Makeup Geek Duochrome Pigments Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Duochrome Pigments ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) just launched with seven new shades (plus one repromote, which was part of the line before). I think if you’re looking for duochromes, the pigments offer stronger shifts than the eyeshadows, but you’ll have to be happy using loose eyeshadow! They can be used wet or dry, and some shades are more pigmented applied damp while others are about the same either way. The ones that were sheerer applied dry were buildable with dry application. They apply more smoothly and have less fall out during application if you use a lightly dampened brush (even with just water).
The pigments also launched with new packaging, but many customers are having issues with the package integrity. When I initially received mine, I didn’t have any glaring issues, though one or two jars looked like they had stress fissures/cracks, but I wasn’t sure if it was actually cracked or how the plastic was put together (wasn’t sure if there were multiple pieces). However, after using them each a few times–unscrewing and screwing the caps back on–the cracks got worse and one of mine had a piece of plastic break off entirely. When I came across this thread on Reddit, it was apparent it wasn’t one-off but widespread, so I reached to Makeup Geek and pass along how they’re handling the situation and what to do if you received defective packaging with the new pigments:
We are so thankful for all the support on our Duochrome project, but we also sincerely apologize for any broken pigments that were received. We are diligently working on resolving this issue and have been in contact with our manufacturers to remedy this issue quickly in future shipments. If you have broken jars we would greatly appreciate if you could contact our customer service department at customerservice@makeupgeek.com. They will need you to send a picture of the broken pigment jar and the name of the pigment.
Since everyone’s situation is a bit different, we are resolving this issue on a case by case basis. We would be happy to replace the full products from jars that are ruined and resulting in loss of product. The damage to some jars is much more severe for some customers, and any customer that is experiencing heavy leaking of pigment should get a replacement pigment. In some instances, the option to replace the empty jar provides an adequate solution for some customers.
Overall, the satisfaction of our customers is the most important, and we appreciate all contact we’ve received from customers about this issue. We look forward to helping resolve any issues or concerns.
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “slate blue base with pink, purple, and teal reflects.” It’s a dirty gray with lighter blue, green, pink, and silver metallic shimmer. It had a lot going on, but it looked almost muddied when applied and blended on the skin, so I think it is one that would really benefit from being layered over some sort of base color. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry, and then mostly opaque pigmentation applied damp. It is a more frosted texture, so it isn’t quite as finely-milled as some of the range, but it isn’t chunky and is fairly blendable on the lid. The color started to crease after eight hours of wear. MAC Moss Garden (LE, $32.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Sugar (P, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Jubilee (DC, $14.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Silver Bells (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Riviere (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Polished Silver (P, $6.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani #12 (DC, $33.00) is lighter (90% similar). Lancome Enduring Vert (P, $24.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). MAC Just Breathe #2 (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). NARS Euphrate (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Giorgio Armani #10 (DC, $33.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Lysithea (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Fresh & Mint #1 (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “pale gray base with purple-pink reflects.” It’s a muted, light bluish-gray that shifts to pink and violet as the light reflects off of the shimmer. It had semi-opaque coverage applied dry and full intensity applied damp, and it was smoother to work with when it was damp, as the texture was so finely milled that it almost didn’t bind as well without added moisture. On me, it wore well for eight and a half hours before creasing. ColourPop Cake Walk (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Trainwreck (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath Iridescent Pink 003 (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Ventura (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). Urban Decay Roadstripe (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Blue Reflection (32) (DC, $39.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Humblebrag (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Triple Impact (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Iridescent (112) (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Anastasia A1 (Norvina Vol. 1) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Shine De-light (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar). Chanel Au Fil des Fleurs #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). NARS Cassiopeia (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Ciate Paradise (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Crystal (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Mystery (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Haedus (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Makeup Geek Rockstar (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Fyrinnae Unicorn (P, $7.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). bareMinerals Iridescent Iris (LE, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “translucent base with icy blue and purple reflects.” It’s a bright, pink-tinged white base with iridescent green-to-teal shimmer that creates a frosted, metallic finish. The color shifted from more green iridescence to pinky-violet iridescence. It had semi-sheer pigmentation applied dry and fully opaque coverage applied damp. The consistency was soft, blendable, and smooth. It wore well for eight hours on me. Make Up For Ever 6 Frozen Turquoise (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Lumi (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar). NYX Frostbite (P, $6.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). KVD Beauty Saphyre (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cover FX Halo (P, $28.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Makeup Geek Moon Phase (P, $20.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Essence Be My Spacelight (P, $4.49) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Blue Mist (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Space (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Roadstripe (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Iridescent (112) (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Viseart Coy #9 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Clionadh Current (P, $12.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Crushed Indigo (Left) (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Sugarpill Ice Angel (PiP, $13.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Bad Habit Illuminate (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar). Clionadh Umbra (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop GRLFRND (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Waves of White (LE, $6.99) is less shimmery (90% similar). KVD Beauty Amethyst (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment ($12.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “deep teal base with gold reflects.” It’s a muted, medium blue base with lighter gold frost that gives it a mostly metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque coverage applied dry, but it was a much softer, lighter blue when compared to damp application, which was deeper and fully opaque. This shade lasted for eight hours before creasing on me. Natasha Denona Cloudy Blue (17M) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Pretty Vulgar Fancy (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Shoshanna (414) (P, $28.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Shattered (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Anastasia Venezia (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty 8 Bit (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). L'Oreal Endless Sea (P, $7.99) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). MAC Lucky in Love (LE, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar). Tarte Art Deco (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Giorgio Armani Jade Reflection (35) (DC, $39.00) is cooler (85% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Jubilee (DC, $14.00) is lighter (85% similar). Lancome My French #7 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Bikers & Babes (LE, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Milani Bella Teal (21) (P, $4.49) is darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS China Seas #1 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). L'Oreal Dive Right In (LE, $7.99) is lighter (85% similar). Pat McGrath Blitz Aquamarine (LE, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). Urban Decay Crux (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). ColourPop Take Me Higher (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). theBalm Big Kahuna (LE, $16.00) is warmer (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Kaleidoscope
PPermanent. $12.00.
Mood Ring
PPermanent. $12.00.
Sugar Rush
PPermanent. $12.00.
Chameleon
PPermanent. $12.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Kaleidoscope Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Mood Ring Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Sugar Rush Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
Makeup Geek Chameleon Pigment
These are pretty, and I like the top design. It looks much less messy than an open jar. I know I gave up on MUG pressed shadows, but I wonder if I wouldn’t prefer their pigments. I’ll to order a couple and try them out.
I hope you find yourself liking the pigments more than the eyeshadows!
It can’t hurt to try them. I’m not in a hurry to do it, but I like loose pigments.
Oh no! Why did you give up on the MUG pressed shadows? I was thinking of doing a small order (both duo chrome and regular) to see if they will work on me. I’m most worried about them creasing or fading on my oily lids b/c they don’t take returns, but curious what your issue was
I bought a half dozen shades, and most of them were really dry and underpigmented. Twilight and Bitten were OK, but not great. Then I tried a Foiled, and it was crumbly and broken when I received it (I was refunded). I may have just picked out some bad shades, but I gave up.
Oh yikes! Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the MUG shadows. I hope I have better luck….
Let me know how they work for you. I hope you’ll like them. Most people seem to.
Some are better than others. MUG definitely has some great shadows, though. Read through all of Christine’s reviews, she is pretty spot on to the quality of each.
Aside from the issues with cracks in the material, which I’m sure they will be able to solve, the actual design of the jars looks much better than the old ones. I feel like with the small opening there will be less mess than just an open jar, but of course I’d have to try it to see! Do the regular pigments have the new packaging as well?
I believe so!
Thank you soo much for including the issue with the jars&their adress of the issue,i look foward to buying more pigments but am gonna hold off for a bit..give em time 2 fix the issue completly..my 1 pigment(hologram) broke off the 2nd time i opened it,so now its just sitting till my empty jar comes in altho im gonna have 2 digg out the plastic crumbles..it is a beautiful product tho despite the jar hiccup.
No problem! So sorry about yours. Hope you can email them about it!
It’s too bad this packaging issue is affecting so many people. I’ve seen pictures on Instagram where the jar breaks apart completely. The pigments look really pretty so I hope they’ll have this fixed asap!
It is a bummer! 🙁
Once the container issue is resolved, I definitely want to get Sugar Rush, Mood Ring and Kaleidoscope! For Kaleidoscope, I would be using it over a black base or primer to bring ALL those colors to the fore. Mood Ring, same, but most likely over a taupey or brown base. BUT: how to keep these safe from my Wild Sink Beast??? Press them into pans maybe?
LOL! Pressing might work!
Thanks for swatches and reviews! FYI….the pictures are out of order, so hard to match up the scores/descriptions with the shades. Well, I definitely see more duo chrome here than in the pressed shadows, but loose pigments are messy, might not stick on my oily lids, and the packaging issues are a bummer, although I’m very glad MUG is acknowledging it and providing solutions to customers. Still, I want to try a couple shades. I’m eyeing Chameleon, but think it might be too close to Colour Pop Krinkle. I’ll wait for Part 2 before deciding
Yes, it is good that they are working on the issue! I bet it really sucks to deal with it.
?? so beautiful! MUG did such a great job!
A lot of pretty colors!
Hello Chameleon… welcome to my collection. 😀
😀
I love Chameleon. But it might be too close to Colourpop Krinkle for me to need it. Who do you think makes the best sparkly or duochrome pigments, Christine? I’ve never bought one.
Fyrinnae!
Glad to have a heads up on the container issues. I bought two; Kaleidoscope and Mood Ring. I have not had the opportunity to try either, but will probably port them over to some small vials we have on hand for milk samples that are sent to the lab for testing. Never thought they would come in handy for my makeup hoard. LOL
LOL!
I love this can’t wait to try them
Yay!
Those are pretty but I’m so klutzy! I’d dump them for sure.
Been there! 😉
Just love the Chameleon and Kaleidoscope colours – they are really beautiful.
They are!
I was so tempted to purchase the pigments — they look really nice and the products I’ve purchased from MUG in the past have been good quality. But I have to confess that I’m slightly disappointed in them about the packaging issue. I’ve been following it online and went to the MUG site today, and they are still selling inventory with no comment about the packaging issues, and there’s been no statement on Facebook or YouTube. I get that they probably can’t afford to tell customers that the packaging is problematic and risk not selling inventory, and I also get not posting widely about it on social media, but it just seems a bit disingenuous not to at least say something on the product pages. But perhaps I’m being too naive about this and this is how a company should handle this type of situation? The pigments look lovely, though!
I believe they’re only selling product filled in jars that aren’t cracked – that is what I was told!
I love Chameleon and Sugar Rush! Loose pigments scare me a little though. I feel like I always use way too much.
Good thing they have a lot in the jar, lol!
I’m a sucker for anything duo chrome and I love MUG’s pigment in insomnia so I might have to get one of these. The chameleon one looks lovely.
Christine, I have a question that I can’t find an answer for. Whenever you review a lipstick, you post a photo of the swatch and then a closeup of your lips and then an identical photo after. Can you tell me what’s the difference between both photos? Thanks!
One is in direct light, one is indirect light.
All are just beautiful. I’m not used to loose shadows. But, for something this unique to my collection, I’m willing to give it a go. Probably try some loose and pressed. The customer service efforts are another thing that makes me interested. I’m wondering if anyone with recent orders has had these issues with the jars? I know they are fairly new. But, I’m wondering if MUG is still shipping faulty jars? I’m wanting to say no way.
As far as I understand it, they are shipping out jars that aren’t cracked.
Chameleon reminds me of MAC Steel Blue pigment.
Oh, I could see a resemblance!
Thesee are extremely pretty!… I like Chameleon the most!
Awesome!
I totally skipped pigments this time and grabbed pressed shadows only because I found myself avoiding any pigment when it comes to using them in a regular basis.
Regardless of the packaging issue, not to mention I love their perfect duo chrome effect, However, I feel they could have launch some more bright color-contrast, I love vibrant color 😀
Totally understand! I tend to reach for pressed over loose myself!
I expected Chameleon to be darker and deeper. I’m afraid none of the shades here really do it for me.
Oh, that’s too bad!
So pretty! I actually like all of them, and I might order some in the not too far future. I will give them time to gete the jar issue fixed first, though.
Fingers crossed they get it taken care of soon!
I did a blog post about how much I love these pigments but what an epic fail the jars are. One of my pigments is living in a plastic sandwich bag because the whole top of my container broke off. Plus, when it arrived there was a crack running down both sides of the jar and around the bottom. My other pigment has those stress cracks you referred to and it looks like it’s going to be breaking apart soon too. I already e-mailed them about both and they sent one replacement already, but they don’t have the other shade in stock so hopefully they send me a new one of it too once they have the new containers. I’m surprised they didn’t do some kind of quality control testing on the jars, especially since $12 is an expensive product for them.
I ordered only one in Kaleidoscope. Experienced an issue with my jar and contacted customer service based on what Marlena said on Snapchat. Let’s just say I’m not happy with their solution. I ordered my own empty jar and will transfer what I can to the jar I ordered from the messed up one. I don’t plan to order any more pigments regardless of them fixing the jar issue on their end.