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Review & Swatches: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Luminizing Eyeshadow Palettes

by Amber on September 2, 2011

in eyeshadow,makeup,new products,product reviews,swatches

Maybelline has been stepping up their eyeshadow game for 2011…remember the quads from almost 2 years ago? What about the EyeStudio Color Pearls? Does that refresh your memory? This time around, they’ve brought us discerning beauty junkies the Eye Studio Color Explosion Luminizing Eyeshadow palettes—pans of five shades for the lid, crease, liner, highlight, and a sparkling “top coat”.

I haven’t tried all five of the color combinations, but I did try three—here they are…

Caffeine Rush

Here’s a quickie look I created with Caffeine Rush:

(I also used EyeStudio Master Drama liner in Bold Brown.)

Below are Maybelline’s recommendations for how to use each color in the palettes…but you know me! I break rules and I apply them as I see fit. I very loosely followed the directions on my Caffeine Rush eye look, with the exception of the base/highlighter shade and the luminizing top coat—I used those as suggested. Otherwise, have a ball! These pigments were made for making your own statement. Use these as suggestions, but please don’t feel limited to the looks!

Amethyst Ablazed

 Forest Fury

With the exception of just a LITTLE bit of patchiness on only one of the colors in the Amethyst Ablazed palette, I found these surprisingly easy to work with. Very soft and buttery, without a lot of fallout. There are mini applicators included, but I prefer to use a brush—solely as a personal preference. I almost always wear an eye primer with my shadows, and these were no exception. With primer, they lasted all day with minimal creasing, except for the very hot day that I went really dark in my crease (not pictured) with Caffeine Rush. I used the shade designated for liner, and that’s what I get for not following the suggested directions! But really, no harm was done.

The ‘weaker’ pigments in the shadows are the highlight/base shades and top coats, so don’t expect those to deliver a ton of pigment. Otherwise, the remaining shades are vibrant and punchy. A welcome addition to the drugstore, as these pigments are stronger than the original EyeStudio pigments in my opinion!

Also available; Blue Blowout, and Pink Punch

Do you have any of the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Luminizing Eyeshadows? What’s your experience been like with them?

Price & Availability: $10.99 each (but I’ve seen these on sale at drugstores for less); CVS, Target, and other mass retailers

An editorial sample was provided by the company and evaluated to determine our opinion of the product in this post. Please see the Disclosures page for further information regarding our policies for using editorial samples.
  • http://myhighestself.wordpress.com/ Tina B

    I have Amethyst Ablazed and like it alot but I still LOVE the EyeStudio 4 color palettes the best. The EyeStudio shadows are so silky and are just gorgeous on the eyes. Great review (makes me want to buy Caffeine Rush)!

  • Amber

    Thanks, TIna! Glad it was helpful!

  • Ter G./bobbysgeel

    I have them all except the brown one. I love them! The topcoat reminds me of a powder version of Lorac’s lustre drops. Xo

  • Amber

    Yes Ter! I have the Lustre Drops from the 3D collection too, good call :)

  • Stephanie

    After reading this and seeing the example, I definitely think I’m going to buy the caffeine rush! It looks very nice, great job!:)

  • Tara

    I like your version much better than the suggested version! Do you think you could explain how you created that look with caffeine rush?
    Thanks!

  • Amber

    Hi Tara, I can! I’m sick today, but I’ll look at the photos again and try to describe it as soon as I’m feeling better. Thanks for reading!

  • Amber

    Hi Tara,

    All I did was use Urban Decay Primer from lid to brow, then apply the lightest shade (pale yellow on the bottom) from lash line to brow bone. (lighter on the brow bone)

    I also applied the pale yellow to the inner corner of my eyes.

    I applied the crease color (medium brown on the right) on my lid AND crease.

    Then I used the liner color (the darkest brown) in the crease and accentuated the outer corner.

    I blended it all together using the tan color on the left of the palette.

    Finished off the lid by gently pressing the shimmery shade (that’s on the top of the palette) on the center of the lid.

    I used EyeStudio Master Drama Liner in Bold Brown.

    Hope that helps!

  • Denise

    I want the forest fury look from the commercial but don’t know how, can you please help. My style is very simple and boring. Thanks

  • Amber

    Hey Denise! I’m sure your style is not boring! If I remember correctly, the looks in the commercial were quite bold, but I’m not sure exactly how to recreate them from the commercial. Hang in there with me and I’ll try to get an answer for you. It might take a few days or so! If I can’t get an answer, I’ll do my best to create it for you. But I’m not promising perfection, LOL!

  • Amber

    Hi Denise, I sent you an email with all the tips, directly from Maybelline!

  • http://www.beachcovejewelry.com Holly

    I have been eyeing the caffeine rush one every time I’m at the store. Looks great!

  • Sarah

    Hi :) i am going to be going to my friends 15 birthday party. i bought color explosion in amethyst ablaze but i really want it to look like the commercial. i tried many times but i could never get it right. can you please help me with some tips and/or video tutorials?? :) thanks

  • Amber

    Hi Sarah, I wish I had a way to help you with that, but I don’t! I’m sorry :( I looked through all of my Maybelline emails to see if I could find the tips and I can’t locate. Did you try looking at Maybelline’s YouTube channel? That might be your best bet. I’m sorry hun!

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