Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.088 oz.) is a pale, almost cool-toned medium-dark brown with a wheaten gold shimmer and sheen. Think taupe meets gold–it’s warmer, less gray than a true taupe, but it’s the warmth comes from the shimmer rather than an undertone. Urban Decay Suspect is warmer, less gray. theBalm Sultry is similar but doesn’t have any shimmer. MAC Patina is grayer, less golden. MAC Era has less of a golden shimmer.

Pale Barley is an easy-to-wear shade; it’s flattering on warmer complexions in particular, but I think the lack of red undertones will make this a wearable warmer brown for cooler skin tones as well. It has a soft, finely-milled texture that applies smoothly on the skin and adheres well without a base (lasts around eight hours without creasing, very subtle fading).  This is a shade that seems “boring” on the surface, but it’s something I could see myself reaching for a multitude of neutral looks. It’s not too shimmery or too dark, so it can be used for softer, daytime looks or combined with darker shades for an evening eye.

Burberry eyeshadows aren’t easy on the wallet, but at least they give you a fair amount of product (the average eyeshadow contains 0.05 oz., Burberry’s contains 0.088 oz.).  My go-to highlighter is Trench, and I’ve used that since Burberry debuted their beauty range–there’s only a small amount of pan showing in the middle, but the sides are still full.  The packaging is gunmetal gray with reflective packaging and the signature check logo on the outside (which does hold fingerprints).  Each compact comes with a velvet black-and-check patterned case.  There’s a sponge-tipped applicator and mirror inside as well.

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow (Diffused/Bounced Flash)

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow (Natural Light)

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow (outer corner/crease), Tarina Tarantino Jasper/Agate duo
elsewhere, Tarina Tarantino Glamorous Thief to line

25 Comments

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Meredith Avatar

This is my first Burberry eyeshadow and I am over the moon that I picked this up. It looks absolutely amazing on its own or with other colors! Glad you gave it an A!

Makeup Morsels Avatar

I’ve seen this on a number of blogs, and am pretty sure I fall a little more in love with it each time! It’s such a versatile/wearable/unique color, and the formula sounds divine. Love that you paired it with a pop of blue in that eye look 🙂

Gina Avatar

Burberry’s products may not stop you in your tracks in terms of color, but the quality is so amazing. I can’t wait to buy more of their stuff! And it’s so much easier now, since Nordstrom offers free shipping on all purchases.

Sunny Avatar

This looks like a great basic shade that is not boring! I swatched Trench on the back of my hand the other day (because I read about it here all the time lol) and I was amazed by the quality of Burberry shadows (the finish of Trench of example, is rare)! Guess I’ll sooner or later splurge on one of them!

Dinitchka Avatar

That’s beautiful. It’s probably too dark for my skintone but I would think that would be a perfect go-to on a pressed for time day.

Grrrr, I wish Nordstrom was here so I could test it :@

Chelsea Avatar

My Burberry shadows and lippies are some of my favorite pieces in my extensive makeup collection. I return to them and again because they’re natural shades that aren’t boring, and the quality is superb. I wish they were in wider distribution, but I’m glad to see Burberry getting some love on Temptalia.

BooBooNinja Avatar

I swatched this in person yesterday and the love has only grown. If only Burberry weren’t so expensive! Pale Barley would be my first luxury brand purchase. I wonder when this will happen…

amalia Avatar

Christine, do you happen to know how this compares to Chanel’s Safari?Thank you for your time be happy and healthy to keep up your excellent work, big hugs from Greece!

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