Hey everyone!
Today I’m reviewing 2 shades from the newly launched Lakme Absolute Illusion Pearl eye shadows – Peach Pearl and Gold Pearl. These are limited edition products part of the Illusion collection – the trend statement for Spring/Summer 2014.
Price : Rs 750 for 3.5 g
My take on the Product
I had been super excited to try these as the promotional images starring Kareena Kapoor looked great! I was however slightly disappointed when I tried these – the texture was a little dry, they felt a bit sheer and I had to really scratch the surface of the some of the shades to get good color pay off. They are quite sparkly so the lighter shades look very pretty on the eyes – adding a glistening effect and catching the light. But you need to put in a little effort to get an even, uniform layer of these on the eyes. They also have a bit of fall out – especially the shade Gold Pearl. They adhered fairly well to my lids – the first signs of creasing appeared around 5 hours after application but the shadow held on for about 7-7.5 hours before beginning to fade (without primer). There was minor fall out in my under eye area after a full day of wear. Overall, these could have been stellar products had the texture been smoother but apart from that – they are decent though I would have expected better at this price tag (Rs 750).
The thing about these eye shadows is that they are basically just pearl particles compacted together. They aren’t comprised of a base color carrying the pearl particles dispersed through it. So when you swatch/apply these, you just get a veil of shimmer particles on the skin and very sheer coverage as there is no “base” color. For the same reason, they don’t feel very buttery/smooth to touch. And this is where the description given by Lakme is misleading – “An incredibly smooth oil and powder formulation, that delivers intense color with a delicate shine“. There is no intense color and the shine isn’t delicate – its the reverse! If you are looking for light shimmer on the eyes – either of Peach Pearl or Gold Pearl worn alone would give that effect. But if you want more color and not just shine – a matte/satin neutral eye shadow is needed underneath these to complement the sheer shimmer.
Peach Pearl is a sparkly peach in the pan that translates to a peachy-champagne pearl on the skin. It is a nice shade for an all over lid wash.
Rating : 3.5/5
Gold Pearl* is a pale gold that gives a gold sheen to the skin. It makes a beautiful inner corner highlight and I also used it on my lower lash line to brighten up the eyes. While wearing neutral eye shadows, you could also apply this just on the center of the lid to add focus to that area. This unfortunately had a bit of fall out during application.
Rating : 3/5
Swatches (color layered 4-5 times) –
In this look, I have worn Peach Pearl all over the lid with Gold Pearl in the inner corner, along lower lash line and in the center of the lid –
Overall Verdict
The Lakme Absolute Color Illusion Pearl eye shadows are sheer shimmery eye shadows that add a thin veil of pearly shine to the skin. To get a more intense effect, these need heavy layering and a bit of effort. They are just pressed pearl pigments with no base color so they don’t feel as intense or buttery as one would expect. Even though the shades Peach Pearl and Gold Pearl looked good on the eyes and wore decently well, I don’t love the texture and the basic formulation. These aren’t bad by any means but they aren’t fantastic either. And going my Lakme’s description and the price tag, I expected better.
Peach Pearl : 3.5/5
Gold Pearl* : 3/5
[note color=”#FFE4C4″]Have you tried the Lakme Absolute Color Illusion Pearl eye shadows? Which shade did you like from this range? Share your comments below! [/note]
Disclaimer : *Press sample provided for review. Opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always. Full policy HERE.
43 Comments
You look so so pretty! For the price I guess I’ll skip these though I really liked the color!
This look is so fresh! You look adorable ^_^ The texture doesn’t really fair well :/ :/ though I love the lighter shades!
Very sheer! Agreed! Nice detailed review 🙂 U look gorgeous! 🙂
Such a detailed review. Thank you!
You're welcome!
You look so pretty!
It looks really pretty on you but definitely not worth the price and the claims!
Such duds and at this price. They do look really good in the pan but in the swatch it looks like some local brand.
By the way this pastel look is great on you 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 They do look deceptively good in the pan!
Could you please tell which colour lenses do you use in this and also in your other FOTDs and also the brand.
Hi Sana, I wear 3 tone prescription colored lenses from brand Aryan. I'm wearing the Green ones here and the brown ones you see in some of the other looks are the Hazel ones from the same brand.
Thanks for the reply. Could you also tell which colour s did alia bhatt wore in 2 states as you have experience.
Sorry I don't know which s she might have worn! Haven't seen the movie though from the promo images it looks like a light brown/hazel color.
honest & helpful review again
It gives your eyes a fresh look Ankita, other than that it is so disappointing.. I like highly pigmented eyeshadows rather than shimmery ones..
Same here! Just don't like sheer shadows.
Such gorgeous shades, I really loved them on you 🙂
looking fab
Hey ankita where to get these uuhhmmaazzinnggg lenses online.. I tried bugging into a few sites bt cudnt find them… ps the look is amazing suits u absolutely
Hi, I think you may be able to find them at lenskart.com.
I love how great that lipstick looks on you!
Looking very pretty on you! but at this price range the quality is a bit disappointing.
The colors look promising but the texture n price .. not so much.
These look great on you! and the second photo is a nice change from your usual “photo-face” 🙂
Thanks 🙂
700 for single eye shadow!! Not my pick.
You look fabulous but from the swatch the eyeshadows look tacky and not worth the price tag… Gonna skip this one:) thank you for saving my money
You're welcome!
Looking very pretty anikita :).. Can you please let me know which lipstick you are wearing in the above pics?
Hi Rimmy, I'm wearing Lakme Absolute Gloss Stylist in shade Pink Pout!
U look gorgeous.. nice sheer eyeshadows…but not my take..priced on the higher end.
Whats on your cheeks???? The highlighter..its gorgeous!
Hey Mehak, I am wearing Benefit Coralista blush – its got a bit of shimmer so it gives a nice glowing finish!
They look so pretty although poorly pigmented for the price. Love your clicks and you look beautiful 🙂
I think the shadows wash out on you ! but the lipstick looks fab on you 😀
Thanks for the review 🙂
Thanks!
would skip these ones….
These look great on u. Sad that they’re not worth the price.
pretty shade <3 you look gorgeous <3
u really looking so pretty .. i liked that second fotd.. its so diiferent than ur usual pose……
What an extremely detailed review! This is why I love reading your blog.
“they are basically just pearl particles compacted together. They aren’t comprised of a base color carrying the pearl particles dispersed through it”
Thanks for the review
Superb look and the pastel pink suits you so well
beautiful necklace….you look pretty and lip color is wowwwwww