NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact | Dark Shadows Swatches

I’m usually a big time NYC New York Color product lover but loving a brand doesn’t always mean everything will be a hit. I received a NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact in a Beauty Bloggers VoxBox from Influenster. The compact I got is 08 – Dark Shadows. It includes a cream primer and illuminator as well as 4 powder shadows and dual ended applicator. Here are some swatches and my thoughts.

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact | Dark Shadows Swatches

I first swatched the four eyeshadow colors on my arm on top of the included primer (base). I was a bit underwhelmed by the primer because a cream as it seemed, it appeared to apply very dry. While not in love with the shadow colors, I did not hate them and they appeared pretty pigmented. Like the primer these seemed extra powdery. The colors included are not labeled by name but instead indicate where they are intended to be placed. The highlight color is pearl and the lid color is silver. Then there are two crease or contour colors, one grey and the other charcoal. All the colors in the NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact – Dark Shadows are shimmer eyeshadow.

As a makeup enthusiast, I know swatching on the arm doesn’t mean everything will be all lollipops and rainbows on the face. So of course, I moved on to applying to the eyes. By this time I could confirm that I absolutely am not a fan of the primer included in the NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact. It was immediately very dry and chalky on my lids and in my opinion an eye primer should provide a smooth base for applying eyeshadow. I’m also not a fan on sponge eyeshadow applicators, I’m a makeup brush girl but I used the applicator to give everything in the compact a full try. The eyeshadow itself applied nicely but the color payoff was not even near the swatches on my arm.  Once on my lid, all of the colors seemed to look them same as if I used only one color. There was also a lot of cleanup needed due to fallout from the darker colors. I saw no use for the illuminator being that the eyeshadow is already shimmery.

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact | Dark Shadows Conclusion

I think this compact is okay for on the go makeup when you don’t mind colors that aren’t very pigmented. I’d suggest using two colors at a time plus the highlighter instead of using them all. Because once you blend, they all seem to marry into one greyish metallic color. Also, I think it would be great for those who are new to makeup since the price is super affordable. It’d be a great way to get your feet wet and see if you want to dive into eyeshadow without spending big bucks. Not a fan of the primer, even with the affordable price tag ($4.99). Perhaps using a different primer…and my makeup brushes would have changed my opinion a bit. But I’m reviewing what is in the Dark Shadows compact, not what I could turn it into using my own beauty stash. My suggestion to NYC New York Color would be to revisit the primer formula and include a mini brush instead of sponge applicator. I can say though, that I do like the colors that are in another NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact. I love many NYC New York Color products but I give this particular compact, Dark Shadows a C at best.

Where To Find NYC New York Color

• Find info at NewYorkColor.com and shop at many drugstores like CVS, Walgreens and drugstore.com
• Like New York Color Cosmetics on Facebook
• Follow @NYCNewYorkColor on Twitter

Disclosure: The products mentioned in this post were provided complimentary by Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.