Review: Nyx Prismatic Shadow in Punk Heart

Purchased by Me

Updated 2/21/15 with additional comparisons.

So you know I had to do it. The minute I posted about the new Nyx products on the Ulta site (back at the end of January), I placed an order. I only purchased one of the new Prismatic Shadows, but I purchased a boatload of other new Nyx products to review for you (I already reviewed the new Nyx Tres Jolie Gel Liner Pencil HERE if you missed it). I just wasn't sure how I was going to like these shadows, so that's why I just bought one. You know...baby steps.

So let's take a closer look, shall we?

Nyx Prismatic Shadow in Punk Heart
(retail: $6, 0.043 oz)

Keep reading for my full review...

There are twelve shades in the Prismatic Shadow range. You can view/purchase all twelve shades on the Nyx site HERE, and these are also available for purchase on the Ulta site HERE. I believe these shadows are also starting to pop up in-store at Ulta right now as well.

These shadows come fully safety-sealed (yay!) and instead of the usual all-black packaging, the lid on these pots is silver:

You can see that a bit better in this photo:

And we have the signature Nyx bow on the latch:

It's just so cute, isn't it?

Made in Taiwan

If you look really closely at the surface of this shadow, you can see teeny tiny bits of iridescent micro-glitter. But it turns out that this doesn't read so much as glitter on the eye as it does reflective sparkle. And even then, this is not really what I'd call a "sparkly shadow." It's a metallic shadow with teeny tiny bits of sparkle, but it doesn't look like a glitterbomb on the eye.

Looking at my swatches above (which I did using just ONE swipe of color for each swatch), the pigmentation of this shadow is very impressive. We're talking ridiculously impressive. I mean, Urban Decay, MAC, LORAC impressive. The only difference between these two swatches is that the color seems a bit more intense over primer. But you most certainly do NOT have to wear primer with this shadow. In fact, you might prefer to skip it if you're going for a most subtle look. But more on that in a moment.

When I first opened my Ulta package and saw Punk Heart in the pan, I immediately thought, "MAC Cranberry dupe?" 

Um, that would be a BIG NOPE:

I can't believe how incredibly off I was about that one. Ha! Anyway, that caused me to pull out some of my other higher-end shadows, and I quickly realized that I currently own nothing like Punk Heart when it comes to higher-end shadows. I did, however, want to show you some other shadows next to Punk Heart, just to give you some perspective:

Same swatches in slightly dimmer lighting:

As you can see, UD Coax is pinker, LORAC Merlot is warmer, and UD Voodoo is bluer. Again, I wasn't really trying to find a dupe--I just wanted to give you a basis for comparison. 

So let me cut right to the chase here. Punk Heart is amazing. The pigmentation is exceptional, both with and without primer, the texture is smooth and buttery (almost creamy, although it's NOT a cream or cream-powder hybrid--it's a super buttery powder). I get zero fallout in the pan when I'm picking up color with my brush (ZERO, I tell you), and this shadow applies like a dream. No patchiness and no difficulty with blending out or smoking out this shadow at all (by the way, it looks stunning when blended out as liner on the lower lash line). Staying power is also exceptional. I can go all day and into the night when I wear this over primer, and even without primer I can get a solid 6-7 hours before I see some light fading/creasing. 

Also, as I mentioned earlier, there is very, very fine micro-glitter in this shadow but it does not really translate as glitter on the eye. It appears more like a very fine sparkle. which gives the overall finish a reflective quality. 

I don't know if all of the shadows in this range are this incredible, but I certainly intend to find out. I honestly can't remember the last drugstore powder eyeshadow that impressed me like this one. Punk Heart ABSOLUTELY feels like a MAC, Urban Decay or LORAC eyeshadow, and if you were to take it out of the pot and tell me that it was a MAC shadow, I would completely believe you, without question.

UPDATE:

After I originally published this review, I received some reader requests for additional comparisons. Since I own two of the shades that were requested, I've included swatches above. As you can see, Urban Decay Last Call is much warmer and redder than Punk Heart, and Too Faced Candied Violet is cooler and more blue (it's actually a completely different finish; it's more of a blacked purple matte with lots of pink glitter). Nyx Punk Heart is more of a plummy-purple. I hope that helps!

FINAL VERDICT: If you like this color and you like metallic finish eyeshadows, Punk Heart is a must-have. Honestly, you will feel like you're wearing a higher-end shadow when you apply this. For all of the reasons I stated above, I give this eyeshadow my highest recommendation. 

Do you own any of the new Nyx Prismatic Shadows? If so, I would absolutely love to know which shades you own, and how they've been working for you!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.