It’s been quite awhile since I’ve published a dedicated beauty review, but this is one has been on my list for the better part of 2017! Today I’m thrilled to share a comprehensive review of one of my all time favourite eyeshadow formulas — the Colourpop Super Shock Shadows. I fell head over heels for Colourpop in 2015 (just browse the JustineCelina BEAUTY archives!), went absolutely crazy and purchased about a million of their eyeshadows (and lip products, and highlighters, and… well, you get the idea!). Since then, this innovative, affordable LA based brand has exploded and now offers 90 Super Shock Shadow shades (and trust me, I’ve had to restrain myself from buying almost every single one!). I’ve owned many of their Super Shock Shadows since 2015 — some of which I’ve completely used up (and had to repurchase) and some that are now discontinued. So today, I’m sharing reviews, photos and swatches of the 22 shades I own that are currently available!
Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadows retail at $5.00 USD for 2.1g (0.074oz) and the quality is truly incomparable to anything on the market today. In 2015 when they first launched, the formula was completely revolutionary — a creme-powder with a unique bouncy texture. The pigmentation is intense, the shades are unique and they wear all day (and night) without fading or creasing. They’re also cruelty free and handmade in LA. I haven’t actually published reviews on most of my favourite shades here at JustineCelina because they don’t really fall into my Monthly Favourites category (since they’re staples I reach for regularly, sometimes products like this slip through the cracks!), so I figured it was about time to introduce you. If you’re an eyeshadow lover looking for some fantastic, affordable shadows (or want deets on my must haves from the range) this post is for you!
COLOURPOP SUPER SHOCK SHADOW PHOTOS, REVIEW, SWATCHES | 22 SHADES!
Brand Overview
Colourpop emerged out of LA in 2014. The concept behind the brand, according to Colourpop themselves, is ‘luxury formulas priced for experimentation’ — and I couldn’t agree more! As I mentioned, after they launched, I went a little crazy for the first year and purchased tons of Lippie Stix, Pencils, Liquid Lips and Shadows — and was instantly blown away by the quality of their products. As a discerning beauty lover who has a mixture of high end and affordable products in my beauty arsenal, I think Colourpop is a great example of a brand that does their homework, listens to the market and gives their customers exactly what they’re looking for, quickly. They manufacture all products in their own lab in LA (and can therefore turn of-the-moment products around fast!) and don’t test on animals (more about that here). Fast forward to 2017 and Colourpop is my top recommendation for anyone looking for affordable, cruelty free, quality products in on trend formulas and finishes. I own just over 30 shades (even more than I’ve reviewed here and the ones you don’t have have sadly been discontinued) and I love almost all of them.
Product Overview
Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadows are some of my all time favourite eyeshadows and definitely the most unique in formula. These unique, stunning, inexpensive eyeshadows have held a permanent spot in my vanity for the last couple of years! They’re unlike anything else I’ve ever used (and trust me, I’ve tried it all!) — when you dip your finger into them for the first time they feel like a mouse / cream product, but immediately dry down to a powder finish once applied to the skin. They’re bulletproof on the eyes — I’ve worn them well over 10 hours with absolutely no fading, creasing or smudging. The Super Shock Shadows wear from the time I apply them until the time I wash them off — truly add day (and sometimes all night!). I typically prime my lids with concealer and set with a light dusting of translucent powder before going in with any eye shadow and that keeps these locked in all day (however, you don’t even need to prime to ensure long wear with these!).
Application Tips
I find all the shades apply best to the lid with my finger, but I do use a fluffy synthetic brush to buff and blends the edges out. The mattes work beautifully in the crease with a fluffy blending brush as well. Another thing to love — there’s absolutely no fallout! Through my experimentation I’ve discovered they also work well as eyeliner — either applied with an angled brush your top lid, or patted onto your waterline with your finger!
Packaging
Since this is a creme-powder formula, it needs an airtight seal to keep it from drying out. The screw top lid must be closed tightly after each use to ‘keep the magic in’, but they will eventually dry out if you don’t get through the whole pot. If they do dry out a bit, you can always add a couple of drops of a mixing medium such as Inglot’s Duraline to rehydrate them — simply your finger into the shadow until it becomes creamy again!
Top Recommendations
If you pick up anything from Colourpop, a handful of Super Shock Shadows in a variety of finishes are a must! Their Super Shock formula comes in Matte, Satin, Pearlized, Ultra-Glitter, Metallic and Ultra Metallic finishes. My favourite formulas are the ultra metallic, or really unique duochrome and glittery shades (noted throughout this post!).
Post Navigation
I’ll be moving through swatches and mini reviews or each shade according to these rows, which is how the post is organized below. If you’re particularly interested in a certain shade, you should be able to find what you’re looking for quickly. Let’s get to it, shall we?!
ROW 1 | Glow, Fringe, Glitterati, I (Heart) This, Liberty
ROW 2 | Get Lucky, Flipper, KathleenLights, Amaze, Nillionaire
ROW 3 | Cornelious, La La, Sequin, Bill, So Quiche
ROW 4 | Game Face, Blaze, 3, Mooning, Stereo
ROW 5 | Bae, Roulette
COLOURPOP SUPER SHOCK SHADOW SWATCHES
ROW 1 | Glow, Fringe, Glitterati, I (Heart) This, Liberty
Swatches of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows Glow, Fringe, Glitterati, I (Heart) This and Liberty on NC 30 skin
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Glow
Glow is a super smooth, matte creamy vanilla shade that I love to use to highlight my browbone and brighten up my inner corners. Although matte, it somehow manages to impart a subtle glow wherever you place it — so it’s aptly named!
Note: This shade is part of the Where The Light Is Super Shock Shadow Quad, which you can currently purchase for a discount (do it — I’ve received the rest of the shades below and they’re all gorgeous!).
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Fringe
Fringe is a metallic champagne with golden tones and lots of little micro shimmer throughout — an easy shade to wear with almost any eye look. It’s a very versatile shade and a must if you’re a sparkle lover! Hop over to this post to see it in an eye look.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Glitterati
I’m typically not a huge fan of cool, silvery shadows on my warm complexion and green eyes, but I was intrigued by Glitterati! It has a silver base with silver with gold micro glitter — it’s a unique shade that would be absolutely stunning on cool skinned gals.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in I (Heart) This
I (Heart) This is a light, cool toned taupe with tons of silver micro-glitter. It pulls a bit purple on me (which I really like!). It’s a very wearable shade if you love your light neutrals and are looking for something different.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Liberty
Again, I’m not a huge fan of silvers on my colouring — but Liberty is most intense ultra-metallic silver ever! It’s ultra smooth and insanely pigmented — like swiping molten silver onto your eyelids. If you’re been hunting for an amazing metallic silver (without any glitter), this is the best one I’ve come across. On warm skintones, it pulls a bit blue.
ROW 2 – Get Lucky, Flipper, KathleenLights, Amaze, Nillionaire
Swatches of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows Get Lucky, Flipper, KathleenLights, Amaze and Nillionaire on NC 30 skin
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Get Lucky
Get Lucky is another ultra metallic liquid gold shade and one of my favourites from the range (this is actually my second pot!). I gravitate towards soft golden tones for everyday wear and Get Lucky is always on rotation. Like Liberty, it’s ultra smooth and pigmented — a straight up metallic with no glitter.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Flipper
Flipper actually isn’t a favourite of mine. Comparably, it’s a bit sheer and not much of the soft peach colour comes through (although, it is pretty close in depth to my skintone). I do like it as a shadow topper — I use it to add a bit of extra sparkle to the centre of my lids when I’m doing a halo eye.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in KathleenLights
KathleenLights isnamed after my shades creator and as a nod to MAC’s Amber Lights that it was modeled after (which I used to love, but this is better!). KathleenLights is another one of my favourite shades from the range — it’s a beautiful, true copper that looks absolutely stunning on green eyes, but would suit anyone.
Note: This shade is part of the Where The Light Is Super Shock Shadow Quad, which you can currently purchase for a discount.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Amaze
Amaze is a neutral, glittery rose gold shade — and another that I think would be very flattering on every eye colour. If you love rose gold and are looking for a wearable, everyday option, Amaze is your girl.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Nillionaire
Nillionaire is by far the most glittery of the bunch — and on the eyes it’s nothing short of mesmerizing! It’s a deep bronze with pink and gold micro glitter and it can actually be quite chunky. You can work with it to get it to smooth out, but it does emphasized textured eyelids. Although it’s a bit high maintenance, Nillionaire is a must have for glitter lovers!
Row 3 | Cornelious, La La, Sequin, Bill, So Quiche
Swatches of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows Cornelious, La La, Sequin, Bill, So Quiche on NC 30 skin
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Cornelious
Cornelious is a matte warm caramel — and a perfect shade for the crease! I love to use a big fluffy brush and apply this in my crease to add dimension and a great neutral base for other shades. It’s a very well loved matte from the range!
Note: This shade is part of the Where The Light Is Super Shock Shadow Quad, which you can currently purchase for a discount.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in La La
La La is an intensely glittery, mid toned rose gold — and another shade that makes green eyes sing (but is universally flattering!). If you love rose gold eyeshadows and aren’t shy about glitter, La La is a must.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Sequin
Sequin is like La La’s big sister — a deeper, saturated rose gold with even more micro glitter. When I want a dramatic rose gold eye, Sequin is my pick (be warned that it is quite pink on the lid and needs to be grounded by darker colours or a nude waterline to save you from looking tired / like you have pink eye!). It’s also a great rose gold option for deeper skintones!
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Bill
Bill is a light dusty matte mauve. It’s very smooth in texture and another fantastic matte shade from the range if you love your cooler toned transition shades for the crease (or are cooler toned in complexion).
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in So Quiche
So Quiche is a very unique shade — a bronze with soft olive undertones, sprinkled with tones of with violet and gold micro glitter! If you’re looking for something totally out of the box, you won’t find a shade like So Quicke anywhere else.
Row 4 | Game Face, Blaze, 3, Mooning, Stereo
Swatches of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows Game Face, Blaze, 3, Mooning and Stereo on NC 30 skin
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Game Face
You probably guessed it — Game Face is another one of my favourites from the range (and one I’ve been wearing a lot this past month — see it in an eye look in my upcoming September Beauty Favourites!). It’s a true, ultra metallic, glitter free, rich copper and every time I wear it receive tons of compliments. Green eyed gals, you need Game Face in your life (although it would be beautiful on every eye colour!).
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Blaze
Blaze is a golden bronze sprinkled with multi dimensional glitter and a shade I reach for quite often for smoky eyes. What I love about these deeper sparkly shades is how you can use them to create a one shadow eye look! Pat the shadow all over your lid with your finger, then swirl a synthetic, fluffy brush into it and diffuse the colour through your crease (the glitter diminishes and it looks almost matte when you buff it!). Finish things off by smudging it under your lower lashline for an instant smoky eye with minimal effort!
Note: This shade is part of the Where The Light Is Super Shock Shadow Quad, which you can currently purchase for a discount.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in 3
3 is a cool toned bronze with purple undertones and lots of colourful micro glitter. It’s a fun one for smoky eyes and a a very unique shade. If you like your sultry, smoky tones, I recommend 3 for something different!
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Mooning
Mooning is a metallic chocolatey plum with subtle golden micro glitter. It’s intense, ultra smooth and dramatic — a great colour to add dimension to the outer corner or create a smoky effect with subtle colour.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Stereo
Stereo also stars in my smoky eyes regularly. It’s an absolutely stunning metallic, blackened burgundy with dimensional micro glitter — a rich, smoky hue perfect for the summer to fall transition. Hop over to this post to see it in an eye look.
Row 5 | Bae, Roulette
Swatches of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows Bae and Roulette on NC 30 skin
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Bae
Bae is an absolute must from the range and one of the most unique shades. It has a duochrome effect (think: MAC’s Blue Brown Pigment on steroids) where is looks purple at certain angles, but has a teal reflection. It’s a very interesting, unique colour — a rich eggplant purple with an emerald and turquoise, in a glittery duo chrome, metallic finish. Hop over to this post to see it in an eye look.
Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Roulette
Roulette is a true matte black and a shade that I like to use for smoked out liner — something I’ve been really into this year (can you see my angled brush marks in the shadow?)! It’s smooth and pigmented with absolutely no fallout — what more could you ask for from a matte black?
Keep in mind that swatches look completely different on different skintones. For reference, I have light / medium skin with yellow-warm undertones — I’m a MAC NC 30.
LOOKING FOR MORE COLOURPOP REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS?
Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip Review (10 shades)
Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip Review (10 shades)
Colourpop Crème Gel Liner Review (9 shades)
My Favourite Colourpop Lippie Stix (Multiple reviews)
Have you tried anything from Colourpop? What are your favourite products or shades? Colourpop has received a lot of love here at JustineCelina over the years — I think they’re such an innovative brand and I’m consistently amazed by the quality of their products for the price point. I know I’ve turned a lot of you onto them, too! Since following along from the beginning, it’s been amazing to watch them grow, expand their ranges and be able to offer such a huge variety of products. If you end up ordering any of my favourite Super Shock Shadows, be sure to let me know how you like them! As as always, I’m happy to help with any questions you may have. Thanks for stopping by today, everyone!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!
6 Comments
[…] reigniting my love for Colourpop Super Shock Shadows and highlighters earlier this autumn, I decided to place an order to check out some of their new […]
Very useful post, thanks!
You are very welcome, my dear!
So helpful, thank you! I haven’t tried Colourpop yet, and I’m excited to order!
My pleasure, Allison! I’m sure you’ll love the Super Shock Shadows — all these years later and they’re still one of my all-time-favourite formulas. I’ve been wanting to place a new order myself. Thanks for stopping by!
[…] it about this time last year in my October 2016 Beauty Favourites and wore it in my recent Falling Back | Refreshing Old Staples For a New Season post if you’d like to see it in different lighting […]