I bought the LUSH Cream Eyeshadow in Sophisticated back in February.
It was to replace another cream eye shadow that I’ve had for ages – I’ve had a chance to wear the LUSH eye shadow in various ways now, here’s a review and comparison between the two.
The old one in question is the TiGi Longwearing Crème Eyeshadow in Brown Sugar:
What? You didn’t know that TiGi made cosmetics? Yup, they do! And their products are fantastic. It’s a shame they’re not more widely distributed – I thought TiGi had stopped producing makeup but it looks like they just revamped the line. I bought this when Trade Secrets was clearing out their whole TiGi cosmetics inventory for 75% off. This cream eye shadow normally retailed for $24 for 4g, but I snagged it for $6.
I’ve had the TiGi Crème Eyeshadow in Brown Sugar for about 2 years and wear it either as alone, or as an eye shadow base for powder eye shadows. It has a slight mousse texture, great pigmentation, and incredible staying powder. It’s one of my go-to products if I want to pack lightly for overnight stays and don’t want to fuss with much makeup. I don’t even need to use an eye shadow brush with this product. A wipe of the sponge tipped applicator over my lids, blend with fingers, let it set and I’m done.
Sadly, this item has been purged since the product has developed a smell that’s a telltale sign of it going bad – it was purged back in July. And even more tragic is that TiGi has discontinued this particular product! 😥
The LUSH Cream Eyeshadow in Sophisticated is a lighter brown taupe colour and perfect for everyday wear. It retails for $19.95 for 5g of product. I knew right away that it wouldn’t be a shade dupe for the TiGi Brown Sugar but a taupe is a taupe, I wasn’t complaining! These are the kind of colours that work well as a single shadow eye look.

It comes in a glass bottle with what appears to be an eyedropper applicator – but the handle is not made of rubber – it doesn’t squeeze at all – it’s just hard plastic and shaped like that for show! The “dropper” is really just a flocked applicator.
LUSH describes this product as:
Creamy, smooth and long-lasting, Sophisticated is a shimmering taupe cream eyeshadow. It blends well with other colors, and can be worn as an eyeshadow, liner, or whatever else you can imagine.
Here are swatches of both:
The LUSH Cream Eyeshadow does not live up to its claim of being long wearing – it doesn’t last at ALL on my lids! Sure, it is creamy and blends nicely but it creases and fades terribly on my eyes. And it happens quickly, within an hour of wearing it on my lids (over eye primer), the cream shadow already shows signs of both creasing and fading. Here are the same swatches as above, after it has set (15 minutes, just to be sure) with a cotton swab dampened with water rubbed across both swatches 3 times:
The LUSH wiped off after the first pass, I did 3 passes just to see if the TiGi would yield. The TiGi is totally budge-proof – any smearing you see in the picture is from the LUSH shadow transferring – the only way to remove it is with oil or cream cleanser. Since I’m stuck with the LUSH, to help prolong its wear time, I wear it on top of a primer and an another cream eye shadow as a base (which kind of defeats the purpose of the LUSH being a cream shadow!), but even then, it fades a lot. It’s a truly disappointing product considering it has really high ratings online, and it isn’t exactly cheap. I would not recommend this! Too bad it’s not a good replacement for the TiGi… I’m keeping an eye out for long wearing cream shadow in a good taupe colour. Any recommendations?
This was my first LUSH makeup product, I’m unsure if I’d buy any more. Have you tried LUSH makeup?
never tried babe ….. xo xo xo walked by the “area” many times xxxx
but i think for me – too messy – xxxxxxx MUAH
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It’s really not that messy. It’s not dripping or runny. I’m just disappointed it’s not long wearing at all!
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u know how i feel about eye – PAHHHHLETTES……. lol there is a Armani One – same style as this – that is killer xo LOVE
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heheehe paLETTES! 😉
I can’t even think about Armani level of makeup. Too spendy, not going to make it a habit! 😛
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Oh man that sucks! I was admiring the swatch thinking that’s pretty I need that and 3 seconds later my opinion flipped ha!
Only the large stores carry their cosmetic line here so I’ve only come across it once in their Oxford street store, I remember trying their loose pigments and j think eyeliners and not being impressed.
Who is called judo?!?! That’s a new one!
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Yeah… it swatched so pretty. But proof is in the performance! I was planning on trying one of their liquid lipsticks – which have good reviews online but I don’t trust the reviews any more!
Judo is the weirdest name. But I think a lot of the “made by” names for LUSH products are nicknames. If I worked there mine would be Stashy, I guess! 😉
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I LOVE your blog so much!! The way you have it set up is too cute!
– https://simplysouthernsparkle.wordpress.com/
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Aww thanks so much! 🙂
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I’ve been always skeptical about Lush makeup products and so I haven’t tried any. You just confirmed my suspicions. I’m sorry about that tho 🙁
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Yes, save your money. I don’t care if it’s natural or whatever, if it’s not going to perform, I don’t want it! 😛
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Preach it, girl! 😂
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I haven’t tried any of the Lush cosmetics. My friend had the bright turquoise shadow that she used as a liner that she really liked.
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I think I’m going to steer clear of the eye products. Might try a liquid lipstick eventually, or one of the face tints.
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OMG I remember TiGi makeup!!! I had a lippie and maybe an eyeshadow? I can’t remember now.
I like the color of the Lush better, but the TiGi is obviously a superior product. What a shame about the Lush.
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I have a bunch of TiGi eye shadows – they’re SO good. I want to track down more stuff.
Yes the colour of the LUSH is really pretty and very wearable. But but poop on the performance!
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I am LOVING this color and cream shadow is totally my jam. I am going to have to invest in one of these once I have a penny to spare. Arg for car troubles!!! So where do I find TiGi? And too bad about the Lush. I had heard such great things!!!
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The TiGi one is discontinued! 😦 So typical, right? The experience with LUSH makes me really question online reviews – they’re all glowing!
Sorry to hear about your car troubles – I hate unplanned but necessary expenditure, ugh! Think of all the makeup you could get with that money instead!
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That’s a shame. I’ve been trying out some Lush makeup and the eye makeup I’ve tried so far really all moves and sits in the crease. It happens quickly too, which is a shame as it’s such a pretty eyeshadow x
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Oh I’m sorry you had similar experience too! Such a shame, it’s a pretty colour and I like how easy it is to use. But if it doesn’t last even an hour on the eyes, it’s pointless!
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I hope you find your perfect dupe for the TIGI. ♥
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Me too! I just enjoy having a easy to use cream eye shadow like this for quick makeup looks.
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The Lush shadow is a pretty colour, but the TIGI shade is stunning! Hopefully you find a cream dupe of this shade soon. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to recommend in terms of affordable cream eye shadows that may have something similar…the only ones that come to mind are the super high end brands like Tom Ford and Dior.
I can’t believe how abysmal the lasting power of the Lush shadow is…it wipes clean off, whereas the other one is still perfectly intact! I’ve been curious about Lush’s makeup range because the packaging always looks so cute and the colours are pretty, but that’s a big NOPE now!
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I very reluctantly purged the TiGi shadow knowing it would be a challenge to replace. Cream products just don’t keep too long. I might check out Sephora to see what they offer.
I just read in an old review from Fleur de Force that she also experience fading on the LUSH cream eye shadow – phew, I’m glad it wasn’t just me!
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Creasing & fading the 2 things we don’t want !!!😖 I love cream eyeshadows more than the powder version but really good ones are so hard to find … It’s too sad for the TIGI, such a gorgeous shade!😢
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I’m currently having a challenge with eye primers – all of the ones I got recently do not work for me. Do you have any recommendations? I think I might just suck it up and buy the Nars. I received a sample of it and it is AMAZING. But I just hate the wand applicator (why can’t it come in a squeeze tube?!!)
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I had no idea Lush actually made makeup! How disappointing that it didn’t deliver – especially for that price.
I see why you love that TIGI shadow – what a gorgeous shade! On a somewhat unrelated note, I have a TIGI Bedhead Curling Iron that I’ve literally had for probably 15 years and I absolutely love it. I don’t know what I’ll do when it bites the dust, they don’t make it anymore. I once paid $40 to have it shipped back to me after I left it in a hotel room. I think I originally paid $25 for it – lol!
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I don’t think all LUSH locations carry the makeup, but I do remember the big launch – I was so excited to try them. So disappointed in this one! I might still try a lip product – I’ll see.
Oh that’s amazing your TiGi curling iron has lasted so long! And I would pay money to have something that I love to be returned to me too – even if it’s more than the value of the item. Well, that curling iron is actually priceless now since you can’t get it anymore. You should check ebay or close-out retailers online to see if they have any!
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Wow! The smearing off test has simply shown perfect. It is so surprising to see Lush eye shadow just wiped off at first swipe. Brilliant pick with the other product
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Thank you! Too bad about the LUSH, for sure!
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Hmm
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The color is gorgeous! Sucks that it doesn’t last long, what a drag.
Bare Minerals makes really great cream eyeshadows- however, they are all matte. If you don’t mind matte then I definitely recommend trying them out!
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I didn’t know Bare Minerals make cream eye shadows! I’ve been hearing so many great things about their newer non-mineral powder makeup (like their tinted moisturizer). I do recall hearing good things about their eye primer. Might need to check them out. Thanks for the rec!
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Love the shade but sad it’s not long lasting. I’ve been to Lush several times and swatched their makeup stuff but I havent really bought anything from their makeup collection yet. I find it a bit pricey. (thecheapme)
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Yes they’re OVERpriced. Save your money! 😛
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Oh yeah! I’ll buy more Jesse’s Girl instead.. Haha
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Sorry, can’t help you there. I have not discovered any bullet proof cream shadow. I have only found the Bourjois colourband (eye shadow + pencil all in one) to be surprisingly hardy. http://www.bourjois.co.uk/catalog/make_up/eyes/eyeshadow/color_band
I had no idea that Lush had a make up line (and I’m in London). *LOL* Too bad that it ‘wipes’ off. Creasing and fades is like a double whammy fail… better luck next time 😉
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Thanks! I’ve not tried the Bourjois – it reminds me of the Sephora Jumbo liners!
I know, the creasing and fading just mean thumbs down with both left and right hands! 😛
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I haven’t tried any LUSH makeup products, but based on this I don’t think I’ll try them any time soon. Beautiful swatch but bummer that it isn’t long wearing as it is supposed to be 😦
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Yeah if it can’t hold up on the lids, who cares about the pretty swatches! Boo on this. 😛
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