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Guerlain Blue Ocean & White Sand Summer Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Summer Shadow ($32.00 for 0.25 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a waterproof liquid eyeshadow formula that “goes on smooth and effortlessly, and dries instantly.” I found it impossible to apply the aqua shade evenly, so it always looked slightly sheer and patchy, and aqua isn’t the type of color that is forgiving if it isn’t even. The formula does dry down fairly quickly, and it doesn’t blend out well once it dries, so you have to work quickly (one eye at a time is what I would recommend). The applicator will over-apply and create more streaks than using your fingertip or a flat, synthetic brush (I used MAC’s 242). The lighter shade was more functional, as when it was sheerer, I didn’t notice any patchiness, and it seemed to apply with less water in its base, so it didn’t streak as much when initially applied either. The wear time was decent but not impressive enough to make up for the difficult/below average application. The formula was also not at all waterproof; a splash (as in, a few droplets) of water caused the eyeshadow to liquefy and dissolve–no rubbing or anything.

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow ($32.00 for 0.25 fl. oz.) is described as an “aqua.” It’s a cool-toned aqua base with warmer, green-ish gold shimmer that gives it an overall warmer tone when applied. It was semi-sheer, and it was slightly buildable, but it is very easy to lift the product that you applied (and let dry down) with a second layer, so I don’t recommend attempting to build unless you have time to fix and/or start over. The texture was slightly watery and thin, which may have contributed to how streakily it applied. It lasted for eight hours before creasing. Anastasia Aqua (LE, $12.00) is a powder. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #5 (LE) is darker, more shimmery, powder. theBalm #36 (P, $6.50) is lighter, powder. Kat Von D Archangel (LE) is lighter, powder. theBalm B2 (LE, $16.00) is lighter, powder. CoverGirl Turquoise Glow (325) (LE, $4.99) is more shimmery, cooler-toned, powder. Make Up For Ever #53 (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter. MAC Aqua (P, $16.00) is lighter, brighter, less shimmery, powder. Sugarpill Mochi (P, $12.00) is darker, less shimmery, powder. Inglot #345 (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, powder. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow ($32.00 for 0.25 fl. oz.) is described as an “beige.” It’s a gold-shimmered, warm beige with a frosted sheen. It was more semi-sheer to semi-opaque but went on evenly as the base seemed less watery. It wore well for nine hours before creasing. Surratt Beauty Soie (P, $20.00) is a powder. Giorgio Armani Gold Ashes (12) (P, $38.00) is slightly lighter. ColourPop XO (P, $5.00) is darker, warmer. Makeup Geek Shimma Shimma (P, $5.99) is a powder. Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angel #1 (LE) is lighter, powder. MAC Satin Ochre (Left) (LE) is lighter, powder. Anastasia Blush (LE, $12.00) is a powder. MAC Just Gleaming (LE, $19.50) is lighter, powder. Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel #1 (P) is a powder. Tom Ford Beauty Nude Dip #1 (LE) is a powder. MAC Amberluxe #1 (P) is a powder. MAC Fabulous Three #1 (LE) is a powder. Tarina Tarantino Elektron (P) is lighter, powder. Chanel Quadrille #2 (LE) is lighter, powder. Kat Von D Galore (LE) is powder. Disney by Sephora Sea Shells (LE) is lighter, powder. Benefit Bikini-tini (P, $10.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow
Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow

Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow
Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow

Guerlain White Sand Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow
Guerlain Blue Ocean Summer Shadow

45 Comments

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Nicole Avatar

Well, that’s an easy pass given the performance. I can totally see this selling well though because the they scream summer. I totally wanted the entire collection when you fist posted the room pics! But thankfully, we have you to save room in our wallets for other great performing products! 🙂

rachel c Avatar

Bummer. And they looked so pretty in the tube…
But I’ve gotta say the look you created with them is rather gorgeous, even if it was painstaking to apply!
Since I don’t have your skills or patience though, I will definitely take a pass. Thank you for saving me from the returns process yet again!

Jessica Avatar

I don’t even care about their bad performance–whats really bothering me is how out of place and bad the words “Summer Shadow” look on the packaging! Why so big! Why that font! Why!!!!! It looks like they pro to-types someone put in the back and used a label-maker to write “summer shadows” to remember what they were.

maria Avatar

great reviews christine. as usual. a quick question how does blue ocean compares to armani eye tint in jade. i have armani one but i love this one as well. should i buy ? or u think these are close dupes.

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