Clarins The Essentials Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
My Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette ($45) review is a little late as it was released for Holiday 2013 but it’s such a timeless eyeshadow palette you likely won’t mind my lateness getting this review to you!
Take a look!
Clarins The Essentials Eyeshadow Palette contains ten natural, nude shades of shadow which are a generously sized 0.04 oz each. The palette comes in a hard cardboard shell with a wrap around elastic to keep in closed and small dual sided shadow brush for application. The actual shadow tray removes completely from the box which makes life easier when applying as you don’t have to deal with any excess packaging. It also means you can use all the shadow and maybe store trinkets or smaller brushes and makeup inside well after the shadow is used. Clarins also includes a simple clear sheet overlay with a diagram and a recommendation for color placement on lids to create your looks.
This is really the first time I’ve seen Clarins do a palette this large. Typically they release quads of eyeshadow but never something this big. For the most part the finish across the board is satin but there is a matte in there as well as a few frosty shades. Overall all of them blend out very well with a soft, buttery texture and excellent pigmentation. The lightest matte shade was a little sheerer and crumbly but with a sponge eyeshadow applicator I was able to use it easily.
I think this palette could be in danger of falling to the side simply because its been done before with Urban Decay as well as a variety of other nude, natural palettes we’ve seen lately but personally I loved it. I like the idea of having ten shades of eyeshadows in one place that all flatter my eyes. At one time in my makeup life I hated brown and felt it terribly boring but as I get older I really appreciate having a multitude of beautiful browns, bronzes, beiges, and other natural shades to create looks with as they are classic, timeless shades that work well for me.
I also feel like Clarins brings plenty of pigment to the table with the Essentials Eye Palette but also doesn’t over do it. Mind you I LOVE the pigmentation of Urban Decay’s formula. It is outstanding…! But Clarins has more of a softer more delicate finish in comparison and when you’re up in the morning and your eye bags are flying high for all the world to see and your concealer just isn’t cutting it, well, softer shades are your very best friend.
Needless to say this gets a Muse Approval.
Clarins is a little too underrated sometimes and doesn’t get nearly the recongition other higher end brands do. The Essentials Eye Palette is proof of the quality the brand can create.
This is gorgeous palette will make a welcome addition to any beauty junkies wardrobe.
You can grab it now at Nordstrom.com.
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