YSL Full Metal Shadow ($30.00 for 0.15 fl. oz.) is a liquid eyeshadow that’s supposed to be “pigment-packed” and last for “16 hours without creasing, flaking, or fading.” It goes on to mention “pure color payoff” and that the applicator is actually supposed to be functional (including for lining). If you use the applicator, you’re going to get pretty poor color coverage and blendability, as the applicator seems to pick up far more water and not enough pigment two out of three pulls. I had the best luck by using a brush and letting some of that water soak into the brush, rather than being spread across my lids. Some shades wore well, while others gave me problems with color that flaked right off (in actual chunks and flakes) well before the sixteen hour mark. They’re not as blendable once they dry down, but you don’t want to blend too furiously while they’re still quite wet, or else you’ll end up with streaky color. I think this formula may work best as a one or two-hued look that has a more diffused, gauzy look to it, rather than as a richly pigmented eyeshadow.

I really, really wanted these to be as impressive as Giorgio Armani’s Eye Tints, which I love, but the price point is tough. I’m really at a loss as to how these were so different in general performance compared to the Eye Tints, because they’re very similar in feel and description–they’re both owned by L’Oreal. I had similar issues with some shades of the Eye Tints where the amount seemed too watery without enough pigment, so the product would go on more sheerly than if you tried again. For that reason, I don’t think the doe-foot applicator is the best delivery system. The Eye Tints are $172.72/oz., while the Full Metal Shadows are $200/oz. The major difference between the two was actually in the finish and dry down; YSL’s Full Metal Shadows are much more metallic with a heavier frost/shimmer element that seems to give a chunkier, thicker consistency when applied with more opaque coverage. It was almost like YSL’s version had more shimmer than base color, and the end result didn’t work as well layered or applied as a mutli-colored look. I was able to get better wear out of the product when wore with one or two shades as a semi-opaque wash of color. You can compare the two ingredient lists below, and they’re very similar in what’s in each, but the order of the first few ingredients is slightly different.

Giorgio Armani: Aqua/Water, Propylene Glycol, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauroyl Lysine, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Zea Mays Starch, Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan, Isotearate Phenoxyethanol, Stearath-20, Argilla/Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Magnesium Silicate, PEG-75 Stearate, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica[Nano]/Silica,Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteth-20, Alumina, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, May Contain CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines, CI77400/Bronze Powder, CI77400 Copper Powder, CI77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 75470/Carmine, CI 77163 Bismuth Oxychloride, CI 77510/ Ferric Ferrocyanide, CI 77742/ Manganese Violet, CI77120/Barium Sulfate, CI19140/Yellow 5 Lake, CI42090/ Blue 1 Lake, Mica.

YSL: Aqua/Water, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosicilate, Talc, Lauroyl Lysine, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Calcium Aluminum Borosiclate, Zea Mays Starch/Corn Starch, Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimtehicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isotearate, Argilla/Magnesium Alumnum Silicate, Glycerin, Silicia, Phenoxethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymr, Alumina, Magnesium, Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Tin Oxide, Silicia [Nano]/Silicia, May Contain Mica, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines, CI77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, CI77400/Bronze Powder, CI77400 Copper Powder, 77510/ Ferric Ferrocyanide, CI 77742/ Manganese Violet, CI77120/Barium Sulfate, CI19140/Yellow 5 Lake, CI42090/ Blue 1 Lake

YSL Onde Sable (04) Full Metal Shadow ($30.00 for 0.15 fl. oz.) is a peachy gold with warm undertones and a frosted, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that went on fairly evenly when applied with a brush. It wore well for ten hours before creasing on me. MAC Natural Vigor #2 (LE, $21.00) is powder. Makeup Geek In the Spotlight (P, $9.99) is more orange, powder. Tarte Rose Champagne (LE) is less shimmery, powder. MAC Lorelei (LE, $19.50) is darker, less shimmery, powder. bareMinerals Ball Gown (LE) is rosier, powder. LORAC Light Bronze (P) is lighter, powder. Disney by Sephora Splendid (LE) is powder. Urban Decay Blunt (P, $18.00) is warmer, powder. MAC All That Glitters (LE, $16.00) is darker, powder. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

YSL Pink Cascade (06) Full Metal Shadow ($30.00 for 0.15 fl. oz.) is a rosy peach-copper with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was semi-opaque to opaque, depending on how much product was caught on the applicator, but it thickens a lot on the skin, so you may want to apply less than you think. This shade flaked off in clumps at the eight-hour mark, but when I wore it as a semi-opaque wash of color blended all-over the lid, I had less issues with flaking until twelve hours of wear. Lancome My French #5 (LE) is a powder. Chanel Envol (847) (LE, $36.00) is similar. Urban Decay Last Sin (LE, $18.00) is a powder. Tom Ford Beauty Nude Dip #2 (LE) is darker, powder. bareMinerals Bare Skin (LE) is a powder. Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #1 (P) is lighter, powder. Too Faced Cheers! (LE, $16.00) is less pink, powder. Urban Decay Sin (P, $18.00) is lighter, powder. MAC Naked Lunch (P, $16.00) is a powder. MAC Sweet Heat (LE, $19.50) is darker, powder. Estee Lauder Pink Zinc (P, $24.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

YSL Steamy Coral (05) Full Metal Shadow ($30.00 for 0.15 fl. oz.) is a brightened, orange-copper with warm, orange-red undertones and a metallic sheen with finer shimmer compared to the other two shades. It had semi-opaque to opaque color payoff that went on more evenly and seemed less watery. It wore well for almost fourteen hours before creasing. MAC Red Alert (LE, $16.00) is less metallic, powder. Makeup Geek Flame Thrower (P, $9.99) is a powder, brighter. ColourPop Sequin (P, $5.00) is browner. Makeup Geek Roulette (LE, $5.99) is powder. Make Up For Ever I702 Mahogany (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, powder. Maybelline Caramel Cool (100) (LE, $6.99) is lighter. MAC Amorous Alloy (LE, $19.50) is darker, powder. Urban Decay Trick (P, $18.00) is powder. Makeup Geek Vegas Lights (P, $6.99) is powder. Sleek MakeUP Sunset #9 (P, $9.99) is powder. MAC Star Myth (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Coppering (P, $16.00) is darker. MAC Brash (LE, $16.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

YSL Onde Sable (04) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Onde Sable (04) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Onde Sable (04) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Steamy Coral (05) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Steamy Coral (05) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Steamy Coral (05) Full Metal Shadow

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YSL Pink Cascade (05) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Pink Cascade (05) Full Metal Shadow

YSL Pink Cascade (05) Full Metal Shadow

Onde Sable (inner lid), Pink Cascade (middle of lid), Steamy Coral (outer lid),
Sephora Love Affair Eyeliner

Onde Sable (inner lid), Pink Cascade (middle of lid), Steamy Coral (outer lid),
Sephora Love Affair Eyeliner