March 1, 2011

Bobbi Brown Peony & Python Palette Review, Swatches, Photos

Loving purple for Spring? The Bobbi Brown Peony & Python Palette brings the shade to your Spring wardrobe in a wearable selection of six shades.

The shadows are all Bobbi but the case was created exclusively for the collection by Amy Smilovic, design and founder of Tibi.

Check it!


A Spring shadow palette featuring six shades of Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in various finishes.


If you remember last year’s Denim and Rose Palette you’ll pretty much recognize the design of the Peony & Python Palette.

This kinda reminds me of a zip around wallet. It features a “python” skin design and larger blooming purple peonies plus a hang tag featuring the Bobbi Brown emblem on one side and the Tibi one on the other. It’s a very classy piece of makeup. It’s pretty sturdy as well so the shadows housed inside will withstand some jumbling around should you wish to travel with the piece.

Unzip the palette to reveal six shades of Bobbi Brown eyeshadow. The shades are somewhat a rehash and kinda resemble palettes past one of which that comes to mind are the recent Color Strip Palettes.

Bobbi decided to combine pink, lilac, and gray to create equal parts pretty with a bit of an edge. I always find myself wishing Bobbi would put out a few face charts to go along with her releases so I can get a feel for how she envisioned using the palette as I admit I was slightly stumped.

The first row of shadows consists of Opal (soft gray), Lavender (metallic lilac), and Cool Ivory (taupe-y gray matte) and the second row contains Cobra (shimmery deep gray), Plum Orchid (matte royal purple), and Eclipse (matte black).

I paired up Lavender all over my lid with Plum Orchid blended into the outer V for my look below but I’m honestly still brainstorming how to best pair up the gray with purple.

I also got Pale Peony Rich Color Gloss and Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Plum to pair up with the look. I liked Pale Peony alot and thought it looked fab paired up with the palette. The shade is a pale pink that contrasts nicely with the darker shades of shadow. Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in Plum creates a nice full fringe of lashes and gives an nice stain of plum to lashes, you’ll notice it even more on paler lashes.

In my experience the shadows swatch sheer however color builds up well on your eye so don’t let the swatches fool you into believing all the shades are sheer as they do have medium pigmentation and color pay off.


There are a few too many mattes here for me. I’m a sad-o when it comes to matte and always have a difficult time blending them out well. The palette is split into three mattes, one metallic, and two shimmer finishes. It’s a nice well rounded selection of finishes but I wish it contained an easier to blend formula.

The colors are a tad difficult to get down right. I tried several looks but blended out they all came out muddy for me particularly when trying to use the grays with the purples.

The $60 price tag is typical price range for Bobbi Brown but may prove an ouch factor for some.

  • Fans of purple!
  • Bobbi Brown fans (if you love Bobbi I think the LE factor might tempt you here particularly with the Tibi named attached too).

  • Those seeking an easy to create Spring look (I had issues with the colors, contrasting, and pairing them up).
  • Those who aren’t keen on mattes (50% of the palette is a matte finish).
  • Those unwilling to dish out on makeup with a high end price tag ($60 could prove to much to spend for some).


I loved the idea of of the palette however I did find it a little difficult to use. The shades are hard to contrast and even if you decide to depend on the matte shades for lining (which I do think Bobbi intended) that means you’re looking at a mere three eyeshadow shades and one too many liners in my humblest. I love the design and do think that Tibi’s name attached to the palette makes it extra special and lust worthy however I just wish I had better ideas on how to pair the colors up.

What do you think?

Own it?

Planning on picking it up?

Do share it!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Chelsie

    The fact that there are so many mattes in this palette paired with the hefty price tag makes it a total no for me. I can’t wear mattes well unless I top them with something with a little shimmer, which kind of defeats the purpose, no?

  • Melissa

    I was going through my stash the other day to create a matte-ish purple look and holy cow I have a lot of purple family eye shadows more so then nudes or anything else. No more purples for me (today haha) thanks for the review.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure melissa ;-D I used to wear purple ALOT so I’m with you stash doth overfloweth with purples!

  • Phyrra

    I like the look of the eye shadows, but I agree, it would be nice to see how she envisioned the colors to be used together. You look lovely 🙂

  • Quinctia

    I have no interest in any of this (shadows aren’t my shades, especially for that price), EXCEPT I’ve been wanting a nice plum mascara. I really like the color of that one!

  • Melissa

    Actually, I think the eyeshadows look lovely on you. It’s really quite stunning…

  • ioanna

    omg i’m trying my best to forget this palette but i can’t lol! it’s so pretty!

  • Anitacska

    I thought I’d want the palette, but I think I might pass on it. I still need to see it in person before I can decide for sure though. However, I do love the blush that comes with the other set and hope I can find it on eBay because the set retails for �68! Ouch!

  • Nunuiviet

    I did not buy the palette as some people said it was hard to open the zip etc… I love purple lavender colours, but that was the only colour that I like. Plus I have too many extra size eyeshadow from the tartan tale and peacocky collection I need to finish …

  • Courtney

    Random question, what mascara and eyeliner are you wearing in that picture? Looks lovely

    • Courtney

      Okay, duh me. Obviously it’s the BB mascara. What eyeliner though?

      • the Muse

        um courtney it’s a mac kohl, purple one, but can’t think of the name ;-D will update ya shortly with it!

  • Promise

    I just think I’m spoiled on UD eyeshadows! I think $60 is way to much to spend on something that is just so-so. The eyeshadows look very plain. With $60 I could try and get the Jeanius Pink Cult blush that’s sold out, a couple of the MAC Sheen Supreme lippies…some Orly nail polishes….the list goes on and on. lol

  • Musebeliever

    I do love violet so very much ! And I don’t have matte eyeshadows…
    Hum…
    It looks really nice but price tag is still too high for me (Am I hearing an echo here ? o_O).
    I think grey and violet are splendid combinations.
    Just tried a new MU With Money, Bordello and Last Call UD and it works really well ! (Despite the slight blue colour of money.)