Melt Cosmetics Radioactive Pressed Pigment Palette Review & Swatches
Radioactive
Melt Cosmetics Radioactive 8-Pan Pressed Pigment Palette ($48.00 for 0.66 oz.) is the newest palette from the brand, which seems like a replacement from the Radioactive Stack, which shares the first four shades (on the left), while the last four shades (on the right) are new.
At a glance, it looks like a fun palette, and I love working with color, but I was left disappointed by this palette. A few of the shades were under-pigmented, while others were firm, stiff, or difficult to apply or to blend out, so the palette was rather hard to work with on its own. Applied over primer, things were slightly more manageable, but it remained a challenge to use even with primer.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Radioactive
PPermanent. $48.00.
Radioactive
Radioactive is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with strong, cool undertones and a satin finish. The eyeshadow had a denser, smoother consistency that felt more silicone-heavy to me, as there was light slip, but it was thinner and firmly-pressed in the pan.
I found the texture made it hard to pick up product with a brush and then apply it to my lid, so the end result was somewhat patchy, semi-opaque coverage that didn’t build up well. It stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me before fading noticeably on me.
Top Dupes
- Coloured Raine Sweetheart (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Sincerely (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Anastasia C2 (Norvina Vol. 4) (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Party Drip (PiP, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Texas Made (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bonbon (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Vidigal (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M853 Neon Pink (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Bahamas (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Neon Orange #6 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Radioactive
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Radon
Radon is a medium orange with moderate, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish, though there was the faintest pink and gold pearl at times. The pigmentation was nearly opaque in a single layer, but it was difficult to achieve those results once I started to apply and blend out the color in practice. The texture felt more emollient, but it seemed to crumble a bit and resulted in emphasized texture of my lids and some patchiness in overall color. It lasted for just over seven and a half hours on me before showing signs of fading.
This shade seemed redder and less powdery than the original from the Radioactive Stack.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Nectar (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Virtual Reality (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Meteorite (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay 12/12 (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Splash (PiP, $6.99) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Mango Tango (DC, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Early Bird (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Peach Punch (PiP, $16.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Flowerboy (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Growth Flirt (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Radon
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Neon
Neon is a bright, sunshine yellow with a mostly matte finish. It had a drier, moderately powdery texture that felt chalky and was prone to fallout, sheering out, and emphasizing lid texture and lines. There are a lot of shades this color on the market–it’s just one of those shades that every brand has done–and this is such a far cry from how well they can be done.
It seemed to have quite a bit of pigmentation, but it ended up so lost after blending and sitting on my lid for a few minutes (as my natural oils seemed to feast on it). The color wore decently for six hours on me before fading visibly and left a light, yellowish stain behind.
Top Dupes
- Sugarpill Continue (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Smashbox Bolt (P, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia D1 (Norvina Vol. 1) (LE, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Bright Editorial #7 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Mischief (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Viseart Pollen (12) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Take Flight (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Illamasqua Hype (P, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Oh Beehave (PiP, $4.50) is more muted (95% similar).
- ColourPop Pint to Go (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Neon
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Xenon
Xenon is a bright, chartreuse green with warm, yellow undertones and fine golden shimmer over a more matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a drier, moderately dusty texture that had light fallout during application and was more prone to sheering out. The eyeshadow was blendable, though, so as long as the lesser pigmentation isn’t a deal-breaker, it wasn’t the worst shade in the palette (which, unfortunately, isn’t high praise). It lasted well for seven and a half hours on me before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Lime (Bright Editorial #2) (P, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Stoppp (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Zenith (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Frazzled (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Game Changer (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Betelgeuse (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Don't Freak (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Algae (P, $7.30) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Ion (342CM) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sour Lemon (DC, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Xenon
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Arsenic
Arsenic is a medium, blue-leaning teal with faint shimmer woven through a more matte finish. It looked bluer-based in the pan, but it had such a faded appearance when swatched that it almost read warm-toned against my warmer undertones.
The texture was thin, stiff, and dry–almost chalk-like–and the application showed it to be the same. It was difficult to build it up barring using it with a white base, but even going through my arsenal of tips, it was difficult to get true-to-pan coverage. The eyeshadow was fairly blendable, and it worked well as a diffusing shade against Meltdown, but it wasn’t much to speak of as a standalone shade. It showed signs of fading after seven hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Snapdragon (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Morphe Jada (LE, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Dragonfly (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Creature Feature (LE, $6.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Mochi (P, $13.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Determined (DC, $5.25) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Viseart Bright Editorial #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Phantom (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Phenomenon (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia C2 (Norvina Mini Vol. 3) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Look Using this Product
Arsenic
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Meltdown
Meltdown is a muted, medium-dark teal with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The texture was slightly drier to the touch, lightly powdery, but it didn’t prove to be troublesome with fallout. The eyeshadow applied fairly evenly and blended out without too much effort. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Photosynthesex #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sirena (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Ganges (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Phenomenon (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop 1946 (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Tropic (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Anastasia E3 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Majestic Breeze (PiP, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Andros (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Look Using this Product
Meltdown
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Hazmat
Hazmat is a bright, deeper violet purple with subtle, cool undertones and a satiny sheen. It had some shimmer in there, but the finish didn’t end up looking that shimmery or metallic when applied to my skin. It had an incredibly dense, almost stiff, consistency that was thick and extremely difficult to pick up with brushes.
I had to really jab at the surface to get product onto my brush, and it was a challenge to press and push it into place on my lid. I had the best luck smoothing out the product with a fingertip or using it with a wet brush. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Flannel (P, $6.25) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Purple Reign (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Deep Purple (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Wild Orchid (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Andromeda (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fyrinnae Queen (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Sephora Indigo (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Ultra Violence (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Vio-lit (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Utterly Alone (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
Look Using this Product
Hazmat
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Uranium
Uranium is a light-medium lavender with cool undertones and a soft, frosted finish. It had a drier, more powdery texture with moderate kick up in the pan and some fallout during application. It applied unevenly and was difficult to get into place without using a fingertip or a wet brush. The pigmentation was medium to semi-opaque and did not build up well. The eyeshadow started to show signs of fading after seven hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop A Whole New World (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I918 Lavender (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Daydreamer (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I918 Lavender (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Beautiful Iris (DC, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Twinkle (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Groovy (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- KVD Beauty Muse (LE, ) is lighter (80% similar).
- ColourPop Angelic (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Talc, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PTFE, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Tin Oxide (CI 77861), Carmine (CI 75470), Black 2 (CI 77266)
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.
How disappointing. The color selection is beautiful.
Not one of Melt’s better efforts. I do like the colourful nature of this palette but since I have purchased a couple of colourful palettes this year, I don’t feel the need for this palette. While I am enjoying my Impulsive palette, I doubt I will be purchasing much from the brand in the future. My personal beliefs do not line up with the brands social platform.
I’m just here for Arsenic dupes. They actually had this in store at my local Sephora and I swatched it and most of the colors felt pretty gritty to me! But Arsenic is awfully pretty and I’m not sure if I’ve got any dupes. I need to look in my stash and then order one if I don’t have any of the close-ish dupes you mentioned.
On one hand, I’m so tired of these bright every-color-under-the-sun palettes that every brand seems to be producing these days. On the other hand, I’m glad to see so few palettes that are tempting me to spend my money. One of these days, cool-toned plummy-taupe palettes will be all the rage and then I’ll be in serious trouble.
Kind of sad, really. But I’m glad my dupes are old MUFE and SG. That is, better.
Seeing the swatches and how the colors play together makes me love my Pastel Goth palette even more. This just looks… cheap, somehow.
All I can say about this mess is; thank God above that I have dupes. Yes, it’s THAT awful a palette!
Ouch! This is what I get for buying before waiting for a review. At least I like the lipsticks out of the package. ?
Could this trend be over with already..
2018” were so sick of neutral palettes can’t somebody so some color, no more neutrals with a pop of blue”
2019” were so sick of colorful palettes”
2020– neutrals are back
Oh yeah, bummer. I was interested in this, but yeah. My wallet is happy! 🙂
Oh! Melt kinda got this one pretty wrong.
Interestingly enough I have quite a few of the dupes listed . Only shades I would be interested in are the two purple shades which look like there are better dupes for them elsewhere . Still it looks so pretty but my sugarpill funsize and Urban Decay electric seem to dupe the blue, green and pinks . Thanks for the review and dupes list ☺️
Yikes.
Thank you for saving me from this. The colors in the pan are GORGEOUS and right up my alley, so I’d been wanting it since I first saw it. I’m SO glad I waited for your review!
I’m really regretting spending money on this launch. They looked so good in the posts leading up to it, but this and the purple blush thing are probably going to just collect dust for me. Why do you have to break my heart so often, Melt?