August 13, 2015

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Palette

I purchased the new It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette ($39) as soon as it popped up on QVC. I mean who could resist the It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette right? It’s stunning! 14 gorgeous silky, matte shades of shadow and one transforming pearl shade plus a doubled ended brush for application make this eyeshadow palette a truly great value.

The It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette is actually the third matte eyeshadow palette the brand has done with others that include the original Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette and the Celebration Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette.

Let’s take a look!

It Cosmetics The Romantics Matte Palette

The It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette comes housed in a lilac velvet compact with a full size mirror inside and 14 total matte eyeshadows and one transforming pearl shade that softens colors, sheers them, and offers them a pearl-like finish. It Cosmetics also includes a full size Heavenly Luxe No Tug Dual-Ended Shadow Brush for application.

One of the more debatable topics concerning the Romantics Palette is the fact that it looks a lot like the other two palettes that It Cosmetics has already introduced. Personally I thought this palette had a few cooler plums, pinks, and purples compared to the original warmer Naturally Pretty Palette. That’s really the main difference in my opinion. I heard a lot of users complain that the original palette was too warm for their liking and if you’re one of those people you might just love the Romantics vs the original Naturally Pretty Palette. Personally the original is my favorite palette out of the three. I wouldn’t say there are exact dupes in this palette however, many shades are variations of ones you’d find in both previous palettes.

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty eyeshadow palette

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette6

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette7

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette8

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette9

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette12

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette14

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette15

Here are swatches of the original It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette:

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Soulful, Mocha, Violet

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette10

Sheer Joy, Soft Light, Warmth

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette Swatches

Midnight, Noir, Love

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette20

Sunrise, Sunset, All Heart

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Palette25

Java and Iconic

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Transforming Pearl

Here are swatches from the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Palette:

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Swatches 1

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Hot Cocoa, Miracle, Peace, Wonderland)

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Swatches 3

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Sugar Plum, Gingerbread, Toasty, Spice)

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Swatches

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (snow Angel, Champagne, Cozy, Warm Wishes)

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration swatches 4

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Starry Night and Coal)

Here are swatches of the It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette:

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette swatches

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette Swatches (Mystery, Devotion, Fate, Embrace)

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte swatches

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette Swatches (Adore, Tranquility, Desire, Romance)

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Palette swatches

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette Swatches (Trust, Poetic, Transforming Pearl)

It Cosmetics The Romantics Palette swatches

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette Swatches (Peaceful, Hope, Sweetness, Enchanting)

As you can see some of the shades are similar but as I said I think there are varying degrees of lightness and darkness to shades so they aren’t completely duplicated but every so slightly different. The one true unique shade here would be Tranquility which is a light pea green that does not make an appearance in any of the two prior palettes. As far as I know it’s also the first green I’ve seen in any of the palettes!

As always, It Cosmetics was nice enough to include one of their legendary Heavenly Luxe brushes with this palette. This is a full size brush that has an eyeshadow brush on one side and a liner on the other. The bristles are super soft and the brush is of excellent quality. If you’ve ready some of my past reviews you know how much I love It Cosmetics makeup brushes! 🙂

Heavenly Luxe No Tug Dual-Ended Shadow Brush

Heavenly Luxe No Tug Dual Ended Shadow Brush

Heavenly Luxe Shadow Brush

If you’re strongly averse to mattes this is a palette that will quickly change your mind. The texture of the shadows is really quite great. Smooth, silky, buttery, easy to blend, slightly powdery but not dry or chalky! The eyeshadows practically blend themselves! It’s really a joy to use mattes like this as they apply easily, have no fall out, and looks smooth and almost airbrushed on my lids. Mattes can be challenging but It Cosmetics successfully created a formula that’s super silky and game changing in my opinion.

It Cosmetics The Romantics Naturally Pretty Matte Palette fotd

It Cosmetics The Romantics fotd

I wanted to go soft with my look so I used Peaceful as a base and on the inner lid, with Adore blended towards the middle, and Embrace at the outer corner!

The palette is a little mismatched in terms of color. You have pinks and plums on one hand and soft browns and beiges on the other plus darker more pigmented purples, browns, and navy shades. I kinda sorta wish they didn’t include such darker shades of matte. These, for me, act more as liner shades as I can’t see myself applying a dark navy blue all over my eyes. I wish all the shades were either lighter or of medium pigmentation versus the truly rich, pigmented shades they did include. On the upside these shades can be softened and sheered out using the transforming pearl color. The other shades run sheerer with very light pigmentation that is buildable.

The Transforming Pearl Eyeshadow is a soft shimmery beige white pearl that be used under over shades to add a touch of pearl or the lighten up or sheer out some of the more darker shades.

If you’re looking for cooler shades than was available in the original palette I think you’ll get on nicely with the It Cosmetics The Romantics Palette just fine.

This one is available now at QVC.com.

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • Carolyn

    Oh boy. I think I need this in my life … Hehe.

    By you’re right about the cooler colors. I have the other palette and find it too warm

    • Isabella Muse

      When I originally reviewed the first palette, most of the complaints stemmed from it being too warm. I didn’t mind, I liked that about the original and still do! But I do think the Romantics will appeal to the folks, like you Carolyn 🙂 who wanted something a hint cooler!

      • Maria A

        Mine arrived the other day and it is sooooooo similar to the holiday pallet, still as you had mentioned the shades vary; some lighter and some darker then the holiday pallet. Either way they are like butter, so I kept it.

  • Christina D.

    I’m skipping this, believe it or not. I had the first two IT palettes — you know I love me some matte eyeshadows! — but I really wasn’t thrilled with them and they are no longer part of my makeup stash.

    Besides the godawful packaging, I was so disappointed to find that for $39 they were made in China. I admit (thanks mostly to you, Sista Muse) I have some cheapies that are made in China, but heck I don’t expect anything else for palettes that are priced under $20. However, for nearly double that price, I expect something made in the US, UK or Western Europe.

    • Isabella Muse

      Aw sorry Christina! I love the original one! I disliked the packaging too though, it gets yucky quickly so does the Urban Decay Naked Palette :-/ lint, etc…! Haha I am a bad influence if I’m making you buy eyeshadows made from China 😀

  • Christina

    Sheerer you say? That gives me hesitation, as I typically don’t like sheer eyeshadows that I have to build a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like all my eyeshadows to be crazy pops of colors like Sugarpill or Urban Decay, but I do want them to show up true to pan on my eyes. That’s probably why I don’t own any Tarte, either; I just like stronger pigment–and I’m super fair! Did you have any of these issues? Your swatches look great, and I love purples/pinks, so this is definitely something I’d consider if it’s great all around.

  • Christina D.

    Yes, you have been a bad influence, encouraging me to indulge in the Coastal Scents Revealed palettes, and Makeup Revolution. Those have been the exceptions to my ban on made in China stuff because they are cheap and for the price, not bad.

  • Cheryl

    I sprayed the fabric cover on the original It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty collection with a waterproofing/protecting spray (meant for suede shoes) before using it and have not had any issues with it getting dirty or covered with product. If treated with a protectant spray (Scotch Guard would probably work, also), the fabric brushes clean.

    I’m still on the fence with this palette. It is beautiful, but I don’t know if I “need” a third all matte palette with a lot of similar shades to the two prior versions. The Celebration palette is my go to blend of matte neutrals, but I like the Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 for warmer pinkish/purplish looks. I am definitely a fan of the easy blending and workable colors, as I am a professional woman in my mid 40s and definitely do NOT go for bold metalics and bright colors. What do you think, Miz Muse, is Vol. 2 worth the splurge? = )

    • Isabella Muse

      thanks Cheryl! Doing that ASAP! great idea! I like the original best! If you’re happy with those two you might not need it, but if you want something cooler this might be worth a haul! Personally I like the Naturally Pretty V1 myself, that’s my favorite! That’s worth a splurge, this one for me, not so much because I don’t like cooler shades!

    • Diana

      Cheryl this is GENIUS! I’m def doing this! And Muse, did you say if this was LE or perm?

  • Dee

    The first was my absolute favorite, but this one is very good. I tried mine for the first time today and really liked it. Very soft bendable colors.

    • Isabella Muse

      As I get older, Dee, I really appreciate softer shades like this 🙂 The first still has my heart but there are some very nice shades in here I’ll likely use a lot 🙂

  • Renu

    I’m buying, I’m buying. I need the green and that pink in my life. Like you, I adore the original best but owning more such gorgeous matte eyeshadows never hurt, I say. I am glad they’ve stuck to the formula. I hope they maintain the quality unlike other eyeshadow brands which seem to churn out dryer and chalkier palettes of late.

    • Isabella Muse

      I think celebration was a let down formula wise for me a little but not this one, this was perfect! Same nice texture as the original! Yeah, not sure what’s up with Tarte lately 🙁

  • Rachel

    I got mine in the mail Monday. I didn’t buy the Celebration palette, but I have the first one and this one. Admittedly, the green and the brush were what sold me. I don’t love the brush as much as I thought I would. I find it oddly sized. I think the short bristled end would be good for smudgind, and it is “ok” to push color right into the socket line, but I find the longer bristles of Elf’s C brush better suited to that, and find it is too thick for push lining. The larger end of the brush seems like an over sized MAC 239 to me. So I feel like it’s a bit large for packing color onto the lids, but not quite right for blending either. But that’s just me, and I’m far from an authority on that.
    As for the shadows, they’re great. I am with you 100000% on the request for more midtone colors!!!!! *that* would be brilliant. I will only use the dark shades in either palette for liners. I also agree with your assessment that they give an almost airbrushed appearance. These are so kind to dry skin. They blend so nicely as well. I think I like the original better, but I am a fan of It all around.

    • Isabella Muse

      I concur Rachel! These are so lovely on drier lids and also, yes, please more midtone! I can’t see myself using such dark mattes all over my eyes! 🙂

  • danadoo

    I use the original pallete every day, i love it so much!! All my other palletes are jealous and lonely! I cannot recommend this pallete enough to gals with aging skin…i am 40, and this is the smoothest eyeshadow i have ever tried, i love it more than Lorac and Urban Decay!!

  • Robin

    Im on the fence. I had one of her eyeshadow trios and they barely showed up on my lids. Im very pale and was surprised by the lack of pigmentation. I like the cooler tones of this one, but Im waiting for yu to swatch and review the new Lancome Audcity palette. 🙂

  • Iris

    Oh crap… I thought I was going to pass on this one but the swatches, OMG… Just pure buttery pigmented bliss! Luuuuurve it! God knows I don’t need another eyeshadow palette… But I’m totally sold. Crap.
    Anyways thanks for reviewing this palette. I’m a longtime reader and always trust your views.

  • Kelli Spaulding

    Oh my… I was looking at this in Ulta the other day. I want it. I don’t care if some of the shades are darker. I just need it. Gah! I can’t stop. This Holiday season of product’s has knocked my socks off. The Lorac Pro 2, The Tarte set, all of the Tarte and Too faced blush and lippy sets. The Anastasia palette. My Lord! I can’t control myself. I did pass on the UD Vice 4. I don’t see myself using it. What’s sick is I still want it. Oh and the Stila cushion eyeliner is amazing! The only color I had a problem with was the blue one. Other then that, I have them all now. I must stop ASAP. LoL!

  • Noura

    Isabella Muse, would you know of any dupes for Sunset from the vol 1 palette? Thank you