Your eyes are one of your most noticeable facial features. Whether you’re having a conversation with your boss, friend, or partner you’re constantly making eye contact with others. This makes it imperative to get your eyeshadow technique down pat. Focusing on your body’s naturally striking components can elevate an average look to an ‘I made an effort – but not really’ look.

I usually only wear color on my eyelids if I’m attempting to give my look a little oomph. I can’t commit to sporting a conventional stark lip color for that added zest. I’m inevitably going to spend most of the day retouching and worrying that my lipstick has faded. If you can relate then eyeshadow might be your answer. It requires little upkeep for the desirable results it produces.

So, I get why I need to invest in a good eyeshadow but have you guys seen the ridiculous abundance of options on the market? There are endless factors to consider when choosing a palette – your skin tone, your skin type, your eye shape, not to mention your own personal taste. The durability and pigmentation of eyeshadow are effectively what makes or breaks it as a great product. You’re covered in that department with Revlon’s eyeshadows. And with an affordable price tag to boot!

Revlon Eyeshadow Overview

Revlon eyeshadow.

It started with a deep red painted door on Fifth Avenue and grew from there. Revlon has since been recognized as somewhat of a ‘color-authority’ in the cosmetic world. They provide high quality at a reasonable price and their eyeshadow is no exception. The thought of a beauty bargain has me behaving like a dolled-up 10-year-old all over again. I’m making rash makeup purchases and experimenting to my heart’s content. (Don’t judge me please)

Revlon is easily accessible and within your price range since you can find it in any drugstore. I know I’m not professional enough to invest in anything over $30 when it comes to my makeup, so this is a guilt-free no-brainer for me.

The only drawback I have to mention is that Revlon is not cruelty-free. For me, that’s quite the tragic flaw. Revlon is committed to being sustainable wherever they can be. However, they sell their products in countries where regulations require animal testing. This means that although the brand doesn’t test on animals on their own premises, some of their products are subject to animal testing. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s have a closer look at some of Revlon’s eyeshadow ranges.

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Review

In 1991 Revlon debuted its first non-transfer lipstick. It seems as though it was just onwards and upwards from there. Now the brand boasts a color stay eyeshadow, taking the ‘non-transfer’ notion a step up. (Obviously, you can’t transfer eyeshadow from eye to eye, I’m talking long-lasting pigmentation here).

This eyeshadow comes with an applicator brush attached to the bottom of the packaging – which at first got me all excited. I love a product that gives you the tools you need to achieve the right effect. After trying it out though I think I’ll stick to my own eyeshadow brush when using this eyeshadow. The pigment itself is strong but the brush it comes with doesn’t do the pigmentation justice. It provides a rather patchy application.

The colors themselves blend really well together. That mostly thanks to the active ingredient Dimethicone. Dimethicone is silicone used for its silky, smooth texture and its emulsifying properties. I would use these one at a time as an easy-fix look rather than blending them together. Alternatively, they’d work well as a base shadow on my overall look as the smooth texture causes the shadow to blend almost too well. It kind of just goes into one color but the durability means it can help the lasting stay of your eyeshadows.

Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow Review

The layout of this eyeshadow ‘kit’ will help you perfect your technique. Its laid out so you can see what order to apply and where. For makeup amateurs like myself, I couldn’t think of anything more useful.  

I did notice that the primer itself was surprisingly not an actual primer per se. It was more of a base coat. Having said that, I tried one eye with my own primer and one with Revlon’s ‘primer’ and the overall stay was surprisingly similar! All of the shadows in this range are super smooth and apply evenly.

I would have preferred a matte shade as opposed to the glitter ‘finishing’ option they have in all their Photoready palettes but that’s probably just my personal vendetta against uneven glitter spreading. If I was incorporating this palette into my daily beauty regime I think I’d maybe use the first 4 steps for my everyday look. I’d save the glitter for that little extra to transition into a night look.

The only downside to the Revlon Photoready Eyeshadow palette is that it might be a little too creamy in texture. A satin-feel on your eyelid is great but not if it’s at the expense of your makeup blending into one hot mess. My own cream primer easily fixed this. It helped to prime my eyes and help these great pigmented eyeshadows stay.

Revlon Glitter Eyeshadow Review

The packaging and texture of the Revlon Glitter eyeshadow are a little different than most. It has a doe foot applicator. The substance itself is pretty wet and thick. The double-sided packaging means you get a shimmer as well as those coveted fairy-dust glitter particles. This means that the colors are super shimmery and well pigmented than what you’d usually find in a cream. The only pitfall you have to a liquid eyeshadow is that you have to leave it to dry to keep the pigmentation.

I don’t like to use a sparkly shade when I’m on the go or late for work, so these glittery eyeshadows are perfect for me. I take my time on perfecting my night-time look. Another element I noticed when applying the Revlon Glitter eyeshadow is that it lay on quite thick. If you don’t want it too heavy, then use your finger to blend over the eyelid (a brush might get tacky, so I’d stick to old school finger painting).

Revlon uses the natural ingredient Mica to create the glitter. Mica is a naturally occurring mineral that when purified as a powder it literally forms a natural glitter. The fact it’s packaged in a paintbrush form means you have the option to either just go crazy or use it as a ‘top liner’. The key here is to let everything completely dry because these products are super wet (which means it eliminates fallout! Finally).

DIY Glitter Eyeshadow Guide

It’s easy to make a DIY glitter eyeshadow.

Place ½ teaspoon of Arrowroot powder into a small bowl. Arrowroot powder has renowned moisture-absorbing qualities whilst also acting as a thickening agent. It reduces that greasy feel you sometimes get with super-cheap eyeshadows that just slide all over the place. The more Arrowroot you use the lighter the color of the eyeshadow will be.

Next comes the fun part. There are many different powders and spices you can use to get the right color you want your eyeshadow to be. A few options would be Turmeric for a yellow shine, spirulina for those olive tones or cacao if you want something a little more neutral. Mix thoroughly until you get the desired color.

Now you’re ready to add the pizzazz! If you thought there was no natural replacement for glitter powder you thought wrong. Mica is a mineral used for the formation of glitter. It has sheer, skin-hugging properties making it a perfect addition to your over-the-top makeup.

Once your color is evenly mixed add ½ teaspoon of unrefined Shea butter. Shea butter has ‘staying’ qualities to make the eyeshadow last whilst also providing the moisture you need to balance the powder. Use the back of a spoon to crush the butter into the powder against the back of the bowl. The end result should be a creamy, powder.

When you notice the texture of your eyeshadow starting to change, it’s probably time to replace it with a new one. This is because shelf-life of homemade products are less than shop-bought ones as they lack the preservatives you’d get in most substances.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to up your beauty game, then eyeshadow is the new lipstick. Opt for a nude lip and striking eyes to be on trend this season. That being said, there are (almost) too many options to choose from when it comes to eyeshadows. How do you transition from the sickly blue eyeshadow you used when you were eight-years-old to a more mature, I’m-an-adult-who-wears-makeup kind of shade? Revlon’s got you covered with their diverse range.

If you want an easy, step-by-step application then go for Revlon’s Photoready eyeshadow kit. For those who are a little lower on the expert ladder, the Colorstay palette is for you! It’s the best option if you’re looking for that one, easy color that will last on your eyelids through the day. Now, if you’re feeling slightly more ambitious (or if you just want to know exactly what substances your eyelids are absorbing) then you can make your own!

I personally think this is the best way to wear makeup. Maybe that’s because I’m stuck in my 10-year-old self’s head, sitting on my bedroom floor making perfumes and considering myself the next Noble Prize-winning chemist. Either way, at-home remedies give you the freedom to create your own shades of eyeshadow that you can’t find in a store. Whichever route you decide to go, your eyes are guaranteed the attention they deserve.