Is this palette worth $84?

I know that it probably sounds funny, but after reviewing and being disappointed by Guerlain’s Rue de Francs Bourgeois Eyeshadow Palette, I felt the need to determine whether the palettes were a miss in general or perhaps just that particular combination was underwhelming. I decided to go with Guerlain’s 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette ($84.00 for 0.25 oz.), which is one variation that seemed to stand out more than the others (to me).

The palette includes six eyeshadows in varying shapes and sizes.  It’s housed in a beautiful compact with a filigree pattern on the cover that’s actually see-through.  There’s a black plastic piece that lifts open to reveal the eyeshadows themselves (and on the inside, there is a mirror).  A dual-ended miniaturized brush is also included, and while not something I’d use under regular circumstances, is nicer than many other palette applicators I’ve come across.

This is a rather cool-toned palette, which would make it most suitable for those who lean cool, but it’s still wearable on warmer skin tones, since they’re closer to neutral than very cool.  There is a pale white-beige with a satin finish, muted gray-brown with a satin finish, medium-dark ocean blue with soft sheen, antique gold with a hint of taupe base and frosted shimmer, cool-toned charcoal brown with a semi-matte finish, and darkened purple-black with flecks of violet shimmer over a semi-matte color base.

I think the pigmentation on the eyeshadows is nice overall, but it’s not rich and intense and luxe to me.  I really don’t get the luxury feel from the texture, but these shades are more impressive in their subtle nuances than in Rue de Francs Bourgeois.  I’m not keen on the level of pigmentation in the lighter brown shade, which is a little sheer; though the charcoal-brown shade appears sheer when swatched, it applies just fine with a brush on the eyes (say in the crease).

I’m still not as wow-ed as I’d like to be with these palettes, and while the palette’s case is most assuredly gorgeous, the eyeshadows don’t quite match it.  The texture could be finer, richer — I think this is what makes me go, “Hmm, I want to like you, but it’s not quite there,” because they don’t feel as buttery as Guerlain’s singles, duos, and quads’ eyeshadows do.  I do like that these have nearly no fall out, and they do apply very smoothly and evenly.

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• Product: 26/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 5/5

RECOMMENDATION:

AVAILABILITY: Sephora

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Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette

Look:  Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Palette

I have no idea how I ended up with a backlog of looks, but somehow… I did.  That’s a first!  I did this look last week using the Guerlain palette I bought.  Review coming soon!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Guerlain 2 Place Vendome Eyeshadow Palette (pale beige, medium gray-brown, medium-dark blue, dark antique gold, dark purple-blue), Urban Decay Deviant 24/7 Liner (blue), Fresh Supernova Mascara (black),
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Rock & Republic Foreplay Blush (dark peach)
• Lips: Guerlain Giny Rouge G Lipstick (nude), Chanel Insouciance Extrait de Gloss (beige)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply dark antique gold eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid and pull upwards along the inner crease. Lightly blend the medium gray-brown eyeshadow on the middle of the lid with the 239. Next, apply the dark antique gold eyeshadow onto the outer lid with the 239. Define the crease with the medium-dark blue eyeshadow and the 226, then lightly pat the dark blue-purple eyeshadow into the crease. Blend the pale beige eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Deviant liner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Supernova mascara.

For cheeks, apply Foreplay blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Giny lipstick first, and then layer Insouciance gloss for a complementing lip.

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