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City Color Shimmer Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 3)

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, light-medium green with cooler undertones and warmer, green shimmer paired with a metallic finish. It was very, very pigmented with a creamy, dense texture that worked best with a flat, synthetic brush (rather than natural hair brushes). It applied well, blended out easily, and wore for eight hours. ColourPop Big Banks (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Milk Makeup Mermaid Parade (P, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). By Beauty Bay Breeze (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Designer (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Terra Moons Dragonfly (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Sweet Tooth (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Rivalry (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Current (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Give Me Glow Electric Mint (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Left on Thread (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Huda Beauty Emerald #5 (LE, ) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace The Shallows (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever #52 (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). KVD Beauty Leafar (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Dynasty (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #28 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar). ColourPop Up Shot (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Terra Moons Green Goblin (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). ColourPop Emerald Dream (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a dark black with a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented with a creamy, smooth consistency that applied well and blended out surprisingly easily. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading slightly. Viseart Chroma #3 (PiP, )(100% similar). Smashbox Deadline (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Milani Bella Black (12) (P, $4.49) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Carbon (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Let's Do It (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Jet (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Blackout (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Makeup Geek Corrupt (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Coloured Raine Black Moon (DC, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Nehru (Guo Pei) (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Milani Pitch Black (P, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Chanel Rêve d'Orient #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). KVD Beauty Smoke (Define) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Cookies and Cream (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). theBalm #9 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dior Celebrate in Gold #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Too Faced Stiletto (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Blackout (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Too Faced Licorice Rope (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). UOMA Beauty Wake Up (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a light-medium, sky blue with a frosted, metallic finish. It had good color payoff with a really thick, almost cream-like texture, but it was harder to work with than some of the other shades as it was thick without the slip of other shades, so it tended to separate a little when applied to the skin (you can see it in the swatch). It lasted for eight hours before creasing. Huda Beauty Electric #8 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Buxom Schmooze (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS Grand Large (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Sydney Grace Ride the Wave (DC, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Princess Morbucks (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D206 Celestial Blue (P, $17.00)(90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Virgin Island (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). JD Glow Bora Bora (P, $7.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Double Dip (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Denim Genes (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Venom (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Divine Blue (LE, $20.00) is more muted (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Igloo Bloo (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #18 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Leo (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Glaminatrix High Seas (P, $8.04) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Pretty Vulgar Fancy (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Donut Break (PiP, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Clionadh Snowdrift (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Evil Genie (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a light-medium green with warm, golden shimmer and a metallic finish. The texture was slightly thicker and denser, which resulted in it easily adding texture to the lid. It applies best with a flat, synthetic brush and in one layer (more layers can add thickness and make it appear uneven in texture). It had great color payoff and wore for eight hours before creasing. NARS Zambezi (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Jealous Girl (LE, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Freshman (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Minty Dream (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Viseart Coy #10 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Under the Sea (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Moira Neptune (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Facet-nation (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Springtime (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Mintea (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (85% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Atmosphere (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Glaminatrix Pixie (P, $8.04) is lighter (85% similar). YSL Indie Jasper #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Sydney Grace Seashore (DC, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). NYX Glass Slipper (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Huda Beauty Emerald #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Soleil et Lune #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar). Huda Beauty Mint #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, medium blue with cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It had really good color payoff with a creamy, dense consistency that spread across the skin well and wore for eight hours before creasing. ColourPop Tiara (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Dive (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). ColourPop Free Spirit (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Sydney Grace Waterfalls (PiP, $6.25) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Milani Bella Cobalt (25) (P, $4.49) is less shimmery (90% similar). Make Up For Ever ME216 Electric Blue (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Give Me Glow Bubbles (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Naked City (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Igloo Bloo (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Smashbox Nile (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Give Me Glow Under the Sea (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Glaminatrix Ice Cold (P, $8.04) is darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Mad About U (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Stila Lapis (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #4 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Clionadh Subzero (P, $5.50) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Two Piece (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Denim #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Makeup Geek Blue My Mind (P, $9.99) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop The Water Bearer (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.13 oz.) is an inky, deep black with charcoal shimmer. It was richly pigmented with a creamy, smooth texture that applied on the skin like a cream eyeshadow but didn’t lose any intensity. The edges were easily blended out, while the color wore well for eight hours. Pat McGrath Black Metal (PiP, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Ground (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Buxom Black Tie (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Steel the Show (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Burnt Anise (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Natasha Denona Full Metal Black (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Ulta Night Sky (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Estee Lauder Black Myrrh (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Dior Black Night #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Byredo Eternite (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Sleek MakeUP 1001 Nights (LE, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). L'Oreal Eternal Black (P, $7.99) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Lancome My French #9 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Make Up For Ever 28 Anthracite Black (P, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sugarpill Stella (P, $13.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D104 Black Diamond (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Isamaya Diesel (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Lancome The New Black (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I102 Onyx (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Plastick (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (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.

Beach Cottage

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

Black Widow

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

Breezy

PPermanent. $6.99.
B
B
8
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
86%
Total

Hint of Mint

PPermanent. $6.99.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
87%
Total

It's a Boy

PPermanent. $6.99.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Oh So Naughty

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

See more photos & swatches!

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow
City Color Beach Cottage Shimmer Shadow

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow

City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow
City Color Black Widow Shimmer Shadow

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow
City Color Breezy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow

City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow
City Color Hint of Mint Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow

City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow
City Color Oh So Naughty Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It's a Boy Shimmer Shadow
City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

46 Comments

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Daisy Avatar

Don’t know the particulars/exact cost about shipping to the UK, but the company sells from ebay and say they ship internationally. citycolorcosmetics is the name of their store. I just bought Beach Cottage and Spring Fling. Beach Cottage is very pigmented. I mean a little goes a long way. But it’s a gorgeous green. I love it. Spring Fling seems quite pigmented as well and is lovely. Keep in mind, they just got here today and I’ve only swatched, not tried on my eyes. They also sent me a full size lip balm in a neutral color, free. That was nice!

Fran Avatar

What a pleasure to see such nicely-performing eyeshadows at this price point! Of course I want Hint of Mint and It’s A Boy. Breezy and Beach Cottage might lean a bit turquoise for me, but I want them anyway. And Oh So Naughty is absolutely gorgeous, though I rarely wear black eyeshadow. I see a City Color order in my near future!

Fran Avatar

I will, Christine! I’m a bit slow to order right now because I’m having so many other expenses and not working while I get ready to start school…

Katherine T. Avatar

If you do order, sign up for their emails, as they have sales all the time, 25% off or BOGO. And they ship fast, everything was well packed, and they usually throw in a free, full-sized product as gift, I didn’t even ask for it. One time I got a lipstick and other time a shadow trio. Hope you enjoy!

Katherine T. Avatar

Out of this bunch, I have 3. Hint of Mint is my fave absolute fave color –it’s a mint with metallic gold duo chrome undersheen, like they took sunlight and infused it with mint, a very unique color, just perfect for spring. I also love It’s A Boy, very bold and bright, nice pop of color. And I got Oh So Naughty, thinking it was a navy, but it’s a shimmery black and whoaaaa, it’s cray cray pigmented. That along with Black Widow are the most pigmented blacks I’ve EVER seen for shadows. I think I will pick up Beach Cottage next. And thanks again for swatches and reviews!

Claire L Avatar

Wow! Love the look you did. These look to be much better value than the Natasha Denona shades. Shame though that CC don’t ship to the UK ?.

Katherine T. Avatar

In the USA, I’ve only seen their products online at their website, but they do ship to Canada for flat fee. I’m in the USA, ordered 2x, and they do a good job with shipping, they ship fast and everything was well-packed.

Katherine T. Avatar

Oh my goodness, you must get Hint of Mint! I have it, and it has the most amazing golden duo- chrome under sheen, so hard to capture on camera. When you swatch on your hand and tilt your hand back and forth, it’s like they took a ray of sunlight and just infused it with mint. Okay, okay, I will stop raving for now. If you want to order, sign up for their emails, they have 25% off sales all the time, BOGO, you will never have to pay $7 full price for these.

rougebeka Avatar

interesting- have used their blushes and eyeshadows in the past but wasn’t wowed… can you list where are these are made? i try to stay away from PRC products… otherwise I will try them based on your review!

KJH Avatar

Isn’t it interesting that PRC products have such a bad track record with QC on so many products, but their Asian neighbors Korea and Japan have leading edge, quality products? I used to try to be a NFC consumer (except for human food, then tried to by American made Chinese ingredients, but US doesn’t really have the variety) …. Until I had to get an instant thermometer. All from there. Everywhere. LE to HE. Certain ‘American’women’s sportswear lines were also mfg there, exclusively. Now, only one firm NFC rule: NO PET TREATS FROM PRC. One has to be vigilant about makeup products, to follow an NFC rule.

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