Charlotte Tilbury Nude Cashmere, Flawless Beige, Smoky Taupe Matte Eyes to Mesmerise Reviews & Swatches
Nude Cashmere
Charlotte Tilbury Nude Cashmere Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium beige with subtle, warm peachy undertones and a matte finish. It had medium pigmentation, which was not that buildable as the more I tried to build it up, the clumpier the finish looked to the point where it emphasized lid texture.
It also resulted in flaking over the eight hours it lasted for. The texture was incredibly dry, stiff, and draggy–it did not want to move fluidly across the skin at all.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Love Eyes Prime (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Desert Dunes #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Aya (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Cafe con Leche (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Delirium (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Bonafide (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Sephora Linen (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Flesh (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Runway (LE, $4.50) is darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.17 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The brand said that the formula combined the "long-lasting, smoothing powers of [their] iconic Eyes to Mesmerise cream shadows" with a matte formula that is supposed to be "long-lasting" and easy to "build, blend, and wear." They actually specifically out that it should feel "smooth" to the touch and "doesn't drag the skin on the eye lid."
It's an incredibly dry, draggy formula that feels more like an old cream eyeshadow that's dried out and is on its last legs of usefulness. It was really quite at odds with how shiny/glossy the product looked in the pots, but if you looked closely at the center of each, you could see faint cracks that alluded to it being a drier product.
The texture was dry, thick, and quick to dry down, which was a recipe for uneven application that did not blend, did not build (layering was atrocious!), and really only was feasible to use as an eyeliner where sharper, precise motions were desired and no blending was wanted, but it still lacked the fluidity ideal for working around the curvature of the eye area.
I tried using fingertips and different brushes to apply, and for something all over, using a fluffy brush and diffusing during the initial application yielded less awful results but ultimately, still disappointing. They are nothing like the original Eyes to Mesmerise shades!
I found that they didn't crease or fade, but they were more prone to flaking as an eyeshadow, so the wear was more like seven to nine hours.
Browse all of our Charlotte Tilbury Matte Eyes to Mesmerise swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE, CERA CARNAUBA/COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA, ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE, MICA, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, STEAROYL INULIN, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, METHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, LAVANDULA STOECHAS EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, [+/- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Nude Cashmere
PPermanent. $34.00.
Flawless Beige
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Beige Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light brown with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage that applied unevenly, didn’t want to diffuse or blend, and emphasized the texture of my skin due to it having such a dry, firm, stiff, and unworkable texture as anything other than a subpar eyeliner. It lasted between seven and nine hours depending on if I layered it as building up the product resulted in flaking over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Chula (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (85% similar).
- LORAC Soft Taupe (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Glam (326CM) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NYX Tryst (P, $4.50) is warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Undressed (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Graded (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Mari (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.17 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The brand said that the formula combined the "long-lasting, smoothing powers of [their] iconic Eyes to Mesmerise cream shadows" with a matte formula that is supposed to be "long-lasting" and easy to "build, blend, and wear." They actually specifically out that it should feel "smooth" to the touch and "doesn't drag the skin on the eye lid."
It's an incredibly dry, draggy formula that feels more like an old cream eyeshadow that's dried out and is on its last legs of usefulness. It was really quite at odds with how shiny/glossy the product looked in the pots, but if you looked closely at the center of each, you could see faint cracks that alluded to it being a drier product.
The texture was dry, thick, and quick to dry down, which was a recipe for uneven application that did not blend, did not build (layering was atrocious!), and really only was feasible to use as an eyeliner where sharper, precise motions were desired and no blending was wanted, but it still lacked the fluidity ideal for working around the curvature of the eye area.
I tried using fingertips and different brushes to apply, and for something all over, using a fluffy brush and diffusing during the initial application yielded less awful results but ultimately, still disappointing. They are nothing like the original Eyes to Mesmerise shades!
I found that they didn't crease or fade, but they were more prone to flaking as an eyeshadow, so the wear was more like seven to nine hours.
Browse all of our Charlotte Tilbury Matte Eyes to Mesmerise swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE, CERA CARNAUBA/COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA, ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE, MICA, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, STEAROYL INULIN, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, METHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, LAVANDULA STOECHAS EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, [+/- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Flawless Beige
PPermanent. $34.00.
Smoky Taupe
Charlotte Tilbury Smoky Taupe Matte Eyes to Mesmerise ($34.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium taupe-brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer to medium color coverage, which did not build up in a practical way as it was prone to applying unevenly, thickening in odd places, and emphasizing skin texture.
The product had a very dry, stiff consistency that made it difficult to apply the product with fingertips or brushes as anything other than an eyeliner, which was still difficult to do as it lacked fluidity. It lasted for eight to nine hours as one layer but had flaking if layered.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M549 Dark Taupe (P, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Celtic Pride (LE, $4.50) is more pigmented, better quality (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Vow (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Home (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Back Roads (PiP, $5.25) is darker (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Vertigo (LE, $36.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mythosaur (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Comfy (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$34.00/0.17 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The brand said that the formula combined the "long-lasting, smoothing powers of [their] iconic Eyes to Mesmerise cream shadows" with a matte formula that is supposed to be "long-lasting" and easy to "build, blend, and wear." They actually specifically out that it should feel "smooth" to the touch and "doesn't drag the skin on the eye lid."
It's an incredibly dry, draggy formula that feels more like an old cream eyeshadow that's dried out and is on its last legs of usefulness. It was really quite at odds with how shiny/glossy the product looked in the pots, but if you looked closely at the center of each, you could see faint cracks that alluded to it being a drier product.
The texture was dry, thick, and quick to dry down, which was a recipe for uneven application that did not blend, did not build (layering was atrocious!), and really only was feasible to use as an eyeliner where sharper, precise motions were desired and no blending was wanted, but it still lacked the fluidity ideal for working around the curvature of the eye area.
I tried using fingertips and different brushes to apply, and for something all over, using a fluffy brush and diffusing during the initial application yielded less awful results but ultimately, still disappointing. They are nothing like the original Eyes to Mesmerise shades!
I found that they didn't crease or fade, but they were more prone to flaking as an eyeshadow, so the wear was more like seven to nine hours.
Browse all of our Charlotte Tilbury Matte Eyes to Mesmerise swatches.
Ingredients
ISODODECANE, CERA CARNAUBA/COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA, ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, HYDROGENATED POLYCYCLOPENTADIENE, MICA, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, STEAROYL INULIN, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, METHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, LAVANDULA STOECHAS EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, [+/- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Wow, now that’s a really bad formula!
I am truly disappointed. There are not a lot of matte pot shadows such as these and I did not expect CT to completely fail on formula. A good B+ rating and I would have been all over a few of the shades.
I agree! CT doesn’t have major flops, generally, and arguably, more of the so-so products can be chalked up to misaligned claims… but these are just bad all around.
Guess we know what’s is the next round of Charlotte Tilbury Mystery Boxes.
I feel bad for consumers who purchase without research. On the other hand, I feel giddy about the vloggers, etc who give a positive review and become discredited. Schadenfreude at its most pure.
O.T. Germans have the best words for relaying sentiment not covered as succinctly and eloquently by the english language.
I was thinking about the 2 or 3 beauty YouTubers who gave these eyeshadows a good review being either paid or just trying to get in the good graces of CT
*How*, no really, HOW did these pieces of crap make it past R&D??? I’m dead serious. Like, we need some answers, because if Maybelline and MAC can make excellent cream eyeshadow/bases, then what’s the deal with these? 🙄
Well, at least these are consistent…as in “consistently BAD”. YIKES!!!
Now that’s another bad, bad formula from a brand that charges the earth!
It seems like a large component of the problem starts with how hard the product is, and unworkable. I guess I am wondering if you “shocked” the cream with your hairdryer if that would make any difference whatsoever. Typically, if my eyeshadow dries out or is otherwise not creamy enough, a quick shock with the hairdryer on low heat for 20-30 seconds completely revives or resolves those problems, even if the product was complete dog poo to start with, like these seem to be.
I guess I don’t care enough to test that out myself, though, as I am covered in this area for what seems like the rest of my life as I own nearly all colors of Danessa Myricks cream products (and love them), as well as all of Tom Ford’s Emotionproof eye color matte shades (which seems to be a close cousin style & colorwise to this). Colour pop had *fabulous* cream mattes like this as well, which I have most of those that exist (to my knowledge). Those aren’t on their website any longer, however. ND’s new work and set can also function really well in this regard (and not just as eyeliner), and those three colors are also matte. And, you can’t forget the OG paint pots. The DM, TF, CP, MAC and ND cream pots/tubes I don’t even need a primer with (but, I am too OCD about it and use one anyways).
That is not taking into consideration all of my other *creamier* cream pots from TF, Chanel, Chanticaille, etc. Or other cream formulas such as the Armani eye tints, Nudestix, etc., that don’t come in a pot.
I vaguely remember some Tom Ford collection that was *almost* as F’d up at this.
F on all of them!
It is a mystery that they released this product at all.
Another fail for CT. Her brand new foundation was the worst I have ever tried too! I was shocked. But, some absolutely love it. Thanks for the reviews. I do love a lot of things Charlotte Tilbury though, that I have purchased more than once!
I LIKE her new foundation.. I had a blister packet with last big S order. It does remind me a bit of my current go-to EL hydra rescue, but perhaps a bit thinner and a bit less coverage. I used a foundation brush because the sample was by no means generous, but I got a good days wear out of it and thought my skin looked quite nice. I’m a little ambivalent about grabbing a full tube, definitely do not hate it. I totally hate her other foundations. Lol.. I think the matte pots are a little less subjective than foundation..full on fail.
I have such respect for your honesty. I sometimes feel the newer so called high end brands have a few nice products and then some bombs yet we are still expected to tout them. It’s nice to know you are truly analytical and objective.
Thank you, Natasha!
I can’t stop laughing at how bad these close up pictures are of the product…
But bummer that these didn’t work out – very surprising for CT. I wonder if she will address it!
Well there goes my hope of using the really fair one as a cruelty free eye primer.
I’ve got really oily lids and so thought, eh, dry formula – i can work with that but i think this might be pushing it.
I agree with what others are saying here, surely something went wrong for CT such as a packaging malfunction which caused them all to dry out maybe? I like to think that she would not be okay with this being released in the state it’s being received.
Glad I waited for the reviews to come out before purchasing any, lol.
Thank you for your review. I’v seen more matte-creme eyeshadows around and don’t feel that there’s a makeup gap that needs to be filled with them 😉 It kind of feels counterproductive being creme and matte at the same time.
I do love the eyes to mesmerize in the metallic version (although I use it less than it deserves)
Thank you for finally reviewing these! I saw the launch and ordered Flawless Beige immediately – so excited for a true one and done eyeshadow. The formula of these shadows is HORRIFIC. You cant get product out of the pot, and once you do it’s a craggy, unblendable mess. I have all the Eyes To Mezmerize shadows and love them normally. They last forever and are beautiful to apply. This is NOT that formula. I put back in the box, and returned (and already received my refund). Plus left a scathing review on Charlotte’s website. RUN DONT WALK AWAY FROM THESE EYESHADOWS.
It is really strange that they even tried to brand these as Eyes to Mesmerise… the feel is SO different!
Ugh. What a shame. I love the metallic ones and was really looking forward to trying these out. Major pass for me now. Thank you!
I am so mad at these. I’ve been waiting forever for colors like Smoky Taupe to make a comeback (they were in a couple of early Tarte palettes, UD smoky, most “neutral” or “nude” palettes up until five years ago? Whenever Huda told everyone they needed to pink up their lives and people actually listened) and when they finally do we get garbage formulas? lol. pass. and fuck you charlotte for green-lighting these even when it’s so obviously a lazy cash grab instead of putting real time and effort in to something decent.
Almost every beauty Youtuber struggled with these eyeshadows and gave them terrible reviews, I’m curious why CT released such a bad product