ColourPop Balloon Pop Super Shock Shadow Review & Swatches
Balloon Pop
ColourPop Balloon Pop Super Shock Shadow ($6.00 for 0.07 oz.) seemed to have more of a transparent or sheerer base and was chocked-full of champagne and beige sparkle and slightly finer pink and peach pearl, which gave it an intense, sparkling finish that was rather shiny. It appeared a lot lighter applied than it did in the pot as well.
The texture was smooth, emollient, and cream-like to the touch with a moderately dense, sponge-like feel. It had a thin, more powder-like feel when applied to skin, which had good adhesion and blended out well. For those who like one-and-done, sparkly top coat kind of shades, I could see that working for that purpose. It was a little chunky as a standalone shade, though, so it did apply better with a fingertip or packed on with a flat, synthetic brush. It stayed on well for nine hours with light fallout over time.
Note: As I’m writing this review ahead of the launch, I will check back to see if this was intended to be sheerer, but the rating is based on the Super Shock Shadow formula, in general.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- PIXI Beauty Metal Mauve (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Moira Literally (P, $7.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Boutonniere (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Red Harness #1 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Devotion (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Astral Solstice (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Milani Sands of Time (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Moira Infinity (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Lumino (212M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Iced Latte (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$6.00/0.07 oz. - $85.71 Per Ounce
ColourPop Super Shock Shadow is a cream-based formula that comes in a multitude of shades and finishes. The more metallic shades have the most slip to them (they have a “wetter” feel), while the more matte ones have a firmer, more clay-like consistency. Almost every shade I’ve tried from ColourPop has been exceptionally long-wearing (10+ hours of wear, usually there until I remove, even 14 hours later). The pigmentation can vary from shade to shade, but the average shade is quite pigmented.
From feedback I’ve seen from readers, many love them but some don’t like them at all. They aren’t a traditional cream eyeshadow, as they are denser (more sponge-like), and they apply best with flat, firm, synthetic brushes (I like the MAC 242 and 249) for me. The brand recommends using fingers for the most pigmented application, but I’ve only felt that fingers were necessary on a few shades (usually the super glittery ones).
The more matte shades can be on the drier side and vary from medium to opaque in coverage, though they're often buildable. They can be a little hard to diffuse the edges of, though some are lovely to work with.
The more glittery shades have been the weakest to me, as they can be sheerer or harder to apply. Sometimes, they are more pigmented and work like the other finishes in the formula, but often, they are sheerer and only function well patted on top of more pigmented eyeshadows to add glitter. They do, however, tend to have little fallout over time with the occasional shade having a more moderate amount of fallout (but still less fallout than most powder eyeshadows with glitter).
Browse all of our ColourPop Super Shock Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Hmm, that really is quite sheer. I’m not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, it seems too sheer to add much color. On the other, I could see it making for a wet looking eyeshadow topper.
This is a versatile shade and I am pleased to read it doesn’t have any glitter attached to it. But I also think it is one that a dupe can be found easily enough too.