After reviewing Lipsense a while back, I was curious to see how Senegence’s other products stacked up. Lipsense, though not super long-lasting, does beat out a majority of my lipsticks when it comes to longevity, making it my go-to for times when I want to sport a full-coverage lip look without a crazy amount of maintenance (at least not in the first 5-6 hours). Similarly, Senegence’s ShadowSense eyeshadows* are designed to last all-day, until you decide to remove them, but how do they really hold up? Let’s take a look…
What is ShadowSense?
Just like LipSense the ShadowSense eyeshadows are designed to be waterproof, crease-proof, smudge-proof and budge-proof (I couldn’t find where it states these exact terms on Senegence’s website, however, that’s what the distributors claim it to be). They start out in cream form, which creates a window for you to apply, blend, and smudge. After a few minutes, they dry down to a powder that’s designed to last all day until you decided to remove them.
In addition to long-lasting wear, SeneGence formulated ShadowSense to hydrate, smooth, firm, and revitalize the eye area through their proprietary anti-aging SenePlex Complex, along with a whole slew of other skin-loving ingredients.
Key Ingredients
The SenePlex Complex, combined with these key ingredients, makes ShadowSense a mini anti-aging skincare treatment for the eyes:
- Cymbidium Grandifloum (Orchid) Flower Extract: antioxidant, provides moisturization
- Algae (Seaweed) Extract: hydrates, protects skin from the sun, and softens the skin; enhances the skin’s ability to repair itself
- Tocopheryl (and Tocopheryl Acetate): antioxidant; aids in healing
- Retinyl Palmitate: increases skin elasticity and cellular renewal; helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Yeast Extract: aids in formation of new healthy tissues and promotes new cell formation
- Glucosamine HCL: enhances the body’s ability to synthesize collagen
Full Ingredients List (according to Senegence’s website): Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alcohol Denat, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Jojoba Esters (and) Isopropyl Jojobate (and) Jojoba Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tribehenin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Petrolatum, Synthetic Beeswax, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Orchid Extract, Yeast Extract, Propylparaben, Glucosamine HCL, Synthetic Urea. MAY CONTAIN: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides (CI77491, CI77492, CI77499), Ferric Ferrocyanide, Chromium Oxide Greens, Bismuth Oxychloride.
Swatches of ShadowSense in Moca Java Shimmer (top) & Onyx (bottom)
The Many Uses of ShadowSense
ShadowSense’s unique formula allows you to create a range of different eye makeup looks, for example:
- use a single shade all over the lid and crease for a simple, subtle look
- use a combination of shades on the lid, crease, and outer-v for a more definition
- layer the shadows
- mix different shades together to create custom ones
- use them as eyeliner
You can also use ShadowSense on other areas of the face too…
- use the neutral taupe/brown/red/grey shades to fill in the eyebrows
- use the lighter pink/rose/purple/berry shades as blush
- use lighter colors as concealer or highlighters (like Candlelight or Sandstone Pearl)
- use the dark mattes shades to contour the cheekbones
- layer them with LipSense lip colors to make completely custom colors
How to Apply ShadowSense
According to Senegence, if you’re using ShadowSense as eyeshadow, they should be applied ‘gently blending with a sponge tip or eye brush applicator’. However, I find the fingers work just as well for both an all-over-the-lid application, and even blending. I’ll simply dab the applicator brush directly on my lid, then lightly smooth it out with my finger. Then I’ll pat/gently swipe my finger in the crease to blend it out.
To apply ShadowSense as an eyeliner, I’ll grab a slanted eye brush and dab it on the wand tip to pick up some pigment. Then I’ll use the brush to draw a clean line on my upper lash line. To smoke out the lower lash line, I’ll use a smudge brush.
As a blush, highlight, or contour, I’d recommend using a synthetic duo-fibre makeup brush, or your fingers (experiment a bit to see what works best for you). As a lipcolor, they can be applied directly to your lips using the brush wand. Or, use your fingers to dab them on.
According to Senegence, ShadowSense shades are removed by using liquid Fooops!® SenseCosmetics Color Remover, however this is in no way required. I find that about 80-90% washes away just using a basic oil cleanser (I use this one). Whatever small amount remains, I’ll use my favorite Lancome eye makeup remover.
ShadowSense Review
After testing out ShadowSense two days in a row, I can’t say I’m super impressed…
On the plus side, they are very easy to work with, and practically foolproof to apply due to the creamy formula and long dry-down time. You get roughly a 20-second window to smudge/blend them out before they set (or wipe away mistakes if you need to!).
The formula is also very pigmented and smooth, making them easy to blend out for a seamless finish (or achieve a nice clean line if you’re using it as an eyeliner). They’re also buildable – you can sheer them out over the lid, or layer 2-3 coats for more intense pigment.
Another plus is that I don’t find the shimmer shades to be super glittery/shimmer. Instead, they add some radiance to the lid using a subtle amount of micro-shimmer – making them everyday-wearable and office-friendly in my opinion.
The only letdown? The longevity. On my somewhat oily lids, the formula isn’t not 100% crease-proof without a primer. In fact, when I used Moca Java Shimmer on the lid, it looked patchy all over my lid by the end of the day. On the other hand, the Onyx shade I used for eyeliner managed to stay put, with only slight fading and smudging.
Here are my before and after photos, taken at the beginning of the day, and 12-hours later…
ShadowSense Wear Test
10:30 am – Applied Moca Java Shimmer to the lid using my fingers, and Onyx as eyeliner on the top and bottom lash lines.
Moca Java Shimmer and Onyx freshly applied
10:30 pm – Moca Java Shimmer is looking patchy all over my lid and crease, and it looks like a good 30% has worn away. Meanwhile, Onyx has held up fairly well, although it’s not looking quite as intense/clean as it did in the morning, and has smeared a bit around the lower lash line.
A close up of all the creasing/patchiness going on past 12 hours…
I’ve tried ShadowSense twice so far, and on both days, I got the same results. I didn’t use a primer, so maybe that’s the key to avoiding the creasing/patchiness on the lid. I’ll have to continue experimenting… But for now, I can’t say ShadowSense lives up to the budge-proof, smudge-proof, all-day wear claims, at least not for those of us with oilier lids.
However, as an eyeliner, that’s where I think ShadowSense shines – more specifically, when using the darker matte shades to create cat eye/winged eye looks. The formula makes it easy to draw clean, smooth lines, and best of all, it gives you time to fix/wipe away any mistakes. Staying power on the lash line is much better too, though not 100% bulletproof.
If you’ve tried out Senegence’s ShadowSense, let me know in the comments! How long-wearing do you find them to be?
*Samples generously provided for review consideration.
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