I like the concept of the Color Tattoo Eye Chromes: metallic cream shadows that don't budge. I just do not like them, though.
Gilded Rose is a metallic pale pink. I do like this one as an inner corner highlight. It is too difficult to work with for anything else.
Beige Luster is a gorgeous light bronze.
Khaki Kool is an olive green with a golden sheen throughout.
Gilded Rose
Beige Luster
Khaki Kook
So, when I first tried these out, I hated them. Now that I have used them more and tried out different methods, I can tolerate them. I don't love them, but I will at least continue to use them from time to time.
Why don't I like them? Well, for starters I expected them to be a lot more metallic than what they are. Once they dry down, they lose a lot of their shine and sheen. Secondly, I find them to be a huge pain to work with. They don't blend well at all, and that bothers me. Once you apply them on the lid, they will not budge or cooperate. The best way to apply them is to pat them on with your finger. Using a brush does not work well at all and using the wand can get a little messy. You also do not want to use a primer with these. It alters the pigmentation and makes them even more challenging to blend out and move the way you want them to.
One layer of Gilded Rose, Beige Luster, and Khaki Kool
I also find them to be uneven and streaky, especially Gilded Rose. It looks terrible when applied anywhere but the inner corner. In fact, the first time I used it, my mom said it looked like a four year old did my eyes. Am I an expert at applying makeup? No, but I do like to think I am better than a toddler. Beige Luster is still a little uneven, but it does look nice on the lid if you are patient with it. I used it today and I actually like the outcome a lot. Khaki Kool is the best of the three in terms of pigment and how cooperative it is. It is a little easier to blend and pair with other colors. For instance, if you get a little bit of Gilded Rose or Beige Luster in the crease, it impacts how well your crease shade blends. As in it will not budge. Khaki Kool has a lot more leeway in that regard.
The texture of them feels like a mousse. They are not sticky or goopy and they feel matte once dried down. I am not a huge fan of the packaging just because things can get a little messy. My tube of Beige Luster has a tendency to get all over the wand and spill over the sides a little bit.
The best thing about the Color Tattoo eye is their staying power. They don't crease or fade at all. Once they are in place, they are not going anywhere. They are some of the longest lasting shadows I have ever used, so Maybelline did something great there.
Like I said, I am not a fan, but I will use them from time to time. Gilded Rose does look gorgeous as an inner corner highlight and if I feel like fighting with Beige Luster, it can look nice on the lid. I do think these will work better as a base for powder eyeshadows.
What do you think of the Maybelline Eye Chromes?