Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow - Barely Branded, Inked in Pink, Gold Rush

When the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows came out, I joined the beauty stampede without hesitation. Over the past year or so, I've acquired most of the regular line-up as well as several from limited collections, and I have yet to be disappointed. (I wisely passed on the purple shade that almost everyone was disenchanted with. What would I do without my fellow bloggers steering me right, I ask you??)

When I saw these Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadows, I knew I had to grab a few.

Barely Branded is very similar to Barely Beige, so if you have that one you probably don't need to rush out for this one. 

Both Barely Branded and Inked in Pink have a high amount of shimmer, apply very smoothly and with great pigmentation. They can also be sheered out easily, and that is actually how I prefer to wear them. Dabbed softly on the lid, they give a glowy finish that is gorgeous by itself (sort of half angel/half surfer girl) and great as a base. When you apply a shadow with a less shimmery finish overtop, it gives an interesting dimensionality to the whole eye look.

I find the texture of these to be a slicker than that of my other Color Tattoos, and the resultant slip makes them a touch more vulnerable to moving about when worn alone. With either a primer underneath or with a shadow on top, the wear is extended to 10 hours with no problems. 

Gold Rush is definitely the odd one out. It's not just metallic - it has a gritty texture, as if filled with chunky glitter. Unlike any other Color Tattoos I own, it's a little difficult to apply as it tends to sort of roll up on itself when you try to blend it or get it more opaque. When worn all over the lid, it moves and creases within a few hours, and sheds some glitter fall-out. If you dab it lightly just in the centre of the lid or in the inner corner, it provides some nice glitz. 

left to right: Inked in Pink, Barely Branded, Gold Rush.

Availability: Most drugstores like Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu, though some of the displays are selling out of certain shades. Also available online at Ulta. Price ranges from 6.99$ USD to 9-10$ CAD. (I bought these on sale at 6.99$ CAD.)

Pros: Inked in Pink and Barely Branded have blendable, sheerable textures and lovely shimmer, and good wear that can be extended. Can also be used as bases to multi-dimensional effect under powder eyeshadow.

Cons:  The texture on Gold Rush makes layering and blending tricky, and the glitter fallout discourages full-on application.

(I purchased these from Jean Coutu.)