Chanel Variation Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:05:56 +0000

Chanel Variation Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Variation Eyeshadow Quad ($58.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a cool-toned palette that featuers shades of “light rose, silver-grey, deep purple, light shimmering plum.” It will be released sometime this month online and at Chanel retailers, and it joins the permanent range (according to the press release).

The first shade is a pale pink with a soft, frosted finish. It is nicely pigmented, but it does have a very slightly powdery texture. Chanel Harmonie du Soir is yellower. theBalm Matt Chung is similar but matte in finish. Dior Aurora is frostier. MAC Young Venus is more shimmery. Dior Garden Pastels is similar.

The second shade is a dirty gray-brown with a frosted finish. It had so-so color payoff, but it was definitely on the sheer side. When I wore this shade, it gave me some trouble with fall out during wear. NARS Vent Glace is warmer. Buxom Pug appears darker, as it is more opaque. theBalm Selfish is browner. NARS Grand Palais is similar, a bit warmer. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone is lighter.

The third shade is a medium-dark brown with reddish undertones. It had decent pigmentation, but it was powdery. It is best applied patted against the lid. MAC Smut is similar. theBalm Presto is a bit redder. Urban Decay Barlust is shimmery. Urban Decay Busted is a touch darker.

The last shade is a burgundy-purple with a pearly sheen. It had great color payoff, and it applied evenly and smoothly. MAC Round Midnight is more purple, less red. MAC Rich Core is more shimmery but the color is dead-on. Make Up For Ever #311 is very close in color, but the finish is more frosted.

Like Intuition, this quad is a mix of more basic shades, but the quality is not there across all the shades, so what could have been a classic, go-to palette, ends up looking weak when it’s so dupable. All four shades were finely-milled and extremely easy to blend, but the pigmentation was too varied (ha!) and the fall out from the taupe shade was disappointing. When I wore this palette together, it lasted eight hours with no fading or creasing without a primer.