City Color Shimmer Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)

City Color All Eyes On Me Shimmer Shadow
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. ColourPop Unsupervised (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Chanel Codes Subtils #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). 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). Viseart Pont des Arts (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% 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). 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. MAC What's the Pointilism (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). 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). Dior Ruby #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Too Faced Gingerdoodle (LE, $16.00) is more muted (90% similar). NARS We are Family (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% 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). 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. Tom Ford Beauty Lilac Dream #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #2 (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar). 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). 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). Sephora Don't Get Me Wrong (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Mugshot (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (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 Rivoli #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Rich Darling (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Gabrielle #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (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). Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Eyeshadow #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Illamasqua Acute (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC In My Genes (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). About Face Actual Ambrosia (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% 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). 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.
A-
A-
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

New Year, New Me

PPermanent. $6.99.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
92%
Total

Spring Fling

PPermanent. $6.99.
C
C
7
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
7
Texture
7.5
Longevity
4
Application
76%
Total

All Eyes On Me

PPermanent. $6.99.
A
A
9.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
9.5
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
96%
Total

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 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 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 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
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

40 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

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.

Julia Avatar

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!

Laura Avatar

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?

Manda Avatar

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.

Claire L Avatar

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.

Genevieve Avatar

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.

Mariella Avatar

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!

Christine Avatar

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.

Fran Avatar

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!

Cindy Avatar

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.

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!