Monday 30 December 2013

EOTD/REVIEW: MUA Purple #9...

Have I mentioned I'm a huge Makeup Academy ("MUA", UK company) eye shadow fan? Lol I'm sure I have, but it's time to rave on some more because in my opinion, this is close to being the most brilliant shadow in my kit - Pearl #9, a fabulous purple/blue duochrome. The pigmentation is astounding - so deep and rich, the texture is deliciously creamy, and it takes so little building to create the boldest, sassiest purple eye with a divine blue reflect :-)


Note: this eye shadow costs 1 pound, or converted to AUD, $1.85 - unbelievable! Of course there's heaps of other colours in the range, although not all are available all the time (while writing this I can see that this #9 is not listed - boo!). I have half a dozen or so of the pearls, and I featured the emerald (#6) back in November. They also make five matte shades for the same ridiculous price - I reckon they are as good as the ones made by theBalm, silky smooth and easy to blend, and I use #17 (biscuity beige) every single day to cover up the discolourations on my hoods, and to help make them appear a little less prominent. Sometimes I blend it with the brown (#19), and the charcoal (#20) is a favourite for in the crease to give some added definition.



Occasionally MUA has super duper sales e.g. 30% off with 20 pound minimum spend, and sometimes free postage, but even with $14 shipping, they are still one of the best value shadows on the planet. I've had mixed success with their other products, but their shadows are in a league of their own. The pearls can be used either wet or dry, and they last all day without creasing or fading. For this look I applied the purple dry on the top lid, and with a moist brush on the lower lashline - it's a bit hard to tell from these photos, but like most shimmer shadows, it turns out even more reflective when damp.


As a base I applied Face of Australia Budge Proof Gel Eyeliner in Pure Purple, and patted the MUA #9 over the top using a medium sized soft angled brush. Then I added a fine line of amethyst from the Mirenesse Pearl Crush Creaseless Shadows Baroque Pearls palette in the crease - I often do this with a matte to reduce the likelihood of the shimmery shadow transferring to my hoods. Along the lower lashline is MNY Master Precise Liquid Liner blended with #9, and on the waterline, Mirenesse Mineral Face Gel Colour in Aquamarine.


I created this look to go with another stunning jewellery set that my darling Dad gave me for my birthday - a Swarovski heart pendant with matching earrings. The deep purple crystal has a turquoise reflect in it that only shows up in certain lighting situations, and MUA #9 couldn't have been a more perfect match 


This will be my last blog post for 2013 - to all you wonderful folk who have supported my blogging baby steps over the last 3 months, I thank you with all my heart. I hope the next year keeps you and those dear to you happy, safe and healthy, and that you'll join me for a chat or two in 2014 


Take care of you,
kats xxx

18 comments:

  1. 1. I like you and your pretty designs
    2. I am not a hater
    3. Just want to ask now much eyeshadow is needed to have an intense color like yours?really. I want to know because I can't seem to replicate any of it. I know I sound rude, sorry...

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    1. Hi Ailyn - no problerm hon, you're not the first to ask this question :-) From memory I loaded up my brush around 4 or 5 times, but the secret is in the base I use underneath - I always apply a reasonably thick layer of gel that matches the eye shadow colour as closely as possible. Sometimes I use white as a base to lift bright shades, and other times I lay down a slightly different but strong colour that will work with the shadow to create the exact hue I'm after. If you look here (http://katscolourings.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/review-asap-pure-mineral-make-up.html) towards the bottom of the page is a grey eyeshadow applied to bare skin - it's woeful! But if you look here (http://katscolourings.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/eotd-asap-grey.html) you'll see the same shadow applied over a silver-grey base - the difference it makes is quite dramatic. Hope this helps :-)

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    2. oh, so that's your secret! I was getting ready to buy whatever primer you suggested! well that makes a lot of sense to me ^_^
      thanks heaps and happy new year

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    3. You're welcome Ailyn and Happy New Year to you too! I actually don't use "primer" as such, never found one that worked really well (best I played with was Urban Decay) - using a gel, cream or kajal as a base works best for me, it's the only way I can achieve such intensity :-)

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  2. The duochrome effect really sets off this look! I love how affordable MUA is without compromising quality. The Undressed palette is my most used palette out of all the ones I have :) the Mirenesse Aquamarine liner looks divine too! I actually do have this sitting in my stash but I'm too shy to actually use it!

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    1. Hey Sarah - great to know you're also an MUA fan, honestly I don't know how they can price their products so cheaply. I guess it just goes to show how much mark up there is on supermarket and high-end brands - they should be ashamed of themselves :-) I hope you give the Aquamarine a go in 2014 hon - the contrast with your gorgeous brown eyes would be simply stunning :-)

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    1. It's pretty wild hey Jas - and my camera doesn't even do it the proper justice, it is just SO PURPLE in real life lol...

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  4. PURPLE!!! Luv it! :-)
    The jewelry your Dad gave you for your bday is so lovely and I think you've captured it perfectly on your eyes. Your EOTD creation truly resembles your beautiful necklace.
    What a bargain buy! Cheaper then Essence :-) and your eyes show just how well the MUA shadow performs. You've got me wanting to start a collection of my own. I do own some MUA palettes thanks to a gorgeous friend sending them to me but I don't own any single pots. A future buy perhaps? hehe.
    Your eyes look stunning as always Kat.
    You too have a wonderful night and a fantastic 2014! xx

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    1. Lol, thanks gorgeous, purple lovers unite! My beloved Dad knows I've loved this shade since my teens :-) Yes MUA is even cheaper than essence and I don't have one dud (unlike essence which can be hit or miss) ♥

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  5. You are dazzling literally and figuratively. Glad you used purple, one of my favourite colours since I was a little girl.

    Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us in 2014. Love and hugs. x

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    1. Aww thanks roxy - I already have my thinking cap on for next year ha ha, much love and big hugs back to you ( ♥ ) ( ♥ ) ( ♥ )

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  6. Wow......that colour combination is absolutely exquisite kats. I soooooooo love that purple (bringing back memories of my room as a teenager :-) ). Your dad would be so proud to see this look matching his gorgeous birthday gift to you. (hope you show him).
    Hope you had a lovely New Year's Eve in the new abode. I can't wait to see more of what you create, never tire of reading your emails. Big fan :-) xxx

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    1. Hey girlfriend, always a delight when you post a comment hon :-) Sent my Dad the link, he'll print out the article and show it to my Mum for sure xxx

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  7. This is absolutely stunning *katshepsutt* !!! If I entered your December Giveaway, this would be my favourite because I love iridescent intense purples that reflect other hues. I own a pink eyeshadow that reflects purple hues. I love this kind of eyeshadows because they're just so very different from the norm.
    When it comes to eyeshadow, I love using purple hues on myself too because I think these look best on me. I can get away with using an iridescent purple far better than using an iridescent blue or worst still, an iridescent green.
    Bright intense eyeshadow colours love you *katshepsutt* !!! Your eyes show them off to their maximum beauty !!!

    Arty Girl
    bh.artygirl@gmail.com

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    1. Darling Arty Girl - such an uplifting comment hon thanks so much. Thrilled to know there's another lover of these sparkly duochrome shadows out there :-) Hope to see some pics from you on the bh forum at some stage xxx

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  8. Love the sparkly New Year banner - you have given so much joy since you entered the blogging world, Kats - looking forward to all your 2014 blogs. With love,
    Trish

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    1. Hey Trish, you inspire me to keep going, truly :-) Such a pity that the bh forum doesn't display these sparkly banners or else I'd make all the plaques like this too, I'm delighted the animation shows up on here though. Love to you treasure xxx

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