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Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow ($4.49 for 0.11 oz.) is an intense dark black with a matte finish–though there appears to be a very, very faint sheen, it doesn’t translate on the lid or from afar. It also seems to have very subtle blue undertones (rather than brown), but it’s hard to tell–it’s that close to neutral. Urban Decay Blackout is just slightly richer. Tarina Tarantino Lovely is a little softer. Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit is similar. Inglot #391 is not quite as dark.

The formula is supposed to be “super pigmented, easily blendable, creaseproof, [and] silk-like.”  This is the second shade I’ve tried from the line-up, and I’m not disappointed.  I think the texture is a little drier than Shocking Pink, but it’s very intense and pigmented.  It’s soft, finely-milled, and doesn’t look chalky when applied.  It blends out fairly easily, though it could be just a little softer and denser.  The good news is that it’s not powdery, so you don’t end up with lots of excess product underneath your lid during application as you might with a more powdery formula.  This particular shade is closer in texture to MAC’s mattes, but it’s not quite as dry.  When I trialed Pitch Black on the bare lid, it wore for eight hours with some slight fading around the edges but no creasing.

It will be available exclusively at select CVS stores this May. I’ve linked to Milani’s website for the time being, as it’s a good starting point for tracking down where Milani is sold near you.  These are packaged in a clear-cover plastic compact and contain over double the amount of product as the average eyeshadow (0.11 oz. vs. 0.05 oz.).

Pitch Black

PPermanent. $5.99.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
4.5
Application
92%
Total

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow
Milani Pitch Black Powder Eyeshadow

33 Comments

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Joanna Avatar

These are like the milani shadows from several years ago, before they went to those baked/domed shadows. They were amazing quality and affordable. They were my first “real” makeup items (aside from my chalky palette from Claire’s) and were what really got me into makeup in high school. Tldr; I’m really glad they’re back 🙂

JillBaldwin Avatar

Same here! I miss those shadows. I have 3 pans of “Illusion” from that line because it was my go-to shade for so long. Think I’ll drag it out and wear it today 🙂

NeutraKris Avatar

I cannot wait ’till I find these in my drugstore! I need the entire line. I’ve heard nothing but good things about these and the new Shadow Eyez Pencils. Christine, will you be reviewing the Shadow Eyez Pencils as well?

JillBaldwin Avatar

I’ll be stalking CVS for the next few weeks…saw a sneak peak elsewhere on the interwebs and there is a GORGEOUS duochrome teal-shifting-gold that will make me squeal. The hot pink from previous posts looks crazy-good, and this will be grabbed, too! 🙂  Thanks, Christine! Fabulous, as always.

Noah Avatar

What would you recommend, Mac Carbon or this one if one needs a staple matte black eyeshadow? Or do you have some other suggestion

xamyx Avatar

Do I want this? Yes. Do I need this? Probably not. Will I buy this, anyway? If I happen upon it, but I won’t go out of my way to find it. I’m so glad these lower end brands are stepping it up; some of those mid-range brands should take notice, before they’re put out of business.

SarahAnne Avatar

A matte black that’s actually opaque!? Sign me up! I’m sick to death of the matte blacks that have been showing up in higher-end palettes that apply sheer and blend out to grey. I will be stalking my CVS! 

Wenz Avatar

I was hoping you would review more of these!Thanks Christine!
Also these are sold on websites like cherryculture.com and beautyjoint.com

mags4370 Avatar

Christine, I most definitely agree black out is was the most pigmented black eyeshadow, but make-up geek’s corrupt has to be the blackest black I’ve ever seen definitely check it out 🙂

mags4370 Avatar

Christine, most def black out was the most pigmented black eyeshadow, but make-up geek’s corrupt has to be the blackest black I’ve ever seen definitely check it out 🙂

Twirly Girly Avatar

I just finished writing a complaint email to CVS Customer Service. I’ve been trying to find a CVS that is carrying these new Milani Powder Eyeshadows for days. It’s not that they’re sold out – it’s because NONE of the stores in my area received any of the stock! The CVS store Beauty Advisors aren’t very happy about this either, as they’ve had to tell their customers they didn’t get them *and* don’t know of any stores here that did. I even checked in the large CVS store in Providence, RI (located in the biggest mall in the state – Providence Place Mall), and even they weren’t given any stock. Oh…and to add insult to injury…they aren’t being sold on the CVS.com website. In the past, I’ve bought a lot of beauty products at CVS, but as a result of them NOT supplying any stores in large geographical areas with these new Milani shadows, Walgreen’s or Rite Aid may be getting my business from now on.

Christine-Temptalia Avatar

 @Twirly Girly I will say that online seems to be REALLY slow, so I don’t know if they said they aren’t selling (no clue) or if they’re just not up yet. I know I tried to buy other things online via drugstore websites and it always seems like it takes 2-3 months for it to show up!

xamyx Avatar

V@Twirly Girly I live in Los Angeles, and I haven’t spotted these, either. What’s more, there are *two* CVS stores a few blocks from each other, and I don’t always expect both to have the same stock, and it seems as far as cosmetics go, they are completely different. I’ve come across every other summer release, *except* Milani. I much prefer Rite Aid & BB&B for DS finds. You’ve given me the idea to email a complaint to Milani; they shouldn’t do an “exclusive” with a company that has no desire to carry the product, as it makes no sense. How is either side expected to profit?

Zadidoll Avatar

 @Twirly Girly There is no CVS near me which ticks me off because I can’t get ANY of the new Milani products since it’s all CVS exclusives. The nearest CVS to me is in Nevada and in California… each two states away.

Facebook Page Avatar

Bulletproof has a red base and if you look at it in the light there’s a purple shimmer to it. Looking at this it looks like this has a blue undertone to it closer to MUG’s Corrupt.

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