Everything You Need to Know About Eyeshadow and Makeup Finishes

A Primer (If You Will) on Eyeshadow and Makeup Finishes

Fans of makeup know that they have an endless number of choices in not only color, but also eyeshadow finishes. Quite literally, any hue of eyeshadow or lipstick one might desire is likely available, and it can be found in a frosted variety or a more traditional finish. Makeup also comes in different textures and finishes, and each will give you a unique or entirely different final effect.

The Common Eyeshadow Finishes

As the beauty enthusiasts of Bustle said, there are many types of makeup finishes, but because photos and online images aren’t always true to color, “we’re left to rely on the product descriptions to decide if there’s something different enough about that red lipstick to justify adding it to our collections.”

And that is where background knowledge of finishes is important. Almost all types of makeup will come as a powder, cream, liquid, and so on. Selecting the format at this point is more about your skin type or tone. Will you benefit more from a cream blush or a powder? Will you find it easier to use a liquid eyeliner as opposed to a pencil?

It is when you get focused on the specific types of makeup, such as eyeshadow, that you need to be more specific in your choices. For this article, we are going to look closely at the finishes for eyeshadows and which might be best for your needs.

There are many kinds of finishes, and they include:

• Cream
• Frost
• Glitter
• Matte
• Metallic
• Pearl
• Shimmer
• Satin

Does this mean each has an entirely different texture?

As one beauty enthusiast noted, “not all eyeshadow textures were created equal. With that in mind, they are also not created for every skin type, tone or eye color or eye shape,” making it important to know about the differences.

Most beauty enthusiasts rely on the eight specific textures above, so let’s review each briefly.

Cream – Lightweight and even skin-like in its texture, it does not crease and applies very easily. It can be found in a shimmering finish, but it is not always a shimmer formula. It is not an ideal choice for skin with lines or wrinkles as it applies in even the finest lines. This texture needs multiple applications for the boldest color and is best with a base to prevent fading.

Frost – Though this might make you think of 70s makeup trends, a frosted texture is ideal for the fun, springtime pastels popular among makeup enthusiasts. They offer an opaque finish and may feature a silvery or white “sparkle”. They are better on youthful complexions as they tend to fill lines and create an unappealing finish.

Glitter – This will be the easiest to decipher because it contains a glitter finish that adds sparkle, glamour, and a special finish. This is for a night out or major event and can be trickier to apply. It may even be best to apply it last and use it to amp up a smoky eye.

Matte – Without any of the shimmer or sparkle of the previous options, it is the matte eyeshadows that give the most intense and saturated colors. They don’t reflect the light and are often a choice used for contouring. The matte finish can be used for the entire eye and yet will never look over done. They can be dryer and more challenging to blend, so a base is essential.

Satin – If you don’t want to layer or do lots of techniques, then a satin finish is for you. It is not as flat as the matte makeup and has no shimmer. It is somewhere between a light shine and a powdery texture, and brings a lot of intensity in the pigment.

Metallic – Truly bold, they add fun or glamour and can bring some bronzing or some silver and gold to the eye. There are also colored metallic options and they bring lots of drama. They can be found in a cream formula as well as in a palette.

Shimmer – Wildly popular, they provide a subtle patina with a hint of sparkle. They work well on their own or mixed and layered and bring a lot of sheer coverage that works well with all skin types. They are good for mature skin types, too, and add the option for highlighting to draw the eye to a specific region of the eye and de-emphasize lines.

Pearl – With a soft sheen and less pigment than any other texture, it is also an option when a touch of glitter or shimmer is desired. Similar to a frost finish, but not as bold or obvious, it is the type that brings an iridescent glow that softly reflects light.

So, there you have the basics in terms of the finishes available, and as one enthusiast noted, if you can’t decide which eyeshadow to use there are “eye palettes that come with multiple shadow finishes.”

The Pros and Cons of Eyeshadow Palettes vs. Single Pans

An eyeshadow palette is as the name implies, a tray that contains multiple colors and finishes of eyeshadow. Today, you can buy pre-packaged palettes that might have a theme or primary hue with lots of contrasting or coordinating colors. You might find a palette designed for a specific finish, and there are even palettes that allow you to replace colors and mix up your collection as desired.

On the other hand, there are “single pans,” which are (again) as the name implies, a package of some variety that contains one pan of eyeshadow. That means just one color in a single finish.

Which is ideal? If we do a quick look at the pros and cons of the matter, it will help you to decide.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Lipstick

Pros and Cons for Palettes

• The benefits of choosing a palette are extensive and include:
• Ultra-convenient way to tote around multiple colors in a single container
• An enormous number of choices
• Often include color schemes that let you achieve a specific look
• Typically has multiple finishes in one container
• May be refillable or adjustable to let you continually update your look
• Affordably priced
• Allow you to experiment with looks

On the downside, the cons of a palette option include that they may result in some waste if you don’t use all of the colors in the palette, and that some options can be quite expensive.

And should you use the little brushes and pads included in some palettes? Definitely NOT! I you want your eye makeup or eye makeup look to be perfect and professional – you will need to ‘invest’ in some great brushes.

A basic list would include a dimension brush that is small but fluffy, a firmer rounded brush for controlled applications as well as blending, a flatter and more densely modeled brush for pigmented colors, a flat and sharp brush for precision and highlighting, and an eyeliner brush that can be used in many ways.

As you see, there is no pad or padded brush because this gives no control. And you should never use your fingertips to apply eyeshadow from the palette as that can introduce bacteria that will cause the product to spoil or go rancid quickly.

Related: Just How Long Can You Use Your Makeup and Skincare Products?

Beauty Junkees pro Series Eye Brush Set with Case

Pros and Cons for Single Trays

If you opt for a single tray, it means a single hue, and while that might not seem as if there were many pros or cons, there are. They include:

• You can use targeted decision making and select just one shade and finish that works for your look
• There is no waste as there may be with a palette featuring multiple hues, not all of which you will use
• Prevents color contamination which can happen if applications are being done from a palette with a single brush
• Easily replaceable
• Affordable

The cons of a single tray are simply that you spend more on individual colors and the cases are prone to breaking if you carry them or travel with them.

Makeup artists like to purchase a lot of single trays because they will often rely heavily on just a few shades and will see a lot of waste with a palette. The everyday users, though, seem to benefit the most from a palette, and can purchase single trays of colors they are particularly fond of using.

The lifespan of a higher quality eyeshadow is two years, but that is only if it is kept clean and free of debris, oils, and other products…as well as fingertips!

Of course, the main factor to consider is the overall quality of the eyeshadows you buy, rather than focusing only on the palette v. single tray issue.

Related: Transform Your Look with Unlimited Eye Shadow Looks!

Empty Magnetic Makeup Palette with Mirror

How to Be Sure You Have Quality Eyeshadow

In the world of makeup, you can often figure out whether a product is of a premium quality or a lesser one by posing basic questions. With eyeshadow, those questions include:

• How easily does this blend? Does it blend out on bare or primed skin easily? Does it blend well with other colors?
• Is there adequate pigmentation? In other words, is it too sheer when applied? Can it stand up to building with other colors?
• Does it apply evenly? This is the hallmark of quality eyeshadow, and you want it to apply consistently and never appear patchy or blotched
• Is it long-lasting? Some formulas boast an all-day hold, but only you can tell if it will last all day and into the evening. The poorest quality products tend to wear off within hours
• Is it irritating? Poor quality products use cheap ingredients that can easily irritate the eyes or the skin

Keep in mind that most professionals will warn about the differences between colors and eyeshadow finishes. For example, some colors like deeper and richer shades can be difficult to formulate and may even perform differently within the same brand or even the same palette.

Related: This Magnetic Palette Has It All!

Choosing and Using Eyeshadow

While we have looked at the different finishes in eyeshadow as well as the different formulation options, we have yet to consider the right colors for each eye color. As one expert said, choosing “shadow shades for yourself can be tricky—and leave you feeling overwhelmed,” and we agree.

To help with that, we offer the following hints for selecting the best color for your complexion and eye color. It should all begin with eye color:

• Brown Eyes – If your eyes range from chocolate to a blend of honey hues, your best eyeshadow colors may surprise you. Gold and purple will make your eyes pop and can be used to create a very intense or subtle finish
• Hazel Eyes – The green to grey to brown or hazel eyes can make it difficult to know just what to choose in the eyeshadow category. The good news? You can go with just about any color that will work with brown eyes (see above) or green eyes (see below).
• Green Eyes – The rarest eye color looks great with hues that coordinate or contrast on the color wheel – i.e. green or plum.
• Blue Eyes – Whether they are an icy blue or Liz Taylor purple, your best options are colors in the blue to the lilac range.

Related: How to Achieve Your Best Looking Brows

With this basic array of information about eyeshadow finishes, you should be on your way to choosing the best options for your goals. Have a bit of fun experimenting with the options and use the suggestions above for your initial color choices. You may find that your eye color is not a good guide for your eyeshadow choices, and you may instead go with trendier colors or options selected based on your skin tone.

The point is to have a lot of fun, get creative, and create a few unique looks that work well day, night, and at all times!

More Great Eyeshadow Finishes Resources:

HOW TO APPLY EYESHDOWS PROPERLY?

EYESHADOW BASICS: TYPES, TEXTURES, AND TINTS FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

Types of Eyeshadow + How to Apply Them