Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E Review, Photos, Swatches
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows: #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Please see my first post on the Aqua Shadows for a detailed review, along with photos, of texture, consistency, wear, and so forth. This post is specifically looking at the seven shimmer finish Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows ($20.00 for 0.14 oz.). Because of the shimmery finish, these are just slightly drier, but as a result, they also wear really well alone over bare lids, over primer, and as a base with powder eyeshadows on top.
The only shade I had real trouble with was #32E, which has the driest consistency of the seven shades, and this translated to uneven color during application, so it didn’t work well as an eyeshadow base and looked like my lids were flaking when used alone. If they had a smidgen more creaminess to the texture or if #32E was more like the rest, these would have been an A- product, but they’re a really high B+ (89%).
- #20E is a soft bronzy taupe–it’s just slightly taupe. The color payoff is good in a single pass. It’s much lighter compared to Urban Decay’s Rehab and Urban Decay Underground.
- #22E is a warm coppery brown with a subtly metallic finish. It is the least shimmery of the seven shimmery shades. The color payoff is really good, too. Urban Decay Lucky is a bit darker.
- #24E is a warm, yellow-toned light-medium pink with a shimmery finish. The color payoff is just so-so, but it is a bit buildable. I couldn’t think of a dupe for this shade.
- #26E is a warm tangerine orange with a shimmery finish. It has good color payoff in a single stroke.
- #28E is a warm medium brown with a subtle champagne sheen. The pigmentation is good overall. It’s lighter than Urban Decay Sin and more copper-based.
- #30E is a soft champagne beige with a shimmered finish. The pigmentation is good, but it is a little drier texture compared to the other shades in this post. Urban Decay Sin is very similar to this.
- #32E is a pale white gold with a near metallic finish. This had so-so color payoff, but I found it really uneven during application and rather dry. It’s not quite as yellow as MAC Gilded White. It’s lighter than Benefit Tattle Tale.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E Review, Photos, Swatches
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows: #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows: #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows: #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadows: #22E, 24E, 26E, 28E, 30E, 32E
Make Up For Ever #20E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #22E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #24E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #26E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #28E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #30E Aqua Shadow
Make Up For Ever #32E Aqua Shadow
Gorgeous shades! I just wish the quality were better.
I got the 30E and quite liked it. Like you say, it’s not very creamy, but it’s not difficult to apply, and it doesn’t budge or crease for a few good hours. For somebody who likes easy, fool proof products, it’s pretty good: you draw it on, let it dry for a few seconds and off you go. lol I was thinking of getting the 32E, but after your review I’m not so sure. I might get the 22E instead (total opposite of the scale :D).
I wish they were a little more blendable, because softening those harsh edges requires some work!
@Christine @ Temptalia That’s funny, I found it pretty easy to blend the edges, but then the colour I use is pretty much nude, so even if it doesn’t blend it’s not really visible. But now I have a feeling mine is a bit creamier than yours, as I did experience more than just a bit of touch transfer. Also I used the 22E in the crease and they blended like a dream. I was without my eyeglasses at the time though, so take this with a grain of salt. ;D
The first couple of times I applied the shimmery shades on the lid as a solid color, they would seem opaque to my eye, but I’d take a photo, and there’d be definite bald spots!
@Christine @ Temptalia Oh, I definitely agree with you there. I couldn’t really see them, but I had to pass the pencil a few times, because I “felt” like there were some bald spots, that were difficult to detect because of the shimmer and your natural eyelid surface.
The nude shades are definitely more forgiving–at least in person 🙂 Of course, when I photographed and discovered bald spots that I basically couldn’t see in person, I was like, “GAH!”
@Christine @ Temptalia Eh! 🙂
26 E looks gorgeous, can’t wait
I really want 24. I’m a sucker for pinks!
#26E Aqua Shadow is SO coming home with me. The is a serious lack of orange pencils. I’m just hopping it won’t sell out at IMATS before I get there.
Another supiror dupe to the #32E Aqua Shadow is Marcelle Lux Cream Eye Shadow + Liner in Vanilla Ice. i have a swatch of the shade on my blog and added it to my collection. Lovely inner corner liner.
Also, really silly question, but… is the full content the tip? Is there more shadow inside the pencil?
More inside 🙂 You sharpen away as you need more product, just like a regular eyeliner pencil!
@Christine @ Temptalia But… but it’s plastic. Are they easy to sharpen? Anyway, good to know. 😀
Yes, they are! I think I mentioned it in the review, but I did use Urban Decay’s Grindhouse and the plastic sharpened right off – and there was surprisingly little waste!
@Christine @ Temptalia Wow, ok. 🙂
This is veerrrrrryyyyyy disappointing.
@danza The shimmery shades are pretty good, other than the more difficult blending. That I wasn’t as surprised about! At least these didn’t crease or fade over time 🙂
@Christine @ Temptalia with all the work you need and the pricepoint, I think I prefer aqua creams instead. (Plus, pencil form! Argh)
@danza I mostly agree! The Aqua Creams work better and are easier to apply overall. Some might argue these are more convenient but only to a point, I think.
@Christine @ Temptalia I personally much prefer pot form, plus I think the colors on Aqua Creams have a lot more dimension to them. Christine, please remind me if you’ve ever reviewed any Illamasqua foundation? I can’t find it but I seem to remember you’ve done one. Or maybe my mind if playing tricks on me.
@danza I don’t think I have!
@Christine @ Temptalia Darn. Oh well! I’d love for you to do more foundation reviews 🙂 if it’s not too much! I love the site.
#20 and 30 look gorgeous but I’ll stick with UD 24/7 shadow pencils, at least for now (though those set so quickly they can be a pain to blend but they sure stay put and they’re beautiful colours too – and another “discovery” thanks to your site!)
I LOVE these. Just finished reading the actual review. I think I’m going to end up picking these up because I love the neutral shades and you can really do a lot with these, even if it’s just using them as a base!! MUFE is awesome. You really do such a thorough and unbiased job at reviewing makeup. Best on the web!
I own 26E and love it! I have super oily lids and don’t have a problem with it creasing even after 8 hours and no primer. I’ll have to remember to stay away from the matte shades though, that’s a bummer.
I thought I was going to be more excited with these. I have very oily lids so I think I’ll pass. Very disappointing, though
So georgeus!
Oh they look simply gorgeous!
28E 30E =)
Too bad they’re not great because the colors are pretty !!
28E and 30E are so pretty! I really wanna have them.
I love how 24E and 26E look 🙂
These are alll gorgeous! x
How does #20E compare to Urban Decay Juju? I’m obsessed with that shade but since it was limited edition I don’t want to use it up!
They seem close! Juju seems a little warmer?
Hope they perform better than the aqua cream pots!
can nyx jumbo pencils be a dupe for these? They are mighty costly though super pretty! 🙁
@BelleSeah Similar in concept, sure!
How do u sharpen them? I tried using the larger whole from my eyeliner sharpener but I can’t get past the plastic part. P,ease help!