Still though, I thought I might try them out. I joined in on a group buy a while ago (because there's a $10 order minimum and I didn't want to order $10 worth of stuff) and got two eyeshadow samples, Island Chic and Tattooed. You can purchase sample bags with 1/8 tsp/.5 grams of product for $1.25, a sample jar with 1/4 tsp/1 gram for $2.50 and full size jars with for $6. You have the option of adding a sifter to your full size jars but you get less eyeshadow, (1.5-2 grams instead of 2-2.5 grams in the unsifted jar). Right now the eyeshadows aren't for sale since the owner is on medical leave, but they should be available by the middle or end of the month.
Island Chic and Tattooed felt like a blend of matte and shimmer (indeed, that's how Tattooed is described as). In that sense, I could pat both eyeshadows on and get a matte finish but still have the sparkles shine through. After trying the eyeshadows out, I can say that these eyeshadows didn't work for me.
Swatches first and then my thoughts on the eyeshadow. These were done over Coastal Scents Shadow Worx Matte Eye Primer and the picture was taken in natural daylight.
Island Chic on the left, Tattooed on the right.
My problem was though that the sparkle in the eyeshadows disappeared over time and the color oxidized on my lids. I was putting Island Chic on one eye and sort of forgot about it as I was playing with Tattooed. I looked back and noticed that Island Chic got darker, greener, and a lot of the sparkle had gone away. Same with Tattooed and I tried it with two different primers to see if it would make a difference and it didn't. It initially applied well but there were times when I'd get bald spots when I applied and I felt like I had to really pack it on.
Would I purchase again? Probably not. The shadows I got just didn't work out for me which is unfortunate. I also think $1.25 for a baggie sample is a little much.
With regards to the company, I don't really like how their business model works out. I feel like they put quite a bit of emphasis on their affiliate program and their sponsorship program, much in the way that Sigma does. I find myself thinking that it's almost more about some of the youtubers that they sponsor than it is about the brand's actual eyeshadows.
This could be interpreted as being extremely nitpicky and you might not agree with me, but I don't like the fact that the owner incorporates her Scentsy shop with the Glamour Doll Eyes business. Scentsy is the candle version of Avon, and it works on a similar commission basis. Many months ago, they did giveaway where any purchase made through the owner's Scentsy shop gave them an entry in a drawing for a gift certificate to Glamour Doll Eyes. Most recently, I saw on the owner's youtube that any purchase through their Scentsy shop got you a $10 gift certificate to Glamour Doll Eyes. If it was a giveaway through Glamour Doll Eyes, I certainly wouldn't have a problem with it but I find myself confused as to why the owner incorporated a separate "by commission" business with the Glamour Doll Eyes business.
These are my personal thoughts that don't affect the actual eyeshadows at all, but I thought I'd just give my thoughts on the company!
Have you tried Glamour Doll Eyes before?
I'm not a huge GDE fan, either, but then again I have full size jars of almost all the shades they sell because it's so easy to work with the pigments. You should've gotten something from the Circus collex instead, it was by far their best collection ever.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! Love both colors a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts! GDE is one of those companies that has just never interested me. I guess maybe because I don't follower YouTubers.... ?? I know there are a lot of people out there who rave about GDE, but I just haven't been interested in ordering from them. The swatches/colors do look pretty!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is wow. Those swatches look so amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis accurately sums up my reluctance to give GDE my money.
ReplyDeleteI find that some colors in their collection work very well. I also noticed that if you use something like aqua seal by makeup forever they will stick and not get clumpy. Personally, my favorite is Electric Lemonade. It's one of their unique colors that definitely get noticed and I haven't been able to find a better matte yellow yet.
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