Sydney Grace Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches ("A Smoky, Faded Look")

Marine Waters
Sydney Grace Marine Waters Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a brighter, pop of light blue-leaning teal with a frosted sheen. The texture was denser and a little thicker, which made it harder to apply evenly with a dry brush (fingertips or a dampened brush achieved more even, richer coverage faster). It had good pigmentation that was buildable to full coverage with less than half of a layer on top (or used with a dampened brush). It stayed on well for eight hours on me before creasing very faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Release (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Left on Thread (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Must Sea (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Amp (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia A5 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Nix (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hummingbird (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Toad-ally (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lighthouse (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Emerald Rose (LE, $6.99) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$6.00/0.06 oz. - $100.00 Per Ounce
The shimmer eyeshadows are more consistent in pigmentation with the majority of shades having opaque color coverage. The more metallic/sparkly the shade is, the creamier and more emollient the eyeshadow felt in the pan, which often yielded really smooth application and good adherence to the lid, though a few worked better with a fingertip or a dampened brush for true-to-pan color or to get a truer finish/sheen.
Most shades, however, worked well with brushes, and I didn't have trouble applying or blending out most of the shimmer shades. The more satin to pearl like finishes tend to feel a little thinner but blend out well. These shades wore between eight and nine hours on me with some of the more foiled-like shades creasing noticeably at the end (and the less foiled-like ones fading).
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Pressed Pigment Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Silk Mica (Mica (77019), Boron Nitride, L-Lysine Mica (Mica 77019 and Lauroyl Lysine), Caranuba Mica (Mica 77019 and Caranuba Wax), Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Zinc Stearate ((+/- Mica (Mica 77019), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI77289), Chromium Green (CI77288), Iron Oxide (CI 77499, 77491, 77492), Tin Oxide (CI 778161), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (77007), Silica, *Synthetic Flurophylogopite, Zinc (CI 77947), Bronze and Copper Powder (CI 77400), Nylon 12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol)), aluminum powder
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.
Marine Waters
PPermanent. $6.00.

Eastern Rise
Sydney Grace Eastern Rise Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium brown with cool, rosy undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage with a soft, slightly dusty texture that felt drier to the touch but applied evenly and blended out easily along the edges without sheering out. It didn’t appear dry on my skin, and there was a smidgen of fallout during application while I blended it out. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably on my lid.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Glaminatrix Violet Umber (P, $7.30) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Keep Smiling (P, $5.25) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Hades (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Schemer (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Strong Currant (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Coco (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace October Odyssey (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is darker (85% similar).
- Tarte Leader (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Ruca (DC, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Dominique Cosmetics Mocha (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.25/0.06 oz. - $87.50 Per Ounce
The matte eyeshadows tend to be pigmented (typically semi-opaque or opaque, often buildable if they aren't opaque) with a soft, more velvety texture that has slight slip but isn't so thick that it gets difficult to use, applies unevenly, or has a lot of fallout. I've found that most of the matte eyeshadows apply and blend out without much effort but a few may take a bit more effort to diffuse along the edges. The matte formula tends to wear between eight and eight and a half hours on me.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Matte Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Silk Mica (Mica (77019), Boron Nitride, L-Lysine Mica (Mica 77019 and Lauroyl Lysine), Caranuba Mica (Mica 77019 and Caranuba Wax), Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Zinc Stearate ((+/- Mica (Mica 77019), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Silk Powder, Allantoin, Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI77289), Chromium Green (CI77288), Carmine, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, 77491, 77492), Tin Oxide (CI 778161), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (77007), Silica, *Synthetic Flurophylogopite, Zinc (CI 77947), Bronze and Copper Powder (CI 77400), Nylon 12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol))
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.
Eastern Rise
PPermanent. $5.25.

Cool Brown
Sydney Grace Cool Brown Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium taupe with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage that was buildable to full coverage with less than half of a layer. The texture was soft, more firmly-pressed in the pan, and wasn’t too thin or too powdery in the pan. The eyeshadow blended out nicely along the edges and lasted well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Blackbird Cosmetics Smudge (DC, $8.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Smoked Cocoa #2 (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Vertigo (LE, $36.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- theBalm #25 (P, $6.50) is cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia Horizon (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Assimilate (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
- Zoeva Ever (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Grey Bae (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Copperplate (DC, $17.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Concrete (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.25/0.06 oz. - $87.50 Per Ounce
The matte eyeshadows tend to be pigmented (typically semi-opaque or opaque, often buildable if they aren't opaque) with a soft, more velvety texture that has slight slip but isn't so thick that it gets difficult to use, applies unevenly, or has a lot of fallout. I've found that most of the matte eyeshadows apply and blend out without much effort but a few may take a bit more effort to diffuse along the edges. The matte formula tends to wear between eight and eight and a half hours on me.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Matte Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Silk Mica (Mica (77019), Boron Nitride, L-Lysine Mica (Mica 77019 and Lauroyl Lysine), Caranuba Mica (Mica 77019 and Caranuba Wax), Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Zinc Stearate ((+/- Mica (Mica 77019), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Silk Powder, Allantoin, Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI77289), Chromium Green (CI77288), Carmine, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, 77491, 77492), Tin Oxide (CI 778161), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (77007), Silica, *Synthetic Flurophylogopite, Zinc (CI 77947), Bronze and Copper Powder (CI 77400), Nylon 12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol))
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.
Cool Brown
PPermanent. $5.25.

Concrete Road
Sydney Grace Concrete Road Matte Shadow ($5.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, purple-leaning taupe with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage that was buildable to opaque coverage with two layers. The texture was dustier, a little thinner, but I didn’t have any issues blending it out, and there was, surprisingly, very minimal fallout when working with it. The eyeshadow stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Cool Matte #10 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Slate (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Beaugrenelle #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Sephora Hurricane Wave (346) (P, $9.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Hello Kitty Playdate (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #23 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Officer (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Concrete Jungle (DC, $6.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Souris (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.25/0.06 oz. - $87.50 Per Ounce
The matte eyeshadows tend to be pigmented (typically semi-opaque or opaque, often buildable if they aren't opaque) with a soft, more velvety texture that has slight slip but isn't so thick that it gets difficult to use, applies unevenly, or has a lot of fallout. I've found that most of the matte eyeshadows apply and blend out without much effort but a few may take a bit more effort to diffuse along the edges. The matte formula tends to wear between eight and eight and a half hours on me.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Matte Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Silk Mica (Mica (77019), Boron Nitride, L-Lysine Mica (Mica 77019 and Lauroyl Lysine), Caranuba Mica (Mica 77019 and Caranuba Wax), Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Zinc Stearate ((+/- Mica (Mica 77019), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Silk Powder, Allantoin, Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI77289), Chromium Green (CI77288), Carmine, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, 77491, 77492), Tin Oxide (CI 778161), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (77007), Silica, *Synthetic Flurophylogopite, Zinc (CI 77947), Bronze and Copper Powder (CI 77400), Nylon 12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol))
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.
Concrete Road
PPermanent. $5.25.

Peace
Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow ($6.00 for 0.06 oz.) is medium, plummy bronze with warm undertones and a bright, metallic sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was dense without being too stiff or too thick in consistency. This shade applied well to bare skin and blended otu effortlessly. It wore beautifully for eight and a half hours before I noticed faint creasing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Smoke (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Mojave #1 (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Dazzle (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #8 (DC, $33.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Dazzling (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mauve on Up (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Laura Mercier Intense Amethyst (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Toasted (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia Pink Champagne (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Rose Topaz #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$6.00/0.06 oz. - $100.00 Per Ounce
The shimmer eyeshadows are more consistent in pigmentation with the majority of shades having opaque color coverage. The more metallic/sparkly the shade is, the creamier and more emollient the eyeshadow felt in the pan, which often yielded really smooth application and good adherence to the lid, though a few worked better with a fingertip or a dampened brush for true-to-pan color or to get a truer finish/sheen.
Most shades, however, worked well with brushes, and I didn't have trouble applying or blending out most of the shimmer shades. The more satin to pearl like finishes tend to feel a little thinner but blend out well. These shades wore between eight and nine hours on me with some of the more foiled-like shades creasing noticeably at the end (and the less foiled-like ones fading).
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Pressed Pigment Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Silk Mica (Mica (77019), Boron Nitride, L-Lysine Mica (Mica 77019 and Lauroyl Lysine), Caranuba Mica (Mica 77019 and Caranuba Wax), Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Myristate, Zinc Stearate ((+/- Mica (Mica 77019), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI77289), Chromium Green (CI77288), Iron Oxide (CI 77499, 77491, 77492), Tin Oxide (CI 778161), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (77007), Silica, *Synthetic Flurophylogopite, Zinc (CI 77947), Bronze and Copper Powder (CI 77400), Nylon 12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol)), aluminum powder
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.
Looks Using this Product
Peace
PPermanent. $6.00.

Sydney Grace Marine Waters Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Marine Waters Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Marine Waters Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Marine Waters Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Eastern Rise Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Eastern Rise Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Eastern Rise Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Eastern Rise Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Cool Brown Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Cool Brown Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Cool Brown Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Cool Brown Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Concrete Road Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Concrete Road Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Concrete Road Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Concrete Road Matte Shadow

Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow

Sydney Grace Peace Pressed Pigment Shadow
I’m confused… I don’t see the swatch for Eastern Rise? Am I being dense? Wouldn’t be the first or last time!
Sorry, my look was posted too far after the original photos went up and they got removed (because of brands re-releasing the same shades in shorter periods of time, a review shows the most recent set). It should be fixed now. I’m so sorry I didn’t catch that myself!
What a beautiful eye look Christine! So sophisticated, with lovely cool toned taupey shades.
It’s nice to see a good, purple-leaning matte taupe.
One shade is speaking to me in the above review: Peace. It just looks like a fairly indescribable color. It’s taupe. It’s plummy. It’s a little bit bronze, too! Most of all, it’s gorgeous!