If you’ve been eyeing a rainbow eyeshadow palette that delivers on pigment and payoff, ColourPop’s Roy G. Biv is worth a closer look. Named after the classic mnemonic for rainbow colors, this palette packs 12 bright shades into a compact, mirror-friendly case. We put it through swatches and a full wear test to see if it lives up to the hype for bold makeup looks.
Roy G. Biv
Whether you’re a seasoned color lover or just dipping your toes into vibrant eye looks, this ColourPop rainbow palette aims to make rainbow artistry accessible. We tested the formula, blendability, and staying power so you know exactly what to expect before adding it to your cart.
First Impressions and Packaging
The Roy G. Biv palette arrives in ColourPop’s signature slim, cardboard packaging with a large mirror inside—handy for on-the-go touch-ups. The palette holds 12 shades arranged in rainbow order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, plus a few extra tones like a bright pink and a shimmering gold. The pans are generously sized, and the outer design features a playful rainbow graphic that matches the theme.
One thing we noticed immediately is the mix of mattes and shimmers. There are 8 matte shades and 4 shimmer-metallic finishes, giving you flexibility for both all-matte looks and glammed-up versions. The palette feels sturdy enough for travel, though it’s not magnetic if you plan to depot shades.
- Tip: Use a tacky eye primer to boost the vibrancy of the lighter mattes like yellow and orange.
primer
Swatches and Pigmentation
We swatched each shade on bare skin and over a white eye primer. The matte red, orange, and purple shades delivered rich color in one swipe, while the yellow and light green needed a second layer for full opacity. The shimmers—especially the gold and the blue-toned violet—were buttery and intense with minimal fallout.
The formula feels creamy to the touch but dries down to a powder finish. The darker mattes, like the deep indigo and black-113146">black-based violet, blended out smoothly without patchiness. For a ColourPop rainbow eyeshadow palette, the pigmentation is impressive, though the lighter mattes benefit from building up gradually.
- Swatch tip: Use a damp brush for the shimmer shades to get maximum metallic impact.
Wear Test: All-Day Performance
We wore a full rainbow eye look for 10 hours without touch-ups. The mattes stayed vibrant for the first 6 hours, then showed slight fading on the inner corner by hour 8. The shimmers held up better, with minimal creasing or migration—especially when set with a setting spray. We tested the palette on two different eye primers: a tacky white base and a standard concealer. The white base made colors pop significantly more and improved longevity.
One shade that stood out during the wear test was the bright pink, which held its intensity even after a full workday. The yellow, however, faded faster and required a primer boost. Overall, the Roy G. Biv wear test shows it’s a solid performer for day-to-night bold looks, especially if you prep your lids properly.
- Pro tip: Pair the palette with a ColourPop Jelly Much Eyeshadow Stick in a neutral base to simplify blending and add staying power.
Creating Bold Makeup Looks with This Palette
The rainbow layout makes it easy to create gradient eye looks, cut creases, or pop a single color on the lower lash line. For a bold look, try a red-to-orange sunset eye on the lid and a blue-to-violet wing underneath. The mattes blend together well, though we recommend using a clean brush between colors to avoid muddying.
If you’re new to bold makeup looks ColourPop style, start with a simple halo eye using the gold shimmer in the center and a matte purple on the outer corner. The palette also works for colorful liner looks—just wet a thin angled brush with the darker mattes. For a full rainbow effect, layer shades from lightest to darkest on the crease.
- Look idea: Combine the red matte with ColourPop’s Hyper Shine Glossy Lipstick in Tankini for a monochromatic pop of color.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Pros: The palette offers excellent value for the price, with 12 shades that cover the full rainbow spectrum. The shimmers are high-impact and the mattes blend well with a little effort. The compact packaging and mirror make it travel-friendly. Cons: Lighter mattes like yellow and green require building up, and the palette lacks a true white or black for mixing. Some users may find the cardboard packaging less durable than plastic.
Overall, this Roy G. Biv palette review confirms it’s a great choice for anyone wanting to experiment with color without investing in multiple single shadows. It’s not the most beginner-friendly due to the learning curve with lighter mattes, but with practice, it delivers stunning results.
The ColourPop Roy G. Biv palette is a fun, pigmented rainbow option that performs well for bold looks when paired with a good primer. While the lighter mattes need a bit of patience, the shimmer shades and overall color payoff make it a worthy addition to any adventurous makeup collection.
