Sydney Grace Warm Glow, Suntan, Candlelight, I Don't Know Cream Shadows Reviews & Swatches
Warm Glow
Sydney Grace Warm Glow Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium, peachy pink with warmer undertones and a twinkling, metallic finish–it seemed to have larger shimmer but not quite the size of full-on-sparkle. The texture was lightweight, thin, and fluid with an emollient creaminess to it.
It had more semi-opaque, buildable coverage in a single layer as a result, though it was quick to dry down to a more powder-like finish, which meant that it was flexible and could be diffused and blended out once “dry.” It wore well for eight hours before creasing visibly and closer to nine hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- About Face Baroque (P, $14.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop The Scales (LE, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lifted (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Rouge Trafalgar #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Curve (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Pop Art Princess (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Virgin Orchid #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.34 oz. - $23.53 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's an incredibly pigmented formula in most instances, where a little dab is more than enough to cover the mobile lid. I always find squeezing out product onto the back of my hand or onto a metal palette is the best way to get going with these.
It was recently formulated to extend the shelf life, which went from six months to 12 months, but there were changes to the base formula, which I found shortened the wear time for me overall--by an hour or two. Previously, they wore between eight and 10 hours on me with most shades on the longer end of that range.
With the updated formula, the wear was more eight to nine hours with a tendency to crease over fade, so if I applied it to the inner tearduct or the brow bone, the wear was more like nine hours or even ten hours, but if I wore the same shade in my crease, it would have creasing by eight hours. Otherwise, the formula tended to apply, blend, and work like the original formula--I just noticed that the wear time was a little reduced.
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.
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.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua (Distilled Water), Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol (Emulsifier), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Phenoxyethanol (and) Benzoic Acid (and) Dehydroacetic Acid (Preservative) +/- Mica (Mica 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), 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), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, and 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.
Look Using this Product
Warm Glow
PPermanent. $8.00.
Suntan
Sydney Grace Suntan Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a bright, light-medium copper with strong, warm orange undertones and a metallic finish. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth, lightly creamy consistency that was thin and easy to work with as the product dried down fairly quickly but was more powder-like, which gave one time to diffuse and soften the edges.
There was faint creasing apparent after eight and a half hours of wear, though the color didn’t show signs of fading for closer to 10–the difference between bringing it into the crease vs. keeping it on the lid, effectively.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Suntan (DC, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Nectar (LE, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Devinah Cosmetics Stratify (PiP, $5.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Dumb Luck (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Genie (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Gold 003 (LE, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Icon Date Eyes #1 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pledge Class (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Sweet Tea (P, $7.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Vegas Past (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.34 oz. - $23.53 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's an incredibly pigmented formula in most instances, where a little dab is more than enough to cover the mobile lid. I always find squeezing out product onto the back of my hand or onto a metal palette is the best way to get going with these.
It was recently formulated to extend the shelf life, which went from six months to 12 months, but there were changes to the base formula, which I found shortened the wear time for me overall--by an hour or two. Previously, they wore between eight and 10 hours on me with most shades on the longer end of that range.
With the updated formula, the wear was more eight to nine hours with a tendency to crease over fade, so if I applied it to the inner tearduct or the brow bone, the wear was more like nine hours or even ten hours, but if I wore the same shade in my crease, it would have creasing by eight hours. Otherwise, the formula tended to apply, blend, and work like the original formula--I just noticed that the wear time was a little reduced.
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.
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.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua (Distilled Water), Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol (Emulsifier), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Phenoxyethanol (and) Benzoic Acid (and) Dehydroacetic Acid (Preservative) +/- Mica (Mica 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), 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), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, and 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.
Look Using this Product
Suntan
PPermanent. $8.00.
Candlelight
Sydney Grace Candlelight Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium peach with warmer undertones and a metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly to bare skin and was quick to dry down to a more powder-like finish, which was blendable along the edges but wasn’t prone to settling into fine lines as it set. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before creasing slightly and 10 hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Zoeva Distinct Experience (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Glazed Donut (365) (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Body Heat #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Walk on Air (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- PIXI Beauty Antique Rose (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Amour (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Unlucky (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Candlelight (DC, $8.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Stila Kitten (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Mesmerising Maroon #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.34 oz. - $23.53 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's an incredibly pigmented formula in most instances, where a little dab is more than enough to cover the mobile lid. I always find squeezing out product onto the back of my hand or onto a metal palette is the best way to get going with these.
It was recently formulated to extend the shelf life, which went from six months to 12 months, but there were changes to the base formula, which I found shortened the wear time for me overall--by an hour or two. Previously, they wore between eight and 10 hours on me with most shades on the longer end of that range.
With the updated formula, the wear was more eight to nine hours with a tendency to crease over fade, so if I applied it to the inner tearduct or the brow bone, the wear was more like nine hours or even ten hours, but if I wore the same shade in my crease, it would have creasing by eight hours. Otherwise, the formula tended to apply, blend, and work like the original formula--I just noticed that the wear time was a little reduced.
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.
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.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua (Distilled Water), Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol (Emulsifier), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Phenoxyethanol (and) Benzoic Acid (and) Dehydroacetic Acid (Preservative) +/- Mica (Mica 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), 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), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, and 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.
Look Using this Product
Candlelight
PPermanent. $8.00.
I Don't Know
Sydney Grace I Don’t Know Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow had rich color coverage that adhered evenly to bare skin and blended out nicely along the edges as it was faster to dry down but the dry down as forgiving and remained flexible, so it was easy to diffuse and soften around the edges later on.
The consistency was lightweight, fluid, and smooth but harder to sheer out to a wash of color, which is just something to keep in mind based on one’s preferences. This shade lasted well for nine hours before creasing faintly and closer to 10 hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Spectrum (101K) (2020) (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Spice of Life (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Safari (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Gilty as Can Be (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Smog (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Dubai (Remastered) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Brokedown (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Heart of Gold (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Persona Bombshell (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Shake Down (LE, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.34 oz. - $23.53 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's an incredibly pigmented formula in most instances, where a little dab is more than enough to cover the mobile lid. I always find squeezing out product onto the back of my hand or onto a metal palette is the best way to get going with these.
It was recently formulated to extend the shelf life, which went from six months to 12 months, but there were changes to the base formula, which I found shortened the wear time for me overall--by an hour or two. Previously, they wore between eight and 10 hours on me with most shades on the longer end of that range.
With the updated formula, the wear was more eight to nine hours with a tendency to crease over fade, so if I applied it to the inner tearduct or the brow bone, the wear was more like nine hours or even ten hours, but if I wore the same shade in my crease, it would have creasing by eight hours. Otherwise, the formula tended to apply, blend, and work like the original formula--I just noticed that the wear time was a little reduced.
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.
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.
Browse all of our Sydney Grace Cream Shadow (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua (Distilled Water), Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol (Emulsifier), Fractionated Coconut Oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride), Phenoxyethanol (and) Benzoic Acid (and) Dehydroacetic Acid (Preservative) +/- Mica (Mica 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Vitamin E (Tocopherol), 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), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, and 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.
Sydney Grace makes the best cream eye shadows and these are all versatile, beautiful shades. Although I have many dupes of these colours, I do like Suntan and I Don’t Know the best. Your eye look is gorgeous too.
These sure do come together very nicely for a beautiful eye look! If I were to pick up just one of the above, it might be I Don’t Know, even though I find the name to be really odd.
That’s really where they are special, to me, Nancy – a lot of cream eyeshadows are thicker or have such a solid dry down that they’re hard to maneuver with. Also why CP Super Shocks are (were) so magical!
Christine, you give the best formula overviews. Thank you for all your hard work that makes Temptalia so great.
Aww, thank you, Shari!
Oh yay! Candelight and Warm Glow would be my picks of this bunch. I was excited when they released new shades of this formula recently. They would make such great one-and-done eyeshadows.
I was excited for new shades, too, but then I saw how many were MIA and got sad, lol!
I find cream shadows tricky to use except for “one and done” type looks so I’m glad I’ve got a few powder dupes for I Don’t Know and I probably have something I can dupe in for Babe. I hope I’ve got dupes for Campfire as well. Beautiful eye look, as always, Christine!
LOL! I am the opposite. One and done who?? I’m incapable 😉
That’s why I prefer powder shadows – I find it easier to blend 2 or 3 shades if they’re powder. But when you have to be out the door by 7:30 am, “one and done” is a god-send!