Best of 2014: Beauty

Full disclosure: I found the third year of maintaining this blog challenging. You know I do it for the fun of it and I've always kept it real, but somewhere along the way I lost steam and found it all a bit forced and stale. Don't get me wrong, I still liked makeup, I just didn't feel so enthused with having to write about it.

For a few months, blogging took a backseat as my 20-something year old self tried to figure some identity/life/relationship stuff out (I still haven't, but it's a work in progress). Basically, it was kind of a weird year. It wasn't just blogging that I lost interest in, but it was one of the easiest things to let fall by the wayside. Beauty blogging is inherently not that deep (as distinct from personal, which I feel it absolutely can be), since at the end of the day the conversation revolves around what you're using to paint your face to make it look better, and I wasn't sure I had the energy, ingenuity and lightness of heart to elaborate on another neutral eyeshadow or peachy lipstick without collapsing into boredom or detecting my own insincerity.

It wasn't until my much-needed holiday to Japan in September that I could recharge, reconnect with my interests, and even feel excited to create content again. In some ways, a dip in enthusiasm is inevitable with any long relationship, but I haven't lost any appreciation or capacity to be entertained and to learn when it comes to "beauty".

From newer readers to those who've stuck with me since the beginning and are still here, more than ever, I'm grateful for you. You keep this blog alive and give me a platform to connect with you and be heard. This year, I might even branch out into some non-beauty stuff occasionally to shake things up and get a little more personal. Until then, in true annual tradition, here are my top beauty products of 2014.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Quite simply, the best concealer I've ever tried. Does everything you want a good concealer to do, including covering up pesky pimples, scarring, areas of redness and uneven skin tone. Best of all, it's a breeze to use and extremely portable. I usually put some on the back of my hand with the applicator and dab the product onto my face with my fingers. No intricate, patient brush work required, no issues with disturbing your existing makeup or the concealer being too dry or hard in texture. It's just the right amount of creaminess to blend into the skin effortlessly while still adhering to the skin and not slipping/sliding off or transferring. Instant repurchase material.

Australis Nail Colour in K-Pop
If I had to nominate an "It" nail polish colour of 2014 that I gravitated to repeatedly, it would be this bright, mid-tone pinky purple. Estée kicked things off when I saw her wear Essie Splash of Grenadine in one of her videos, and soon I couldn't get enough of similar hues (see Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Lucky Lilac, Essence Colour & Go in Purple Sugar). My favourite variation of the shade would definitely be Australis K-Pop. Just the right balance of pastel and neon, and not too dark. Formula is smooth and easy to work with, requiring only two coats for full opacity.

Napoleon Perdis Cream Blush
Who knew a magazine freebie could be so good? It's conveniently compact making it perfect for travel or to pop in the makeup bag (I've done both), it imparts a fresh, wholesome, natural flush that injects instant life to the face, wear time is excellent, it's light but creamy in texture and doesn't apply patchily or cling to areas of dry skin. Virtually faultless.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua
My foundation discovery came late in the year but I wish I'd made it much earlier. What most delights me about Vitalumière Aqua is it really sets on the skin. While a bit of shine does come to the surface as the day goes on, all things considered, it's impressively transfer-proof. The quintessential "no makeup makeup" base, it provides good, subtly radiance-boosting coverage while still appearing natural and not completely erasing the skin's underlying qualities.

Real Techniques Multi Task Brush
I never thought the day would come when I'd ditch my Real Techniques Buffing Brush for anything else to apply my foundation. I made the switch in the middle of the year and haven't looked back. While I previously used the Multi Task Brush mainly for powder products (contouring, blush), this works like a charm for liquid foundation, especially slightly thicker, heavier coverage bases that can get a little cakey if not blended out completely. Simply put, the Multi Task Brush involves less work than the Buffing Brush, and the longer, softer but still fairly dense bristles feel nicer on the skin while delivering a streak-free, airbrushed finish.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
There's a reason this is such a popular, oft-relied upon, frequently raved about brush. The first time I used a MAC 217, I instantly understood the hype. The brush applies eyeshadow slightly higher up than what I'm used to, creating more of a rounder shape where the shadow follows the natural curve of the eye all the way around, giving the appearance of bigger eyes. The edges almost appear naturally diffused and never look harsh or too defined, though the actual effort involved is next to zero. The somewhat firm but still fluffy bristles pick up product brilliantly so that colour is really concentrated when it's applied to the lids.

Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black
I featured the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in my 2013 Favourites, but I've managed to find something even better. While very similar, the Dolly Wink gives me even more precision and control. It's no exaggeration to say it virtually revolutionised the way I draw my eyeliner. Because of the ultra-fine tip and how inky black but not overly wet it is, it enabled me to experiment with different shapes and lines that better suited my monolids (essentially, partially drawing the line with my eyes open rather than closed). The only problem is that it does run out quicker than the Stila and since I bought mine in Japan, I'm anticipating a real struggle to find an online stockist that ships to Australia at a reasonable price.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara
Definitively, the best mascara I've used. Even at $38 in Australia, I would repurchase without hesitation. I forget just how good it is when I stop using it. When I come back to it, as I did in the second half of 2014, it's a revelation all over again. Every other mascara seems substandard in comparison. It lengthens, curls, darkens and adds volume to the lashes without clumping or smudging. My short, barely visible Asian lashes need all the help they can get, and They're Real is the closest to a false lash effect I can achieve from mascara alone.

Urban Decay Naked3
We're all at the risk of suffering a bit of Naked overload, which is what makes the third Naked palette all the more impressive. Urban Decay managed to create 12 all new tantalising shades of even more neutral goodness that you never even knew you wanted. Like any good, thoughtfully assembled palette, the versatility and creative potential is all there in the shade selection. Personal favourites include the ultra-glittery Trick which I usually apply wet, sophisticated matte Nooner, and richly metallic Liar.

LORAC Pro Palette
Admittedly I didn't exactly give this palette a resoundingly positive review at first (mainly because I wasn't a huge fan of the actual colours in it), but I never faulted the quality or pigmentation of the shadows. One thing has won me over since, to the extent I'm placing the whole palette in my yearly favourites: the calibre of the matte shades, especially Sable and Espresso. These are the deepest, darkest, most intense mattes I have ever encountered. A light dip into the pan with my eyeshadow brush instantly adds incomparable depth and definition to any eyeshadow look. When I want immediate impact, those are the shades I reach for. And they've never let me down.

Third Time Rosy

Like most beauty junkies, I was in danger of “Naked fatigue” from the continual releases from Urban Decay of their Naked eyeshadow palettes. When I first saw pictures and swatches of Naked3 online, I was a bit on the fence about whether the palette was for me. “Rose-hued neutrals” sounded off alarm bells in my mind about the difficulty of pulling off pink eyeshadows, and I’d largely dismissed the first half of the palette as shades I would hardly ever touch given they looked so light, and so pink. But you know how the story goes. With every new YouTube video I watched and blog post I encountered that featured Naked3, my initial lukewarm sentiments inevitably turned around. The fact the palette seemed perpetually out of stock on Look Fantastic and HQHair did little to dissuade me. Finally, one night in a moment of weakness, I made a order on BeautyBay, where I also previously purchased my original Naked and Naked2 palettes.

Before I get into the review, a little rant about BeautyBay. I noticed they deliberately hiked up the price of the Urban Decay Naked palettes to Australian customers by some $20. They also seemed to be selectively selling them to certain countries, as I would read messages on their Facebook from UK customers asking when Naked3 would come back in stock, but I’d check the website and Naked3 would be available to purchase for me, albeit at a whopping $82 or so. I checked my order history and in 2012, I bought the original Naked palette for $59.60 (which back then, included $9.90 shipping) and Naked2 for $58, but I paid around $82 for my Naked3. Granted, the Australian dollar has also fallen a bit since then, making foreign currencies more expensive, but it’s clear there’s been some deliberate, targeted price hike which I find dishonest and unjustified, especially since comparable sites like Look Fantastic and HQHair are selling Naked3 for the retail price of £37 or $69.

Moving on to my thoughts about the actual palette. I’ll begin by saying I love Naked3 much more than I thought I would, and even though I paid a premium for it, I’m thrilled to have it in my hands. Despite reservations about the shades in the first half of the palette, I actually use them more than I do the first half of Naked or Naked2. Yes, they’re generally very warm, pink, coppery, peachy shades, but I tend to focus them primarily on the first third of my eye or as an inner corner highlight. The more outright glittery shades like Dust, Buzz and Trick do have quite a bit of fallout (as well as Blackheart), but I usually overcome that problem by wetting my brush with one or two spritzes of Avene Thermal Spring Water first. Doing this also makes the eyeshadows much more vibrant and smooth to apply.

l-r: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

l-r: Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

l-r (top row, then bottom row): Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit,

Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot

l-r (top row, then bottom row): Limit, Buzz, Trick,

Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

l-r (top row, then bottom row): Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick,

Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

A surprising favourite in this palette has been the ultra sparkly, bronzy, coppery Trick. Liar is also beautiful as an all-over lid colour, and the mauve/taupe matte shades like Limit and Nooner are super versatile and something a bit different to your usual beiges and browns. I feel Urban Decay has done incredibly well with the overall shade selection in Naked3, especially in coming up with twelve, all new eyeshadows that form a very complete, coherent palette that still is sufficiently different to its two predecessors. The quality is as you would expect from Urban Decay, and while a couple of the shades were perhaps slightly lacking in pigmentation and drier in texture than in the original Naked and Naked2 palettes, there’s nothing to really complain about. I’ve been reaching for Naked3 almost non-stop since it arrived. Just when I thought I’d had enough, Urban Decay have done it again.

Primed for Success

Eye primers and nude cream bases play a vital role in helping powder eyeshadows appear more vibrant and last longer. An underwhelming eyeshadow can be rescued by a good primer and can transform a lacklustre shade into a better version of itself. Of course, an already impressively pigmented and long-wearing eyeshadow might not need any extra help. The preliminary step of applying a primer or base can also be effective insurance against oily lids and eyeshadow creasing, though those two issues aren't major problems for my dryish monolids. Here are the five I reach for most often.

l-r: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded, Urban Decay Primer Potion, NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer, Becca Eye Tint in Vicuna

Maybelline 24Hr Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Barely Branded (70)
This light, very shimmery beigey champagne needs to be applied with caution. I make sure to pick up a very small amount with my finger and spread a thin layer to slightly moisturised lids for more slip, as it's a little dry and hard in texture at first. It's quite pigmented so applying a touch too much may overpower the actual eyeshadow, though it's nowhere near as bad as the white, frosty Too Cool (05). I find the lasting power and vibrancy of the metallic Color Tattoos to be exceptional, so Barely Branded works well to prolong wear time and amp up the shimmer factor of lustrous shades.

Urban Decay Primer Potion Eyeshadow Base
This classic eyeshadow primer is a solid all-rounder. It's a light yellowish skin colour but applies mainly transparent on the lids. It has a bit of a thicker texture but is easy to spread with good slip. It doesn't do too much for me applied to my entire lid, but proves its worth when worn just under the eyes. I find it helps eyeliner on the lower lash line to stay on and minimise bottom lash mascara from smudging during the day.

NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
My opinion hasn't changed since I featured this in my August 2013 Favourites. NARS Pro-Prime would be an excellent choice for those with oily skin as it's unparalleled when it comes to making eyeshadow adhere to the lids. It's almost like it dries up the eyeshadow so it sticks to the skin and doesn't have a chance of smearing off. In a way, because it's so budge-resistant, it's harder to work with in terms of softly and evenly blending out the edges of eyeshadow or correcting eyeliner mishaps. Like the Urban Decay Primer Potion which it shares a very similar texture with (though Pro-Prime is a touch drier/thicker and not as smooth to apply), its strength is reserved for the lower lash line area.

LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
I received a 5.5g sample from my LORAC Pro Palette and was curious to see how it stacked up against eye primers from Urban Decay and NARS (included with the original Naked palette and And God Created the Woman Eye Palette respectively). I was initially surprised to find the LORAC to be much smoother, thinner and more emollient in consistency, making it infinitely easier to blend out. It's completely transparent and doesn't leave any kind of coating or texture on the skin, dissolving into nothingness on the lid. It ticks the boxes in terms of giving added depth and life to eyeshadows, but I don't think it's as strong in terms of preventing movement and encouraging eyeshadow adhesion as NARS or Urban Decay.

Becca Eye Tint in Vicuna
Every now and then I slap some Vicuna on as an eyeshadow base, primarily in an attempt to use up this unloved magazine freebie since it's basically undetectable on my lids as a cream eyeshadow. It's even thinner and smoother in consistency than the LORAC, so I have to use an absolute minuscule amount, spread thinly across the lid with my finger. It takes some time to fully set, which can be an advantage as it gives eyeshadow a slightly wet surface to stick to. Vicuna gives an extremely subtle peachy shimmer and sheen to any eyeshadow placed over it, like a low-key version of Maybelline Barely Branded. It's not meant to be a proper eyeshadow primer, so there aren't any miracles in terms of combating fading and increasing longevity. It's probably more convincing as an understated liquid highlighter for the top of the cheekbones.

Perfect Palette Tag

I was tagged by Zoë to do this Perfect Palette Tag I've seen floating around lately (thanks for including me, Zoë!). I am absolutely palette crazy as you may have deduced from my latest wishlist, so I've thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching responses to this tag on blogs and YouTube. There's a certain irresistible quality to a beautifully executed palette, whether it be a standout shade or two that makes the whole thing a must-have, or how the different colours and finishes promise a world of possibilities and creative potential.

1. Best Packaging

Hands down, Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Odyssey (09). I mean, just look at it. I think I like it better than the more masculine, architectural packaging of Tom Ford, which would've been second in the running. This is just one incredibly good-looking palette. The intricate pattern at the front, the gold case and interior, the classic neutral eyeshadows housed within, that to-die-for gold leaf shade. So much eye candy.

2. Best Colour Payoff

I'm giving this one to the LORAC Pro Palette. The metallic shades are uniformly vibrant and pigmented, but what sets the Pro Palette apart from other comparable palettes is the inclusion of the matte shades. The darker mattes in particular (Sable, Espresso) are some of the most impressively pigmented eyeshadows I have in my whole collection.

3. Most Versatile

Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette. We have light shades, dark shades, satin finish, mattes, a glitter/near duochrome and two blushes. If that's not versatile, I don't know what is. You can come up with anything from a barely there, daytime appropriate look (any combination of Buff Pearl, Tawny Apricot or Pale Pink), something with a bit more pizzazz (African Violet) or a smokey eye (Rich Cocoa or Black Plum). The two darker colours could easily double up as eyeliner. Buff Pearl is your standard inner corner/browbone highlighting shade. Pale Pink could be a transition/blending shade depending on your skin tone. The light and medium shades could be used on the lid alone, or the darker colours incorporated for added depth. And that's just the eyeshadows — wear the blushes separately or mixed together. The list goes on.

4. Best for Travel

When travelling, I have only one requirement. Small. What I bring needs to take up as little space as possible. At the back of my mind, it also has to be something I'm willing to lose (you never know with misplaced luggage, forgetful packing and any number of potential mishaps while on the go). In my last Shop My Stash, I unearthed this Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow quad which I decided to bring along with me during my Europe trip. Along with Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper, it served me well.

5. Biggest Regret

Too Faced Naked Eye. The shades swatched so beautifully but the majority are complete fails on my lids. The three larger pans and Pillow Talk barely show up. Lap Dance and Unmentionables are too dark and cool for my colouring to sport all over the lid for the daytime. Satin Sheets is pretty, but what would I do with it? The matte black Stiletto is unremarkable. That leaves only Like A Virgin, which I do enjoy, but only with a shimmery purplish base like the one from Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids. For the same amount of money, I could've taken home Stila In the Light which I'm sure I'd be infinitely happier with.

6. Best Colour Names

This one was tricky for me to answer since I'm ridiculously hard to please when it comes to names. I find the majority of shade names to be dull and unimaginative, or cringe-inducing (e.g. the whole of theBalm ShadyLady Vol. 2 — I mean, Just This Once Jamie, really?). I prefer shade names that don't try to incorporate the literal colour in the name, but rather, evoke certain images or moods that tie in with the colour and paint an overall picture of the palette. I picked the Urban Decay Naked palettes for that reason. The names suggest to me a kind of dangerous, on-the-edge, racy, femme fatale, outlaw vibe which I suppose is meant to emphasize how seductive and daring a suite of neutrals can be.

7. Least Used

This one was easy. Sleek i-Divine eyeshadow palette in Bad Girl. I never use this thing. I regret buying it as it just sits in my makeup drawer untouched. The colours are just way too dark, green and blue to be used on a regular basis. And by regular basis, I mean ever.

8. Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island

NARS And God Created the Woman. I am so glad the makeup fanatic in me latched onto the idea of procuring this palette and didn't let go. No other palette has captured my affections the way this one has, with the possible exception of Urban Decay Naked2 (though the original Naked still holds a place in my heart as well). I was contemplating forking out an insane amount of money for the limited edition Chanel Ombres Matelassées palette in Charming, but talked myself out of it by focusing on how much superior And God Created the Woman is in every single way. Most palettes contain a bit of filler in the form of certain shades that you rarely touch or that simply don't appeal to you. I can say with confidence I love and use every single colour in And God Created the Woman. It also has the left shade in the Kalahari duo, one of the most stunning eyeshadows I've come across. I easily see myself using this palette for the rest of my makeup-loving life.

All Day Shimmer

After looking through my matte eyeshadows, I felt I needed to balance things out and feature my favourite and most used shimmery eyeshadows. The majority of the shades I picked are neutral eyeshadows that I reach for in the mornings to apply over the lid. I usually opt for a second darker colour (a deeper bronze, purple or green) that I place along the upper lash line and blend out slightly for more definition. I haven't included any of those darker shades here, though they would certainly be among my most beloved eyeshadows (namely, the bronze from the Sleek Storm palette). I've also confined the list to powder eyeshadows, even though two cream shadows (Maybelline Bad to the Bronze and Essence Pas Des Copper) are absolute staples.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment (Eyelid shade)
I almost much never touch the other two shades in this trio because they just don't hold a candle to the Eyelid colour. This is a very wearable purplish taupe that isn't too cool, grey or silvery. It takes 2-3 layers for full pigmentation as it can apply a little on the light side initially. It has more of a soft sheen and isn't overwhelmingly shimmery or frosty. I usually pair this with a darker purple (lately, the right side of the L'Oréal HiP Metallic Shadow Duo in Electrified).

Laura Mercier African Violet (from the Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette)
There's a reason why African Violet seems constant in every Laura Mercier eyeshadow palette release. Nothing that I have in my whole collection comes close to it. It's a warm pinkish-purple infused with the most beautiful coppery-gold shimmer. The glimmering finish and chameleonic quality of this shade makes it truly special. It could easily be too much and appear overly glittery, but it's sophisticated and surprisingly wearable for the daytime. Goes really well with a matte brown (I like Rich Cocoa from the same palette).

Revlon Luxurious Color Satin Eyeshadow in Polished Bronze
Brown and bronze shades are my default choice because they're easy to wear and go with anything. Polished Bronze is one of those ever-reliable colours that I reach for constantly. It might not be the most unique shade, but it's exactly what I'm after when looking for an everyday bronze that's a complete no-brainer. Not too dark, not too metallic, not too cool or grey, or overly warm/copper. Just right.

Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Naturally Glamorous (fourth shade)
This is similar to Polished Bronze but quite a bit darker and a touch warmer, so it's better as an all-over lid colour when I can't be bothered to add more depth with a separate, darker shade. I find it a bit too dark for the day time unless I apply it lightly and blend well to soften the edges and sheer out the colour. It's nicely pigmented and the texture is smooth, soft and not at all crumbly or powdery. On the downside, the packaging seems flimsy as the hinge of my palette recently shattered.

Urban Decay YDK (from the Naked2 palette)
Honestly, YDK is ridiculous. So pigmented and stunningly metallic. It's a treasure in my collection. Just a light swipe is all you need for intense colour payoff. It's almost too shimmery for the daytime, but that hasn't stopped me. It's a copper-tinged, frosty bronze that I usually pair with Busted from the same palette.

Urban Decay Toasted (from the Naked palette)
Such a good eyeshadow staple. Sometimes I forget how amazing both Naked palettes are, as I haven't been reaching for them lately. Along with Smog, Darkhorse and Hustle, Toasted is my most used shade from the original Naked palette. I usually wear Smog with Darkhorse, and Toasted with Hustle. I think I marginally prefer Toasted to Smog, as the warm, slightly pinkish bronze is more neutral and wearable than Smog, which is darker and a little more antique in tone. Although metallic, there's a softness to it and it's not at all frosty.

Maybelline ExpertWear Eye Shadow in Rock Icon (Crease shade)
I had to include a green, because along with purple and bronze, it's one of my favourite colours. Green complements brown eyes and goldish olive/khaki shades are an accessible way to venture into colour while still remaining relatively neutral. I used to wear the crease shade in Rock Icon pretty often, but have neglected it for a while. I do have similar colours that I reach for now and then or were once on high rotation, including L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadow in Bronze Goddess and the fourth shade in the Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow palette in Khaki Suede. The shadows in this quad might not be the best quality, but the crease shade is decently pigmented (moreso than the lid and browbone), and with a primer, they hold up fairly well.

l-r: Wet n Wild Silent Treatment (Eyelid), Laura Mercier African Violet, Revlon Polished Bronze, Revlon Naturally Glamorous (fourth shade), Urban Decay YDK, Urban Decay Toasted, Maybelline Rock Icon (Crease)

l-r: Wet n Wild Silent Treatment (Eyelid shade), Laura Mercier African Violet, 

Revlon Polished Bronze, Revlon Naturally Glamorous (fourth shade)

l-r: Urban Decay YDK, Urban Decay Toasted, Maybelline Rock Icon (Crease shade)

Moving on to Mattes

For the longest time, I basically had no interest in matte eyeshadow. It was all about satin, shimmery, metallic or downright glittery shades. I simply dismissed matte eyeshadows as flat and dull, not suited to my eye shape and often hard to work with. Mattes simply did not excite me and I rarely, if ever, used them. But suddenly and for no apparent reason, that all changed. I started to tire of my usual shimmery shades, which seemed too much for the daytime and at times glaringly frosty. With foundation slipping off my face at the end of the day, shimmery eyeshadow in the mix made me look almost grimy. I needed a new approach. Maybe it was also the release of the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette that triggered a change in perspective, but in the last couple of weeks, I've begun experimenting with wearing mattes on a daily basis.

In light of my new fascination with mattes, I felt compelled to go through my entire eyeshadow collection and bring out all the mattes I had. Perhaps doing so would help quell the urge to buy a new, matte-only palette (Stila In the Know, which I've previously always overlooked in favour of In the Light, is particularly calling my name). Having all the shades laid out in front of me would also make it easier to examine my options.

First up is Revlon Luxurious Color Matte Eye Shadow in Vintage Lace (001). I've literally never used this shade and I don't see that changing any time soon. I just don't know what I'd use it for. I wear eyeshadow in an attempt to add definition and the illusion of depth to my eyes, and this shade isn't going to do that. Not having a visible crease, this would be as good as wearing nothing. I'm not even sure the colour would show up unless I packed it on. Maybe I could use this as a highlight or blending colour, though there'd be better and more effective options. The quality is reasonably good (much better than the other shades I've tried in the range), though a tad powdery.

Next are two Revlon quads I have: ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow in Attitude (545) and ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Coffee Bean (02). I've previously written about Attitude here, and I've been loving the third shade applied close to the upper lash line and blended out as an everyday colour. I haven't touched the fourth shade yet because it's too dark to wear during the day, and the second pink colour disinterests me for the same reasons as Revlon Vintage Lace (and pretty much all light matte shades). I recently rediscovered Coffee Bean, a palette I'd always appreciated but never used. The second shade in the quad, a light mink/beige with a grey tinge, is probably the lightest I'll go. I find the 16 Hour eyeshadows are better quality than the 12 Hour ones, in that they're generally more pigmented and less powdery.

I was underwhelmed with the Too Faced Naked Eye palette, but it does have some excellent quality mattes. In the Buff is a touch whiter than Revlon Vintage Lace, but creamier and denser in texture. Like a Virgin is a revelation and I can see it fast becoming a favourite, much like shade 3 in Revlon Attitude.

The original Urban Decay Naked palette has two matte shades, Naked and Buck, while Naked2 has Foxy and Tease. The beige and tan shades of Naked and Buck aren't too thrilling in that they're similar to other variations of brown in Revlon Coffee Bean and Attitude. But they're versatile and useful shades to have, not just as all-over lid colours, but for softening harsh edges or even contouring the nose (Buck seems to be a favourite of Promise Phan). Can't do that with a shimmery eyeshadow!

Foxy in Naked2 is a bit more yellow than Too Faced In the Buff and Revlon Vintage Lace, and probably would barely show up on my lids. As a highlight colour, I'd prefer something more pearly/frosty over a matte, such as Urban Decay Sin or Bootycall. Tease however, is another ideal everyday shade. My only gripe is once applied, it loses much of the purplish tone it has in the pan and looks more like a conventional brown.

Laura Mercier does the best mattes, period. Pale Pink from the Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette is a touch warmer than the slightly dustier pink from Revlon Attitude. I use it occasionally as a blending colour but it's too light for my skin tone to be worn over the lid. From the same palette, Rich Cocoa and Black Plum are smooth, buttery and stunningly pigmented. The two shades are more suited for a nighttime smoky eye, but with an angled brush, they could work as an alternative to gel or liquid eyeliner during the day. I often use Rich Cocoa and Black Plum, along with Laura Mercier Twilight Grey, on the upper lash line over a lighter, shimmery colour to add definition.

The mattes in the Sleek i-Divine Eyeshadow palette in Storm were unexpectedly a disappointment. The shimmery shades are spectacular (the bronze is one of my favourite eyeshadows ever), but the mattes were subpar. The black was passable, but I literally had the scratch the surface of the two brown shades to get any pigment. Even then, it was a struggle to swatch them. To be fair, I think they might fare better with a proper eyeshadow brush than the surface of a finger. The colours aren't unique enough for me to prefer them over better versions in the Urban Decay Naked palette.

l-r: Too Faced In the Buff, Revlon Vintage Lace, Urban Decay Foxy, Laura Mercier Pale Pink, Revlon Attitude (shade 1), Revlon Coffee Bean (second shade), Sleek Storm (third shade), Urban Decay Naked

l-r: Urban Decay Buck, Revlon Attitude (shade 3), Sleek Storm (eleventh shade), Revlon Coffee Bean (fourth shade), Revlon Attitude (shade 4)

l-r: Urban Decay Tease, Laura Mercier Twilight Grey, Too Faced Like a Virgin, Laura Mercier Black Plum, Laura Mercier Rich Cocoa, Sleek Storm (twelfth shade)

Many of these shades are either too light or too dark. There's only a few that are mid-tone and useable as all-over lid colours, and even then, they still lean on the darker side. I need to be mindful of not applying the shadows too high up or heavily, and blending/softening the edges. I'm liking the more daytime-appropriate, softer and polished look of mattes over the sometimes garish and OTT nature of more frosty and metallic picks. But whether my venture into mattes is a brief flirtation or something longer-lasting, at least I'm now open to using them rather than largely ignoring their existence.