Top Row (L-R): Boyfriend Sweater, Prankster, Rocket
Bottom Row (L-R): Graves in May, Chocoholic, Dusk
I am obsessed with loose shadows so my ears perked up when a guru (carahamelie03, I'm a new fan) mentioned these. I had never heard of this company before. I assume it's a small personal business, similar to Still Glamorus (whose owner I am a big fan of!). The pricing is very fair and the colors sounded unique, so I decided to give these a try.
Review: The Company
The website gives you the option to order the shadows with or without the sifter, both for the same price ($6 for full size). You get more product without, so that was the option I went with. I think it is cool that you get an option but I'm not really sure what the advantage of the sifter is. I personally don't see any purpose for it. I always end up with excess product on top of the sifter anyway.
There are also sample sizes available for a great deal. The full size product without the sifter comes in 2-2.5 g portions for $6, while the larger sample size goes for $2.50 for 1 g. If the measurement is accurate, then the sample size is clearly more economical. I'm not really sure why one wouldn't just get two sample jars and combine them for a full size portion...
Glamour Doll Eyes offers many nice touches besides the affordability. One is that the product line includes vegan items. Each item is clearly marked as being vegan or not. They do not test on animals. Furthermore, the description describes what the product may be used for. For example, every jar is labeled to as lip-safe or not. Shipping is free, which I love! I received my order in a very timely manner (5 days after time of purchase), and the items were securely-packaged. I appreciated the quick turnaround time, as well as the email updates with tracking information. Lastly, every order comes with two free sample baggies! I wasn't even aware of that when I placed my order, so it was a nice surprise.
To wrap it up, I think Vanessa Barney (owner) does a great job of running her company. My transaction was processed efficiently and professionally, and I have to say I am pleased.
Review: The Eyeshadows
In ambient light (L-R): Boyfriend Sweater, Prankster, Rocket, Graves in May, Chocoholic, Dusk
With flash (L-R): Boyfriend Sweater, Prankster, Rocket, Graves in May, Chocoholic, Dusk
First Impressions: I just received these today so I haven't had a chance to wear them yet. This review will be based upon my first impressions. I will append further review upon testing them. That might not be for a while as some of these colors aren't going to make it into my day-to-day repertoire.
I am pleased with the pigmentation and overall finish of these shadows. They are shimmery and quite pretty. I love that they aren't frosty. They were smooth and easy to swatch and blend out. I do have concerns about them blending a little too well. It was a little too easy to wipe them off of my hand. Perhaps these would require a cream base for longer wear. I swatched without any base or primer.
I do have a problem with some of the colors not quite matching the images and descriptions offered on the website. I am a neutrals kind of girl. Despite having several dozen variations of browns, taupes, golds, etc., I will continue to be drawn to those sorts of shades. I feel that I got more color than I bargained for in the assortment that I received. Please continue for individual color reviews.
I am pleased with the pigmentation and overall finish of these shadows. They are shimmery and quite pretty. I love that they aren't frosty. They were smooth and easy to swatch and blend out. I do have concerns about them blending a little too well. It was a little too easy to wipe them off of my hand. Perhaps these would require a cream base for longer wear. I swatched without any base or primer.
I do have a problem with some of the colors not quite matching the images and descriptions offered on the website. I am a neutrals kind of girl. Despite having several dozen variations of browns, taupes, golds, etc., I will continue to be drawn to those sorts of shades. I feel that I got more color than I bargained for in the assortment that I received. Please continue for individual color reviews.
Boyfriend Sweater
Boyfriend Sweater is described as a "soft grayish brownish color, " which I find to be accurate. The pictures on the website provide decent representation of the actual color. It is a light-medium tannish/grayish brown with shimmer. I do like the swatched color.
Prankster
Prankster is described as a "metallic-ish brown with red and gold shimmers" I definitely pick up on the gold, but I fail to notice the red. The picture on the website has red undertones but I don't think that it provides an accurate representation. I would describe this color as a light golden brown that definitely leans yellow, which I don't detect in advertised picture. It is definitely shimmery, more so than Boyfriend Sweater. I do think it is a pretty color even though it is not what I expected.
Rocket
I ordered the sample size of Rocket , which is why there is less product in this pot. There is still a good amount of shadow in there, which is nice. Rocket is described as "a very unique color. It is almost a gray with blue and dark dark purple undertones with gold shimmer." I have to say, this one was not at all what I expected. The advertised description and picture gave me the impression that this would be a dark purple-gray shade. To me, this color is a shimmery sage green with blue-gray undertones. The gray in there is light-leaning, not dark. I don't detect purple at all! While the color is pretty in and of itself, it is not one that I could see myself wearing. It is definitely not a color I would have chosen. The color match is completely off on this one, and I am glad I went with the sample size.
Graves in May
Graves in May is described as "a grey with pink undertones and multi colored shimmer." The color description intrigued me. I chose this one because it sounded so unique. The advertised pictures are lackluster, and they don't match. The main photo has it looking like a medium, almost-matte taupey brown, while the secondary photo depicts a very shimmery light champagne sort-of shade. The description comes closest to describing what I actually see. There are definitely pink undertones and shimmer, and it does appear to be a light pinkish-gray in the pot, but I would say that the end result is a light, shimmery lavender. There is no sign of gray once the product is on my skin. This is another color I think I will have trouble wearing as it is not one that I would normally be drawn to.
Chocoholic
Chocoholic is described as "deep brown copper color." I find both the description and pictures to fairly represent the actual product. This color is a shimmery, deep red-brown with great pigmentation that I have high hopes for.
Dusk
Dusk is a dark navy blue with shimmer. I can no longer find it on the website. I don't know if that is because it is so popular that it sold out, or if it was decommissioned for the opposite reason. I was hoping for a much darker, almost-black sort of navy but this one is very obviously blue. I can't fault Glamour Doll Eyes for that. I may have had unrealistic expectations. I won't be reaching for this color very often either but I knew that when I purchased this. I plan to use this for nighttime excursions only.
Free Samples
Sample Swatches: The Perfect Cure, Tokyo
I received samples of The Perfect Cure, described as a "medium brown with a low sheen, almost matte, with a tiny bit of gold and green sparkle," and Tokyo, a "matte violet purple."
To me, the Perfect Cure looks very similar to Prankster, perhaps only a hint darker. It is hard to notice the difference. I found it to be on par in terms of shimmer with the other shadows I ordered, so I don't feel it is accurate to describe it as "almost matte." It is a nice, neutral shade that I can see myself using. I don't detect any green in it.
Tokyo is indeed a matte violet purple. It is a bright shade that I doubt I will reach for. My issue with the color is a matter of personal preference, but I do have a gripe about the application of the product itself. It was chalky and difficult to swatch. You can see in the picture that the application was uneven. I tried my best to even it out, but it just didn't blend the way the shimmery ones did. Matte eyeshadows in general are more fickle and difficult to work with so I can understand that being a factor. Still, this color is not doing anything for me.
Overall, I feel that Glamour Doll Eyes is a good company that deserves praise. I appreciate their pricing, product safety information, quick turnaround time, email updates, careful packaging, free shipping, and free samples. That's a lot to like! While the feel and finish of the shimmery eyeshadows are nice, I do feel there is a significant problem with the color matching. What you receive may not be what is described or depicted, so I would highly suggest looking up reviews and swatches of the shades you are interested in. Still, it is not a huge loss if you end up with something you don't like since the shadows are so affordable, especially their sample jars. I would recommend getting the sample jars since there is no downside to it. You get half the amount of product as the full size for even less than half the price, and shipping is free! I don't see how you can go wrong!
UPDATE 3/22:
I tried out Boyfriend Sweater and Prankster today. Prankster is a lot lighter than I expected, and Boyfriend Sweater is the opposite, much darker than I expected! Prankster is very yellow against my skin, while Boyfriend Sweater is a darker dirt-brown. Both are very shimmery but as I noted earlier, they aren't frosty (thankfully).
Prankster in inner corner, Boyfriend Sweater on rest of lid
I used UDPP and the No7 Eye Mousse in Fudge as bases. Applied over these, I did not experience any fallout. The colors were highly pigmented and lovely to apply. I feared that they would blend a little too well and fade away but my concerns were quickly dispelled! In fact, if anything, they don't want to budge. I have a picture of my eyes 12 hours into my day and you can see that the colors are still vibrant!
I have high hopes for the other colors based on my experience with these two. I don't think I will try the others anytime soon. As mentioned, I stick to neutral colors on a day-to-day basis. Some of the colors (Dusk, Rocket, and Graves in May) just aren't my preference. Chocoholic looks to be a very pretty brown but it is obviously darker than Prankster, and Prankster is about as dark as I'd like to go for daytime/work wear. I'm going to hold off on that one as well.
In summary, I would feel comfortable repurchasing from Glamour Doll Eyes, as long as I am able to see reviews/swatches of the colors I am interested in so that I get a more accurate idea of what I might be getting! I would recommend the same to others!
To me, the Perfect Cure looks very similar to Prankster, perhaps only a hint darker. It is hard to notice the difference. I found it to be on par in terms of shimmer with the other shadows I ordered, so I don't feel it is accurate to describe it as "almost matte." It is a nice, neutral shade that I can see myself using. I don't detect any green in it.
Tokyo is indeed a matte violet purple. It is a bright shade that I doubt I will reach for. My issue with the color is a matter of personal preference, but I do have a gripe about the application of the product itself. It was chalky and difficult to swatch. You can see in the picture that the application was uneven. I tried my best to even it out, but it just didn't blend the way the shimmery ones did. Matte eyeshadows in general are more fickle and difficult to work with so I can understand that being a factor. Still, this color is not doing anything for me.
Overall, I feel that Glamour Doll Eyes is a good company that deserves praise. I appreciate their pricing, product safety information, quick turnaround time, email updates, careful packaging, free shipping, and free samples. That's a lot to like! While the feel and finish of the shimmery eyeshadows are nice, I do feel there is a significant problem with the color matching. What you receive may not be what is described or depicted, so I would highly suggest looking up reviews and swatches of the shades you are interested in. Still, it is not a huge loss if you end up with something you don't like since the shadows are so affordable, especially their sample jars. I would recommend getting the sample jars since there is no downside to it. You get half the amount of product as the full size for even less than half the price, and shipping is free! I don't see how you can go wrong!
UPDATE 3/22:
I tried out Boyfriend Sweater and Prankster today. Prankster is a lot lighter than I expected, and Boyfriend Sweater is the opposite, much darker than I expected! Prankster is very yellow against my skin, while Boyfriend Sweater is a darker dirt-brown. Both are very shimmery but as I noted earlier, they aren't frosty (thankfully).
Prankster in inner corner, Boyfriend Sweater on rest of lid
I used UDPP and the No7 Eye Mousse in Fudge as bases. Applied over these, I did not experience any fallout. The colors were highly pigmented and lovely to apply. I feared that they would blend a little too well and fade away but my concerns were quickly dispelled! In fact, if anything, they don't want to budge. I have a picture of my eyes 12 hours into my day and you can see that the colors are still vibrant!
After 12 hours of wear
I have high hopes for the other colors based on my experience with these two. I don't think I will try the others anytime soon. As mentioned, I stick to neutral colors on a day-to-day basis. Some of the colors (Dusk, Rocket, and Graves in May) just aren't my preference. Chocoholic looks to be a very pretty brown but it is obviously darker than Prankster, and Prankster is about as dark as I'd like to go for daytime/work wear. I'm going to hold off on that one as well.
In summary, I would feel comfortable repurchasing from Glamour Doll Eyes, as long as I am able to see reviews/swatches of the colors I am interested in so that I get a more accurate idea of what I might be getting! I would recommend the same to others!
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