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bareMinerals Prime Time Primer Shadows Review, Photos, Swatches


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows

Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows

Debuting July 1st, Bare Escentuals will launch new Prime Time Primer Shadows ($18.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) in six shades: Bronzed Twig (iced chocolate), Chroma Violet (ripe plum), Gunmetal (midnight silver), Racing Green (blazing emerald), Sundance (sunlit peach), and Urban Nature (delicate moss).

From the press release, the formula is crease- and water-proof, delivers “rich, vivid metallic color” with a “creamy, lightweight texture.” Bare Escentuals says they can be worn alone or under eyeshadow and applied with fingers or brushes. I was actually intending to photograph, swatch, and test Bare Escentuals Buxom Eyeshadows, but when these came, I was like, “Hmm, let’s just swatch these for now.” I fell in LOVE! with Urban Nature, so I immediately put it on my eyelid for all-day testing.

  • Bronzed Twig is a medium-dark chocolate bronze with khaki gold shimmer.
  • Chroma Violet is a muted plum with silver shimmer.
  • Gunmetal is a softened silvery gray with a metallic sheen.
  • Racing Green is a darkened forest green with subtle emerald green micro-shimmer.
  • Sundance is a peachy orange with a golden sheen.
  • Urban Nature is muddied plum, khaki, and green duochrome. This shade is COOL. It just plays some tricks when you look at it.

A lot of times you can just tell if a product is going to make it all day or not–or at the very least, if it even has a shot–within the first few minutes. The length of the dry down tends to be a do-or-die factor, because longer dry downs mean more chances for the product to migrate and build-up in the natural lines on the eyelid and within the crease. These dry down rather quickly (15 seconds or so).

Once they dry down, they really do not budge. I wore Urban Nature (also wore Chroma Violet and Sundance on two separate occasions) for twelve hours without any creasing, fading, or smudging. Oh, did I mention I took a shower and let water run down my face? I did that after eight hours, and we were still good to go post-shower (I just patted my face dry).

Because of the quicker dry down time and how well they lock onto the lid, they don’t remain blendable for too long either. I found that I had enough time to apply it and smooth out the egdes for a one-and-done kind of look. These also worked well as a base, as they held the eyeshadows on all day. The texture is creamy enough to make these easy to spread out over the lid but not so emollient that they’ll slide around.

I did heavier and lighter swatches–and I do mean light–I wanted to try and mimic the effect of a wash of the color, for those who wanted something subtler. The pigmentation in all six shades was lovely; opaque without having to layer on product. I used about a fourth of the amount of the heavier swatch to create the more wash-like color.

My major issue with these is their size; these are tiny! Most major eyeshadow primer players range from $17 to $24 and contain an average of 0.30 fl. oz. These are certainly pigmented and you do not need a ton of product to acheive a nice, opaque layer of color on the lid, and I wouldn’t expect anyone to run through a tube within weeks by any means–it’s just the one area that stuck out for me. Why so small? (Or conversely, why so small but $18?)

bareMinerals Prime Time Primer Shadows Review, Photos, Swatches

A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
10
Texture
10
Longevity
4
Application
96%
Total


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadows


Bronzed Twig, Chroma Violet, Gunmetal, Racing Green, Sundance, Urban Nature


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Bronzed Twig Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Chroma Violet Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Gunmetal Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Racing Green Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Sundance Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Urban Nature Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Urban Nature Prime Time Primer Shadow


Bare Escentuals Urban Nature Prime Time Primer Shadow (12 hours later)

72 Comments

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Tracey Avatar

Urban Nature looks gorgeous! I’m kinda tempted by Gunmetal and Bronzed Twig too.

Can I ask how you applied these? Did you use a brush or a finger? Thanks 🙂

meme Avatar

Really like UN also. Curious how these differ from the Buxom eye shadows? I get major wear time with those (have 2 shades), no creasing. Not sure I could keep them on after a full on hair washing shower, but know I have been splashed in the face in the pool and the Buxon stays on. Know the Buxom is not a primer & shadow in one as this new product is. Seems very close type product to be brought out. FYI, re: small size, if they are like the Buxom’s, my pots last super long – like 6-10 months because they are so dense and take such a tiny amount due to strong pigmentation. I don’t like either of the formulas BE has come out with in their Prime Time Eye primers in the past – they both went in the trash. I swear by my long used primer made by Garden Botanica (used to be a brick/mortar store – been only a dot com since early 2000’s. Tried many others and none stack up to the GB primer. I never put on shadow without it – it makes my eyelid all one shade (taking away any darkness & veining, plus any eyelid redness – and makes even a really icky non lasting eye shadow last 12+ hrs as if I just put it on.

Maureen Avatar

I used my Stay There shadows once and it was the first time I’d ever had anything crease… did you use any form of primer with it?

cmferrets Avatar

this is what i wish macs newest flighty big bounce e/s SHOULD have been. just like the painpots, bc they were such beautiful coors but such a fail in product.
these BE primers look wonderful, but pricey- i may get gunmetal , urban and sundance.

Ashley Avatar

Wow, Urban Nature is really fantastic looking! There are several that are really pretty, but I’m not sure I could pay that much for them. $18 is quite a bit and you’re right the size is tiny!

Tara Avatar

Oh these are pretty! The packaging and concept remind me of MAC Paints. I especially like Sundance! I can totally see it pairing well with MAC shadows in Motif, Goldmine, and Expensive Pink!!

Dana Avatar

How does the wear, texture, etc. compare with products like MUFE Aqua Creams, Mac Paint Pots and Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows? I really like the Urban Nature too! It looks so versatile!

Lisette Avatar

Oh, I am all over these as soon as I can get my hands on them! Love chroma violet, gunmetal and urban nature in particular. Thanks so much for reviewing and swatching these.

Ashley Avatar

so pretty!! Urban Nature kind of reminds me of MAC’s Vex packed on! How does the wear time of these compare to Tarte’s Lock and Roll in your opinion?

Stephanie Avatar

Whenever my friend invites me to go swimming, I say ‘sure, just let me get my suit on and take my makeup off.’

I’m pretty excited about all these waterproof items coming out this summer, like this and the Cannonball mascara by urban decay.

I feel like the majority of items that claim to be waterproof are really just water resistant. They don’t budge from the eye area as much, but I certainly do wipe smudges off during the day, and I’m sure none of the ‘waterproof’ items I own would survive a day at the pool or water park.

Kimmi Avatar

I am so picking up a few of these as soon as I land in the USA. I am a sucker for anything creaseless (I think I have too much eyelid skin) hahaha. Toughest decision will be picking which colors ?!?!?

Nichole Avatar

Bare Escentuals has no place in my home. After their foundation wreaked havoc on my skin, I refuse to buy another BE/BM product. The company could come out with THE BEST nail file known to man, I won’t buy it.

Valbona Avatar

Nichole,

Their FOUNDATION wreaked havoc on your skin, but it may not be the case for the rest of their products. Seriously, every beauty buyer has gone through this with EVERY makeup line out there. If you gave a try to their other products of a certain line, you will be surprised.

Ani_BEE Avatar

I still can fathom why Bare Escentuals is so expensive being a MMU user myself but I think Sundance and Urban Nature would be nice quick go to colour for day wear. I’m a sucker for peach shadows as well.

Carrie Ann Avatar

Sundance is pretty and I love the duochrome on Urban Nature. Very cool. I love unexpected shades like that. It also looks like it would be flattering on a lot of skintones.

Jennifer Avatar

Wow, I used to be a total BE junkie but haven’t bought anything in a few years after turning into a Mac junkie. I will totally be buying Urban Nature and possibly a few others too. Wow!

Maddie Avatar

I’m so exited for these! Thanks for the swatches and review. I love the prime time foundation primer, but I haven’t tried the eyeshadow primer

Emmers Avatar

I have always thought spending 18$ on makeup was absolutely insane. But as someone who hates doing a lot of eye products these seem like a very pretty and easy alternative to piling on eyeshadow and what not.

Stephanie Avatar

Hello! How does it compare to the Giorgio Armani’s Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows as far as color and lasting power? I bought 1 GA shadow and so in love with it, but these look good, too 🙂 Which would you recommend?

PoetrysTruth Avatar

I don’t own one BE product. I think I will be trying these. I will be working 12hr shifts and would like something that doesn’t disappear on me. How do you think they will show on darker skin tones (NW45)?

Myles Avatar

I’ve been “suckered” by BE for years! I think it was the novelty of those little pots of colored powder that was just so appealing! And yeah, when if first came out as the NEW mineral makeup I bought everything, then QVC carried it..and again I got hooked, I don’t know how the rest of you gals are..but for me BE at least the mineral powders..look FABULOUS when you put them on…but on me…I swear 15 min later..its GONE! It had absolutely NO staying power on me. Yeah..fell for those crushed gem collections of the TSV on the Q thinking wow..crushed black diamonds, crushed champagne diamonds..but again, 15 min later gone! Maybe its because I live in the south. Christine, again, I’m going to trust your judgement..and try a couple..I’m a little hesitant because of the PAST experience with the powders (give me MAC pigments anytime over BE) and I tried the MAC Bouncy in the Wealth color that you suggested Christine..and honestly I liked it..but you were right..its more of a base, I’m kind of worried about it drying up too fast in the pot. So, because I trust you Christine..I’ll cough up the 18.00 haha…I know you used a brush..but what kind? Or rather what number? Do you think it would be a good eyeliner highlighter?

Christine Avatar

I used the 249, but a finger works just as well. I just wore Urban Nature as a base today, and it was fab. I haven’t tried any of BE’s loose eyeshadows, though, so I couldn’t comment on those,

Not sure what you mean by eyeliner highlighter, though 🙁

Jennifer Avatar

Wow!! I am really not a fan of bare escentuals, but I am going to have to give these a look. They really look fantastic! Way to go B.E.!! 🙂

Rengirl Avatar

Those look great! I have my eye on Bronze Twig and, of course, Urban Nature for wearing to the beach or when I need to quickly slap something on.

Tracey Avatar

Looks like Urban Nature is the most popular and will probably sell out quickly. Glad to hear these are not LE or there will be some sad ladies on here (including me!)

I assume that they’ll be available in the UK on the same date? I hope!

NeenaJ Avatar

These remind me of MAC paints. The tube is about the same size – teeny! I think Urban Nature could either look awesome or like a bruise, LOL. Guess I’ll have to swatch and find out.

I have had a really good experience with BE products over the last 10 years or so. I still use their mineral foundation because nothing makes my skin look as good as it does. Their eyeshadows last all day for me when I apply them over UDPP and are especially lovely when foiled with MAC Fix+ or a mixing medium.

littletidbit30 Avatar

These are the exact same size as the other Prime Time for Eyes products. These new tube versions are actually 2x the product of the original clicky pen packaging for $2 more than the original price.

I LOVE THESE!!!! I want them all!!!!

Tracey Avatar

I am wearing Not Like The Movies and I agree!

I have a tube of Urban Nature coming to me from a friend in the USA, I cannot wait to try it 🙂

Sydney Avatar

These look great! I don’t much like Urban Nature, though. The color is very unique, but I don’t think it’s that pretty.

Rochelle Avatar

I love the vibrant colors of primer shadows, however they are not blendable after a few seconds. I have googled how to apply and turned up with little advice. I’m not sure if I will purchase this product in the future.

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