This or That: Natasha Denona Neutral Palettes ft. Biba vs. Glam
I’ve seen readers ask about this comparison, since they’re both more neutral color stories, but they are more different than they are alike, I think… but let’s break it down!
Learn how to make more critical comparisons between two products when you’re choosing between two options, whether you’re in decluttering mode or considering a new purchase or have been tempted by something new and shiny!
Natasha Denona Biba vs. Natasha Denona Glam
Natasha Denona Biba 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features three Metallic eyeshadows, four...
Natasha Denona Biba 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($129.00 for 1.2 oz.) is a new, permanent palette that features three Metallic eyeshadows, four...
Natasha Denona Glam 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) is a new, seemingly-permanent eyeshadow palette with five matte shades and 10...
Natasha Denona Glam 15-Pan Small Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.67 oz.) is a new, seemingly-permanent eyeshadow palette with five matte shades and 10...
The Analysis
| BIBA Natasha Denona | GLAM Natasha Denona | |
|---|---|---|
| Finishes | 8 mattes, 4 cream-powders, 3 shimmers | 5 mattes, 10 shimmers |
| Color Story | More mid-tone in depth with a few light/deep shades, warm-toned neutrals | Lighter, more neutral to neutral-cool in undertone |
| Pigmentation | Opaque | Opaque |
| Texture | Soft, smooth, blendable without being too firmly-pressed into pans, not too powdery | Soft, smooth, blendable without being too firmly-pressed into pans, not too powdery |
| Longevity | 8-9 hours before fading | 8-9 hours before fading |
| Application | Easy to work with; shimmers could be applied wet or dry/with fingertip or a brush | Easy to work with; shimmers could be applied wet or dry/with fingertip or a brush |
| Accessibility | Online and in-store, global distribution | Online and in-store, global distribution |
| Price/Size | $129.00/1.2 oz. | $65.00/0.67 oz. |
| Packaging | Plastic palette, pans pop out | Plastic palette, pans pop out |
Reasons for Biba: This is a richer color story, even though it is neutral, and it is dominated by more matte and satin finishes. For those who already have a lot of neutral shimmers may find this complements those well. The color story also offers more contrast and depth, particularly for medium and darker skin tones. The cream-powder formula may draw some to this palette over Glam, too (though the reverse could occur!) as it sits well on skin and looks more like a “natural matte” and is very blendable without any powderiness. It is ideal for someone who likes warmer neutrals with a touch of neutral/cool (like the bottom row).
Reasons for Glam: It features the brand’s “midi” size, which is just code for smaller and almost half the price, but each eyeshadow is still contains a lot of product, so for most, there’s no real sacrifice in terms of quantity. This is a shimmer-heavy palette, so it will be best for those looking for high shine metallic neutral eyeshadows that lean a little less orange/red compared to others on the market. It is also more suitable for someone who likes more of a light to mid-tone depth look as there are only a couple of dark shades in the palette. I don’t find this palette to be strictly cool-toned, but it is much more cool-toned than most neutral eyeshadow palettes.
Editor’s Pick: I prefer the color story of Biba, and it is my go-to neutral eyeshadow palette. Glam is great quality, and the price point is way better–I feel like all of the original $129 palettes should be made in the midi format only–but it’s not a palette I find I reach for much. It’s just too light for me to use cohesively. I could see pulling some shimmers from it and pairing it with Biba, though. For me, Biba is cohesive but Glam is a complementary palette.
Bottom Line: They are both high-quality palettes with easy-to-use eyeshadows that are pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The brand didn’t miss on either! I think that if you’ve never tried Natasha Denona before and want to, keep an eye out for midi palette releases. Ignoring price, Biba is better for those looking for higher contrast, more mattes, and warmer tones in a neutral palette; Glam is better for those looking for high-shimmer, lots of shimmer, and are less concerned about contrast/versatility in depth.
Thank you once again for this indepth comparison between the two popular ND palettes. Glam is definitely my preferred palette as it contains a variety of neutral cool and slightly warmish shades that either work cohesively together for a subtle look or in conjunction with other more colourful shades. I like the bigger percentage of shimmers to mattes, as I don’t generally use matte eyeshadows.
Biba is a stunning palette, but the high number of orange leaning shades doesn’t work for me.
Thanks Christine love these in depth reviews. My choice is also Biba as I find I prefer more bold colored shimmers to stand out against my dark tan skin.
I love mattes, however biba has too much orange leaning neutrals for me, clashes with my skin tone……i love the glam palette and i do find it to have plenty of mattes and its got alot of depth imo…..and im a light-medium, neutral under tone. I wish ND would do more color stories sans red/orange neutrals……she does so many, suppose its because that is what suits her skintone.
I have both, but I reach for Biba far more often. I’m mostly one and doner these days and have very hooded eyes so I’m usually looking for a punch of colour in a midtone matte. I find the second and third rows of Biba suit my complexion better than top row which runs too yellow.
Glam colour story works for my colouring, but honestly, a bit ho-hum because the mattes are mostly brown and I cannot do justice to all the shimmers.
This is so helpful! I have been considering buying Glam as a gift, and this thorough discussion confirms it’s the perfect palette for the recipient! She likes neutral, more cool-toned shadows and light and medium tones. Perfect!
Thank you for the comparison, I agree with everything, except that I prefer Glam, but Biba is also beautiful, especially for people like me who likes neutrals
I’d like both, but only have Glam and that due to the price. Agree with you on almost all her latest palettes in the $130 range that they’d sell a lot more if they had been like the Glam palette price and size wise. it’s more than enough product. I would also have the Trichrome and Circo Loco ones if that had been the case.