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.  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.  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.

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