More cream eyeshadows to compare! Let’s look at two more liquid-based cream eyeshadows, which come in a squeezy tube.
Learn how to make more critical comparisons between two products when choosing between two options, whether you’re in decluttering mode, considering a new purchase, or have been tempted by something new and shiny!
Danessa Myricks Rustic vs. Smashbox Sienna
The Analysis
| RUSTIC Danessa Myricks | SIENNA Smashbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Color | Medium copper with moderate, warm undertones–leaned slightly more orange than red. | Medium-dark copper with moderate, warm undertones–leaned slightly more red than orange. |
| Pigmentation | Opaque | Opaque |
| Texture | Soft, moderately emollient, slightly dense | Thin, velvety, lightweight, budge-proof finish once set, quick to set |
| Longevity | It started fading after 10 hours | It started creasing faintly after 8.5 hours |
| Application | Applied well dry and could be used with a dampened brush | Applied well dry and could be used with a wet brush |
| Accessibility | Primarily online only but wide global distribution and carried at larger retailers | Online and in-store, worldwide distribution and took at larger retailers |
| Price/Size | $18.00/0.34 fl. oz. | $22.00/034 fl. oz. |
| Packaging | Squeeze tube | Squeeze tube |
Reasons for Danessa Myricks Rustic: The biggest plus for Rustic is its multi-use product (and functioned well as such) and can be used as an eyeshadow, blush, and lip product. It is vital as an eyeshadow and blush, though it was surprisingly good as a lip product for those who like more liquid lipsticks that dry down. The formula is quick-drying but retains some blendability after it is dried chiefly down, and it is exceptionally long-wearing with more fading than creasing at the end of the day. It’s very pigmented, where a little goes a long way, so it is ideal for someone looking for more opaque effects. I think this formula will work better for someone who prefers using brushes over their fingertips (fingertips work well, but brushes edge them out, in my experience). This finish is less matte and sometimes sits better on my skin.
Reasons for Smashbox Sienna: I think the formula is easier to sheer out for those who prefer more semi-sheer to medium coverage in a cream eyeshadow. It has less of a learning curve concerning pigmentation than Rustic, as Sienna is pigmented but doesn’t require as much care not to over-apply it. The finish is also very matte, so this is better if one wants a highly matte finish. As it was more velvety, I found that this product seemed slightly more fingertip-friendly for application than Rustic, so using fingertips for a thin layer of cream eyeshadow might be more suitable (by a fraction!).
Editor’s Pick: While I thought they were fairly comparable, Rustic was my clear pick. It outdid Rustic every day; it was more pigmented, versatile, affordable, and longer-wearing. Both formulas had some learning curve for me, but after working with the Danessa Myricks matte Colorfix, they can be beyond stunning after getting the hang of it (a few uses at most).
Bottom Line: Rustic came out as a superior product, so I think the ability to see Sienna in-store more readily might be its primary advantage, followed by its sheer matte finish.
