November 20, 2012

Bobbi Brown Caviar & Oyster Palette Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

The Bobbi Brown Caviar & Oyster Palette is a recently released palette from the new Bobbi Brown Caviar & Oyster Makeup Collection for Holiday 2012.

This limited edition palette features eight shades of eyeshadow as well a Ballet Sparkle Highlighter.

Let’s take a look!

This is a little pricey at $75 considering the eyeshadows are a mere .03 oz each. I haven’t really been comparing my older Bobbi Brown Palettes to the new ones but I do believe the shadows in my older Holiday palettes are far bigger.

The palette was created for stronger smoky looks or soft and pretty ones however, most of the shades are sheerer and more subtle so you might get more softer looks here than stronger ones. The palette caters to a more mature woman who wants to wear a bit of sparkle but not over do it. Considering so many brands warn us against wearing sparkle after a certain age it is refreshing that Bobbi keeps creating shades that older woman can easily wear without over doing it. There are a few bolder shades here that will create a more smoky eye look but the majority of shades are sheer, subtle, and soft. If it’s pigment packed eyeshadows you’re looking for I don’t recommend the Caviar & Oyster Palette. However, if soft, delicate eye looks are your thing I do suggest checking this out.

The collection features a variety of finishes including mattes, metallics, and shimmers. I’m a HUGE fan of Bobbi Brown Shimmer & Sparkle Washes and was pleased to find some in this palette. You’ll want to use a sponge tipped applicator for most of these shades as regular brushes will not work very well with them. I find swiping a sponge over the shades and building the color on lids produces the most dramatic finish. Verses a traditional brush which will have a harder time picking up color here. All the shades produce sheer color with some exceptions, those offer more of a medium color pay pay off. They blend easily enough and produce a nice bit of sparkle…you’ll want to use some of the darker matte or metallic shades as a base and apply the shimmer or sparkle bases on top if you’d like to add a bit of a dramatic Holiday finish to the eye look.

You get the following shades:

  • White
  • Sandy Pearl (metallic)
  • Pink Opal (shimmer)
  • Grey Sky
  • Plum Steel (metallic)
  • Rich Caviar
  • Heather Grey
  • Pearl Oyster Sparkle

Possibly the greatest thing about the palette is the Ballet Sparkle Highlighter. I love Ballet Sparkle Eyeshadow, it’s one of my HG (holy grail) Eyeshadows. Imagine my delight with an entire cube of sparkly highlighter in the shade. The color is a soft baby pink sparkle that produces a luminous glow on cheeks. The best part is you can multitask with the powder so it’ll be good as an all over color wash on lids or on your face and cheeks. Be careful on face as it is extra sparkly so use a fan brush for the lightest finish possible. That’s how I used it on my cheeks below! I think it came out nicely as it wasn’t too disco-ball-like!

The Bobbi Brown Caviar & Oyster Palette won’t be a hot pick for everyone especially if you’re more of a bold kinda girl. But those who want a natural, soft, pretty look for the Holidays I’m sure you’ll enjoy this. I would like a shave off the price tag a little. I do remember Bobbi being a little more generous with the size of her eyeshadows in her past palettes and these are a bit high for what you get. Perhaps $60 Bobbi? Let’s make a deal?

I actually like the palette. I’m starting to get to an age where more natural eye looks are far more flattering. Gone are the days I can wear aqua but I imagine some will be disappointed with how sheer and subtle these are. I guess it really depends what sort of formulation you like in your shadow formula. It does cater towards a cooler skin type though and darker tones might be a little left in the cold with some of these pastel shades.

Dare I say the Ballet Sparkle Highlighter should be a product all its own? I’d buy a full size!

This is available now on at Bobbi Brown counters or online at BobbiBrown.com

Have you spotted at your local counter?

Played with it?

Purchased it?

Do share!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

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

  • GREG’S girl!!!!!

    Hey Muse!! First off, thanx for that little tidbit about which brush to use for shimmer. I have a beautiful color from Lancome but the regular brushes weren’t picking up enough color for me. I’ll use sponge applicators next time. Next, u look pretty with this Bonnie Brown palette. I thought it was blah, got to look at it again!! Lastly, whew!!!!…… u are not old!! U can wear the color aqua if u want!!! Why..????….. cause you’re the freaking Muse, that’s why!!! LOL!! Luv ya and Happy Holidays!!!

  • redlipsblackhair

    You look sooooo beautiful! I hope Bobbi does decide to make Ballet Sparkle available on its’ own – I want it after seeing how pretty it is on you!:)

  • Joanna

    Looks like a great palette but I just dislike that there’s not many matte shadows to balance it out.

  • Kiss & Make-up

    I went to check it out but to be honest I wasn’t thàt impressed with it. It’s a great palette, definitely, but it wasn’t enough to make me want to buy it.

  • Lauren

    I’ll pass. The swatches don’t look that pigmented to me which to me means that it’s not a quality palette. I like shades that are vibrant like the ones that Urban Decay and Too Faced put out.

  • Ruth

    Her pallets are drool worthy until they’re swatched,then it seems like the only thing left is sparkley glitter.

  • Karen M

    I think the colors are pretty but the price scares me away. I just can’t justify spending all that money on one pallet.

  • Suselew

    I’ve never met a BB powder eye shadow palette I have liked. Poor pigmentation and enough already with every palette looking and swatching the same. Her cream eye shadows are nice, but I’m always hoping she will come out with something truly new regarding shadows, but never does.

  • Deb

    This looks so lovely on you, great job with this look! But I gotta say, Bobbi needs to get over herself. Being that woman of a certain age (mature, I believe were your words :), I appreciate her efforts to put forth something that we can wear and not look like we’re trying to be 20 years younger. But somehow, her palettes always fall short. I realize I’m probably in the minority but I find them boring and repetitious. And the price point for what you get is a little over the top these days. Thank heavens for the competition! And big thanks to you, Muse, for doing this review. I was actually considering this palette for the days when I want to do a low key look. You’ve saved me money. Happy Thanksgiving.

  • Monica

    You look very pretty!
    I am guessing this won’t get an A from Temptalia, but as you say, it depends on what you are looking for in an eyeshadow, so your explanation is very helpul. However, I think this is too cool toned for me (I am NC 35ish) which is nice really cuz I am dreading the price tag, in Mexico is absurd them makeup prices

  • Rachel

    The palette is underwhelming, but I’m loving the color on your lips (unless it’s your natural color in which case I’m jealous)!

  • chasity

    Nyx has a pallet called caviar and bubbles (i think) and it has pretty much the exact same colors