I have no idea why it has taken me so long to write about the Maybelline Color Tattoo line of cream eyeshadows. As you may know, I’m a big fan of cream shadows. I know that not everyone is. I’ve got dry eyelids, so I have no problem with cream shadows sliding around on my eyelids. Instead, I find them hydrating.
I’ve got about 10 of the Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows and here’s a few of them (you can see I’ve got a neutral trend going):
a mix of metallics, shimmers, mattes, and two of the new matte shades for Fall that I have heard are going to be part of permanent collection. I picked up two of the new ones…
on the Maybelline display that also holds The Nudes powder shadow palette. I stood there in the aisle debating whether to go for The Nudes or pass. I passed because I already own the Naked Basic palette that I still haven’t reviewed, and I just received Viseart’s neutral matte palette that I picked up on Alcone’s 4th of July sale. If you like nudes, the Maybelline palette looks quite nice, is perfect for travel and costs about $10. It has the traditional nude shades, a beautiful gold, and some dark shades for the crease or a smoky eye.
From the four new Color Tattoo shades, I bought Vintage Plum which is just that and Deep Forest, a brown shade with a tinge of dark green. The other two shades were out of stock, and I haven’t been able to find them online to even report the shades!
They are matte, and both of the shades I bought are just creamy enough. I have found that the creaminess varies widely from shade to shade, or at least among the colors I’ve tried, i.e. some can be nice and creamy, while others are on the dry side. Frankly, I wish they were all a little creamier so they would go on a bit more smoothly and build up more evenly. The shades go on light with only one swipe, but they are buildable. I pat them on with my finger, and then blend with a blending brush at the end. I was surprised that this time, the shade kind of blended together which was not the look I was going for. I’ve never had that happen before!
My go-to Color Tattoo for everyday is Nude Pink that I sometimes use as a base, and it looks great in the corner with Vintage Plum in the middle and Deep Forest at the outer lid and/or in the crease. I photographed the look I put together, and I realized that it was too subtle to show up well in the photo (first photo). I tried again and put on a little more color so you can see the shades better in the pix (second photo). As I mentioned earlier, you can build these up for deeper color pay-off that packs more of a punch, but I don’t think I can wear it like that. Instead, I used them to create the more restrained look that I tend to go for for my well-over 40 eyes.
Here are the swatches without eye primer.
And here they are over primer.
Big difference. Typically, I use primer on my eyes just to make sure the color pops a little more, stays true longer and doesn’t crease.
Maybelline Color Tattoos are widely available. I see them at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond etc. The new display with the new shades is a bit more difficult to find. I looked for it at Bed Bath & Beyond, and it wasn’t there. It wasn’t in any of the CVS stores I tried either, but I finally found it in a CVS that’s off the beaten path. Go figure.
At CVS, Maybelline Color Tattoos are priced at $7.49 which I think is a little pricey. I’ve definitely seen the regular collection for less elsewhere. I noticed online, that they’re priced at $5.99 at Walmart. Fortunately, at CVS they had a $2 off on $10 spent on Maybelline plus $3 back in Extrabucks, and I had $2 in Extrabucks. So I ended up spending $5.49 each plus I got the $3 credit to use at CVS next time. Not too bad.
I still like the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow line, in spite of the inconsistencies in the creaminess and texture of the formula. I’ve gotta play around with these two some more, especially to try to prevent the blending thing.
Have you tried Maybelline Color Tattoos? What do you think about them?
I bought the gold and purple shades shown above a few months ago and still haven’t broke the seal. Every time I get done with my makeup I remember that I forgot to try them again!
Laura, what was the name of the gold shade that you bought? It wasn’t on the display, and I haven’t been able to find out about the other two that I wasn’t able to get. You should wear them, lol!!
I have had my eye on Vintage Plum! I was at a Harmon’s the other day and I picked up The Nudes palette, and put it down. Picked it up, put it down. All while eyeing Vintage Plum. I can’t believe I left without either one!
That’s funny, Judy, but I know that feeling. I wish we had Harmon’s around here.
Color Tattoos are amazing! Favorite one shadow creams!
I like ’em too, Laura. My go-to everyday shadows!
Haven’t tried the matte colors, but I’m a fan of the tattoo line .. and it’s nice to see that Maybelline is coming out with more colors (yeah!).
Monica
I agree, Monica, I hope they keep expanding, but I wish I could get another Nude Pink, my favorite shade 🙂
I LOVE the Color Tattoos! I would love to see them on with your eyes closed so I could get a better look at them.
Leticia, I took 4 pix with my eyes closed and they were so awful, I just couldn’t publish them. My crepey upper eyelids look so awful that they don’t make the shadow look good at all. So sorry
I haven’t tried many of the Color Tattoos, but I might have to pick up Vintage Plum – it’s really pretty!
It is very pretty, Jessica!
These go so beautifully with your hair color. I didn’t even know that Maybelline was still giving us newer shades. Yay!
Thank you, Brittany! And yes, I think they are permanent additions to the collection 🙂
I tried to find Vintage Plum in my store but sadly it was sold out!
That’s too bad, Mai, it is the prettier of the two shades
I’ve never been able to make these work for me, because I have super oily eyelids.
They look like gorgeous shades though.
Makes sense, Leigh.
I add these to my eyeshadow collection.
If you can get Maybelline in Estonia, Leelo, you definitely should. I think the whole collection is pretty great.
Love my Color Tattoos. Thanks for the swatches!
You’re welcome, April!
The Vintage Plum color is really beautiful, I love plum colors
me, too! I’ve got a bunch but I love the cream shadows 🙂
Vintage plum is gorgeous!!
VP is really pretty, Ange!
Vintage plum looks fabulous!
VP is quite lovely, Honey!
I love these shadow and definitely want more in my makeup collection.
I love ’em too, Sheila. Definitely worth adding to your collection
These look like great shades for fall!
I hate to even think about fall, Cindy, but you are right! They’re part of the Fall 2014 Collection 🙂
I totally love these. I got my mom hooked on them too! Such a great price and they’re amazing quality.
That’s great that your mom loves them too. I agree with you, Justina: good price, good quality!
Without primer they look a bit streaky! I do like the finish of these!
Actually, primer only made them darker and slightly brighter. Because the cream is a little stiff, they can buildup a little streaky. If wish they were just a tiny bit creamier!
It’s funny how products from the same line can have such different formulas. The colors are stunning btw!
Yes, it is, Anastasia!. I think the colors are great, especially for fall.
I like cream eyeshadows too but haven’t tried Maybelline in a while.
They’re worth a try, Kathryne!
Some great Fall/Winter shades
Agree, Kimmi…though I hate to think about Fall/Winter 😉
I use these all the time- they layer beautifully!
That’s great, Stephanie!
I have only tried a few of these…but they work fabulously!
You should check out the new ones, Kendra 🙂
I love these shades! Color Tattoos are the best!
Glad you love the Color Tattoos, too, Brooke!
I love all of the maybelline color tattos
They are a terrific line, Betzy!
I love the Colour Tattoos! To me, they’re the best cream shadows ever and doesn’t budge from my oily eyelids. My favourite is Bad to the Bronze. Gorgeous bronze shade! 🙂
Tine, so glad to hear that you love them, too! Bad to the Bronze sounds gorgeous. I love bronze, and just got a cream bronze from the brand, Jane. I hope you get to see these new shades in Australia since you are approaching spring and these are fall shades 😉
I adore the Maybelline Color Tattoo line!
It’s such a good product line, so versatile. I agree, Lisa!
I have so many Color Tattoos it is nuts. I was a bit disappointed in Vintage Plum though, a bit dry. Pomegranate Punk is my all time fave!
Julie, I think the dryness/creaminess inconsistency is throughout the entire line. My Vintage Plum was not dry at all, but Deep Forest was as you can see from the swatches. I also have a number of other CTs that are dry, and many that are lovely and creamy. They could use a bit more quality control, but I love them anyway!