ColourPop Sweet Dreams, No Rest for the Vivid, Wavelength, Morning Light Jelly Much Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Sweet Dreams
ColourPop Sweet Dreams Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a medium pink with warm undertones and flecks of gold and pink sparkle. It had medium coverage that was slightly buildable (to mostly opaque) with two layers, though you’ll want to ensure the first layer is dry before applying the second. The texture felt cool and watery initially, and then it was lightweight, thin, and quick to dry down to a transfer-proof finish on my lid. It lasted well for 10 hours without creasing, fading, or having fallout.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Playful Sweetheart (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop LOL No (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Winged (LE, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Givenchy Inattendue #3 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Jam Packed (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #21 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Chakra to Me (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Strawberry (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Fusion (764) (P, $29.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Meteor Crush (LE, ) (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, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PPG-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), 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.
Sweet Dreams
LELimited Edition. $9.00.
No Rest for the Vivid
ColourPop No Rest for the Vivid Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of bluish-pink and silver sparkle. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a watery, cooling texture that felt very fluid but was quite thin on my lid. The product dried down fully within 10-15 seconds, which gave me enough time to apply, even out, and diffuse a bit, but it didn’t have such a tight dry down that I wasn’t able to blend near it as it did not flake off when I did so (sometimes cream eyeshadows do this if you muck around with them after they’re set!). The eyeshadow wore nicely for 10 hours without fading, creasing, or having fallout.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lethal Cosmetics Evoke (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia B3 (Norvina Vol. 1) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Halley's Comet (P, $8.50) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Glow Pop (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sherbert Day (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Mainframe (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Givenchy Inattendue #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Ivy (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Neon Orange #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Moira Bang (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, warmer (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, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PPG-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), 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.
No Rest for the Vivid
LELimited Edition. $9.00.
Wavelength
ColourPop Wavelength Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a pale white base with a pink-to-lavender shifting sparkle. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that was somewhat buildable but worked best as a layering shade or to brighten an area. The consistency felt similar to other shades in the formula–watery, cool, and thin but fairly easy to apply and quick to set. They’re messier to open up but easier to use than the Super Shock Shadows sometimes. It stayed on well for 10 hours without fallout, fading, or creasing on my lid.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Moira Stardom (P, $8.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Coy #9 (LE, ) is lighter, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop GRLFRND (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Floating Lights (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Wink (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Mirrorball (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Rose #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Shine De-light (P, $18.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Haedus (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Cooler Than Being Cool (LE, $21.00) is more 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, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, PPG-8 Ceteth-20, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
Wavelength
LELimited Edition. $9.00.
Morning Light
ColourPop Morning Light Jelly Much Eyeshadow ($8.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a light-medium orange with peach-to-pink shifting pearl paired with a more metallic sheen. It had excellent pigmentation with a lightweight, watery consistency that felt cool to the touch but applied evenly and dried down quickly (but still had enough time to diffuse and soften the edges). It lasted well for 10 hours without fading or creasing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Mirage #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Caramelo (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Helena (275K) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Tweed Fauve #4 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Romeo (Deep) (PiP, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #6 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Apricot (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Strawberry Jam (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Dune #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Sky's the Limit (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, 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, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, 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), 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.
What stunning spring/summery shades and such good ratings too.
Hi Christine,
I’m trying to figure out if there’s any advantage to using a wet formula like this instead of a powder/gel/creme which all seem like they are easier to apply precisely, blend, and combine with other shadows. Assuming you can get similar color/shine payoff, is there a rationale for adding these to your collection? They just seem harder to use in multiple ways, and not qualitatively different in appearance…. Your/anyone’s thoughts?
These wear a lot longer than the average powder-based product, just in general. I find they are about as easy/hard to use as any gel/cream-based formula, so I don’t think there’s necessarily an advantage nor disadvantage to using these over another cream formula. These will diffuse and give a better wash of color than a heavier/thicker cream product (like Super Shock Shadows).
I’m really interested in these for several reasons. One, I have dry skin now that I’m older, and gel or jelly or mousse type formulas feel better and don’t look powdery on me. Two, I love the nostalgia factor because I remember in the ’70s when this formula was all the rage (of course, the main color was baby blue). Finally, these CP ones are so much more reasonably priced than similar-looking jellies from Butter London et al.
Christine, I’d love it if you did a comparison post with all jelly/gel shadows. There are probably more brands out there than I realize.
Pure gorgeousness, each and every one! My personal favorite is Morning Light. It looks like the perfect winter peach with that icy glow coming from it!
Back in the mid 70’s Revlon made a gel type eye shadow that came in a yellow, plastic container with a clear lid. There was a very deep and very cool toned brown and the shadows were touted to wear for 24 hours. They were amazing shadows. They didn’t crease, move or wear off. They were bulletproof and so easy to blend. I used that brown shade everyday for probably 2 years before I finally used it up and when I went to buy another they had discontinued the formula. They had both matte and shimmer shades though if memory serves me, the mattes were the best. I would love to try some of these and will have to see if I can find a colour that appeals to me. I really hate it when brands have a stellar formula and then just discontinue or reformulate. I am looking at you MUFE.
I kind of wonder if there was anything in them that made them wear 24-hours that isn’t allowed to be used now!
You are probably right. I actually hadn’t thought of that possibility but it makes sense because I haven’t seen anything like them since. When I first saw these ColourPop gels I couldn’t really envision them being easy to work with and blend out around the edges. They are very pretty colours though.