ColourPop The Zodiac Pressed Powder Shadows Reviews & Swatches (Part 1)
The Aries
ColourPop The Aries Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm undertones and a golden shimmer throughout. The texture was soft, smooth, and a little powdery in the pan, but I didn’t have issues with fallout during application. It had opaque pigmentation and applied evenly to bare skin. The color stayed on well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Floaties (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia D4 (Norvina Vol. 3) (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Mariposa (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Garden Variety (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME734 Tangerine (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Marmalade (DC, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME734 Tangerine (P, $17.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Dream (LE, $6.99) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sand Castle (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Taj Mahal (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (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.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Talc, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492), Mica (CI 77019), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), 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.
The Aries
PPermanent. $4.50.
The Taurus
ColourPop The Taurus Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a light, golden brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich pigmentation with a smooth, velvety texture that wasn’t too thin nor too powdery in the pan. It applied evenly and blended out without difficulty. The eyeshadow lasted well for eight hours on me before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Take Cover (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wilshire (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Dragon Scales #1 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Nude (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M647 Speculoos (P, $17.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Sephora Nylon (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Lil B (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Caramel (P, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Tawny (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Back to Surreality (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (95% 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.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
The Taurus
PPermanent. $4.50.
The Gemini
ColourPop The Gemini Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, light-medium metallic gold with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had good pigmentation in one layer and was best applied by pressing and patting onto my lid, as it was a little dusty in the pan. It stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Gucci Beauty Antique Gold (DC, $37.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Hourglass Color Field #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Bronze Antique (32) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #7 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Zoeva Industrial Fortune (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Gold Dipped (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Night Thrill (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Vanilla Bean (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Hold My Gold (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Goldmine (LE, $19.00) is 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.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Talc, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Bronze 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.
Looks Using this Product
The Gemini
PPermanent. $4.50.
The Cancer
ColourPop The Cancer Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a light peach with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with slightly more product or with a wet brush. The consistency was soft but more loosely-pressed, so I’d recommend using a light hand with it to avoid fallout. It wore well for eight hours on me before I noticed fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Destiny (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- Zoeva Handmade (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Café Crème (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil d'Hiver #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- theBalm #18 (P, $6.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Frappe (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Jardin Zen #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Champagne Bubble Bath (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Endowed (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Viseart Rendezvous (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% 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.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Talc, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), 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.
Looks Using this Product
The Cancer
PPermanent. $4.50.
The Leo
ColourPop The Leo Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a metallic finish. The eyeshadow was more loosely pressed in the pan, so there was some powderiness when I used it. The pigmentation was opaque in one pass, but it was a shade I’d recommend pressing and patting into place rather than sweeping it on to avoid fallout. It lasted well for eight hours on me before it started to fade. The color looked more golden on me with less of the orange-red base coming through on me–almost like it had more shimmer–than the one I have from the original palette.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics Frivolous (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Party Favors (P, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop On Vacay (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Viseart Prosecco (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Organica (Right) (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC It's Designer (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Sunkissed (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #6 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Rays (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Unveiled (PiP, $8.04) is lighter, 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.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Carmine (CI 75470), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), 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.
Looks Using this Product
The Leo
PPermanent. $4.50.
The Virgo
ColourPop The Virgo Pressed Powder Shadow ($4.50 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark taupe with neutral undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had rich pigmentation with a smooth, blendable texture that wasn’t too powdery nor too firmly pressed in the pan. The eyeshadow applied evenly to my skin and was easy to use overall. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me before fading noticeably. I found the single to be a bit easier to work with, more blendable, and more forgiving compared to the palette version I have.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- bareMinerals Fuze (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Grounds (P, $5.25) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Eiffel Tower (LE, $5.25) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Belladonna (DC, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Volatile (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Persona Maverick (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Malibu (PiP, $5.25) is darker (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Assimilate (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Bali (DC, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Take the Lead (LE, $4.50) is lighter, 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.
Ingredients
Zinc Stearate, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Talc, Dimethiconol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, 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.
Do my eyes deceive me, or is there some blue shimmer in Virgo? ?
That barely-there kind that seems to help with blending but isn’t visible to the eye in person!
Beautiful shades to represent the Astrology signs – I do love Gemini the best. Gorgeous eye look too Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve! I was pleasantly surprised at how the look turned out so it’s nice to hear you liked it, too!
Same here, Genevieve. I have such a weakness for this sort of colour and I also like The Virgo. Looks like Colour Pop, as usual, has really done a great job.
This eye look is so perfect for summer that I did my own spin on it yesterday for my Remicade infusion! Yeah, I love it enough to have done it. Infusion nurses loved it, too! Mine had UD Shattered on the inner lid and also on my inner lower lashline, with UD Night King all along lower lashline.
Thank you, Nancy! 🙂 I’m humbled that you did your own take on it!
I bought the Cancer shade because that’s my sign and the packaging is adorable. lol I agree…love the look you created! :o)
How do you like to use The Cancer, Sandy? (Boy, that sentence sounds wrong!)
I haven’t received it yet, but it’s in the mail! :o) I’m excited to play with it. (And you’re so right; it does sound wrong!)
Wait, I’m confused. Wasn’t this palette reviewed last year when it came out? I just went to the Colourpop site and it says “This site can’t be reached.” This is messing with my head.
They released singles of the shades in the palette, so I’m testing + reviewing the single-pan versions – I did this a lot with MAC over the years to verify consistency (in color but also quality) as sometimes things can change. ColourPop has been pretty consistent but some brands are less consistent between re-releases – hard to know without testing, though. I’ve pulled back a little on a few brands/products around the holidays because of time constraints, which I’ll note in that particular review (e.g. if mini versions of lipsticks I’ve reviewed previously look & feel the same but I prefer to test in full if I can).
Ok, that makes sense. 🙂 It’s a palette I never use, so maybe your new reviews will spark my interest in it again.
(Colourpop’s site is still coming up “This site can’t be reached.”)
Weird! I checked when I replied to your comment and again now, and it loaded for me both times so I’m not sure what’s going on! 🙁
When I try to access it on Chrome on my computer at work , it comes up that way. So then I tried on Safari and it came up as blocked! So I tried on my phone and it worked. It’s like my office computer won’t go to that one website, but no other sites are blocked. Weird.
I wonder if work has it blocked (if they do that) or if somehow work’s IP is blocked by ColourPop (based on what happens on Temptalia, could be a security block, which tends to be more automated).
I’m still salty about the super boring mud brown Virgo shade. I don’t care about astrology, and I like the other colors in the set, but I’m not spending money to be labeled boring poop brown!
Well, you could think of it was a must-have brown, workhorse brown, etc. 😉
Oh boy… I can hear the salty comments on social media about Taurus and Virgo being brown.
People were absolutely melting down over BH Cosmetics’ Mini Zodiac Palettes on their Instagram page (particularly Capricorn), as if how the company represents their astrological sign is personally discriminatory.
They made such a big fuss that Allure wrote an article about it:
https://www.allure.com/story/bh-cosmetics-mini-zodiac-capricorn-eye-shadow-palette-response
To those people, I say:
a) It’s just makeup, chiiiiiill.
b) Stop taking everything so personally and enjoy the product.
c) The pans are meant to be used together to create a cohesive look, just like you have, Christine. It looks amazing, and wouldn’t have worked as well without the variety of colours available in the line.
I imagine Kathleen still has her announcement video up for when she came out with the Zodiac palette – it’s been awhile, but I remember her explaining some of the color choices and pretty sure she also was after some cohesion since it was sold in palette form only until now!
That’s good to hear. It’s just too bad that it’s necessary to get ahead of the push-back because people are so hyper-sensitive.
I love the Zodiac concept for palettes, regardless of which brand explores it. Who cares if my sign doesn’t have the BEST colours? I wouldn’t fret because “I’m not being represented well enough!” I’ll just get the ones I like. Or, more likely… all of them haha!
I think maybe the other way to look at it is some people are very enthusiastic, but I think that in general, not all launches are going to be for us, so when it’s not to our preferences, just leave it for others to enjoy.
Or someone could create their own sign-inspired palette using singles they own!