REVIEW & SWATCHES | BURBERRY EYE COLOUR CREAM BUILDABLE EYE SHADOWS

 As promised in my previous sneak peek post here's my thoughts and swatches of 7 shades of the new Burberry Eye Colour Cream Buildable Eye Shadows that I purchased (there's only 1 other shade currently available that I haven't purchased).

Packaging

I purchased 4 of the shades from Burberry.com (the rest were from Net-a-Porter.com) and it was my first time to order online with them and each eye colour cream came in their usual box (on the right above) and then were also enclosed in larger sized individual boxes shown on the left of the picture above.  Those boxes are extremely thick an sturdy - very luxe and impressive, and good to note the packaging is sourced responsibly, too.  Burberry.com have free shipping although their products were a lot more expensive than at Net-A-Porter.com, but the latter currently only have limited shades.

The Eye Colour Creams are packaged in the glass jars with the plastic cap that has the signature gunmetal finish and iconic Burberry check - the same as their Lip & Cheek Blooms - reviewed here.  A little applicator brush is provided similar to those of Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadows that can be used to apply the cream eye shadows on the lids as well as line the eyes (see a photo of the brushes in my previous sneak peek post).

Size

3.6 g / 0.13 oz. of product.

Made in Canada.

Formula, Application & Longevity

"A creamy, blendable eye shadow that delivers an effortless wash of luminising colour. The cushion-soft, lightweight cream eye shadow glides across the skin to deliver illuminating colour that can be easily blended to create a bespoke finish. The long-lasting, crease-free formula can be worn alone to add tone, depth and shadow or combined for a more dramatic result. Using the unique, flat-angled brush, it can also be applied as an eyeliner along the upper or lower lash line." 

~ Burberry

I must say the texture and formula of the Burberry Eye Colour Creams are somewhat unique.  They are not exactly like any other cream eye shadows I've come across which are either very creamy, mousse-like (think Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes, Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise), light, airy and sponge-like (think Chanel Illusion D'Ombre), or pressed-pigment-like (think Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows).

At first glance in the jar, Burberry's looks like it is going to be soft and cushiony, but for most of the shades they feel much firmer than expected.  They are closest in texture to the DiorShow Fusion Mono Eye Shadows (limited edition from Fall/Autumn 2013 - I'd forgotten about these and managed to find them right in the back of my stash!), but the latter is slightly more smooth in feel and this may be due to it having a lot more shimmer than the Burberry ones.  The Burberry Eye Color Creams feel more dense - almost clay-like, but are still quite smooth and fine to the touch that's not wet and glides on the skin like velvet - almost to a powder eye shadow finish.  It does indeed go on the eyes smoothly and melds with the skin really well - a bit like applying powder eye shadows with a damp brush.  It blends and sits every-so-naturally on the skin - making it fool-proof for any one to use whether it be with a clean finger or an eye brush.  Only at least a couple of the shades felt softer compared to the others (at least after a couple of uses) - i.e., leaning towards the texture of Chanel Illusion D'Ombre cream eye shadows.  These shades were Dusky Mauve and Damson.  I'm not sure if this inconsistency in texture is just due to the specific batch I received, or if they will change over time with more uses.  Do let me know in a comment below what your experience is with these eye shadows!

As for longevity, I wore these eye colour creams for 9 hours and didn't notice any fading, transfer or creasing by the end of it, so it certainly lives up to the brand's claims (at least for the period I wore them for)!  So I'm extremely impressed.  For reference, I have normal skin condition (neither oily or dry) on my eye area and I don't usually have to use an eye primer (only the left-over, thinnest layer of my foundation, or concealer to even out the skin tone).

Pigmentation, Colours & Finishes

There are currently 8 shades available.  Below are the seven I purchased from the range up close (the Charcoal No. 114 shade became available a few days after I'd placed my order.  Doh!  Otherwise, I would have purchased that as well and showed it to you).  Consistent with the rest of Burberry's makeup line, I found all of these to have decent pigmentation even though the more neutral shades tend to be softer shades rather than loud colours.  For a soft wash of colour, apply with a clean finger tip onto the eye lids as this gives thinnest layer.  As Burberry claims, the intensity of colour and finish is very easily built up by applying with the brush provided.  Yes, these brushes actually come in extremely handy!  Blend out the edges with a clean finger tip or a synthetic or goat-hair blending eye brush.  Most of the neutral shades here can be worn on their own for an every day, simple, understated look; as a base for powder eye shadows; or layered with other cream eye shadows.

Gold Copper (No. 100) is a light to medium copper with a golden hue and a sheen finish.  Lovely on its own or on the lids layered with other shades.  It's also great as a base for powder eye shadows.  It's not too warm so it would suit a lot of skin tones.

Mink (No. 102) is a medium to dark taupe brown with a sheen finish.  A great colour for many skin tones.  Again, beautiful enough to wear on its own on the lids or on the crease, or on the outer corners of the eyes for added depth and definition for day wear.  Definitely one to keep as a staple.

Dusty Pink (No. 104) is a light dusty pink with a satin/light glow to almost matte finish.  I thought this was going to be way too light for my medium to tan, olive skin tone, but it actually helps to brighten up the eyes and it's a good one to use as a base on the lids as it's almost matte.

Pink Heather (No. 106) is a medium to dark, warm-toned rosy brown with a satin/light glow finish.  This is a gorgeous shade that I'd happily wear on its own for natural, slightly rosy, neutral eyes for day, or layered with powder eye shadows in the same rose-toned colour family like Burberry Sheer Eye Shadows in Rosewood, Antique Rose (click here for swatches) for added intensity and wear along with a deeper brown shade for depth and definition.  Another new staple in my collection.

Dusky Mauve (No. 108) is a cool-toned dusky mauve or mauve taupe with a sheen to frost finish.  When layered with other shades, I like to dab this just in the centre of the lids as the frosty finish gives a highlighting effect.

Damson (No. 110) is a deep vibrant purple plum with a satin/light glow to sheen finish.  This is a beautiful one to use if you wanted a pop of colour or drama to the eyes.  I might try using this as a base to help intensify the shades in something like the Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink - No. 06 (see swatches here).

Pale Grey (No. 112) is a grey with a satin/light glow to sheen finish.  Great for a subtle to more dramatic smokey eye if you paired it with a darker shade like Charcoal (No. 114).

Swatches

Here are the swatches applied without a primer on medium, olive skin tone (~NC30).  They're photographed indoors using a strobe.

 Below are swatches photographed in low light (without strobe) to capture the shimmers.

Comparison Swatches

I don't have any exact dupes of any of the Burberry Eye Colour Creams in my collection in terms of shade and finish, but here's a comparison of some which were the closest I had or just swatched just as a reference point should you have those same shades yourself.  Note, Dusky Mauve is definitely more mauve in real life compared to Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Platinum.  Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Utopia is more lilac with a very shimmery finish compared to Dusty Pink.

Below are swatches photographed in low light (without strobe) to capture the shimmers.

Ingredients

Overall

If you love well-executed neutral colours with subtle finishes, or if you're after something different from the majority of cream eye shadows released out there at present which are usually much more shimmery or metallic in finish, or a fan of Burberry makeup like I am then you will definitely enjoy these new cream eye shadows.  If you're a beginner or want something fool-proof (these are impossible to overdo due to the shades and texture!!) and want to splurge on Burberry Eye Colour Creams then these are perfect.  They are definitely easily buildable, are long-wearing and do not fade, crease or budge!  If I had to pick my favourite shades, it would have to be Mink, Pink Heather and Damson.  However, Pale Grey, Gold Copper and Dusty Pink are a great addition to my collection as I don't have anything similar to those shades in my cream eye shadow stash.  Actually, I don't have any exact dupes for any of the 7 shades.  Taupe lovers will enjoy Dusky Mauve if you don't mind the frosty finish.

Availability

I purchased mine from both Net-A-Porter.com (currently limited shades) and Burberry.com (all shades).

Hope this was helpful.  Thanks for your patience - I know quite a few of you have been wanting me to post swatches (straight away or sooner). :)  Things are getting more and more challenging to get done as I get closer to the end of my third trimester in pregnancy! >_<

Thanks for looking! ^_^ xo

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