As I look at that picture, I notice that my “All That” palette is not in it. It’s like the “The Godfather” when they couldn’t take the picture without Michael. But I did take it. I shouldn’t have. “All That” is a great palette.

I first discovered Colourpop in 2019 when I was starting out with makeup. I came across the “Whatever” palette, and thought that it was the most gorgeous thing ever. Now it seems that Colourpop has taken over the palette world. If you watch as many eyeshadow collection videos as I do, you know what I mean. People have their collection, and they have their Colourpop collection. Why is this? Is it the quality you get for the price point? Maybe. But BH Cosmetics and Juvia’s Place do it just as well. So what sets Colourpop apart?

Let me itemize the good, the bad and finally the packaging, which I think is it’s own category. But first the basics. You can get Colourpop through their website or right at Ulta. As with most brands you will find more on their site than you will at Ulta, however they do have a decent variety, and there are Ulta exclusives not available on the website. I recommend you sign up for emails, as Colourpop has a lot of really good flash sales.

The Good

Quality. Colourpop has some of the best quality out there. Their formula is solid with only the very rare exception. (Pretty Guardian I’m talking to you. I’m sorry. It was a crappy palette.)

Price. The most expensive palettes by Colourpop are their 30 shade palettes which will set you back $34.00 when not on sale. Given their quality, I think this is an amazing value. The average Colourpop palette retails around $18.00.

Variety. Colourpop is constantly launching something. Even during the height of the Covid pandemic they managed to release two Ulta exclusives. Some people look at this as a negative (I’ll get to that). To me, it just means lots of palettes.

Collaborations. Some of my favorite collaborations are by Colourpop. So Jaded by Kathleen Lights is one of the best palettes I own. (Pains me to say I do not think it is available anymore). And although lots of brands do Disney collabs, I don’t think anyone does it as well as Colourpop. (I have a really soft spot for Disney. For me it really is the happiest place on earth…..so far).

Other Makeup. If you ask me this is Colourpop’s strongest point. There are a lot of brands where I love the palettes, but really couldn’t tell you much else about the brands other makeup. Or even what makeup they have. Do they have other makeup?? With Colourpop that is certainly not the case. Their supershock formula is amazing. There are supershock highlighters, blushes and shadows. Supershock shadows are sold as singles in pots, but occasionally they will show up in palettes. If you are able to wear them, do yourself a favor and get Frog and Ritz. Your welcome. I also feel that Colourpop has some of the best lip products in general, and the best lip oil on the market. Their lip tints are also amazing. The only thing I can say I truly do not like are their base products which don’t work on my dry skin. Bust most base products do not work on my dry skin. I don’t have much to say about their eyeliners except they used to have a great one without iron oxides, but I believe it has since been discontinued.

Sister Brands. Sol and Fourth Ray are both sister brands of Colourpop. Sol is primarily body products. I have purchased a few things including body wash and body highlighter. I thought both products were very good. However, it is their skincare line, Fourth Ray which has my heart. From their eye cream to their vitamin C serum there is really nothing I have tried that I didn’t really like. However, the one product I feel I really have to mention is their face milks. They are so hydrating and smell really good. When I was at the height of my nickel allergy this was one of the only products that truly soothed my skin. I highly recommend you try it. (Keep in mind most of them contain fruit extract.) They also make body milk which I have not tried. Why have I not tried it when their face milk is so good? That is one of the mysteries of life, but I will be trying it soon.

The Bad

Bad is a strong word. Here are some complaints I have heard.

Too Many Launches. I have heard this a few times. Colourpop simply launches too many collections. Why is this an issue? I think people believe that because there are so many launches there is not enough thought put into the collection. Like they are launching to launch. I do not find this to be true. However, I do think because there are so many new collections, some do get skipped over. Every once and a while I will see a palette that I did not even know existed. Is it because there are so many new products that some beauty gurus just skip over certain collections? I don’t know. All I know is that I think the collection that included the Baroque and Ornate palettes was one of the best Colourpop has done, and I did not even know it existed before I one day saw if randomly at Ulta. On the other hand, Colourpopland, which was by far one of, if not the worst collection that they have ever done, was reviewed by pretty much every utuber I watch. Complete with Colourpopland game board and all. For rlz.

Glitter. And glitter. And more glitter. Every, well not every, but a lot of brands do glitter every so often. However, with Colourpop, it is a little overboard. I’m not a fan of pressed glitter. I am less of a fan of matte glitters. They look pretty in the pan but for me that is where it stops. There are not too many Colourpop palettes out there with no glitter. There are, however, too many with too much. (My opinion). I’m a believer that there should be glitter only palettes for those who like them, to use as companion palettes. Leave it out of the others.

Repeat Shades. I hear this about a lot of brands. But honestly, how many completely different shades can you come up with. Some people say Colourpop just rearranges everything and puts it in a new package. I disagree. I will admit that when a brand can get a lot of different colors to work as a color story, it is pretty amazing. But most palettes follow a theme of colors. The bigger the palette the more this will happen. My only real complaint would be repeat shades in a quad. Which I have seen. (That was NOT Colourpop)

The Packaging

This is where my real complaint lives. First, let me say that as far as artwork and design, I think Colourpop has some of the best. (yes I am someone who will buy something for the packaging). Is it really what is inside that counts? While it’s important, it’s not everything. (We are talking makeup not people). I will be a lot more inclined to use something if I like the packaging. I will be a lot more inclined to buy something if I like the packaging. I have bought just for the packaging. (I already said that).

On the surface Colourpop has great packaging. But is it functional. If you have purchased from Colourpop chances are you have opened a palette, only to be wearing the shade, and not on your eyes. The shades fall out of the packaging. All the time. Maybe they should look more into this instead of new launches. I have seen it over and over when watching u tube also. “This shade fell out” or “This shade needed to be repressed.” I have lost the following palettes due to this problem

• Making Mauves
• Going Coconuts (Almost repurchased this one. Almost.)
• In a Trance
• Lilac You a Lot
• Aura & Out
• Ballad

Some were DOA, some I used a little while. All were sadly lost.

Conclusion

I will always make a post about any brand where I am planning to talk about more than one palette. For those of you into makeup, I am sure you know pretty much everything I said. But for anyone who visits this site who is not necesarily a lover of makeup, just looking for something to wear, I hope you found it helpful.

Overall, I like Colourpop a lot, with the packaging being my only issue. How much of an issue is it? Well, every time a pan falls out, I vow that will be the last Colourpop palette I purchase. I say that. Every time. Hopefully I will not have any issues with my You’re Golden palette. Which I just ordered. The other day. 😋