Remember when the first baked eyeshadows emerged hot and fresh out the beauty ovens way, way back in 2008? The big department store lines were popping them out faster than you can say, “I’ll take two red velvet cupcakes 
with extra frosting on the side.”
Three years later, the trend lives on! Budget versions of these sturdy baked beauties, which tend to resist water a little better than traditional shadows, have now made their way into drugstore makeup aisles.
And some of them work just as well as their pricier department store cousins. Take Milani’s Marbleized Baked Eyeshadows ($7.49 each), for instance.
Milani Marbleized Baked Eyeshadow in Mix It Up
New for spring, these six pretty pans, which Milani baked on Italian terracotta tiles (fancy!), steal a page out of MAC’s book. Like the more expensive MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows ($19.50 vs. $7.49 for these), they’re infused with multiple powder shades, except that here, in Milani’s Marble line, the colors are stirred together (and not kept apart like in a duo).
They can be applied wet or dry, but in either case, I like to use an eyeshadow brush with a compact head and firm bristles to minimize shadow fallout.
And fallout does seem to be a minor concern with these. When I wear Mix It Up, a silvery black with teal glitter, I detect a light dusting of renegade shadow at the corners of my eyes and beneath my lower lash line, but it’s nothing compared to some baked shadows that leave freight trains of shimmer all over my clothes and cheeks.
I feel like they aren’t the easiest shadows to blend, especially around the edges, but the fact they last all day long without creasing offsets the issue for me.
Even though these cost less than $10 each, Milani wasn’t stingy with the pigment. The Milani Baked Eyeshadows deposit loads of color, probably enough for most hard core makeup enthusiasts, and two layers applied with a MAC 217 produces a sooty smokey look worthy of sky-high sexy heels and a tight black dress.
Swatches of Mix It Up applied dry (left) and wet (right)
Additional makeup worn in this look: Jouer Powder Blush in Rose on cheeks and NARS Lipgloss in Sweet Revenge on lips
New to baked eyeshadows? Try these tips to improve your results.
- Use a flat, firm shadow brush with a small brush head. I like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25) when applying shadows that deposit some fallout, like many baked eyeshadows do. When fallout’s a concern, I get better results with brushes like the 239 than I get with fluffy brushes like the MAC 217 ($27), which distribute shadow over a wider area.
- Press to apply. This applies to other shadows as well, but with my firm eyeshadow brush, I use a gentle pressing motion (as opposed to a windshield wiper motion or small circles) to pack the shadow onto my eyelids.
- Start with a creamy base. A wet, creamy product will give powder shadows, including baked ones, something to adhere to, and I get better results with them than I do with non-creamy primers.
At $7.49 each, these are well worth the price. I can’t wait to check out the lighter colors like Drench in Gold (a shimmery gold) and Fusion (a purple, gold, brown and pink). They should look really pretty paired with fun pink or coral lips. 🙂
PRICE: $7.49 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at large drugstores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
If you believe in love, sing!
The other day on the treadmill my iPod randomly brought up Rhythm Nation, and I’ve been on a Janet kick ever since.
My BFF Jen and I were huge Janet fans back in the day. I’ll never forget going to see her in concert and losing my voice from singing and screaming like a fool the entire time.
Remember Love Will Never Do (Without You)? It’s so my jam today. The video was directed by photographer Herb Ritts. I love the imagery of the desert…and the half naked hotties (Antonio Sabato Jr. and Dimon Hounsou) prancing around, LOL!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
oh my those are lovely! i have a slight allergy to mineralized eyeshadows but … if i grab a couple of those and they dont work out, i wont feel it so badly in the wallet!
🙂
Hi Nina,
I’m thinking of snagging a few of the neutral ones. They should be pretty as a wash, yah?
I hope they don’t irritate your eyes!
i hope they dont too! and yes – the neutral ones seem like a lovely overall lid color! 🙂
Ooh, or how about layered on top of a creamy golden pencil?
awesome idea! i need a pick me up today! 🙂
I do too! It’s raining like crazy out here and I need something sparkly in my life to dull the weather pain, hee hee!
What a gorgeous color!
I did a Janet Jackson flashmob in December with a couple of girlfriends 🙂
That sounds like a blast! What song did you guys dance to?
It was a mashup of Rhythm Nation, Nasty Boys, All for You, and What Have You Done for Me Lately. Only the best of Miss J!
How fun! I love Rhythm Nation… I remember having the hardest time trying to do 5-4-3-2-1 finger countdown at the beginning of the video.
Thank you for weighing in Karen, I was curious about your opinion on these shadows. I love when drugstore makeup rivals department store in quality! I’ve also been admiring the Milani Baked Blushes but I think they may be too glittery for me.
Also, Janet Jackson came recently to my neck of the woods for a concert and you should have seen the frenzy. The paper showed pictures of everyone from grandparents to toddlers dancing around wildly.
Jessi (Lacquered, Painted, Polished) recently posted … MAC Cremesheen Glass Partial to Pink and Loud & Lovely swatches and a comparison
Hi Jessi,
I’ve heard that the Milani Baked Blushes are pretty good. If you end up trying them let me know if they’re any good. 🙂
Oh, I bet that concert was a lot of FUN!
This shade and application looks lovely on you!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Ha Ha – I have that same sweater youre wearing in your picture! Love it!
LOL! Did you get it at Express a few years ago? I also have a brown version of it around here somewhere…
I think I did get it at Express. When I first got it, I was like a little kid and wore it at least once a week!
This dark color looks really nice on you! I like when you pump it up with darker shadows, they look great on your eyes. I’ve been wanting to try one of these for months but CAN NOT find them anywhere! There was a light green I wanted to pick up but couldn’t find! I haven’t seen any. This one wet looks so nice, I want!
Liz recently posted … OPI- Houston We Have A Purple
You look really beautiful in your picture. I personally have never tried any Milani products before. I have no clue why, but someday I am sure that will change though.
I never hopped on the baked eyeshadow bandwagon, but I absolutely love this color! hehe, maybe it can be my first one 🙂 I like that smokey eye you’re rocking!
Makeup Morsels recently posted … The Wednesday Wigeon No16
Girlfran you look great with that shadow! Your skin in the closeup pic looks great. No purple under those eyes! Your concealer looks great coverage and looks very natural. Here, here, pip pip! Good show. Don’t think I’ll be investing in Milani’s shadow, though. HOWEVER, their cream to powder compact is the best I’ve seen in a lonnng time. I use it for touch ups when I’m out and about.
This looks stunning on you! It reminds me of the Too Faced Galaxy eyeshadow (without the swirl!)
Gotham Polish recently posted … It Takes Pure Energy to Roller Blade!
You look marvelous darling!
Tracy recently posted … My Beauty Lemmings March 2011
This is such a pretty shade.
Phyrra recently posted … The Faerie Cloudberry
Oh man. I’m not normally a drugstore girl, but the picture of that shadow wet is making me jump.
Hello, I’m a new fan and love your blog!
Linden recently posted … The Secret To Dewy- Youthful Skin That Glows- Exfoliation!
Mix It Up is such a gorgeous color when applied wet! I really like the macro shot of it in its pan too.
Soo recently posted … tokidoki Sodashop Palette
This looks great on you! I have one of these already (a pretty pale golden color, like 25% of the eye shadows I own, lol) but I haven’t played with it much yet. I’ll use your tips!
Oh, that color should look really pretty layered on top of something like MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl!
I don’t own that. I’ll have to check it out! 🙂
How beautiful are these?!?! 🙂 They are stunning!
Jen recently posted … Review- Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Foundation FOTD
I know! And they’re pretty affordable, too.
What a gorgeous color, especially wet!
Silva recently posted … China Glaze Ruby Pumps
I love how the teal really comes through when it’s applied wet.
That’s such a beautiful shades, especially when used wet. Looks great on you too!
Thanks, Gio!
I love Herb Ritts. One of my photographer pals is a big fan of his and I used to flip through his books at photo shoots (product shoots). My fave JJ song, back in the day, was So In Love. It reminds me of my HS bf. 🙂
These look great on you, but I think I’m better with more sheer pigments (being a bad blender and all). My Givenchy comes in tomorrow – hopefully before we head out of town. I’m very excited! Oh, and on a sad note, we’re going to see the Caps game and found out that my #1 guy won’t be playing. I think the moms are as upset as the kids. 🙁
That’s a bummer. Did he get hurt? If you have his jersey around you should wear it to show your support!
It’s been a nagging injury (the speculation is wrist, but they don’t like to say). They want him to rest for the playoffs and, sadly, picked now. One of my boys is the only one with his name on a jersey, and he’ll definitely be wearing it. The rest of us will just have on regular Caps stuff. The kids want to make signs, so maybe we’ll work in a supportive line. 🙂
No joke I was looking at these at the store but decided to wait until you reviewed them – you’ve always got our backs girl! My question is, is that glitter? The sparkly aspect? That was what was giving me pause at the store.
Hi Melissa,
Yup, it’s glitter. The thing though is it’s very fine — it’s not big and up in your face!
OK good, I might give it a go then 🙂 Thanks Karen!
I never purchase drugstore makeup with the exception of nail polish. I will have to try this color. It looks amazing on you BTW! 🙂
I have heard so many nightmare stories about this product, but you’ve worked a wonder! These seem so much better when you apply it correctly. I’m going to follow your advice and try these out. Thank you so much!
Dizzy recently posted … Japan
omg, this post just encourages me to start applying my eyeshadow wet more often. I always forget how much more intense a color can be compared to being applied dry! I might have to give a few of these a try. That Mix It Up is goooorgeous
Me tooooo. I never even tried because I forget that its an option.
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thanks! i’ve always wondered about them but never picked them up. gorgeous wet too! ohh and i remember that song, hehe, watching it on tv when i was younger
Hazel recently posted … Audio
Hello Karen,
If you have MAC pigment in Deep Blue Green. Could you please do a comparison? I think the colors are similar.
Hmm I have a question, what do you mean to “apply it wet” with water?
hi Jen,
I know I’m not Karen, but I might be able to help! water can be used to apply eyeshadow wet, but you can also use mixing mediums for the staying power. I know MAC makes different kinds and so does MUFE. I like to use MAC Fix+ sometimes even though it’s not actually meant for that. I also like Liquid Sugar which is good for applying loose eyeshadows. it comes in a cute little bottle (and is more affordable than MAC/MUFE), is odorless, and just looks like water. I just wet a clean brush with it then dip it into whatever eyeshadow I want to apply wet. hope this helps!
Soo recently posted … tokidoki Sodashop Palette
I bought a couple of these the other day since they were so pretty and I couldn’t resist temptation anymore. They seriously do not disappoint.
Ran out.. Bought this… and I hate it. So sad. I wish it looked the same way it does as it looks on you. Oh wells. Only $7 🙂
Fefe recently posted … Photography- Attempt Numero Uno
Hi Fefe,
Hmm, maybe we can find a way to make it work for you. What brushes did you use? Also, did you try it layering a sticky, creamy base beneath it?