Claims: 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette | Pressed Powder Shadows | Three Finishes | Neutrals with Pops of Color | Cruelty Free
Size: 0.03 oz. x 12 or 0.36 oz.
Price: $16.00
I recently placed an order at Ulta and decided to pick up one of the pressed shadow palettes from ColourPop to try out. From the few that were I offered I decided to pick up the ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette to try out. If you want to know if I think this palette is worth it and to see swatches check out the video below or just keep scrolling!
About ColourPop
Before we talk about the ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette let’s talk a little about ColourPop first shall we? ColourPop was founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, California. ColourPop prides itself on providing quality cruelty free products for prices that won’t break the bank. ColourPop originally sold their signature Super Shock Shadows and Lippie Stix but branched out to liquid lipsticks, pressed shadows, concealers, and now even brushes. The ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette is one of many palettes that you can purchase from ColourPop.
About ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette
The ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette is a 12 pan eye shadow palette that contains four of ColourPop’s finishes. Six of the shadows are matte, three of the shadows are metallic, and three of the shadows are metallic duochromes. The palette has some neutral shades, some deep red shades, and some pops of color making it a palette that can make quite a few different looks. The shadows in the palette are ColourPop’s pressed shadow formula which are supposed to apply evenly and be long wearing. The packaging is a cardboard palette with no mirror that comes in a cardboard outer carton. Both the palette and the outer packaging have the names of the shadows on it. Note that this palette is a bit on the smaller side, you can see a size comparison in the video above. Let’s look at some swatches shall we?
ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette Swatches
Row 1 of the palette contains Feels which is a opalescent pink in a metallic formula, Late Night which is a copper in a metallic formula with a gold duochrome finish, Silk Street which is a purple based fuchsia in a matte formula, and Rayon which is a dark coral in a metallic formula with a blue-green duochrome finish.
Row 2 of the palette contains Go with the Flow which is a true peach in a matte formula, Subdue which is a lavender in a metallic formula with a blue-green duochrome finish, Opulent which is a true fuchsia in a metallic formula, and Labyrinth which is a dusty pink in a matte formula.
Row 3 of the palette contains Blank Canvas which is a deep maroon in a matte formula, Sea Stars which is a yellow-brown in a matte formula, Details which is a smoky burgundy in a matte formula with pink glitter throughout, and Peace of Mind which is a burgundy in a metallic formula.
ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette Review
The first thing that I want to talk about is the quality of the shadows. The above swatches are all with just one swipe across the hand and the shadows swatch amazingly and they apply to the eyes with a brush just as well. However, I found both when swatching and using the palette that the first two rows are very still and kind of dry. The third row is super buttery, smooth, and easy to work with and if it wasn’t like that you probably wouldn’t think anything of how stiff the first two rows were, especially for that price but when one row is so amazing it kind of brings the other two rows down. I also want to mention that the pink shade and the burgundy shades not only have staying power but they have staining power as well. You’re going to want to make sure that you have a really good eye makeup remover before using those shades. As for the wearability of the shadows I found that they applied well, blended well, didn’t become muddy, the neutral shades worked well with each other and with the pops of color as well, and the matte and metallic formulas worked well together as well.
Final Thoughts on the ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette
If the ColourPop Element of Surprise Palette were more expensive than the $16 it retails for I would not recommend it due to the inconsistency of the first two rows compared to the third row. However, for the $16 price tag, and especially if you’ll be purchasing other items from ColourPop and / or Ulta to get free shipping, I highly recommend it. It’s a palette that can be used for everyday looks, night out looks, and looks with pops of color. If this sounds like a palette that you need in your collection then I say go ahead and get it!
Have you tried ColourPop yet?
If you order through ColourPop use this link to get $5 off your first order. If you order through Ulta make sure to use your Ebates to get 3% cash back. If you don’t have Ebates sign up here.
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This is a pretty palette, but it’s too bad that it has inconsistencies between the shadows.
I was sad about it as well.
Great review! I have only a few of the ColourPop pressed shadows because I prefer their original creams for my dry lids. It seems that every brand has a red/orange palette out now. Since I don’t want red on my already red eyelids and I have several palettes with peaches and oranges, I’ll pass on this. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading about it and seeing the swatches. For $16, it is still a steal. Interesting to discover that the butteriness/stiffness was so varied within the palette.
$16 isn’t bad for it, I for sure wouldn’t pay over $25 to $30 for it. I prefer their Super Shock Shadows as well.
What a bright palette. I doubt I could pull this off at my age. I’ve found with CP that the products in the palettes are hit or miss but the price does make up for it.
I agree for the price I’m willing to put up with some stiffness.
I do like Colourpop products, but I will pass on this one because I don’t need anything that’s dry or inconsistent in my life. LOL!
I know those feels lol
I’ve found the ColourPop eye shadow palettes to be very hit or miss. I love my GIve It To Me Straight palette but are other that were just meh.
I haven’t tried that one yet, I’ll have to see if I get it in my April Boxycharm and if I don’t I might pick it up!
That is such a cute palette, but ti’s a shame to formula is so mixed.
The packaging is amazing. All of their palettes have great packaging as do their collaborations.
Love the shades in this palette – great Spring shades
They really are!
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It’s good that I looked at your swatches because now I can tell for sure that it’s not for me! The photos on their website make it look rather neutral with two pops of color, but there’s actually a ton of very warm shades in there that I wouldn’t wear.
It’s too bad more of the shadows weren’t up to par. I keep forgetting Ulta has ColourPop!
This palette looks great!
I wish this palette was a little more consistent. I think I’ll stick with some of ColourPop’s other palettes instead.
I generally love Colourpop but this palette is def not my favorite though I do like SOME of the colors. Nice review regardless!