Makeup Geek Liquid Gold, Kryptonite, Insomnia Pigments Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Makeup Geek Liquid Gold Pigment
Makeup Geek Pigments ($6.99 for 0.05 oz.) are available in fifteen shades, and they’re, at their essence, loose eyeshadows that can be used dry or wet (depending on the intensity and finish you seek). They’re supposed to be “high-impact,” “finely milled” and “wont crease or fade.” I’ve been playing with these for the past couple of weeks, and here are my thoughts on three of them (I’ll have a few more to share with you soon), but overall, I’m really happy with the quality, color payoff, and wear of the formula!
The only downside is that the jars come very filled (the brand even mentions they over-fill over what is labeled, so you’re usually getting more than 0.05 oz.), and there is no sifter, so they can be quite messy when opening and closing. Â To that end, I know that they are currently working on tweaking the packaging to make them less messy to use, so I look forward to seeing how that turns out. Â Until then, I recommend opening over the sink or a paper towel to minimize the mess.
Liquid Gold is described as a “true metallic gold.” It’s a deep, molten gold with a frosted, metallic sheen. It has a very dark, intense base that gives it a lot of depth. Whether you apply it dry or wet, it’s incredibly pigmented, very finely-milled (just melts together when you smooth it over the skin), and wore nine hours without creasing or fading on me. Too Faced Twinkle (LE) is yellower. NARS Iskandar (P, $25.00) is a cream product, lighter. Fyrinnae Lucky Charmed (P, $6.80) is similar–slightly less metallic.Fyrinnae Aztec Gold (P, $8.25) is similar but slightly green-tinged. Too Faced Instigator (LE) is yellower. Urban Decay Stargazer (P, $20.00) is green-tinged and glittery. Le Metier de Beaute Chameleon (P, $30.00) is lighter, more muted. Sugarpill Goldilux is yellower, warmer, lighter. See comparison swatches
Kryptonite is described as a “metallic moss green.” It’s a medium-dark, brown-ish green with a gold and emerald micro-shimmer and a golden olive sheen. The texture is soft, a little dry in a way, and is best applied with a damp brush for maximum color payoff and smooth, even color. Applied dry, it tends to look more khaki/olive, and I would recommend only applying dry over a primer. It wore well for eight and a half hours with creasing or fading, then started to fade by nine hours of wear. Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #1 (LE) is darker. Urban Decay Jealous #1 (LE, $18.00) is lighter–similar when applied dry. theBalm Lead Zeppelin (P, $16.00) is darker, browner. Urban Decay Mildew (P, $18.00) is similar. MAC Vintage Coin (LE) is a cream product. Guerlain Coup de Foudre #1 (LE) is lighter. Inglot #419 (P, $6.00) is not quite as warm-toned. See comparison swatches.
Insomnia is described as a “dark chocolate brown duochrome with blue/teal reflects.” It has a medium-dark reddish brown base with a bluish-teal duochrome finish, so it looks more/less teal depending on the angle. The texture isn’t quite as fine as Liquid Gold, but it comes together nicely when applied, especially if used with a slightly dampened brush. Kat Von D Queen (LE) is less metallic. It lasted for just over eight and a half hours on me. Too Faced Girly (LE) is browner. MAC Woodsmoke (LE, $15.00) is darker, bluer. MAC Fireside (LE, $21.00) is bluer. MAC I’ve Got a Crush on You (LE, $32.50) is very similar. I don’t have a post on it, but MAC Blue Brown Pigment would also be similar to this, as would Too Faced Label Whore. See comparison swatches.
Liquid Gold
PPermanent. $12.00.
Kryptonite
PPermanent. $12.00.
Insomnia
PPermanent. $12.00.
Makeup Geek Liquid Gold Pigment
Makeup Geek Liquid Gold Pigment
Makeup Geek Liquid Gold Pigment
Makeup Geek Liquid Gold Pigment
Makeup Geek Kryptonite Pigment
Makeup Geek Kryptonite Pigment
Makeup Geek Kryptonite Pigment
Makeup Geek Kryptonite Pigment
Makeup Geek Insomnia Pigment
Makeup Geek Insomnia Pigment
Makeup Geek Insomnia Pigment
Makeup Geek Insomnia Pigment
Makeup Geek: Liquid Gold (inner lid), Kryptonite (middle of lid), Insomnia (outer lid), Urban Decay Deep End Eyeliner
Makeup Geek: Liquid Gold (inner lid), Kryptonite (middle of lid), Insomnia (outer lid), Urban Decay Deep End Eyeliner
Makeup Geek Pigments
Makeup Geek Pigments
Makeup Geek Pigments
Wow wow wow! Insomnia looks a bit like Mac Blue Brown pigment.
It’s definitely very similar!
Wow everytime I see Liquid Gold I forget how gorgeous and pigmented it is! Though I think I’ll wait till the sifters are in place before I buy!
It is crazy intense!
Hi Christine, do you know if insomnia is similar to MAC club eyeshadow??
Club has a weaker duochrome and is, generally, sheerer/more muted!
Trust me they look like MUFE metal pigments n last one as u said …. hands down blue brown by mac
impressed though n happy to see your take on these dear 🙂
Awesome to hear! MUFE Metals are pricey!
liquid gold is absolutely gorgeous! i can’t wait to get my hands on this
Hope you love it!
Ooooh, Kryponite, I WANT you!!! Actually, all 3 of these look amazing and how wonderful is it to encounter a company that actually gives you MORE for your money (hello, MAC, I haven’t forgot what YOU guys did with your pigments!) and then sort of apologizes for the fact that this extra value is messy and is actually looking in to designing better packaging? Does this sound like INTEGRITY or what? Go, Marlena and Makeup Geek!
Yep! I’m glad they’ll be addressing packaging, because though it’s par for the with this type of packaging, it is can be annoying for the user.
I agree with you because of what Mac did with their pigments I never buy them anymore. I rarely buy their eyeshadows there are much better eye shadows out there other than Mac. I’ve boycotted Mac pigments for years.
I’m rather new to makeup in general – what did Mac do to their pigments?
They massively reduced the size, which makes them more expensive now. I never buy them anymore either. MAC has become a joke for the most part.
Texture aside, is it worth getting Insomnia if I already own MAC Club?
Yes, I’d say so – Club is more muted and weaker in duochrome 🙂
I love Makeup Geek! I hope you’ll eventually do a review of their shadows – I love the color range and quality.
I have some reviews planned 🙂
Great!! i love them so much
Yay! I am so happy you are reviewing MUG products! I have six of her pigments. I love almost every single one! Maybe you can review some of her shadows too?
Which six do you have?
These look so beautiful! I haven’t bought loose pigments in a while because I just prefer pressed. MUG’s pressed shadows are almost all fantastic and the ones that aren’t fantastic (that I have) are still really good. I figured these would be amazing, and one of them even got an A+. 🙂
If loose were just a little less messy, I’d be super happy!
Oh that green!!
🙂
I absolutely love these colors! Gorgeous (:
Have you tried MUG’s pigments before?
Wow these swatches look NICE!! I usually stray away from piggies because they’re so messy but I think I’m going to start experimenting with them again!
Loose can be really pretty and is usually quite pigmented, so sometimes it’s worth the mess 🙂
Go Marlena, go! These are incredible! I will most definitely buy a few of these!
Yay! Have you tried any of the brand’s products before?
Not yet! I have only ordered other brands from MakeupGeek. I am ready, though!
Liquid Gold looks similar to Glamour Doll Eyes Trophy Wife eye shadow
Thanks for the dupe suggestion!
I hope you review the eyeshadows. I really wanna know your opinion on them.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Yay I’m happy you have these to play with! I really love the texture of Insomnia and Liquid Gold. They’re so gorgeous.
The texture of Liquid Gold is really nice!
I’m so excited you’re reviewing Makeup Geek products! Yay!!
🙂
These are gorgeous! I’ve never heard of the brand, but I’m definitely interested in trying these pigments.
Created by famous YouTuber MakeupGeek aka Marlena 🙂
Those look insanely pigmented wow!!
Definitely!
Loving liquid gold! Christine you should do a makeup line! You know exactly what makes a good makeup product.
Aw, thanks for the vote of confidence 🙂
I believe Insomnia looks a lot like Urban Decay Lounge!
Yes, definitely similar!
Liquid Gold is a shade that I have been thinking of getting for a while. It looks amazing!
Worth trying!
Oh my goodness, liquid gold! So pretty!
And I love the look you did with them.
Thanks, Christina!
i have a few of these and i totally transferred them into taller jars which works out better. i don’t have kryptonite though and i might order it! i’m a sucker for greens. =]
aaaaaaand i just bought kryptonite. hahahaha i am so excited for it to get here!
Go to the TKB Trading website and look under micas all of these colors are there and all she does is rename them. You can get it cheaper by buying straight from the source instead of buying a markup value. To see the colors of the micas just click on the photo and when it takes you to another screen click on the picture again and it will show you swatches of the colors.
Hey Kim,
The ingredient list for Makeup Geek’s pigments is the following:
Mica, Boron Nitride, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Lauroyl Lysine, Kaolin, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isoeicosane, Magnesium Stearate, Methicone, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, PTFE, Zinc Oxide, Tin Oxide , Iron Oxides CI 77491,CI 77492, CI 77499, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Carmine CI 75470, Chromium Hydroxide Green CI 77298, Chromium Oxide Greens CI 77288, Copper Powder CI 77400, Bronze Powder CI 77400, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide CI 77510, Ferric Ferrocyanice CI 77510, Manganese Violet CI 77742, Bismuth Oxychloride CI 77163, Ultramarines CI 77007, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140
Mica is one component, but there are definitely quite a few others. It could be a very standard base/formula, though I’m not involved in that aspect of the industry, so I am not an expert on formulations. For example, products like MAC Pigments also tend to list mica as one of the primary ingredients. Again, I’m not familiar with the aspect of producing cosmetics much, but from what I understand is most ingredients are common, so it’s matter of how they come together – e.g. proportions, which ingredients are favored over others, etc. while something like the mica is going to be bought in bulk from a supplier, and yes, most others would be able to purchase the same components. The recipe is going to be the distinction.
Makeup Geek pigments are NOT simply repackaged TKB micas. As Christine posted, look at the ingredients list, and educate yourself. Making accusations like that without checking your facts is just plain nasty, not to mention ridiculous. The person who started the MUG line of cosmetics has worked long and hard to get her stuff out there. And as a customer of hers, I can tell you that her products are of very good quality. Far better than anything I’ve ever bought from MAC and their ilk.
Nobody’s forcing you to like Makeup Geek products, but it isn’t too much to ask of anybody to use their common sense before spouting off complete rubbish.