Eyeshadow Help

[bania]

Alright, so I feel like when I do my eyeshadow I have to pile SO MUCH product on. Is this normal? Then I feel like it disappears when I take a photo (minus today, I probably spent 10 mins piling it on, lol).  I'm using a primer (UD), am I just too light-handed? I'm using brands like MAC, UD, Dior, Chanel (so you can determine if it's just the shadows I'm using).  I'm only noticing lately as I'm participating in MOTD threads so this has most likely always been the case but I'm just noticing it now.  Today I dampened my brush and used Trick (sparkly goldy colour) from the N3 palette to get better pigmentation but I can't see it!

[pixy0stix]

Are you using colors close to your skin tone?

[bania]

Apr 13, 2015 14:55:36 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Are you using colors close to your skin tone?

Not really, I tried purple last week and it kind of fell flat.  

I don't think I have special snowflake skin or anything, maybe I just didn't realize how much product I'm supposed to use?

[pixy0stix]

With colors I have to pat them on in layers, instead of brush them on, even with primer.

[heyjude]

I'm happy with my eyeshadow until I try to take a pic of it, then it disappears. You have to decide, are you doing your makeup for the pic or for you (the answer can vary depending on the day). There's nothing wrong with a light hand when it comes to eyeshadow.

[andrealynn]

Apr 13, 2015 15:16:17 GMT -5 cab1217 said:

Apr 13, 2015 15:12:42 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

With colors I have to pat them on in layers, instead of brush them on, even with primer.

Yup, this exactly. Also, the fluffier the brush, the lighter the color payoff will be.

I was just going to ask what kind of brush. If it is fluffy, you won't get much.

[bania]

Apr 13, 2015 15:16:17 GMT -5 cab1217 said:

Apr 13, 2015 15:12:42 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

With colors I have to pat them on in layers, instead of brush them on, even with primer.

Yup, this exactly. Also, the fluffier the brush, the lighter the color payoff will be.

Okay, I did not know that.  I happen to use a flat brush though, it's the one on the far left.  Maybe the brush just sucks.

[bania]

Apr 13, 2015 15:18:40 GMT -5 heyjude said:

I'm happy with my eyeshadow until I try to take a pic of it, then it disappears. You have to decide, are you doing your makeup for the pic or for you (the answer can vary depending on the day). There's nothing wrong with a light hand when it comes to eyeshadow.

Maybe that's all my issue is but I feel like it's barely there in real life also, now that I'm noticing more.  I'm definitely doing it for me, I just lacked awareness about the lightness I guess.  Lol.  I feel like I piled it on today and I quite like the result! 

[heyjude]

If it makes you feel any better, for the blue eyeshadow challenge over the weekend, I put in my blue eyeshadow to the point I though it could be seen from the moon, snapped a pic, and saw nothing. Put on MORE blue eyeshadow snapped another pic, and saw a little something but hardly notable. The struggle is real.

[bania]

Apr 13, 2015 15:42:25 GMT -5 heyjude said:

If it makes you feel any better, for the blue eyeshadow challenge over the weekend, I put in my blue eyeshadow to the point I though it could be seen from the moon, snapped a pic, and saw nothing. Put on MORE blue eyeshadow snapped another pic, and saw a little something but hardly notable. The struggle is real.

Lol it does! So I guess this is all normal, I am just not used to using so much.  

[secretlyevil]

Camera phones add 10 lbs and take away the color.

[bania]

Apr 13, 2015 16:57:40 GMT -5 cab1217 said:

Apr 13, 2015 15:23:35 GMT -5 bania said:

Okay, I did not know that.  I happen to use a flat brush though, it's the one on the far left.  Maybe the brush just sucks.

Ok so it might be that the brush is too flat and the bristles are too stiff to pick up the shadow the way you want it to. I use this-
 
for my highlight, which is not as flat, and somewhat dense. It gives medium coverage.


Something like this-

will pack the color on. The bristles are soft, but packed tightly so it works well for full color payoff.

OMG I totally have that first brush! I don't know why I never reach for it. Thank you! I'll try that and maybe pick up the second one also.

[IIOY]

Apr 13, 2015 15:27:02 GMT -5 bania said:

Apr 13, 2015 15:18:40 GMT -5 heyjude said:

I'm happy with my eyeshadow until I try to take a pic of it, then it disappears. You have to decide, are you doing your makeup for the pic or for you (the answer can vary depending on the day). There's nothing wrong with a light hand when it comes to eyeshadow.

Maybe that's all my issue is but I feel like it's barely there in real life also, now that I'm noticing more.  I'm definitely doing it for me, I just lacked awareness about the lightness I guess.  Lol.  I feel like I piled it on today and I quite like the result! 

Just be careful you don't get sucked into thinking the Instagram world of drag queen makeup is what you are *supposed* to be. Styles change and there is nothing wrong with wanting to go darker/brighter (or full on drag queen, if that happens to be your thing), but the folks on IG use 47 filters and edits to enhance their colors, so please don't use that as a barometer of what must be.

It's even an issue with YT tutorials. My current favorite look comes from a video that uses the exact same products that I have, but I get so much less (apparent) pigment than what the MUA gets. It's kind of insane.