Sydney Grace Lake Days, Scrooge, Splendor, Starry Night Cream Shadows Reviews & Swatches
Lake Days
Sydney Grace Lake Days Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a brighter, lime green with warm, golden shimmer throughout that gave it a metallic finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, and it was easy to put on a little extra on top of the first layer to get full coverage.
The consistency was lightweight, thin, and fairly emollient, though it was quick to dry down to a more powder-like finish that remained blendable along the edges and felt flexible. It wore well for eight and a half hours before creasing a bit, and there was fading present after nine and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Sydney Grace Lake Days (DC, $8.00) (100% similar).
- Kat Von D Electric Warrior (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME338 Acidic Green (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Mermaid Kiss (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #17 (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Trust (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Celebrate (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Exu (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME338 Acidic Green (DC, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (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.
Starry Night
Sydney Grace Starry Night Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a medium, reddish-brown base with strong, warm undertones and a green-to-blue shifting pearl. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single pass, which was easy to get to full coverage with less than another layer on top–it was hard to tell it wasn’t opaque on the lid.
The texture was smooth, lightly creamy, and emollient without being too slippery, so it had good adhesion to bare skin and dried down to a powder-like finish quickly. It lasted well for eight and a half hours before creasing and closer to 10 hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Sydney Grace Starry Night (DC, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Bloodstone (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Clionadh Toadstool (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #21 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Havoc (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Moon Shine (PiP, $13.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Dragonfly (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Castor Gray (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Orion (105DC) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (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.
Splendor
Sydney Grace Splendor Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) is a darker, bluish-teal with cool undertones and multi-colored pearl paired with a metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage, though I noticed this shade had enough slip to it that applying more did seem to impede on its overall longevity by about a half hour.
The texture was lightweight, thin, and moderately emollient, so it was easier to work with by letting it air-dry for a couple of seconds prior to applying it to the skin. It stayed on well for eight hours before creasing and closer to nine hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Too Faced Mystic Hour (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Last Dance #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Party Animal (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Take Me Higher (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mercury (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Aqueous (261M) (LE, $29.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Splendor (DC, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop On One (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Antimatter (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Mint Chip (LE, $16.00) 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.
Scrooge
Sydney Grace Scrooge Cream Shadow (2020) ($8.00 for 0.34 oz.) has a muted, bluish-teal base with green-to-gold shifting pearl. It had medium, buildable color coverage with a more emollient consistency that was thin and felt almost “oily” as it dispensed from the tube. I preferred to apply a dab to the back of my hand, gently press and/or swirl my brush in the product and almost give it a little bit of time to “dry” before applying it to my lid.
This ensured more even application with good adhesion and even seemed to improve the opacity a bit. It wore nicely for eight and a half hours before creasing visibly and closer to nine and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Dose of Colors Mint to Be (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Devinah Cosmetics Livius (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Scrooge (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace On the Road Again (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Big Sky (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- NARS Tarvos (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Emerald #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Typhoon (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Special Delivery (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sugarpill Clickbait (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% 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.