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Sneak Peek: Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette Photos & Swatches

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette
Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette ($39.00 for 0.41 oz.) is a set of 24 eyeshadows to celebrate the color of the year: Marsala. Last year’s palette was larger in size and in amount ($48.00 for 1.53 oz.) with 24 eyeshadows and one blush. This year, there are still 24 eyeshadows (but no blush), and each eyeshadow is 0.017 oz. (compared to 0.059 oz. each) — just a heads up. As of this morning, it is already available for purchase from Sephora. I’m working through testing the shades, but there are quite a few here, so while I’m working as fast as I can, it may be three or four days before I have a review ready (possibly longer).

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette
Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette
Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette
Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette

Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette
Sephora + Pantone Universe Facets of Marsala Eye Palette

Sephora + Pantone Autumn Blonde Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Autumn Blonde Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Autumn Blonde Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Autumn Blonde Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Toasted Nut Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Toasted Nut Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Toasted Nut Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Toasted Nut Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Matte Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Matte Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Matte Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Matte Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Satin Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Satin Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Satin Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Satin Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Shifting Sand Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Shifting Sand Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Shifting Sand Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Shifting Sand Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Cocoa Brown Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Cocoa Brown Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Cocoa Brown Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Cocoa Brown Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Burro Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Burro Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Burro Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Burro Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Deep Taupe Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Deep Taupe Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Deep Taupe Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Deep Taupe Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Metallic Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Metallic Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Metallic Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Metallic Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Glitter Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Glitter Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Marsala Glitter Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Glitter Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Kelp Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Kelp Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Kelp Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Kelp Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Dusty Olive Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Dusty Olive Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Dusty Olive Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Dusty Olive Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Desert Mist Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Desert Mist Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Desert Mist Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Desert Mist Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Butterum Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Butterum Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Butterum Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Butterum Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Macaroon Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Macaroon Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Macaroon Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Macaroon Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Chutney Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Chutney Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Chutney Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Chutney Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Nimbus Cloude Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Nimbus Cloude Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Nimbus Cloude Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Nimbus Cloude Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Moonlight Blue Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Moonlight Blue Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Moonlight Blue Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Moonlight Blue Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Carob Brown Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Carob Brown Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Carob Brown Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Carob Brown Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Bracken Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Bracken Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Bracken Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Bracken Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Russet Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Russet Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Russet Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Russet Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Hot Chocolate Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Hot Chocolate Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Hot Chocolate Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Hot Chocolate Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Castor Gray Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Castor Gray Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Castor Gray Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Castor Gray Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Red Mahogany Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Red Mahogany Eyeshadow

Sephora + Pantone Red Mahogany Eyeshadow
Sephora + Pantone Red Mahogany Eyeshadow

76 Comments

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jaclyn Avatar

Not as pigmented as I’d like, but I’ll still probably end up getting it for the gorgeous colors.

I forgot, do you use primer with these or can I hope that they perform better with primer?

Elspeth Avatar

I’m really glad they did the marsala shadow in all of those finishes. I’m not thrilled that it’s so small and the price is only nine dollars less.

Christine Avatar

Oh no it’s so warm! I was hoping the colors would read cool toned =[

Other than the Marsala specific shades this palette doesn’t inspire me. Well after Christmas it’ll be time to put eye shadow swatches up and down my arms to find Marsala shades.

Vicki Avatar

How do you feel about the ability to create individual distinct looks with this palette? Last year I was highly disappointed with the Orchid palette set that came out becuase I felt like all the colors just kinda muddled together for one uni-tone look no matter which colors I chose. Curious about your thoughts on this one!

xamyx Avatar

Although I’m not normally drawn to such warm shades, I think I can actually dupe all the shades in thospalette, LOL! Seeing these swatches, however, has given me some new ideas on how to create some new combinations. A part of me still wants this palette…

Lisa Avatar

Oh no! I ordered this before seeing your pictures and now I’m a bit disappointed. It’s not as big as the other Sephora Pantone palettes that I have. The wells look odd too. I’m not so impressed with the swatches either. Some of the textures look gritty from the pictures. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll like it more in person.

A Avatar

Very pretty (I do love the lipstick for this release as well) but I’m getting tired of the super warm trend I see in almost all of the palettes being released lately. There are a few with cooler colors, but here’s hoping that 2015 will feature more variety!

Katherine T. Avatar

Oooh, the palette runs warmer than expected, but there are some lovely browns, greens, and golds here. And the price is very reasonable. I’ll await your review

Evelyn Avatar

I really wanted to get this at first, but Sephora shadows still fail to impress me. That Moonlight Blue swatch is horrific.
Castor Grey is surprisingly gorgeous, though! The Marsalas are okay, but not as pigmented as I would have liked.

Holly Avatar

Sorry if this is a dumb question or has been answered elsewhere, but how do you actually test the eyeshadows? I know you don’t use primer and saw the page that explains the review system. But for longevity, do you put them on your eye? And do you create an eye look with them and test them like that, or just use them individually on the eye? I feel like it would be hard to tell which shade was creasing (for example) with an actual eye look!

Christine Avatar

Hi Holly,

I apply them to the eyelid (you can’t test longevity of an eyeshadow on your hand!), and I apply to the inner, middle, and outer lid and usually something in the outer crease. With my eye shape/application, I can usually tell which is creasing (position, color, texture) as I check every two hours, and in the rare instance I can’t, I re-test, but I rarely get creasing that’s so bad that it all runs together – I’m more prone to fading than creasing. It’s not an exact science by any means, but I try to be consistent, while still being able to show how it looks on the eye in practice 🙂

Christina Avatar

Hmm, I knew it’d be a warm toned palette, but I was hoping for just a few more cool tones to balance out the temperature of the looks. Still great inspiration, though, as I would not normally pair up some of these shades!

Lotus Avatar

I adore Sephora & Pantone because I’m addicted to those paint swatch cards, crayons, the concept of color! I’d like to own this because it’s another swatch, but the eyeshadow seems sketchy yet ones I’m feeling may perform well are dupable and already owned, most owned, but if it wee EXCELLENT, I think this arrangement works well, agreeable with each other. 🙂

Lisa Avatar

I was really tempted by this, but that’s a really tiny amount of product for the price, especially considering that this is Sephora brand. I like the multiple finishes of Marsala, but the glitter one looks like a miss. Then there’s Moonlight Blue and Nimbus Cloud. I would probably buy this palette if it were $20-25. In fact, I probably will when it ends up in the sale bin.

Rachel R. Avatar

I’m cautiously optimistic about this. The colors are gorgeous, and most look pretty good. A few are going to need help from a primer. The two glitters are kind of dismal on their own.

Cicely Avatar

Mmm nice colours for the most part (could have more variety, I think, although a few are standouts), and the quality appears pretty average-to-acceptable. Some of the finishes look smooth and creamy, but a few look like they’d have tons of fallout and a chalky, hard to blend application. The “main attraction” marsala shades are kind of a let-down, though! For a good “marsala toned” pigment, I’d just use pure red oxide! Super pigmented, and if used with a good primer, little fallout and staining during the process. Also, it’s like $2 for a substantial jar of the stuff, and it can be used for almost anything cosmetic related. It’s seriously gorgeous.

What I’ve really love to see from the “Marsala Colour of the Year” is an excellent dark red eyeliner, preferably gel. Maybe a really fun duo-chrome reddish eyeshadow, as well. Something interesting and new! I bet Nars will be able to jump on this pretty well, and maybe Urban Decay will hop off their “naked” craze (which is so overdone by now) and get back into some fun colour schemes with a marsala influence? Sigh, one can only hope I suppose. Great swatches, though! I always look forward to your in-depth and excellent reviews 🙂

MzCrafty1908 Avatar

Some of the shimmery shades aren’t that pigmented, but I always use a primer, so that would fix that problem. I feel like this palette would be flattering universally, but this has NW40 and UP written all over! Especially with those warm matte colors! OMG…I always have to pull out Cocoa Bear from MUG or Brown Script from MAC or Oktoberfest from Coastal Scents as a transition shades when I use most palettes. I must have it!

Sarah Avatar

I wish they had done something simpler and much more pared down – a few different shades and finishes of Marsala with some well-edited supporting colours. This palette is cluttered and confusing and the majority of these feel superfluous to me. And the sizes suck! A huge disappointment for me 🙁

andrea Avatar

Castor Gray looks like it’s in that MAC Blue-Brown family of colors everyone seems to be putting out. Aside from a couple colors tho, I dig this selection a LOT. Is the packaging more rose gold, or straight up gold? I haven’t been able to tell from any pictures I’ve seen.

Carrie Avatar

Sephora/BeautyTalk mods are sending this and the lipstick to me for free. <3 I can't wait to get it! These are definitely shades that are not in my collection already. And the size is perfect for me.

Note: I definitely read "shifting sand" as something else when I read it off the back of the palette.

.Nancy T Avatar

After reading your comment, I just had to scroll back up to the back of the box, and when I did, yep!!! The “f” has almost NO hook on top, so yes, it does look *ahem* interesting to say the least! Gave me a good laugh anyways ;D

Mariella Avatar

It’s weird – a few of the shades I thought would be way too warm for me and look really warm in the pans actually seem to swatch cooler and so, for me, much more appealing. And I am very much loving Castor Grey, Dusty Olive and Kelp but I’m so disappointed in the blue shade. Still, at this price point and with all these shadows to choose from, I may just pick one up.

Veronica Avatar

Bizarre that they would have two cranberry shades that were so similar in the same palette, but I guess it fits the color theme. Way too warm toned over all for me, but I do love Deep Taupe. Make it a single, and we’ll talk the talk, Sephora.

Zoe Avatar

Castor Gray looks interesting, but otherwise this looks a little underwhelming. Surprisingly a lot of similar colors. I expect a lot of red, but so many browns and warm-tones.

Lori P Avatar

I for one will be getting this because I’m fortunate enough to be able to wear warm tones and I think this palette will make blue, green or blue-green eyes (like mine) pop. Very excited!

Fran Avatar

Marsala is a really difficult color for me to wear, too warm and too brown, but I’m surprisingly drawn to some of the cool(er) shadows in this palette. If Shifting Sand, Cocoa Brown, Burro, Deep Taupe, Nimbus Cloude, Moonlight Blue, Bracken, Kelp, Dusty Olive, and Castor Gray perform well, I would consider purchasing this palette. Thanks for the peek!

Rachel Avatar

O,O Oh my lord. Unless you tell me this palette is an absolute fail (which swatches don’t seem to say), I am buying this. These colors are right up my alley and I feel like I could wear this every single day. I saw the look you did with these on another review and almost died. AMAZING! Marsala seems to be such a polarizing shade, but I am at the tippy top of the LURRRRVE side!! 😀

kellly Avatar

If only they made a palette with JUST the marsala options, I would be buying TWO! I’m not sure how much I’d use all those other extra colors, and will have to check on whether or not that beautiful marsala color contains carmine, which is a total note of doom for my eyes. Thank you for the swatches. Even tho I don’t NEED all those other colors, those marsala ones are so pretty, I may have to pry loose some more cash for this, too! I’m probably going to end up with a pretty sizeable marsala haul when I get to see them all in person!

Annette Avatar

I LOVE the warm colors in this palette. Just got mine and I love it. I was going to buy Lime Crime Venus palette whenever it comes back in stock but now after seeing and using a few shades of this palette I don’t want the Venus palette anymore. I love this palette. It hits my sweet spot. Can’t wait to use all the shades in this palette

Jessica Avatar

I regret not buying this so much. I have been looking for someone selling one and they’re going for $200 on eBay right now. I knew I shouldn’t have passed when I saw it the first time lol

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