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Friday, February 12, 2010

Review: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles and Trios

As I work my way through the new Wet n Wild products I was recently sent for review, I am discovering more and more favorites and of course I want to share those with you!

Let's start with the new eyeshadow singles:

L to R: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Singles in Lagoon, Envy, Kitten (retail: $1.99 each)

without flash

The colors in these pics are pretty accurate EXCEPT for Lagoon, which, in real life, is much more of a royal blue and not as teal as it looks in these photos (it's actually much prettier in person).


I like the embossed swirled design on these new singles, and one thing I REALLY like is how the package opens. Take a look at this pic:


I really like that the clear lid extends all the way back, making the eyeshadow itself sit at an angle. It just makes it a nicer experience when you're using this shadow (in my opinion) and I think it's a great little detail.

Now, the real surprise came when I swatched these shadows:
with flash

As you can see, not all of these singles are created equal! Envy and Lagoon are deep, rich shimmers with intense pigmentation, while Kitten (in the middle) is a sheer purple matte with gold micro-glitter. Also, I wasn't fond of the texture of Kitten because the powder is quite hard and it took a lot of effort to get enough on my brush in order to get the swatch you see above. But Envy and Lagoon were effortless to apply and the colors are just as intense and vivid as you see in these pics.

without flash (note: this is a much truer representation of what Lagoon looks like in person but in real life it's got a beautiful, subtle violet shimmer to it which makes it an electric blue--it's gorgeous.)

Next, here are two of the new Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios:

L to R: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Trios in
Don't Steal My Thunder and Sweet as Candy (retail: $2.99)

without flash

with flash

As just like the eyeshadow singles, the lid on these trios extends back so that the palette can be at a slight angle when you're using it, which I love:

And here are are some swatches:

without flash

with flash

With the exception of the black shade in Don't Steal My Thunder, which is a matte with silver micro-glitter, all of the shadows in both of these trios are shimmers and they very much remind me of the texture and look of the old WnW Ultimate Expressions palettes (which I love). They are smooth, buttery shimmers that apply effortlessly and guess what? The staying power of these trios is better than the Ultimate Expressions palettes (for me, at least). They last all day for me even without a primer. If you love the Ultimate Expressions palettes and you were sad to see them go, I think these trios are going to be your best bet at a substitute.

I did an eye look using Envy (the green eyeshadow single) and the browbone and crease colors in the Sweet as Candy trio:




Excuse my red eyes but I took this at the end of the day just so you could see that the colors really do last even without a primer. Also, I used Envy to line my eyes (using my trusty e.l.f. smudge brush and a bit of water).

Final Analysis: The new Wet n Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Singles in Lagoon and Envy are enough to turn even the most high-end eyeshadow lover into a WnW fan. Seriously, I could not believe I was using a $1.99 eyeshadow when I applied these shades to my eyes. The color, the intensity of the pigmentation, and the smooth application make these pretty darn unbeatable. As for Kitten, I wish that it worked better for me, but I'm just not a fan of texture. If you are sad about the departure of our beloved WnW Ultimate Expressions eyeshadow palettes, I think you will be very happy with the new WnW trios. The shimmers in these trios are at the same level of quality as the U.E. palettes but, in my opinion, the staying power is even better. Also, the brown crease shade in Sweet as Candy is worth the price of the entire trio. It is an incredibly versatile shade that applies like a dream and can be worn in a zillion different ways. I HIGHLY recommend Sweet as Candy if you're a medium-brown eyeshadow lover like myself.

Do you own any of the new Color Icon singles or trios? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.
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16 comments

  1. Wow, most of these look great. Is it easy to see in the pan which are the nice texture and which are the matte + glitter shades? I might pick up a few of these if they're out when I go to Rite Aide after work (yes I am actually at work today and yes I was actually able to leave the house!).

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  2. Hey CD! I'm glad you like 'em! Do you have any yet? :)

    JT: Unfortunately, no. I was absolutely expecting Kitten to be just as shimmery and pigmented as the others. :( So I guess we'll have to do more research and wait for the reviews to pour in (or keep our receipts!). And YAY that you're out of the house! You'll be able to get these for next-to-nothing with the sale! Can't wait to see what you think. :)

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  3. I'm so glad these formulas are better than the ultimate expressions, but just in case I picked up a palette of Sand Castle and Paradise Cove today. My Rite Aid doesn't have any of the new collection, but it's good for me because I finally picked up the Ultimate Expressions palettes and the Bronzzer in Acapulco Glow. I don't know what I'm going to do when I can't get my hands on that bronzer anymore.

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  4. Awesome colors, they need to have a BOGOF soon so I can purchase some of those single shadows, I love their new formulation and pigmentation. They are silky, creamy and super pigmented even without base. Even though I don't need more shadows, I just think they are nice to own them. :)

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  5. I'm definitely getting some of these next time I see a BOGO for them. I was just wondering, what brush do you use for your swatches?

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  6. Oh my goodness, Recessionista! You have the most BEAUTIFUL eyes!! I LOVE that third pic in your EOTD -- right down to your perfect set of brows, gorgeous green eyes, and soft and pretty eyeshadow application! Your looks are always so wearable and never too overdone. =)

    Yes, I am one of those die-hard fans of the Wet n Wild Ultimate Expressions Palettes, but I truly think the new Color Icon eyeshadows are even better!! I have the Color Icon palette in "Vanity" and I love it. Not only is it extremely versatile (containing matte, shimmery, light, and dark colors) and super cheap, but the formula and the staying power of the colors are amazing! I will definitely be picking up "Evny" and some of the trios too.

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  7. PoorCollegeStudent: Well better late than never for discovering the beauty of the U.E. eyeshadow palettes! :) And fyi, those palettes will last you a LONG time so you will probably grow tired of it before you hit the pans! And then just think of all the new WnW products that will soon be at your fingertips! :)

    rayqueenbee: So glad you agree with me about how wonderful these new eyeshadows are! And yes, a BOGOF will be AWESOME! :)

    Hana: Glad you're excited about these new products! I usually use a Q-Tip for swatches just because I'm swatching so many shades at one time and it's easier than cleaning the brush in-between swatches. But since a Q-Tip didn't work with Kitten, I used my e.l.f. eyeshadow brush, which is super dense and usually picks up a lot of color. Hope that helps! :)

    Rita: You are TOOOOO kind! *blushes* Thank you SO much for your kind words! You totally made my day! Sometimes I really wonder if people are like, "Ew, I don't like her eyes" so it's wonderful to get good feedback every once in a while! It's hard because I'm putting myself out there when I post these kinds of pics and it's like I'm just opening myself up to criticism, you know? :) And I am SO glad you agree with me about these new eyeshadows! I recently rec'd a comment from someone saying that they hated the 6-pan palettes because the mattes were chalky and the shimmers were crumbly. I was like, "How can that be??" because they are the exact polar opposite to me! The mattes for me are so buttery smooth it's unbelievable! I am hoping that commenter just got a bad palette because I have yet to experience anything like that with anything from this new collection. So thanks for letting me know you have had a similar, wonderful experience with these! :)

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  8. I have to say, I'm beyond impressed with the new WnW products I've picked up! I'd read a few mixed reviews on MUA, so I wasn't sure what exactly to expect ...

    So far, I've gotten 2 of the 6-pan palettes (I suck with names, so forgive me) -- the one with browns/neutrals, and the other that has peachy/smoky shades. I have to say, I used the brown palette the other day, and it created one of the best EOTDs I've had in a long time! The colors blended beautifully, and lasted all day (with a primer, of course -- wouldn't be caught w/o one LOL).

    Since then, I've picked up a couple of their singles, and I'm just as pleased with those :-).

    I just bought a couple of their new matte l/s today, actually, and they're wonderful, as well -- very pigmented, lightweight, and -- HOORAY! -- no scent!

    I'ma liking what WnW is bringing to the table!

    PS -- your eyes ARE gorgeous, and I think it's incredibly helpful to see a product in action, so definitely keep those pics coming!

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  9. I have that e.l.f. brush and love it too. :D

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  10. Oooh, they are really pretty and have great packaging. Cant wait to pick them up! I havent seen any new displays though. Where should I check?

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  11. Thanks for this review! I bought the Sweet as Candy trio to wear for Valentine's Day and I LOVED it. It seriously lasts so long and it's so affordable, blends perfectly, and looks very pretty. I only wish my drugstore had more options in stock--almost everything is sold out. I think word is getting out about how awesome the new WnW line is. I can't wait try more. And at this price, I definitely will.

    P.S. Your eyes are very very pretty!

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  12. you seriously have amazing eyes! and not a stitch of a wrinkle in sight! what is your skin care regime? i'll probably search your site for it after i leave this comment and find it haha, but yeah just wanted to tell you from your eyes i'd guess you were around 22!

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  13. I just bought ALL of there new e/s palettes (which I swatched on my blog)...Addict? Me?

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  14. at my big lots they have tons of wnw eye expressions gift sets. they include a palette, a cream blush, a cream bronzer and two liners.. or shadows and lip products.

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  15. Took me a long time to try the singles, I thought they looked chalky and hard in the pan. And I agree with you on the texture of "Kitten", but I love the color. I use it more just as a liner, smudge it around my eyes. I love purples, but they can be a little much, especially for day - so this one is perfect, it's a kinder, gentler purple.

    I just wish I could get my hands on the Silent Treatment trio. Then my life would be complete.

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