Sneak Peek: City Color Shimmer Shadows Photos & Swatches
City Color Shimmer Shadows ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a powder-based formula available in 16 shades. These came highly recommended by reader Katherine and having a similar consistency to Make Up For Ever’s Artist Shadows, so when they had a sale a few weeks back, I picked up all 16 to try (who could narrow it down? certainly not I!). I must also give props to City Color for listing all of the ingredients for each shade on their website — if only more brands did that. Reviews to come! 🙂
See more photos & swatches!
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Cheers to Life Shimmer Shadow
City Color Cheers to Life Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Homecoming Queen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Homecoming Queen Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Girl Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Girl Shimmer Shadow
City Color Ladylike Shimmer Shadow
City Color Ladylike Shimmer Shadow
City Color Marsala Shimmer Shadow
City Color Marsala Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Pharaoh Shimmer Shadow
City Color Pharaoh Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Shimmer Shadow
City Color Shimmer Shadow
Either Christine’s hand is really tiny or that eyeshadow is huge! Hope these get good reviews. An affordable version of Make Up For Ever’s eyeshadows? Yes, please!
I have them, and the pans are huge! Lots of product for your money, and they are so pigmented, will last you forever
I was seeing them during the IMATS LA haul they look to be the size of KvD and MUFE eyeshadows.
Stares at them longingly. 😯
Given that the listed weight is 0.13 oz, whereas the typical 26 mm shadow contains ~0.05 oz, and MUFE Artist Shadows (which are large) are 0.07 oz, I’m going with the latter!
Ohhhh, yeeeessss!!! I’m so glad you are reviewing these 🙂 🙂 🙂 I have 3 colors ( It’s A Boy, It’s A Girl, and Hint of Mint)– love them so much, and they are so crazy affordable, especially on sale. I hope these score well. I also have a couple more shades coming in the mail, along with their Intense Shine Eye Shadow palette. Can’t wait to see what you think
These look AMAZING. I cannot wait for the review.
? Pretty can’t wait review!
Wow, I’m impressed, especially for an “affordable” eye shadow! I wish a lot of the mid- to high-end brands turned out shadows like these *cough* DIOR *cough*.
I really like that you try out new brands as well as the established favorites! I have never heard of City Color before- are they web-sales only or do they retail anywhere? That first color, All Eyes On Me, is really pretty!
I think they are mainly web-based although their website mentions 3rd party retailers/stores/wholesalers, but I can’t find any specific names. I’ve ordered twice, and both times their shipping was great. Everything came super fast, within 2-4 days of ordering, and shipping was free with $25 min order. I do live in CA, where they are located, so might take longer if you are further away. All of the makeup was carefully wrapped up and well protected. And each time, they threw in a FULL SIZE product for free, I didn’t even ask for it. I got a free lipstick and free small 3 trio shadow kit 🙂 If you sign up for their emails, you get 10% off first order, and they often have 25-30% off sales, BOGO, or value bundles.
Oh and they also ship to Canada for a flat rate 🙂
Swatches look promising!
Yuck! I just read the ingredients list. No wonder they are so cheap. Pass!!!
Thank you for pulling me to reality! These are chock-full of ingredients that are on my no-buy list, and it reminds me why I pay a higher price for ingredients that are better off for the environment, and my health!
Could you please elaborate on the ingredients that make this e/s bad for the environment? I’m very interested in learning about stuff that goes into our cosmetics.
Could you please elaborate on the ingredients that make this e/s a pass for you? I’m very interested in learning about stuff that goes into our cosmetics.
OMG!! My eyes got big when I saw them. “Petrolatum, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)” in the first three ingredients?! No wonder why they are so cheap and offer a lot of product. No thanks.
What is so bad in them? I was getting excited but …
These look amazing
Holy moly, these look nice for the price point! Can’t wait for the review! I have my eyes out for Beach Cottage, Hint of Mint, Ladylike, and Spring Fling. Really pretty, shimmery swatches!!
I’m so glad that you’ll be reviewing these! CCC is a really under-rated brand, IMHO. Plus, I want to order some of these.
Wow!! I’m impressed!!
These look gorgeous…and there is a special through Ipsy, if you use the code IPSY50, all single eye shadows are 50% off including the matte singles. I got 10!
Thanks for the tip!
thank you so much for the code! just picked up half of them and they were so affordable I was tempted to order them all haha glad I saw you comment though I got to get all the colors I wanted!
I was going to just buy the 4pc bundles for $20 (sale section) and use a code for 20% the whole site – FEBSAV20 if anyone else wants to get more than just shadows that one is great too!
You da real MVP
Now THIS is what I am talking about! These look super pigmented! I’ve been *very* curious about the brand, but have been hesitant because of the “Instagram hype” around it. Very excited and looking forward to your reviews!!! Also MUFE is my faaaavorite 🙂
Oh WOW those swatch amazing! I hope for good reviews (dupes for MUFE?! yesss) but also… kinda hope they’re not super amazing because then I’ll have to buy them all (too pretty to resist)
They look amazing…… :O Love the reddisch colors….
Sigh. The number of drugstore priced brands that use parabens is staggering. I try to avoid them (it’s a personal choice and I don’t necessarily think my views should be shared by everyone – but I do encourage each consumer to inform themselves about the ingredients of things that they use on a daily basis especially near highly vascular skin) and between this and the KIKO blushes I’m kinda heartbroken.
I personally expect to find parabens at this price-point, so I’m not too bothered by it. However, I have found them in even the most expensive of products on the market. It’s not only parabens that bother me in the HE/”Luxury” brands, but talc & petroleum byproducts should also be omitted… I have Wet n Wild products that have “better” ingredients than Chanel, Dior, and Tom Ford!
These remind me of Kat Von D’s Metal Crush shadows…
These look SO gorgeous, very pigmented and true to color. I’m praying for some good reviews because I need Beach Cottage in my life!
O. M. G. These look super pigmented, smooth and beyond gorgeous!!! I see several that I’ve fallen for, they remind me of KVD Crushed Metal shadows. Of which, I own one, Iggy. These are way more affordable of an option, though!
Many people are calling these dupes for MUFE Artist and Kat Von D Metal Crush. I own some MUFE Artist singles, and have swatched the Kat Von D Metal Crush in store, and these City Color Shimmer Shadows feel very similar. A few shades are a little thinner, but most of them are a dense, creamy, velvety powder, that feels almost like a cream shadow
I’ve been dying to try these because I’ve heard wonderful things about them. I just haven’t pulled the trigger because I couldn’t decide which shades to choose.
Yay! I like the one City Color product I have (a bronzer/highlighter) so interested in this review!
Those blacks wooooooow.
I actually just said “Holy bleep” out loud at a restaurant bar when I saw the swatches, they’re so stunning!!! How much were they each on sale? I just signed up for their emails so hopefully they go on sale again sometime soon. I need them!
They had a 25% off coupon code for the whole site when I purchased.
Ohhhh my gosh! I’m already in love.
I’m impressed! I love when you show brands like these to me! Where I am, these sorts of brands are nowhere to be found. So, unless I dig or someone mentions them to me, I won’t ever discover them. Thank you Katherine and Christine!
You’re welcome! I’ve found a number of great products/brands based on reader’s recommendations, hope I can do the same for others
Oh girl..I need to know the goods on that palette too..you know this right?! lol! I am in LOOOVE with KVD metal crush. But, I wish there were more shades in the line and a lower price tag of course. I think you have completed me Katherine. I’m giving you a huge virtual hug and smooch on the cheek! 😀 XOXO
Thanks Nicole!! Much as I love MUFE Artist or Kat Von D Metal Crush, I haven’t bought that many because of the price, would be flat out BROKE if I bought all the colors I wanted, so wanted to share my find with others, thanks to Christine. Will report back on the shadow palette 🙂
Nicole, I forgot to mention, the ingredients are posted on their website, and many of their shadows do contain mineral oil, and I think you mentioned you didn’t like that, but I read it’s an ok ingredient in Paula’s Choice. Same with petrolatum, but I know there are many different opinions on these ingredients. Just want to let you know so in case those are no-no ingredients for you, you don’t buy a bunch because they won’t accept returns. Some of their shadows also contain fragrance, but I’ve only noticed a very slight scent in some (have to hold the pan really close to my nose to smell it) and I didn’t experience any irritation, and my skin is normally sensitive to fragrance.
I know mineral oil can bother some people with sensitive eyes, but I believe the ingredient is safe.
I just don’t like mineral oil in high amts in my skincare because it breaks me out. It tends to “sit” on the skin like a shield to make a barrier. But, some ppl think this is just an occlusive layer , not providing moisture. But, in shadows it actually is likely useful. Also, there are a few studies linking it as a carcinogen in lab mice. But, I’m not crazy with it. I just don’t want it on my face 24/7/ know what I mean? my skin doesn’t like it.
Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
I have these and I’ve been very happy with them! Your swatches have me hankering to pick up a few more of these, haha. I can’t wait to hear what you think of them Christine!
I’ve only ever seen this brand on DupeThat’s Instagram, and as much as I like K & L and appreciate their swatches and opinions, I am very glad to see you’ll be reviewing these! With some exceptions, these already look pretty good.
Have you noticed whether these would be easy to depot and put in a Z Palette? I’ve definitely moved more toward having single shadows rather than a lot of whole palettes, but I find the un-depot-able Colourpop shadows frustratingly large and cumbersome to travel with.
I’m not sure, but the formula is pretty dense with the exception of three shades, so they could probably withstand depotting. They are powder products, unlike ColourPop!
Woah, most of these look beautiful swatched! Ladylike and Oh so naughty are certainly calling my name. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them.
I could be wrong, but those swatches look really impressive. I’ve used a few of their other products in the past (some matte blushes), and those were actually surprisingly good. I’m hopeful for these!
Are these like the Nyx prismatic shadows? Those are nice. Anyone know if these are depotable? I found out the hard way that the Nyx prismatic shadow aren’t. There isn’t a metal pan in those, just plastic.
These all look sensational – great swatches, lots of lovely shimmer, great price and beautiful colours. What is not to love? Thanks Katherine!
You’re welcome! Hope the shades you like review well
Damn, some of those are amazing. I’m not much for browns but All Eyes On Me is lovely!
Wow – these look great! The swatches look promising. I hope they review well!
These swatches look amazing! I’m wondering how these perform.
Most of these look very promising, can’t wait for the review!
Ohhhh danggggggg Beach Cottage, Hint of Mint and Pharaoh!!!!!
Wow, they look so pigmented and pretty! Gonna have to try a few colors 🙂
Colors looked strong with possible the exception of “New York, New You”; a pale yellow. That color is so light it may just be the way that color performs.
Pretty much every single shade looks soooo intense! Lovely colors.
Oh my goodness these look nice! I’m especially drawn to Hint of Mint, It’s A Boy, New Year New Me, Oh So Naughty, and All Eyes on Me (and it’s seldom I get excited about black or brown). And even though It’s A Girl, Beach Cottage, Breezy, and Cheers to Life aren’t quite my colors, I think they look gorgeous. The only swatch that looks maybe a bit weak is Spring Fling. Really looking forward to your reviews, Christine!
Wauw. I am so impressed. Beautiful.
Thanks, Katherine and Christine. These swatch well. As for ingredients, much of that Is a matter of preference and personal skin reactions. I can’t use aloe or chemical sunscreens, but could wash my face with Fels Naphtha and not react, not that I’d recommend it…. I use Paula’s Choice ingredients dictionary to check out everything. It’s research-based. Petrolatum is Vaseline, and yes, is petroleum derived. Parabens, I believe have been demonized. Because many websites advertise products as paraben free, there has been a generalization that they are bad for skin. Personally, not sure. Will see. Everyone ought to check ingredients on everything, HE or otherwise. And you never know what will bother you personally. I react to Jack Black lip balm, which is clearly one of the best, for the general pop. I guess the watch words are caveat emptor.
Saw ingredients. No.
Wow these swatch beautifully! I can’t wait for the reviews Christine!
Okay, I couldn’t resist. Thank you for the Ipsy 50% off code. With that I bought almost all of them and got free shipping! Can’t wait , if they’re anything like the MUFE or KVD metal crush shadows which are my favorites!
Hands down, these are gorgeous! The price point is great.
Looks like they have quite a few beautiful colors!
City color also makes a setting powder with the same exact ingredient as MUFE’s. Both are 100% silica yet the MUFE is outrageously expensive. Besides how can you call one ingredient a (unique) cosmetic product? One could just buy silica from a site like TKB trading for extremely inexpensive. MUFE 100% silica powder is $35 for 0.3 oz or 8.505 grams whereas City Color’s 100% silica powder is $5.99 (regular price and they often have sales) for 0.247 oz or 7 grams. On TKB Trading 100% silicac powder is $1.75 (sample size) for 0.212 oz or 6 grams or $4.95 for a full ounce or. 28.349 grams
These look SO gorgeous.
I might need them. Even though I don’t…I have so many MUFE Artist shadows, but they get pricey.
These eyeshadows are amazing! I used the 50% off ipsy code and purchased 13 of them for $45 and had free shipping. If you love MUFE Artist shadows and/or KVD metal shadows you will love these. They are just like these but for a fraction of the cost. As for wear time, I forgot to take off my makeup the other night and the next morning my eyeshadow still looked good!