Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shimmer Shadow & Liner Review

Sometimes you luck out with a cheap, drugstore purchase and sometimes you don't. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shimmer Shadow & Liner unfortunately falls into the latter category. I received this palette for Christmas and while it looks quite pretty, it turned out to be a bit of a dud.

I'm clearly not the only person disappointed in this product as it appears to no longer be available, at least not in the format I have. Physicians Formula now sells an eyeshadow palette that seems very similar to what I have, it just has slightly different packaging and fewer colour options in the palette. Oh, and the new product uses "Extreme" in its name.

There's nothing "extreme" about the shadow Santa brought me. According to its packaging, this product can be worn wet "for dramatic, intense colour with ultra long-lasting wear" while wearing it dry creates "a softer result."

It's true that adding water does amp up the drama (as well as turn the shadow into a liner) but it's like going from a whisper to your indoor voice. The pigmentation just isn't there and you have to really layer this shadow on to get any real colour. And once it's on, it doesn't last, even with a primer. This is one of those pesky eyeshadows that all too quickly disappears off one's lids, leaving just a light reminder of its existence under your eyes.

It's such a shame because the idea behind this product is great: One palette that creates three distinct looks. Nine colours are coordinated into three themes — natural, playful and dramatic — with each trio having a liner, a base and a highlighter. Of course, you can mix and match the various colours as well, creating tons of different possibilities.

I haven't tested out the Extreme version of this shadow so maybe the formula's been improved and now actually stays on one's eyelids. According to its product page, this newer version is "highly pigmented" so maybe that's been improved as well. Maybe...

The new, Extreme version of this product comes in six attractive and very wearable colour sets. While I think the packaging on my shadow is prettier, the new version is fine. Both versions comes with a cheapie brush that won't wow you but it does get the job done.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Extreme Shimmer Shadow & Liner retails for around $15 and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart as well as other mass retailers.

Would I buy the Extreme version of this product: No; I feel burned by the earlier generation.

Should you buy the Extreme version: Honestly, there are so many other palettes out there that I just can't recommend taking a risk on this one, even if it is a drugstore cheaper.