We swatched all 30 Milani Bella Eyes Gel eyeshadows, for YOU!
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Bella Eyes Gel Powder – Milani Eyeshadow Swatches, Looks and Review
Gel powder?! What kind of magic is this? And for only $3.99?! Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce Milani’s Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows!
With their range of colors, limited edition products, and constantly evolving line of formulas, all at budget-friendly prices, Milani Cosmetics lets us indulge without the guilt. Their products are at the top of our list of drugstore makeup must haves – always keeping us pretty happy and happily pretty.
One of the latest color collections from Milani are these Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows. They have a brand new formula; a gel which turns into a powder, and promises a smooth, rich application with a “multi-dimensional finish.” While it’s definitely different than your regular pan of powder eyeshadow, it seems more like a slightly dampened powder.
Of all of the brands and formulas of eyeshadows that I’ve tried, I would guess that the Bella Eyes Powder Eyeshadow comes closest to would be a hybrid of a baked eyeshadow and MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows, in terms of pigmentation, sparkle, texture, and application. Bella Eyes shadows are not as smooth, pigmented or shimmery as MAC Extra Dimension shadows, and they’re not as “damp/moist” or soft as L’Oreal Infallible eyeshadows. But they do a pretty nice job for under five bucks a pop! Bella Eyeshadows can be applied wet or dry.
There are thirty shades in three finishes of Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow available, in “satin matte” (really more like satin finish), shimmer and metallic finishes. Let’s take a look at some swatches and I’ll chime in on the ten shades I tested.
Grays and Blacks – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Black, Bella Charcoal, Bella Gray, Bella Silver
from bottom: Black, Charcoal, Grey and Silver
Bella Black – satin matte
Bella Charcoal – shimmering
Bella Gray – satin matte – A pretty and versatile medium gray/light gunmetal blend.
Bella Silver – metallic sheen
Greens – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Emerald, Bella Khaki, Bella Teal
from bottom: Emerald, Khaki and Teal
Bella Emerald – shimmering
Bella Khaki – shimmering – a fun glimmering khaki green
Bella Teal – metallic sheen
Blues – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Navy, Bella Cobalt, Bella Sky
from bottom: Navy, Cobalt and Sky
Bella Navy – satin matte
Bella Cobalt – satin matte
Bella Sky– shimmering
Shades used: Champagne, Gray and Navy
Purples – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Purple, Bella Violet, Bella Pink
from bottom: Purple, Violet and Pink
Bella Purple – satin matte
Bella Violet – shimmering
Bella Pink – shimmering
Pinks – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Fuchsia, Bella Rouge, Bella Rose
from bottom: Fuchsia, Rouge and Rose
Bella Fuchsia – satin matte
Bella Rouge – metallic sheen
Bella Rose – highlighter, shimmer
Shades used: Gray, Diamond, Purple and Rouge
Tip: Bella Rouge, a metallic magenta, is just SO FUN, but magenta eyeshadow can be a little risky. Pairing it with neutrals or grey, and placing Bella Rouge in the outer-V area can keep this color looking fashionable, not freaky. Of course, I went a bit bolder to show you the shade…
Browns – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso, Bella Cappuccino, Bella Caffe
from bottom: Taupe, Espresso, Cappuccino and Caffe
Bella Taupe – satin matte – This one is a really nice, neutral basic.
Bella Espresso – satin matte
Bella Cappuccino – satin matte
Bella Caffe – satin matte – Another good subtle basic, especially for the workplace.
Shades used: Champagne, Copper, Diamond and Taupe
Bronzes, Coppers and Golds – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Mandarin, Bella Bronze, Bella Copper, Bella Gold
from bottom: Bella Mandarin, Bronze, Copper and Gold
Bella Mandarin – satin matte
Bella Bronze – metallic sheen
Bella Copper – metallic sheen
Bella Gold – metallic sheen
Shades used: Taupe, Copper, Diamond and Navy
Neutrals – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Sand, Bella Champagne, Bella Ivory
from bottom: Sand, Champagne and Ivory
Bella Sand – shimmering
Bella Champagne – shimmering – A nice wash of color for on-the-go days where you just want to brighten up the eyes a little.
Bella Ivory – satin matte
Whites – Bella Eyes Gel Powder by Milani Eyeshadow Swatches
Bella Chiffon, Bella Diamond, Bella White
from bottom: Chiffon, Diamond and White
Bella Chiffon – highlighter/shimmer
Bella Diamond – highlighter/shimmer – I didn’t detect much shimmer, it’s a nice sheer white.
Bella White – satin matte
I felt like the metallic shades had slightly better color payoff than the satin-matte ones, but even then, a good eye primer and using a dampened brush (or a sponge tip applicator, or your fingers) was needed to really get vibrant color transferred onto your lids.
The lasting power was about average – there was a little fading by the end of the workday. I like that the packaging lets you easily see the color of the eyeshadow inside, although the case is a teeny tiny bit bulky for the amount of shadow.
If you want a fun, inexpensive way to try some bold colors, without worrying that you’ll go overboard, these Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows from Milani are a good option. Also, with Halloween coming up, these are good costume makeup options!
we heartsters – Which color of the Bella Eyes do you want to try first?
Want to WIN a new Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow from Milani? They are celebrating the launch of the newest collection by giving away 30 shadows in 30 days (though 10/01/14) – up to 300 winners per day!
photos: we heart this, swatches shown on NC25/30 skin tone
I tested the satin matte Bella Cappuccino and was so impressed with the formula. The finish has a soft gleam and the color payoff is good. The color is a nice neutral that would look good on practically anyone. My only complaint is about the pretty packaging– it’s hard to open! Hopefully the catch will loosen up in time. I would never guess this was drugstore shadow. Once again, Milani holds its own with department store brands. Based on these beautiful swatches, I can’t wait to check out (and buy) more from this collection!
You have got to check out this line if you have not already! Seriously, for $3.99, you will not find a better gel powder –I got to try Bella Bronze and Bella Pink. They are rich and vibrant in color and so easy to apply.. It goes on as smooth as ever. I have no idea how they make this stuff, all I know is you’ll be missing out if you pass it by, they are worth getting your mitts on them! So many colors too.. love it! It can be used wet or dry!
I tried the Bella Fuchsia #26, it is a very pretty, pinkish violet shade that had a subtle shimmer to it. This is not a color I would normally go to, but it was fun wearing something a little unexpected. The shadow was silky and easy to apply. When applied dry, the shade was a little lighter than I thought it would be, but when I used a wet brush, the fuchsia became much more rich, just beautiful. This color ended up being very versatile and says summer to me. Milani always has fantastic beauty products and these gel eye shadows are winners. Now if I could only decide which shades to buy.
I love the look you created with the Bella Rouge–striking, but still wearable. I tried the Bella Purple; the shade made my green eyes look brighter, and overall the shadow did a good job of staying on my oily lids. The texture was like buttah, and applied so easily. I haven’t tried it wet, though–that’s my next step, along with picking up another shade (or two).
I tested the Milani Bella Diamond, and although the color was not for me, I was impressed with the color pay off and quality texture for such an inexpensive shadow!
I will definitely try this line for other colors!
Pretty, pretty, pretty! I love that Milani not only produces new formulas on the regular – they always have a TON of new shades too. Great job on swatching these @Stef – I want like half of them now! Most especially Black, Emerald Navy and Taupe.
And @lipglossandspandex I adore the look you did with Champagne, Gray and Navy – a smokey eye with edge! Love it.
I received an email advertisement from Milani when this was released. I picked up one when I saw it in my local drugstore for the first time. It is awesome. The matte color doesn’t look as flat as you would think. Have you seen their new ergonomic liquid eyeliner pen?
I tested out the Bella Silver and it’s a really pretty, shimmery shade. It’s not too much sparkle and a decent amount of pigmentation. I am amazed at the array of colors and for the price you just can’t beat the quality that Milani produces, can’t wait to try more!
DROOL! I’m still playing with mine! Xx
The pink color eye makeup you chose looks amazing!!