COVERGIRL's Smoky ShadowBlast Review

COVERGIRL's Website describes it's new Smoky ShadowBlast in this way: "The two different, specially contoured ends of our ShadowBlast stick make it easy to create a bold, colorful, smoky eye. A duo of expertly paired shades provides the bold, spotlight-ready looks loved by today's hottest makeup artists." You can imagine how excited I was to try it out. My combination was their "Silver Sky" A combination of silver and a deep purplish color. It comes with the two ends already labeled "Step 1" and "Step 2".

First I followed the application on the back. I applied Step 1 (the silver) to my entire eyelid and (optional) to under my bottom lashes as well. I then did Step 2 (the purplish hue) to just the crease of my upper lid and at my top lash line.

Following just these instructions, I found it hard to cover the silver with the purple. It is a cream base, so the purple side picks up the silver when applied directly over it, instead of the purple transferring to the lid. (The trick to overcome this is to simply leave a little bare skin uncovered with the silver and then blend it in lightly where the two colors meet, instead of covering the whole area in step 1).

As shown in the photo, though this combination of COVERGIRL's Smoky ShadowBlast did well for me to have a subtle smoky eye effect, the dramatics of it was lost against my skin and in the photograph. It wasn't as bold as I hoped that it would be.

In person though, it really brought out my eyes. The minute I walked out of the bathroom from applying it, my husband said how good it looked. I thought, "How can it look so different in photographs?" After thinking about my wardrobe, I realized that I tend to stay away from grays and silvers for events when I know a photographer will be there, because they personally make me fade into the background of pictures. I assume that the same tones in makeup may not show up as well against my skin tone either.

The array of colors available in this product made me realize that I just might have the wrong color combination if wanting a heavy, sexy smoky eye look. After visiting the COVERGIRL Web site, I found a tool that allows you to pick the best shade for you. The suggestions are based on your hair color, skin tone and even the wardrobe that you are going to use COVERGIRL's ShadowBlast with, or any of their COVERGIRL eye shadows or cosmetics. (Registration is required but entirely worth it for the personalization that it brings to navigating the site.) I am definitely going to try out a few of the other combinations, including "Tempest Blue" to bring out the color of my eyes and "Purple Plum" because I wear deep jewel purple all of the time.

My review of the combination of "Silver Sky" shows that this makeup is perfect for those who want to add a little drama to their look. Switch it up to mirror your main wardrobe color choices. For example, follow the recommended steps if your prom dress is silver, and your corsage is purple. Mix it up for a wedding party if the bridesmaid dresses are purple or plum and accented with silver jewelry or accessories, by switching it around and covering your entire lid in purple and just the crease and lash-line in the silver end of COVERGIRL's ShadowBlast. There are many ways to wear this shadow!

References:
COVERGIRL's Shadow Blast

COVERGIRL Website Registration and Personalized Color Match