So, I've already failed my NY resolution, bummer! But Bloguary is not totally dead; I just need to stop being a lazy asshole. Let's get this started! This review is going to be on a trio from New York Color, or, N.Y.C. This is a drugstore brand with costs similar to Wet N Wild. However, while WNW has vastly improved their range and has put out products with impressive textures and quality, N.Y.C. has...not. They're known mostly for their matte bronzer in "Sunny", but their eyeshadows have been underwhelming for a long time. These new trios are supposed to be an improved "HD" formula. They're still pretty cheap and easily accessible; only $2.99 at pretty much any drugstore and they come in 12 different color options, all of which are on the neutral side of the spectrum, mostly bronzes and taupes, with a few color options like plums and olives.
FTC Disclaimer: This product was provided for review purposes through the Influenster program. I am not affliated nor sponsored by New York Color, nor am I receiving any compensation for this review. If you're interested in joining Influenster, I do have a couple of invites left, so leave a comment! I've done a post on Influenster before; click here. I've also reviewed a couple more N.Y.C. products FROM Influenster before; glitter liner and lip gloss.
According to N.Y.C.'s website:
PUT THE HD IN BEAUTY FOR AN EXPLOSION OF COLOR! From 4G to 3D to HD, technology is the key to always be on top. So channel your inner geek and put the HD in beauty! NYC steps up its game with the new HD Trio Eye Shadow Palettes. High pay-off colors pick up the intensity with a true staying power. Get HD colors at low prices.
BENEFITS
- Extreme color pay-off
- Long lasting, stays vibrant all day
- Soft and silky texture
- Dual-ended applicator for a professional result
- Dermatologist tested
KEY INGREDIENTS
- Infused with antioxidants: Green Tea extract and vitamins A and E.
- Fragrance-free"
Ingredients:
Talc, Mica, Sythetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Polymethyl, Methacrylate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Zinc Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Alumina, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea plant), Glycine Soja (soybean) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide. (May Contain: Iron Oxides [Cl 77491, Cl 77492, Cl 77499], Ultramarines [Cl 77007], Titanium Dioxide [Cl 77891], FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake [Cl 42090], FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake [Cl 16035], D&C Black No. 2 [Cl 77266], FD&C Yellow No. 5 Aluminum Lake [Cl 19140], Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide [Cl 77510], Carmine [Cl 75470], Bismuth Oxychloride [Cl 77163], Ferric Ferrocyanide [Cl 77510])A couple of things to note; this product is not vegan. It contains both cones and parabens. Some possible allergens include talc, mico, soybean oil, and bismuth oxychloride.
I am just going to go through the list of claims and respond.
- Extreme color pay-off: I'm not sure that I would say the pay-off is extreme. More like average. I would say it's similar to the pay-off from Rimmel or Maybelline. WNW and NYX have a similar texture but better pay-off.
- Long lasting, stays vibrant all day: Considering the pigmentation isn't amazing, I disagree with the "vibrant" part, ha. These shades wear an average time with a primer; about six hours with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Significant fading after the six hour marker. I wouldn't wear these trios without primer though, fading and creasing will occur after a half-hour; faster if you have oily eyelids.
- Soft and silky texture: It's definitely soft alright...soft and flaky and a bit dry. It's usable but there is significant fall-out and it's incredibly powdery, although not really chalky. All of the shadows in this range appear to be shimmery; no mattes to be found here. I HATE when shadows are super powdery and crumbly; it's my biggest issue with a lot of WNW Trios, so I doubt I will be reaching for this trio often.
- Dual-ended applicator for a professional result: Actually, I feel like using a sponge tip would help to pack on the shadow for better color pay-off. Also, it would help reduce the amount of fall-out. Brushes cut into this shadow like CRAZY, so you would definitely want to tap off the excess. However, this particular sponge tip is really small and skinny. Good for detail work or color application on the lower lashline, but pretty obnoxious for use on your entire eyelid.
Swatch comparison of the most comparable trio from Wet N Wild. Swatched over bare skin. As you can tell, the pigmentation isn't drastically different in quality. The WNW trio has a peachy shade for the lid, whereas N.Y.C.'s is more of a standard light brown shadow. The "Walking on Eggshells" WNW trio is more warm-toned; the browbone shadow is more yellowy and lighter, while the "Long Beach Sands" trio is cooler and the browbone is more peachy looking. I prefer the lid shade from the WNW trio; it shows up on my skintone, whereas the N.Y.C. trio blends in and disappears. However, the other two shadows are nice; I just prefer a matte highlight and a much deeper color than the midtone bronzy-brown that N.Y.C. has.
I didn't use this trio as recommended; the darkest shade is supposed to be the lid shadow and the medium brown is supposed to be the crease shadow. I did medium shadow on the lid, darkest shadow in the outer-v/slightly into the socket and along the lower lashline, and the lightest shadow as a browbone and inner corner hightlight. It's really not that bad, especially if you prefer a more natural look, which I do not, lol.
Overall, this is not the worst trio I've used. It's actually decently pigmented. Obviously, a primer is going to help the staying power significantly, but it doesn't boost the pay-off as much as you might think. I am not crazy about the soft, powdery texture, but these shadows are not chalky and the shimmer isn't cheap looking. Personally, I don't think there is enough of a contrast between the crease and lid shades. I usually wear a smokey eye if I'm using neutrals, so this trio will not cut it for me. But if you are just starting out with makeup or if you prefer a natural and easy eye look, this trio is fool-proof.
I have only tried this color option in "Long Beach Sands" and I, personally, will not be purchasing anymore, but they're cheap and not nearly as bad as N.Y.C.'s previous offerings so I say they're worth checking out if you're interested in trying these.
