Shiro Cosmetics is a small indie company operating out of the northwestern US, which produces cosmetics of a “geeky” nature, which includes eyeshadows, lip colour, face powders, and even perfume. As far as eyeshadows go, Shiro is known not only for their outstanding quality and value, but also for the completeness of each and every collection. While some companies seem to concentrate on creating a shadow for every clever name, Shiro steps it up and creates a conceptual collection with colours that actually compliment each other. From this, we can see that Shiro Cosmetics isn’t just a business, but a serious passion.
Ordering from Shiro Cosmetics is extremely easy. The website is arranged in a neat, easy-to-navigate manner – especially if you buy by concept, as members of a fandom are likely to do. The only “problem” I could point out on the website is that eyeshadows are only arranged by collection, and not by colour. For people like me, who aren’t exactly “geeky”, the collection inspiration won’t be near important as the shades themselves. This isn’t a big deal, as I frequently open individual shades in multiple windows to contrast and compare anyway, but the site might be more inviting to non-geeks if such an organizational feature were put into place.
TAT is very reasonable at Shiro, and my order was completed in less than the then-stated 20-days processing-time. Everything was beautifully packaged, with bonus samples and delicious asian candies (the plum candies – sweet merciful lord!). I did have one issue with my order – an item was left out – which is perfectly understandable considering that there are only two people working to pack and ship orders, and I ordered during a rather large sale. I contacted the owner by email, and received a prompt, friendly, and highly professional response. A few days later, the missing item arrived, with a bonus mini-shadow. And more candy. Candy!
All in all, despite the one hiccup with my order, I am completely satisfied with the ordering process. And honestly, thanks to that hiccup, I can confidently say that I am also extremely happy with the customer service at Shiro Cosmetics, because let’s face it – you don’t know how good a company is until we see how they respond to a problem.
Click through for swatches and descriptions of The Notebook Collection by Shiro Cosmetics!
The Notebook Collection
Now, while I’m not a “geeky” person, there are rare occasions when I will thoroughly love something with a cult following. I love Firefly. Totally down with Buffy. And the Guild? YES. But I also absolutely love Death Note. That was the first anime that really captivated me since Cowboy Bebop. So when I saw The Notebook Collection on the Shiro Cosmetics website, I knew I had to have it. It also helps that the colours looked absolutely amazing!
I ordered the full collection in mini-sizes with sifters. These little guys are jam-packed with product, so not only are you getting your money’s worth, but you have plenty of product to last a very long time.
HEAVEN NOR HELL is a blue-toned gunmetal grey.
MORE SUGAR is a darkened taupe shade with a slightly purple undertone.
SHINIGAMI is a vibrant blue-toned purple with silver sparkle.
TASK FORCE is a plum wine shade with significant blue undertone.
HEART ATTACK is a vibrant fuchsia with subtle blue influence
SECOND KIRA is a soft black with intense gold sparkle
DETECTIVE is a light taupe shade.
MISTRUST is a light brown shade with yellow undertone.
DIVINE JUSTICE is light-to-medium brown with pinkish-orange undertone.
PERFECT WORLD is a soft white-gold shade with highly metallic finish.
Swatches
All swatches are taken over Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Lighting is described in each picture. The last picture, with Shinigami and Task Force, are taken over TFSI and Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy.
Now, I should note that some of the shades are very sparkly – Shinigami and Second Kira definitely benefit from using some form of glitter adhesive, so the shimmer can truly shine. This is also a good bet for me with Shinigami, since my skin seems to like to destroy purples if worn over primer alone. I repeat, the difference in colour here is not the fault of Shiro Cosmetics, but my own purple-hating skin. Just take a look for yourself!
Brass Tacks
Despite the fact that two of the shades (Shinigami and Task Force) did not work well with my skintone (destroy ALL the purples!), I am very pleased with this collection. Not only for its inspiration, but all the colours are very extremely wearable, traveling easily from day-to-night. For fans of the manga, anime, and eyeshadows and general, I would most definitely suggest checking this collection out!
As for Shiro Cosmetics itself, I will most definitely buy again and again. Especially the Intertubes (lip colour): there are 21 different shades to choose from, with eight brand new ones having been released last month. I definitely plan to pick up “Why Not Zoidberg?” which is taking the indie beauty community and Reddit by storm, as well as “Insanity Wolf” and “Magnets”. I also need to pick up some more of the older shades – all I currently have from the site offerings is “Three Wolf Moon” – which, by the way, I do absolutely love!
Need to make an order? Use coupon code VENDORPLZ for 10% off your entire order, good until 11:59 PM PST on July 10, 2012!
Great and through review! I still haven’t tried Shiro yet. But they are definitely on the top of my ‘to try’ list! These colors look so wearable!
Wow, I really love Shinigami (especially over PE!) as well as More Sugar and Heaven Nor Hell. I have always meant to try Shiro Cosmetics but haven’t got around to it yet.
Shiro is definitely awesome. I hear tell that she’s dropping a Halloween collection on the first of October. As if I haven’t spent enough on Halloween already.