Shiro Cosmetics Review

Hi guys!  Back again, this time with a review on the indie brand Shiro Cosmetics.  I purchased these eyeshadows last month during their big annual sale and have been playing around with them ever since.  If you missed my last post on Shiro and haven't heard of them before let me give you a brief introduction.  Shiro Cosmetics is a vegan friendly, cruelty free makeup brand whose theme revolves around video games, books, tv shows and general pop culture.  They specialize in loose eyeshadows though they do also produce lip glosses, setting powder and blush. Their products are very affordably priced and start at $1 for samples and go up from there.  Overall their brand gives of a really cute, quirky vibe and I love it.  Anyway, enough of my rambling, onto the review~

Products

Application

I ordered 9 samples from Shiro, who were nice enough to throw in a freebie, as they do with all their orders, and I found their shadows to be rather unique.  This definitely was not my first time playing around with loose eyeshadows.  I've used a few from Sugarpill and loose pigments from Makeup Geek and generally speaking, I really enjoy using loose eyeshadow.  Sure there's more fallout (though sometimes you can combat this by pressing them) but I find that you can achieve certain finishes that you may not be able to with a pressed shadow.  

Shiro's shadows are a new experience for me though.  Unlike Sugarpill's which apply like a dream wet or dry, base or no, or Makeup Geek's which bunch up on themselves in the package but apply smoothly, these took some practice to get used to.  First off, I cannot stress enough the importance of using a sticky base with these shadows.  Just using a primer is not going to cut it with these, so be sure to apply either a Nyx Jumbo eyeshadow pencil or a product specially designed to work with loose shadows and their slightly drier consistency.  If you think you can use these shadows without a creme base of some sort you will be very disappointed!  

Personally I think these shadows are best suited for use on the lid to the crease. 

Colors

Because I'm a color junkie I had to get some of Shiro's brightest colors for my first order, however for those of you who prefer something more subdued, don't fret!  They offer plenty of neutrals in a wide variety of finishes.  Here are some swatches of the ones I own.

Left to right:  Tunderbolt,  Steve O' Lantern, and Philosopher's Stone

Left to right:  It's Mossy, Kraken, and Maiden Queen

Left to right:  Eye Contact, Team Rocket, Alkahestry, Evolve

Personally, I think Shiro did a great job in photographing their products and I found them all to be very true to color.  Some of the more sparkly shades like Evolve, Maiden Queen, Alkahestry, and Thunderbolt have the most amazing micro shimmer in them which is really hard to photograph but very visible in sunlight or at the right angles.  Also, a lot of the colors which are more sheer work beautifully over both light and dark bases so there's a lot of room for experimentation.  

Here are a few looks that I've created using these shadows.

Used:  Team Rocket and Alkahestry

Used:  Evolve and Alkahestry

Used:  Philosopher's Stone and Steve O' Lantern

I'll also be posting a photo tutorial of the purple look later this week so stay tuned for that.  All in all, I really enjoy my Shiro products.  I think the colors are fantastic and I get so many compliments when I wear them.  If you're willing to put in a little extra work by using a proper base and dealing with the fallout during the application process then they're totally worth it. I'll definitely be purchasing from them again in the future.  

Have you ever tried Shiro Cosmetics or loose eyeshadow?  If so, what was your experience?  Love it or leave it?  Let me know.  Also follow my Facebook page, The Dark Unicorn for more looks.  

Shiro Cosmetics At a Glance

Hello again everyone!  Just thought I'd leave you with a few photos of some recent looks I've done featuring the lovely indie brand Shiro Cosmetics.  For those of you who are unaware of this quirky brand let me give you a quick introduction.  Founded in 2010 and based out of Portland, Shiro has been producing a large array of cruelty free, vegan friendly products with a geeky touch.  They specialize in eyeshadow, thought they do also offer a range of blushes, highlight/bronzers shades, setting powder, and lip glosses.  You can even create a custom lip gloss using their lip safe eyesadows if you'd like. Overall, they're a really nice brand owned by two lovely young ladies and I think everyone should check them out.  Especially since you can order sample eyeshadows for $1.  You really have no excuse not to try them now.

For now, I just want to focus on their eyeshadows.  About a month ago I ordered several samples from them and have been playing around ever since.  Admittedly, it did take me a few tries to really get the hang of them because their formula is quite unique, but once I did I was in heaven.  So I decided I'd share a few photos of recent looks I've done using some of their products.  I do plan on writing up a more in depth review once I use every shade I've ordered as well.  Anyway, enough of my blabbering, have some pictures~

Products Used

Elf Eye Primer

Nyx Jumbo Eyeshadow in Milk

Pride palette by Wet n' Wild (discontinued)

Blue Had Me at Hello palette by Wet n' Wild

Poison Plum and Bulletproof eyeshadows by Sugarpill

Shrio Cosmetics eyeshadows in Evolve and Alkahestry

Rimmel Scandal Eyes eyeliner

Makeup Geek eyeyliner in Immortal (on brows)

Physician's Formula 2-in-1 lash boosting eyeliner

Products Used

Elf Eye Primer

Nyx Jumbo Eyeshadow in Milk

Poison Plum eyesadow by Sugarpill

Greed and Lust palettes by Wet n' Wild (discontinued)

Comfort Zone palette by Wet n' Wild

Shiro Cosmetics eyeshadows in Steve O' Lantern and Philosopher's Stone

Mega Liner by Wet n' Wild

Rimmel Scandal Eyes eyeliner

Makeup Geek gel liner in Immortal (brows)

Well that's my brief post for now.  Again, stay tuned for a full review of the brand and eyeshadows.  Below is a list of the rest of the shadows I've ordered but have yet to try.  Which do you think I should use next?

It's Mossy!
Team Rocket
Eye Contact
Kraken

Hello everyone!  Just thought I'd make a quick post to introduce myself.  My name is Tanya, I'm 23 and I love makeup.  This blog will essentially cover my journey through makeup not only as a form of self-expression but as an art.  In this blog I'll be posting product reviews, photos of looks I've done and occasional tutorials.  This is my very first time having an actual blog and I'm quite excited!  Please bear with me in the beginning as I get adjusted to this and I'll do my best to get content out to you guys on a regular basis.  I'm always open to suggestions and I'd love to hear about what products you enjoy.  Feel free to comment with anything you'd like to see from me in the future and I'll do my best to get back to you.

I hope you're all having a lovely day and I can't wait to talk to you again soon.