Seafoam Grey: Coastal Scents Hot Pots in Reef Blue and Gipsy Silver

Smoky, sea-foam grey lids.

I've been a long-time fan of Coastal Scents Hot Pots. These are mostly good-quality shadows that are great for beginner or those looking for colors for day-wear, as they come in tons of shades, are silky and pigmented but not too strong for those who aren't very confident with color cosmetics. If you want to quickly build up your kit without breaking the bank, I highly recommend checking Coastal Scents out, because you can get 12 Hot Pots for very little money, and a free magnetic, mirrored palette thrown in for free.

(These also fit into regular MAC palettes.)

I bought 12 of them last year, in warm browns, coppers, beiges and olive greens, but decided it was time to try softer, cooler shades this time round, especially as the company has come up with some new colors, which are currently going at US$1.99.  (And this time round, none of the shadows broke during the shipping, which was great. )

Coastal Scents Hot Pots in Reef Blue, and Gipsy Silver

2 of the shades I picked out (I'll post about the other colors separately) were Reef Blue and Gipsy Silver, from their new collections. I also got the Shadow Worx Shimmer primer since I don't own any shimmery primers and wanted to see how a $9.95 primer worked. So far it's been quite good, and I enjoy how I can wear it alone as a cream shadow, although I don't have oily lids, so I can't comment on how well it makes shadows last.

Click here for the full step-by-step!

Black Jade: Dramatic Cat Eye Makeup

Black and jade shadow dramatic eye using I Nuovi Fog and Wet n Wild Greed palette (matte black), with  Jordana Pink Passion Matte Lipstick

Smoky shadow can be sexy and strong, and a matte black smoky eye is often the most dramatic of all. For this look, I wanted to add a touch of pale surrealism to the dark drama and minimize the "grunginess" without diluting too much of the strength. 

Step 1: First pack a layer of black shadow onto the outer 2/3 of the lid and gently along the socket line, pulling the color almost to the inner corner, but leaving a gap on the inner 1/3 of lids. This is where the pale color is going to go. The black should be most intense in the outer corners.

Line along the lower lash line with a smudge brush as well. The thicker the color along the bottom lashes, the more grungy the look will be. 

Step 2: With a soft blending brush and gentle windshield wiper motions, blend the black out into a tapered wing, and remove any harsh lines.

Step 3: Apply pale jade shadow to the uncolored gap on the inner 1/3 of lids and run along the inside corners of the bottom lash line as well. Finish by applying black pencil to the water line, and black liquid liner along the top lash line.

Step 4: Curl lashes and apply 2 generous coats of black mascara. False lashes would obscure the color on the inner corners, so if you want to wear them, wear half strips along the outer corners.

The color along the inner corners does not need to be packed on too strongly or blended up and out too far. The primary component of this look when the eyes are open should still be black.

Other products used in this look:

• MAC Face and Body Foundation C2
• I Nuovi Undercover Concealer in 3Y
• Everyday Minerals Matte Foundation in Golden Medium
• NYX Pinky Blush (applied very lightly)

• Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Pencil in Grey
• Super Quick EX liner in black
• No 7 Extreme Lengths Mascara in Black

• Jordana Matte Lipstick in 48 Pink Passion

Ondine (Featuring Everyday Minerals "Tide is High" Shadow)

Ondine was a water nymph who gave up her immortality for love, but was eventually betrayed by her faithless husband. In vengeance, she cursed him so that he would cease breathing if he ever fell asleep. The story has no happy end, but the mythological figure has always been one of dark and elemental beauty for me.

This is in no way related to the movie of the same name (although I enjoyed it). The bleak and harsh beauty of the Irish landscape and the haunting atmosphere and music did partly inspire the choice of colors and an eye look that's equal parts dreamy and heavy.

Everyday Minerals Tide is High (Shimmer), and Make Up Store Moss (Microshadow)

Read here for the step-by-step!