Bright Duos: Elementary & KIKO’s New Baked Eyeshadows

KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadows in 06 Golden Ivory – Bronze, 15 Shimmery Mauve – Metallic Burgundy, and 21 Metallic Jade Green – Shimmery Ash

Have you ever seen Elementary?

Well, in case you haven’t, it’s a TV series featuring a modern-day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson.

Nope, that’s not a typo. Dr. Watson is a woman – and let me tell you that I love the idea!

I especially love it because she’s not just Sherlock’s sidekick, but they have a very equal partnership, as friends (no romance, I promise!) and detectives.

They’re an exceptionally bright duo, and I highly recommend the show if you’ve never seen it.

Speaking of bright duos… Did you know that KIKO just recently launched a new range of baked eyeshadows called Bright Duos (they’re available in most markets, but the US will have to wait a little longer, I think)?

I’ve tried three out of the 24 available (06 Golden Ivory – Bronze, 15 Shimmery Mauve – Metallic Burgundy, 21 Metallic Jade Green – Shimmery Ash), and, well, unfortunately, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson are the only bright duo I highly recommend…

KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadows swatched wet. L-R: 06 Golden Ivory – Bronze, 15 Shimmery Mauve – Metallic Burgundy, 21 Metallic Jade Green – Shimmery Ash

Wanna know why?

KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadow in 06 Golden Ivory – Bronze

KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadow in 15 Shimmery Mauve – Metallic Burgundy

KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadow in 21 Metallic Jade Green – Shimmery Ash

For starters, the KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadows (£8.90 each) are supposed to be used either dry or wet, but I find that it’s hard to pick up any product with a dry brush, so I always use them wet. Problem is that when used wet, the shades are almost impossible to blend together to get a nice transition.

Also, since these are called ‘Bright Duos’, I was expecting the colors to be… well, brighter! #21 Jade Green looks pretty dull on the lid and the #15 Shimmery Mauve – Metallic Burgundy duo gives a very unflattering bruise effect.

06 Golden Ivory – Bronze is definitely my favorite, but unfortunately it’s not particularly long-lasting (even on top of the NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base).

Wearing the KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadow in 06. I’ve used Bronze all over the lid and along the lower lashline, and Golden Ivory in the inner corner. On the lips I’m wearing the YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats in 201 Orange Imagine

Mind you, the KIKO Bright Duo Baked Eyeshadows are not terrible, but these days we’re so spoiled by affordable brands that I was definitely expecting something more. Who knows, maybe the other shades perform better?

Have you tried any of these? Did you have more luck than me? And do you like the idea of Dr. Watson as a woman?

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