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Monday 28 January 2013

Review: Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Angst/How To Wear Red Eyeshadow

Red eye shadow is one of those products that can be extremely intimidating. Matte colours in particular can be difficult to work with in brights but with a few tricks all kinds of red can be very easy to wear and they really make eye colours "pop". I've always enjoyed using orange and rust coloured eye shadows but I'd never really tried to use bright red. It's always something that's been on my "must find" list so I was ecstatic when I found Angst in the Illamasqua sale for just £5! I know it's a bit 2010/11 trend-wise but I think there's always a place for red.


Angst is a bright, matte, red shadow packaged in Illamasqua's signature plastic container. If I'm absolutely honest it was a little less pigmented than what I was hoping. On clean skin it appeared quite pink. It is however, very soft and has minimal fall out. Wear time can't be faulted either. It was pretty much perfect until I removed it. I found that it was best used over a white base such as the NYX Milk pencil to get a true colour. I personally used the e.l.f Sheer Eye Primer and MUA eyeliner in Snow White respectively for my looks.

 Block Colour

"Peeking" Liner
(please excuse brows in above looks. Oops)

I personally find that when it comes to using red like this, trying to create anything hazy or smoky will result in making you look a bit tired/self medicated (not great.) Obviously combining red with browns/blacks will combat this and there are some great tutorials out there for red smoky eyes but for mattes it's best to go for clean, simple looks. The best and most wearable, in my opinion, are block colours and using it as a liner. Obviously mine aren't perfect and I'm no make up artist but these are both looks that I'd be happy to wear out of the house.

Block Colour:
Think about the shape that you want to create. Pick something that will be flattering for your eye and face shape. I personally have a round face so I always like to wing my liner and shadows upwards to elongate my face. Gently sketch out your shape using the shadow until your happy with it. It's then just a case of filling in your design and adding any liner or mascara you wish! A super simple and fast way to a wearable high-fashion look.

"Peeking" Liner:Even faster is this fun, easy look. Usually I would always use black liquid against my lash line but since I had the Illamasqua Havoc liner to hand I thought I'd try it out! It's simply a case of applying any dark liquid or pencil to your lash line and then, using a small brush, follow the line just above using your shadow. I was unsatisfied with the pigmentation the first time I tried this so I went back and applied a white pencil liner under the red. This improved the colour 100 fold and I'm very happy with the result! This technique can make any bright colour very easy to wear. I often do this using black liquid and neon orange pencil and always get complimented.

Essential Tips to Make it Wearable:
1. Always use some kind of primer. Not only will it improve the pigmentation and staying power but it will prevent the staining that is very common with colours like this
2. Try to remove as much redness from your face as possible. Any blemishes or red pigmentation will clash with the look. This includes particularly blood shot eyes - red shadow doesn't go great with a hangover. Brightening eye drops can help.
3. Simplify the rest of your make up by using nudes or products in the same colour range. Red eyes and nude lips look great.

Obviously you don't have to use red like this, it's just a suggestion!

So what do you think to these looks? I hope you liked my tips and I'd love to see any red looks that you've created.

Lauren

27 comments:

  1. The block color is so retro and neat! I love that these looks are coming back and now you definitely have me wanting to do this one day with a bright color such as red or a matte blue! Love!

    katiechamel.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm so glad you like it! I was really nervous about posting this for some reason haha :) I look forward to seeing your version :D!
      x

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  2. I loved how you used it as an eyeliner! Loved this post!
    Abby xx

    Http://aspotofglamour.blogspot.com

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  3. For some reason I've never felt brave enough to wear red eye make up, you've made me want to try it now :)
    The block colour one is SO neat, looks great! x

    http://living-with-olivia.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm so happy this inspired you! Lots of colours look great in these styles :) x

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  4. Still waiting for my illamasqua order to turn up...this looks gorgeous on you. I'm not brave enough for red eyeshadow but it really suits you :) xx

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    1. You won't be disappointed! Amazing brand. Thank you so much :) x

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  5. I love how it looks with the eyeliner! I remember red eyeshadow was in years and years ago when I was too young to wear it and I've always loved the look.

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    1. Thank you :) it does seem to keep coming round every decade or so haha, bloody cyclical trends! x

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  6. Ahhhh this looks awesome on you! I've never even thought of wearing red eyeshadow, I've been thinking for a while about experimenting with blues without it looking too 80s. Thanks for the tips!
    xxx

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    1. Thank you so much! This would look amazing in a matte cobalt blue like NARS :) looking forward to seeing your expperiments x

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  7. I love the liner idea, it looks amazing. Never thought to use bright colours like this but definitely will be in the future!

    gemma xo
    gemmaer.blogspot.com

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    1. So happy you like it! It makes brights so easy to wear :) x

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  8. I love the block colour idea! The colour is so gorgeous!
    Hareem x

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    1. Thank you! :) couldn't agree more, very cool colour x

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  9. That shade is amazing x

    1stepclosereveryday.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. I absolutely love the thought of red eyeshadow but I have yet to take the plunge and try it out!! Deep pinks and purples are about as close as I've gotten haha... looks lovely on you though :D

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. You should! I think it would look gorgeous on you :) thank you x

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  11. This looks brilliant on you! I love your ideas for making it wearable.

    xo Abbey

    abbeylovesallure.blogspot.com

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  12. This is such a beautiful colour and the red on the eye looks beautiful, xx

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    1. Thank you so much :) it's a great colour to work with x

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  13. Your articles don’t beat around the bushes exact t to the point. NAC Eye Drops

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  14. I love this colour. Bright and dramatic colours are my favourites to work with. Have you tried wearing it blended with a black eyeshadow? It looks amazing.

    http://bondgirlbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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