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What makes a palette worth it for you?
The product itself has to be high quality, and then it has to include mostly shades I’d use and enjoy using together. I know that I will not look for one palette and pick the one eyeshadow out of 20 in it to use with another set of eyeshadows, so being able to use the palette together (perhaps bringing in a brow bone shade, crease/transition shade, etc.) is part of what I like to see.
— Christine
A high quality formula, shades that work on my skin tone and flatter my eye color, and it gets bonus points if the shades or the color combination in the palette are unique. I prefer to have everything in one palette so one brow bone shade/highlighter is a must, but I don’t like when larger palettes have 5 or 6 of them. It’s a waste of space IMO.
Same as you, Christine. A palette full of just depotted shadows is not the same thing as a cohesive palette. My depotted shadows palette is strictly for organization and sleeker display purposes but I have not reached for them and a long, long time. I’ve thought about sitting down and making my own version of pre-made palettes (with an eye look for each row) but haven’t gotten around to doing it yet.
While perfection in each and every single shade is desirable, in a larger (15 shades or more) palette, I can forgive a semi-dud or two. But in a smaller or rather expensive palette, all the shades must be top notch in quality and all must work together beautifully. Along with quality, it’s a MUST that I love the shades within it! In a quad or quint, all of them must be LOVES. In say, an UD Vice or likewise, at least 80% must be shades I really love and will definately use.
Like Christine said, I’d like a palette to have some coherence and if they contain colors available as single, I’d want the quality to be consistent between the two. The colors should go together and be able to give you several distinct looks.
I dislike when there are too many similar shades or too many truly basic shades that most people would have. Like a matte black–while useful, I’d rather not have to pay for yet another iteration.
Packaging: The packaging should be no bulkier than it has to be, sturdy (not necessarily metal but not easily opened by accident would be a start) and cream products should have their own compartments.
I agree with you Christine. The palette’s product has to be high quality, and when it comes to an eyeshadow palette I have to be able to use at least 3/4 of the shades, with most of those being unique to my collection shades. And it should not all just be shades of brown and gold. Adding in some red and taupes and purples and greens and maybe a touch of blue would be awesome. If its a blush or some other kind of facial palette, I need to be able to use and love EVERY shade in it as well as the formula being good quality. That’s actually why I don’t own any blush or contour or other facial palettes, only eyeshadow palettes.
Consistently good quality and a selection of shades that I will use at least 70% of on a regular basis.
I usually don’t mix palettes with single eyeshadows. It’s too time-consuming for me. So the most important thing is that the palette can be use alone. I need a highlight shade, a transition shade and dark shades, not necessary a black. I have palettes that I’ve barely used because of this reason.
Pretty much what you said, Christine – it has to have everything in it that I need so I don’t have to read for another shadow to highlight my browbone, for example. And if it’s loaded with orange and pink and red colours (the new Anastasia palette), it’s a waste for me. To be honest, at this stage of the game, I’d be more up for a “face palette” along the lines of Naked on the Run (though a bit more compact/thin) – a full face palette for travelling! If everything I owned were easier to depot, I’d probably make my own with a Z palette but I’m not keen on depotting (except for products that were designed for easy depotting) and don’t want to risk breaking/damaging shadows like my Stila or Chanel ones.
I agree, I can’t do oranges or reds of any sort, makes me look sick!
Nope – I don’t do pinks, oranges or reds either.
My thoughts exactly, Christine; it’s very rare that I find a palette where I’ll use all the colours, but Cargo’s Northern Lights has proved very successful for me. The last time this happened was back in the early ’80s when, as a teenager, I used all the colours in a particular Rimmel palette. When I went to repurchase, I found they’d discontinued it. Grrr!
I had to look up Cargo’s Northern Lights, as I had not heard of it before. And no wonder you love it, it is so beautiful. Just gorgeous shades and such a variety.
Eyeshadow: 1) Good quality for the price I’m paying; 2) Colors and finishes that I’ll use a lot and/or are more unique to my collection; 3) Fills a gap in my collection; 4) Good packaging. Pretty, cool, cute, or nerdy is even better.
**I rarely buy lip palettes, but my criteria is the same as for eyeshadows.
Cheeks: 1) Good quality for the price I’m paying; 2) Flattering colors that aren’t too dark or too bright (or sheer out nicely); 3) Good color selection; 5) Any bronzers aren’t too dark, orange, or shimmery.
Face: I usually gear these toward travel. 1) Good quality for the price I’m paying; 2) Basic, flattering workhorse shades that can be combined into a handful of looks; 3) Sturdy, compact packaging and a mirror.
On the rare occasion that I do buy a palette, it has to have exactly what I’m looking for in it….if I want an eyeshadow palette, I only want eyeshadows….no blush or lipstick, etc., and it has to be excellent quality with great pigment and staying power. My last purchase of the YSL Tuxedo palette is exactly what I was looking for and, at the time, I wasn’t even looking for a palette lol. I just happened to stumble upon it at the YSL counter and I instantly fell in love. I love it even more than my UD Naked Smokey palette.
Getting involved in discussions on this site has broadened my views greatly and my exposure to various products enormously. Paradoxically, it has not made me want to acquire everything I see, but has made me more selective.
What I’m looking for in an eye palette are the basics. I want a range of beautiful neutrals of high quality that blend. Naturally, one might use some shades more than others, but if there are rows that will go untouched. I’m out. Right now the Becca Ombre Rose palette (I’m on my second one) and the KVD Shade & Light have me covered. Add in singles that I have, and I am good to go. Unless I go to brights, which I don’t use, every other palette I’ve seen of late are just versions of what I can already create. I’m out of the eye palette market.
Blush palettes — never have had one, and doubt I’ll go there. I’d rather select that product in singles.
Lip palettes — I’ve had two from MAC, returned both due to them being so dry. Lip palettes appeal to me, I just haven’t found one, but I’m open. 🙂
I’m relatively new to using palettes since a filter is cost — the palette has to have strong positives given the likelihood of some waste. High quality in all or almost all shades. Colors that work together, so for instance I can take just the one palette on a trip. If it includes a few shades I don’t otherwise have, it’s a good way to experiment. So far, I only have I think three eyeshadow palettes; haven’t yet tried any blush palettes.
For a palette to be worth it to me, I need the packaging to at least be sturdy enough to last. I’m not necessarily looking for the metal containers like UD Naked (although that’s nice) but cardboard that holds its frame. The shadows are just as important–I need to have at least 3/4 of the shades, more if the palette is expensive, to be ones I will use regularly. This goes for shade variety as well as quality. No point in having 20 pretty colors if they’re all patchy and dry. Design and shade names are cute touches but not necessities for me.
Now a days, it takes a lot of me to purchase a pre-made palette. It must have a transition shade for my skintone, the shadows must be of quality, and the packaging can not be bulky.
For me it would have to be value, quality and your reviews! Haha. There are so many coming out lately. I have been more building mines to look like something I would like. So far my MAC one is almost full with 12 shadow options and two cheek options (contour and blush). Then, I have one z-palette that has some MUG and Morphe ones. Best option so far! I go by your reviews of a palette I like and try to find the best “dupe” for it. 🙂
Large palettes intimidate me and I only own 2 neutral ones (BE Nature of Nudes and BE Wish List); the majority of my collection consists of trios/quads. When I do pick up a palette, it tends to be 6- or 8- pan. I’m assuming the quality is good and consistent throughout otherwise I wouldn’t have purchased. Otherwise, for me, a palette must be:
1. Cohesive; I don’t care if there are repeats in my collection because I’m not pulling in other colors. I feel it defeats the purpose.
2. An 8 pan should have 2 light colors (for blending/highlight/transition), roughly 4 mid tone, and at least 2 dark shades. I should be able to get 2-3 “eye looks” from an 8-pan. 6-pans are a little trickier because some 6-pans are laid out to be used as 2 trios or 1 look with “options” (additional accent/pop color, liner, etc).
3. Inspiring. I like when it’s easy to glance at a palette and see a method to the madness; like colors are laid it to be used in groupings of quads, for example. If it’s just chaos, aka where my eyes bounce around the palette, I just tend to get overwhelmed because I can’t come up with a “look”.
As I do look for quality there is more than makes a palette worth it for me.
1. The colors – like you, I need to see colors I will use and not just one or two but I have to look at that palette and think, “Yep I can use every single color at some point” – I also need it to be versatile like shimmer, matte, etc. A sort of one for all type of palette with good staying power.
2. Price – I need bang for my buck. I can’t pay $60 for 4 shadows because in reality as I am getting quality (possibly because we know all high quality doesn’t mean the highest quality) I am not getting enough variation so the price point has to match the quantity as well as usability.
3. Design – I can’t stand something bulky for no reason. I don’t need bells and whistles for a palette, I don’t want clunk and bulk. I want my palette like my Mac Book (LOL) thin and sleek. I need to be able to store it and or travel with it with ease.
4. No lip or contour shades inside. I keep my lips and contour separate, I don’t need them in a palette mish mashing with my eyes lol.
I have no “tangible” criteria… I recently bought the KvD Serpentine palette for *one* shade, a couple of MAC x15 palettes where I owned 1/2 the shades already (but would eventually repurchase), the UD Alice in Wonderland palette primarily for the packaging, and one of my all-time, absolute favorite palettes is the UD Black Palette, which definitely requires me to pull in several other shadows… I also have an inability to resist UD Naked palette.
Even if I don’t think I’ll use every shade in a larger palette, it’s nice to have them included sometimes, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find some real gems that I never thought I’d touch. The pricepoint in larger palettes still allows “wiggle room” for a couple of “duds”, while still making the rest of the palette worthwhile.
Cheek palettes are a different story, and I have to be able to use *every* shade, even if it means layering. As for lip palettes, they have to be small enough to carry in my makeup bag, which is why I will be passing on the UD lip palettes…
How well a palette will travel is a big selling point to me. I like to be able to make a compete look without supplementing lots of extra items. Packaging is also important, something sleek and packable is much more appealing than something bulky, heavy, or fragile.
High quality, shades I’ll use, and not dupes of stuff I already have. Which is why I hardly ever buy palettes. At this point I think I already have all the shades I’ll use. I recently decided I wanted some bright colors (I usually only wear neutrals but I want to be a little more adventurous) and I looked at a new bright palettes but the truth is that all of them have a number of shades I’ll never use because they look like crap with my skin tone. I ended up buying a few bright colors from Makeup Geek. I know there’s a better value to buying a palette but I’m just tired of having stuff I don’t actually want to use.
A cohesive, high-quality product that’s also flattering to my skin complexion. For example, as much as I love blues and teals, they make me look sick, so I can’t wear them on eyeshadows. If an eye palette will lean too heavily toward that end of the colour spectrum, I won’t buy it.
I suppose the more shades an eye palette includes the more likely I am to ignore an unflattering eyeshadow, but truth is I haven’t bought an eyeshadow palette unless I’m fairly confident that I can wear every colour included.
Shades that are noticeably different from one another. Something that turns me off of bigger palettes like the Lorac Mega Pro is a lot of the colors look the same.
High quality across all shades and shades I’ll use.
I like a cohesive theme, that blend well together, and has a good mix of mattes and shimmers. I also like when palettes are easy to travel with…sometimes too big and bulky are frustrating. So it would be a balance enough shadows in the palette with good packaging ?
In my perfect palette’s I would like most of the shades to be ones I love instead of just a few. I want good quality and pigment and not a cloud of dust when I use my brushes and of course lasting power. Not so many shimmer ones would be nice too for my hooded older eyes!
If it’s got more than one color I can’t live without, or of it’s a multi-palette (eys, cheeks, lips) type of a deal.
I have NEVER purchased a lip or cheek palette and probably never will. The colors are so diverse in them, I know without a doubt many of them I would never use. So, they are a waste of $ foor me.
I’m really on the fence about eyeshadow palettes. Most of the high quality palettes are really too $$ for my budget. I always use nude colors for my eyes and even the Urban Decay Nude Palette had enough colors I probably wouldn’t wear, I couldn’t justify the expense. I tend to find eye shadow colors (2 or3) I really like and stay with them for a long time. Given that, many times it is less expensive and easier for me to buy 2 singles of colors I really love than to buy an entire palette. Recently, I found one exception and purchased it. It was a Too Faced “chocolate something” palette. (can’t remember the name and I’m at work). It is a smaller palette and I use almost ALL of the colors in it. The one thing that did surprise me somewhat was the quality of the eyeshadows. I’ve used other Too Faced products and really like them. The quality and pigment of their eye shadows is rather so-so and a bit hard to work with, but the colors are really nice.
Formula is #1, has to be able to blend easily with great pigmentation (not too much to ask for right? HAHA). second would be color scheme in the palette whether i’d wear those colors or how often i’d reach for them & lastly, whether the amount of product given matches the cost. Usually palettes are a savings which is why i usually prefer palettes.
Oh I love this question because I would love to see more palettes like anastasias modern renessaince palette . It’s dang near close to my perfect Dream palette . A palette that has a good balance of mattes and shimmers , all warm shades, a few transition options , no black ! I can’t stand a black shadow to me it’s a waste of space in a palette I know a lot of people like a black but I don’t I never use them I rather a deep warm chocolate to deepen the crease or line the lash . Basically the abh MR has all of these qualities for me but of course I’m an addict and I want more palettes just like this lol oh and of course quality has to be there I like soft buttery shadows not dense and dry again abh MR nails this but we need more like this ! Lol
Yep, I really dislike blacks in a palette too. Never wear the colour. UD Vice has 3 black – why would you need 3 blacks in one palette? A total waste of space.
Most of the palettes that I have and love are because the quality is there and the second reason is I find my self reaching for it often and I use everything in the palette even if it isn’t all at once. If I see myself wanting a palette but there are several shades I really wouldn’t use I can’t justify the purchase.
Dearest Christine,
Aside from the NUMERO UNO FACT that I do NOT EVER EVEN DARE consider the thought of purchasing ANYTHING sans your approval…well…there is RULE NUMÉRO UN: Does Temptalia Approve?
If “YES” proceed to number “2”.
If “NO” proceed to favorite consolation prize (aka pint of Marblehead Chocolate Ice Cream – I don’t even like chocolate, but this stuff is very conciliatory – lol! Or good Italian Hazelnut and Pistachio Gelato.) – Lol!
2) TEMPTALIA has approved of said product – ergo read review, apply as per review and enjoy said benefits of “Grasshopper knowledge.”
🙂
Srsly tho, thank you CHRISTINE, for your fantastic time-involved reviews – myself and my buddies and co-workers hold you in THE HIGHEST ESTEEM!!! 🙂 And of course to Melan for his non-stop source of inspiration and adorable-ness!!! 🙂
Big hugs and kisses from a bunch of women for whom the most part (we can’t stand e/o) but you UNITE us!!!
🙂
I would have to say the same qualities are important to me as you mentioned Christine. I do occasionally like to go out on a limb like the Moondust palette by UD. I’ve been having fun with that and my 4 yr old grt granddaughter has fun choosing colors for me to put on her when she visits too. All around fun here.
I also finally bought the Chanel quad with the matte red and love it and then new UD matte palette and am having great fun with that. I apply it over primer and with a damp brush. It applies well and lasts.
I have to be able to use a super-majority of the shades, otherwise I don’t find it worthwhile for me. It’s probably why I tend to buy quads or to create my own palettes – either in a Z palette or my Ingot or Chantecaille palettes. It worth it to me to buy the individual pans to end up with a larger set that I’ll use everything in and arrange according to my own vision; I also prefer pans that you don’t have to de-pot, since you can damage the shadow so easily. I’m fine with paying for luxury if the quality is there.
A highly pigmented palette of shades that co-ordinate with each other. Preferably, the palette would include shades that I don’t already have and have a selection of finishes – couple of mattes, satins and slightly shimmery. My one problem with the UD Spectrum palette is that most of the finishes are overly shimmery. The shades must be quite individual, as I dislike it when 4-5 look very similar to each other.
The packaging would be sturdy, without being bulky and relatively easy to open.
Most importantly – I must be able to purchase it – so international shipping is a must.
A great palette in my opinion has to consist of two things. The durability of the actual mechanic’s of the outside. It must be sturdy, break proof. If I accidentally drop the pallet, or when I travel things do get bumped around alot. I don’t want to open my bag and see a broken pallet and then the makeup all over everything. A strong outside that opens up and has great quality makeup… that doesn’t crack in half on the first use, or isn’t too powdery, or that’s stuck in there like glue! I feel that palettes and the person who has there name on it, REALLY needs to step it up in the cosmetic industry! Here’s Why… palettes come and go. Some have great product but you have to put the cosmetics in a pill container because it’s outer shell broke. Opinions are spread by word of mouth. Consumers have the right to be as picky as they want, because it’s THERE hard earned money that is shelled out time and time again. What good is a beautiful outside package if the inside product is crap? And yet what good is a plain package with an inside filled with awesome products when you have to make your own home-made outer package? ….. It’s durability and reliability! As a consumer, I can always move onto something better, maybe even cheaper.
?
There Must be more shadows that I will use than I will not use, no mattes or only a few
I would make an exception When the packaging is really beautiful or the shadows I like Are really nice and I have no dupe for it. The Price is also a point. The more Money it costs the more usefull it has to be.
A worth-it palette should have a sturdy, sleek and quite lightweight packaging ( a mirror is a plus ) and most importantly the products inside should be of top quality, with a balanced variety of colors and texture ( neutral, warm, cool, satins, mattes, shimmers ) that can be used for more than one purpose, say a neutral brown eyeshadow that I can work in the outer v, lower lashes or brows and a beigey gold shimmer that can be used as an eyeshadow or a subtle highlighter. I’d also appreciate an additional weight of grams to those products that would be used more often (like the matte beige as a base in the too faced chocolate bar). I feel like I’m asking for so much, but if that palette can satisfy my preferences then I’ll be glad to pay.
I use palettes for convenience, so I can carry several colors in one place all at once. Being able to pop colors in and out of a compact is VERY important, as is having a space on or within it for applicators. Bobbi Brown and Mary Kay have the pop in/pop out color feature available in their palettes as well as offering the conventional set ones. It also helps to have applicators come with it. When I have bought regular palettes, I find I do not use all the colors, plus many do not have an area to put applicators, nor do they include applicators. As a result, it’s not money well spent for me.
A color scheme which draws my eyes and will end up using most. I like no more than an 8 eyeshadow palette or less say 4. I have just about every. Olor in the rainbow love eyeshadows. Lipstick I guess to travel don’t mind a small palette but rather buy a single one. Blush I have never purchased a palette and don’t think ever will, also don’t like the idea of palettes containing eye, lip and cheek colors mixed unless all shades are perfect and beautiful then again, perhaps gorvtraveling might be convenient not to sure. Colors that are great for my skin are the most important or that I fall in love with!
Color, for traveling. Oops! Silly auto correct! Lol!
If there is at least one shade I really love and can’t seem to get anywhere else, I’ll probably get it if it’s a brand I haven’t had bad experiences with. Same goes for if it’s got at least 50% shades I like, even if I don’t love. And packaging. I don’t go in for Disney/Storybook type themes, other than Barbie, so I probably would never buy those, but otherwise, I could get sold on the packaging. I love to wear a variety of shades – nudes, brights, lights, darks as long as they feel good on my skin and don’t wear off unattractively (flakes, smudges, patches). And I prefer to wear them 2 at a time, lid and crease, so I’m not too worried about a whole set working together.
A palette must have mostly colors I like and will wear and work together, like many of you said, I don’t want to have to pull out multiple pallets or singles just to do my makeup. Good pigment is also a must, I hate seeing a pretty color and you go to apply it and it barely shows.
High quality product, a good brow bone or primer setting shade, a good crease shade, a nice mix of mattes and shimmers and a pop of color are generally things I look for in a palette. Or, if it’s completely unique colors that I don’t already have in my collection, I will consider buying it. I don’t want to have to switch back and forth between different palettes to get the look I want. I want a one stop shop. 🙂
Pigmentation . High Quality . Original Colors . Uniqueness.
Function over fashion. It has to have colors I would use, not just colors that look pretty in the palette but dreadful on me. I prefer mattes but a bit of satin or shimmer is okay, but a palette full, good god no. The colors have to be practical enough that I would use (no yellows, because come on) but with a bit of variety.