ColourPop SWAK Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
SWAK
ColourPop SWAK 5-Pan Pressed Powder Palette ($10.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition five-pan palette that included two true mattes, one sparkly matte, and two shimmer shades. The palette performed consistently with recent eyeshadows released by the brand, such that the mattes were a little more powdery and shimmers weren’t as cream-like (instead, they were looser). The majority of the shades applied without a lot of effort and were pigmented.
SWAK
LELimited Edition. $10.00.
Besos
Besos is a light, yellowy gold base with flecks of pink and peach shimmer throughout a more frosted finish. The texture was slightly thicker, which resulted in some emphasis of lid texture when applied dry, so applying it with a fingertip or a dampened brush helped to smooth it out and make it appear metallic but less frosted. It had opaque color coverage paired with a soft, more loosely-pressed texture that had light fallout during application. It stayed on nicely for seven and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC So, So Saucy (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Lace Up (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Queen (262M) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Rags to Riches (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia B1 (Norvina Vol. 4) (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Dune (186S) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Clarity (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I520 Pinky Sand (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Dior Eden-Roc #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Penthouse (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$4.50/0.05 oz. - $90.00 Per Ounce
The new Pressed Powder Shadow formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented” with an “ultra-velvety and silky” texture that is “long-wearing” and “adheres easily to the eyes.” Most of the shades have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applies well to bare skin, blends out without issue, and lasts for seven to eight hours.
The matte eyeshadows tend to be a little more powdery, though soft and finely-milled, in the pan, while the shimmers have a creamier, dense consistency. Occasionally, the more sparkly or metallic shades apply better with fingertips or a dampened brush.
Browse all of our ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadow swatches.
Besos
LELimited Edition. $4.50.
Smooch
Smooch is a darker, brownish-peach with muted, warm undertones and flecks of micro-sparkle over a matte finish. Those sparkles didn’t bind with the base product, so they resulted in a lot of fallout during application, even after tapping off excess with my brush prior to trying to lay it down. The texture was more loosely-pressed, powdery, though blendable, but the opaque coverage tended to sheer out in practice. It lasted decently for seven and a half hours on me and had light fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ready or Not (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Different Strokes (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Honesty (P, $5.25) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hollywood Canteen (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Paired (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Ciate Nini (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Moira Cinnamon (P, $7.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Supermodel (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Come-Hither (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Lunar (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$4.50/0.05 oz. - $90.00 Per Ounce
The new Pressed Powder Shadow formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented” with an “ultra-velvety and silky” texture that is “long-wearing” and “adheres easily to the eyes.” Most of the shades have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applies well to bare skin, blends out without issue, and lasts for seven to eight hours.
The matte eyeshadows tend to be a little more powdery, though soft and finely-milled, in the pan, while the shimmers have a creamier, dense consistency. Occasionally, the more sparkly or metallic shades apply better with fingertips or a dampened brush.
Browse all of our ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadow swatches.
Smooch
LELimited Edition. $4.50.
XX
XX is a soft, rosy coral with warm undertones and a metallic finish. The eyeshadow had rich pigmentation with a soft, lightly creamy consistency that wasn’t too dense nor too firmly pressed into the pan. It applied evenly to my lid and blended out well along the edges. There was fading present after eight hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Juvia's Place Osun (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Firenze (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Begonia (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rare Earth (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Enchantress (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Nude Light #7 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Pop Art Princess (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Big Treat (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Visionaire #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Lancome Kitten Heel (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$4.50/0.05 oz. - $90.00 Per Ounce
The new Pressed Powder Shadow formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented” with an “ultra-velvety and silky” texture that is “long-wearing” and “adheres easily to the eyes.” Most of the shades have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applies well to bare skin, blends out without issue, and lasts for seven to eight hours.
The matte eyeshadows tend to be a little more powdery, though soft and finely-milled, in the pan, while the shimmers have a creamier, dense consistency. Occasionally, the more sparkly or metallic shades apply better with fingertips or a dampened brush.
Browse all of our ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadow swatches.
XX
LELimited Edition. $4.50.
Canoodle
Canoodle is a muted, medium-dark rusty copper with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, lightly powdery texture that felt smooth to the touch and wasn’t too dry. It applied evenly and blended out without difficulty. This shade stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics 1 Upper (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Foxfire (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Rose Berry (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Chingona (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Guava (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pipers Piping (P, $5.25) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Southern Flame (LE, $5.25) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace You Can (PiP, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M738 Auburn (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Morphe Chestnut (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$4.50/0.05 oz. - $90.00 Per Ounce
The new Pressed Powder Shadow formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented” with an “ultra-velvety and silky” texture that is “long-wearing” and “adheres easily to the eyes.” Most of the shades have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation that applies well to bare skin, blends out without issue, and lasts for seven to eight hours.
The matte eyeshadows tend to be a little more powdery, though soft and finely-milled, in the pan, while the shimmers have a creamier, dense consistency. Occasionally, the more sparkly or metallic shades apply better with fingertips or a dampened brush.
Browse all of our ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadow swatches.
Canoodle
LELimited Edition. $4.50.
Mack
Mack is a deep red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The product had a lot of pigmentation, but it wasn’t quite as blendable as it could have been, so I would recommend using less and building up coverage (if needed) to make it easier to diffuse the edges. The texture was smooth to the touch, slightly powdery but a bit firmer compared to more recent matte shades by the brand. It lasted for eight hours before fading a bit and did stain my lid slightly after removal.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Rebellion (403CP) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, more muted (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Botanic Juice (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Groseille (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Ace Beaute Soil (DC, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop My Everything (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Viseart Louvre (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Debonair (LE, $6.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Gaston (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bloodmilk (LE, ) is more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Garnet (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$4.50/0.05 oz. - $90.00 Per Ounce
The new Pressed Powder Shadow formula is supposed to be “highly pigmented” with an “ultra-velvety and silky” texture that is “long-wearing." The way the Pressed Pigments differ is that they're not intended for usage on the immediate eye area.
The majority of the shades are semi-opaque to opaque in coverage, blend out fairly well, and can sometimes be a bit drier/more powdery compared to typical matte shades. They often wear eight to nine hours on me before fading, but many shades in the Pressed Pigment family leave some staining behind.
Browse all of our ColourPop Pressed Powder Pigment swatches.
Well, as it turns out, I don’t actually have any dupes for 3 of the shades, and no super close ones for the other 2! Safe for me to throw into my cart, I suppose. Which is a positive, since I really love this color story a lot.
I am in total shock Nancy, that you don’t have dupes for three of the shades! I thought you had dupes for just about every colour of the rainbow!
What is the purpose of these sparkly mattes, I still don’t understand 😩
This is quite a good one from CP. given their record of adding glitter to everything. I thought XX was the prettiest shade and all them seem to work well together.