ColourPop In Retrograde Supernova Shadow Set Review & Swatches
In Retrograde
ColourPop In Retrograde Supernova Shadow Set ($30.00 for 0.85 oz.) includes five liquid eyeshadows with sparkling and/or metallic finishes and medium to opaque color coverage. They are also available individually in the event that only a couple catch your eye! I struggled with Party Posse, as it flaked on me within minutes of applying it, and I couldn’t find a way to apply it to prevent that, whereas the other four applied well and didn’t flake at all!
In Retrograde
LELimited Edition. $30.00.
Rush Hour
Rush Hour is a dirty, medium gold with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation, though I did find it was closer to opaque when I used a smaller, detail brush to pat it into place. That could just have to do with how reflective it was as the angled swatch shows what looked sheer in the first swatch image as nearly opaque in the second image. The consistency was slightly watery, so it took a bit longer to dry, but it did not seem to pull into my lid lines or emphasize my lid texture. The color lasted nicely for 10 hours without flaking, fading, or creasing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte No Champagne, No Gain (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Dirtysweet (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Ice Dunes (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Girl Night Out (216) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Interstellar (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spice of Life (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Stay Golden (LE, $14.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Yacht (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Suede (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fluffy (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.00/0.17 oz. - $41.18 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to be a "super longwearing liquid shadow" that can be used as "an all over base color, a touch of glitter, or extreme metallic foil" with "high coverage" and "no fall out." They were quite pigmented, and they sheered out a bit as liquid and cream products do as you diffuse the edges. The liquid eyeshadows applied better with an exterior applicator, whether synthetic brushes or fingertips (though I'd recommend swiping product onto a clean palette or brush rather than directly onto fingertips!). The wand applicator makes it hard to apply with precision and worked best for all-over, one-and-done application.
The formula felt watery and thin, and it spread out decently, but there was a lot of fine and larger shimmer/sparkle without a strong base color, so they tended to look better and more even in person as the shimmers reflected light. They dry down fast enough that I could diffuse and blend edges but not so slow that it pulled into my creases as it dried down. I found that they tended to breakdown from teary or watery eyes, as I always noticed gaps or missing pieces where I might water more (inner and outer corners) but did not have that issue elsewhere (like the lid).
I think the more glittery shades worked best as something layered on top of other products and not as much on their own unless used as liner--they seem to do okay as a thin line, likely due to the fact that it's just a lot harder to see any imperfections when the line itself is thin. More metallic, less sparkly/glittery, shades seemed to work best alone (as they were quite pigmented, too, so they didn't lend themselves well to layering).
I didn't have much fallout over time but occasionally, there was a small chunk of product that dropped (rather than a few stray glitters). I also felt like the smoothest application was with fingertips as a brush seemed to make the product more likely to clump up or accentuate lid texture.
Browse all of our ColourPop Supernova Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Silica, Sodium Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Stearic Acid, Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Rush Hour
LELimited Edition. $7.00.
Juvenile
Juvenile is light-medium, golden taupe with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was nearly opaque in color coverage when I applied it to my lid (which is a much smaller area than my arm) using a separate, flat synthetic brush for precise placement. The consistency was smooth, slightly wet but not runny, and surprisingly easy to work with to get even coverage and to diffuse along the edges. It stayed on well for 10 hours without fading, creasing, or flaking on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Envie (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Maybelline Nude Compliment (90) (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Jude (394M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Moonswirl (P, $16.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Centerfold (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow On Ice (P, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Avant-Premiere #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Resist (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Benefit No Pressure (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Tiara (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.00/0.17 oz. - $41.18 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to be a "super longwearing liquid shadow" that can be used as "an all over base color, a touch of glitter, or extreme metallic foil" with "high coverage" and "no fall out." They were quite pigmented, and they sheered out a bit as liquid and cream products do as you diffuse the edges. The liquid eyeshadows applied better with an exterior applicator, whether synthetic brushes or fingertips (though I'd recommend swiping product onto a clean palette or brush rather than directly onto fingertips!). The wand applicator makes it hard to apply with precision and worked best for all-over, one-and-done application.
The formula felt watery and thin, and it spread out decently, but there was a lot of fine and larger shimmer/sparkle without a strong base color, so they tended to look better and more even in person as the shimmers reflected light. They dry down fast enough that I could diffuse and blend edges but not so slow that it pulled into my creases as it dried down. I found that they tended to breakdown from teary or watery eyes, as I always noticed gaps or missing pieces where I might water more (inner and outer corners) but did not have that issue elsewhere (like the lid).
I think the more glittery shades worked best as something layered on top of other products and not as much on their own unless used as liner--they seem to do okay as a thin line, likely due to the fact that it's just a lot harder to see any imperfections when the line itself is thin. More metallic, less sparkly/glittery, shades seemed to work best alone (as they were quite pigmented, too, so they didn't lend themselves well to layering).
I didn't have much fallout over time but occasionally, there was a small chunk of product that dropped (rather than a few stray glitters). I also felt like the smoothest application was with fingertips as a brush seemed to make the product more likely to clump up or accentuate lid texture.
Browse all of our ColourPop Supernova Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Juvenile
LELimited Edition. $7.00.
Party Posse
Party Posse is a medium-dark copper with warm, brown undertones and a metallic sheen. The pigmentation was opaque, while the texture was lightweight, thin without being watery, and dried down fast enough not to get into my fine lines/creases. Unfortunately, I struggled to keep this shade from flaking off… from the get-go. It was a strange experience, as the other four shades in the set did not suffer from any flaking, and this shade seemed to lift and flake off slightly after it had dried down. There was slight additional flaking that occurred over the 10 hours I wore it for, but it seemed to happen primarily during the first 10 minutes of wear. I wore it a second time and had similar results!
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Puppuccino (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Vibez (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Golden Topaz (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Copper Sunrise (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Juvia's Place Boronu (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Divergent Peaceful Shimmer (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tea Time (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ignite (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Djali (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Twinkle (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.00/0.17 oz. - $41.18 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to be a "super longwearing liquid shadow" that can be used as "an all over base color, a touch of glitter, or extreme metallic foil" with "high coverage" and "no fall out." They were quite pigmented, and they sheered out a bit as liquid and cream products do as you diffuse the edges. The liquid eyeshadows applied better with an exterior applicator, whether synthetic brushes or fingertips (though I'd recommend swiping product onto a clean palette or brush rather than directly onto fingertips!). The wand applicator makes it hard to apply with precision and worked best for all-over, one-and-done application.
The formula felt watery and thin, and it spread out decently, but there was a lot of fine and larger shimmer/sparkle without a strong base color, so they tended to look better and more even in person as the shimmers reflected light. They dry down fast enough that I could diffuse and blend edges but not so slow that it pulled into my creases as it dried down. I found that they tended to breakdown from teary or watery eyes, as I always noticed gaps or missing pieces where I might water more (inner and outer corners) but did not have that issue elsewhere (like the lid).
I think the more glittery shades worked best as something layered on top of other products and not as much on their own unless used as liner--they seem to do okay as a thin line, likely due to the fact that it's just a lot harder to see any imperfections when the line itself is thin. More metallic, less sparkly/glittery, shades seemed to work best alone (as they were quite pigmented, too, so they didn't lend themselves well to layering).
I didn't have much fallout over time but occasionally, there was a small chunk of product that dropped (rather than a few stray glitters). I also felt like the smoothest application was with fingertips as a brush seemed to make the product more likely to clump up or accentuate lid texture.
Browse all of our ColourPop Supernova Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Silica, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Copper Powder (CI 77400), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Party Posse
LELimited Edition. $7.00.
Plain Jane
Plain Jane is a deep, plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was intensely pigmented with a lightweight, thin (but not watery) texture that was easy to apply and blend out on my skin but did not take too long to dry. I would recommend working one eye at a time to ensure diffused edges before it dries completely, though. It didn’t have any flaking, fading, or creasing over the 10 hours it wore for.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Roach (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Espresso (377) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Raw (PiP, $8.04) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop West Star (P, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Songbird (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Antique Coin (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Sense (384M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Babe (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop You're Kitten Me (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Chocolate Brown #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.00/0.17 oz. - $41.18 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to be a "super longwearing liquid shadow" that can be used as "an all over base color, a touch of glitter, or extreme metallic foil" with "high coverage" and "no fall out." They were quite pigmented, and they sheered out a bit as liquid and cream products do as you diffuse the edges. The liquid eyeshadows applied better with an exterior applicator, whether synthetic brushes or fingertips (though I'd recommend swiping product onto a clean palette or brush rather than directly onto fingertips!). The wand applicator makes it hard to apply with precision and worked best for all-over, one-and-done application.
The formula felt watery and thin, and it spread out decently, but there was a lot of fine and larger shimmer/sparkle without a strong base color, so they tended to look better and more even in person as the shimmers reflected light. They dry down fast enough that I could diffuse and blend edges but not so slow that it pulled into my creases as it dried down. I found that they tended to breakdown from teary or watery eyes, as I always noticed gaps or missing pieces where I might water more (inner and outer corners) but did not have that issue elsewhere (like the lid).
I think the more glittery shades worked best as something layered on top of other products and not as much on their own unless used as liner--they seem to do okay as a thin line, likely due to the fact that it's just a lot harder to see any imperfections when the line itself is thin. More metallic, less sparkly/glittery, shades seemed to work best alone (as they were quite pigmented, too, so they didn't lend themselves well to layering).
I didn't have much fallout over time but occasionally, there was a small chunk of product that dropped (rather than a few stray glitters). I also felt like the smoothest application was with fingertips as a brush seemed to make the product more likely to clump up or accentuate lid texture.
Browse all of our ColourPop Supernova Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Stearic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Copper Powder (CI 77400), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Plain Jane
LELimited Edition. $7.00.
LOML
LOML is a rich, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and a pearly sheen. It wasn’t quite as metallic as it appeared in the tube, but it did have noticeable shine. It was intensely pigmented–a little went a long way–but it applied evenly across my skin and stayed in place for 10 hours without budging.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Girl Crush (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Once and Floral (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Firecracker (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Seedling (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Juvia's Place Nomad (P, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Ruby #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Euphoria (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mademoiselle (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Scorpion (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors My Jam (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$7.00/0.17 oz. - $41.18 Per Ounce
Per the brand, the formula is supposed to be a "super longwearing liquid shadow" that can be used as "an all over base color, a touch of glitter, or extreme metallic foil" with "high coverage" and "no fall out." They were quite pigmented, and they sheered out a bit as liquid and cream products do as you diffuse the edges. The liquid eyeshadows applied better with an exterior applicator, whether synthetic brushes or fingertips (though I'd recommend swiping product onto a clean palette or brush rather than directly onto fingertips!). The wand applicator makes it hard to apply with precision and worked best for all-over, one-and-done application.
The formula felt watery and thin, and it spread out decently, but there was a lot of fine and larger shimmer/sparkle without a strong base color, so they tended to look better and more even in person as the shimmers reflected light. They dry down fast enough that I could diffuse and blend edges but not so slow that it pulled into my creases as it dried down. I found that they tended to breakdown from teary or watery eyes, as I always noticed gaps or missing pieces where I might water more (inner and outer corners) but did not have that issue elsewhere (like the lid).
I think the more glittery shades worked best as something layered on top of other products and not as much on their own unless used as liner--they seem to do okay as a thin line, likely due to the fact that it's just a lot harder to see any imperfections when the line itself is thin. More metallic, less sparkly/glittery, shades seemed to work best alone (as they were quite pigmented, too, so they didn't lend themselves well to layering).
I didn't have much fallout over time but occasionally, there was a small chunk of product that dropped (rather than a few stray glitters). I also felt like the smoothest application was with fingertips as a brush seemed to make the product more likely to clump up or accentuate lid texture.
Browse all of our ColourPop Supernova Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
These are really quite nice looking. My 2 favorite shades are Plain Jane and LOML. I could see using them in simpler looks where I would use these as lid washes with thick black liner and mascara, some Orb on the browbone and perhaps a matte or satin transition shade. Voila!
What a stunningly beautiful set and what a shame about the dud shade too. It could have been a perfect A across the board. But I still love the shades.
Mine should arrive Monday! Plain Jane and LOML are going to be fantastic as eyeliners 😀
Nice set. ColourPop’s keeping it tight.