ColourPop Late Bloomer, Big Ego, Whistlin' Pixie Jelly Much Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Late Bloomer
ColourPop Late Bloomer Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a medium-dark, plummy-brown base with blue-to-teal shifting sparkle. It had opaque color payoff that adhered well to bare skin using a flat, synthetic brush to pat it into place. A little went a long way, though, and when combined to the very water-based formula, it can be easy to over-apply the product, so there’s a learning curve on this product. The texture was smooth, quick-drying, and fairly blendable along the edges; my trick is to wait a few seconds for it to semi-set, then diffuse the edges. It was still going strong after 10 hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Glaminatrix Luna (PiP, $8.77) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Noble (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Half Moon (P, $9.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Cosmic Ray (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Dark Matter (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Humoresque (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Real (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Calypso Blue (05M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lucid (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.00/0.23 oz. - $39.13 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high impact" in a "single swipe" that's longwearing, "won't crease, fade or transfer" and "dries down to a powder finish with zero fall out." These are water-based, so they feel wet and cooling when initially applied, but the reality is that so little product is needed to get coverage on the lid that I didn't feel it was watery or thin when I actually patted it onto my lid with a brush.
I would recommend using less than you think you'll need, and while fingertips can be used to apply, I liked the control of flat, synthetic brushes gave me as fingertips (for me!) applied far more product than needed. If you over-apply, it can feel wet and take longer to dry down, and it ends up taking too long and can pull into creases/fine lines on the lid. If I used about what I needed (there was some wiggle room), it dried down quickly and set to a transfer-resistant/crease-resistant finish. It was harder to blend out once dry, though, and if I wasn't careful, more vigorous blending could disturb and cause the eyeshadow to flake slightly.
They are easier to use than they look, and I think they're quite good overall, though a couple of shades were less stellar. They have a high-shine finish, though I think the more metallic powder and cream eyeshadows give a similar look that I wasn't convinced that the finish on these was above and beyond products that might be easier to use/more user-friendly. I'm not sure that the pot was the best way to go, as the product dries out extremely quickly; to the point where I would advise closing the product after you've taken product out of it, don't let it sit open while you're applying the rest of your makeup--you will see and feel parts of it dry out.
I found the packaging to be rather messy, and I have bits of product along the edge of the jar, along the rim, and it's fiddly to move the stopper from the opening to the lid and back again. I wonder if a squeeze tube might be less messy and make it easier to control the amount of product picked up while also preventing the product from drying out too readily.
WARNING: This formula seems to dry out within months; some readers report a couple of months and others more like a six-month window. I don't keep the majority of cream-based products (since I don't return to most products after reviewing), including these, but of the few I still have, there is a definite change in consistency--slightly drier--after six months, sometimes more or less. I had a couple that were closer to the year mark, and one was still usable but the other was quite dried down.
Browse all of our ColourPop Jelly Much Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Silica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ppg-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
Late Bloomer
PPermanent. $9.00.
Big Ego
ColourPop Big Ego Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a medium, pinky-lavender base with flecks of gold that tends to look lighter and more golden when applied to the lid. The texture was very watery and wet to the touch–there was a cooling effect as a result during application–but it had good pigmentation and went on evenly. I highly recommend using less than you might think you need and adding a bit more (after the first layer dries down) if necessary. Once it set, the eyeshadow stayed in place well for 10 hours without fading or flaking.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Oh So Dainty (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Moira In Pursuit (P, $8.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Goodish (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Sea Siren (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Clionadh Chelle (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Shocking (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Parade (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Becca Abalone (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pretty One (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Grace (P, $8.04) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.00/0.23 oz. - $39.13 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high impact" in a "single swipe" that's longwearing, "won't crease, fade or transfer" and "dries down to a powder finish with zero fall out." These are water-based, so they feel wet and cooling when initially applied, but the reality is that so little product is needed to get coverage on the lid that I didn't feel it was watery or thin when I actually patted it onto my lid with a brush.
I would recommend using less than you think you'll need, and while fingertips can be used to apply, I liked the control of flat, synthetic brushes gave me as fingertips (for me!) applied far more product than needed. If you over-apply, it can feel wet and take longer to dry down, and it ends up taking too long and can pull into creases/fine lines on the lid. If I used about what I needed (there was some wiggle room), it dried down quickly and set to a transfer-resistant/crease-resistant finish. It was harder to blend out once dry, though, and if I wasn't careful, more vigorous blending could disturb and cause the eyeshadow to flake slightly.
They are easier to use than they look, and I think they're quite good overall, though a couple of shades were less stellar. They have a high-shine finish, though I think the more metallic powder and cream eyeshadows give a similar look that I wasn't convinced that the finish on these was above and beyond products that might be easier to use/more user-friendly. I'm not sure that the pot was the best way to go, as the product dries out extremely quickly; to the point where I would advise closing the product after you've taken product out of it, don't let it sit open while you're applying the rest of your makeup--you will see and feel parts of it dry out.
I found the packaging to be rather messy, and I have bits of product along the edge of the jar, along the rim, and it's fiddly to move the stopper from the opening to the lid and back again. I wonder if a squeeze tube might be less messy and make it easier to control the amount of product picked up while also preventing the product from drying out too readily.
WARNING: This formula seems to dry out within months; some readers report a couple of months and others more like a six-month window. I don't keep the majority of cream-based products (since I don't return to most products after reviewing), including these, but of the few I still have, there is a definite change in consistency--slightly drier--after six months, sometimes more or less. I had a couple that were closer to the year mark, and one was still usable but the other was quite dried down.
Browse all of our ColourPop Jelly Much Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ppg-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
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.
Big Ego
PPermanent. $9.00.
Whistlin' Pixie
ColourPop Whistlin’ Pixie Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a rich, coppery-red with flecks of gold sparkle over a metallic finish. It had rich color payoff that adhered well to bare skin in a single layer. The consistency was water-based, so it had a very wet, cool feeling when applied to my skin initially, but it dried down quickly and didn’t crease as it did so. I felt like I had just enough time to maneuver the color into place and gently buff the edges upwards to blend, though I’d recommend working one area at a time! It wore well for over 10 hours on me before starting to fade a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Happy Eyes (Prime) (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Gal (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Iguana Love You (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Element (PiP, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Hammered (LE, $28.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Cyclone (138DC) (DC, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Diva Feva (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Milani Desert Getaway (PiP, $5.99) is lighter, more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Gemstone #6 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bling (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.00/0.23 oz. - $39.13 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high impact" in a "single swipe" that's longwearing, "won't crease, fade or transfer" and "dries down to a powder finish with zero fall out." These are water-based, so they feel wet and cooling when initially applied, but the reality is that so little product is needed to get coverage on the lid that I didn't feel it was watery or thin when I actually patted it onto my lid with a brush.
I would recommend using less than you think you'll need, and while fingertips can be used to apply, I liked the control of flat, synthetic brushes gave me as fingertips (for me!) applied far more product than needed. If you over-apply, it can feel wet and take longer to dry down, and it ends up taking too long and can pull into creases/fine lines on the lid. If I used about what I needed (there was some wiggle room), it dried down quickly and set to a transfer-resistant/crease-resistant finish. It was harder to blend out once dry, though, and if I wasn't careful, more vigorous blending could disturb and cause the eyeshadow to flake slightly.
They are easier to use than they look, and I think they're quite good overall, though a couple of shades were less stellar. They have a high-shine finish, though I think the more metallic powder and cream eyeshadows give a similar look that I wasn't convinced that the finish on these was above and beyond products that might be easier to use/more user-friendly. I'm not sure that the pot was the best way to go, as the product dries out extremely quickly; to the point where I would advise closing the product after you've taken product out of it, don't let it sit open while you're applying the rest of your makeup--you will see and feel parts of it dry out.
I found the packaging to be rather messy, and I have bits of product along the edge of the jar, along the rim, and it's fiddly to move the stopper from the opening to the lid and back again. I wonder if a squeeze tube might be less messy and make it easier to control the amount of product picked up while also preventing the product from drying out too readily.
WARNING: This formula seems to dry out within months; some readers report a couple of months and others more like a six-month window. I don't keep the majority of cream-based products (since I don't return to most products after reviewing), including these, but of the few I still have, there is a definite change in consistency--slightly drier--after six months, sometimes more or less. I had a couple that were closer to the year mark, and one was still usable but the other was quite dried down.
Browse all of our ColourPop Jelly Much Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Water, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ppg-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 7799), 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.
Late Bloomer to me looks almost identical to Half Moon Jelly Much Shadow by Colourpop? It’s interesting that they would make such a close dupe in the same formula.
My thoughts exactly…CP duping itself yet again.
My hypothesis is that they tweak their formula for certain shades and assigning new names to indicate the new formula. As a result, they make something only slightly different but if well received, they can eventually replace the old formula/product with the newer one. Each new product is an individual experiment and with their low cost/high volume model, they can built an extremely robust data set that highlights what’s popular, what need work/replacement and whether the replacement is successful. Over time, they will get closer to amazing formulas, yet never stop experimenting because people will keep buying and trying the dupes.
That’s an interesting theory! I have definitely noticed a difference between the first run of jelly much shadows, which were more watery, and the holiday/spring release, which are a bit thicker and gel-like.
Yes, https://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=Colour+Pop+Late+Bloomer&sbs_1=380521&sbs_2_search=Colour+Pop+Half+Moon&sbs_2=353979
I really, really want to try one of these! But I must stick to my no-buy.
These are beautiful, vibrant shades, but personally I don’t think I am into this kind of formula.
I really want to try Big Ego or a similar lighter shade!
This seems like it would be drying to my lids, did you think so? Late bloomer somehow looks like it has too big of glitter flecks in it for me. I like a shimmer, but the shimmer in that one and in your eye look is just too big for my taste. The coppers look really pretty and sophisticated though, and I love how you combined the copper and plum.
No, they don’t seem drying to me!
I keep looking at this product on the ColourPop site, but don’t “get it”, lol. The swatches look nice and it seems like there’s good lasting-power, but I’m not too interested in messing with a new formulation. Must be getting old! ?
So the big thing about these over say, powder eyeshadow, is just that they have a more reflective/sparkly finish that is hard to replicate in true powder form AND has better adhesion compared to a powder-version of a particular shade. They do have a learning curve, though – sort of a mashup betwee liquid and cream really, so new in a way but not a total departure from other products we’ve had in the arsenal for awhile.
With a few dupes of Late Bloomer, and more than I would like to admit to having for Whistlin’ Pixie, the only one that I intend to get is Big Ego. First of all, that is one very beautiful lavender eyeshadow! Secondly, after finally breaking out my pot of Hallucinagenious, I’m happy to report that it handled a very busy laundry day and never creased or flaked off!
Big Ego is SO pretty!
Big Ego looks perfect paired with L.M African Violet or MAC Trax and Vex eyeshadows!
Well, aren’t these pretty? Good quality and nice price! Wonder if they will dry out too quickly. At that price, may be worth it to find out. The Big Ego shade is on my wish list.
I was immediately interested in Late Bloomer (watched live swatches and then swatched here)… but then I realized that it looks really close to Mr. Sandman. Coincidentally, that is what I am wearing today! While they are different formulas, I love Mr. Sandman so I don’t need to add Late Bloomer to my collection. I do want to explore the Jelly Much formula so I’ll pick up at least one, just have to figure out what color I like that I can’t already replicate.
These things are so unappealing to look at in the pot, lol. But the colors look great!
Oh waaauw Big Ego looks so pretty