Ever since I got into beauty, eye shadow has always been one of my favorite makeup products. I just love how eye shadow can add a bit of dramatic color and definition to a normal look, and it just makes things more fun. This is certainly old news by now, but when OG green beauty brand, RMS Beauty finally came out with pressed eyeshadows, I immediately placed an order. Now RMS has a few more pressed powder products, but previously the cult beauty brand solely offered multi-use cream-based products. If the pressed eyeshadows were anything like my favorite RMS cream-based products, I knew they’d be something worth having.
RMS’ eye shadow products are called Swift Shadows after the brand’s founder, Rose Marie Swift. The Swift Shadows consist of 18 shades, sold individually in simplistic, white compacts. The eyeshadows are split into six color categories with names inspired by black and white T.V. shows from the 1960s. RMS states these shadows were created, “for those who prefer powder instead of cream eye shadows,” and “for quick and easy application.” I personally, think cream eyeshadows are quicker and easier to use than powder, but who knows.
Swift Shadows are $20 each (2.5g) at RMS Beauty, also available at The Detox Market, Integrity Botanicals, Credo Beauty, and Safe & Chic.
Check out the specific ingredients depending on the eye shadow shade on RMS Beauty’s website, and more specific ingredient details here.
Though it was extremely hard for me to choose only a few Swift Shadows when I really wanted to purchase the entire collection, I ended up picking five shades. I selected shades that not only stood out to me color-wise, but were also fitting for what I’d actually wear, and weren’t exact repeats of colors I already own. It’s no surprise I was naturally drawn to more neutral-toned shades. In general, the Swift Shadow formulas are nice: very pigmented and buildable, not drying, and there is no extreme powder fallout. However, I did find the eyeshadow formulas were a bit inconsistent for two of the five eyeshadows I purchased.
I was initially drawn to the Garden Rose color category, which are pink-toned shades. Out of the three in this color category, I got two: GR-12 and GR-19. GR-12 is described as a dusty rose shade, but I like it because it’s definitely more of a neutral, tan, copper with a super subtle hint of a rose-base. In the pan, it looks a bit similar to another shadow I got, TT-71, though definitely different in color when applied. It is also incredibly smooth and easily blendable. GR-12 is one of my go-to shades for any look, and I’ve gotten quite a lot of use out of it.
GR-19 is definitely a more obvious pink-toned eye shadow, it’s described as a shimmering pink shade. While I think it has some opalescence, I don’t think it’s any more shimmery than the other shadows. GR-19 is more of a pale, almost pastel-dull pink shade. I don’t exactly love how it looks against my skintone, so I don’t reach for it that often. I was expecting something a bit more of a deep rose tone, and perhaps something with an interesting sparkle.
Enchanted Moonlight, (L to R:) EM-64, EM-68
The next color category I really liked was Enchanted Moonlight, the purple/burgundy shades. EM-64 is described as a plum mauve, which is exactly the kind of color I normally gravitate towards. I like that this shade has a deep plum-hued base, while the mauve adds in a hint of neutral. This is a color I like to use to define the hollows of my eyes and use for a smoky-eye effect. However, EM-64 gives me the most powder fallout out of all the Shift Shadows I have, though the formula is just as smooth and blendable as the others.
EM-68 wasn’t a very practical color choice for me, but I was so drawn to this deep lavender shade, I couldn’t resist! It’s described as a pure violet/amethyst color and when applied, it has a really pretty subtle shimmer to it. I like that this eye shadow has a blue-ish hued base, it unique for a purple color and I think makes it a bit more wearable rather than a true bright lavender. I don’t wear this color often enough, but it’s definitely one I use to have fun with and it’s perfect for a night out!
Tempting Touch, TT-71
Lastly, I really loved the Tempting Touch color category, beige and tan colors, however I resisted getting too many of these because I already have so many similar eyeshadows in this color family. I settled on one from this category, TT-71, described as a warm cocoa shade. While it is a true, light-golden tan shade with some nice shimmer, this has the worst texture. Every time I apply this shadow, it gets chunky and is extremely hard to blend, it does not have good pigmentation nor smooth texture. This one also has a bit of powder fallout. I was disappointed with this TT-71, and honestly the shade isn’t anything too special.
Swatches from top to bottom: GR-12, GR-19, EM-64, EM-68, TT-71
Overall, I really like the Swift Shadows I purchased. With the exception of TT-71, all the shadows have a supremely smooth, blendable, and hydrating formula. I love the strong color payoff and the subtle hint of shimmer. My oily lids do not hold the shadows, but I normally pair with an eyeshadow primer or use concealer on my lids if I know I need longer lasting wear. I only wish that RMS Beauty would have created a magnetic, reuseable packaging system such as Kjaer Weis’ products, or simple eyeshadow pans that could be added to a magnetic palette such as a Z-Palette. I find the Swift Shadows individual plastic packaging to be wasteful and a hassle, especially if I want to use multiple at a time, or bring a few of these with me on-the-go. (There is now one eyeshadow trio-palette that RMS sells.)
That said, if you’re looking for eyeshadows that are high-quality, smooth, and long-lasting, with a clean formula and in a variety of beautiful colors, definitely try out RMS Beauty’s Swift Shadows. Fingers crossed RMS will do something about the packaging!
Wearing a combination of all shadows: GR-12 and TT-71 as base, EM-64 in crease, GR-19 and EM-68 blended and layered over the base/middle of lids.
Have you tried the Swift Shadows from RMS Beauty? What eye shadow colors are you usually most drawn to?
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