It’s about the colors. Honestly, if you grew up in the eighties or the early aughts, that specific palette of powder blue, lilac, and "Cotton Candy" pink is basically hardwired into your brain. My Little Pony makeup isn't just a gimmick for kids; it has become a legitimate sub-sector of the beauty industry that high-end brands and indie creators take surprisingly seriously. We aren't just talking about cheap lip glosses found in a bargain bin. We are talking about pigments that actually perform.
People often assume that "character" makeup is just about the packaging. They think it's a cash grab. Sometimes? Sure. But when you look at the history of collaborations in this space, you see a weirdly dedicated commitment to color theory and nostalgia-driven marketing that works. It’s that hit of dopamine. You see a palette with Rainbow Dash on the cover, and suddenly you’re ten years old again, but this time you have a credit card and better blending skills.
The High-End Shift: When Equestria Hit the Runway
For a long time, My Little Pony makeup was strictly for the "play makeup" demographic. Then things shifted. Brands realized that the "Brony" culture and the massive millennial nostalgia wave meant adults wanted these products too.
Take the ColourPop x My Little Pony collection from 2017. This wasn't a "lite" release. It featured a 12-pan pressed powder palette, Super Shock Shadows, and highlighters that actually lived up to the brand's reputation for high-pigment payoff. The shades weren't just random; they were named after specific ponies and lore elements, like "Sunbeam" and "Skydancer." This set a precedent. It proved that you could take a "childish" IP and turn it into a sell-out collection for serious makeup enthusiasts.
Then you had PUR Cosmetics jumping in for the 2017 movie release. They dropped a 16-shade palette that came with a built-in mirror and featured finishes ranging from matte to high-shimmer. Critics at the time, including reviewers from Allure and Refinery29, noted that the quality was surprisingly "pro-level." The highlight was the "Mane 6" brush set. It featured synthetic fibers that were actually soft and functional, not just plastic-y props. It was a moment where the industry realized that the "cute" factor didn't have to sacrifice the "utility" factor.
Why the Colors Actually Work for Modern Trends
Pastels are notoriously hard to formulate. They get chalky. They disappear on deeper skin tones. This is the technical hurdle that My Little Pony makeup has to clear every time.
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If you look at the color story of a typical MLP-themed product, it's a masterclass in the "Pastel Goth" or "Soft Girl" aesthetic that dominates TikTok and Instagram today. It’s about that balance. You have these airy, ethereal lavenders and mint greens that are perfect for a wash of color across the lid.
- Saturation Matters. Modern collabs use micronized pigments to ensure that a baby blue doesn't just look like white flour on your face.
- Iridescence is Key. Most pony-themed highlighters rely on "duochrome" technology. This means the powder looks white in the pan but shifts to pink or violet when the light hits it. It mimics that "magical" sheen we associate with the toys.
- Texture Overlap. We see a lot of "jelly" textures in these lines. Think of the GLAMGLOW #GLITTERMASK My Little Pony treatment. It was a firming mud mask packed with actual glitter. It looked ridiculous in the best way possible. It was social media bait, but the underlying formula was their standard, high-performing firming complex.
The Indie Scene and the "Retro" Pony Craze
While big brands like ColourPop and PUR handle the modern iterations, the indie world is obsessed with the "G1" (Generation 1) aesthetic. This is the 1980s look. The ponies were chubbier, the colors were slightly more muted or "dusty," and the art style was more painterly.
Indie brands often do "inspired by" collections to avoid trademark issues, using names like "Friendship Palette" or "Magic Horse Collection." These are often where you find the most interesting formulas. We’re talking about handmade multichromes that shift through four different colors. Small-batch creators know their audience. They know that a 35-year-old collector doesn't just want a sticker of Pinkie Pie; they want a shimmer that reminds them of the glitter on a 1985 "Starflower" pony’s rump.
Beyond the Eyes: Nails and Skin
It isn't just about eyeshadow. China Glaze released a My Little Pony collection that featured some of the most sought-after shades in the nail polish community. "I Sea Ponies" was a holographic silver that people still hunt for on eBay. "Kill 'Em with Kindness" was a soft yellow that actually leveled out without streaking—a literal miracle in the nail world.
Fragrance also plays a role. While less common, some limited-run perfumes try to capture the "scented pony" nostalgia. If you remember the "Sweet Shoppe" ponies, you know that smell. It’s a mix of synthetic strawberry, vanilla, and "new plastic." Recreating that in a sophisticated way is a niche but thriving corner of the "kidcore" beauty movement.
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The Ethics of the Glitter
We have to talk about the "plastic" elephant in the room. A lot of these nostalgic collections are heavy on the glitter. Historically, that meant microplastics. However, as the beauty industry moves toward sustainability, we’re seeing a shift. Recent "pony-inspired" launches are more likely to use synthetic fluorphlogopite (lab-made mica) or biodegradable glitter. It’s a necessary evolution. You can’t really market "friendship and magic" while dumping a ton of plastic into the ocean.
How to Wear It Without Looking Like a Toddler
The biggest misconception? That you have to go full "Costume Party" to use My Little Pony makeup. You don't.
The most effective way to use these palettes is "Color Popping." You do a neutral, sophisticated brown or taupe look, then you take that bright "Rainbow Dash" cyan and pop it right in the inner corner of your eye. Or use a bright purple as a winged liner. It’s subtle. It’s a "secret" nod to your childhood.
Another trick is the "Monochromatic Wash." Use one single pastel shade—let’s say a soft peach like Applejack—and sweep it from the lash line up to the brow bone. Keep everything else minimal. No heavy contour, just a bit of mascara. It looks editorial. It looks intentional. It doesn't look like you got into your mom's vanity.
Real Examples of Iconic Collections
If you are looking to collect or buy, these are the ones that actually made a dent in beauty history:
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- ColourPop x MLP (2017): The gold standard. The "My Little Pony" palette is still considered one of the best pastel-adjacent palettes the brand ever made.
- PUR x My Little Pony The Movie: Known for the "Glow Stick" highlighters which were creamy and didn't break the foundation underneath.
- Wet n Wild x My Little Pony (G5): A more recent, budget-friendly option that focused on the newer generation of ponies. The sponges and brushes were the standouts here.
- Tarte (Inspired releases): While not always official, Tarte’s "Make Believe in Yourself" collection was clearly pulling from the same "magical equid" energy, using kaleidoscopic packaging and iridescent finishes.
What to Look for When Buying
Don't just buy for the box. Look at the ingredient list. If a palette lists "Petroleum" or "Mineral Oil" as the first ingredient, it’s probably a "toy" grade product and will smudge within twenty minutes. You want talc-free or high-quality mica-based powders if you want them to last through a workday or a convention.
Also, check the "Eye Safe" warnings. Some of those bright pinks and purples use pigments that aren't technically FDA-approved for the immediate eye area (they are often labeled as "Pressed Pigments" rather than "Eyeshadows"). This is usually because they can stain the skin temporarily. If you have sensitive eyes, stick to the shimmers and lighter pastels.
Making the Look Last
To make these colors pop, you need a white or very light base. Pastels are translucent. If you put a light purple on a bare lid, the natural veins and redness of your skin will dull it down. Use a dedicated eyeshadow primer or even just a bit of fair-colored concealer. Set it with a translucent powder first, then pat—don't rub—the pony colors on top. This "packing" motion keeps the pigment dense.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Look
- Audit your current stash. Look for "hidden" pony colors. You probably already have a "Fluttershy" yellow or a "Rarity" purple in different palettes. Combine them into one look to test the waters.
- Start with the inner corner. If you're nervous about bright colors, use a shimmer shade from a My Little Pony collection as an inner-eye highlight. It’s the easiest way to incorporate the aesthetic.
- Check the resale market carefully. If you are hunting for the discontinued ColourPop or PUR collections, use sites like Mercari or Poshmark, but always ask for photos of the "batch code" to ensure the product isn't an expired fake.
- Experiment with "Liner Mixing." Take a bright pony eyeshadow, dip a wet angled brush into it, and draw a precise line. It’s a more "grown-up" way to wear neon.
- Focus on the finish. If you want the "pony" vibe without the logos, look for "duochrome" and "iridescent" finishes in any brand. It’s the finish, not just the color, that creates that magical effect.
The intersection of makeup and My Little Pony is really just a celebration of color and unashamed joy. It’s one of the few areas of beauty where "perfection" takes a backseat to "fun," which is probably why we’re still talking about it years after the initial hype died down. Use the colors. Wear the glitter. It's just makeup.