July 7, 2011

Bobbi Brown Sand Tortoise Shell Eye Palette Review, Swatches, Photos

Don’t ever say that Bobbi doesn’t have a master plan. She’s sitting in her office right now clapping her hands together in glee that she’s overtaken not only your Fall makeup wardrobe but also your Summer one.

*nods*

Yup, master plan peeps!

The new Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection for Fall 2011 is amazing and it’s on counters now. Best part? All the colors will fit right into your Summer regime and create rich, bronze-y looks for the warm weather. And as Fall nears, you’ll be taking full advantage of the richer, warmer hues for your autumn makeup routine.

See?

Bobbi=evil genius!

Let’s take a look at one of the two new Tortoise Shell Eye Palettes that Bobbi created for this collection!


A eye palette featuring eight shades of Bobbi Brown eyeshadow to create beautiful Fall looks with (or Summer)!


I think the appeal of the new Tortoise Shell Palettes is definitely their versatility. These are the types of eye palettes that you’ll want to own if you need work friendly, elegant makeup or you prefer nude, natural shades of shadow. I find as I get older these are the shades that look the most flattering on my eyes. Bobbi has a certain zest for creating the perfect shades of nude with just the right amount of shimmer that’s simply timeless and ageless.

The design of the palette isn’t new by any means as Bobbi has had her share of pull out tray style compacts but this features eight shades of shadow which for me is new. I haven’t personally seen a palette from Bobbi that features eight shadows in this design but I have seen ones with shadows and lip products combined. I like the palette alot and love how it houses alot of product in a smaller space. Dare I say that I like it more than her slim line, rectangle shadow palettes! The palette is done in a Tortoise Shell style which is not only elegant but very stylish for Fall. Not only the colors of the shadow but also the actual design of the palette screams autumn for me. The compact flips open and reveals a full size mirror and two trays of shadow. The bottom tray slides fourth for easy access. I think a few people were a tad worried the tray and compact would be delicate and might easily break but I’ve had no issues and it appears very sturdy plus the bottom tray is quite snug when it’s tucked back into place.

The Tortoise Shell Palettes come in two shades selections. The one I have hear, Sand, was created for lighter skin tones however I personally think they’ll work for just about anyone so don’t feel you can’t indulge.

The shades you get are:

  • Ivory
  • Gold Bar
  • Dessert Sand
  • Terracotta
  • Antique Rose
  • Hot Stone
  • Sandy Rose
  • Black Chocolate

I found that the Sand Tortoise Shell Eye Palette had considerably more mattes versus the Bronze ones so if matte is your finish of choice you’ll like this palette alot. Bobbi says the shadows are meant to be layered so no blending is required on your part. I always find that Bobbi Brown has some very nice shades of shadow that blend easily, have lovely pigmentation, and just the right amount of sparkle. Such is the case with all the shades in this compact.

For my look below I used a bit of Gold Bar and contrasted with a bit of Dessert Sand. The look is pretty not overly done and very softly focused.

On my lips I used the new Soft Nude Lipstick shades released with this collection which is a lovely nude peach. I topped this with the new Shimmer Gloss shade in Bare Sparkle. Soft Nude is an essential shade if you love nudes! I absolutely loved this and I find pulling off nude lips a tad difficult but this applied beautifully!


Nothing bad here. The palette is an absolute joy!

  • Anyone who loves nude, natural shades of color.
  • Those looking for an elegant, work friendly eye palette.
  • Fans of Bobbi Brown (this is Bobbi’s best to date in my humblest)!
  • Those wanting a versatile palette that will work well for all occasions!
  • Those wanting new shades of Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow (more than half of the palette is made up of new colors).

  • Those who aren’t keen on mattes (this palette has a good deal of mattes so you might want to go with the other palette which contains more shimmer, metallic shades).
  • Those who like bolder shades of shadow (if you aren’t a nude girl you probably won’t like this).


The Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection is turning into one those must haul Fall Collections in my opinion, I’m going to say YOU need this! I’m really loving all these pieces particularly the eye palettes. For a long time I simply hated nude shades but the last two year’s I’ve really embraced them and I feel like these palettes are a gorgeous array of nudes!

If you love nudes, check this collection out!

Lovely stuff!

The collection is available now on counters and online at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Very Muse Approved for purchase!

Whatcha think?

Loving this collection?

Hauled anything yet?

Planning to?

Share it!

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

  • Claudia

    Love the look! But I have looked online and I have to say I prefer the bronze palette because matte is not my preferred finish. The lipstick is to die for as well!

  • Katrosado

    You look lovely! Unfortuantely as pretty as these colors are I’m going to have to pass. I am saving the bulk of my fall makeup spending on purchasing Chanel’s illusion d’ombre eyeshadows and their byzance collection. They hit my wallet hard this fall girl! Released two collections at the same darn time!

    • the Muse

      katros a worth fall contender my dear ;D! I just picked up Byzance this week ;-D <3 it!

  • imoutofit

    Ugh, must pick this up among other goodies next week during Nordie’s Annual Sale. Sigh, my wallet is going to hate me!

  • sara

    Gosh I was really hoping you wouldn’t like it…..lol! I might indulge and buy this one….I think I already own similiar colors in the bronze palette….but luv this one!

    • the Muse

      I thought I wouldn’t sara ;-D and thought that the bronze would be the one for me…but damn lovessssssssssss!

  • kimk

    Ooooohhhh,,,,,,, I think I see a tortiose in my future! Possibly even two if the bronze one isn’t too shimmery… Muse, will you be swatching the bronze one too? Pretty please? 🙂 thanks for this one – DANG that’s pretty! I like the lippie too – I’m not hep on nude lips, but I think I could pull that one off!

    • the Muse

      hey kim! Def prob monday/tuesday next week will have it up for you ;-D! my pleasure, my pleasure!!!!!! ;-D me either, I hate nude lippies but I’m loving this one ;D!

      • kimk

        Squeee!!!! Thank you Muse!! My VISA company thanks you too… 😀 Can’t WAIT to see it!

  • Polly

    I love the look you’ve done with this Muse 🙂 so tempted to get this!

  • JenJ

    I want the other one for med/darker skin tones. $60 is a lot the shell out and I already have plenty of neutral colors. *sigh* I wonder if QVC will get it. I can justify it if I can get on easy pay. Baahhahahaa!!!

    • the Muse

      i betcha QVC will get it as we head deeper into summer jen ;D!

  • Andrea

    I LOVE this palette. I ordered both, but I returned the bronze one…it did appear to be a little too much for my VERY pale skin. I’ve been wearing the Sand palette a lot, and my favorite is Desert Sand. It looks fabulous on my lids and pairs really well with the Light Brown Cargo liner from the Plant Love line. I’m totally rocking this combo for several days in a row. This is one of my best purchases in years, rivaled only by the new NARS blush/bronzer trio. I couldn’t live without either one. 🙂

    • the Muse

      aw andrea that’s brilliant girl! I’m really happy to hear how much you are liking it ;-D I have the light brown liner from the plant love line, going to try that look out ;D!

  • Jessica

    I am SO desperate to haul some of this stuff! Especially this eye pallette and one of the lip products shes brought out!

  • coco

    I got the Bronze palette (and love it!) and I wanted the nude lipstick as well but they were sold out at my counter! I have my mom on the lookout….otherwise I’ll try online if I must.

  • theRothstanator

    I thought the swatches were kinda meh, but you made a very pretty look!

  • Daphne Khoo

    Tortoise Shell Collection hits in SG shores today! Can’t wait!!

  • Shana

    Would you get Bobbi Brown sand eye palette if you already own UD nudes palette? I have UD and didnt want to get Bobbi if its similar.

  • Cathy Be

    Your review on this BB palette is the best one available. QVC is offering this palette on their website right now even though it was limited edition in 2011! So excited to be availbe to pick this little beauty up!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks cathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 Do grab it up it’s lovely!