City Color Tide Pool, Evergreen, Under the Sea, Sandstorm Shimmer Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.129 oz.) is a slightly muted, light-medium green with subtle, warmer undertones but a cooler shimmer finish. It had good color coverage with a blendable, dense, and almost cream-like feel. I felt like this one wasn’t quite as intense or as easy to apply compared to the other shades. It wore well for eight hours on me. Sydney Grace Nomadic Romance (LE, $6.25) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Soleil et Lune #4 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Natasha Denona Marlin (457M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Big Sky (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Dior Garden Pastels #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Sea Green (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Sunflower (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Buxom Made of Jade (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Frog and Wife (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #5 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Jade Shore (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Tarvos (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Special Delivery (P, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace On the Road Again (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Up and Up (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Give Me Glow Spring Fling (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Night Trip (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Sydney Grace Scrooge (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, less pigmented (85% similar). MAC Jealous Girl (LE, $22.00) is lighter, less pigmented (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.129 oz.) is a bright, medium green with warm, golden shimmer and sheen. The color payoff was fully opaque, while the consistency was dense and cream-like (though still a powder). It applied well, diffused easily, and wore for eight hours before creasing. Too Faced Very Merry (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Give Me Glow Joker (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Secret Keeper (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #12 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Extravirgin (P, $8.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). ColourPop Twirl (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Darling (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). LORAC Moss (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Isla Vista (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia C2 (Norvina Mini Vol. 2) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Pretty Vulgar Jealous (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Coloured Raine Side of Olives (DC, $6.99) is darker (85% similar). Coloured Raine Green Valley (LE, $6.99) is warmer (85% similar). Inglot #412 (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Sipping Soup (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop IE (LE, $4.50) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Sydney Grace Fallen Splendor (PiP, $6.25) is darker (85% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #2 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Showgirl (Formerly Bubbly) (LE, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Bloom Room (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.129 oz.) is a muted, medium blue with subtle, cool undertones and a metallic finish. The consistency was very dense, which made it harder to apply without really smoothing it out as it had a very textured, raised look applied initially. It had intense pigmentation and lasted for eight hours on me. Urban Decay Dive (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Haight (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sugarpill Starling (P, $13.00) is brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Backseat (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay LCW (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Natasha Denona Petroleum Blue (92M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Makeup by Mario Party Glam #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Equilibrium (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty TFX8 (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Deadbolt (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Dior Contraste Horizon #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). ColourPop On One (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Rouge Bunny Rouge Mysterious Tinamou (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Ulta Teal (P, $10.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Pat McGrath Lapis Luxury (PiP, $25.00) is darker (85% similar). L'Oreal Timeless Blue Spark (760) (P, $7.99) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Tarte Artist (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Dior Denim #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). Urban Decay Plunge (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Sydney Grace Ruth (PiP, $6.25) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow ($6.99 for 0.129 oz.) is a medium-dark, rich bronze with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had good pigmentation with a creamy-like, very smooth and dense consistency that applied well to bare skin. The advantage to the denser formulation is really how well it applies without needing primer to boost coverage or help with evenness. On me, I noticed slight creasing after eight and a half hours of wear. Tarte Firecracker (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). Makeup Geek Pocket Change (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Persona Resilient (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Dior Fire (584) (P, $29.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). JD Glow Rose Goals (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). LORAC Dahlia (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar). MAC Woodwinked (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dose of Colors Sunglow (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Glaminatrix Truffle (P, $8.04) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Natasha Denona Golden Flesh (68M) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Auburn (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Lap of Lux (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Moira Muse (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Too Faced Buttered Rum (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Desert Baked (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop OK Wow (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). theBalm Firm (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Monaco-co (Enchanted Forest) (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Natasha Denona Varis (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Good Cookie (PiP, ) is darker (90% 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 0.129 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.
Tide Pool
PPermanent. $6.99.
Evergreen
PPermanent. $6.99.
Under the Sea
PPermanent. $6.99.
Sandstorm
PPermanent. $6.99.
See more photos & swatches!
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Tide Pool Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Evergreen Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Under the Sea Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
City Color Sandstorm Shimmer Shadow
Sandstorm, Tide Pool, Under the Sea, ColourPop Truth (brow bone), Sephora Summer Cruise Eyeliner
Sandstorm, Tide Pool, Under the Sea, ColourPop Truth (brow bone), Sephora Summer Cruise Eyeliner
More stunners! And another fantastic eye look, love love love it.
Thanks a lot!
Oh my goodness, City Colors is killing it with these 8 new shades, all scored A or higher! I must get Evergreen, love those antique olive golds. And Tide Pool will pair great with NARS Tarvos and L’ Oreal Green Promenade. And Under The Sea might find its way in my cart too. Love your eye look!!
They’re really easy to use! 🙂
Christine, a while back, you asked me how I liked their other shadows, and finally got a chance to buy and test some out over primer on my oily lids. I like their Intense Shine Shadow Palette -you get 12 bright pops of color, in small pans, and it’s the Shimmer Shadow formula, overall quality is pretty good, just not as super creamy as the singles, but still very good. I got some pretty mermaid eye looks out of it. I didn’t like their Smoky Shadow Palette at all – it’s the traditional powder formula, and many of the shadows were dry, under-pigmented, and faded even with primer. It’s no longer listed on their site. I also got the Shadow Trio in Blooming Flowers as a freebie, and it’s decent for a powder shadow in purples, and the shadows lasted with primer, but they aren’t fantastic like the Shimmer Shadows. I also got their Single Shadow in Poolside (muted gray teal) -it’s a traditional powder formula, but very good quality, with satin finish, but they recently re-formulated it (now called City Chic), so I don’t know about the new formula, but those are worth checking out. I’ve also seen many rave reviews about their Be Matte Blushes, but I can’t test those, as they have fragrance and my cheeks are sensitive, but I wonder if they are better than the latest Makeup Geek versions. Hope this helps.
It does help a ton, Katherine! I really appreciate you getting back to me and with so many details 🙂 Bummer about the Smoky SHadow palette, though!
I love your eye look Christine! I also really like all of these colors and that Tide Pool is a nice dupe for Tavros.
Thank you, Aj!
City certainly seems to be a good way to fill the holes in one’s stash. Can you get them without a compact, or…Are they easily depotted? Certainly some heavy competition for mug here, though City is not manufactured domestically, is it? Lookin’ good, Ms C, but when are you not?
As far as I know, just in the compact!
So glad that these are all winners because the colors are stunning. I’m in awe of the great look you put together.
You’re very kind, Chris!
What I’ve noticed about these shadows (along with most City Color products in general) is that they don’t look like anything special in the pan, but HOLY MOLY do they outperform any other product in the same price range. These shadows in particular are absolutely gorgeous applied; they really seem to have something that makes them special from other shadows. Great find, Chrisitne!
They have that “melt-y” quality to me – I think it’s the shine, perhaps, combined with the way they smooth out over the skin.
Love all 4 of these, and how you incorporated 3 of these shades into a thoroughly summer perfect eye look. Only catch is, that I already have MAC Woodwinked and the BH Foil Eyes palette, so I’m trying to figure out whether I actually need any of this set of 4 or not?
I bet there are some similar-enough-shades in the Foil Eyes!
Tide Pool and Evergreen are beautiful. The other two shades are really pretty, too, but I’m really digging the greens.
Tide Pool is neat – it’s not a shade we see 23849324 times, I think.
I would buy ALL of the brand’s eyeshadows but I already own fabulous dupes!
That just means you already have a great stash 🙂
These shades are all stunning!
Agreed!
I love your eye look! A perfect palette for a summer look. For me, I would just slap a co-ordinating matte shadow just above the crease to push back my hoodies, but with that slight adjustment and I could definitely pull it off.
I have to get a few of these shadows. Tide Pool and Sandstorm are my favs from this group.
I feel like if one is a fan of Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows, these are very reminiscent. They are dense like a lot of the Artist Shadows but more metallic like Makeup Geek’s Foiled. They wear better (consistently) than the Foiled for me, though!
These eye shadows are just stunning – beautiful colours, great ratings, cruelty free and a great price. It’s interesting – I looked up the dupes for Tide Pool and there was the similar Armani colour with only a C+ rating and a huge price increase. Honestly, some of the HE brands need to look at themselves.
Gorgeous eye look Christine.
It’s so rich 😀
Tidepool and Under The Sea are really stunning.
Agreed!