When eyeshadows go bad. My Glam Shop eyeshadow update after two years.
I already had an unfortunate incident with some of my (newer) MAC eyeshadows that dried out and became unusable. Now, it’s happened with some of my Glamshop eyeshadows – but worse. So. Much. Worse. Rancid-worse. Ugh.
Glam Shop eyeshadows update: what’s that?
Glamshop is a Polish indie brand that landed on my radar in 2021. I bought around 20 eyeshadows from them in 2021 (review) and 2022 (review). Those were mainly effect eyeshadows: duochromes, multichromes, holographic and super, super sparkly ones. There’s a lot that can be said in favor of the brand: if you’re in Europe, ordering there take taxes and long shipping times out of the equation that makes ordering US or Canadian indies such a bother. They’re also cheap. Really, really cheap. It’s possible to buy eyeshadows for between 1-2 € when they’re having a sale. Multichromes are around 13€. Clionadh sells theirs’s for around 25€ – you see where I’m coming from.
They also have really innovative textures: their Chrystal and their Velvet eyeshadows might be among my most favourite eyeshadow formulas ever.
On the downside, their CS has never been their strong suit. When I ordered there for the last time in 2022, I got a wrong order – and CS tried their best to convince me to just take that order instead of mine. Um, no?! After A LOT of to-ing and fro-ing I got a refund instead.
OG review
“VELOUR EYESHADOWS – our latest formula of shadows offering a shimmering effect on a matte or semi-matte colour base. You can use them to achieve soft and delicate result or build their intensity to the maximum. For best results use GlamGLUE as a base. Apply with a brush or a finger.”
Glam Shop
I LOVED the Velvet/Velour shadows, and collected quite a few of their original line-up. What made them so special is that they give you a satin formula with glitter, but it’s far, far away from the (think ColourPop) obnoxious formula that only gives you fallout. No, these are super smooth and the glitter super fine. They truly look like velvet on your lids.
The Pastel Multichromes seem to have been discontinued, because I can no longer find them on their site. They were what they claimed to be: multichromes, but in pastel colours. They also were on the satin-y side, a bit demure. Not the sparkle-fest you would expect when you hear ‘multichrome’. I was a total pastel kick when I bought them, but was, in the end, not really convinced. They tried to straddle the line, and well, I never found a way to wear them that I liked.
What happened?
Well, one or more ingredient has turned rancid in those two formulas. Now, they smell like cooking oil gone off, and I’m so confused – that’s a phenomenon I’ve only encountered in lipsticks or glosses before.
The chemist who lives in my house told me the reason for the smell is likely the decomposition of the stearates included in the formula or other processes. (Wikipedia)
It sounds logical, though: those effect shadows need some kind of emollient base for their pigments, and sure, they can go off. I’m a bit surprised that I’ve never encountered that in ANY kind of eyeshadow formula before.
I asked CS, and they suggested that they’ve gone off, too – the expiration date on their eyeshadows is 24 months. And that – was that.
Glam Shop eyeshadows update – what now?
I mean I’ll throw them away, obviously – I’m really not in the market for an eye infection. But this is my friendly reminder to a) use what you buy, b) check your stash from time to time (and smell your stuff, too!) to see if it’s still good, and c) remember that those soft, buttery effect eyeshadows usually don’t have a long shelf life.
Still, I’m a bit sad now.
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