Kaja Toasted Caramel Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio Review & Swatches
Toasted Caramel
Kaja Toasted Caramel Beauty Bento Bounchy Shimmer Eyeshadow Trio ($21.00 for 0.09 oz.) contains a sparkling light gold, golden bronze, and chocolate brown. I enjoyed using all three shades, but Gold Dust had weaker pigmentation (which may or may not be a problem you) but would work really well as a layering shade or to brighten the inner corner/tearduct space and Sunny Amber could of had a bit more slip.
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
Toasted Caramel
PPermanent. $21.00.
Gold Dust
Gold Dust is a light gold with stronger, warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It had medium, buildable pigmentation (using a fingertip) but was never fully opaque unless I really packed it on and used a wet brush to do so. It seemed to have more of a translucent base, so it was more sparkle/shimmer than underlying pigment. The texture felt smooth to the touch, emollient without being thick or too densely packed in the pan. I had a bit of fallout when I initially applied it to my skin but far less than was typical for a finish like this. It wore well for eight hours on me before creasing faintly but had some fallout over time–I’d recommend using this with an adhesive spray to improve hold a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Rio de la Plata (P, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Petrouchka #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora First Light (29) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wink Wink (PiP, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics 35MM (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Day (Prime) (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Dior Poncho #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Velvet Vamp (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Gander (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Starship (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, 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, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica (CI77019), Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Aluminum Distearate, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Iron Oxides (CI77491), Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tin Oxide (CI77861), 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.
Look Using this Product
Gold Dust
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Sunny Amber
Sunny Amber is a light-medium brown with warm undertones and lots of golden sparkle. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage and had similar coverage/buildability both with fingertips as well as dry brushes. The texture felt a touch drier than other shades, though it blended out well and had a couple of sparkles drop underneath my eye while I blended the edges out. It lasted nicely for eight and a half hours before creasing faintly and had a smidgen of fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Reversible (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Exposure #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Court in Cannes (LE, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sparkler (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Moira Orion (P, $7.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Codes Subtils #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Ritz (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Give Me Glow Rose Gold (P, $7.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- PIXI Beauty Brilliant Bronze (PiP, $20.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #9 (DC, $33.00) is 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 Sodium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Mica (CI77019), Phenyl Trimethicone, Iron Oxides (CI77491), Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Aluminum Distearate, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Iron Oxides (CI77499), Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tin Oxide (CI77861), 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.
Look Using this Product
Sunny Amber
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Gilded Chocolate
Gilded Chocolate is a medium-dark, chocolaty brown with warm undertones and a twinkling, gold sparkle. It had opaque pigmentation applied with fingertips, as recommended, though I was able to get similar coverage applied with a brush by pressing/patting on. I was impressed by the lack of fallout during application, yet the color was still blendable! The texture was smooth to the touch, more firmly-pressed but not stiff or difficult to work with. It stayed on well for nine hours with a smidgen of fallout before creasing faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Fuzzy (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Smashbox Hotline (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Star Bronze (139CP) (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Star Gold (P, $34.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Dawn Fawntasia (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Desert Baked (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Éclat Énigmatique #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Milli (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Isolde #2 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Copper Stone (188M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (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 (CI77019), Iron Oxides (CI77491), Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Iron Oxides (CI77499), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Aluminum Distearate, Peg-8 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone/Peg10/15 Crosspolymer, Iron Oxides (CI77492), Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tin Oxide (CI77861), 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.
I do see what you mean Christine about the first two shades. It would have been much better if the first shade was a little easier to use and the second shade more pigmented as they are going to be swamped by that beautiful chocolate shade at the end. It could have been the perfect neutral trio otherwise.
I like the shades in it, but it falls below Orange Blossom and the lighter pinky trio when it comes to performance, it seems. Besides, these are shades that I’m pretty sure I have.
I’m “meh” about these Kaja shadows (though I really like the packaging). Just came in here to say that I think the photo you take where they’re fanned out and one shade appears in the mirror is very clever. 🙂
I really like the packaging of these trios but none of them is suitable for me. I’d love if they came out with a cooler toned neutral trio – I’d be all over that one for sure!
At first, this set seemed like the most “boring” of the trios, but seeing your swatches, I realize that they are basic colors that would be perfect for under-eye shadows. The tones and even the translucency is perfect for the aegyo-sal highlighting look that k-beauty does. Now I’m back to wanting all of them (the orange, the pink and this one)