Clinique Color Surge Coffee Shop Eyeshadow Duo Review and Swatches

Coffee Shop Color Surge duo

Clinique had a gift with purchase event in May that I took advantage of and the Color Surge eyeshadow duo called Coffee Shop was one of the two choices available for eye shadow.

Clinique describes this combo as "blushing bronze partnered with deep brown", but I'd say the lighter color is more of peachy pink.  The brown translates as a chocolate matte, as the very faint sparkle you can see above does not show up (click on photos to enlarge).  The brown swatched rather patchy, but worked fine as a lash liner, which is primarily what I will use it for.  The peachy pink is a perfect all over lid shade for me and makes for a quick and easy eye look.  I used the foam applicator to apply and found it to be smooth and it clung well to my skin. 

I'm getting the impression, based on these and the Colour in Bloom palette I previously reviewed, that Clinique does mainly "safe" eye colors.  They are muted, soft, and make for a good everyday, work appropriate kind of look.

Clinique describes the duos as "Perfect pairings of in-demand shades, with more of the more-used highlight shade. Deliver creamy, intense colour in one stroke. Comfortably lightweight, long-wearing. Layerable, blendable. Ophthalmologist tested."  I'd debate about the "intense colour" part.  I did think the quality of the peachy pink shade was much better than the shimmer shades in the Colour in Bloom palette.

The Color Surge duos retail for $19.50, which to me seems a bit high for what I'd classify as an average eye shadow formulation.  Now that I've tried those in the Colour in Bloom palette and this duo, I doubt I'd repurchase.  There are better shadows out there, especially in the color selections Clinique features, and at cheaper prices.

Messy updo of the day