Wet 'n' Wild VI Purple Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
VI Purple
Wet ‘n’ Wild VI Purple Color Icon Eyeshadow 10-Pan Palette ($4.99 for 0.35 oz.) is a new, purple-themed palette that features a mix of mattes and shimmers. There’s a part of me that really roots for Wet ‘n’ Wild eyeshadows, but I’ve been burned so often over the last decade that I’m also very, very wary of them because of how many misses I’ve ended up reviewing. In general, their current eyeshadow formula works best over an eyeshadow primer, often something with a bit of tackiness, as the eyeshadows can be drier and more powdery with weaker longevity (all things that eyeshadow primer is particularly helpful in correcting!). This particular palette proved to be no different; it was manageable with primer but less so on its own, though it took twice as long as I’d expect and had moderate fallout that meant doing eyes prior to base products.
For those who are less familiar with how I review, I typically review products as-is, e.g. no primer, foundation, bases, etc. as those things are designed to improve all the things I’m testing for, and it’s hard to know which is doing the heavy lifting! It was also a direct result of many, many brands making claims about their products as-is; Wet ‘n’ Wild describes their eyeshadows are “powerfully pigmented” and “easy to blend” that “last all day and night.”
If you want a purple palette that won’t break the bank, try ColourPop’s It’s My Pleasure palette. This palette doesn’t even inhabit the same solar system as Natasha Denona’s Lila palette (which VI Purple has strong similarities to, at least in terms of composition). (Bummer that Bad Habit Beauty is semi-defunct, as the Supernova palette was quite good and is a more one-for-one dupe to Lila.)
VI Purple
PPermanent. $4.99.
VI Purple #1
VI Purple #1 is a muted, medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, moderately powdery texture that sheered out a bit and had some fallout during application. The eyeshadow blended out well, though, but performed better over primer, which helped maintain its intensity. It wore well for six hours on its own before fading noticeably on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Hubba Bubba (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Morphe Buns (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Thick (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Paradiso (LE, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Dali Wood (PiP, $17.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk #4 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Dogman (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Guiding Spirit (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Not Today (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Top Notch (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #2
VI Purple #2 is a deep, black-brown with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. There were very, very fine pearls strewn throughout the product but weren’t large (or numerous) enough to be visible in person. The texture was softer but very powdery and prone to fallout. I highly recommend using the barest amount and building up coverage to avoid a massive amount of fallout. It was more sensitive to picking up natural oils from my skin and could become more difficult to soften along the edges. It stayed on well for six and a half hours before fading noticeably on my lid.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NABLA Cosmetics Adagio (PiP, $8.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Smoked (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Boardroom (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Natural Vice (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Crucifix (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Roundhouse (DC, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC How You Thrill Me (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Becca Tourmaline (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Dark Cocoa (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Zoeva Two Clocks (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #3
VI Purple #3 is a muted, medium-dark purple with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It seemed to have more semi-opaque pigmentation but was a challenge to actually yield that result in practice due to the incredibly powdery texture that resulted in it sheering out very quickly. There was fallout during application, and while it blended out, it wasn’t functional without a primer. This shade lasted well for five and a half hours on me before I noticed fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Lethal (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Cool (Winter 2016) Eyeshadow #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sugar Plum (PiP, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Late Night Lingerie (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Power Plum (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Editor (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Mancat (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Meanstreak (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Magic Carpet (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Marquee (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #4
VI Purple #4 is a bright, golden copper with strong, warm undertones and a metallic finish. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, while the texture was smooth to the touch, a little drier but not powdery, and had good adhesion to bare skin. It blended out easily and wore nicely for seven hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Honey Pot (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Dragon (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Up to No Gold (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Dash (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Pyramid (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Icon Diva Eyes #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Alhambra II (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Bella Sand (02) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Orangerie (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Blunt (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #4
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #5
VI Purple #5 is a medium peach with strong, warm orange undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage at best, but it was prone to sheering out on bare skin (and even over drier, more silicone-heavy eyeshadow primers) and had moderate fallout when I attempted to build it up. The consistency was soft, drier, and very powdery. This shade stayed on well for five hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Gnarly (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Thriving (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Smashbox Lacy Sunday (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Beige (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Angel Face (DC, $6.99) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Plenty of Dough (LE, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora Biscotti (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Spread the Love (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Pastel Melon (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Apricot Nude (GPV1 #2) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #5
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #6
VI Purple #6 is a muted, medium-dark mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer pigmentation with a dry, powdery texture that resulted in more product underneath my eye than on it. I would recommend using a slightly tacky primer with this one but would avoid anything too heavy or truly sticky as it darkened unevenly over those types of bases. This shade seemed to be visible for four to five hours but was hard to discern due to the poor performance to begin with.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Bandwagon (DC, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Profesh (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Brownie Points (DC, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty I Have (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Zenith (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Blurry Mauve #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Vertigo (LE, $36.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Viseart Blushing (PiP, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Chanel Blurry Mauve #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay DTF (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #6
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #7
VI Purple #7 is a light-medium plum with warm undertones and cooler, iridescent pearl that gave it a frosted finish. The texture was drier, stiffer, and I had to really jab at the pan’s surface to dislodge product to pick up for a swatch (or an application). It had semi-opaque pigmentation at best but without jabbing at it, the pigmentation was bordering on invisible. I was able to build up the color and pack it on to get a nice, sparkling effect, though. It wore well for five hours before fading noticeably on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Warm Memories #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop FBO (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Mademoiselle (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Rosewood (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Young Love (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Inglot J403 Ethereal (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Collective (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Deep Orgasm (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME840 Pink Chrome (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Patrona (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #7
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #8
VI Purple #8 is a medium-dark violet purple with cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that could be built up slightly, but it had a drier texture and some fallout during application. This shade lasted nicely for six hours on me before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Pop Culture (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- theBalm #33 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Omen (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Hasta La Costa Baby #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Strangeling (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Stila Vivid Amethyst (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Plumluxe #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #15 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Too Faced Sugared Violet (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Chit Chat (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #8
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #9
VI Purple #9 is a bright pop of berry pink with cool undertones and a soft, pearly sheen. It had opaque color payoff in a single layer, while the texture was smooth to the touch, firmer but not stiff, and was workable over bare skin, though primer definitely helped amplify the intensity/depth. It wore well for seven hours on me before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Spellbound (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Swoon (LE, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Finch (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Viseart Bijoux Royal #9 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Funtasy (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Sweetheart (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Bad Habit Red Giant (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Amethyst #1 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Chanel Mystere et Intensite #4 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Paradiso (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
VI Purple #9
PiPPermanent in Palette.
VI Purple #10
VI Purple #10 is a medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a soft, shimmery finish. It had good pigmentation with a drier, firmer texture that did require some pushing at to dislodge product so I could pick it up with my brush. The eyeshadow adhered decently to bare skin but looked drier applied as there was a thinness present to the formula that worked poorly on my skin. It showed signs of fading after five hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Maids a Milking (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ego (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Be Our Guest (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Exo (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Pretty Dainty (LE, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Pinky (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Fashion's Field Day (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Coy #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Ignite (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to be "powerfully pigmented" with a "butter-soft" texture that "glides on like a dream." The majority of the eyeshadows are on the drier side, sometimes feeling loosely pressed and other times more chalk-like and truly dry to the point where a primer became a must for getting good adhesion and wear out of the formula. Most of the matte shades were quite pigmented, and I found they actually applied better to bare skin than some of the shimmers, which often appeared faded and muted in practice compared to how they appeared in the pan. The pigmentation varied from decent to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and the wear was typically between five and seven hours on me.
I did not keep most of the previously-released trios and palettes from the brand as mine, but when I compared 2018's formula to the prior one (and mine are likely five or more years old), the previous formula was far better for their shimmers--slightly more slip, creamier in feel, and typically more pigmented and true-to-color on the lid. I think the mattes, overall, are improved as they are more blendable and pigmented on the lid.
Browse all of our Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethyl Macadamiate, Magnesium Myristate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Stearate, o-Cymen-5-ol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Water/Eau, Tin Oxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Manganese Violet/CI 77742, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Black 2/CI 77266, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Ultramarines/CI 77007].
Sad to see the Wet n Wild color icon eyeshadows aren’t quite what they used to be!
Also, I think the preview image for the eyeshadow palette is only the image of “VI Purple #2”.
I root for Wet ‘n’ Wild, too, and it’s disappointing to see such a low score. I’m a little confused by two of your ratings, though. The VI Purple #4 swatch looks nice and everything you said in the description makes it sound pretty good. On the other hand, VI Purple #5 got a B+ but has a terrible swatch and a pretty negative description.
I’d been considering buying this palette, and now I’m definitely glad I didn’t! I miss the old WnW shadow formula so bad. Such a shame.
This makes me so sad. WnW used to be one of the very few DS/LE brands, along with Nyx, that made excellent dupes for the more mid-end and high end e/s’s. I’m very grateful to have been able to get ND Lila, PMG Last Vie En Rose and ColourPop It’s My Pleasure palettes. But I realize that not everyone has free reign to access these brands. And that makes the apparent tanking of WnW’s quality even sadder.
How sad that Wet n’ Wild are putting out a poor eyeshadow, when the formula was perfect to begin with.