Makeup Geek Tiki Hut, Wild West, Brownie Points, Friend Zone Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow ($6.00 for 0.064 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, yellow tones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, smooth, finely-milled consistency that was a smidgen powdery but easy to blend out on the skin and did not look dry on the eye. The color lasted well for seven and a half hours on me. Too Faced Cocoa Truffle (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Dimmer (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Head Over Heels (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Anastasia Fawn (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Mousse (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Anastasia Raw Sienna (PiP, $12.00) is cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Glasswing (DC, ) is lighter (90% similar). KKW Beauty Calabasas (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Coloured Raine Royal Prerogative (PiP, $6.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Preppy (DC, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). KVD Beauty Sage (Base) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M646 Latte (DC, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Daddi-O (P, $29.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath Taboo (PiP, $25.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #13 (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M660 Speculous (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Incense (LE, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Bucked (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Lancome Sante (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Dulce de Leche (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Wild West Eyeshadow ($6.00 for 0.064 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy brown with a matte finish. The consistency was really powdery, even though it was finely-milled and soft, so it tended to sheer out and have a more faded coloring applied than it did when viewed in the pan. The color started to fade noticeably after six hours on the eye. Tarte Camelflauge (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar). MAC Swiss Chocolate (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). Dior Toile de Jouy #5 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Rockin' Robin (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Mom Ride (P, $5.25) is warmer (90% similar). Inglot J317 Eggplant (LE, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Lancome Voyage (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Finjan (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M600 Pink Brown (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Beach Days (PiP, $5.25) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Red Earth (P, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Sous Le Sable #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Ciate Ember (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Hourglass Monochrome #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). LORAC Sable (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Happy Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Buxom Spoiled Sexy (P, $12.00) is cooler (85% similar). NARS New York (DC, $25.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Tarte Rebel (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Dusty Rose (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Brownie Points Eyeshadow ($6.00 for 0.064 oz.) is a muted, dark taupe with subtle, neutral-to-cool undertones with a matte finish. It was very, very powdery and prone to sheering out; it was difficult to layer or build-up the color as it wouldn’t stick to itself, just dust away. This shade wore well for five and a half hours. Tarte Profesh (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Makeup Geek Bandwagon (DC, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M548 Pink Gray (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals Vow (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild VI Purple #6 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Slate (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Pale Rose (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Faux Fur (DC, $6.00) is more pigmented (95% similar). Too Faced Maple Syrup (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M549 Dark Taupe (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Blurry Mauve #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Blurry Mauve #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Sydney Grace Puppy (P, $5.25) is warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Pecan Praline (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #7 (DC, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Makeup Geek Friend Zone Eyeshadow ($6.00 for 0.064 oz.) is a medium, gray-taupe with cool, lavender tones and a matte finish. It was very soft and finely-milled, but it was powdery and prone to sheering out on the skin. Even over a regular primer, it doesn’t stick that well, so I would use something lightly tacky to keep it in place if you want true-to-pan color and full coverage. It wore well for seven hours. ColourPop Vintage Queen (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Smoke (Base) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Copperplate (DC, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Moment-o (590) (LE, $29.00) is darker (90% similar). Clinique Portobello (PiP, $15.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Stone (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Deep Taupe (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 11 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Zoeva Gallery (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). LORAC Silent Mary (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Harley (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Cool Matte #10 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Sydney Grace Broken Promise (LE, $5.25) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Smashbox Punked (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Serendipity (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Sephora Violet Gray (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). Tarte Energetic (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Fate (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Guerlain Two VIP #2 (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Sydney Grace Officer (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | Makeup Geek Eyeshadow ($6.00 for 0.064 oz.) is supposed to be a “highly-pigmented” powder eyeshadows. They come in a variety of finishes and shades, and the range has some winners but more than a few misses, too, so your mileage may vary from shade to shade. The formula tends to be softer and a little more powdery/dusty as they are not as firmly pressed into their pans, but they aren’t typically crumbly or so loose that they are prone to breakage. I find the more shimmery shades to be the most consistent in pigmentation, blendability, and wear, while the more neutral-hued matte shades are often finely-milled, blendable, and easy to use. The brighter pops of color, both shimmer and more matte, can run the gamut on quality. Some shades are better built-up than immediately opaque, which can suit some application styles better. The wear tends to fall between seven and eight hours as some shades are more prone to fading as a result of the dustier texture. (Note: this applies to their standard powder formula, not their Foiled line, which is a different formulation.)
Tiki Hut
DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
Wild West
DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
Brownie Points
DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
Friend Zone
DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Wild West Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Wild West Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Wild West Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Wild West Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Brownie Points Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Brownie Points Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Brownie Points Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Brownie Points Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Friend Zone Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Friend Zone Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Friend Zone Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Friend Zone Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut Eyeshadow
This is disappointing… 🙁
I wish they weren’t so powdery/dusty!
Marlena truly doesn’t seem to care about quality control at this point. I truly don’t think MUG will be here for the long haul because I don’t think Marlena knows how to effectively run a company, or wait for quality product launches.
It seems like they have definitely switched their matte formula – like they are prioritizing softness/blendability over other characters; they feel more like LORAC eyeshadows now.
I think those attributes are just as important as pigmentation….it needs to have all of those things. BTW, good job swatching all those UD lipsticks. My wallet is in trouble.
I feel like Makeup Geek eyeshadows have had a lot of misses in the last few collections, which makes me sad. A lot of their older shadows are staples for me (Latte, Cocoa Bear, Crème Brulée, Vanilla Bean, etc) and I wish the newer colors were as good because there’s some fun colors.
They have! I feel like the matte formula in the spring launch is trending towards being much, much softer… but also more powdery/dusty.
It’s sad because I could easily call the original formula my favorite matte formula – pigmented, creamy, easy to blend, flattering (i.e. it doesn’t look super dry on the lids) – but now I don’t even want to bother. I’m also slightly terrified at the new blush release coming soon. The original formula of her blushes is AMAZING, and she said in a video that the new blushes will be a reformulation. Why must companies change a sure thing?
There are some really great neutrals in their original set, like Cocoa Bear, but I’m not sure about the new ones here!
Absolutely spot on comment for how I feel, Kat.
Nope, not getting any of the 4 shown here. The one shade that actually does perform really well, Tiki Hut, would look terrible on me, I believe. And the other 3? Fuggeddaboutit!!! They look ridiculously patchy in the swatches, although not bad in the lid, though. But still.
I really wanted a great go-to taupe rec in this range!
I had bought Tiki Hut and Wild West upon first release and I’m happy with both, though I agree Tiki Hut does deserve a higher rating than Wild West. I’ve used with them with my usual primer and they both worked well.
I like Tiki Hut, and the color of Wild West I like, but man, it was so powdery to work with. What primer did you use?
Nars Eyeshadow Base 🙂
she should have just stuck to eyeshadow (even if it is copied directly off of mac and now other companies) instead of trying to saturate the market with other products.
It seems like they are going in a different direction re: texture than the older mattes!
Wow, what the hell went wrong with their original formula?! These look like a hot mess compared to the first round of shadows MUG came out with.
I’m not sure! These are definitely smoother, but they also seem looser.
Total skip for me. I can see my oily lids eating this up, even with primer. Very disappointing 🙁 I know the shimmers swatched much better, so hope those get better scores
Oh, yeah, I could see that being a problem 🙁
These swatches are so disheartening. Honestly with MAC lowering their prices on their e/s pans, i’d prefer to purchase them instead.
I totally understand, Selina!
I’m surprised to see these performing so poorly since it seems most lines can get a matte neutral right. The more adventurous colors are the ones that are very much hit or miss. I have about a dozen of her shadows and love them. Maybe she’ll see this review and try to go back to the old formula. Maybe she’s assuming most people will be using primer?
They have done really superb mattes in the past, but something about the newer formula is much softer and looser in the pan.
These are not particularly good eye shadows. Very dry and dusty and the colours are quite average.
They are quite dusty!
Why did they have to go and change their matte formulation?!?! :'( Wild West is such a neat color but such a dusty mess…
I’m not sure! 🙁
This just makes me sad. =( I was hoping for improvements.
🙁
I’m curious Christine about your thoughts on “powdery” formulas. I personally love Lorac shadows, even with the extra dust as I find them to blend the best (on me) and I really enjoy how they translate on the eye.
I don’t own any MUG shadows so can’t speak to that, just wondered if in general you prefer a harder pressed formula such as MAC and is so, why?
Thanks!
It just depends – some are powdery but blendable and still adhere well/build-up well, but others are just powdery/dusty and have a dryness so they don’t stick well to the skin, apply unevenly/patchy, and fade quickly. I really like LORAC’s shimmery eyeshadows, but their mattes are too powdery/dusty for me. What’s interesting about MAC eyeshadows is that they often swatch so-so but apply better, but some are still bad either way (often too stiff/dry and subsequently patchy), but they are often more buildable and wear longer/sit better on the skin. Some of LORAC’s mattes make my lids look terrible, which I know is my fault due to my skin.
Oh no, more duds from Makeup Geek! Lately Lately I’ve been dissapointed in their new launches. I was hoping to get Wild West but I think I’ll pass now.
Me too! There are some winners in the new spring shades, but there are some misses!
Why couldn’t friend zone and brownie points be better. I need more cool matte neutrals in my collection 🙁
Agreed!!
Darn it! I am really disappointed! I have hooded eyes, and tend to use mostly mattes, so I was very excited about Wild West, Brownie Points, and Friend Zone when I initially saw them (love, love the colors!). But I am just not willing to spend the money for eye shadows that don’t perform well. I really wish Marlena had kept up the quality that she started her company with. 🙁
I wish they had the texture of shades like Barcelona, Cocoa Bear, etc.!
Just a simple no to all of them.
I understand 🙁