Going over the top with taupe...

There are three families of shades which predominantly feature in my eyeshadow collection:  purple, shimmery highlights and taupe.  Ah, taupe - isn't that the staple in every beauty conscious girl's makeup bag? (I'm building my case for self-justification here.)  Yes well, now that I'm nearing the end of my makeup ban I've been doing a bit of an inventory - where I dare - to get an indication of makeup items I do not need to buy once it ends.  Case in point: Taupe eyeshadow.  At the beginning of last year I owned three taupe shadows but by the end of the year my taupe collection had doubled to six.  I realise six isn't a huge number by some standards but anyway...

Here's a quick rundown of the taupe shadows taking up space in my makeup case.  Without deliberately trying I've conveniently sorted them into two logical groups - the light taupes and the deeper taupe shades.

Light taupe shadows

  

Shown L - R and swatched in same order:

• Essence (Party All Night - metallic effect) - This is a warm golden taupe with a metallic sheen and as I tend to favour golden taupes this one's right up there for me.  This sounds like an after dark shade but it's versatile enough to translate from day to night.  During the day I'll wear it blended out as a crease accent and in the evening I'll apply it more heavily over the lid. 

• Essence (Taupe of the Pops - shimmer effect) - A softer, more subtle finish than Party All Night, Taupe of the Pops is another warm taupe with a slightly khaki tone.  This shade reminds me a little of my all-time favourite taupe MAC Patina (I could justify reintroducing this into my collection because I loved it all the way to the bottom of the pan).  It's so easy to blend and fantastic as a wash all over the lid so it looks as though I've made more of an effort!

• Maybelline (Silken Taupe) - A lovely soft mushroom taupe shimmer and my go-to for minimal makeup days.  This looks so natural and is another shadow I'll wear alone as wash over the eyelid just to freshen me up.  I've featured it in my basic face post (here).
  

Dark taupe shadows

Shown L - R and swatched in same order:

• Rimmel (Backstage) - This is a well pigmented mid-toned frosty taupe and another all-in-one shade.  I like applying this all over the lid and blended into the crease on its own or paired with a golden highlight shade on the inner corner.  It looks quite glam when heavily applied and can also be applied over a darker base to create a smokey-eye look.
  

• MAC (Satin Taupe - frost) - I've had this purple-toned taupe in my collection for quite a while and it probably doesn't get enough love.  Although it's a frost the effect is quite subtle, but this shade is very dark and dramatic against my light green eyes and pale skin and can drain the life out of me and make me look like I've got black eyes if I'm not careful!  I prefer to use it as a crease accent for an evening eye.

• Bloom (Taupe) - Uh, yes I haven't worn this one yet but had to include it for the sake of completeness. Swatched on the back of my hand this is a slightly cooler, lighter version of Satin Taupe with great pigmentation. 
  

 What's your favourite taupe eyeshadow?

Until next time.

Vita :)