I was going to leave my eyeshadow collection ’till last to swatch in my ‘find the gaps’ series of posts, but the superstorm (which…is kind of lackluster – yea, there’s lots of snow, but I want some action, darn it!) seemed like the perfect time to just get ‘er done – so I did! Oh man…for those of you who have larger collections than mine, I feel sorry for you if you attempt to do this – it is a BIG EFFING ORDEAL. I started last night and got just over halfway through before both (!) arms had had enough. I continued today and after needing to re-swatch several shade categories to get them *just right*, my left arm is just burning (as you’ll notice in the photos – red spots galore!). So: enough. I’m ready to rock ‘n roll. Now – let’s get into ‘er!
Note: All shades are permanent within their respective brands except where otherwise noted.
WHITE EYESHADOW
Avon True Color Quad in Smokey Eyes (satin white)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Uzi (shimmer w/glitter) (LE)
‘HIGHLIGHT’ EYESHADOW
Make Up For Ever Star Powder in #920 (iridescent)
KATE Real Create Eyes BR-2 Palette (white gold pearl)
MAC Eyeshadow in Vex (frost)
NUDE EYESHADOW
MAC Eyeshadow in Next to Nothing (Cult of Cherry Tempting Quad – frost) (LE)
Laura Mercier Eye Color Duet in Suspense (matte cool beige) (LE)
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Trench (satin)
BEIGE, CHAMPAGNE & PEACH EYESHADOW
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (shimmer w/glitter)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #13 Warm Beige (frost)
Chanel Illusion d’Ombre in Emerveille (shimmer)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Snatch (shimmer w/glitter)
Kate Real Create Eyeshadow BR-2 Palette (soft peachy shimmer)
MAC Eyeshadow in Arena (satin)
GOLD EYESHADOW
MAC Pigment in Melon (frost)
Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Color in Gilded Moonlight (pearl) (LE)
Clinique Touch Tint for Eyes in Gold Glimmer (shimmer) (discontinued)
COPPER & ORANGE EYESHADOW
MAC Eyeshadow in Amber Lights (frost)
Ardene Eyeshadow in 8B (pearl)
BRONZE EYESHADOW
MAC Pigment in Cocomotion (frost) (LE)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Smog (shimmer)
MAC Eyeshadow in Tempting (lustre)
Clinique Color Surge Super Shimmer Eyeshadow in Rum Spice (shimmer)
BROWN EYESHADOW
MAC Eyeshadow in Dark Edge (Cult of Cherry Tempting Quad – satin) (LE)
KATE Real Create Eyes BR-2 Palette (deep brown shimmer)
Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in #17 Espresso (matte)
Laura Mercier Eye Color Duet in Suspense (matte burgundy brown) (LE)
TAUPE-BROWN EYESHADOWS
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Suspect (shimmer)
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Rajasthan (beige-gold taupe) (shimmer) (LE)
KATE Real Create Eyes BR-2 Palette (taupe shimmer)
TAUPE-PURPLE EYESHADOWS
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Grand Palais (silver-taupe shimmer)
Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Exhibition (mauve shimmer)
MAC Eyeshadow in Shale (satin)
bareMinerals High Shine Eye Color in Meteorite (frost)
Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eye Shadow in Corinthian (shimmer)
RED & PINK EYESHADOW
L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Mahogany (frost)
Chanel Illusion d’Ombre in Abstraction (shimmer)
Avon True Color Quad in Smokey Eyes (matte light pink)
MAUVE & ROSE EYESHADOW
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Bordello (shimmer w/glitter)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Last Call (metallic)
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Grand Palais (matte dusty rose)
PLUM EYESHADOW
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Habanera (sparkling plum)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Rockstar (shimmer)
Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Exhibition (eggplant shimmer)
PURPLE EYESHADOW
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Psychedelic Sister (shimmer)
MAC Paint in Infamous (metallic) (discontinued)
BLUE EYESHADOW
MAC Paint in Blue Boy (metallic) (discontinued)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Radium (shimmer)
MAC Eyeshadow in Blue Edge (matte w/shimmer) (discontinued)
AQUA & TEAL EYESHADOWS
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Rajasthan (blackened teal shimmer) (LE)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Loaded (metallic)
theBalm Shady Lady Eyeshadow in Jealous Jordana (shimmer)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 8E (matte)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Haight (shimmer)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Money (shimmer w/micro-glitter) (LE)
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Habanera (mint frost)
GREEN EYESHADOW
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Kush (shimmer w/micro-glitter)
Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eye Shadow in Jade (shimmer)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Mildew (shimmer)
MAC Eyeshadow in Sharp (Cult of Cherry Tempting Quad – satin) (LE)
Lise Watier Couleur Folle Eyeshadow in Folie Pomme (iridescent shimmer)
Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in #57 Chartreuse (satin)
YELLOW EYESHADOW
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #24 Yellow (matte)
MAC Eyeshadow in Bright Future (
KHAKI EYESHADOW
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Waterproof Eyeshadow in #24 Smokey Copper (shimmer)
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in #6 Khaki Pulse (shimmer)
Clinique Color Surge Soft Shimmer Eyeshadow in Autumn Moss (satin)
TAUPE-SILVER EYESHADOWS
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Maui Wowie (metallic w/glitter)
Bobbi Brown Chrome Eye Shadow in Pewter (frost) (LE)
theBalm Shady Lady Eyeshadow in Insane Jane (shimmer)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #2 Steel (shimmer)
GREY EYESHADOW
Avon True Color Quad in Smokey Eyes (medium grey & dove grey) (shimmer)
BLACK EYESHADOWS
MAC Pigment in Dark Soul (frost w/glitter)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Perversion (matte)
….PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you make it??
…So. To be honest, when I started swatching all my makeup, I was originally just trying to find a way to justify new purchases – if it could be considered a shade I didn’t already own, then I would feel free to go for it. However, now I’ve discovered that being so fully aware of what I own, has made me really excited to play with my current collection, instead of seeking out new products. I especially noticed this with this eyeshadow post – there are so truly fabulous shades in there! While there are still of course colors I’d like to pick up to fill the gaps (namely – a lilac and a skintone [MY skintone, to clarify] shade, among a couple others), overall I’m WELL aware I have a ton of shades to rock out and don’t really *need* anything else at the moment. I did notice I have a lot less color than I imagined, but that’s actually OK because I don’t tend to wear it a ton and try to avoid buying a lot of it only for it to go unused. I think my stash is fairly representative of the kind of makeup I wear day to day! So SCORE for being logical in my purchases 
I am kinda worn out from the work necessary to do this post, so I’m done now LOL. But – I have questions for you!
Do you see any gaps that I could fill? What shades make up the bulk of your eyeshadow collection?? Also – anyone bother to count how many shades I have? I’m too tired now to bother LOL
#1 by Larie on February 9, 2013 - 8:03 pm
Hahaha that was intense! I do not have the focus for a post like this. But good for you for knowing what you have! I think I have a lot of greens…but you know, I’m not sure. My most worn shades are champagnes and golds, though!
#2 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:09 pm
I don’t even think I have a shade I gravitate toward – I try something new everyday because I’m a spazz like that lol. It’d be nice to wear one or two enough though that I actually used them up.
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#3 by BooBooNinja on February 9, 2013 - 9:15 pm
Brava! You did it! You have some amazing eyeshadows. The photos are great eye candy for me and will probably serve as an excellent record for future reference. I don’t have a photo inventory myself; instead, I have a spreadsheet of all my skin care and beauty products. When I drew it up, like you, I got excited over what I owned. It quelled a lot of “lemmings” and made me interested in new colour combinations.
I think my eyeshadows are roughly evenly distributed across shades/colours, but I’ll have to get back to you.
#4 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:08 pm
I’m so pleased you’ll use this as a reference!! That’s how I view any comprehensive swatches I see, so I’m SO glad to provide a similar service!!!
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#5 by Makeup Morsels on February 9, 2013 - 9:46 pm
I started counting but then gave up when I got to…three LOL. Kudos to you for swatching all of these! It’s a gorgeous collection, and I think you’ve pretty much got every shade family covered. No gaps that I can spot, although I do agree lilac would be a nice addition haha. I have a lot of browns and taupes from when I was first starting out and everyone was all oh you gotta have your neutrals! Which is just perfect because I’ve come to realize I primarily wear beiges, greens, and blues. Figures
#6 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:06 pm
Perfect! You’re set then. I need a few more neutrals like that to pair with color. But like you said, I think I’ve pretty much got the bases covered
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#7 by Amy on February 9, 2013 - 11:43 pm
Hooooo boy, this is so awesome! Very impressive collection––I think it’s really nicely balanced. Now I *so* need Exhibition (I mean, I obviously don’t, since I already have a purpley taupe and red-toned dark purple, but aaaaagh it’s so beautiful!).
#8 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:05 pm
Yea…I can’t even help you there, Amy – it’s GORGEOUS. I’m glad you think my collection is well balanced! ~sigh of contentment~
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#9 by Arianne/Glitter Geek (@TheGlitterGeek) on February 9, 2013 - 11:53 pm
*___* SO MUCH PRETTY, Toya! Very impressed that you did all of them.
#10 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:04 pm
Thanks Arianne! I’m so glad it’s…done lol. I’m so happy I did it but even more so that it’s finished haha
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#11 by Brijit Elouise on February 10, 2013 - 3:49 am
Wow, what a collection!
I may have 5 thousand nail polishes, but I only have a handful of eye shadows – I only really wear Barry M’s mushroom loose powder
#12 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:03 pm
Oh man, to only have a few shadows again lol. How nice, Brijit!!!
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#13 by satine89 on February 10, 2013 - 4:25 am
Good job, dear!!! I can understand how stressful it was!
Watching your swatches I realizes that I need a nice yellow eyeshadow, that one is definitely missing in my collection!
#14 by Latoya on February 10, 2013 - 5:02 pm
Ooh well if you’re in the market Satine, go with the MUFE Aqua Cream!! Best yellow EVER – soo creamy and lovely!
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#15 by Sarah on February 11, 2013 - 11:46 am
That looks like a ton of work. Way to go! I love how much colour you have. I am still afraid of bright colours and mostly stick to neutrals with some plums and olive greens here and there.
#16 by Latoya on February 11, 2013 - 12:26 pm
Thanks Sarah! One way you can start to try more color is to layer those shades over your existing darker basics, or wear them as an accent shade. I definitely don’t wear bright color every day, but sometimes it’s super fun (post forthcoming!).
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#17 by Becca @ The Beauty Sample on February 11, 2013 - 7:59 pm
I count 76–way to go, Toya! This must’ve been REALLY hard and tedious work to get all these swatched, but the results must be satisfying. I would love to do a post like this but I’m not sure I could. Maybe if I spread it out over the course of a week or 2…just to do the eyeshadows!
haha
Your collection is beautiful though and I am REALLY lemming that Exhibition duo now! I really wanted it before but then decided that maybe I could do without…now I want it again!
#18 by Latoya on February 13, 2013 - 7:55 am
It’s interesting that’s the one that catches everyone’s eye, Becca! But not surprising – hello, it’s gorgeous and hello, it’s Hourglass!! It’s definitely worth the splurge, the plum shade is the most pigmented shadow I own.
I would die to see your collection! I will wait while you do it
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#19 by Liz (@Reductionista) on February 11, 2013 - 11:32 pm
HUUUUUUUUGE PROPS! Holy smokes, I think everybody should do this. LOL!
I think you have a nice roundup of shades there, and 70-something actually isn’t all that bad. It’s all very respectable IMHO.
How’s that organization course going? I bet you can teach that thing!
#20 by Latoya on February 13, 2013 - 7:53 am
Haha I think you’re right, Liz – I could
I think in the blogging world, my shadow stash IS reasonable – but it’s still like Holy Crap – I only have two eyes! Haha. I think I’ve pretty much got most shades covered, yeah.
And I would LOVE to see everyone do this! Except…then I would want to buy even more shadow. Erm…..,
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#21 by Denise on February 12, 2013 - 2:38 am
LOL, serrrrrious props to you for doing all of this. I think if I attempted to swatch all the eyeshadows I own, it would take me like, a week. So… I wouldn’t even attempt it.
Of course, now I feel like I need for more eyeshadows, especially the Armani Eyes to Kill… and maybe some more Urban Decay…
Oh, god, I need more eyeshadow like I need a hole in my head. ARGH.
#22 by Latoya on February 13, 2013 - 7:49 am
Haha I know the feeling, Denise! Even my modest collection (by bloggers standards!) is still big – when am I ever going to wear all this?! And yet, I see a new shade and I’m like GIMME. We’re crazy, I guess ~sigh~
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#23 by BeautyReflections (@BeautyReflectTS) on February 15, 2013 - 1:35 pm
Holy swatches Toya! You have some serious focus there girl! I could never do this, I’m so ADD I’d give up about 4 swatches haha! Also, I’d screw something up and forget which was which in the pics!
My faves the the GETK-I freakin’ love those things so much. I have 5 of them, and if I could I’d have ALL of them! Nothing stays put on my lids like those babies!
#24 by Latoya on February 16, 2013 - 10:12 am
Yea, I could easily own all of ‘me and die happy
So effing good. An I bet you could eke out a few swatches if you wanted – you don’t give yourself enough credit! – BUT I suspect you have a much larger stash than I, so I wouldn’t hold it against you if you didn’t haha
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#25 by ahhhsoneo on May 11, 2013 - 11:40 am
Kudos to you for swatching all of these! You really have quite a variety of shades. I did notice though that only a small number have serious dips/or you have hit pan on only a few – kinda shows your go-tos!
#26 by Latoya on May 12, 2013 - 9:46 pm
Yes, that’s true – good detective work
Thank you – I’m so glad you enjoyed the swatches, it was a big labour of love but so worth it, I had so much fun looking at all my pretties!