May 5, 2016

5 Popular Eyeshadow Palettes That Failed To Impress Me Recently

Affiliate
I receive a small commission if you shop through my link.

disappointing eyeshadow palettes

We’ve been inundated with eyeshadow palettes a plenty this season! I’m actually an eyeshadow palette kind of girl myself. For example, some men or women like long legs, some of ’em like blond hair, etc….when you’re a makeup lover the same holds true, you’re either an eyeshadow kinda girl or guy, perhaps you love lipsticks, or maybe blushes are what does it for you!

Me? I love the thrill of opening up a giant palette filled with a variety of eyeshadow shades. There’s nothing more exciting than being presented with a slew of different eyeshadow options. Granted, at this point in my makeup life I have about 2 million eyeshadow palettes but the thrill of getting a new one is always a feeling I relish.

But, there are always one that disappointing.

Here are 5 popular eyeshadow palettes that failed to impress me recently.

Urban Decay Alice Through the Looking Glass
The potential was here! I can see this brand new palette being hugely popular for Urban Decay because hello? Disney? Wonderland? Totally a want for collector’s of makeup and Disney memorabilia. But I wasn’t terribly impressed with the formula here. Urban Decay is well known for impressively pigmented eyeshadows but this palette seemed to have a different texture and consistency from past releases, the Alice Through the Looking Glass formula was vastly different! I also felt colors blended out poorly and the shades just didn’t quite match up well. I’m sad to say, it disappointed.

Urban Decay Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette
I can’t recall a time in my makeup life where an eyeshadow palette caused so much chaos and frenzy. To this day this popular, much talked about, over hyped Sweet Peach Palette remains sold out and selling on Evil-bay for $500 bucks. I happened to be one of the people that worked myself into a foam over this palette. I love the idea of peach eyeshadow anything but unfortunately, the palette contained a good deal of darker shades and so very few peach ones that I was crushingly disappointed with it! I expected more peach but I got a lot of other colors instead.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette
You’re probably hearing a lot about the new Naturally Pretty Essentials Palette at the moment since it is Mother’s Day shortly and it’s one of It Cosmetics’ newest offerings. But sadly, this one was a bit too sheer and a bit too much like the Naturally Pretty Palette that launched late last year to make a lasting impression on me! It was a sad disappointment.

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora Minnie�s World in Color Eyeshadow Palette
Sephora has been known to knock it out of the park with some of their in house offerings but the Minnie’s World in Color Eyeshadow Palette wasn’t one of those products. Honestly, let me be frank, this reminded me of a big old E.L.F. Palette. That’s not a bad thing by the very way but considering this palette isn’t $5 bucks makes it one.

Sephora Minnie's World in Color Eyeshadow Palette9

Bare Minerals The Neutral Attraction For Eyes & Cheeks
I got my the Neutral Attraction Palette in the mail really quick, thank you Sephora Flash, and promptly went out and returned it the same day. I love me some Ready Eyeshadow Palettes but this one had such light shades you’d never be able to get any definition or contrast. I didn’t have to swatch it to know how disappointed I’d be!

Bare Minerals The Neutral Attraction

What are some eyeshadow palettes that have disappointed you recently?

How do you feel about these five?

Do share!

Affiliate
I receive a small commission if you shop through my link.

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Dee

    I was never able to snag the Too Faced Peach Palette and am so glad after seeing the colors in person.

    The Lorac neutral palette that came out a short time ago is my biggest disappointment. Great idea but the colors were very blah.

    • Isabella Muse

      Agreed! They all blended out to the same shade! I really wanted to love it particularly because I really like Lorac but sadly it did nothing for me!

  • Jay

    I like the Sweet Peach palette. I appreciate that they included other colors a peach might have, such as green (leaves) and plum (pit). However, it doesn’t quite live up to the hype and I’m over the cutesy themes.

    I don’t like the chocolate bar palettes. I try so hard b/c everyone loves them but me! I already gave away the original, but this week I’ve been forcing myself to use the semi sweet. The pigmentation is lackluster. I also busted out the Morphe 35O for the first time and it was very powdery. The UD Alice & Minnie palettes are so pretty on the outside, I just assumed the inside quality would be lacking so money saved hahaha.

    • Isabella Muse

      I dunno, I just wish Sweet Peach had more peachy shades yanno?

      • Jay

        Yeah, they definately could’ve incorporated more peachy, pink, even orangey shades. It’s kind of dark.

  • Linda Whitener

    I agree, Muse–for me, those palettes fall into the “nothing to see here” category. As bored as I am with nude palettes, you’d think I’d be all over the UD “Looking Glass” palette, but I’m perfectly content to wait for L’Oreal’s La Palette Glam (recently previewed on Snapchat). More value for my hard-earned cash, I think.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m hoping La Palette Glam is nice! The colors aren’t really my thing but I’m quite curious because both la Nudes were lovely!

  • Lacey Gasper

    I love my Peach palette and use it basically every day! I can get so many eye looks out of it and I just love the colors it includes. I get it is not for everyone, but I ADORE this palette. My mom bought herself the It cosmetics palette and she loves it. It’s perfect for her skin tone and looks beautiful on her. She loves a very natural look. So this small set works perfect for her. I haven’t tried the others, nor are they on my plan to purchase.

  • maddy

    I am still lusting over the peach palette! I want to buy it, but its completely sold out everywhere! 🙁 Anyone who hasn’t used the palette a lot, and will be willing to sell, I will buy it off you! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      Maddy, don’t worry, I seriously doubt it won’t be back my dear 😀 I picture a huge hyped up relaunch come June!

      • Alison

        Jerrod made a video to address this. Supposedly ( insert eye roll and snicker) he wasn’t anticipating its HUGE popularity. He will be bringing it back but this kind of thing takes a few months to work out.
        Reading between the lines, expect a miraculous re release around Christmas shopping season.

    • Dee

      On Jarred’s Instagram he apologized for the shortage and promised everyone would get one… It will Just take time to get the production going again! No worries maddy I will be waiting patiently with you to buy it!!!

  • Kathy

    I was happy to come into a Peach palette myself. The colors have impressed me more than I thought they would (which is nice since I too got myself worked up into a foam over it).

    I was excited when l heard about another UD Alice palette, being a huge fan of anything Alice and UD, but was vastly overwhelmed by the colors and the box itself.

  • Caroline

    I like the blushes out of that Bare Escentuals palette but I’m sure they are easily dupable. Unless it comes with a wife, I’m never buying a Too Faced palette for $500.

    • Isabella Muse

      lol! Forget a wife, I want maid service with the palette ;D

  • Jenn

    Mattes in general bore me to tears, as do pure nudes. So I’m with you…these all seem rather lackluster to me, too.

    • Agona

      OMG, I just want to say I agree with you. I hate that it’s the current trend. Cry!! Matte and nudes, and *gasp* matte nudes just make me feel like I’m going to work (I have to wear a “no makeup” makeup look to work) and that’s just sad. Who wants to feel like they’re getting ready for work on their free time??

      • Jane

        I love both mattes and nudes (what can I say; bright colors do not belong on my eyes), but hate that the trend is for so many warm colors. Blah! No more warms colors!

    • NJ

      I’m a matte fan. Finding good ones is the problem. I’m also not a fan of neutrals. I look dead in them. Or at least like I’m having jaundice. I like bit of sheen here & there but I don’t want to look like kid who has makeup on from the grocery store. LOL

  • Carolyn2

    Haven’t purchased a palette for several months! I spent too much during the VIB Nov sale so am using what I have.

    Actually – haven’t been tempted by anything lately ) eye palettes so I guess that’s good!?

    Oh, I lie. I haven’t tried Kat Von D shade and light palettes and am tempted by the new ones. I also picked up the cashmere Vuseart palette during the recent VIB but haven’t tried it,

  • Lauren G

    For those who couldn’t get the Sweet Peach Palette but want peachy shades close to the ones in palette: Inglot 312M, 314M, 341M, and 470DS single eyeshadows are good places to start. I basically rage quitted the Too Faced palette after experiencing first hand how terribly coordinating the in-store retail release and distribution was handled. Instead, I went to the Inglot counter. Much happier for it, in the end.

      • Lauren G

        No problem, Makeup Geek Mango Tango is also a great one that’s on the mid-tone coral-peach bright side.

  • Rachel R.

    Not an impressive bunch. I bought the Through the Looking Glass palette for the packaging, and it’s good enough over primer, but I wouldn’t recommend it purely on the strength of its eyeshadows. I gave up on Too Faced Sweet Peach. Between the stupid minimal stocking and pretend “scarcity” and the fact that most reviewers I trust said it was decent, but not great, I lost my lemming for it.

  • carlie r morgan

    I love the peach palette. I’m glad there’s only a few peach colors. otherwise, I agree with everything else. Have you done one on top 5 palettes?

    • Isabella Muse

      Not specifically on palettes but have done a few different hit/miss lists 🙂 I try to do them monthly!

  • Staciek76

    The Lorac nude Necessities Palette and Mally nude attitude palettes were also very disappointing as well!

    • Isabella Muse

      Yeah I purchased one Mally palette when it originally released, never again!

  • kellly

    I almost never buy palettes since I don’t like or think I’ll use half or more of the colors in them. I way, way prefer single colors. And I’ve been over it with the mattes for a long time now b/c I don’t think they’re very flattering to me. I did buy one Bare Minerals 4-color palette b/c it only had one dark brown color that I’ll probably never use but the rest of them were colors that worked for me, pretty natural work-safe stuff.

  • Kimberly

    I agree with everything you said with the exception of the Peach Palette–I LOVE it! I’m a huge Too Faced fan, in general, and really like most of the palettes they put out.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m glad to hear it Kimberly 😀 I think that a lot of people enjoyed it! I just wanted a bit more peach 😀

  • Lela Ungaro

    Hello Isabella! Just a side note. Always think twice before buying cosmetics on Ebay. After much ado, I finally received the Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons palette which I paid $30, trying to save money. I believe I received a counterfeit. No chocolate scent, just a chemical one (sigh). The pigmentation isn’t quite right either. Lesson learned. Pay the extra and know you are getting authentic product. If the price seems too good to be true ….

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi Lela sorry to hear that 🙁 I wasn’t suggesting anyone purchase a $500 palette on ebay though 🙂 that would be crazy!

      • Lela Ungaro

        (Laughing) The day I can afford a $500 palette, I doubt I’ll be on Ebay! Thanks again for all your hard work, I absolutely love your blog and emails.

        • Isabella Muse

          LOL! 😀 too true right? Sorry again about your evil-bay woe 🙁 Aw thank you! <3! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

    • Agona

      Oh, no! I hope you were able to report the counterfeit item to eBay!

  • Ave

    I had the same experience with the URBAN DECAY Spectrum of Shadows as you did with ALICE – they don’t see to go on as smoothly as in the past – I was wondering if they were stale?

    • Isabella Muse

      naa not stale! Just some of their newer palettes seem to be formulated different! Likewise with the past few Vices!

      • Ave

        They still wear really well even without a primer but I miss the silky application – they would glide on with my fingertip.

  • NJ

    I’m over any palette that has matte black in it . I just never use it.

  • Melissa Armour

    I think you hit the nail on the head with these palletes.. My only exception is I really like my peach pallete. I did expect more peachy shades but that ok with me. Have a great weekend Muse!

    • Isabella Muse

      Thanks Melissa 🙂 Hope you had a lovely weekend!

  • Alison

    I didn’t like the Tarte Rainforest By The Sea eyeshadow. Palette at all. Beautiful in pan and swatches but on my lids, meh!

    The Viseart Ribbons Boheme palette isn’t bad but I think I was expecting more. All I do is read rave reviews over these palettes . It is good but not what the reviewers are making them out to be.
    I would get that UD ATTLG e/s palette on sale. which I am sure will be in 2 months. I won’t buy any limited edition items from UD full price again.

  • 80sChicWithGlasses

    Words can’t express how these over-hyped palettes have crowded my makeup stash. I finally had enough! I went to Mac with my big girl panties on and bought a palette ($6 a pro pan shadow). Money well spent in my opinion. I went straight home and tossed nearly every shadow and palette that I don’t use, am disappointed with, etc. My Mac palette is mostly neutrals and it’s really what I reach for most. I kept my Kat Von D palette from this past holiday for brights and colors, but I’m more than happy with my choice! I’ve reached for my Mac palette everyday for the past 3 weeks and that’s A LOT for someone who would search the internet to no avail for the latest and greatest in eyeshadow palettes only so be sorely disappointed.

  • genevieve

    Being an eye shadow palette fan myself – I never buy anything that hasn’t been reviewed by either you, Phyrra or Christine from Temptalia because I respect your honest opinions on makeup products.
    Personally I thought the colour choices in the Alice palette to be very random and I think UD has lost a little integrity here. As for the TF Peach – didn’t really see too many peachy colours in there either and it looked like a rehash of some of its other palettes.
    It is very sad when a palette does not live up to its expectations.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks! That’s very, very flattering to hear 😀

  • Jeanine McAuliffe

    I am so glad you agree about t he peach palette..I AM SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT IT!!! There is nothing peach about it except the smell and I want to wear my shadow NOT SMELL IT! It is no longer LE so hopefully everyone will calm the hell down about it! I am with you about the Alice palette, Ud palettes always disappoint me but I love there singles well I like them enough. Thanks for another awesome review!

    • Isabella Muse

      Haha yeah it is everywhere 🙂 This isn’t really a review, just a round up post 🙂

  • Sue

    Nice roundup, even if they were disappointments. I wasn’t going to get the Sweet Peach Palette yet got caught up in the hype and so when my local Ulta was able to restock, I bought one (note, did not buy extras to scalp on Evil-bay). And I’m glad I did! Was afraid most of the colors would be too warm for me but I love the palette. I think it has the right number of peach-colored shades because if there would more it’d be too same-y and boring.

    I will definitely be glad when companies stop putting out palettes that consist of half off-white shades, though.