Zuzu Luxe Mineral Eyeshadow in the Shade "Vixen"
In praise of a satin finish
I’ve experienced a tiny revolution around wearing eyeshadow since I let go of the “necessity” to always pair shadow with mascara. It’s not that I don’t like mascara; instead, I like to feel free to wear on my face whatever I want and leave the rest. I know not everyone feels this way. I’ve listened to other people hold court on why an eye look doesn’t feel complete without eyeliner, for example, or how they never leave the house without their brows done. It’s all good; there is room enough for different and even conflicting opinions, especially about something as personal as style.
In my case, the question about mascara is twofold: 1) do I want the effect of mascara today? Mascara always makes me look a little more done up, probably because I have light, straight lashes without mascara, so they are hard to see without some help. And 2) do I want to remove mascara at the end of the day? Sometimes I like not having that cleanup chore waiting for me.
On days when I’m not wearing mascara, I think a subtle eyeshadow can be especially pretty because it plays with that “no-makeup makeup” aesthetic in a beautiful way. Without eyelashes in the way, whatever is happening on the lid is much more visible, so a subtle look can have the spotlight.
I’ve been known to fall for a single eyeshadow, and today’s Zuzu Luxe recommendation is one such beauty. It’s a shadow called “Vixen,” and the brand describes it as a “sandy taupe/warm shimmer.” I would say it’s a very neutral taupe with a satin finish, and what I love about it is how it works well on its own AND it’s a surprisingly good partner shadow for a colorful crease shade.
On its own, it adds some definition and shine to the eyelids, almost like a “my eyelids but better” look. With a crease shade, Vixen can be used to create a more interesting and dramatic look. I tend not to go for super colorful eyeshadow, but I am more comfortable when that color is in the crease and buffed out toward the brow bone. Vixen blends well with other shadows, so it’s easy to work with and the neutrality of Vixen combines well with anything I’ve thrown at it.
Vixen is on the more expensive side, as far as eyeshadow singles go. But with makeup, part of what you pay for is packaging, and I appreciate that the Zuzu Luxe packaging is pretty sturdy. None of my Zuzu Luxe single-product compacts have fallen apart yet, unlike a lot of my products…
Product Details: Zuzu Luxe Mineral Eyeshadow in the Shade “Vixen”
Sold: currently in stock on Target’s website. It’s out of stock on Zuzu Luxe’s website, but it’s worth taking a look at their site because they have many beautiful single eyeshadows. If you are local to Austin, Wheatsville sells Zuzu Luxe in store and has a robust display of options that you can swatch.
Price: $17.69 from Target