Two Christmases ago I purchased a few samples from The Body Needs’ Blackened Collection. I’m not a huge smoky eye girl, so I’m just now getting around to using them. I opted for loose shadow, but TBN also sells BV pressed into a 26mm pan or a “crush pot” – NOT to be confused with Coastal Scents’ “hot pots,” LOL! The sample size costs about $2 and is about 1/2 tablespoon of loose e/s encased in a 0.5 gram sifter jar. This is the perfect size for someone who is interested, but not willing to make a commitment to the full size product.
What’s interesting about BV is that it takes on a different cast depending on what color base you use underneath the pigment. See for yourself…
swatches of blackened violet over black, red & white bases (using NYX jumbo pencils) – NO FLASH
Although the price & packaging of Blackened Violet are great, I was pretty underwhelmed by the actual performance of the product. I felt that I had to pack it on to get a decent color payoff and found that it had a lot of fallout.The color is so dark that you’ll need makeup remover or a wet wipe to keep from looking like you have dark circles under your eye or you got TKO’ed last night! I also discovered that blending out Blackened Violet will remove most of the shimmer, which is what makes it so pretty in the swatches on my hand. I even used a metallic base to help the shimmer translate, but the finished product was quite demure. For that reason, this s e/s was a fail for me (Overall score: 4). But if you’re in the market for a blackish-purplish e/s with a little bit of shimmer, then this may be the one for you. *kanye shrug* ONTO the FOTD…
PRIMER: NYX HD e/s base
BASE: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
SHADOW: I started by using packing Blackened Violet on the portion of my eyelid closest to my lashline. When I attempted to blend out BV, it got kinda patchy, so I used the 2 darkest purples in the palettes shown below (CS deep grape & a matte navyish-purple) to help fill those gaps. Then I mixed matte brown e/s (CS new terrain) with matte plum e/s on a fluffy brush to blend the darker purple into the crease. Next I used a matte orangy-brown e/s (CS oktoberfest) to further diffuse the purple. Finally I used a frosty gold e/s to highlight my brow bone & a metallic bronze e/s to highlight my tearduct area (both from the Wet N Wild Comfort Zone e/s palette).
OTHER DETAILS… I used NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip pencil in Espresso (820) & a matte dark brown e/s from my 88 warm palette to fill in my eyebrows. Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal mascara in Glam Black on my lashes. I defined my upper lashline & waterline using a liner brush dipped in Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black.
FACE: For spot correction I used, Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in Level 11. Then I dusted a light layer of L’oreal True Match Powder in Nut Brown (C7) over my face.
CHEEKS: Black Radiance sheer finish blush in Soft Honey
LIPS: Burt’s Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter & my “new” lipstick, Trendy Thalia :)
