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Isn’t it alarmingly easy to get lost while trying to find the right makeup product? One that does the job, ideally many jobs, and doesn’t send your bank account into cardiac arrest. For us, it absolutely is — especially when every scroll brings a new “must-have” launch, each louder and shinier than the last. Keeping up feels like a full-time job.

This is where makeup artist Bina Khan’s Just B Cosmetics Pigment Glow single palettes come in, which might just be the multitasking heroes your mak-up bag has been craving. As for the bank-balance panic? We’ll let you decide once you’ve read on.

Created by one of Karachi’s most sought-after makeup artists, Khan’s new Pigment Glow series features three shimmer shades desi women reach for time and again: Champagne, Antique Gold and Cool Bronze. The idea is simple — products that can be worn subtly or built up, depending on what you’re going for. Each shade can be applied both wet and dry: dry for a “soft veil of glimmer” and wet for a more pigmented finish.

According to the product page, each palette is meant to do more than one job.

The Champagne Pigment Glow, marketed as a 4-in-1 multitasker, can be used as a setting powder for a natural glow, a highlighter, an eyeshadow, and even a concealer and brightener for the under-eye area.

The Antique Gold Pigment Glow works as an eyeshadow, bronzer, highlighter, and can moonlight as a liner when used wet.

The Cool Bronze Pigment Glow, a double-toned hue, is designed to be applied across the eyelid or built up beautifully for an intense look. It can also be used as a graphic liner with a wet brush.

Just B Cosmetics sent us the range of the Pigment Glow products, so we put all three to the test across different skin tones — and here’s what we thought.

Aniqa

Skin tone: Light

I tried Champagne first. I swept the highlighter just above my cheekbones. I went in with a restrained hand half-expecting it to disappear but it didn’t. The glow was subtle but also the kind that catches light when you move around instead of being obvious upfront. It’s perfect for someone who wants a minimal and quietly luminous glow without veering into glittery excess.

For the eyes, I followed the instructions on the back of the box and used Cool Bronze to line my eyelids. While the texture was smooth and easy to work with, the pigment just didn’t live up to what an eyeliner should deliver. I had to layer it more than I’d like, and even then, it lacked the sharp definition I expect around the eyes. It worked technically, but only just.

I layered Antique Gold on top as an eyeshadow, and this is where things redeemed themselves aesthetically. The shade itself was warm and soft, but once it sat over the bronze, the two melted into each other. I wanted to create a deliberate line-and-shadow look, but it slowly dissolved into a single blended wash of colour. Pretty, yes, but indistinct. By the end of the day, it looked like a gentle gradient rather than two separate shades doing different jobs.

Overall, the quality of the products felt good. The formulas are smooth, wearable, and clearly well-made. They transition easily from day to night, too. With a slightly heavier hand and a sharper liner, this is a look I’d happily wear on a night out when I want a touch of glam without going full sparkle. But value for money is where I hesitate. At Rs4,700 per shade, it’s hard to justify when my Rs7,000 eyeshadow palette offers these exact tones and 15 more, and will last me at least a year. These products feel luxurious in isolation, but when placed next to what already exists in my makeup drawer, they don’t quite earn their place…

Rida

Skin tone: Fair

I applied the Champagne shade on my eyes, and honestly, beyond being a very pretty colour, it wore surprisingly well. I didn’t apply it over a base or a concealer, though, and I do think that would have made a difference. After about five to six hours, it started smudging slightly; a layer of concealer underneath would likely help keep it intact for longer wear.

That said, the price point is where it loses me. At Rs4,700, I personally wouldn’t pay that much for a single product.

Siham

Skin tone: Light

I tried the Antique Gold on one eye and Champagne on the other. Zil E and I also used setting spray on our faces, while Rida and Aniqa didn‘t. I’m sure the setting spray played a big role in how long-lasting the product was, but mine lasted till 5am, when I finally went to wash my face and discovered that the product I put on at 12pm was still very much there, just more subtle. That was huge for me, considering product usually fades away after a couple of hours, with or without setting spray.

What I liked about the Pigment Glow is that the colours are flattering — they‘re the kind of colours that suit desi skin and didn’t look harsh or outlandish on any of us. I particularly liked the Antique Gold because for me, it’s the kind of eyeshadow that steals the show and could be paired with a nice eyeliner for a complete look. By the time I took it off, it had dulled down to a far more subtle shimmer, but it was definitely still there.

It was very much a wedding or party look, something that adds a really nice pop of colour to your eyes, one that was long-lasting and pretty. The downside is that I don‘t wear colours like this every day.

To me the price is relative — yes, it‘s expensive for a Pakistani product but whether it’s worth it depends on how much you like the colour and whether you want to buy an entire palette of eyeshadows when you actually just want one or two colours. Having bought multiple palettes over the years, I’ve now realised that I now gravitate more towards getting one or two good colours that I will actually wear as opposed to an entire palette.

Rs4,700 is approximately $16 dollars, and when I think of it that way, that’s not super expensive for an eyeshadow. But then again, the Pigment Glow isn‘t advertised as just an eyeshadow — it’s supposed to be used as a highlighter or glowy bronzer, eyeliner and shimmer as well. The amount of product is indicative of that, because it’s larger than the average single eyeshadow.

Zil E

Skin tone: Medium

I used Antique Gold on my eyelids, added a touch of Cool Bronze to the outer corners, and applied Champagne as a basic highlighter on my cheekbones.

What I loved was that all three shades brought a subtle warmth to my face. They blended seamlessly into each other, creating a cohesive look, something I often gravitate towards while doing my makeup. However, using them as eyeliners didn’t quite work for me. Despite using a wet brush, it just felt like the shades blended into each other, not letting the liner pop the way it is supposed to, so I had to make do with my good old black eyeliner.

As a highlighter, Champagne did exactly what it promised: it sat beautifully on the high points of my face and delivered a subtle, polished glow. My one gripe with the formula, though, was that while it feels buttery to the touch, the product becomes a bit too loose when picked up with a brush. I noticed fallout, not just on the packaging but also on my liner when I applied it to my eyes.

I am also not someone who would wear such shades every day. Being someone who prefers simple, pared-back makeup over shimmer glam for my day-to-day look, I see myself using these palettes maybe once every two weeks. Or maybe every other day during December (iykyk)?

Would I spend Rs4700 on a single shade that I might wear once every two weeks or even less? Definitely not, especially when I can find all these shades and more in the eyeshadow palettes I own.

In 2021, Khan launched a series of lipsticks in five shades which she described as a “love letter to desi women” when Images spoke to her.

Khan’s latest Pigment Glow series might be the answer for desi people who swear by these shades, or for makeup artists who are willing to spend that much money on a single shade for their brides. The question is, would you?