Sydney Grace Awakening, Sugar Plum Fairy, Blossom, Winter Berry Cream Shadows Reviews & Swatches
Awakening
Sydney Grace Awakening Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with moderate, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which was easily to apply and blend out for soft, even edges, though it was harder to get a sheer wash out of due to how pigmented it was. The texture was a liquid cream–more substantial than a true liquid eyeshadow–and a little went a long way so squeeze with care. It wore well for nine and a half hours without fading or creasing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Temptation (184) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bow Down (PiP, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Lovely Lavender (LE, $6.25) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Glamethyst (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Super Flower (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- City Color G*psy (P, $6.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Awake (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Awakening (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Agate (GPV2 #10) (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Moves (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.33 oz. - $24.24 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "dry down to a smudge proof finish" that isn't waterproof but "will last all day on the lids." The brand recommends working "one eye at a time" as the formula "dr[ies] fairly quickly." It is a very pigmented formula where the merest dab of product--like as little as one can physically squeeze out of the tube--is enough for most of the mobile lid.
If you're someone who tends to use their cream eyeshadows as sheer washes of color, I think this formula is "too" pigmented and dries too quickly to make sheer application as effortless as you'd want. If you love the effect of and finish of creamier, metallic eyeshadows and want true, full coverage application, these are worth looking into. I recommend squeezing out the smallest amount of product on the back of your hand or onto a mixing palette, and then using fingertips or a flat, synthetic brush to apply to the lid. I prefer a brush as it gives more working time than when I used my fingertips.
The texture was smooth, like a liquid-cream hybrid as it wasn't runny but it was more spreadable than a cream eyeshadow you'd find in a jar. The majority of shades applied evenly to bare skin with little effort, and the edges remained blendable enough (even as it was mostly dried down) to soften and fuse with other shades. They're very lightweight and the majority of them sat well on my lids without emphasizing lines or texture (sometimes an issue with liquid/cream, more metallic products).
It didn't have that dry down that felt so set and locked in that if you kept trying to blend it out (after it was dry) you'd get flaking; these never flaked or lifted. Based on past experiences--in general with cream eyeshadows--I recommend working with your powder eyeshadows first (unless you're using it as a base), and then going in with the cream eyeshadows and going back over any areas to further blend if necessary. That being said, I was able to layer powder eyeshadow over them without them lifting or becoming patchy. They're some of the easiest cream eyeshadows I've worked with to incorporate into multi-shade looks. The wear varied from eight to ten hours on me before there was slight fading or a bit of creasing.
My only complaint is that with a six-month shelf life paired with so much color payoff... one tube is so much product. These could be sold half-sized tubes and still stretch for many, many uses. I really enjoy the squeeze-tube packaging along with the smaller opening, as it made it much easier to control than some other liquid/cream products.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Awakening
DCDiscontinued. $8.00.
Sugar Plum Fairy
Sydney Grace Sugar Plum Fairy Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium, rosy plum with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, creamy texture that was more a liquid-cream hybrid than a true cream, but there was substance to it that helped it spread easily over my lid without losing its intensity. It dried down quickly but didn’t have a hard set, so I could still blend and soften the edges (with a bit extra pressure). It lasted nicely for 10 hours without fading or creasing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Pandemonium (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Stylishly Merry (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics G*psy (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lover (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Glistening Garnet (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Blossom (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Cat Fight (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Pure Love (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty Mardi Gras (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Sprinkles (Holiday 2016) (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.33 oz. - $24.24 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "dry down to a smudge proof finish" that isn't waterproof but "will last all day on the lids." The brand recommends working "one eye at a time" as the formula "dr[ies] fairly quickly." It is a very pigmented formula where the merest dab of product--like as little as one can physically squeeze out of the tube--is enough for most of the mobile lid.
If you're someone who tends to use their cream eyeshadows as sheer washes of color, I think this formula is "too" pigmented and dries too quickly to make sheer application as effortless as you'd want. If you love the effect of and finish of creamier, metallic eyeshadows and want true, full coverage application, these are worth looking into. I recommend squeezing out the smallest amount of product on the back of your hand or onto a mixing palette, and then using fingertips or a flat, synthetic brush to apply to the lid. I prefer a brush as it gives more working time than when I used my fingertips.
The texture was smooth, like a liquid-cream hybrid as it wasn't runny but it was more spreadable than a cream eyeshadow you'd find in a jar. The majority of shades applied evenly to bare skin with little effort, and the edges remained blendable enough (even as it was mostly dried down) to soften and fuse with other shades. They're very lightweight and the majority of them sat well on my lids without emphasizing lines or texture (sometimes an issue with liquid/cream, more metallic products).
It didn't have that dry down that felt so set and locked in that if you kept trying to blend it out (after it was dry) you'd get flaking; these never flaked or lifted. Based on past experiences--in general with cream eyeshadows--I recommend working with your powder eyeshadows first (unless you're using it as a base), and then going in with the cream eyeshadows and going back over any areas to further blend if necessary. That being said, I was able to layer powder eyeshadow over them without them lifting or becoming patchy. They're some of the easiest cream eyeshadows I've worked with to incorporate into multi-shade looks. The wear varied from eight to ten hours on me before there was slight fading or a bit of creasing.
My only complaint is that with a six-month shelf life paired with so much color payoff... one tube is so much product. These could be sold half-sized tubes and still stretch for many, many uses. I really enjoy the squeeze-tube packaging along with the smaller opening, as it made it much easier to control than some other liquid/cream products.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Sugar Plum Fairy
DCDiscontinued. $8.00.
Blossom
Sydney Grace Blossom Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a bright, medium, pink-plum with subtle, cool undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was intensely pigmented where a little went a long way, but I found that it turned lighter and pinker (less purplish in tone) when really blended and buffed out (not a wash, though!).
The texture was a liquid-cream hybrid, but it was never runny or watery, so it spread easily across my skin without losing its intensity but was still blendable. It dried down quickly but I could still soften the edges without it turning flaky. The color stayed on well for 10 hours without fading or creasing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Neutrino (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty Royal Bloodline (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Forever Bewitching (LE, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Burst Into Bloom (759) (P, $7.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sass Recap (LE, $9.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Calypso (GPV2 #15) (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Calypso (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Fortune Teller (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Purple Haze #6 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics G*psy (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.33 oz. - $24.24 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "dry down to a smudge proof finish" that isn't waterproof but "will last all day on the lids." The brand recommends working "one eye at a time" as the formula "dr[ies] fairly quickly." It is a very pigmented formula where the merest dab of product--like as little as one can physically squeeze out of the tube--is enough for most of the mobile lid.
If you're someone who tends to use their cream eyeshadows as sheer washes of color, I think this formula is "too" pigmented and dries too quickly to make sheer application as effortless as you'd want. If you love the effect of and finish of creamier, metallic eyeshadows and want true, full coverage application, these are worth looking into. I recommend squeezing out the smallest amount of product on the back of your hand or onto a mixing palette, and then using fingertips or a flat, synthetic brush to apply to the lid. I prefer a brush as it gives more working time than when I used my fingertips.
The texture was smooth, like a liquid-cream hybrid as it wasn't runny but it was more spreadable than a cream eyeshadow you'd find in a jar. The majority of shades applied evenly to bare skin with little effort, and the edges remained blendable enough (even as it was mostly dried down) to soften and fuse with other shades. They're very lightweight and the majority of them sat well on my lids without emphasizing lines or texture (sometimes an issue with liquid/cream, more metallic products).
It didn't have that dry down that felt so set and locked in that if you kept trying to blend it out (after it was dry) you'd get flaking; these never flaked or lifted. Based on past experiences--in general with cream eyeshadows--I recommend working with your powder eyeshadows first (unless you're using it as a base), and then going in with the cream eyeshadows and going back over any areas to further blend if necessary. That being said, I was able to layer powder eyeshadow over them without them lifting or becoming patchy. They're some of the easiest cream eyeshadows I've worked with to incorporate into multi-shade looks. The wear varied from eight to ten hours on me before there was slight fading or a bit of creasing.
My only complaint is that with a six-month shelf life paired with so much color payoff... one tube is so much product. These could be sold half-sized tubes and still stretch for many, many uses. I really enjoy the squeeze-tube packaging along with the smaller opening, as it made it much easier to control than some other liquid/cream products.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Blossom
DCDiscontinued. $8.00.
Winter Berry
Sydney Grace Winter Berry Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a vivid, magenta pink with cool, blue undertones and fine, blue-to-violet shifting pearl. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single layer, and it built up to full coverage with less than half of a layer on top. The texture was a lightweight cream that spread well as it wasn’t too heavy or thick, but it wasn’t so watery that it sheered out instantly. The product dried down quickly with just enough time to work one eye at a time, and the edges remained somewhat blendable after that dry down. It wore well for nine hours without fading or creasing on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Terra Moons Lost in Space (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Shock (LE, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Electric Amethyst (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Moira Supernova (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Bubblegum (P, $8.77) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop You Got Syrup (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Christmas Town (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- JD Glow AKA (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pink Fury (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hibiscus (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.33 oz. - $24.24 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "dry down to a smudge proof finish" that isn't waterproof but "will last all day on the lids." The brand recommends working "one eye at a time" as the formula "dr[ies] fairly quickly." It is a very pigmented formula where the merest dab of product--like as little as one can physically squeeze out of the tube--is enough for most of the mobile lid.
If you're someone who tends to use their cream eyeshadows as sheer washes of color, I think this formula is "too" pigmented and dries too quickly to make sheer application as effortless as you'd want. If you love the effect of and finish of creamier, metallic eyeshadows and want true, full coverage application, these are worth looking into. I recommend squeezing out the smallest amount of product on the back of your hand or onto a mixing palette, and then using fingertips or a flat, synthetic brush to apply to the lid. I prefer a brush as it gives more working time than when I used my fingertips.
The texture was smooth, like a liquid-cream hybrid as it wasn't runny but it was more spreadable than a cream eyeshadow you'd find in a jar. The majority of shades applied evenly to bare skin with little effort, and the edges remained blendable enough (even as it was mostly dried down) to soften and fuse with other shades. They're very lightweight and the majority of them sat well on my lids without emphasizing lines or texture (sometimes an issue with liquid/cream, more metallic products).
It didn't have that dry down that felt so set and locked in that if you kept trying to blend it out (after it was dry) you'd get flaking; these never flaked or lifted. Based on past experiences--in general with cream eyeshadows--I recommend working with your powder eyeshadows first (unless you're using it as a base), and then going in with the cream eyeshadows and going back over any areas to further blend if necessary. That being said, I was able to layer powder eyeshadow over them without them lifting or becoming patchy. They're some of the easiest cream eyeshadows I've worked with to incorporate into multi-shade looks. The wear varied from eight to ten hours on me before there was slight fading or a bit of creasing.
My only complaint is that with a six-month shelf life paired with so much color payoff... one tube is so much product. These could be sold half-sized tubes and still stretch for many, many uses. I really enjoy the squeeze-tube packaging along with the smaller opening, as it made it much easier to control than some other liquid/cream products.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Sydney Grace really makes some beautiful and affordable products! I wonder if these could be tapped onto the lips.
Yummy rich shades of delicious purple and plums! I’m into Awakening and Sugar Plum Fairy the most, Blossom is gorgeous as well. How these would hold up with my allergy tears I’m not sure, but definitely worth it it for me to try a couple!
This whole range performs so consistently and better than any other range of products in any brand. It’s quite remarkable.
Christine, now that you’ve had some of these (in other shades) longer than 6 months do you find there is a change in the product? Do they go rancid? I wonder whether the 6 month shelf is actually a 6 year shelf life, like so many of my cosmetics.
There didn’t used to be a shelf life listed in makeup and I have products that are literally 10-20 years old and still good as new. I’m talking lipsticks and creams, not just powders. At the time, that’s what I thought I was paying extra money for in luxury – longer-lasting makeup…
No, I haven’t noticed any changes.
Consider a muni fridge, and I don’t mean the DE one. A bar sized one. It prolongs the life of anything cream, lipsticks, s/c. Cooling sprays and sheet masks love it in there. CP SSS. Any s/c in a jar belongs in there, counteracting air exposure. Cold/ice packs . And there’s always room for a seltzer water. I had one that crapped out, and did not rebuy immediately. Big mistake. Lots of lotion stuff turned, almost immediately. I kept old NARS l/s going, long after the rubberized tube went kaput. Any cream eye product feels soooo good. It’s a pretty good investment.
Beautiful pink and purple shades here – and perfectly rated too. Lovely eye look Christine.
I hope you are feeling better today.
Thank you, Genevieve!
The trouble with such “squeeze-out| tubes product (even skincare) is that you are almost always guaranteed to squeeze out more than you need. And with such intense shades you most likely will.
Do you have a primer that you like to use with the Sydney Grace cream shadows? I have a bit of trouble with the lighter shades staying power and I’d like them to be more vibrant. I have dry skin, so no oily lids.
Hi Alison,
I just wear them as-is, so there’s none that I have as a go-to for these!
I have six of these in various shades, and tbh, I don’t love them. I think they fade sort of fast, and they smudge a lot when I wear them. If I could go back in time, I definitely wouldn’t have bought more than one. With that said, I’m not a fan of the highlighters from the brand either, soooooo…..?♀️
I managed to purchase the emperor’s new blush from SG. S.t. the shade depictions are waaaay off. So far, sticking to powder shadow, as am trying to add ‘no new formulas’ to my low buy. So, have not tried these, HL, LL. I think powder e/s are pretty easy for m/u enthusiasts, so that has become their core competency. The rest of their products maybe cannot reach that stratospheric high bar for all fans.
That Awakening shade is, *chef’s kiss*, perfection.
I wish the tubes were clear, I don’t know why that bugs me so much.
I love them all but Winterberry is probably my favorite .
I’m not really into these specific colors but I’m curious about the formula. Thank you!!