Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Color Paints

When I think about waterproof makeup, Make Up For Ever is always the first brand that pop into my mind. Well, they just came out with a new waterproof cream eyeshadow! Available in 20 shades, the Aqua XL Color Paints are said to be water resistant and extra long lasting.

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The range is divided into 3 finishes :

I = Iridescent
L = Lustrous
M = Matte

This product is creamy but quite thick, I wouldn't say that all the shades glide on effortlessly. The iridescent and lustrous shades are easier to work with than the matte hues. But I find that if I prep my eyelids with a bit of eye cream first, the matte colors are more blendable!

Some of these shades (L-14, M-16, M-20, M-24, M-70, M-90) are a bit patchy, but it's not very noticeable from a normal viewing distance.

M-16 and L-14 are less pigmented than the other shades, and applying a second layer didn't work well for me (it flaked off, as you can see on the photo below).

A little bit goes a long way for most colors, these eyeshadows are very pigmented. I don't recommend to apply a generous amount of product anyway because it can flake off. Apply a thin layer, that's all you need. And prep those eyelids with a good eye cream!

The Aqua XL Color Paints are completely waterproof and they don't crease, even without a primer! They don't flake off either, as long as I apply a thin layer.

Left to right : I-12, I-42, I-50 and I-80.

I-12 Iridescent Steel Grey is a medium silver grey with a shimmery finish.
I-42 Iridescent Copper Gold is a coppery gold with a shimmery finish.
I-50 Iridescent Warm Beige is a golden beige with a shimmery finish.
I-80 Iridescent Pink Beige is a pinky beige with a shimmery finish.

Left to right : L-14, L-22, L-30 and L-54.

L-14 Lustrous White is a white with a pearly finish.
L-22 Lustrous Dark Blue is a navy blue with a pearly finish.
L-30 Lustrous Khaki is a khaki green with a pearly finish.
L-54 Lustrous Taupe is a golden brown with a pearly finish.

Left to right : M-10, M-16, M-20 and M-24. 

M-10 Matte Black is a black with a matte finish.
M-16 Matte White is a white with a matte finish.
M-20 Matte Ultramarine Blue is a bold blue with a matte finish.
M-24 Matte Turquoise is a pastel turquoise with a matte finish.

Left to right : M-40, M-52, M-56 and M-60. 

M-40 Matte Yellow is a deep yellow with a matte finish.
M-52 Matte Beige is a pinky beige with a matte finish.
M-56 Matte Taupe is a taupe brown with a matte finish.
M-60 Matte Brown is a warm brown with a matte finish.

Left to right : M-70, M-72, M-82 and M-90.

M-70 Matte Orange is a bright orange with a matte finish.
M-72 Matte Red is a cool-toned red with a matte finish.
M-82 Matte Fushia is a hot pink with a matte finish.
M-90 Matte Purple is a vibrant purple with a matte finish.

Overall, I think the Color Paints are awesome! Yes, the product is a bit finicky. But it stays put all day and the colors are incredibly pigmented and vibrant! I have a soft spot for the pink and the orange.

I wish it came in a different packaging though, anyone else think that a precise and narrow tip like their Full Cover concealer would have been better for this product?

The Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Color Paint retails for $31 CAD for 4.8ml.

(I received these products in order to evaluate them and give my opinion, but rest assured that my comments are always honest and impartial.)