So earlier this year when these shadows were released, it seems like Milani just sent the entire collection to everyone on Youtube. Seriously, the number of videos I saw that included every.single.shade in the entire collection is ridiculous. And of course, after seeing the swatches I was sold. I wanted to be a Youtuber with a box full of eyeshadows. WHY NOT ME, I exclaimed. Of course, I know why not me. Not on Youtube. Probably not going to be on Youtube because.. stress. Also, camera, but mostly stress. Truth being told, with the amount of time I spend talking to myself, it would probably be really easy for me to film the videos and have 2903482035 things to say, but putting them out for the consumption of strangers just wouldn't play. So I'm not going to. Long description for why I'm not going to do something that no one ever suggested that I do. Anyway. Shadows.

As far as I know, these shadows are not available in any of the Canadian stores that sell Milani. Which is sad. In fact, I find it sad in general that stores here don't have the full Milani line, but such is life. Anyway, I finally got enough Ipsy points to order a bonus and this dandy little trio was on offer. So I ordered it. And I waited and I waited, because I ordered it like 2 days after the cut off for last month. And then they arrived and there was a celebration of eyeshadow application proportions. And then some more.

Keep reading for more pertinent thoughts and a closer look at each shadow.

A gel powder – what would that even look like? We’ll tell you: It looks like rich, vibrant color that glides on in a single stroke, delivering a stunning multi-dimensional effect. What makes it a gel powder? Well, the formula starts as a gel and then is transformed by a special process into a stunning powder eyeshadow with pure color and power wear.

The unique process allows you to blend this incredibly innovative, weightless formula easily with your fingertips to light up your eyes. Even more to entice: It can be used wet or dry, resists creasing, and comes in satin matte, shimmer and iridescent metallic finishes. You just have to try this gel powder. It’s that different.

I wanna know what the special process is. I imagine that it involves test tubes and a mad scientist, because that's where all makeup should begin if you ask me. And that mad scientist should have phenomenal hair. Just saying. Anyway. Unique process. Gel to powder. Different finishes. Beeeeeautiful. Check.

Each of these shadows comes individually packaged in your standard Milani container. It's literally exactly like the blush packaging, but smaller. And I like it, even though gold makes me feel itchy. These are my own issues. Each shadow has a slight indentation, as though someone pressed their thumb into it. And I like it. The three shadows I received are Bella Espresso, Bella Gold, and Bella Ivory. I assume the intention was to provide three shadows that could create a complete look, and that was successful. These shadows together work pretty damn well, but I have two distinct favorites. Can you guess? Can you? Can you?

06 Bella Espresso - A dark brown satin matte shade.

Initially, I thought that this shade was going to be too dark for me, because I actually tend to be kind of weird about really dark shades on my eyes. Ultimately, I usually find them to be stark and messy. But this shade is so beautiful, I can't even tell you how much I love it. This is the perfect shade for deepening up the crease and the outer corner of the eye without adding too much drama. It has a slightly golden brown tone to it, which I think makes it a little more wearable. In the photos it's looking a little bit shimmery, but it really isn't. It really just has a nice luminosity to it that I think really adds to a look. The texture of this shade is really soft and buttery, but still sort of thin. I think that's part of what impresses me so much. It has a lot of punch without much product at all. This is definitely a favorite for me and one that will go into regular rotation in my routine.

22 Bella Gold - A gold metallic sheen shade.

So, I don't actually really like gold shades on myself. It might have something to do with my itchy aversion to gold more than to do with this being a flattering shade on me, but it is what it is. That said, this shadow is so insanely beautiful and pigmented that I actually kind of want to get the hell over that aversion and wear the crap out of it. I've noticed that gold pigments actually tend to be really beautiful and this one really hits the mark. It's soft and creamy with really heavy pigmentation. When applied with a dense brush intended for packing on shadow, this really packs a lot of punch to give a really shimmery glow to your eye look. I think, if this kind of shade appeals to you, you would absolutely love this shadow. I'm working on it.

01 Bella Ivory - An ivory satin matte shade.

This one really is the ultimate winner for me, specifically because I can literally use it every single day with no problem. While this does look really pretty all over the lid, it really wins as a highlight shade for me. Because it's a satin matte, it has just enough glow to give some luminosity under the brow bone and at the inner corner without being at all shimmery looking. It's just really beautiful. Pigmentation wise, it's really impressive, but really gets me is that it's soft and creamy without any powderiness to the formula. It blends really nicely with other shades to keep it from looking stark and just gives that subtle glow that I think most people are looking for with a highlight eyeshadow shade. It's just beautiful. If I could only pick one of the shades from the entire collection, it would be this one for sure.