Review - Concrete Minerals Eyeshadow

In efforts to find new makeup companies, I consulted some fellow makeup junkies and someone turned me on to Concrete Minerals. I found them via etsy. You can also "like" them on Facebook! 

Since I am trying to replenish my makeup collection, I decided to go with some BRIGHT colors, though, I asked the owner of the company if she had any suggestions. After getting her suggestions, I purchased Napalm, Black Metal, Juvenile, Smut (Concrete's best seller), and Zealous. Shipping was less than a week after purchase, seller communication was outstanding, and the packaging was safe. 

Okay - these pigments come in whopping 10 gram pots, for around the same price as many sellers that package in 5 gram pots: just $5.99 for all that color. For Concrete Minerals, 5 gram pots are SAMPLES. Above, you see Juvenlie in sample size, and Zealous as full size. This is one of Concrete's qualities that I absolutely love. I finally don't feel like I am getting ripped off! Another thing that I really like about this company is that they have color duos and trios in their shop, with available gift wrap. And not just pink tissue paper. Professional stuff here. :)

OH! also! Every single pot, sample AND full size, came with a sifter and sifter seal - consistency. That's what I like to see. 

One of my favorite aspects of this company is that they list the color, the net weight, the company name, AND the ingredients right on the bottom of the packaging. With a lot of questioning going on right now with makeup companies, it is comforting to know what is in your products. If you are interested, I will be posting all photos of the pigment ingredients in the swatch library: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beauty-By-Eige/169506223086235

Lets talk pigments!

Napalm is a pretty vibrant orange pigment. Low-medium shimmer, but definitely NOT matte, with gold glitz. This pigment is really, really rich, and applies really smoothly. I don't generally go for orange, but this is my favorite pigment from Concrete that I purchased. It is really pigmented, great color payoff, and lasts for a long time. I LOVE IT.

Some of you know that I have been searching for my "perfect black" after I managed to drop my favorite (discontinued! - damn you ulta!) black on the floor. I continued my search with Concrete Minerals by purchasing "Black Metal." Black Metal is a matte black with silver glitter. I was a little disappointed because once it was blended, it turned to a dark grey/silver color. After layering, it turned darker, but not MY perfect black. This black, like most, are not as smooth as other colors. I do like this color, but I will use it as a dark grey rather than a true black. Keep in mind, this is just ME being picky about blacks. 

Oh, Juvenile. I really have a love-hate relationship with this color. The pigment itself is really REALLY smooth, has a very high shimmer, and has a ton of sparkle. It lasts, and lasts, and lasts, and is super bendable. I love this pigment.... hands down. Here is the problem. On the site it is listed as an "acid green with turquoise sparkle." In reality, it looks to be a bright, primary yellow. Now, I have to stand beside myself, and remember that it is not supposed to be an awesome yellow. This is NOT an acid green - the color I had paid for. Colors being "as described" is a big deal when ordering makeup online, and this one falls short in that category. Even though the quality is great, it is not the color I was looking forward to receiving. HOWEVER, on the etsy site, they DO have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That's something you don't see very often!! You can learn more about their return policy here :http://www.etsy.com/shop/ConcreteMinerals/policy

*EDIT: after contacting the seller about this color, in a casual manner, she informed me that this IS the color that Juvenile is supposed to be. It's not a bad batch, it's not the wrong color. It's Juvenile. This irritates me, a lot. I don't like to be told that I will be receiving one color (the one swatched on the website) and receive another, with the supplier knowing that it isn't what it is said to me. I'm upset about it. That's all. 

Heres a little comparison photo I put together, using pigments from other companies. When put next to other greens, you can sense a little bit of green undertones, but this color is still yellow. *NOTE: I do not support, endorse, or recommend the purchase or use of Glittersniffer Cosmetics.

Smut - the problem child. NOT because it is a bad pigment. But because it is REALLY hard to get the epicness of this color to be captured on camera. Smut is a brownish, silverish, pinkish color. It is really hard to describe. From one angle, its a slivery brown, from another it is a high shimmer - rose color. I can easily see why Smut is Concrete's best seller. 

Zealous is a super pigmented, low-medium shimmer bright teal, with glitter throughout. This picture does not do it justice. If you are looking for a tame teal, this isn't the color for you. It is BRIGHT. It applies really smoothly and lasts all day without fading. I would recommend this one, hands down.

  

* Zealous on the inner corner of the lid, Juvenile on the outer corner, blended into Black Metal in the crease up to the orbital bone. A little flair of Napalm on the outer corner too! Urban Decay's Polyester Bride as a highlight. 

Alright. Here's the TL;DR version:

The Positives:

* Great quality, highly professional

*Excellent communication, ship time, and packaging

*$6 for a 10 gram jar of color

*Highly pigmented, ultra smooth colors

*High color payoff, long lasting

*Color duos & trios offered

*Ingredients, color, company, and product details listed on the product

*100% satisfaction guarantee

The Negatives:

*Not all colors as described

Will I buy from Concrete Minerals again?

Eh? The professionalism of this company is outstanding and the pigments are high in quality. You get loads of pigment for around the same price as most other companies give you for a 5 gram pot. Though I am really, REALLY disappointed in the colors not all being "as described", at least there is a return policy, which is more than other companies offer. I will be a little hesitant to buy some colors, like Juvenile, again. Accuracy is a big deal to me, but I can't help but adore the quality of the pigments themselves. This probably won't be my "go to" company because of the issue with pigments being inaccurately advertised, but I do love me some smooth pigments!

and just for fun.....