Review: Maybelline Charcoal Smokes Shadow Quad and Lilac Nails

I've realized something over the past few months: my job makes it difficult to blog as often as I'd like. That's the funny things about jobs; typically they're time consuming to begin with, but they can often take up the time you enjoy spending on your hobbies. Lame.

Ok, enough kvetching. Onto the pretties!

Ladies, I present to you my newest obsession:

Maybelline's Stylish Smokes Quad in Charcoal Smokes.

Oh. Em. Gee. 

Love.

This quad has been all over the Internet for months now. Every review I've read has gone on and on about how this is a winner of a drugstore quad. I find Maybelline very hit or miss, especially with their eyeshadows. Usually Maybelline shadows aren't very pigmented and the texture is chalky and too powdery. I found this quad on sale ($4, usually $8) and decided I'd try it out. 

Excellent decision, Tiffany! (Pats self on back).

I love this quad. Each shadow is highly pigmented. I swatched them on my hand without any primer underneath and the color and finish of all four shadows was immediately obvious to me.

(In direct light and with flash)

The above swatches are the results of running my fingers through each pan ONCE.

The shadows are true to the picture above. There is an icy white silver, a taupe-grey, a grey with lilac undertones, and a sheer matte black with silver glitter.

No flash (L) and with flash (R)

These shadows are super blendable and long-lasting. I didn't use primer under these shadows and my makeup lasted all night. It's also really easy to build up the color; the lilac-grey looks amazing when you pack it on and blend it into the socket with the lighter grey shadow.

At home and out for drinks; no touchups needed throughout the night!

(Photo shamelessly stolen from the SIL's Facebook profile. Hollah, Em!)

I must urge my green-eyed sisters: BUY THIS QUAD! It gives my eyes an almost emerald tone. Win.

Up next: silvery-lilac nails!

Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Nail Polish in "Pedal to the Metal"

Now, you might think, "lilac nails? Girl's way out of season!" But here's the thing; this is really just a borderline lilac, and its silvery enough to look wintery and to remind me a bit of midnight snow; you know, that really shimmery and cool-colored snow that sparkles in the street lights? This polish has that sort of finish to it.

I found this bottle of polish sitting on my coffee table. Either it belongs to Em, or I've got some polish gnomes leaving pretty bottles of lacquer all over my house. I'm cool with either option, but I think Em probably deserves the credit ;)

With the holidays fast approaching, I'm really looking forward to posting some fun holiday look how-tos! Look for some red lips in the not too distant future!

Have you tried any of the Maybelline Stylish Smokes quads? How do you feel about them? Let me know your favorites!