July 3, 2008

Canmake Four Shiny Eyes Review

Canmake is one of my favorite inexpensive Japanese brands. They make pretty nice quality items with a cheap price tag! What more could a girl want right? Right.

I’ve tried many of their items and I’m particularly fond of their very cute eyeshadow trios. They have a series of different shadow selections that range from trios, duo shadows, and various other shimmery, glittery items for your eyes!

I own a majority of the items they sell under the eyeshadow category and I’ve always been very pleased with my collection of Canmake goodies. Imagine my delight when I heard that for the Summer they’d be releasing Four Shine Eyes! The palettes come in three shade choices which are 01 which is an off pink selection of shadows with a brown liner, 02 which is a teal blue green variation with brown liner, and 03 which is a brownish, gold, beige combo with a brown liner.

As I mentioned earlier on in my post the brand is cheap so obviously quality isn’t fantastic however it is good. The shadows in the general catalog are shimmery and sheer but color can be built up and with a little work you can create a beautiful eye look!

Sadly, as much as I adore Canmake I do have to give the Four Shiny Eyes a big thumbs down. I was shocked, surprised, and disappointed with how bad these were. I’ve had great experience with the line up till now so it was a bit of a big let down that something brand new to the line would turn out so poorly.

The design on the Four Shine Eyes is similar to Kiss palettes prior to their revamp. Canmake’s Four Shiny Eyes are made up of two contrasting shades of shadow, a base/highlighter, and a liner all housed in a cute clear crystal case! I was very excited to get my hands on these as they are different and unique to any prior eyeshadow releases I’ve seen come up from the line before!

As you can see below the Kiss palettes are similiar in style to these!

The Four Shiny Eye packaging shows how Canmake has evovled! The packaging is unique to any other palette they carry.

However, my excitement quickly died a quick death when I realized how terrible to texture of these were. Like many Japanese brands these sport a particularly chalky almost creamy texture which makes blending very difficult. Although this formula has never really bothered me in the past I felt like these were quite difficult to work with. The shadow kept balling up on me as I spread it on my lid and the end result was a messy, uneven application.

The staying powder was pretty much non existent considering that within 30 minutes of application the shadow was literally flaking off my eyes into tiny balls. I had major fall out to begin with as I applied and it got even worst as the day progressed. By the time my work day ended I was lucky to have a bit of shadow in place. They creased badly even with a nice layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath!

What makes this even more heartbreaking is the fact that the Four Shine Eye palettes are an awesome and cheaper dupe of Visee Jewel Crush Eye Palettes. The color variations in each palette are almost identical to Visee’s palettes. Each Four Shiny Eye Palette is 680 yen each where as the Visee palettes are 2,300 yen each. These would have made a fantastic little dupe if you were looking for an inexpensive color selection that was comparable to Visee’s popular Jewel Crush Eye Palettes.

Pretty similar to Visee Jewel Crush Eye Palette in E-3!

Colors are a good dupe of E-4!

Almost identical with E-2!

Sadly, even though the colors are similiar the quality is not. The chalky consistency of the formula is made with oily Asian eyelids in mind however they fail dramatically in creating a good shadow and you get a cross between cream and chalk which blends into little balls of shimmer that quickly become fall out on your cheeks and face. In this case Canmake should take a note from Majolica Majorca’s Majolook palettes which sport a similar formula of eyeshadow but one that blends evenly, builds up in intensity, and stays put for hours at a time!

Although most of this was a disappointment I was delighted, as always when it comes to Japanese cosmetics, with the packaging. The cases are tiny, compact, really cute, and easy to store plus they come with a good little face chart in the back of the compact! I love how Japanese cosmetics always give the little extra instructions on use! I wish more American brands would take the time out to give us the courtesy of applying small application tips and tricks onto the packaging of products!

Nifty diagrams make for easy, breezy application!

Although the palettes are cute, inexpensive, and appear to be typical Japanese drugstore findings they fall flat in a major way and I can’t help but give them a big thumbs down! Actually they were so bad I only got around to trying 02 which is the teal blue variation. The other two remain unopened untried. If anyone is interested in them e-mail me at [email protected] as I’m willing to sell them off!

Count the Muse disappointed on these! Don’t waste your time! Pick up some of the older line up from Canmake or save your pennies for other palettes! Although new and exciting in design they sport nothing inside that redeems them!

Watch some MuseTV featuring a spotlight on Canmake!

16 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • loey

    Despite having access to Canmake in every drugstore here in Singapore, I never once picked it up because like you said, they are chalking, and only glittery but not very pigmented. Over here, the money can be better spent on more worthwhile products like the recent Revlon and Loreal palettes.
    The only think I like about Canmake is the packaging, heh.

  • LithiaBlack

    Hello Muse and thanks for the rewiew!

    I owe you an email, will answer it shortly, I have had an hectic week, moving house and trying to keep up withm y job at the same time 😛

    I’m planning to buy some asian eyeshadow palettes in the future, but I have a hard time choosing what brand to start with. I’m planning to try out the cheaper brands first. Wich brand/brands do you recommend ?

    /L

  • Stephy

    hey muse! thanks for letting us know about the quality of these palettes! i was VERY close to actually ordering something from this line when i was browsing through ichibankao last night (because i was lemming the shiseido haku 2 serum)… glad that i didnt!! 🙂

  • the Muse

    Hi Loey!

    I like some items from them 🙂

    Sadly, many Japanese brands sport that chalky feel but these fail at blending well.

    Revlon and Loreal isn’t so great here 😛

    The packaging is cute 😉 I do love some of what they put out but damn these were a huge disappointment 😛

    yak!

    Happy Almost Weekend!

  • the Muse

    hiya Lithia!

    You’re most welcome love. No problem take your time! Thanks for emailing me 😉 I enjoyed putting a face to the name!

    I always highly rec MJ palettes they are simply grand 😉 If you check through my Japanese brands I have tons of palettes listed 😉

    KATE, MJ, Gransebon are some of my favs 😉

  • the Muse

    hi stephy!

    You’re most welcome!

    Don’t. These stink. Some single shadows and trios are awesome but these stink!

    😉

    I haven’t tried the haku yet but the line has intrigued me..do tell me if you get it..love to hear whatcha think!

    Thanks for the comment!

    Happy Almost Weekend!

  • Beauty Addict

    Hi Izzy, thanks for ya review 🙂 I’m contemplating to buy this after seeing it but wasn’t too sure about it. It seems a little crumpy to me when I swatched it from the tester. Glad I didn’t plonked down my money on this.

    Funnily though, it is quite sold out here!

    gracie 🙂

  • the Muse

    morning miss gracie!

    You’re most welcome!

    It was a waste sadly 🙁 I expected more but was sadly disappointed. I’m glad you didn’t waste your $ on it!

    It’s really bad sigh!

    Oh well!!!!!!!!

    🙂

    Hope you are well!

    Happy Monday!

  • ???

    Morning darling!

    it’s a bit sad eh that this didn’t work out, the colours look so promising! >_< Gransenbon is a drugstore brand? or is it a counter brand? I seldom see Japanese mag like popteen or cawaii featuring them, but oh boy, those girls love Kate n MJ 😛 I love Kate too! And it maybe late, but T’estimo is really nice! I just got 2 of their palettes, Layered Impact and Gradually Eyes. Layered Impact is wonderful, no creasing or fading after wearing for 15 hours and without primer or base to boot! Thinking of getting their Grande Shine n Frame Impact while it’s still there! :p loves,
    plue

  • the Muse

    morning plue!

    I’m working on those swatches for you! Should have ’em posted tomorrow!

    They look gorgeous but sadly it’s a meh for me!

    LOL KATE and MJ are pimped heavily.

    Gransebon is a drugstore brand! Love the cute blushes they do =-)

    I Heart T’estimo! *sobs on your shoulder*

    I have all the frame impacts, gradual eyes, etc…I have a few posts about them here!

    I miss the brand so much! Such brilliant stuff 🙁

    do grab them before thy are gone as I definately love those!

    So shimmery and yum!

    Hope you’re well mate!

    Hugs!

  • ???

    i am gonna grab as much t’estimo as i can!!! old is gold! 😛

    oh my, gransenbon is DG stuff? never thought of it, the price in ichibankao is so pricey!! >_< but honestly, their blushes are pretty!! and thanks for the upcoming swatches! will be waiting~~~ and i’m so flattered u follow me on twitter!!!! loads of love,
    plue

  • the Muse

    hey plue sorry ’bout the delayed reply darlin’!

    I agree! old is gold! Haul it, stash it, and grab it while it’s around!

    I know 🙁 she jacks up prices in a mega way!

    awww hehe! I’m new to twitter 😉 And enjoying it. I like tracking friends on it!

    Sorry swatches are late but they will be up shortly hehe 🙂

    Love ya!
    Happy Weekend!

  • mell

    I am reading your post about canmake eyeshadow…..and I have to disagree.
    I LOVE my “glitter eyes” shadows! I have not had the experience with the “four shiny eyes” product you talked about most on here so I cannot say what kind of quality they are.
    What I love about the glitter eyes is that you can essentially sweep a larger blending type brush across all 3 colors and end up with make-up that looks fresh and slightly shimmery. I cant stand it when you want just a hint of shimmer and it comes out super pigmented…like your eyelids are a walking safety reflector.
    When I wear it alone I have a youthful fresh look or you can add other colors or eyeliner for a more chick night out look.
    One question…I have been fortunate enough to have lived in japan or visited frequently…and its only about $5 there…I see the prices here and they are about $16! Is there a good place you can recommend that is somewhat cheaper?

    • the Muse

      hi mell! that’s awesome, glad you like them. I like the glitter eyes shadows as well however the shiny eyes, which this review on, sucks. 😀

      that’s awesome that you are enjoying canmake they have some fun stuff 😀

      sadly no, that’s about the price arounds 😛 sigh. It’s crazy the prices they charge. If I ever find some place better and cheaper I always post 😀

  • Clara

    Oh no, I just bought them today before seeing your post. Horrified already.

    • the Muse

      aw sorry clara let me know how they work out for you, maybe you’ll love!