The Makeup Monologues

Today's pick for 31 Days of Beauty is eyeliner- and this was a contentious one for me. I really, really wanted to pick Marc Jacobs' Highliner in Blacquer, because I've loved it longer, but my love for the liner I chose burns hot. That eyeliner is the Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner. This liner is perfection for me, while I agree that it's not for everyone. I don't use liquid liner, or even most gels, because they take too long to set and inevitably smudge on my hooded eyes before drying, or transfer throughout the day. The Benefit's They're Real Push Up Liner is a matte black gel liner that sets immediately. The slanted tip that deposits the gel is perfect for creating a no-fuss wing, even for a winged-liner amateur like me. Here it is in action! It really does hug the lashes, I've never seen a liner do this before. This liner also doesn't transfer throughout the day- another reason why I love it. I feel like this wil...

I'm late for today's 31 Days of Beauty Favourites post, but that doesn't mean I love this pick any less! Day 9 is eyeshadow! I thought I'd never be able to pick just one eyeshadow, but slowly, this baby nudged its way into my heart. My favourite eyeshadow of 2015 has to be Makeup Geek's Foiled Eyeshadow in Fortune Teller. It's an intensely metallic yellow eyeshadow, super smooth, with a gorgeous reflective golden sheen. Seriously, look at that swatch. That's just from me dipping my finger into the pan. See that glow? How can you not love it? Here's another swatch where you can see the sheen. And one that shows more of the true colour of the eyeshadow. When I first ordered a bunch of Makeup Geek's foiled eyeshadows, I totally thought that my favourite was going to be the same as my friend's- Flamethrower. Or something, you know, less out-there than a freaking yellow. But when you see how this shadow looks on the lids, you'll ...

Day 8 of my 31 Days of Beauty Favourites is dedicated to my favourite eye primer! Practically the only eye primer I used in 2015 was the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer. One deluxe-sample sized tube lasted me the entire year! I had a brief, couple-of-day flirtation with the Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Eye Primer but it didn't do anything close to measuring up to my beloved Smashbox. I've heard this is great for oily eyelids, which means it must be even better for my dry lids! It keeps shadow on like nothing else. If you know you're going to be wearing makeup for more than 8 hours, seriously, get this primer! My shadow doesn't fade or crease at all throughout the day, even through sixteen hours of activity and even a nap or two. Plus, you need barely any product to get this effect. I've found my eye primer soulmate, and it's the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer!

This month's theme for the CBB is "Cozy Comforts." I'll be honest, I didn't know what the heck I was supposed to do with that theme when I first saw it. An eye look inspired by tomato soup...? However, I brainstormed a bunch of random things, and I'm gonna run with 'em. Hopefully they connect enough to the theme that the mods don't kick me out of the linkup. When I think of "cozy" eye looks, I think of peach, rose gold, and copper- but two shadows came to mind specifically. Those shadows are both by Colourpop cosmetics- two of their Super Shock Shadows (a measly $5 USD each), in the shades I <3 This and Game Face. They scream cozy and warm, yet still intense, which is what I like. I <3 This is a champagne with a pink sheen and silver glitter. It's a little gritty but gorgeous nonetheless. Game Face is, in my eyes, the perfect shadow. A fiery copper with a brown base and a strong, metallic gold sheen. It...

Here I am. About to embark on the single most in-depth review I've attempted, my Shiro Cosmetics indie eyeshadows. (Note: Bog Body is made by Detrivore Cosmetics and thus will not be featured in this review.) Shiro is a popular indie company that boasts "handcrafted makeup and geekery". They carry other brands in their online shop as well, such as Detrivore, Victorian Disco and Femme Fatale cosmetics. They offer a wide selection of cosmetics, including custom lip glosses, finishing powders, contouring powders, and blush- but their pièce de résistance is their fandom-themed loose eyeshadows. First off, I'm going to say: I love their online shop. It's so well put together and their product shots are gorgeous, and I browse without the intent to buy anything a lot because it's such a pleasant site to be on! Their checkout works very well, too, and their shipping prices are good, especially for an indie company. It took them about 10 days to...