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Anastasia Baby Cakes, Buon Fresco, Violet, Denim Smokey, Night Sky Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light, pale pink with cooler undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had good color payoff, though not fully opaque, with a soft, lightly powdery texture that was smooth and finely-milled, which made it blendable on the skin but didn’t look dry. On me, it started to fade after seven and a half hours. Urban Decay Studio (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Plum (Highlight) (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). LORAC Bonfire (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #1 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Baptism (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Flounce (PiP, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). Sephora Ballet (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Butterscotch (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Kitten (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Jelly Donut (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Uncuffed (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Lucid (DC, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Pearly (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Dior Matte Pink (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty With Style (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Tease #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Celeb (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Tomillo (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Powdered Sugar (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium mauve with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, while the texture was somewhat powdery, though it still adhered and applied fairly well without emphasizing my lid’s texture. It was blendable and lasted for seven and a half hours. Too Faced Dreams (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). LORAC Wisteria (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Ciate Pony (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Misty Mauve (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Almond Truffle (PiP, $16.00) is cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Rendezvous (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Haux (P, $17.00) is warmer (85% similar). bareMinerals Flash (LE, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar). KVD Beauty Plum (Contour) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Skipper (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). LORAC Overcast (LE, $19.00) is brighter (85% similar). Coloured Raine Purpleberry (LE, $6.99) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Tease (DC, $19.00) is warmer (80% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Rose in the Air #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Marzipan (LE, $17.00) is lighter (80% similar). LORAC Dusty Mauve (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Persona Chic (PiP, ) is darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had a very powdery texture that was prone to sheering out, so it wasn’t a shade that worked well on bare skin and would benefit from a lightly tacky or thicker primer. It had semi-opaque coverage that was somewhat buildable, but it tended to look uneven the more I tried to blend it out/apply. This shade lasted for seven hours before fading. Urban Decay Faded (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Smashbox Orchid (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Spice of Life (Pumpkin Spice) (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Glaminatrix Burlesque (P, $7.30) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Bon Nuit (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Indian Ink (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Connect (LE, $4.50) is cooler (85% similar). Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #12 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #8 (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). KVD Beauty Ribbon (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Autumn Breeze (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar). KVD Beauty Venom (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Give Me Glow Punk (PiP, $7.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Mulberry (LE, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Give Me Glow Trust Fund (P, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar). Inglot #386 (P, $6.00) is warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Outrageously (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Deceit (P, $6.50) is darker, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop DAL (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (80% similar). MAC Video Emotions (LE, $17.00) is darker (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark gray with cooler undertones and a pearly shimmer-sheen finish. It had good color payoff, though the texture was dusty–the shimmer seemed to separate from the darker colored base to a small degree. It blended out well and lasted for eight hours. MAC A Sprinkle of Blues #4 (PiP, $21.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Give In Take II (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Gucci Beauty Cosmic Deco #3 (DC, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Slate (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Santeria (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Au Fil de L'Eau #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #9 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Time (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Seascape (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Sketch (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Gunmetal (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sephora Synergy (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Riptide (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarina Tarantino Lovely #3 (DC, ) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Drift (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Tory Burch Beauty Stone Cold (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Light of the Silvery Moon (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Feather (LE, $6.00) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dar5k black with subtle, warmer undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture was dusty but thin, which made it harder to work with as it wouldn’t blend out easily. Urban Decay Clash #2 (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Les (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Giorgio Armani #01 (P, $32.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Lune Noire (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Too Faced Licorice (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Wanted (LE, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eye Beauty (Smoke) (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). LORAC Cursed (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Inglot J325 Pitch Black (LE, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M100 Black (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Shade VI (LE, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 12 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). Pat McGrath Xtreme Black (PiP, $25.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Crave (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Devotion (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Licorice Rope (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Bad Habit Pagan (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). NARS Black Valley (P, $25.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). MAC Raven-Eyed (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Too Faced Black Sugar (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | Anastasia Eyeshadow ($12.00 for 0.06 oz.) is supposed to be a “finely-milled, highly-pigmented” powder eyeshadow. The brand has a large range of individual eyeshadows that are available as pan-only (no compact to hold them); if you purchase four, you’ll get a 4-well plastic palette for $40 ($10 per eyeshadow), or purchase eight and get an 8-well cardboard palette for $70 ($8.75 per eyeshadow) (the 8-pan is only available directly from the brand). On average, the formula is semi-opaque to opaque, lightly dusty to buttery, wears seven to nine hours, and is fairly blendable. The Metallic and Titanium finishes seem to be the best-performing to me, but there are some really standout mattes and shimmers as well. I find the more recently released shades to be better-performing compared to Anastasia eyeshadows I tried two or three years ago. The wear varies between six and eight hours with decent to good application over bare skin (no primer).

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow
Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow
Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow
Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow
Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow

Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow
Anastasia Baby Cakes Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow
Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow
Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow
Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow
Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow

Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow
Anastasia Violet Eyeshadow

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow
Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow
Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow
Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow
Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow

Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow
Anastasia Denim Smokey Eyeshadow

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow
Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow
Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow
Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow
Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow

Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow
Anastasia Night Sky Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow
Anastasia Buon Fresco Eyeshadow

20 Comments

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Wednesday Avatar

I picked up Buon Fresco about a month ago and I find myself reaching for it so often! You just knows I love my muted mauves.

Here’s the weird part: I find Anastasia mattes work so much better on me than the shimmers. what the heck? Tbh, was expecting the exact opposite, but yeah, I’ve mentioned this before: I struggle a bit with the higher shimmer shades. Maybe I need to get through the surface layer first.

Oy..I needs the shade Denim in my stash. It’s going on the list.

Cat Avatar

Hi, Wendy! My experience has been the same with the ABH shadows. The mattes are a dream to work with, but it becomes more difficult as shimmer is added. Since I normally only want high shimmer on 3/4 of the lid near the lashline/inner corner, I’ve started using a touch of Pixie Epoxy in order to get the true-to-pan pigmentation/shimmer from those shadows. I wonder if working with the ABH shimmers is more difficult because I have drier lids — even with various eyeshadow primers (UD, Tarte, Too Faced, NARS).

Wednesday Avatar

Hi Cat!
Thanks for this comment. I’m actually glad to hear someone else is having a similar issue with the shimmers. I use them in exactly the same fashion as you, since I have hooded eyes and these are high shimmer, I feel they only belong on that inner corner or inner half of my lids. I do have some slight texture and my lids are definitely on the dry side. I will try the ABH beauty genius which is similar to your Pixie epoxy. I just couldn’t understand why I was having such difficulties, cannot get them to adhere properly, given every one else raves. The mattes are wonderful on me too! Thanks for the tip 😀

Katherine T. Avatar

Sad about Violet ( some day purple shadows will be awesome) but Denim Smoky is stunning! The color and finish has a lot of complexity to it

Cat Avatar

I almost picked up Buon Fresco when I purchased Baby Cakes and Blazing. So glad I didn’t as it’s included in the Modern Renaissance Palette! Love the soft, dreamy look you created with these shadows. What is that gold along the bottom?

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!