Kosas Electric, Simmer, Blaze 10-Second Eye Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Electric
Kosas Electric 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light peach with warmer undertones and a pearl sheen. It had sheer color coverage and was not buildable as it was incredibly watery and thin, so it was particularly difficult to work with. It was more forgiving against my skin tone, since it was closer in color, but I could definitely tell that the layer was uneven, which only worsened if I tried to build up product. It flaked after seven hours if layered.
I couldn’t follow the brand’s instructions for application and achieve success at all; the only way to work with it was to immediately start blending it out, but the end result was somewhat uneven.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ringer (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mycelium (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Ciate Dainty (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Exotica (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Body and Soul (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Huetopia (LE, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bonbon (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty You Up (PiP, ) is less pigmented (90% similar).
- Sephora Twinkle Twinkle (362) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sky Dive (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$15.00/0.06 oz. - $250.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "glide on like gel watercolor" that you "swipe on one eye at a time," then "wait 5-10 secs" and "tap, tap, tap (don't rub)." They describe it as "effortless, one-wash application."
I actually found that following the brand's instructions for application to be a recipe for disaster! By waiting, the product lost its slip and lifted away on a fingertip/brush and resulted in uneveness, patchiness, and an almost a "ring" of color wherever I tried to spread it out from. If I applied a swipe of product and immediately started to diffuse and blend it out, I was able to get a layer of somewhat even color that didn't have any lines of demarcation from where it was initially applied.
The texture was watery, thin, and cool to the touch, and while it was more emollient initially, it was the type of formula that instantly diffused so it was better to use less than what you think you need and build up if necessary. Building up went decently but it was a precarious situation that did not always work out, as sometimes building resulted in the base layer flaking off.
The coverage was semi-sheer to medium, depending on the shade, and it could be built up to some degree, again, depending on the shade. It would be more ideal for someone who was looking for sheerer coverage and purchasing a shade closer to their skin tone (which also helps to camouflage uneveness).
I don't have the original formula to compare, but from people who loved it, the new formula seems sheerer, less sparkly, and harder to work with overall.
Browse all of our Kosas 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua/Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract/Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Mica, Alcohol, Silica, Propanediol, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Galactoarabinan, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Honokiol, Potassium Sorbate, Tin Oxide, (+/-): CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides
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.
Electric
PPermanent. $15.00.
Simmer
Kosas Simmer 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy gold with strong, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-sheer color payoff, which was fairly buildable, but it did not apply or blend out evenly and was prone to flaking if layered. The consistency was lightweight, spreadable, and fairly watery, which meant it wanted to spread further than one might expect so use less initially.
I couldn’t follow the brand’s instructions for application and achieve success at all; the only way to work with it was to immediately start blending it out, but the end result was somewhat uneven.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Rayon (22) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Day (Prime) (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Monroe (220M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Lumiere (46) (LE, $36.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spiked Eggnog (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Apres Ski #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Tarte Paradise Found (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Secret Garden Rendezvous #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Chanel Lumiere et Opulence #2 (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay No Shame (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$15.00/0.06 oz. - $250.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "glide on like gel watercolor" that you "swipe on one eye at a time," then "wait 5-10 secs" and "tap, tap, tap (don't rub)." They describe it as "effortless, one-wash application."
I actually found that following the brand's instructions for application to be a recipe for disaster! By waiting, the product lost its slip and lifted away on a fingertip/brush and resulted in uneveness, patchiness, and an almost a "ring" of color wherever I tried to spread it out from. If I applied a swipe of product and immediately started to diffuse and blend it out, I was able to get a layer of somewhat even color that didn't have any lines of demarcation from where it was initially applied.
The texture was watery, thin, and cool to the touch, and while it was more emollient initially, it was the type of formula that instantly diffused so it was better to use less than what you think you need and build up if necessary. Building up went decently but it was a precarious situation that did not always work out, as sometimes building resulted in the base layer flaking off.
The coverage was semi-sheer to medium, depending on the shade, and it could be built up to some degree, again, depending on the shade. It would be more ideal for someone who was looking for sheerer coverage and purchasing a shade closer to their skin tone (which also helps to camouflage uneveness).
I don't have the original formula to compare, but from people who loved it, the new formula seems sheerer, less sparkly, and harder to work with overall.
Browse all of our Kosas 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua/Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract/Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Mica, Alcohol, Silica, Propanediol, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Galactoarabinan, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Honokiol, Potassium Sorbate, Tin Oxide, (+/-): CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides
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.
Simmer
PPermanent. $15.00.
Blaze
Kosas Blaze 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a light, golden bronze with warmer undertones and a pearl finish. It had semi-sheer, somewhat buildable pigmentation, but the unevenness of application was more and more apparent as I built up product (as the first layer was never that even, no matter how I tried to apply and fuss with it to get an even layer!). The consistency was very watery, fluid, and thin, though it dried down quickly (10 seconds).
I couldn’t follow the brand’s instructions for application and achieve success at all; the only way to work with it was to immediately start blending it out, but the end result was somewhat uneven.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Teak (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bad Habit D'Orsay (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rosebud (LE, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Materialistic (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Come On (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Illusion (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Boxer (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Palladium (316M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Milani Foxy Lady (PiP, $5.99) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Guerlain Coque d'Or #4 (DC, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$15.00/0.06 oz. - $250.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "glide on like gel watercolor" that you "swipe on one eye at a time," then "wait 5-10 secs" and "tap, tap, tap (don't rub)." They describe it as "effortless, one-wash application."
I actually found that following the brand's instructions for application to be a recipe for disaster! By waiting, the product lost its slip and lifted away on a fingertip/brush and resulted in uneveness, patchiness, and an almost a "ring" of color wherever I tried to spread it out from. If I applied a swipe of product and immediately started to diffuse and blend it out, I was able to get a layer of somewhat even color that didn't have any lines of demarcation from where it was initially applied.
The texture was watery, thin, and cool to the touch, and while it was more emollient initially, it was the type of formula that instantly diffused so it was better to use less than what you think you need and build up if necessary. Building up went decently but it was a precarious situation that did not always work out, as sometimes building resulted in the base layer flaking off.
The coverage was semi-sheer to medium, depending on the shade, and it could be built up to some degree, again, depending on the shade. It would be more ideal for someone who was looking for sheerer coverage and purchasing a shade closer to their skin tone (which also helps to camouflage uneveness).
I don't have the original formula to compare, but from people who loved it, the new formula seems sheerer, less sparkly, and harder to work with overall.
Browse all of our Kosas 10-Second Eye Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua/Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract/Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Mica, Alcohol, Silica, Propanediol, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Galactoarabinan, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Honokiol, Potassium Sorbate, Tin Oxide, (+/-): CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491/Iron Oxides, CI 77499/Iron Oxides
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 like these shadows are giving Charlotte Tilbury’s recent horrible creation a competition for the “worst product of the year” award.
So I am eating my words regarding these vs the Chanel ones. Clearly, Chanel’s quality makes them worth the higher price. I just wish it was easier for me to get my hands on Chanel cosmetics!!!!
But the swatches looked beautiful! It just shows that you can’t tell what a product is really like until you swatch it for yourself – because I would never have guessed that it was so tricky to use and the formula be so imperfect. And as for the brand’s instructions – well, if you can’t understand/follow them, no-one else has a chance!
I’m so glad you reviewed these. Easy pass!
Good grief! And these are an utter 💩-fest, too! What’s up with that? Same as those 💩 CT matte creams: where was R&D hiding out? Unreal.
Good God and to imagine I even suggested layering these on top of the Charlotte Tilbury matte…. That was def a 5 alarm fire averted. Thanks, Christine!
Turns out brands wanted on the “liquid/cream shadows are super popular now” bandwagon for the quick cash, but didn’t want to spend the time actually creating something worthwhile.
Enjoy this release sitting around in landfill waiting to break down for a few hundred years, Earth!
I tried the Kosas 10 second eyeshadow last year, and it was one of the few items I actually returned. I didn’t like the performance AND it had a horrible horrible chemical smell that didn’t go away. Yuck.