AURIC Defiance Smoke Reflect Eyeshadow Duo Review & Swatches
Defiance
Auric Defiance Smoke Reflect Eye Shadow Duo ($39.00 for 0.23 oz.) contains a sparkly, golden powder eyeshadow and a darker, bronzy cream eyeshadow. This was the best-performing duo of the three launched at the time of the review, as the sparkly eyeshadow was intense, shiny, and sparkling with a little more slip to it, which led to better adhesion and wear, and the cream eyeshadow was blendable, pigmented, and long-wearing.
As a FYI, mine will be replaced at some point but the product sold through quickly, so it may be a bit before I get the replacement. While the texture of the cream eyeshadow was different–more putty like–I still found it wore well (I personally prefer putty-like creams, ha!). I’ll update this review once I get a replacement, but I didn’t want to let it go too long as I know some are looking for dupes and the like. AURIC said they were going to look into it to make sure it was a one-off and not an issue, as well (this was before launch).
Ingredients
Defiance
PPermanent. $39.00.
Defiance (Powder)
Defiance (Powder) is a light, peachy gold with an intense, sparkly finish that was particularly shiny. It had a translucent base, as marketed, which yielded more medium, buildable coverage applied dry and semi-opaque, buildable coverage applied with a dampened brush. The texture was lightly emollient, smooth to the touch, but it was thinner and not at all heavy/thick, which kept it from emphasizing lid texture. There was almost no fallout during application or blending. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours with light fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora First Light (29) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Shimmering Pearl (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Astral Pink Moon (LE, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Blanc de Blanc (LE, $9.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Rio de la Plata (P, $22.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Metallic Denim #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC The Naked Time (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Visionaire #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Morphe Stonewall (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop 24K (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
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It is supposed to be a "light-reflecting" eyeshadow with "high-shine pearls" that can be used alone or as a top coat. The brand describes them as having "micro-glitter," though only one of the shades reviewed contain plastic (PET) glitter.
They had more translucent bases, which was as described, but there was a lot of sparkle/shimmer, so the result was more medium to opaque, depending on the shade. The consistency was slightly drier, more firmly-packed into the pan overall with more of a glide than a denser, thicker silicone-like feel (like some more intense metallic formulas these days). One shade was noticeably drier/more firmly-pressed to the point where it seemed to impact the application/coverage relative to the other two shades.
They applied with minimal fallout and had good adhesion on bare skin, but they are best applied with a fingertip or a dampened brush with a pressing/patting motion for the most minimal fallout and the most even lay down of product. I found that I had to be careful blending out the edges with a fluffier, drier brush as fallout was more likely to occur then. They lasted around eight hours and had light fallout over time.
Based on the line-up at review, they should work alone, as more of a sheer wash of sparkle, as well as more packed on as a standalone powder eyeshadow or patted over the coordinating cream eyeshadows they sit on top of.
Browse all of our Auric Smoke Reflect Powder Eye Shadow swatches.
Defiance (Powder)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Defiance (Cream)
Defiance (Cream) is a light-medium bronze with subtle, warmer undertones and a pearly sheen. It had opaque pigmentation that applied evenly to bare skin and diffused well along the edges.
The one I received seemed to have a slightly loose cap, and the product was drier, though it didn’t feel dried out to me, but it did have a noticeably different texture and application. AURIC is replacing mine, but as it sold out quickly, I’m not sure when a replacement will come; I didn’t find that it really impacted the application, coverage, or wear. If I didn’t have the other two cream shadows, I don’t know that it would have felt “off” at all.
It had a more putty-like consistency, where one could press on it and see an indent, and it was less emollient. It didn’t have as noticeable of a drying time either, as it was more powder-like when it came into contact with my skin, which made it easier to apply and prevented it from settling into creases like other shades during that early dry down period. It stayed on well for nine hours on me before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Beach House (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Boxer (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Coconut Shell (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Evening Light (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Color Field #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Fascinate #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Givenchy Palette Ors Audacieux #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Enigma (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Metal Saffron (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Poncho #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
/0.17 oz. - $0.00 Per Ounce
It is supposed to be "smooth, longwear[ing], [and] creaseless" cream eyeshadow. The texture was a cross between a traditional cream eyeshadow (which can feel wetter and thinner) and an airier, more whipped mousse. It was an intensely pigmented formula where one did not need a lot of product to get an even layer of product on the eye.
They had a moderate dry down time; they did dry down to a more powder-like finish that wasn't budge-proof--I could still soften the edges a bit--but had a tendency to settle into my fine lines on the inner lid area as it was drying down, so I had to buff the product back out to even the product out. Once I did this, it didn't keep creasing after the dry down. If I applied and buffed out the product as a sheerer layer of product, then this wasn't an issue as less product was more apt to dry down fairly quickly compared to a more opaque layer of product.
The consistency dried down but wasn't thick, heavy, or inflexible, so it paired well with other powder eyeshadows (not just the one included with it) and could be used as an eyeshadow base or eyeliner as well. Aside from the initial creasing (which I could blend/buff out) as it was drying down, once it dried down, I didn't get creasing until the eight to nine hour mark.
Browse all of our Auric Smoke Reflect Cream Eye Shadow swatches.
The swatches of the duo are so beautiful that I never would have guessed something was off with the cream component! I really love this slightly peachy brown eye duo for my coloring. All I’d need to add would be my usual browbone shade and usual mascara, tightliner, wings and fill brows. Voila!
Thanks for posting this! I was curious how similar the cream was to the Charlotte Tilbury ETM Bette (Amber Gold), but I can see that the two aren’t even close. I may have to purchase the Auric when it’s restocked.
I love this shade combination and I think either of them can work well alone or together. This shade of neutral brown, in the cream is one of my favourites.
I picked up Temper and am so impressed with the formula & quality! I passed at the last minute on the other 2 shades and really regret it =( I hope they have a restock planned soon. I’d love to get my hands on the rest!
Oh, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, Brooke! Did you find the texture of the powder eyeshadow of Temper stiff or dry at all?