Best & Worst of Sydney Grace Cream Shadows

Sydney Grace Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 fl. oz.) will be on sale today for $5 a pop, so while I originally had this slated for Sunday’s round-up post, today is far more timely! They have over 40 shades, of which I reviewed all 18 of the shades I have. I imagine I’ll review more shades in the future. Their blushes will also be $5 (regularly $9), and their highlighters will be $7 (regularly $12) (will post a best and worst for this range shortly!).

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.

01.

01. Suntan Sydney Grace

Sydney Grace

PPermanent. $8.00/0.33 oz.

A+

Sydney Grace Suntan Cream Shadow ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, golden copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was intensely pigmented...