September 27, 2017

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

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

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette ($46) is a new, limited edition Ready 18.0 Holiday 2017 Eyeshadow Palette that contains eighteen Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow shades. This palette is a cooler version of shades compared to last year’s Bare Minerals The Wish List Eyeshadow Palette that had a much warmer round up of colors (and was smaller at 14 shades). So, those with a fairer complexion seeker a cooler shades you’ll likely want to check out the Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette for yourself.

Let’s have a look!

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette comes housed in a slim rectangle golden compact with a super-sized mirror inside and a gorgeous splattered white logo across the front. It’s a very elegant presentation however, it does collect fingerprints like a magnet. Inside you’ll find eighteen shades which are 0.03 oz in size each. Bare Minerals continues to go larger and larger with these eyeshadow palettes as up until now (correct me if I’m wrong) the highest we’ve gone is 14 shades. I find it fantastic you get 4 additional shades for around the same price as the Ready 14.0 Eyeshadow Palettes. For example, the recently released Bare Minerals Bare Naturals 14.0 only contains 14 shades and is $45. It’s nice the price remained the same and you get more for it too!

Thank you very much to my reader Cheryl who kindly pointed out that this palette contains a range of shades that have already appeared in past palettes. There are merely two new shades here which is pretty disappointing if you collection Ready Eyeshadow Palettes like I do. I have to admit even though I have reruns I sometimes purchase the Ready Palettes anyway because I like the way Bare Minerals groups shades together. I like seeing them laid out in a way I can use them if that makes sense. But having said that, this could be a waste of money if you have reruns of these shades in palettes past.

Here’s Cheryl’s break down of where each shade appears:

  • Ivory (purely porcelain) Suede Neutrals 8.0
  • Ecru (vanilla ivory) Bare Metals 14.0
  • Santorini (burnished taupe) Nude Beach 8.0
  • Stellar (shining bronze) Bare Metals 14.0
  • Wheat (toasted tan) Bare Metals 14.0
  • Boardroom (deep chocolate) Bare Metals 14.0 & The Wish List Palette
  • Merry (pink freeze) The Wishlist Palette 12.0
  • Sugar Cookie (light pale peach) Bare Metals 14.0
  • Nude Beach (light warm sand) Nude Beach 8.0
  • Queen Tiffany Matte (cool brown) The Royals 8.0
  • Good Spirits (perfectly chocolate) The Wish List 12.0
  • Curtsy (shimmering snowflake) The Posh Neutrals 8.0
  • Payday (light granite) Power Neutrals 8.0
  • Priceless (heathered smoke) Color Compatible Eye and Cheek Palette
  • Cheers (shiitake) The Main Event Quad
  • VIP (gold-flecked black) The Star Treatment 8.0
  • Gemstone (metallic buff) New Shade
  • Silver bells (crushed silver) New Shade

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Ivory, Ecru, Santorini, Stellar, Wheat)

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Boardroom, Merry, Sugar Cookie, Nude Peach, Gemstone)

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Queen Tiffany, Good Spirits, Curtsy, Payday, Silver Bells)

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette Swatches (Priceless, Cheers, VIP)

Overall, I was a little disappointed with this selection of shades. The first half of the palette contains six very sheer base shades or highlighter shades which leaves me with merely 12 colors as many of these cooler, sheerer base colors look chalky on my lids and work best to highlight my brow bone but not as shades I’d use as all over color.

If you look at the promo image it can be deceiving as it looks like the palette is made up of some beautiful taupes. I was excited about that aspect because taupe is an easy to use shade for me to smoke my eyes out a bit. There are some grays and lighter taupes here but many of the shades are way too cool for me. There are a few warmer accent shades like Boardroom, Wheat, and Stellar but not many. This is definitely a shade range that will suit a cooler skin tone as you have some pretty grays, shell pinks, and taupes.

I did have mixed feeling about the formula as well. Typically, Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow is soft, silky, and powdery but never try. The blending process is smooth as butter in my experience and the shades are just beautifully textured. I was a little iffy with this shade round up though as some colors were a bit patchy during the blending process and others a little drier than I’m used to seeing from the Ready formula. Before you ask, it is indeed Made in the USA 🙂 Blending went well though, colors built nicely, and I had no fall out to deal with and overall, the eye looks I created using the palette came out surprisingly nice for a formula that was a touch drier and patchier than normal. Some shades were a bit frosty but this is typically of Ready Eyeshadows but thankfully they don’t look cakey on my lids.

I was a little disappointed with the Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette. It’s far from my favorite in the Ready Eyeshadow Palette range. The shade selection wasn’t suitable for me unfortunately and I felt like the formula was quite on par with what I know from the Ready Eyeshadow Collection. That being said, you can create some nice looks with this palette and I think cooler skin tones might just love it.

Bare Minerals The Hidden Treasure Eyeshadow Palette is available now at ulta.com and sephora.com.

Did you grab it?

How did you feel about it?

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

  • Christina D.

    But of course I grabbed it! Although I admit I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. It sounds silly, but I’m usually good with BareMinerals eye shadows so I don’t rush to use a new purchase since, most likely, it’s a keeper. You sound somewhat disappointed so that means I will have to try it post haste and maybe it’s a quality control issue.

    BTW I have a decidedly warm complexion but I much prefer cooler, muted shades to wear or just in general. I think I like the contrast and maybe it looks good and maybe it doesn’t, I just don’t care.

    • Isabella Muse

      let me know! I’m curious what you think!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn’t love it. It was hard to get a contrasting look, too many cooler beiges! It’s dominated by a lot of highlighter/base shades or what I consider highlighter/base ones ;-D If you like the way cooler shades look on you, GO for it and screw it ;D

  • Carol G

    Great review! This is an easy pass for me since there are only 2 new shades out of 18. Also, don’t need a ton of light, highlight shades either.
    Plus I don’t like a chalky formula either. As we’ve all collectively agreed on this blog that holiday releases always seem to be subpar in quality I don’t see myself purchasing much this holiday season which is a good thing.

    • Isabella Muse

      The lighter shades seem to dominate the palette for me 🙁 It was hard to get any contrast with these color. Too true on Holiday releases!

  • kjh

    Thanks to you and to Cheryl. I’ll have to see this one in person. Only have the bare sensuals (?), pink toned one, so dupes isn’t my issue. Now, bloody mufe is another story, though this year looks pretty unduped, except for that ubiquitous metallic gold and black. Ready is usually a great formula. But Nordie’s still has their summer 14, that I might like better. With deep set eyes, the light shades can be fine for a base shade, with the deeper ones out and up. Muse, your sponge tip swatches, which really give a best performance on all shades, have the downside of making everything cravable. A backhanded compliment.

    • Isabella Muse

      my pleasure! Sorry about that 😀 It’s the best and most hygienic way to swatch!

  • Susan

    How many ways can one say “off white”? Ecru, bone, eggshell, ivory, cream, oatmeal, nude, biscuit, buff — waaaay too many of these non-colors in the palette! Easy pass.

    • Agona

      I feel the same! If it wasn’t for the fact that BE lays out their bigger palettes from light-medium-dark, I would never be able to put together a look.

  • jules

    I’m pale as a ghost, and love cool-toned shadows, and even i think this has waaaaay too many pale shades! So the four bonus shades are pretty much useless…love the look you did, though! Looks like a palette that might be worth picking up on clearance after the holidays.

    • Isabella Muse

      clearance would be good 😀 But full price=nay! I was thinking MAYBE a cooler tone might appreciate and love it since their are so few cool toned palettes!

      • Jules

        Uuuggghhh. So true, unfortunately! But it seems like things are finally moving away from warm neutrals, so hopefully there will be a little more balance!

  • Lorraine. E.R

    Way too many light/white/bone/ecru type shades. More than one pale shade makes me hesitate on a palette! This is like half a palette of them.

  • Agona

    I’ve tried this out a couple of times and didn’t have any issues with the formula. However, I do agree there could be more medium and dark shade for contrast. I am a light-medium skintone.

    • Isabella Muse

      didn’t you feel they were a little drier compared to past palettes? :-/ Darker shades to contrast and define would be awesome!

  • Andrea

    I picked it up and used some Ulta points, so I didn’t pay full price. I hesitated due to the plethora of light shades, but ultimately I took the plunge. I like it. It’s a fairly subtle palette, but it has everything I need to create a simple everyday look on my super pale skin. I have countless vibrant shades with a big punch, so this is palette has a place in my collection as an option to create softer looks. I also like the small pans as I think I’ll actually be able to use up some of these shades. I definitely think a lot of people can skip this palette though and not miss out on anything. If you are very fair, like cooler, softer shades, and don’t already have them, then I’d say it’s a winner. But I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t fit that description.

    • Isabella Muse

      you’ve confirmed my theory that cooler tones would like this one 😀 It seems like a win for a cool tone girl or guy! I have warmer undertones and it looks a bit chalkier on me!

  • Diana

    So disappointing! I’m really glad you reviewed it before I pulled the trigger!! I got LORAC Mega Pro 4 when it first came out (I’m still upset about missing out on the original Mega Pro) & after opening it I’m debating returning it. I haven’t even swatched it yet. The colors just don’t speak to me. Idk.

    • Isabella Muse

      I didn’t get it 🙁 Mega Pro that is, it was just too cool for me. A lot of grays and pinks that I don’t think will work for me!

  • Anie

    Is it just me, or did they waste a lot of space between individual pans of color? It looks like that palette could be 60% smaller and still have the same amount of product with a lot less plastic. Not really a big issue, but I can’t stand excessive packaging for a product, especially if there’s not that much to it.

  • Christina D.

    So I used it this morning and I really like it. Maybe I’m more forgiving of BM because I have had generally good experiences, but there are quite a few mattes here, which I love. The only time I’ve had issues with BM is with their shimmers which can go frosty on me, but not in this instance since the cooler tones didn’t do that on me.

    • Isabella Muse

      damn! it must be me! ;-D I swear the mattes aren’t as silky as they normally are. Don’t get me wrong, I can do some nice looks with these shades but they seemed a little drier and patchier to me. And I know what you mean about their shimmers being frosty!

  • Christina D.

    Nah, it’s not you. It might be a little more dense because I did notice some kick-up, but I have a rather heavy hand so it’s no match for me! For what it’s worth, the palette has gotten 5 stars on Sephora and on Ulta.

    • Isabella Muse

      girl, I never go by those Sephora/Ulta reviews! Some of them are just gush gush before they buy it lol!

      • Diana

        True! They also read like people who get paid to regurgitate the PR info… *side eye*

        • Isabella Muse

          lol! True. That’s why I HATE that site influencer with a passion! Not only do people copy and paste my reviews as their own but they do it for free stuff! OMG GRRR!

  • Chrissie Dyson

    It is tempting, a really good cool toned palette is a rare thing. However, am in love with Essence eye shadow quads, this range is so good for cool complexioned folk and so cheap that I won’t be getting this.

  • Deborah

    I have this palette and I love it! I’m very cool and also very pale though. A cool palette like this is so rare I jumped on it. I’m very new to bare minerals so they are all new shades to me. I do see what you are saying about so many similar light colors though. If I could change one thing I’d like a matte midtone brown in a cool shade so I could do a totally cool brown look. I like that I can do a matte look from each row.

  • Kaitlyn

    I actually really like this palette so far. Keep in mind that this is my first BareMinerals pressed palette. I looked at the picture on Sephora before Ulta, so I wasn’t deceived by the promo picture. I like that I have a row of brownish colors, a row of pink/rose colors, and a row of silvery smoky colors. I feel that although this palette is not as warm as the current trendy palettes, it also doesn’t lean too cool overall. (I look terrible in completely cool-toned shades.)The first two rows have a nice balance of undertones. I wasn’t expecting to love every shade, but I had been wanting to try their shadows, and the 8 pans are only $5 less than this palette. So, considering the fact that it’s unlikely that I will actually use up a shade and size is therefore irrelevant to me, if I liked even 8 shades it was worth it to me. (I couldn’t find an 8 pan that had 8 shades I liked.) I love the first two rows and will use them all the time. I’ll use the last row when I want something a little more dramatic and probably work in a little warmth from another row or another palette entirely. It’s a win for me, but I can see being disappointed if you have a lot of their other palettes or only like very warm shades.

  • Mariele

    So sad!! Finally a cool toned palette and it didn’t perform well. 🙁 Looks like these are a match to my skin tone, too! Which bareMinerals palette do you recommend for cool tones? There are so many and I’ve been dying to try one, but I can’t figure out which…

    Thanks for the review. 🙂 I do love your finished eye look!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks 😀 <3! A good one for cooler skin was the Royal Ready Palette. Nice soft shades in there to flatter cooler tones!