I got these quite a while back but wanted to reserve my review on them for later, after I've extensively used them, partly because they are all permanent eyeshadows anyway. But mostly, I wanted to spend my time with them because their shades are quite inconsistent when it comes to quality. For the record, they're all decent shadows, especially when you factor in the price.
I got 11 refill pans, each of which costs about $6. A bunch of the shades I wanted to try like Shark Bait and Barcelona Beach were also out of stock. I put them all in this Wild Peach Palette, which is similar to Z-Palettes and Unii Palettes, and I'm happy to report that they stuck on automatically:
I got the ff: shades:
- Cinderella: Pale shimmery pink
- Cupcake: Matte medium pink
- Cocoa Bear: Matte reddish brown
- Bleached Blonde: Shimmery Pale Gold
- Pretentious: Metallic bronze
- Mocha: Deep matte brown
- Twilight: Pale Shimmery Muted Purple
- Unexpected: Matte Pale Pink Brown
- Poolside: Bright shimmery teal with specks of gold
- Sea Mist: Shimmery Turquoise
- Rockstar: Pale silver with purple iridescence
Swatched, L-R: Unexpected, Twilight, Cinderella, Cupcake, Bleached Blonde, Cocoa Bear, Pretentious, Mocha, Rockstar, Sea Mist, Poolside
Unexpected, Twilight, Cinderella, Cupcake, Bleached Blonde, Cocoa Bear
Bleached Blonde, Cocoa Bear, Pretentious, Mocha, Rockstar, Sea Mist, Poolside
Although these performed okay, I'm not that impressed with a lot of the shades. The best ones, in my opinion, are Pretentious, Rockstar, and Cocoa Bear, with Cupcake, and Unexpected as “close seconds.” They are all quite buttery (the latter three less than the first two, Pretentious and Rockstar, which feel amazing and soft) and easy to blend. Poolside and Sea Mist are decently pigmented, but a little gritty. Great cheap shadows if ever you need them for some reason. Twilight and Bleached Blonde are pretty good eyeshadows, if a little unexceptional. Mocha is quite dry and hard to apply. It is definitely the least impressive of the shadows, in my opinion.
Though there are obviously some standouts here, I can't say that they are the brand's standard, which makes me a little wary of buying any more shades, even though there are a few more I'd like to try. Like I said, they're OK, but I don't think they're as great as people seem to make them out to be.
Anyway, they are quite useable, don't get me wrong. I've used them quite a bit, and I do reach for some shades more than others:
Used: Cupcake on the crease and Rockstar on the lid.
Used: Cocoa Bear in the crease.
Used (over MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork): Unexpected in the crease, extending past the outer corner, Cinderella and Bleached Blonde all over the lid, Mocha and Twilight in the outer ‘v’, Rockstar on the inner corner (you can see the pink shift really obviously here, which makes it one of my favorites)
Used: Poolside on the lid, Cocoa Bear on the crease and lower lash line.
Used: Bleached Blonde on the center of the lid, Sea Mist on the inner 2/3 of the crease, Pretentious on the outer 1/3 of the lid and crease, and lower lash line.
If you're starting to build your collection on a budget, then I would definitely recommend Makeup Geek eyeshadows, but I would be extra picky about which shadows to buy. I actually read a lot of reviews and looked at a lot of swatches, but some of my picks still turned out to be duds. Overall, it was an alright experience, but I could have done without a few of them, especially since I already have a bunch of eyeshadows that perform better than some of the ones I got.
Follow me: Bloglovin' • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • Facebook
Softly Sometimes 
Good to know! I’ve had a bunch of these on my shopping list forever, but I can’t seem to make myself commit, haha.
They’re OK, but nothing special! I wouldn’t get the neutrals (though some are great) if I already have similar shades that I like well enough.
Thanks for the great review and the heads up! Particularly loving the look in the final pic, so uniquely kewl! I’ve seen quite a few reviews on her shadows and a lot of them seem very worthwhile for the price. Alas, I’m desperately trying to cut down on my stash of doom.
Thank you so much! 🙂 They’re “OK for the price,” but I find myself drowning in near-dupes!
Great review and lovely looks for them. I’ve just ordered some for my Father in Law to bring back from America. I’m looking forward to trying them out and seeing if they’re all people make them out to be.
Sonya xx
http://onceuponaglam.com
I just saw that you got them! Great review and picks. 🙂
aww really? i thought they’d be the best affordable eyeshadows because of the hype around them…but im very drawn to that cocoa bear shade 🙂
I like Cocoa Bear the most, I think! 🙂 They aren’t bad, but very “approach with caution” for me. Kahit na cheap, I’d rather get a better-performing shadow that’s a bit more expensive if I’ll like it 1000x more!
True, and it isn’t easily available here rin e–I was going to do extra effort to get my hands on those if they were perfect! hehe 🙂
This post couldn’t have come at a better time! I was literally just about to order my shadows! Gonna take a second look at my cart before I commit. Thanks for the heads up, amazing post as always xx!
lineupthemakeup.blogspot.com
Hope you figured out which ones you wanted to try!
I just visited their website yesterday to check out the shades they currently have on stock because I want to try them out too. I’m kind of thinking twice about them now.
Hey Nikki! They’re alright, but nothing amazing! Did you end up getting any?
Well not yet. I’m still having second thoughts whether I should try them or not and undecided on what shades I should get.
I’ve always wanted to try some Makeup Geek shadows, so thanks for posting this! I wanted Moonstone, but maybe this time I really DO have enough makeup and I should stop buying more. 😛
Also, does that Wild Peach palette come with a mirror?? That’s the one thing I wish the Z palettes had! And yours is so cute; I love polka dots!
HAHAHA TOO MUCH MAKEUP? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Yes it does! 🙂
pretty color choices! I’ve been meaning to try makeup geek eyeshadows, it’s just that they’re hard to find locally.
Thank you, Hollie! They ship worldwide!
Looking good! Also very envious of your makeup skills (as if I wasn’t before). I just have terrible experiences with blue shadows *le sigh*
Thank you, Kyaru! Practice is key 😀 I used to hate blue eyeshadow lol
I loooove the last look 🙂 Carinaaaaa pa-peek naman sa eyeshadow collection mo, parang ang saya lang tingnan siguro lahat! We were talking during the blog sale na siguro if you joined, lahat kami pagkakaguluhan mga bebenta mo :)) enjoy NY!! 😉
Thank you Shari!! Haha sige, pero baka mamatay ako sa hiya!! Haha. Thanks, let me know if you plan another one! 🙂