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The 101 on Matte Eyeshadow!

Monday, June 07, 2010

Everyone is always asking me questions about matte eyeshadow so I thought I would give you all a little 101 on matte eyeshadow. 
-Matte eyeshadow is color that is flat without anytime of light reflectors, shimmer, glitter, etc.
-Matte eyeshadow is great for those looking for highly pigmented color! 
-Matte eyeshadow is great when used as a base or as a highlighter for concentrated color.
-Matte eyeshadow is ideal for aged skin because unlike shimmer or glitter eyeshadows that settle into small wrinkles and highlight aged areas, matte color just smoothes over.
 
e.l.f. has a variety of matte colors available, especially in our Mineral Eyeshadows!  Try one today and see what you think!  Do you prefer matte eyeshadow or shimmer?
{Achelle is the Creative Director, Brand Ambassador and official Makeup Artist for e.l.f. cosmetics}
And for every valid web comment on this blog only we will give you a Free $5 e.l.f. coupon via email just to say thanks (1 per person, to the first 25 posts only).
43 comments email to a friend print this page tags: achelle   advice   beauty advice   e.l.f.   Eyes    eyeshadow   eyeslipsface   
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MomTimes2 wrote:
1) 6/7/2010 10:34:50 AM
Being over 39, I have tried both matte and "shiny" eyeshadows and the first and main thing I have noticed is that the glittery eyeshadows do not last as long, they run, and they tend to make your eyes look older than they are by getting into the small creases and lines. I believe that for night time going out - glitter is fun, but for every day use - matte is much better - especially the mineral!
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Miss Joygasmic wrote:
2) 6/7/2010 10:57:05 AM
I, personally, love shimmer eyeshadow over mattes. But I have come to learn that you have to have some variety of mattes in your collection because you dont want your eyes looking like a disco ball. I have recently been buying more mattes because they are extremely smooth and none can compare to E.L.F. mineral matte eyeshadow. They are very well textured and smooth. Love! <3
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blkprincess87 wrote:
3) 6/7/2010 11:05:42 AM
I actually like them both. Matte shadows are great for smokey, neutral, and just about any kind of soft look. Shimmers are great for looks that you can create for special events like prom, clubbing, and date nights. For me they're both at the top of my list.
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Annette09 wrote:
4) 6/7/2010 11:07:24 AM
I usually prefer to use a shimmer color on my lid, but I really love matte colors for highlight because it keeps my eye makeup from looking too over the top.
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LushEvans wrote:
5) 6/7/2010 11:19:01 AM
I really love matte shades because I can create multi-colored looks without it being over powered by lots of shimmer. I like to use shimmer shadows when I am only using one or two shades on my eyes (mostly on nights out). For dramatic eye looks I tend to blend more colors and matte shadows look so awesome for that.
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KatieZ23 wrote:
6) 6/7/2010 11:21:32 AM
I'm in my 20s so I use more shimmers but I like matte as well for the office, can look more professional
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KarenTX wrote:
7) 6/7/2010 11:24:15 AM
The older I get the less effect shimmer has so I pretty much stick with matte colors. Shimmer tends to highlight areas that aren't so flattering these days...such as the fine wrinkles!!
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lhproducktions wrote:
8) 6/7/2010 11:29:46 AM
i actually like matte shadows, because their a lot easier to blend, and on top of that, not only can you bring attention to you eyes, but because they don't reflect light,people can work on other areas they wish to bring out on their face
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Jolene4Him wrote:
9) 6/7/2010 11:31:51 AM
Must be Matte! With deepset eyes and approaching the Big 50, matte is the only shadow I can use on lids above the eyeline without exposing the crepy southern-bound skin. We need more color options in Matte, and found that Revlon offers a wide variety for lots more $ than E.L.F., which I'd prefer.
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eveyvonne wrote:
10) 6/7/2010 11:45:49 AM
love, love, love. your products are absolutely the best. i recommend them to all of my friends. yvonne
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Bri <3 wrote:
11) 6/7/2010 11:47:34 AM
I tend to prefer matte eyeshadows, but I own more shimmery ones! I think I prefer the matte ones because of their rich colors, and sometimes all that glitter and reflecting bits can be too much for daytime makeup. I love both from the e.l.f lines though, especially the Duo Eyeshadows in Mocha Swirl! www.primadiva515.blogspot.com
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oh2zcue wrote:
12) 6/7/2010 11:56:37 AM
Amen Jolene! Just turned 47 today and I LOVE the Mattes. I have light skin and big blue eyes - too much color hides that fact. I would like to see the description "aged skin" say something like "healthy, mature skin." I've seen a few youngsters with wrinkles deeper than mine. ;)
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Kris33 wrote:
13) 6/7/2010 11:59:51 AM
Using matte colors is great for those dramatic looks! I love to pair them with a touch of glitter or shimmer for a nighttime sparkle.
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kat78 wrote:
14) 6/7/2010 12:00:52 PM
I am in my early 30's, so I am in the middle. I'm too old to do all the fun/wild colors with alot of shimmer but dont want to go to only matte colors, so I just combine them by layering. I absolutely LOVE e.l.f. cosmetics!!! They are all skin type friendly and inexpensive enough to be able to buy more colors for the same price as one of those expensive brands. That way you can try more of them out without spending an arm and a leg, so why not try both the matte and shimmers? What do you have to lose?!?!
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gragglet wrote:
15) 6/7/2010 12:01:26 PM
I've always liked having matte eyeshadows on hand for variety. You can always just use it alone or if you want to play it up, add a sheer shimmery shade on top (e.l.f.'s Celebrity is my current favorite to add a little shine). As fair skinned as I am, it's an easy way to go from day to night too :-)
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Nadz wrote:
16) 6/7/2010 12:03:39 PM
I really like matte shadows because they dont create any lines. I usually go for smokey eyes and matte eyeshadows are perfect for that.
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Leebra wrote:
17) 6/7/2010 12:06:12 PM
I prefer matte eyeshadow. My make up is usually an everyday look and shimmer just feels like too much.
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W wrote:
18) 6/7/2010 12:08:30 PM
I happen to love matte eyeshadows. I like makeup that looks natural and like look like you're not actually wearing any and sometimes the shimmery eyeshadows just bother me (same goes for the shimmery blushes). Mattes just seem to blend better too. They don't make my whole eye shine.
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Courtney Ryan wrote:
19) 6/7/2010 12:08:54 PM
I really love shimmer eyeshadows lately, i don't know i think they just make my eyes pop more. I do like matte eyeshadows as a base or an highlight though. i only have a few though, in dark colors and i use it when i do smokey eye looks. But thanks for the tip. i didnt know that it was good for wrinkly skin! im only 18 but i will remember that later on!
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Taryn Y. wrote:
20) 6/7/2010 12:09:08 PM
I prefer to blend matte shadows these days. Getting older and too much shimmer just doesn't look good on me. I like to use a bit of shimmer on the inner corner of my eye or some on the lid alone for a little twinkle :)
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LaurynBrook wrote:
21) 6/7/2010 12:11:06 PM
I really love matte eyeshadow. I feel like you can acheive so many more looks without mudding them up with shimmer.
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GlamMommy wrote:
22) 6/7/2010 12:13:15 PM
I have a lot more shimmery shadows than matte although I wouldn't say any of them are "glittery". I like both types of shadow and use my matte shadows when I want a richer, deeper color. It looks very pretty when layered with a sheer, shimmery shadow for a smoky eye look (which is my favorite evening look). I also use it to line underneath my bottom lashes for a long lasting eyeliner effect.
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natalieshawn23 wrote:
23) 6/7/2010 12:14:19 PM
I'm 43, and I love to use primarily matte shadows in a look, and then add a shimmery shadow to the inside half of my lid. I'm always on the lookout for new, interesting matte shadows. Thanks for this article! Gonna go check out the mineral shadows now!
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Jfrei09 wrote:
24) 6/7/2010 12:15:48 PM
I have always used matte and shimmer together. Great to know I've been doing something right!
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MissKae wrote:
25) 6/7/2010 12:16:41 PM
Every girl should have a set of matte eye shadows. Definitely a makeup bag essential!
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Scrubgrl77 wrote:
26) 6/7/2010 12:18:04 PM
I love to wear Matte colours for work especially. Simple and Chic keeps me still looking nice at work without looking overdone. I work at a hospital so the shimmer/glitter is not the look I am going for. Mattes in browns and pinks I especially like : ) But for out on the town I am so Shimmer !!!!
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KristiL21 wrote:
27) 6/7/2010 12:18:27 PM
I usually go for the shimmer eyeshadows over matte because I think they are prettier, but I will use matte colors also. I will also layer them to achieve different colors.
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rawkii wrote:
28) 6/7/2010 12:30:31 PM
I like a mixture...I use more matte than shimmer. I like to use a small amount of shimmer to add a little "bang!" to my eye make up.
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bubba wrote:
29) 6/7/2010 1:38:56 PM
i llove natural looks, so i'd say im definitely more for matte eyeshadows! actually, make that matte everything :)that's why i wish elf would have a bigger line of matte products, such as blushes/bronzers, etc
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Natural Nana wrote:
30) 6/7/2010 3:57:40 PM
I love matte eyeshadow. Of course, I'm over 50, so matte is the way to go for me. Elf's eyeshadows are soft and easy to blend. Love them!
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loverofgloss wrote:
31) 6/7/2010 4:04:47 PM
I prefer matte over shimmer because my eyelids are very oily and matte are perfect for them!
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Yortmom wrote:
32) 6/7/2010 5:35:28 PM
I prefer the Matte colors.....I like the brightness. And also, the glitter or shimmer that is used in the others tend to make my eyelids itch.
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mathilde wrote:
33) 6/7/2010 6:35:40 PM
i love matte eye shadow because it has the potential to create a completely natural look, since skin does not normally have shimmer a really neutral look, matte will give you that. or it can be dressed up to create a really bold look, it it so versatile.
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shoppingfreak wrote:
34) 6/7/2010 2:49:24 PM
I know that at 39 I'm supposed to using more mattes than anything else, but I'm just more attracted to other textures. I'm not saying glittery, although I have plenty of that, but there's also silky, velvety, metallic, all a whole slew of other products with finishes that call my name. It's not that I don't ever wear mattes, because I do, but I vary my look every day, and I choose my cosmetic finishes based on where I'm going, my mood, my outfit, etc, etc, etc,. I may look a few years older, or a little quirky, but hey, that's me. One thing I will agree on, is that your eyeshadow are AMAZING!
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embrun wrote:
35) 6/7/2010 6:44:09 PM
Love the matte eyeshadows especially for aging skin.Embrun
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Strawberry8 wrote:
36) 6/7/2010 8:40:44 PM
i love shimmer eyeshadows they are great and i have some from elf and i got to say they are great!! my current fav. is Socialite!!
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ms_pha wrote:
37) 6/7/2010 10:04:49 PM
I prefer shimmer for my eyes because it makes my look more eccentric and also makes my look more sexy. Top it off with falsies and I'm good to go on a night out with my girl!
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gummie_bear wrote:
38) 6/8/2010 6:13:52 AM
i personally love matte on the lid and shimmer on the crease
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Amy's eyes wrote:
39) 6/8/2010 11:33:46 AM
I actually use both a shimmer and a matte. I use the mate on the lid in dark smoldering colors and use a shimmer in the crease and to highlight the brow bone. This creates a very dramatic effect.
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Indiarc wrote:
40) 6/8/2010 12:44:07 PM
I definitely prefer shimmer eyeshadows because they are able to create dimensions within the eyelid because of lights natural reflection. I think it can create a perfect smokey look that blends colors well and looks super glamorous. :]
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tinymom wrote:
41) 6/8/2010 7:19:24 PM
i love the mattalicy eyeshadows! i guess i would try matte if i could find colors that i actually liked! colors that draw attention to my eyes and make them look bigger and better!
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msblueyes5 wrote:
42) 6/9/2010 7:57:40 AM
I like to use alittle bit of both on my eyes! I think they compliment eachother aqnd even eachother out!
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makeuphound wrote:
43) 6/15/2010 9:04:19 AM
I am one of the over 50 msture skinned women and I generally use matte eyeshadows as my main shadow but do use the shimmer shadows for a little highlighting like in the inner corner of the eye, a little dab below the eyebrow and a touch outside the outer eye corner/cheekbone area. Works out real nicely.
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