Semi Precious's shadow offerings are spectacular to look at - sparkling domed shadows swirling with multiple, glistening colours. However, as the Black Keys once said "the look of the cake ain't always the taste" and this is commonly true with many of the shadows offered in this collection. Many of the shades offered in Semi Precious were very, very sheer with big fallout issues.
However, there are some true gems in this collection and I picked up a few of them. The three shades I picked up and used in this EOTD are Golden Gaze, Jade's Fortune and Dark Indulgence.
Clockwise from bottom left: Jade's Fortune, Golden Gaze and Dark Indulgence
Golden Gaze - A swirl of gold and black, this shade when mixed turns into a deep slightly khaki bronze gold. This shadow has excellent pigmentation and applies richly both wet and dry.
Dark Indulgence - A swirl of forest green and black, this shade applies as a deep metallic green with a black base. Like Golden Gaze this shadow has excellent pigmentation when applied dry or wet.
General Comments
Mineralize shadows apply best wet over a sticky base like Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It is important to apply the shadows on the base while the base is still sticky to ensure maximum adherence. While Golden Gaze and Dark Indulgence have great colour payoff wet or dry, I would still opt to use these wet. Jade's Fortune is only really workable wet.
Mineralize shadows will generally be sheerer because of their composition. Taking that into account, Golden Gaze and Dark Indulgence are overachievers. A shade like Jade's Fortune is a little more standard for a Mineralize shadow.
The Look
I wanted to do a look that plays up the metallic gleam of the Mineralize eye shadows. Because all three of these shades have a dark base, the look was dramatic.
Products Used
MAC Select Cover Concealer in NW 25
MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Eye Shadow in Mylar
MAC Mineralize Eye Shadows in Golden Gaze, Jade's Fortune and Dark Indulgence
MAC Eye Kohl in Feline
Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells Mascara in Black
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Brunette
Start by applying concealer and powder. Using your ring finger gently apply Too Faced Shadow Insurance all over the lid and up to the brow bone bare. Using a flat brush like the 242, apply Jade's Fortune wet all over the lid up to the crease and on the bottom lash line. When Jade's Fortune is dry, take a crease brush like the 224 and apply Jade's Fortune dry to the crease, creating a soft blended edge. When doing this step, avoid running the blending brush over the wet applied shadow too much, as it can cause the shadow to lift.
Using the clean side of the 242, apply Golden Gaze wet to the center of the lid, concentrating the shadow above the iris. Start by applying concealer and powder. Using your ring finger gently apply Too Faced Shadow Insurance all over the lid and up to the brow bone bare. Using a flat brush like the 242, apply Jade's Fortune wet all over the lid up to the crease and on the bottom lash line. When Jade's Fortune is dry, take a crease brush like the 224 and apply Jade's Fortune dry to the crease, creating a soft blended edge. When doing this step, avoid running the blending brush over the wet applied shadow too much, as it can cause the shadow to lift.
Next apply Dark Indulgence dry using the 224 to the crease creating a v shape on the outer corner of the eye working the shadow to follow the outer contour of the eye.Using the 242 apply Dark Indulgence dry to the bottom lash line, 1/3 of the way in. Blend out using the 224.
Apply Mylar to the brow bone for highlighting. For a finishing touch, strengthen the center lid with another wet application of Golden Gaze and line the bottom waterline with Feline Eye Kohl. Apply mascara and voila!