September 23, 2015

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette40

The Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette ($68) is a new 16 pan eyeshadow palette that released with the Lancome Fall 2015 Collection. This is very, very interesting palette for Lancome in my opinion as it holds such a wide variety of shades in one place. In all my years as a makeup lover and collector I can’t say I remember Lancome offering such a large palette like this.

I also think the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette is a testimony to Lancome’s evolution. Lancome has always been a name known and trusted by many makeup lovers but I also think it’s a brand that we commonly associate with a range of more mature makeup. In recent years, Lancome has reinvented itself and become more of a brand that is appealing to both older and younger demographics with many exciting, new, and innovative launches.

This year you’ll like notice that East Meets West in a lot of launches from Lancome and other brands. There’s a Korean beauty flair to many products launching across the board and as a lover of Korean and Japanese makeup products for many, many years I’m excited to see how Asian beauty is influencing some of my favorite brands like Lancome for example.

But I digress, because what the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette truly is about the minimal and simple approach to makeup that every Parisian embraces. Simple is sometimes incredible especially when you have sixteen shades of nude, natural, and neutral shades to create your flawless, natural eye look with.

Let’s take a look at the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette and get that look!

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

I find the release of Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette interestingly late to the party. Why? Because typically we see higher end brands launch some incredible new product or innovation and within a few months to a year with drugstore brands quickly following up and releasing their own “inventions” that duplicate the higher end ones.

That wasn’t the case with the L’Oreal La Palette Nude 1 and L’Oreal La Palette Nude 2 which launched earlier this Spring at drugstores. Although sister brands I would have thought that Lancome would have launched the Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette prior to the La Palette Nudes making their appearance. But it looks like Lancome decided to wait and launched their palette for Fall 2015 which was in fact very fitting as this is a great round up of nude, natural shades of color to mimic much of what we saw on the runways this year. The nude eye, matte lip, and perfectly contoured face is all a buzz this year for Fall and I think much of that will follow into Spring 2016.

As I mentioned above this is a massive palette for Lancome and I can’t recall them every releasing solely an eyeshadow palette with this many shades. The palette comes housed in a slick black compact that has a silhouette print of some lucky lady in stilettos making her way through the streets of Paris. This print is also printed on removable film located on the generously sized mirror inside the compact. The palette was actually designed by Lisa Eldridge, who was named the new Lancome makeup creator director earlier this year.

As I get older I start to appreciate simple yet essentials shades of eyeshadow. I, sadly, cannot pull off shades I once loved before like https://www.musingsofamuse.com/2015/09/makeup-revolution-mermaids-forever-eyeshadow-palette-review-swatches.html. I’ve also started appreciating the simple elegance of lighter neutrals, taupes, and matte, natural browns.

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Palette

This palette is home to a gorgeous selection of wearable lighter neutrals, taupes, wearable greys, and natural browns. All the shades are available in matte, satin, and metallic finishes. I’ve read mixed reviews on this palette but I’ve been playing with it for a few weeks and I have to say I think it is a solid neutral palette that can create a variety of different looks that are easy to apply. I like the fact I don’t have to put a lot of though or know how into application when using this palette. There’s no fall out or chunky glitter or shimmer to contend with and the shades just have a nice sheerer to medium pigmentation that work great on my drier, finely lined eyes. This is one of those palettes I’ll likely reach for daily because it has such a good range of essential shades that make for easy yet sophisticated eye looks that are work friendly and will take you well into an evening out.

Lancome AudaCity in Paris

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Swatches ( Zip Me Up, Exhibition, Sante, Voyage)

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette4

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (It List, Couture, Audacious, Volcano)

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Palette swatches

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Joie, Filigree, Chouquette, Parfait)

Lancome AudaCity in Paris swatches

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Nuit, Kitten Heel, Tenacity, Clock Strikes 12)

I think some of the shades do run a little drier and stiffer and in this case I find a sponge eyeshadow applicator is best to pick up color and I can proceed to blend with the included doubled ended brush that the palette comes with. Speaking of which this brush is quite nice, well, the blending side is anyway. The brush has a great soft bristled blending brush on one end which is excellent for crease work or blending shades together where as the other side has a flat, denser brush that, to me, looks more like a concealer brush. I think they could have included a bushier eyeshadow brush on the opposite side of this brush. I’d likely have made more use out a brush like that.

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette5

Lancome AudaCity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette6

As I said above some of the shadows have a stiffer consistency but I kinda sorta like this because I tend to be very heavy handed and the dryness of the shades ensures I don’t over do things. This is particularly good because if you’re have darker circles, drier eyes, and finer lines the darker shades in this palette can be applied and smoked out to a sheerer more wearable finish!

I’m happy also report each of the eyeshadows in the palette has a name which is listed on the back of the palette. Below I used Volcano which is a lovely taupe shimmer on my lid and I blended a little of Audacious to smoky the shade out a little in my crease. I highlighted my brow area using the Chouquette which is a soft, matte peach. For a day look I didn’t use eyeliner but to add a little pop I tightlined using a black eyeliner on both my upper and lower waterline.

I loved how I could experiment with a variety of lip colors with this eye look especially pretty nude lips!

Lancome Audacity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette fotd3

Lancome Audacity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette fotd4

For my second look I wanted to go SUPER natural. Just something I could run around town and do errands in so I just buffed on a little Sante on my eyes, gave my cheeks a nice dusting of peach blush, and kept my lips really nude and simple!

Lancome Audacity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette fotd2

Lancome Audacity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette fotd1

As I get older I start appreciating palettes like this more and more. The Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette provides you with essential shades to create simple yet elegant eye looks without a ton of know how. This a versatile palette that will give you a selection of shades you’ll likely reach for daily!

The Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette is available now at Lancome counters and online at lancome-usa.com.

Do you own it?

Do share your thoughts and experiences with it!

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions 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

  • Lauren H.

    I’m definitely getting this one! I typically use Naked 3 and It’s Naturally Pretty Vol 1 pallette, and Aud(city) seems like it has everything I love about each pallette combined into one.

    Do you know if this is a permanent offering or is it limited edition?

  • Christina

    Colors are pretty, but the sheer texture would drive me bonkers in the morning. LOL!

  • Renu

    I bought this soon after you first posted the news of its release. I love this palette and reach for this and IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vols 1 and 2 alone now. The other neutrals are sadly languishing. True, some shades need a bit of work but the results are worth it. The shade are exactly the colours I love best. Sadly, I misplaced the brush somewhere in my room after a week and it hasn’t turned up since.

    • Isabella Muse

      Oh no the brush is awesome too! Funny story, I lost it too last night haha! Later on I located it in my lightbox 😀 haha! No idea how it got there!!!!!!!!! As I took these pics weeks ago! I’m so glad you liked it. As I get older I appreciate palettes like this more and more and more. They are just so easy to use yet they give me all the shades I need to create really lovely look!

  • Katherine T.

    I dunno, the colors look very wearable, but not too exciting to me, and I’m +40. I’m still rocking UD shadows with all the colors and shimmers, not ready to go safe yet. But I have the IT palette handy in case the day ever comes…

  • Lori

    These shadows look really pretty, and I know that there are 16 shadows (here it comes), BUT… I just can’t justify a $68 price tag on a palette. I might check it out in person, and I could completely change my mind, though. We’ll see. 🙂 Thanks, Muse!

  • genevieve

    I have purchased a lot of Lancôme eye shadow palettes in the past – some of them reviewed by you Isabella – Sparkling Intoxication. The other palettes I have are Jade Fever (one of my all time favourite greens) and Sapphire fling. So I agree with you that Lancôme has never put out anything like this.
    I think the palette is aimed at slightly older, more sophisticated women who have the money to spend on these kinds of products. The look is restrained and subtle. I think the colour choices are generally excellent in this palette and appeal to a wide variety of skin tones and complexions. I think this is the best they have put out for awhile. A shame that the shades weren’t consistently excellent across the board. I love your eye looks – they really suit you.