Kaja Rosewater Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio Review & Swatches
Rosewater
Kaja Rosewater Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio ($21.00 for 0.09 oz.) includes a sparkling, lighter peach, sparkling, medium peach, and lightly sparkled plum. All three shades performed well, though Ballerina Pink had a lot of sparkle and a touch of fallout during application and over time as a result. They applied well with fingertips, which was how they were marketed, but I had no trouble using them with dry brushes as well. Using them with a wet brush just amplified the intensity and shine but definitely wasn’t a necessity.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.09 oz. - $233.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "uniform shimmer in every swipe" that is best applied "with your fingers." They have a dimethicone-heavy feel (unsurprising given it was typically the first ingredient in each shade), so there's a velvety slip that is lightly emollient but not truly wet or cream-like to the touch. I found them to be more powder-like than cream-like, but they had the binding and hold of a creamier formula. They applied well to bare skin without the need of primer, adhesive sprays, or glitter glue for pretty stellar wear--they often lasted between eight and 10 hours on me with slight fallout. I more often saw faint creasing after eight hours than much in the way of fallout.
Fingertips will definitely yield the most pigmented the quickest, but I didn't struggle to use brushes (my preferred method for precision) and found that brushes often packed semi-opaque or opaque coverage as well. I also tried them wet and didn't find that to cause issues to the pan, and it did give some shades a smoother, shinier finish but wasn't necessary to use them (more like a bonus). I didn't have issues with fallout whether I used my fingertips or brushes to apply; I pressed and gently pulled the brush across my lid area to distribute the product (same technique I use for high-shimmer/metallic shades). They were impressive; they were magical--if you love sparkly, shiny eyeshadows, they're well worth a look!
Browse all of our Kaja Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio swatches.
Look Using this Product
Rosewater
PPermanent. $21.00.
Champagne Cream
Champagne Cream is a bright, peachy beige with warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation when applied with fingertips (the recommended method) as well as brushes. The base seemed slightly more translucent compared to other shades, which may have been why it wasn’t as pigmented. The consistency was smooth to the touch, lightly emollient without being too dense in the pan, and picked up well with brushes. I didn’t notice any fallout during application, and it wore well for eight and a half hours with almost no fallout at all.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Soft Pearl (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Falling Up #2 (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #10 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Delish (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Tickled (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Moira Bel Air (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Glaze (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Eternal Light (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Nude Moon (LE, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Moira Goodness (P, $8.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "uniform shimmer in every swipe" that is best applied "with your fingers." They have a dimethicone-heavy feel (unsurprising given it was typically the first ingredient in each shade), so there's a velvety slip that is lightly emollient but not truly wet or cream-like to the touch. I found them to be more powder-like than cream-like, but they had the binding and hold of a creamier formula. They applied well to bare skin without the need of primer, adhesive sprays, or glitter glue for pretty stellar wear--they often lasted between eight and 10 hours on me with slight fallout. I more often saw faint creasing after eight hours than much in the way of fallout.
Fingertips will definitely yield the most pigmented the quickest, but I didn't struggle to use brushes (my preferred method for precision) and found that brushes often packed semi-opaque or opaque coverage as well. I also tried them wet and didn't find that to cause issues to the pan, and it did give some shades a smoother, shinier finish but wasn't necessary to use them (more like a bonus). I didn't have issues with fallout whether I used my fingertips or brushes to apply; I pressed and gently pulled the brush across my lid area to distribute the product (same technique I use for high-shimmer/metallic shades). They were impressive; they were magical--if you love sparkly, shiny eyeshadows, they're well worth a look!
Browse all of our Kaja Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Mica (CI 77019), Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Aluminum Distearate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone/PEG- 10/15 Crosspolymer, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol.
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.
Look Using this Product
Champagne Cream
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Ballerina Pink
Ballerina Pink is a medium peach with warm undertones and lighter pink and peach sparkle. It had a high-shine, sparkling finish that was opaque with applied with fingertips and more semi-opaque when applied with a dry brush. The texture was smooth, lightly emollient but not dense or thick in feel or applied to my lid. There was a smidgen of fallout when blended out on my lid but not even enough to justify doing eyes before base. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours before creasing faintly and had very slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Glam (320M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- PIXI Beauty Antique Rose (PiP, $20.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- PIXI Beauty Metallic Rose (PiP, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Moira Jupiter (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Clionadh Linny (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Atomic (LE, $22.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Pop Art Princess (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- YSL Pink Cascade (06) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty In Stardust (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "uniform shimmer in every swipe" that is best applied "with your fingers." They have a dimethicone-heavy feel (unsurprising given it was typically the first ingredient in each shade), so there's a velvety slip that is lightly emollient but not truly wet or cream-like to the touch. I found them to be more powder-like than cream-like, but they had the binding and hold of a creamier formula. They applied well to bare skin without the need of primer, adhesive sprays, or glitter glue for pretty stellar wear--they often lasted between eight and 10 hours on me with slight fallout. I more often saw faint creasing after eight hours than much in the way of fallout.
Fingertips will definitely yield the most pigmented the quickest, but I didn't struggle to use brushes (my preferred method for precision) and found that brushes often packed semi-opaque or opaque coverage as well. I also tried them wet and didn't find that to cause issues to the pan, and it did give some shades a smoother, shinier finish but wasn't necessary to use them (more like a bonus). I didn't have issues with fallout whether I used my fingertips or brushes to apply; I pressed and gently pulled the brush across my lid area to distribute the product (same technique I use for high-shimmer/metallic shades). They were impressive; they were magical--if you love sparkly, shiny eyeshadows, they're well worth a look!
Browse all of our Kaja Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica (CI 77019), Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Aluminum Distearate, Manganese Violet (CI 77742), PEG-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Silica, Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Dipropylene Glycol, Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol.
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.
Look Using this Product
Ballerina Pink
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Deep Plum
Deep Plum is a medium-dark, plummy brown with warm undertones and flecks of gold and plum sparkle. It had rich color payoff in a single layer when applied with fingertips and mostly opaque coverage (that was buildable) when applied with a dry brush. The eyeshadow had a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was thin without being dry or stiff to work with. It applied evenly to bare skin, blended out along the edges, and didn’t have fallout during application. It lasted well for eight hours on me before creasing very faintly but didn’t appear to have fallout over time. This shade as less sparkly compared to the other two shades but still had some dimension and shine.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Big Vibes (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Deep Love (DC, $8.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Venus Slipper (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Deep Love (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Bed of Roses #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mademoiselle (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Maze (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Patrona (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Daphne No. 2 (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Inglot J403 Ethereal (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "uniform shimmer in every swipe" that is best applied "with your fingers." They have a dimethicone-heavy feel (unsurprising given it was typically the first ingredient in each shade), so there's a velvety slip that is lightly emollient but not truly wet or cream-like to the touch. I found them to be more powder-like than cream-like, but they had the binding and hold of a creamier formula. They applied well to bare skin without the need of primer, adhesive sprays, or glitter glue for pretty stellar wear--they often lasted between eight and 10 hours on me with slight fallout. I more often saw faint creasing after eight hours than much in the way of fallout.
Fingertips will definitely yield the most pigmented the quickest, but I didn't struggle to use brushes (my preferred method for precision) and found that brushes often packed semi-opaque or opaque coverage as well. I also tried them wet and didn't find that to cause issues to the pan, and it did give some shades a smoother, shinier finish but wasn't necessary to use them (more like a bonus). I didn't have issues with fallout whether I used my fingertips or brushes to apply; I pressed and gently pulled the brush across my lid area to distribute the product (same technique I use for high-shimmer/metallic shades). They were impressive; they were magical--if you love sparkly, shiny eyeshadows, they're well worth a look!
Browse all of our Kaja Bouncy Shimmer Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Mica (CI 77019), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Aluminum Distearate, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Carmine (CI 75470), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol.
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.
Love it much! The way the 3 shades go together, the very intense sparkling finish that still has a softness to it, and that it’s easy to bring along for touch-ups.
Might have a look at this tomorrow. I love the Shine on the two lighter shades.
I think that I have decided that this is the one I am going to pick up to get the gift card. I have a feeling I will end up with all four that are available when the sale comes around but for now I am most interested in trying this combo. With my really fair skin these light shades make for an easy one and done look. I do kind of wish they had added some mattes to the pans but maybe that is for down the road. Looks like they have these light shimmer shades down pretty well.
I just noticed that for all of the Kaja shadows you have them listed as “bounchy “ rather than “bouncy”. You might want to change that, even if just for seo.
And thanks for reviewing them – I was interested when they first came out and now I want them all!
I’m so sorry!
Utterly beautiful colors and shine. I think the packaging is really cute, if a little bulky.
Another gorgeous combination – these are really beautiful, especially the Ballerina Pink shade.
I wish these had one matte shade then they would be perfect for travel. The shine is beautiful. Maybe I’ll pick one up at the sale..
Hi,
I just read a review online saying that these eyeshadows list glass as one of the ingredients on the box. Does anyone know if that’s safe to use?
Hi Rosie,
Maybe a translation error? The ingredients listed on Kaja & Sephora show Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, and Calcium Sodium Borosilicate as ingredients, which are all types of borosilicate glasses that are permitted for cosmetic use. I don’t have my boxes any more to double check.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24174476
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Borosi092012rep.pdf
Here are some products that have existed for awhile that are also eyeshadows that include these types of ingredients:
Urban Decay Moondust eyeshadows, COSMIC: Dimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Talc, Triisostearyl Citrate, Isododecane, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polyethylene, Silica, Cetyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tin Oxide, Octyldodecyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate. May Contain: CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491/77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride).
Marc Jacobs Beauty See-quins, Glamethyst: Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Magnesium Myristate, Talc, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyurethane-11, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Acrylates Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Carmine (Ci 75470), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 40 (Ci 16035), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000).
Stilla Glitter & Glows, Dollish: Water, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Glycerin, Mica, Silica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Tin Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Alumina. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Carmine (Ci 75470).
Pat McGrath EYEdols, Enraptured: Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Talc, Silica, PTFE, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide, Sorbic Acid, Boron Nitride, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Poloxamer 338, Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491).
Palettes like Urban Decay Naked Reloaded (very current release) include Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate and Calcium Sodium Borosilicate throughout the shades in it (every shade contains these somewhere in the list!).
Thanks for clarifying this, Christine. I just bought this, and as a K-beauty fan, I notice translation errors all the time. My research came back exactly as your information did. I checked the CIR data just to be safe, and I feel comfortable using these shadows now that I understand the purpose of the ingredient and its safety approval. Here’s a link in case someone else wants to read about it (scroll down to “Use” “Cosmetic” for eye shadow concentrations: https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Borosi092012rep.pdf
No problem!
Even MAC’s newer Shiny Pretty Shadows call out and say they use “glittering glass bead pigments” (listed as “glass beads” in the ingredients along with the Borosilicate glass and even PET glitter), so I think seeing “glass” seems scary at first if you haven’t seen it before, but it is surprisingly common (in some form, obviously not giant glass shards!).