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). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% 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). 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). Terra Moons Phases (P, $8.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Clionadh Morgana (P, $5.25) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Big Sky (PiP, $19.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Sigil (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, lighter, 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). 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). Tarte Silhouette (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Beg For It (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). theBalm Serious (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Obscur (816) (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Le Metier de Beaute Onyx (LE, $30.00) is cooler (95% similar). L'Oreal Noir C'est Noir (P, $5.99) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Loverboy (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever S102 Onyx (DC, $21.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). The Estee Edit Mood (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Decadent (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dior Cosmic Eyes #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). NARS Black Valley (P, $25.00) is glossier (95% 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). 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. Buxom Schmooze (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Huda Beauty Electric #8 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). NARS Grand Large (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% 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). 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). Giorgio Armani Jade Reflection (35) (DC, $39.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Mavs (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty TFX8 (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Dominique Cosmetics Cold Heart (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Haight (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (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). 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). 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). 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). 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). 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 Free Spirit (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Tiara (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Dive (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% 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). 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). Viseart Neptune (GPV2 #19) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (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. Buxom Black Tie (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Pat McGrath Black Metal (PiP, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Ground (LE, ) is lighter (95% 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). 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). Estee Lauder Black Myrrh (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Ulta Night Sky (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (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). Give Me Glow Pencil Me In (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, 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.

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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 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 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 It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow

City Color It’s a Boy Shimmer Shadow