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NYX Prismatic Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

NYX Prismatic Shadow
NYX Prismatic Shadow

NYX Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is a “fully pigmented” powder eyeshadow formula designed to have a “brilliant metallic” finish and is available in twelve shades. This post covers six of the twelve, with the other six to be reviewed shortly. Overall, the formula had good color payoff ranging from semi-opaque to opaque with soft, blendable textures that could get a little powdery and had a fair amount of fall out during application, while the wear was typically between seven and eight hours (no primer). I don’t think they’re truly metallic, but they have a good sheen but with more noticeable sparkle/shimmer, so I think they tended to look more frosted than truly metallic. Worth noting, I had originally purchased all twelve from Ulta online, and about half of them arrived broken. I ended up returning those and then purchasing directly from NYX, and only one (Tin) was broken. The formula seems particularly fragile as they are softly pressed into the compacts, so they crumble easily.

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “deep brown metallic.” It’s a medium-dark, bronzy brown with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. The texture was incredibly soft and almost crumbly, so it can be a little powdery to work with. It had good color coverage and blended easily on the skin. The wear came in at eight hours before fading. MAC Twinks (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. Inglot #421 (P, $6.00) is darker. Chanel Charming #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery. Milani Intermix (P, $6.99) is darker. MAC Her Cocoa #4 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Her Cocoa #4 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. Clarins The Essentials #7 (LE, ) is darker. Clarins The Essentials #7 (LE, ) is darker. Too Faced Tiger’s Eye (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Make Up For Ever D652 Celestial Earth (P, $21.00) is darker. MAC Mortal #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter. Dior Cuir Cannage #4 (P, ) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Spice (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery. Anastasia Gilded (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Kat Von D Nephilim (LE, ) is lighter. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “rusty orange with red opalescence.” It’s a medium-dark, reddish-copper with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had excellent color coverage with a soft, smooth texture that blended really easily on the skin. There was slight dryness/powderiness to it in the pan, but it didn’t look that way applied. The color started to fade after eight hours of wear. Le Metier de Beaute Innocence (DC, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Brash (LE, $16.00) is darker. MAC Coppering (P, $16.00) is less shimmery. MAC Magnetic Attraction (LE, $21.00) is darker. MAC Star Myth (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery. Sleek MakeUP Sunset #3 (P, $9.99) is darker. MAC Gingersnap (P, $16.00) is less shimmery. NARS Cambodia (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Sexy Eyes (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Divergent Peaceful Shimmer (LE, ) is lighter. Marc Jacobs Beauty Leila (416) (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Make Up For Ever D708 Pinky Copper (P, $21.00) is lighter. Make Up For Ever D712 Creme Brulee (P, $21.00) is lighter. MAC Red Alert (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. Makeup Geek Roulette (P, $5.99) is lighter, cooler. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “opalescent pink.” It’s a light, pink-tinged peach with hints of beige and warmer undertones paired with a frosted sheen. It had good pigmentation with a fairly soft, blendable texture that was less powdery compared to other shades in the range. It applied well and stayed in place for eight hours. Inglot #397 (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer. Le Metier de Beaute Nouvelle (LE, $30.00) is darker. MAC Naked Lunch (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, warmer. Urban Decay Sin (P, $18.00) is warmer. MAC Jest (P, $16.00) is warmer. LORAC Champagne (P, ) is less shimmery. theBalm D2 (LE, $16.00) is lighter. LORAC Beige (P, ) is lighter. Make Up For Ever I524 Pinky Beige (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker. Hello Kitty Apple Pie (LE, ) is darker, warmer. Chanel Envol (847) (LE, $36.00) is warmer. NARS Valhalla (P, $24.00) is darker, more muted, warmer. MAC Bouffant (LE, $16.00) is darker. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #2 (LE, ) is darker, more muted. Cle de Peau Baby Universe #2 (P, ) is darker. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “soft peach with gold shimmer.” It’s a lightly brightened, light-medium coral with warm, pink-red undertones and golden frost. It had very nearly opaque coverage with a lightly powdery, but fairly blendable, texture that sat well on the lid. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me before fading. Urban Decay Freelove (P, $18.00) is less shimmery. Inglot #407 (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer. Makeup Geek Cosmopolitan (P, $5.99) is darker, warmer. Gucci Beauty Autumn Fire #2 (P, ) is less shimmery. MAC Mortal #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. ColourPop Shark Attack (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Anastasia China Rose (P, $12.00) is darker, warmer. Buxom Glitz Factor (P, $12.00) is less shimmery. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Dreamer #6 (P, ) is less shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “deep copper gold.” It’s a rich, brightened copper with warm, orange undertones and a lighter, golden metallic sheen. The eyeshadow as intensely pigmented with a really smooth, blendable texture that wasn’t powdery at all. It wore for eight and a half hours on me. MAC Espresso Blend #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery. MAC A Glimmer of Gold #3 (P, $21.00) is lighter. LORAC Nude #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. Make Up For Ever ME700 Amber (P, $21.00) is lighter. Tarte Candlelit Dinner (LE, ) is cooler. Make Up For Ever ME728 Copper Red (P, $21.00) is more shimmery. Urban Decay Lucky (LE, $18.00) is darker. MAC Luscious (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery. Too Faced Caramel (P, $16.00) is lighter, brighter. Guerlain Petrouchka #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter. Too Faced Bon Bon #2 (P, $16.00) is lighter. Sephora + Pantone Universe Butterum (LE, ) is lighter. Sephora + Pantone Universe Toasted Nut (LE, ) is lighter, brighter. LORAC Unleashed (P, ) is more shimmery. First 15 dupes listed, see more: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow ($6.00 for 0.043 oz.) is described as a “deep plum with purple shimmer.” It’s a medium-dark, plummy purple with warm, reddish-brown undertones and a frosted finish. It had fairly good pigmentation with a drier, powdery texture that was blendable and adhered well to the skin for the most part, but it was a bit messy to work with and faded after seven hours of wear. Inglot #445 (P, $6.00) is lighter. MAC Rare Find (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Universal Appeal (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery. Urban Decay Remix (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery. Makeup Geek Sensuous (P, $5.99) is darker, warmer. NARS Phoebe (P, $29.00) is more shimmery. Chanel Diapason (92) (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker. Kat Von D Love Letter (P, $16.00) is lighter, brighter. MAC Plum Grand (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #2 (P, ) is lighter, warmer. Urban Decay Last Call (P, $18.00) is warmer. Urban Decay Uncut (P, $18.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Bedroom Eyes

PPermanent. $6.00.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
90%
Total

Fireball

PPermanent. $6.00.
A-
A-
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

Girl Talk

PPermanent. $6.00.
B+
B+
9
Product
9
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
5
Application
89%
Total

Golden Peach

PPermanent. $6.00.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
8
Longevity
4.5
Application
87%
Total

Liquid Gold

PPermanent. $6.00.
A
A
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
98%
Total

Punk Heart

PPermanent. $6.00.
B
B
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
8
Texture
7.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
83%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow
NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow
NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow
NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow
NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow

NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow
NYX Bedroom Eyes Prismatic Shadow

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow
NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow
NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow
NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow
NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow

NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow
NYX Fireball Prismatic Shadow

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow
NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow
NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow
NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow
NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow

NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow
NYX Girl Talk Prismatic Shadow

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow
NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow
NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow
NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow
NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow

NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow
NYX Golden Peach Prismatic Shadow

NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow
NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow

NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow
NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow

NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow
NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow

NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow
NYX Liquid Gold Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
Girl Talk, Golden Peach, Fireball, Punk Heart, Sephora Sun Tan Eyeliner

NYX Punk Heart Prismatic Shadow
Girl Talk, Golden Peach, Fireball, Punk Heart, Sephora Sun Tan Eyeliner

38 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

Whenever you review drugstore items, my wallet always breathes a happy sight of relief. Bedroom Eyes and Girl Talk are pretty, but I’m more interested in the other Part 2 of your review, for the other colors -hoping that blue performs well, and that gray looks nice

Nancy T Avatar

Golden Peach, Punk Heart, Liquid Gold and Fireball are so rich looking! And all of these eyeshadows appear to be very nicely pigmented and smooth. I was initially VERY worried when I heard about L’Oreal taking over Nyx and before that, UD, but it seems like both brands have improved in *some* ways, while also suffering only minimally. Both seem to have become more “fleshed out”.

Mel Avatar

I have bad experiences with all the NYX eyeshadows I had so far, I think they are too powdery and don’t adhere well. But you made me want to try these ones (especially Bedroom Eyes and Punk Heart).

charlotte Avatar

Adore. I don’t have all of them (have yet to find them all locally) but I have 7 and every one is gorgeous. Like them a lot better than the MUG foiled.. apply easier to the eye with a creamier texture. No need to wet. I don’t like how they are pressed directly into the compact, so they cannot be depotted, and they are fragile.. I’ve had to exchange two that turned out to be loose in the compact when I got them home.

Jammies Avatar

I have all of these and love them. IMO, they’re a great shadow for a tiny price, even though my experience parallels yours with the fallout and the easy breakage (I dropped poor little Punk Heart). I’m going to steal your look because I love that too! 😉

Cat Avatar

I’m so happy to see a great new formula from NYX. The texture of these is so interesting in the pan. I hope they release more colors, maybe a ***cough*** burgundy. =)

I’ve heard a lot of bloggers mispronounce the name. It’s Nyx, as in “nix”. It was one of my nicknames in high school (maybe because I aced mythology as I was really into it). From Wikipedia: “In Greek mythology, Nyx is the Goddess of the Night. She is usually seen riding in a chariot, trailing stars and painting the night sky…”

The Silver Nail Avatar

I do love these and have several, my fave being Golden Peach. They’re awfully fragile though and I found out partly why when I tried to de-pot them. They aren’t in a metal pan, they’re in a flimsy plastic mesh. You CANNOT de-pot them… and I broke my Golden Peach finding that out. Love the bronze and rust and dark green too.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!