- Go here if you are looking for the category Textures and Effects.
- Go here if you are looking for the article Texture Glossary.
- Go here if you are looking for the article Colour and Shade Glossary.
- Go here if you are looking for the article Colour Comparisons.
Makeup[]
Duotone vs. Holographic vs. Iridescent[]
- Duotone is two colours usually achieved with a sparkle, shimmer or metallized shift. So is considered a colour (by being two colours) and a texture or an effect.
- Holographic is showing multiple luminous colours usually achieved with a sparkle, shimmer or metallized shift. It can be a spectrum of colours itself and not particularly a colour and so is considered a texture or an effect.
- Iridescent is showing multiple luminous pale colours reflective (when seen from "different angles") usually achieved with a sparkle, shimmer or metallized shift. The colour itself stays the same and can be considered a colour (usually very pale) and a texture or an effect.
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Sometimes brands use the term Holographic or Iridescent as the same or interchangeably and unless a zoomed swatch or seen in person is hard to tell the difference. |
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Shimmer vs. Sparkle[]
The Shimmer and Sparkle (including Glitter) is more or less a spectrum of the size of the glitter. Pearly, iridescent, shimmer, metallic/frosts are the smaller sizes of glitter and pick up light and/or colour shifts. Sparkle and Glitter are the larger 3-D sizes glitter— picking up more reflective light like mirror flecks.
- Light Shimmer picks up light in the shimmer particles if you look very closely.
- Shimmer tends to be the start size for holographic, iridescent and duotone effects and the light shift is noticeable.
- Heavy Shimmer or Sparkle is the larger size shimmer particles but not so big you feel the graininess.
- Heavy Sparkle is the largest size shimmer particles and you may notice it's texture.
Lip Gloss[]
Lipstick[]
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Metallic, Metallized or Frosted usually is in reference to Lipstick is the finest size of shimmer and the individual shimmer particles aren't seen— instead is highly reflective. If the lipstick is satin it is just a hint of shimmer mixed in. |
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Eyeshadow[]
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When in reference to Eyeshadow the term Shimmer or Frosts is the finest size of shimmer (unlike the term Metallic or Metallized used for Lipstick). The individual shimmer particles aren't seen— instead is reflective. If the eyeshadow is satin is is just less of the shimmer mixed into a Matte base— it may be referred as having a Light Sheen or a Hint of Sheen. |
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Nail Finishes and Effects[]
Duochrome vs. Holographic[]
- Duochrome two colours usually achieved with a sparkle, shimmer or metallized shift. So is considered a colour (by being two colours) and a texture or an effect.
- Holographic showing multiple luminous colours usually achieved with a sparkle, shimmer or metallized shift. It can be a spectrum of colours itself and not particularly a colour and so is considered a texture or an effect.
Glitter Finish vs. Confetti[]
- Confetti is a 3-D particles of various shapes and sizes— that are non-reflective, non-iridescent nor holographic.
- Glitter is a 3-D sparkle and shift.
| “ | Note:
Sometimes brands use the term Glitter Finish as the same or interchangeably to categorize or describe Confetti. For the purposes of this wiki Confetti will be amalgamated with the Glitter Finish category as a Finish but have it's own texture category. |
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Pearl Finish vs. Shimmer Finish vs. Glitter Finish[]
- Pearl is a luminous sheen.
- Shimmer is a luminous sheen and shift.
- Glitter is a 3-D sparkle and shift or just 3-D sparkle.
| “ | Note:
Sometimes brands use the term Pearl or Shimmer as the same or interchangeably and unless a zoomed swatch or seen in person is hard to tell the difference. |
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Glitter Finish Comparisons[]
- Glitter with a Sheer Base can be used on it's own or as a topper.
- Glitter with a Small 3-D particle Base is opaque in 2-3 coats.
Sheer Finish and Sheer Finish+[]
- Sheer Finish can also have a Pearl Finish, Shimmer Finish, Glitter Finish or with other effects included. Sheer Finishes are buildable— the more coats the less sheer. If one coat is only applied the effect is seen more so than the colour.
Metallic Finish vs. Pearl Finish, Shimmer Finish and Glitter Finish[]
- Metallic Finish can be either a Pearl Finish, Shimmer Finish or Glitter Finish. It is a term sometimes just used to better explain the look or effect from the brand. If the description is— gold, silver, bronze, copper or other metal alloys; it is considered metallic at least in texture. Even if it isn't categorize as a Metallic Finish it may be categorized as Metallic.
One Brand's version of Shimmer vs. Metallic[]
These appear to be both Shimmer Finish or Pearl Finish and pale nude metallics and almost identical in colour and shade but the brand chose to separate in both category and colour description.
