Clarins Brown (03) Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Brown (03)
Clarins Brown (03) Eyeshadow Palette ($43.00 for 0.20 oz.) is consists of four powder eyeshadows that are supposed to be usable both wet and dry and have long-wearing results. I think that, despite being a neutral palette, it is not quite as dupable as is typical, because there is a lot less warmth coming from orange tones. It’s also more subdued, which may make it an easy to wear palette for some.
The texture is much denser and firmer in the pan (but not stiff or difficult to blend out) with greater pigmentation and a smoother, less powdery/dry finish, even when used dry. They reminded me of formulas like Make Up For Ever’s Artist Shadow but not quite as cream-like. This particular set of shades wore fairly well, but I had some issues with the deepest shade when used dry, as it didn’t adhere as well and looked a bit patchy. I liked the finish and intensity of using the shades with a slightly dampened brush more, personally. They are not too different applied dry or damp in coverage, which is good if you don’t typically bother to use a damp brush!
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Brown (03)
PPermanent. $43.00.
Get a shade-by-shade breakdown of this palette, along with individual photos and swatches…
Brown #1
Brown #1 is a light-medium, dirty beige with neutral-to-cool undertones and a satin finish. Applied dry, it had semi-sheer coverage that was fairly easy to blend and lasted for seven hours. Applied damp, it was mostly opaque, much easier to work with, and wore for eight hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #4 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Oh, Rocky! (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Toasted Marshmallow (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Sugar Cookie (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Eggnog (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- LORAC Black #1 (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Too Faced Divinity (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Disney by Sephora A Wish (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
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The formula is supposed to have "intense color payoff" and be "crease-proof" for 12 hours. Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque coverage, while a few shades--often those with more shimmer--tended to be sheerer compared to the more matte shades.
The consistency felt almost cream-to-powder, as the formula felt more emollient and velvety to the touch without being powdery, which made most of the textures firmer compared to a lot of other formulas on the market. For the most part, this translated to application that didn't have any fallout and was blendable, but it sometimes required using a slightly heavier-handed approach to pick up product evenly or to get fuller coverage (if desired).
They did not last 12 hours on me, though, which is on the upper end of wear time I've gotten out of any powder eyeshadow. Most of the shades lasted between eight and nine hours with a few being shorter-wearing than that range.
Browse all of our Clarins Eyeshadow swatches.
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Brown #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown #2
Brown #2 is a muted, medium brown with subtle, sallow yellow undertones and a satin finish. It had mostly opaque pigmentation both wet and dry, but the damp application yielded slightly darker, smoother pigmentation overall. The texture was denser, more cream-like, and had no powderiness at all, but I didn’t have any issues picking up the color with my eyeshadow brush. It wore well for seven hours dry, seven and a half hours damp.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Vintage (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Primal (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Hot Stone Massage (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Buxom Star Treatment (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #7 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Cool Taupe (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lancome Trenchcoat (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Dare (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Java (PiP, $6.25) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "intense color payoff" and be "crease-proof" for 12 hours. Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque coverage, while a few shades--often those with more shimmer--tended to be sheerer compared to the more matte shades.
The consistency felt almost cream-to-powder, as the formula felt more emollient and velvety to the touch without being powdery, which made most of the textures firmer compared to a lot of other formulas on the market. For the most part, this translated to application that didn't have any fallout and was blendable, but it sometimes required using a slightly heavier-handed approach to pick up product evenly or to get fuller coverage (if desired).
They did not last 12 hours on me, though, which is on the upper end of wear time I've gotten out of any powder eyeshadow. Most of the shades lasted between eight and nine hours with a few being shorter-wearing than that range.
Browse all of our Clarins Eyeshadow swatches.
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Brown #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown #3
Brown #3 is a medium-dark brown with subtle, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It wasn’t necessary to use the eyeshadow damp, as it was richly pigmented dry already, though damp application gave it a smoother, more metallic finish. The texture was smooth, blendable, and easy to work with on bare skin. This shade wore nicely for eight hours both wet and dry.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Milani Sweeter Than Chocolate (PiP, $5.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Volcanic #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Soft Steel (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Substance (PiP, $25.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Bao Bao's Jewels #4 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Blurry Mauve #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Posh Pedigree #3 (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Jungle #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Grand-Palais (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- L'Oreal Quartz Fume (P, $5.99) is lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "intense color payoff" and be "crease-proof" for 12 hours. Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque coverage, while a few shades--often those with more shimmer--tended to be sheerer compared to the more matte shades.
The consistency felt almost cream-to-powder, as the formula felt more emollient and velvety to the touch without being powdery, which made most of the textures firmer compared to a lot of other formulas on the market. For the most part, this translated to application that didn't have any fallout and was blendable, but it sometimes required using a slightly heavier-handed approach to pick up product evenly or to get fuller coverage (if desired).
They did not last 12 hours on me, though, which is on the upper end of wear time I've gotten out of any powder eyeshadow. Most of the shades lasted between eight and nine hours with a few being shorter-wearing than that range.
Browse all of our Clarins Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Brown #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown #4
Brown #4 is a dark brown with warm, reddish undertones and a satin finish. It had good color payoff both wet and dry, and the biggest difference was how the color appeared darker and cooler applied damp. The consistency felt firmer than desired, so it did take a little extra work to get the color out of the pan. If I used a flat, synthetic brush, I had better results initially than using a natural eyeshadow brush. I noticed signs of fading after eight hours (both wet and dry).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Amberluxe #5 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Chroma #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- elf Plateau (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M626 Neutral Brown (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Minx #3 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Midnight Hour (LE, $17.00) is darker (85% similar).
- LORAC Espresso (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- MAC Smut (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Too Faced Jingle All the Way Eyeshadow #8 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty AW '16 (Right) (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have "intense color payoff" and be "crease-proof" for 12 hours. Most shades had semi-opaque to opaque coverage, while a few shades--often those with more shimmer--tended to be sheerer compared to the more matte shades.
The consistency felt almost cream-to-powder, as the formula felt more emollient and velvety to the touch without being powdery, which made most of the textures firmer compared to a lot of other formulas on the market. For the most part, this translated to application that didn't have any fallout and was blendable, but it sometimes required using a slightly heavier-handed approach to pick up product evenly or to get fuller coverage (if desired).
They did not last 12 hours on me, though, which is on the upper end of wear time I've gotten out of any powder eyeshadow. Most of the shades lasted between eight and nine hours with a few being shorter-wearing than that range.
Browse all of our Clarins Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Brown #4
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Clarins Brown (03) Eyeshadow Palette | Look Breakdown
Clarins Brown (03) Eyeshadow Palette | Look Breakdown
i wanted to get a clarins palette maybe a year ago, but i have never heard great things about clarins shadows ! After reading this review, i think they are not bad at all ! i am gonna give them a try 🙂
They reformulated, so that might help!
Claire, I’ve got a few Clarins palettes and love almost all of them all. In a few of them, some of the “brighter” shades aren’t all that pigmented but I don’t think that’s their “vibe” – I think in general, they’re more about subtle colours rather than Urban Decay type brights. The “Forest” quad from a few years ago (Christine reviewed it, which is how I learned about it) is amazingly good and it’s a shame they discontinued it rather than bringing it back in this new “format”.
Aw, this one is pretty too! I like that it’s not too warm and I love shade #2… I’ll put it on the wishlist for ‘you never know when you need more neutrals’.
Sounds like a plan 🙂
I’m in love wit this beautiful neutral palette! Something about the combination makes it seem like the perfect stocking stuffer for any age!
It is very wearable!
I bought this about a month or so back (for $8! Yay, SDM’s 20% off days and Optimum points!) and like it very much for a quick every day natural/work appropriate look. I do with the lightest colour was more of a true white-ish/satiny highlighter, though. The other thing that struck me is that in real life #2 and #3 look almost identical in the pans but #2 has very little pigmentation while 3 is much more pigmented.
They did seem similar initially, but they look different once applied!
They look so nice and smooth! Lovely.
They were!
I have enough neutral shadows to last until next apocalypse, but this looks nice for a gradient neutral shadow look
LOL!
I don’t know why, but this *almost* seems like a mini crossection of Viseart Cashmere with a touch of Chroma? I like it, but even with no absolute dupes, I may be able to do something close with what I own. And yet again, not all in one place, though.
I can see why you get that vibe!
Weird! I think this would actually be a good neutral palette for me. The satin finishes are perfect, and, although the undertones are warm, there’s not a lot of orange there. Hmmm! Getting that kind of satin finish in the light beige (my base/browbone shade) and the medium brown (my hood/crease/blending shade) is actually pretty unusual. I need to think about this one!
I hope you can swatch it sometime, Fran!
It looks like the Nordstrom near me has it in stock — hopefully I can get up there in the next couple of weeks 🙂
I was thinking the exact same thing, Fran, about a neutrals palette with less of an orange emphasis.
Definitely going on the list to consider during a SDM 20â„… off sale or a bi-annual Bon Ton sale.
I could see this being a great all in one pallet for me!! I can picture a few looks I’d do! Might have to look into this!!!
Awesome, Shannon! 😀
Very pretty, slightly cool toned little quad. Versatile, but quite dupable shades and a pretty good rating too.
Definitely better for someone who doesn’t have too many neutrals yet!
Very pretty, and yes, the shadows are cooler-toned than they appear in the pans. I’m kind of bored with all my neutral shadows right now, so I might check this one out. Clarins is one of the unsung makeup brands that generally pleases me, and their prices are reasonable, too 🙂
Wish I was in the market for shades this color! It’s so hard to find neutrals that are actually neutral (I’m cool enough to pull these cooler)! I’ll have to keep this in mind though if I do need them!
Classic, but not for me. Browns look ultra muddy on me.
Oh, that’s too bad!