City Color Shimmer Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a slightly muted, light-medium peachy-beige with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had great color payoff with a cream-like, dense, and smooth consistency that adhered well to bare skin. The eyeshadow wore well for eight hours before creasing slightly. Chanel Tisse Ombre de Lune #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Heat Wave (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure #2 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Sparkling Cider (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Love in Venice (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Unsupervised (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Chanel Codes Subtils #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Sin (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Sin (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Clarins Nude #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Inglot J409 Cosmic Glow (LE, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Last Sin (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Huda Beauty Smokey #9 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Friendship File (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Inglot J301 Pink Satin (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Hello Kitty Apple Pie (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Cheers! (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Huda Beauty Mauve #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Forward March (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Sephora Twinkle Twinkle (362) (P, $9.00) is more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, light yellowed white gold with warm undertones paired with a metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a creamy, dense texture that applied with opaque coverage to the lid, but it was easy to over-apply and emphasize the texture of the lid itself. This shade started to crease after eight hours on me. ColourPop Squeezed (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #5 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige (P, $17.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Becca Moonstone (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Coloured Raine Glisten (DC, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar). Milani Bella Chiffon (28) (P, $4.49) is darker (95% similar). MAC What's the Pointilism (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Kaja Sunshine Shimmer (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Mythos (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Vinyl (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Give Me Glow Cream Lace (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Babs (LE, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). ColourPop 305 (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Huda Beauty Moon Dust (Remastered) (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). ColourPop UR a Catch (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar). Too Faced Beamin' (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Chanel Éclat Énigmatique #1 (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). Anastasia A2 (Norvina Mini Vol. 1) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Rêve d'Orient #2 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora White Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with subtle, warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a dusty, drier consistency that sheered out easily and had some fall out while applying. The color started to fade noticeably after seven hours of wear. Sephora Getaway (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Rockstar (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Clinique Grape Pop (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Rhapsodie #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Lilac Dream #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #2 (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar). Dior Garden Roses #3 (LE, ) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Daydream #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Buxom Patent Leather (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, more muted, cooler (85% similar). NARS Jardin Perdu (Right) (DC, $25.00) is darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Hoodoo (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Flowers 1 #2 (DC, $25.00) is more muted (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a medium-dark tuape brown with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It was intensely pigmented with a creamy, dense consistency that applied well to bare skin, but it is pretty thick and firm in the pan (not in a stiff way) that I highly recommend using a flat, synthetic brush. It blended out well, which was a surprise, since it was a thicker/denser product. On me, it wore well for eight and a half hours before creasing slightly. Makeup Geek Mesmerized (P, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar). Anastasia Chocolate Crumble (P, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar). Chanel Tisse Rivoli #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Viseart Platinum (Cashmere #6) (P, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Milani Come-Hither (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Quartz (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Gabrielle #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Rich Darling (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Vastness (32) (P, $36.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Rover (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Illamasqua Acute (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Eyeshadow #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Mugshot (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Sephora Don't Get Me Wrong (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Anastasia Libra (LE, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Lituation (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Dior Terra #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Jouer Magic Hour (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Natasha Denona Deep Slate Gray (32P) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Sydney Grace Phosphenes (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | City Color Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is supposed to have “intense color payoff” with a “heavy metallic finish” that also has “long-wear.” There are 16 shades in the range, and this post features six of them. The majority of the shades in the formula have a very dense, thick, and cream-like consistency–I have best results using a firmer, flatter and synthetic brush than I do with a really soft, natural hair brush, though natural brushes offer a little more control over how metallic the finish gets and my MAC 239s were just fine with it (and those are natural hair). They are intensely pigmented, and they blend out and apply well to bare skin. The formula wore for around eight to eight and a half hours on me with very slight creasing. A few of the very frosted, metallic shades seemed to emphasize the natural texture of parts of my lid and need a little extra blending to smooth out. These reminded me of Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows (but City Color’s are much denser) as well as Sleek’s more metallic eyeshadows.
Bubble Bath
PPermanent. $6.99.
New Year, New Me
PPermanent. $6.99.
Spring Fling
PPermanent. $6.99.
All Eyes On Me
PPermanent. $6.99.
See more photos & swatches!
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color Bubble Bath Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color New Year, New Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color Spring Fling Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
Thanks again for reviewing these Christine!! After the budget busting Natasha Denona shadows, it’s nice to have some wallet-friendly options. Out of this bunch, I do have Spring Fling (purple), and it does fine with primer, even on my super oily lids. It is definitely a very different formula than the other colors –it’s much thinner, drier, less pigmented, feels more like a traditional powder shadow. But with primer, I didn’t get any fall out, and it lasted about 9 hrs before some fading, but my lids are oily. With a cream base, I can pack on more, and I can get it to last about +10 hrs. If you’re looking for a bold purple, you’ll be disappointed, but it’s a nice softer, cool-toned purple for spring and will go well with bolder purples. I’m also eyeing New Year, New Me — love my golds and it looks like a real eye brightener 🙂 And for anyone interested, if you sign up for their emails, City Color has 25% sales all the time and value packs, you will never have to pay full $7 price for these, free shipping with $25 order, they ship fast and pack everything very well, and they usually throw in free full size lipstick or shadow with every order, but due to low cost of products, will only accept returns/exchanges for unopened items.
No problem, Katherine! Thanks again for the rec 🙂
As always, beautiful look! I just got mine in yesterday – I bought the 8 warm neutral shades, but then changed out Marsala for All Eyes On Me. Interesting texture, I will have to get the hang of the best way to apply but I love the colors and finish. I de-potted them all immediately (way easier than I thought it would be) and you were right when you said the pans were HUGE! They are the same size as a lot of blushes. Unfortunately the pans are aluminum, but nothing the z palette stickers won’t fix. Thanks for the heads up on this new-to-me brand!
My best tip is a flat/firm synthetic brush 🙂
I like to use my finger. Seems to work about the best in applying and getting the most pigment.
Christine, can they be depotted? I wouldn’t like them to dry out…
City Color should be depottable, though I have not tried, with respect to maintaining its texture – they are powders.
Christine—you look great as always firstly. It seems from reading your blog as well as other ones, that people really want cool-toned purples and eggplants (I am warm toned, but this is a digression) These colors always seem to disappoint . Is there a technical reason, anyone, as to why these colors always are a let-down?
No idea, really! It might just be the types of pigments/dyes available to be used in eye products vs. blush or lipstick.
I wore all eyes on me yesterday. I Love it! It’s my favorite of all the city color shadows I purchased.
Awesome to hear it, Tiffany!
How does New Year, New Me compare to Kat Von D’s Thunderstruck? It looks more yellow, but I can’t tell how much. The Metal Crush eyeshadows are amazing, but the price isn’t as friendly as these are.
Thunderstruck has more of a pink sheen to it – something that is totally absent in New Year, New Me, IMO!
Oooh, another fantabulous eye look!!! I love wearing warm peachy shades with rich browns like these together myself. ?
Ok, so now I MUST have New Year, New Me! I definitely have dupes for the other 3 shades, although this Bubble Bath shade looks so good, I may get it anyway.?
Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
I’m very fond of Bubble Bath. It’s almost a step above a regular neutral shade.
It has a great sheen!
All Eyes on Me looks like a great smokey eye look base!
It’s pretty!
Nice to see how finely milled the shadows are. I was hoping the purple would be decent but it’s not brilliant. I like the pale pink, I have a dupe in Stila’s Kitten, so I’m pleased. I’m impressed with how the dark brown (All Eyes on Me) performed, and surprised at how close it is to Anastasia’s Chocolate Crumble and MUG’s Mesmerized.
It’s interesting how the formula is quite different from the purple to the rest – I wonder why!
These are seriously gorgeous colours, the kind of colours that if they were in a large palette, you would probably use them up more than any other colour. Apart from Spring Fling, the ratings are excellent for the price. Another great look Christine.
Oh, yes, these are definitely products that I think work best as a complement to a stash vs. all used together!
Christine, where is Part 1 of this review? I’ve been meaning to request for years that when you do a multi-part review, maybe you could put links to the various other parts (I think you sometimes used to do this before the site was revamped). I was hyperventilating over All Eyes On Me – such a beeee-yooo-teee-ful shade and then I saw that I’ve got at least 3 dupes for it. I’m in sort of a rut…if it looks like this sort of shade or Bare Minerals Flicker or Eureka, I want it. I have to stop!
Here you go: http://www.temptalia.com/city-color-shimmer-eyeshadows-reviews-photos-swatches-part-1
I will try to remember, but you can definitely click the brand category (City Color), which will show you all posts about the brand – usually the parts come sequentially so they’d be close in time, if I forget.
Too bad the purple is the problem child as usual, it looked really nice in the pan :/
lol, I know, right? OF COURSE 🙁
These are all so pretty. I wish Spring Fling had reviewed better, but for the price it’s worth putting over a glitter glue primer.
I wonder why they included it in this formula, since the majority of the shades in this formula are so different in texture!
Apart from Spring Fling these look really nice.
I agree!
I really like New Year, New Me (but already have NARS L’Amour, Toujours L’Amour) and All Eyes on Me (but don’t need more brown eyeshadows). It’s so nice to see this good quality (of most of the shadows, at least — Spring Fling is a disappointment) at this price!
I love it when something performs well AND is easy on the budget!
I bought 13 of these eyeshadows, every shade but Spring Fling, It’s A Boy and Breezy, after you posted the sneek peak. They are gorgeous!
Ok so I ordered the eyeshadows I didn’t get yet and all the matte blushes, bronzers and highlighting powder before the brand isn’t available anymore in my country. Because I’m super impressed by this brand and heard great things about those face products.
Haha! I love that you got ’em all, Cindy! 😉 Enjoy!!
Wow, those are all nice. Even though spring fling is not the most pigmented I think it would make a nice wash.
It definitely would!
Where can I buy these? Whenever I clicked where to buy all that came up was the disclosure. :/
So sorry! I added it to the list.