Melt Cosmetics Water Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Water
Melt Cosmetics Water Bad Side Zodaic Eyeshadow Palette ($38.00 for 0.28 oz.) released earlier this month as an eight-shade color story that had aquas, blues, and neutrals The matte formula actually seemed less dense/intense compared to Melt’s normal matte formula, but they were easier to control and build up. The shimmers were also less firmly-pressed than I’d typically associate with Melt, which made them improved.
Ingredients
Water
LELimited Edition. $38.00.
Manipulative
Manipulative is a very light peach with subtle, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Lightly emollient, smooth, dense but not thick
- Picked up evenly with a dry brush
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- Viseart Cashmere #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Piggy (80M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Seashell (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- City Color Bubble Bath (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Royal Flush (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Opal Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Full Moon (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Lion's Share (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Liar, Liar (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Destiny (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Zinc Stearate, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Yellow 5 Lake Ci 19140, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090.
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.
Manipulative
LELimited Edition.
Secretive
Secretive is a light, peachy brown with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Nearly opaque pigmentation
- Soft, slightly thin, lightly powdery
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- LORAC Nymph (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Fawn (Base) (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Kaja Nude Apricot (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bare to Wear (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Soft Life (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Boring (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hidden Gem (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Duvet It (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Seven Heaven (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS St-Paul-de-Vence II (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Zea Mays Starch/Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Mica, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Ci 77510, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891.
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.
Secretive
LELimited Edition.
Moody
Moody is a brighter, light-medium green with cool undertones and warmer, gold sparkle over a metallic finish.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Lightly emollient, smooth, dense but not thick
- Picked up evenly with a dry brush
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- Glaminatrix Spearmint (P, $8.04) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Borealis (PiP, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Juicy (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Left on Thread (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME304 Emerald (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Bull (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Clionadh Forest Heart (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Color Explosion (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Leafar (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Natasha Denona Exotic (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Zinc Stearate, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Yellow 5 Lake Ci 19140, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090.
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.
Moody
LELimited Edition.
Trust Issues
Trust Issues is a muted, medium-dark sage green with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Medium, buildable pigmentation
- Soft, slightly thin, lightly powdery
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- NYX Contort (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Honeydew (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Eternal (DC, $5.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Chill Factor (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Earthbending (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Clionadh Poison Ivy (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Checkmate (DC, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay G Train (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Kiss My Hass (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Look #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Zea Mays Starch/Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Mica, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Ci 77510, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891.
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.
Trust Issues
LELimited Edition.
Emo
Emo is a medium-dark blue-teal with cool undertones and a matte finish. Despite the sheerer coverage, it built up and blended out particularly well over primer.
- Semi-sheer, buildable pigmentation
- Soft, slightly thin, moderately powdery
- Prone to sheering out but blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- By Beauty Bay Hope (LE, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Formation (P, $4.50) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Boom (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wavelike (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tenacious (P, $9.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Carnaval (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Digiteal (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Scuba Diver (P, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Urchin (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Shawn (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Zea Mays Starch/Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Mica, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Ci 77510, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891.
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.
Emo
LELimited Edition.
Ugly Crying
Ugly Crying is a very dark, but not inky, navy blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. This shade performed significantly better (like a different product!) over primer as it seemed on the drier side.
- Semi-sheer pigmentation
- Soft, slightly thin, moderately powdery
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Ingredients
Talc, Zea Mays Starch/Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Mica, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Ci 77510, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891.
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.
Ugly Crying
LELimited Edition.
Dead Inside
Dead Inside is a blackened blue base with fine navy blue and teal pearl and sparkle throughout.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Lightly emollient, smooth, dense but not thick
- Picked up evenly with a dry brush
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Deep Water (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Aphrodisiatic (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Neige #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Rendezvous (DC, $8.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Moonlit Kingdom (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Blue Black (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Midnight (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Diving In (254) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Gamma Ray (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Mellow Shade #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Zinc Stearate, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Yellow 5 Lake Ci 19140, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090.
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.
Dead Inside
LELimited Edition.
Possessive
Possessive is a deep, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Soft, slightly thin, moderately powdery
- Applied evenly, blended out well
- Long-wearing (8 hours)
Top Dupes
- Dior Poncho #5 (PiP, ) (100% similar).
- Kaleidos Wired (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Rott (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Atlas (DC, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Tonka Imperiale #5 (DC, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Depth (PiP, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Seed (224CM) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Teddy Bare (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Victory (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Jolie (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Zea Mays Starch/Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Mica, Blue 1 Lake Ci 42090, Iron Oxides Ci 77499, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Iron Oxides Ci 77491, Iron Oxides Ci 77492, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide Ci 77510, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891.
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.
Because I love the actual shades, and not because I subscribe to astrology, this one almost got me and my 💵. However, I do have your SG collab palettes, plus the muted browns in Tiny Marvels, and so this was easy to talk myself out of.
A part of me is still so amused enough by the palette concept to want this but my interest has shifted to other releases and, while some of the shades still interest me, there are some sad sad duds here. Maybe if it goes on major sale I’ll get it, but I should probably just find alternatives for Moody and Dead Inside.
On face value, this palette reminded many of us here of your beautiful On the Horizons pallette, with its emphasis on aquas, blues and greens, But sadly, that where the comparison ends. Apart from Manipulative (awful name) and Moody (which bares a superficial resemblance to Earthbound), the rest of the palette is disappointing. Your palette, Christine, was so, so much better in terms of quality and variety of finishes.
Surprised it didn’t do as well, especially the dark colors. Oh well.