Bare Minerals The Affair to Remember Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

The new Bare Minerals The Affair to Remember Eyeshadow Palette ($40 at QVC.com) is a new Ready 8.0 Eyeshadow Palette that Bare Minerals recently launched in the UK. Much to my relief the Bare Minerals The Affair to Remember Eyeshadow Palette became available here in the US this weekend on QVC.

I quickly snatched one up on Friday because I was worried it would sell out fast!

Let’s take a look!

If you’re a lover of the Power Neutrals and Star Treatment Eyeshadow Palettes you might need a more open when it comes to the Bare Minerals The Affair to Remember Eyeshadow Palette as this is a considerably different formula and pigmentation when compared to those two palettes.

This comes housed in a rose gold casing which seems to be the Spring trend for the newest Bare Minerals offering as this packaging was also offered in every single piece of the Bare Minerals Romantic Trend Collection. I hope they keep it as I really love the rose gold. Of course, the mirrored compact is a magnet for fingerprints and nicks which completely bugs my anal self but not much you can do about.

Inside are eight Ready Pressed Eyeshadows as well as a generously sized mirror and a dual sided brush. I was very impressed with the brush as it has a nice bushy side for shadow packing and a pointed side which can be used for more precise and crease work. I typically toss brushes on the side but is usable. The palette also comes with a how to get the look guide to create three looks which I completely appreciated.

If I had to compare this palette to anything I’d say it most reminds me of the Tarte Be MATTEnificent Amazonian Colored Clay Matte Eye & Cheek Palette because they kinda have the same plummy elements. I’m not saying this is a dupe of the shades but the looks both palettes can create are somewhat similar.

Shades:

• Curtsy (shimmering snowflake)
• Valet (toffee sheen)
• Debutante (blushing nude)
• Romance (glimmering plum)
• Waltz (soft pink taupe)
• Caviar & Cake (velvet chrome)
• Swept Away (gentle lavender)
• Revelry (khaki glimmered moss)

Romance, Curtsy, Valet, Debutante

Waltz, Caviar and Cake, Swept Away, Revelry

Most Ready Eyeshadows have a soft, buttery texture with a velvety feel. I’ve likened them to Stila’s Eyeshadow formula but without as much frost (it varies though from shade to shade). Truly when Bare Minerals released their pressed shadows I was skeptical as this is a company known for loose powder shadow how would they make the transition to pressed? Well needless to say they succeeded.

However, the Affair to Remember actually doesn’t have those buttery shadows. This palette contains quite a few matte and semi matte finishes with some matte satin finishes as well. This could prove disappointing for many who are expecting that buttery texture they’ve come to know fro Bare Minerals. There’s also a good deal of shimmer in shades like Romance which causes some Fall out. The finish on many of these kinda mutes and dulls out the shades. It isn’t a terrible thing mind you but it does mean it isn’t comparable to the formula you’ve come to love from Ready Shadows.

I find the colors ran sheerer but they did build very nicely. The theme of the palette is a taupe-y smoked out plum look. If you love purples and lavenders you’re sure to love this color scheme. I thought it was quite nice overall and created some very elegant eye looks.

The shadows wore well on my drier eyes without creasing or showing signs of fading for a solid eight hours without primer.

Overall, I think the Bare Minerals The Affair to Remember Eyeshadow Palette is different but not in a bad way. I could see it disappointing some people but I wasn’t one of those people. I actually did like it. Mind you I don’t think it’s nearly as great as other Ready 8.0 Palettes nor can I slap a Muse Approval or rave about how you must own this, I love it! It’s one of those palettes that’s “nice to have” and dare I say even an essential palette as you’ll likely use it often to create work friendly looks. However, it does not evoke my need to hoard it away.

Do you need it?

Not necessarily but it is a nice to have eyeshadow palette that will create some lovely smoky plum looks.

Own it?

Do share!