ColourPop Shortcake Highlighter Trio Review, Photos, Swatches
Shortcake
ColourPop Shortcake Highlighter Trio ($22.00 for 0.45 oz.) includes three highlighters–two are totally new, one is a repromote–housed in a paper sleeve but each is individually packaged (just like any of the standalone highlighters). You can also purchase any of the included shades individually for $8 a pop. I’m a big fan of ColourPop’s highlighters, as they are particularly long-wearing and very blendable on the skin. All three shades performed well in this set, and I’ve always loved the undertone of Candyman for something that’s warming without being orange or yellow-based.
Shortcake
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Soft Serve
Soft Serve is a rich, molten copper with strong, warm orange undertones and a pearl sheen. It had nearly semi-opaque pigmentation applied with a stippling brush, which made it more pigmented than most shades in this formula. As expected, it had full coverage when applied with fingertips or a flat, synthetic brush. The consistency was smooth, spongy without being truly wet. It applied and looked more like a powder product once blended out. The intensity of this shade made it easier to over-apply, but after I applied it for a second time (when I actually tested it for wear, not just for showing it in a photo!), I was able to use a lot less and had no difficulty blending and diffusing the edges. The color was still going strong after ten hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Shaft of Gold (LE, $42.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Sensation (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Sundown (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Anastasia Bronzed (P, $25.00) is less pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Papaya/Topaz (P, $27.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Bronze Hero (LE, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Lynx (P, $22.00).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.15 oz. - $53.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage and can be applied with fingertips (which will yield "higher coverage") or a brush (for sheerer coverage). It's a cream-based product that has a subtle, "wet" feel to it but never has the thickness of a true cream-based blush. It goes on with the smoothness of a cream formulation but diffuses and blends (without lifting up one's base) more like a powder product. The product sets to a powder finish, so the product won't slide around during the day. On me, the wear tends to be between eight and 10 hours. Most shades have medium, buildable pigmentation with some being semi-opaque to opaque on occasion. They are typically blendable, easy to use, and long-wearing.
Browse all of our ColourPop Super Shock Cheek swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, SILICA, ALUMINA, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, BRONZE POWDER (CI 77400), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, 77492, 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.
Soft Serve
DCDiscontinued. $8.00.
Iced
Iced is a soft, medium pink with warm undertones and a pearly shimmer-sheen finish. The pan itself was split into two shades–a slightly marbleized beige and a deeper warm pink. It had medium coverage applied with a stippling brush and full coverage applied with fingertips or a flat synthetic brush, though it could be built up with a brush if preferred. The texture was soft, smooth, and blendable on the skin; it did not feel as emollient as other shades I’ve tried in the formula but did not feel or appear dry. It wore well for ten hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente (Highlighter) (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Highlighter (LE, $60.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Botanic Dream (P, $4.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Make Love Instead (P, $5.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Sand (LE, $68.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Essence Pink Flush (P, $5.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani No. 08 (P, $62.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Peach Kiss (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Stunner (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Bikini (P, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.15 oz. - $53.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage and can be applied with fingertips (which will yield "higher coverage") or a brush (for sheerer coverage). It's a cream-based product that has a subtle, "wet" feel to it but never has the thickness of a true cream-based blush. It goes on with the smoothness of a cream formulation but diffuses and blends (without lifting up one's base) more like a powder product. The product sets to a powder finish, so the product won't slide around during the day. On me, the wear tends to be between eight and 10 hours. Most shades have medium, buildable pigmentation with some being semi-opaque to opaque on occasion. They are typically blendable, easy to use, and long-wearing.
Browse all of our ColourPop Super Shock Cheek swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SILICA, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TIN OXIDE, CARMINE (CI 75470), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), MICA (CI 77019), RED 6 (CI 15850), 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.
Iced
LELimited Edition. $8.00.
Candyman
Candyman is a rich, deep copper with warm, reddish undertones and a golden, metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented when applied with a fingertip or a flat, synthetic brush and had more buildable coverage with a stippling brush. The consistency was smooth, wet without being slippery, and applied easily across the cheeks. The cheek color was still going stayed on well for over ten hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Bronze (P, $46.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Laguna (P, $39.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Golden Age (LE, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Dior #004 (DC, $56.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Gilty Bronze (LE, $29.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kaja Chocolate Moon (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Ignite (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Cover FX Gilded (LE, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Cover FX Candlelight (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Glorify (LE, $42.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$10.00/0.15 oz. - $66.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage and can be applied with fingertips (which will yield "higher coverage") or a brush (for sheerer coverage). It's a cream-based product that has a subtle, "wet" feel to it but never has the thickness of a true cream-based blush.
It goes on with the smoothness of a cream formulation but diffuses and blends (without lifting up one's base) more like a powder product. The product sets to a powder finish, so the product won't slide around during the day.
On me, the wear tends to be between eight and 10 hours. Most shades have medium, buildable pigmentation with some being semi-opaque to opaque on occasion. They are typically blendable, easy to use, and long-wearing.
Browse all of our ColourPop Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter) swatches.
Ingredients
DIMETHICONE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TIN OXIDE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, 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.
You might have already mentioned this, but how do these highlighters compare to Lancome’s Glow Subtil Silky Cremes? They look SO similar in the packaging and some of the colors seem to be dupes as well.
The formula is very similar – I mentioned it in my review of Lancome’s product, since ColourPop’s released a lot earlier!
Wow, this will be stunning on medium to darker skintones!
I totally agree, Katherine!
Candyman and Iced are sooo tempting for me to get in my next CP haul! I don’t need Soft Serve as I do have MAC Shaft Of Gold, which I adore. Candyman makes think of a check combo I did a lot last summer using MAC Cheek Pollen with CP Butterfly Beach.
I love how with CP you can buy them as a trio or separately!
How totally perfect are these shades?
Agreed!
OK I NEED A TUTORIAL FOR BLUSH, HIGHLIGHTER APPLICATION FROM YOU, ON YOUTUBE CHRISTINE!
I actually feel like I’m not very good at blush – like it’s hit or miss; some days, it goes well, and other days, I feel like I have no credibility at all!
You have modesty my dear!
I like Iced and Candyman as combo blush/toppers (no blusher underneath)
, Soft Serve would be too much color for my fair skin.
Soft Serve would be intense!
I really, really like Iced.
It’ll be hard to pick just a few of all the new ones.
It will be!
I really like Iced, love the soft pink shade. Candy is also nice, reminds me of Modern Mercury. Soft Serve though is too strong a shade for me to pull off on my fair skin.
Iced is nice!
I really like Iced. However your pan looks like it contains way more pink than the swatches on their website. Since it’s a marbleized formula, I’m worried that I’ll end up with the same kind of gold-ish highlighters that I already own. I’d definitely buy it if it was guaranteed to look like yours!