My [College] Makeup Collection pt 1: Eyeshadows I've Worn

So, after writing about my new ColourPop shadows, and mentioning how much I love my golds and browns, I thought I'd make a post of my collection to prove it. And that got me thinking... why not just inventory all the makeup I have? It's not much, don't worry. All of what I brought to school is either oft used or relatively new. And the ColourPop shadows aren't on here, because I haven't gotten a chance to use them much and I just posted about them

Well, here we go! First off, the shadows (that are intended to be shadows) that I've actually worn:

Here we have, left to right, top to bottom: Maybelline New York's ExpertWear Eyeshadow Single in Golden Halo (270S); a 'blush' (not sure if it's a brand, got it from 5below in a set) loose pigment eyeshadow in metallic brown; Milani's Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Gold (22); Milani's Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Copper (23); The Body Shop's Color Crush Eyeshadow in Be My Clementine (115 - only available from the European shop); Too Faced Natural Eyes Neutral Eyeshadow Collection (I've only used Sexpresso, Erotica, and Honey Pot - swatched in that order); and Nyx's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (604).

Currently, my everyday shadow is actually a bronzer, so it's not shown here. Previously my everyday shadow was Golden Halo (with Be My Clementine in the outer corner in mid-late summer), before that it was the blush loose pigment (forgot how much I love it, I can't believe it cost under a buck), and before that an NYC quad color in a golden/bronze color (I found Golden Halo to replace it when that one was running out). With a little extra time, I'll add Bella Copper or Bella Gold. If I have time to do a full look, I use Milk as a primer/base, my usual bronzer/Golden Halo/Bellas combo, Sexpresso or Erotica as a crease color, and one of my gold shadows (Golden Halo, Bella Gold, or Honey Pot) as a bottom liner.

Will link the other parts as I post them!

My First ColourPop Eyeshadows!

Got my order today! After a coupon code snafu and some back and forth with a very responsive customer service rep, I received the seven shadows I ordered (Get Lucky, I <3 This, Animal, Game Face, Sequin, So Quiche, and Hammered) for $30 (free shipping!). And ColourPop was nice enough to throw in a couple of extra shadows to make up for the coupon fail (Shameless and Bae).

Specific reviews may be coming later, but here are some swatches and comments about the products.


First up: Get Lucky.

The first swatch was so pigmented, I was curious to see what would happen with another swatch without reapplying to my finger. And yeah - still super pigmented. By the third time around, it was more like a vague shimmer, but could maybe work as a super subtle shimmer highlighter (the swatch shown is rubbed several times, so on it's own it would be very light after doing the eyes). First impression: definitely love it. But then again, I have an addiction to gold eyeshadows. Gold, bronze, copper, and champagne are my top eyeshadows, all shimmery or metallic. So Get Lucky looks like it's gonna be a win!


Next: I <3 This

Three swatches again this time, although the product is a lot less opaque. Since I <3 This is a nudey shimmer, it still works. And, to be honest, for all I know it's more opaque than I realize, I'm just really close to the shade itself. Could be. It showed up very pigmented on my finger to swatch, less on my wrist. Either way, the color is really pretty and I can see it making a great base, inner corner, or highlighter. Next time I do a neutral look, I'm bringing this color in for sure. Looks like a second win!


Next: Animal

So, I chose this color because I love peach/coral colors. I don't usually use them in eye looks, but over the summer I fell in love with a sunset look using my gold shadow (Maybelline's Golden Halo was the one I brought to school) and peach/coral for the outer corner (The Body Shop's Be My Clementine). I still love that pretty gradient, and I think anything peachy is gorgeous, so I had to spring for Animal.
And wow. Super glittery. It probably doesn't show up in the picture, but there is a ton of gold microglitter/shimmer in this color. I love it, but I have no clue when I'm gonna get a chance to wear this. I may decide just to have a crazy eye day one day for the hell of it. Maybe Thanksgiving?
As you can see, I did four swatches, cause my finger was still super packed with color even after a few times over on the third. All of them are super glittery, though the first didn't go on completely evenly, with a bit of extra at the top than at the bottom. Still love it. My compassion for coral continues.
(Side note: pretty hard to get off, might stain a bit if you don't have a good makeup remover.)


Next: Game Face

Again, super pigmented. I'm a fan, though it's certainly on the more orange side of copper. I'll probably experiment doing some gradient work with this one and Animal, or maybe with Milani's Bella Copper. Not something I'm super hyped about, seems a little less wearable than the first two and less exciting (to me) than the third. Still, it'll certainly get some wear from me.


Fourth: Sequin

Sequin is really close in color to Game Face, but with a silver microglitter/shimmer to it rather than a reddish one. It looks more wearable because it comes across as lighter, and I'm thinking it will fit pretty well into my usual eye look. Nothing I'm super excited about, but it will probably be used the most after I <3 This. Very glittery.
Side note: the Vaseline in the background is from Vaseline's Influenster campaign. Not the best smelling, since it's "fragrance free," but it definitely works. Since it's cold and windy up here in Vermont, and I'm using an oil-free makeup remover (Almay, the only makeup remover I ever buy), I've been putting a bit on between shadows so I don't dry out.


Fifth: So Quiche

It doesn't pick up in the picture, but this particular shadow is the taupey olive as shown, but with a purple microglitter/shimmer in it that makes me give it an overall "meh." Admittedly, I bought this because I was interested in trying an olive shade. So it's underwhelmingness is probably just my general disinterest in the added purple. I'm not really a purple person, and I'm not a fan of the two shades in one. It's okay, not my usual color, probably won't get much wear.


Sixth: Hammered

Now this olive shade looks more wearable to me. I'm interested to try this one as a crease or outer corner color. It's got a really subtly colored shimmer that isn't as obvious as the purple, red, or white. I think it's got a bit of an iridescent green and pink color to it. I'll give it a solid "huh, okay."
Side note: This one is also a bit hard to take off.


Eighth: (Bonus!) Shameless

This was one of the free 'thank you/sorry' shadows that ColourPop threw in. It's a black with that same greenish/pinkish iridescent microglitter/shimmer. Honestly, as much as I love free shadows, this would not have been my pick. I am terrified of black shadows. They are very very dark and hard to remove. Very severe. I like browns. So, honestly, probably never gonna touch this shadow again. Well, maybe a few times, but definitely not becoming a regular. Also: hard to take off. Really dark and hard to remove. I give it a "eh... alright?"


Ninth: (Bonus!) Bae

I had heard great things about this color. I'd thought about getting it. But it looks black in the packaging, and that scared me. I'm so happy that I got this one for free. Like I said, I'm not really a purple person, so I don't have any purple shadows, but for this fall/winter I considered both olive and plum. This color is a great plum color. Not quite as heavy as some of the other shadows (second swatch not as solid as seconds from other colors), but that's perfect for me. I can't wait to try it.


So there they are. Only a couple of misses in the bunch! And for five bucks a pop, definitely worth it! Feel free to check them out at ColourPop.com.

Got my November Birchbox!

This month's Birchbox is probably my favorite ever. Every single item I'm super excited to try! Nice job Birchbox! Reviews to come... stay tuned.