Eyeshadow in Twilight, 2/5
The shade is very dramatic and, in the tube, looks beautiful.
In reality I found the product difficult to apply and needed to be built up in layers. I originally tried blending it out which looked awful! It also creased, alot! I tried setting it with some purple powder eye shadow when I first noticed the creasing (about 2 hours in) but even then by the end of the day I looked like a panda and this really defeats the point of a dramatic eye shadow for me!
I don’t particularly like cream shadows any way and this really didn’t change my mind. However the shade is amazing and full of shimmer.
Liquid Eyeshadow Trio, Beauty Bay 3/5
I love the colour of these Beauty Bay shimmers of which I had the shimmer set. You can see the neutral set of colours here.
Whilst the duochrome is really pretty you don’t get much pay off on the eyelids and being a cream the product doesn’t keep or last for a long time. For that price I’d hope for a little better.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner is a classic peice of makeup in your arsenal that can really finish off a look. It comes in many forms, including but not limited to…
- eyeliner pencils
- kohl pencils
- liquid eyeliner
- felt pens
- water actiated tubs
- gel liner
Each have their own looks, uses, styles and fan bases. If you were just starting out in the world of makeup I would recommend a good pencil liner for along the lash line or a felt pen liner if you wanted to tackle a winged look.
Star Stamp Liner, The Body Shop 4.5/5
The star stamp liner from The Body Shop is fast becoming my favourite pen-style liner. Easy to control so lines can be thin or thick and a neat nib with no strays. I also love the fun element the star stamp end brings whether you are after a subtle single star or a full starry-eyed look! But it is not just a gimmick as it really is a great product! I haven’t found a better felt liner yet.
On Point, Barry M 4/5
This waterproof felt style eyeliner is a great basic. It has a fine but sturdy point allowing you to create a range of lines and wings easily. As well as being waterproof which means no smudging!
Soap and Glory Supercat 3/5
A felt tip liner which applies easily and smoothly but can still smudge long after application and it doesn’t last well
Avon Mega Effects Liner 4/5
A chisel tip liner which is very different but once you get used to it creating dramatic liner is easy. It has great staying power. Thin, delicate lines aren’t really this liner’s forte but possible if slightly scratchy.
MAC Liquidlast Liner 4/5
A traditional liner with thin brush which is more difficult to apply then felt tip style liner. But once you master it this liner has far more staying power and doesn’t smudge like other liners can do. You will need waterproof makeup remover!!
Rimmel London Exaggerate Eyeliner 3/5
A fine-tipped applicator with a great consistency liner. Does smudge after application but lasts well.
Revolution Pro Supreme Dip Liner 3/5
A really great applicator liner but the liquid liner is too drying to get beautiful smooth lines. Lasts well when on as long as it doesn’t Flake!
Avon True Colour Glimmerstick Diamonds Eyeliner 4.5/5
A smudgeable eyeliner stick in a range of colours which can be applied as a line or blended, full of beautiful shimmer. Can be a little sticky but looks great and easily to apply.
Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner 4/5
A liner which smudges (as it says on the tin) but also has great staying power. Easy to apply and build up but obviously keep in mind it’s smudgy nature!
Max Factor Kohl Pencil 4.5/5
A classic pencil which is a great starting point or everyday staple. Easy to create thin lines, go bold or blend and it lasts well. As long as you don’t rub it as it will stay smudgeable all day.
Diego Dalla Palma Eye Pencil 4.5/5
A beautiful silky feeling liner which will blend but has more staying power and is less sticky in consistency than classic Kohl Pencil.
Anew, Avon 4/5
This white liner comes with a smuding sponge on the other end. Clever but impossible to clean. The product itself though is great. Perfect for that brightening pop in the lower lash line. Don’t expect a fully opaque product however.
Harry Potter X Boots Quill Eyeliner 3/5
A quill shaped brush which you use on the gel liner ‘ink’. Cute and does work as a liner but it is mostly just for cute factor. Style over substance. No makeup wizardy here.
ColourPop Gel Pencil Liner in Get Paid 5/5
I love this creamy, bold metallic liner. And this particular shade is so flattering for my colouring.
ColourPop Felt Liner in CRZY 4/5
This super soft felt liner applies easily and lasts (but isnt water proof). I love the long nib but it can bleed a little on the skin.
Glisten Cosmetics Water Activated Liner 5/5
Whilst not as simple as a felt liner these liners are worth it for the colour payout, opacitiy and creative colour options. Pictured above in mint green.
Finish your eye makeup with Mascara
Mascara coats lashes to finish off a look and generally increase confidence. Many people say if they could only use one makeup product for life they would choose mascara.
Eyeko Lash Alert 5/5
I love the soft tube of this great mascara. This way you can ensure you can get more of your product out of the package before it dries up! The wand is curved and leaves eyes looking open.
Collection Super Size Fat Lash Mascara 4/5
A big bold but basic mascara with a fat, fluffy brush giving bold lashes…where the wand can easily reach in the middle but not the edges
Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara 4/5
This is a great everyday mascara that looks best with one swish. Too much application can lead to Clumpy lashes!
Collection Fast Stroke Defining Lash 4/5
A great everyday mascara with a combing wand that’s great at catching every Lash but don’t expect a huge effect!
Rimmel London Wonderfully Real Mascara 2/5
This mascara gives a real wow effect to the lashes but just runs far too easily and I often found a smudge under the lashes.
Ps Primark Waterproof Mascara 1/5
Does absolutely nothing to lashes but can coat a more effective Mascara and leave it waterproof!
Thats How I Roll Mascara, Barry M 4/5
A great everyday, non clumping mascara. Doesn’t budge from general wear, but probably wouldn’t hold up in a melt down. Perfect for the demure, mindful work look.
Rebel Lash, Barry M 3.5/5
Be a rebel, life is short. Wear blue eyelashes. Marked down because unfortunalty it doesnt seem to add much to lashes (no volume, length etc) just colour.
Frame your eye makeup with Eyebrows
The shape and colour of your eyebrows can have a real affect on your appearance. Whilst part of this is acheviable with genetics, and part with the right tools, makeup can also play its part.
Soap and Glory Archery 4/5
An eyebrow pencil with a gel in the other hand. This is a dramatic product but done lightly works well.
I Heart Revolution Tasty Avocado 5/5
A great coloured eyebrow gel which easily holds eyebrows without a tight feeling or stiff brows
Makeup Obsession Brow Gel 4/5
Another great coloured brow gel from Revolution but this one contains fibres which is great if you want to bulk up your brows
Eye Makeup-The Best of the Best
If you want to skip to the top products without the reading here are my current favourites and recommended purchases in all things eye makeup.
Eyeshadow Palettes
This is a difficult one as there are so many options out there but if I was to recommend one palette that could cover all the bases-neutrals, pretty colours and shimmers-I would recommend the Makeup Therapy Palette from Human Beauty.
Eyeliner
As I said earlier, if you were just starting out in the world of makeup I would recommend a good pencil liner for along the lash line or a felt pen liner if you wanted to tackle a winged look.
For pen style liner I would recommend On Point from Barry M or for a pencil style liner try Glimmerstick from Avon.
Mascara
I’m yet to find a perfect mascara to settle down with. But Eyeko’s Lash Alert comes pretty close.
Eyebrows
For simple shape and colour treatment a tube of Revolution eyebrow gel is all you need.
If you want more advice on makeup this is the post for you.
Where to purchase Eye makeup?
For me being cruelty free and vegan is important from makeup. As well as making conscious decisions on what I actually need rather than just want.
Here are some top locations I would recommend looking when after new makeup goodies
Alex
Professional makeup artist with an interest in natural, complimentary makeup but also fun makeup designs and nail art too! Life is too short to be stuck with trends that don't suit you!
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