I spend hours upon hours scrolling through TikTok for two main reasons; to get a good giggle or two in before bed and to add the latest viral beauty products to my basket (if they aren’t already sold out, which is usually the case). Over the past year, we’ve seen the likes of everything from the NYX Shine Loud Lip Gloss to KVD Beauty’s Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm go viral in just a matter of hours. I’ve basically made it my mission to try and get ahead of the game with the latest trending beauty products.
So when I came across TikTok Makeup Artist Mikayla Nogueira talking about an eyeshadow she was obsessed by (with more shades than you could imagine) I was intrigued. The first of several videos shows Nogueira talking about her recent purchase of 17 dazzling eyeshadows that look like glitter pigments, but are actually shimmery eyeshadow flakes. And when I discovered that the product was formulated by an indie brand in the UK, I was even more invested. Enter: Kaima Cosmetics Chameleon Eyeshadow Flakes.
I was more than ready to check out with my chosen shades after watching Nogueira’s reviews, but it seemed as though everyone else had the same idea. All shades of the eyeshadow were sold out for weeks—I’m not surprised, they’re a literal TikTok sensation—but as soon as they restocked I jumped straight onto the website and hit the jackpot. I purchased the Chameleon Eyeshadow Flakes in Monarch (£9), the Chameleon Eyeshadow Flakes in Limelight (£9) and the recommended Glistening Pigment Mix (£6) which I’ll explain in more detail later.
But were they worth the hype? Keep scrolling for my honest review.
Vanese Maddix wearing Kaima Cosmetics Chameleon Eyeshadow Flakes in Monarch.
The Chameleon Eyeshadow Flakes are described as the ultimate product for glitter lovers with unique flake pigments that don’t use harsh glitter particles. Unlike other forms of glitter particles, these are said to be soft, lightweight and comfortable to wear. As for the application? It’s quite a unique process. To begin, you take the Glistening Pigment Mix, place two small drops into a bowl and then mix together with your Eyeshadow Flakes until it’s evenly mixed. Once it’s mixed together, you should be left with a lightweight glitter mix. Taking a small flat brush, slowly begin to paint the mixture onto your eyes and build up as you desire—make sure to let it set until it feels dry on your eyes.
I have to admit it took me a couple of tries before I managed to get the flakes and the mix to work together. On the first two attempts, the mixture became soap-like which I think was due to not enough flakes being added to the mix. Thankfully, on the third try, I felt like a pro. I began by blending some of my Lime Crime Eyeshadow Palette Venus III (£35) into the crease of my eye and the lid for a base colour. I then popped some of the flake mix onto a small eyeshadow brush and began painting it onto my eye and, wow… It’s not often that I’m lost for words when it comes to trying out new beauty products, but this one really got me. The finished look is something out of a dream—popping glittery specs that look like they’ve taken hours to put on when in fact a few simple swipes do the job.
One thing I will say is that the flakes do feel slightly heavy when first applied—not the kind of heavy where you feel as though you need to take it off, but more so you’re aware that something is on your eyes. I found that after an hour it settled down and felt lightweight like a usual shimmery eyeshadow. In terms of how long it lasts, I found it to be super long-lasting without any budging. While there was a bit of glitter fallout upon application, it never fell during the duration of me wearing it. This is a product that I highly recommend you try if you’re looking to add a hard to miss sparkle to the eyes. Each shade is really unique with a pop of colour. Believe me, even the raving reviews don’t do this justice—these eyeshadows are seriously worth their viral status.
This shade offers intense reflects of purple, pink, salmon and gold for a glistening eye look.
This is the ultimate green of dreams which incorporates reflects of yellow, orange, green and hints of turquoise for the perfect twinkle to your eyes.
Trust me, you’ll wish you’d added this sleek palette to your collection sooner. Each shade offers high coverage pigment and transforms into pearlised liquid foils as you’ve never seen before.
This is another TikTok-Approved product that dazzles in a flash
Stila always gets it right when it comes to bringing the jewels to your eyes.
This incredibly long-lasting sparkly blue eyeshadow by e.l.f brings the sparkle to your eyes in seconds.
This unique eyeshadow comes with an olive green primer on one end and a golden-pink shimmer topper on the other end for a hard to miss sparkle to the eyes. You’ll have to be quick if you fancy adding this to your collection as sadly BECCA sadly closes at the end of the month. Up next: I haven’t worn eye shadow in months, but I tried my hand at colourful eyeliner.
