Laura Mercier Shadows and Bright Metallic Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection Review & Swatches
Shadows and Brights
Laura Mercier Shadows and Brights Metallic Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection ($39.00 for 0.12 oz.) contains four, travel-sized jumbo eyeshadow pencils in plummy taupe, copper, dirty gold, and soft, rosy copper. All four shades had good pigmentation, long-wear, and were blendable on my skin. In the swatches, I showed them in one, fluid stroke as well as sheered out (as more of a “wash” of color). I love Laura Mercier’s holiday Caviar Eye Stick sets as they’re a good value and are usually of high quality, so it’s a nice one to see come around each year.
The Caviar Sticks retail for $29.00 and contain 0.05 oz. or $580.00/oz., so the set has a total value of $69.60.
Ingredients
Shadows and Brights
LELimited Edition. $39.00.
Intense Amethyst
Intense Amethyst is a medium, plummy taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had rich color coverage in a single stroke, which applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The pencil was lightly creamy and skated across my skin but didn’t feel so wet or creamy that it moved around as it dried down. Once it set, the pencil stayed on well for nine hours without
Top Dupes
- Giorgio Armani #8 (DC, $33.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Entropy (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- elf Galaxy (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chantecaille Triton (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Amethyst (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Vintage (49M) (2019) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Up Too Slate (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Satin Taupe (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Tokyo Drifter (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Morning Frost (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyethylene, Mica, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Octyldodecanol,Synthetic Beeswax, Silica, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Citric Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499).
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.
Intense Amethyst
PPermanent. $29.00.
Intense Rosegold
Intense Rosegold is a soft, rosy copper with warm undertones and a sparkling, frosted finish. The pigmentation was intense in a single layer, as anticipated, while the consistency was creamy enough not to tug on my lid but not to the point where it took too long to dry or gathered into my lid lines as it set. The eyeshadow adhered evenly and could be diffused and sheered out initially (I’d recommend using a fingertip or fluffy, synthetic brush). After it set, it lasted for nine with very slight fallout.
Top Dupes
- Moira Showtime (P, $7.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Star Struck (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Sunset Chaser (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Shooting Star (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Coco Crush (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- theBalm Fit (P, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Rose Gold (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Primrose (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Suede (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Sofia (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Intense Rosegold
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Intense Moonlight
Intense Moonlight is a muted, dirty gold with warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. The color payoff was opaque in one stroke, which adhered evenly and smoothly onto my lid without dragging or tugging on my skin. The consistency was thin, lightly creamy but not overly emollient, so it did not get into my fine lines and dried down quickly. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours with slight fallout.
Top Dupes
- LORAC Time Keeper (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Mushroom (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Thistle (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Golden Glow #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Risky Richez (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Touch in Sol Aurora Taupe (7) (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Cashmere #5 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Tiara (P, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Her Style (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Avant-Premiere #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate,Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Mica, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Silica, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Citric Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499).
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.
Intense Moonlight
PPermanent. $29.00.
Intense Copper
Intense Copper is a light-medium, golden copper with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had good pigmentation in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with a second pass. The stick had a smooth, velvety texture that was creamy enough to glide on but didn’t actually feel wet or too emollient, so it set quickly. I had just enough time to diffuse the edges before it locked in place but would recommend working one eye at a time. It stayed on nicely for nine hours with a smidgen of fallout over time.
Top Dupes
- MAC Joy Toy (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Mediterraneen #3 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Stranded (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Milani Gold-getter (PiP, $5.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Fly Away (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Sun Worship (Eye Color) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Gold Glitch (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Miss (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Bronze Highlighter (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Tantric (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
This is currently in my sephora cart, but its $50, and that’s a LOT of money, to drop. Ya know?
Are they the same finish as the permanent ones? Are they more metallic?
I have these as well as the original colors. These are definitely more metallic and a little more shimmery. But they are brighter too.
I bought the last set and like it but the problem is that most of the colours are just too similar. A bit more variety in colours would have been nice and that kinda seems to be the case this time too (though there is a bit more differentiation than last year).
Yeah, that’s the one thing about the holiday sets that come out (in general) is that I think they’re more for the casual or newly inducted beauty lover. The set is a nice one, but if you have one from a previous year, it’s unnecessary to buy another (unless you finished the original set).
Exactly, and they tend to choose some that we’ve acquired as pointers. How about the cool colors? I’ve considered getting Fog, is it? I have a ‘plain’ copper, and it’s far and away the loudest shadow I own. This ‘intense ‘ does not look nearly as intense, at least in this swatch. Julep, which Christine does not review, makes a decent stick shadow as well.
I think Fog is a warm-based gray. It’s got some taupe in it if I remember correctly. I have Smoke, which is a true charcoal. I like the cool colors, too. If you don’t have Amethyst, it’s a great lid color. You can’t beat the formula, imo.
Very very pretty! The names have ‘intense’ in them…. are they more metallic/shimmery compared to the original shades?
Yes, they are more metallic and sparkly.
I already own full size Moonlight and Amethyst. They’re very nice, but I struggle with them a bit. I find powder shadows to be a lot easier to work with.
I have these shades as well, plus one of LM older holiday sets, which included some matte shades. I like these, but, like you, I struggle sometimes to use these. I prefer powder eyeshadows, pencil, & liquid eyeliners too. So, I won’t buy anymore of these crayon type products.
I’ve had creasing problems with them. I think they’re just not suited for mature, oily eyes!
You make a valid point, Seraphine. Especially if one has oily hooded lids! I think these are a “no” for me in that case.
Maybe I’m stating the obvious, but I have fairly oily lids (weird because I’m otherwise dry) and I’ve found that I need to make sure the formula sets. I have zero problems and I even have a bit of hoods going on.
Amethyst is one of my all time favorites. Is the one in this set more “intense”, as fabled, or the same? (the other 3 as well-same or “intense”?
I mean, labeled. LOL
“Fabled” made me laugh out loud!
It would have been even funnier if the regular and intense versions were exactly the same! Lol
They are different – they’re sparkly/more metallic. I don’t have Copper, but Amethyst and Intense Amethyst are similar in color but different in finish. Moonlight is different in finish and darker as a result. Intense Rosegold is much sparklier.
I love this set – every single shade and I hope, crosses fingers, that it comes to Aus.
This set has just enough variety between the shades to make them worth the $’s. I can see my using these as a lid shade that I would then go in with matte or satin transition and a crease shade.
I noticed the colors are called “intense” so are they different at all from the permanent full size ones?
They are different – they’re sparkly/more metallic. I don’t have Copper, but Amethyst and Intense Amethyst are similar in color but different in finish. Moonlight is different in finish and darker as a result. Intense Rosegold is much sparklier.
I don’t understand the “Intense” part in the names. They look exactly like the same named colors they’ve always had, maybe the Intense Rosegold has a bit more shimmer to it than the regular Rosegold (it could just be the lighting though) but the rest look exactly the same to me. I’m a bit confused by it.
They are a little different – some are more so than others. I’m copying and pasting since I already answered once 🙂
They are different – they’re sparkly/more metallic. I don’t have Copper, but Amethyst and Intense Amethyst are similar in color but different in finish. Moonlight is different in finish and darker as a result. Intense Rosegold is much sparklier.
Thanks Christine! I still wish they had come up with different shades all together since I own all of the non intense versions but oh well. I find their holiday collections very repetitive in general.
Thank you for reviewing these again ? I get them every year and they seem to last until right around when the new batch releases. Brands have been mucking up so many solid products lately I was worried these might suffer too. I’m so glad they are as good as ever! Beautiful shades too.
Kiko Milano has really awesome eyeshadow stick like these ones from Laura Mercier and they are superb! – the formula and the price I have more than 20 of them. It could be a budget option for these.
Good tip. Too bad that the Kiko b&m stores are all but…or maybe…gone. Their website is nice, though. Muse reviews Kiko quite a bit, but don’t recall seeing these sticks on her blog.
Was the Caviar line renamed to include ‘intense’ ? Or are these a new rendition of existing shades? In the blended out swatches they seem to have more glitter particles than I remember.
I also wish they would put some different colours in these sets. These are some of the most popular Caviar shades, but after buying the sets for the past few years I don’t need anymore of these same shades.
They are designed to be more metallic and sparkly – they have much larger glitter/sparkle whereas the regular line is more pearly.
Thank you for reviewing this set! I was curious how the Intense versions compared to their normal counterparts (since I own all those shades), and your Dupe Comparison makes it so easy to check. Intense Rose Gold is the only one that really sticks out to me, but I feel like the ColourPop SuperShock Disney shadow in So This is Love or the Marc Jacobs See-Quins Glitter Eyeshadow in Gleam Girl will probably be close enough, and I was going to get those anyway, so money saved!
HA! I don’t want to brag, buuuuut, I just saw you posted the swatches from the ColourPop x Disney collection, and I compared So This is Love with Intense Rosegold, and my hunch was damn good!
I have all four from the permanenet collection which are not travel size, i wonder if it swatch / wear the same. Did you try to compare one or two to see if its the same? The amethyst for example is an old well known shade in the range, so i wonder….
Hi Anat,
These are a different finish, and a couple differ more than others against the shades they’re based on. Please see my previous replies to readers 🙂 You can also look on the Dupe List, as each shade was entered against the less metallic/sparkly version (e.g. Intense Amethyst vs. Amethyst).
Thank you very much. I will look it up!!
I own all the full size orginal caviar sticks. I love the colours and they blend easily. Although I am tempted to purchase the Intense holiday set ( I personally prefer shimmers and glitters) the problem that I have with the caviar sticks is that sadly they become loose and fall out from the tube.
I’ve never owned any Caviar Sticks so when I saw this I was excited to get them in minis as a set!
But then viewing the swatches and reading Christine’s many, many helpful explanations about the difference in the finishes…
I want shimmer and classy sparkle from a Laura Mercier product, not in-your-face sparkle/glitter.
These look very nice but are similar to Lancôme Ombré Hypnôse Stilo Eye Shadow Sticks. Are these Laura Mercier sticks able to be sharpened? I know the Lancôme ones have a removable sharpener at the bottom of each stick.