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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Review: Inglot Freedom System Square Eyeshadows

Unless you're totally new to beauty blogs, you've probably heard all of the raves about the Polish cosmetics brand Inglot and, specifically, their eyeshadows. I've been wanting to try their shadows for a long time, and when I posted about that 20% off sale at the beginning of August (sorry, it's now over), I finally caved and made my first order via the Inglot website. 

Unless you're lucky enough to live near an Inglot boutique or counter, you might have a hard time trying to navigate through their extensive selection of eyeshadow colors and finishes (I just realized while writing this post that there is in fact an Inglot counter in San Diego, at the Macy's in Fashion Valley--how I missed that I will never know!). It was incredibly difficult for me to narrow down my first order and I actually ordered three additional shades not featured in this review (early Christmas gifts for friends).

Inglot Freedom System Square Eyeshadows
(retail: $6 each, 2.7 grams for Pearl shadows, 2.3 grams for Matte shadows)

The Inglot Freedom System offers a variety of empty palettes that you can fill with any of their Freedom System cosmetics (eye colors, lip colors, blushes, etc.). I don't own any of the Inglot palettes, but I have enough empty palettes lying around that I can use for these shadows, so that's why I didn't buy one. Also, thanks to some helpful readers for the tip that you can store four Inglot Freedom System square shadows in the $1 e.l.f. palette (click here to see how it's done).

Inglot also offers all of their eyeshadows (including the shades featured in this post) in traditional compacts in case you don't want to fuss with palettes. I opted for the Freedom Palette shadows because they're less expensive ($6 each vs. $7.20 for the compact shadows).


The Freedom System Square Eyeshadows come in plastic sleeves.


The back of the sleeve is made of vinyl and you can peel it open and, theoretically, store your shadow in the sleeve if you don't have a palette. The vinyl is not very sticky, so I'd suggest also keeping your shadow inside the box as well, if you're going to store it that way.


First let's take a look at the two Matte eyeshadows I purchased:
 (The ingredients list comes on a slip of paper tucked inside the box)

 
 Shade 324: a matte cement gray

 Shade 387: a medium-toned matte gray

 First swatch: over Urban Decay Primer Potion (original formula)
Second swatch: on bare skin



I'm kind of a freak for matte gray eyeshadows but,  for odd some reason, true matte grays are difficult to find. A lot of gray shadows tend to lean blue or taupe, and I can count on one hand how many TRUE gray shadows I own. I was absolutely delighted to find that both of these mattes are 100% true gray. There's no blue or taupe in the mix--just lovely gray through and through. 

And now the two Pearl shadows:

 

 
 414: a deep emerald green shimmer with a touch of silver

 444: a medium-toned taupeish-brown shimmer with a slight golden sheen

 First swatch: over Urban Decay Primer Potion (original formula)
Second swatch: on bare skin


As you can see, the Pearl shadows are wonderfully pigmented even without primer. Both of these colors actually exceeded my expectations based on various swatches I've seen around the web.


The Mattes:

I have worn these matte shadows both without primer for a softer look and with primer for a more dramatic look. Worn without primer, I was absolutely stunned by the even coverage I was able to achieve. These shadows are smooth and so easy to apply and blend. Absolutely no patchiness even without primer. And even though the lighter gray shade is a little less pigmented, you can easily build for more intensity. Like most mattes, there's a little bit of fallout in the pan after you've swiped your brush against these shadows, but no fallout on my cheeks during application. With primer, I can get a full day's wear with these mattes and they still look vibrant into the evening. Without primer, I start to see some creasing after the 4-hour mark, but the colors hang in there for about eight hours.

The Pearls:

I was a tiny bit surprised that the Pearl shadows I received weren't as creamy as I thought they would be. They're a tiny bit dry, actually, but thank goodness the dryness does not interfere with application or pigmentation. These shadows are extremely pigmented and they apply very smoothly with no patches or blending issues. Worn with primer, I'd go so far as to say that they might even be too pigmented, and you might need to tone them down a bit. Both of these Pearl shadows blend beautifully and the staying power is excellent with primer (all day and into the night for me). Without primer, I start to get some creasing by the 4-hour mark, but the colors themselves remain vivid throughout the day.

FINAL VERDICT: For just $6 each, these Inglot shadows are a no-brainer. Both the Matte and Pearl finishes work beautifully for me, and the colors just cannot be beat. All four shades are quite true-to-pan and can be worn with or without primer depending on the level of intensity you're trying to achieve. These are lovely, lovely shadows that definitely live up to the hype for me. I'd recommend them to anyone, especially at this price point. Honestly, the only negative thing I can say about these eyeshadows is that I really wish they had real names, instead of just numbers. I really don't like when companies do that, but for these babies, I'll make an exception.

Do you own any Inglot eyeshadows? What are some of your favorite shades?
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27 comments

  1. I'm going to the Makeup Show here in Orlando in November. I hear nothing but good stuff about Inglot and that they will be there. I will be getting in on this!!

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    1. Can't wait to see what you get, K! Polishes, perhaps? ;)

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  2. Do you know if they test on animals? I had to give up MAC and so many others that test on animals so I am always looking for a great line of makeup to try. Colors are beautiful and you cant beat that price!

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    1. I don't know, but I would suggest asking either Vampy Varnish or Phyrra. One of them should be able to help you. :)

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    2. Inglot does not test on animals!

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  3. I had bought some items because of one of your posts telling about the sale. They do have very nice quality shadows but I think the CS is non existent when you buy online. I had a couple of missing items.

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry to hear that! Did you try calling the number on the website and talking to a real person?

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    2. If u go to their site and click on contact us u can send them an email and they will respond. I also have a number that u can call mn-fri 9-5pm EST, 347-426-9885, they r located in new York. I would have ur invoice or order number ready. It may just be that some items r on back order, that happened to me but I have received all items ordered from them.

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  4. I have A LOT of Inglot shadows. I started collecting them last year when they were $4.50 each and I adore them. I have one Inglot 10 palette but started putting them in Z Palettes after. Easier to rearrange in Z Palettes. And I would have to say that the Double Shine are my most favorite! I also LOVE their lipstick rounds (also in a Z Palette). SUPER pigmented. I don't have an Inglot store near by so I tend to have to do a lot of research for color swatches. Not happy with the price increase again but their products are really great.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info! Have you tried their polishes? I'm super tempted!

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    2. I've tried one of their polishes, they had a BOGO at the las Vegas store. It was a pearly lavender color, super pretty, streak free, u could go over it several times without it getting glopy and stayed on for about 4 days w/o chipping.

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    3. I haven't tried their polishes but my sister just bought some while she was in SF a few days ago and she loves them. I also have a few of their gel liners and Duraline which turns any eyeshadow into a liner. When I first read about it I thought it was super cool and then I finally got it. It does what it says but I have super oily eyelids and the liner still transfers. I'm much happier with the Graftobian Magic Set. Works well with Inglot pigment too. PS and by the way, their matte lipstick is the bomb!

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  5. I was in Manhattan two weeks ago and happen to be walking right by the Inglot store...unfortunately, they had just closed :( Will be making another trip to NYC sometime in Sept and will definitely be going to the Inglot store. Their prices are unbelievable!

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    Replies
    1. Hope you get some fun goodies on your next trip! ;)

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  6. How random! It's in all the big cities and also in my beloved Temecula! It must be a sign.

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    1. Lol! I noticed that too! So awesome they you don't have to drive all the way to fashion valley to get your fix. :)

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  7. I placed my order for a 20-pan palette a few weeks ago, and it hasn't arrived yet! I finlly got confirmation that it was shipped yesterday.. From past experience, I love infglot shadows..

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    Replies
    1. It took a while for me to get my shipping confirmation too...I figured they were probably slammed due to the sale...

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  8. These are all really pretty colors!:)

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  9. You'd think they'd have a store in Minneapolis but NO. >.< I NEED to find a store! The website is a tad overwhelming.

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  10. Ive been to the one in sd, its nice! They have so many things and i thought about buying but never got to it maybe i will have to give it a try! ^.^

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  11. Oh you live in San Diego too?! :D I know how you feel--I just found out about the Inglot at Macy's in Fashion Valley a few weeks ago and I was SHOCKED that I never knew about it! Of course, I don't really shop at Macy's, but I've never heard ANYONE mention it before

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  12. I need to just break down and buy some! 414 looks gorgeous!

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  13. I really like the Inglot eyeshadows! I'm so happy you like the idea of storing them in an e.l.f. empty palette, thanks for the link :D

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  14. Yay! so happy you tried them! I really like Inglot shadows.

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