I love seeing a cohesive color story where I can see several different look ideas pop out at me. I also tend to gravitate toward smoother, more intense shimmers or deeper tones, so rich, jewel-tones always draw me in.
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I like smaller colorful palettes that I can use with neutral palettes I already own in my collection. I don’t see the point of buying larger, mostly neutral pallets just for with 1 or 2 unique shades. I am currently most attracted to pastel, neon, and glitter palettes.
It has to have great quality and color saturation. I do not mind buildable formulas, but I don’t like a bright fuchsia in the pan that looks like a weak desaturated pink on the lids!
Also, it must be cohesive in some way. Either as a mostly standalone palette (minus browbone shade because I always use my own favorites) or like Viseart Coy, one that is all lid shade pops or all basic mattes. As you stated above; I also want to envision all kinds of looks I could do with it, too.
Quality is first and foremost. I want pigmented, blendable shadows that won’t fade. A pretty or interesting color story, preferably somewhat cohesive, preferably versatile, especially with bigger palettes. Smaller palettes are fine as companion palettes only. I like to see a variety of finishes, and not too many pressed glitters. Brights, neons, purples, jewel tones, metallics, and duo-/multi=chromes will always attract my attention. For neutrals, I tend to like rosy or warm ones. A pretty, edgy, or nerdy theme and packaging is appealing, but it’s more important that packaging is sturdy and functional.
Palettes that don’t have too many dark tones, as that doesn’t work with my pale skin. Crease and brow bone highlight shades that work on my skin tone get extra points. A dark brown, plum, navy, or green instead of black also makes me very happy.
I’m always in search of the magical perfect neutral palette with pops of the colors I want. I want 3 color stories Warm Gray deepening to reddish/purple-ly gray, Warm Rose deeping to a deep terra cotta and Warm Peach deepening to dark warm tan/brown and then some coordinating color pops of light gold, deep gold, copper and strong olive green. The lightest colors should be matte, the mid-tones a satin and the deepest colors should be wet/dry satin and shimmers. Again, the lighter colors should be offered as singles, so when I run out I can purchase replacements.
The quality is really important and if the colors accentuate my beginning wrinkles with patchy, they are out. If they have any more than 2 neons, it’s out. If Temptalia rates it lower than a B grade, I don’t risk it. Sadly, price it a consideration. I’m never spending $75 on any palette (unless it is my dream palette above).
1. I love neutrals and jewel tones for color stories
2. I like where you can see quads or quints within the palette
3. I like a good mix of satins or mattes and shimmers.
I usually don’t care for accessory-type or colorful-only palettes like Decadence but it is one of my favorites – I can always find something to add to even the most basic of looks for me. Maybe it’s the layout or the packaging, but there’s just something so special to me about all of those creamy, satin-shimmery jewel tones.
It appeals to me if it has my favorite colors in satin!
I’m a color magpie so a creative, cohesive color story with a variety of finishes and some personality that gives me a lot of ideas on looks is what attracts my attention. I don’t use pigments “not intended for the immediate eye area” so I don’t even consider those pans when I consider the cost/ value of the palette. Including too many of those, regardless of how much I like the other colors or overall color story kills my interest cold. I had to return one from Juvia’s Place that I was excited to get because I discovered that 7 of 9 colors would be unusable to me; that was disappointing. Likewise if there’s aloe in the ingredients it’s a no go as I’m allergic. Mediocre reviews will weigh in and may slow my actually getting a palette, but I have gotten some regardless with eyes open and no regrets because I knew my chances. Since insomnia isn’t so much a problem as a way of life for me anymore I was still awake when UD dropped this latest palette. I’d been so excited for the purples that I got it before any reviews were posted. We’ll see how it goes. Conversely there’s palettes and brands out there with rave reviews that have so far failed to capture my interest, like Natasha Denona. Other than that impractical packaging or a confusing color story will cool my interest. I just can’t get behind some of ABH’s Norvina palettes. They look like they’d demand too much mental energy to figure out a look with and I’m not there for it. Cost will keep me from buying something but it won’t keep me from liking or wanting it. Pat McGrath, *sigh*.
Like you Christine, what attracts me to an eyeshadow palette is the colour story. They have to be the shades I love and would use, in the finishes I like (satin, soft shimmer and metallic).
Secondly, they have to be reviewed and rated by you Christine – to see if it is worth my while trying to purchase it in terms of quality.
Thirdly – does it fit in with what I have? And is it affordable and accessible.