Clarins Brown Sugar Eyeshadow Quad Review & Swatches
Brown Sugar (04)
Clarins Brown Sugar (04) 4-Color Eyeshadow Palette ($43.00 for 0.1 oz.) includes two more shimmery shades, one satin shade, and one matte shade. They had medium to opaque color coverage, were fairly easy to apply and blend out, and lasted around eight hours. The brand claimed that their eyeshadows would last for 12 hours, though, which I could only achieve with primer underneath.
Ingredients
Brown Sugar (04)
PPermanent. $43.00.
Brown Sugar #1
Brown Sugar #1 is a light, golden orange with warm, gold shimmer throughout. The texture was slightly drier with a firmer press, so when I dislodged product, it came away in larger chunks. It applied better with a dampened brush, which helped to smooth the product together for a more even application as dry application resulted in fallout. It had medium coverage that stayed on decently for seven hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Lights (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop El Rey (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Surface of the Sun (P, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pumpkin Patch (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia D5 (Norvina Vol. 3) (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Eden-Roc #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Oracle (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Prosecco (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- theBalm Faithful (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Burberry Shell (003) (P, $29.00) is darker, warmer (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.
Ingredients
TALC. SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE. CI 77499/IRON OXIDES. CI 77491/IRON OXIDES. CI 77742/MANGANESE VIOLET. CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE. CI 19140/YELLOW 5 LAKE. CI 77492/IRON OXIDES. DIMETHICONE. ZINC STEARATE. CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA STEM EXTRACT. SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE. DIISOSTEARYL MALATE. OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE. TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE [STM3808A/04]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Brown Sugar #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown Sugar #2
Brown Sugar #2 is a soft, light-medium copper with warm, brownish undertones and a pearly sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with a smooth, denser consistency that felt slightly firmer to the touch, though it wasn’t powdery and had good adhesion on my skin. The eyeshadow blended out with little effort and lasted nicely for eight hours before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Terra #3 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Candlelight (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Champagne Toast (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Quite Yummy! (LE, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Pulsing (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D708 Pinky Copper (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Devinah Cosmetics Oracle (P, $5.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Honey Brown #2 (P, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I648 Golden Fawn (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Olive Blend #1 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (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.
Ingredients
TALC. SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE. CI 77499/IRON OXIDES. CI 77491/IRON OXIDES. CI 77742/MANGANESE VIOLET. CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE. CI 19140/YELLOW 5 LAKE. CI 77492/IRON OXIDES. DIMETHICONE. ZINC STEARATE. CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA STEM EXTRACT. SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE. DIISOSTEARYL MALATE. OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE. TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE [STM3808A/04]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Brown Sugar #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown Sugar #3
Brown Sugar #3 is a medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, while the texture was smooth, soft, and velvety without being too firmly nor too softly-pressed into the pan. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Gingerbread Mansion (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Chocolate Martini (PiP, $16.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Les Indispensables #7 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Dior Ruby #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Visionaire #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Beaumaris (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Eden-Roc #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Shimmer Brown (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Fired Earth (P, $16.00) 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.
Ingredients
TALC. SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE. CI 77499/IRON OXIDES. CI 77491/IRON OXIDES. CI 77742/MANGANESE VIOLET. CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE. CI 19140/YELLOW 5 LAKE. CI 77492/IRON OXIDES. DIMETHICONE. ZINC STEARATE. CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA STEM EXTRACT. SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE. DIISOSTEARYL MALATE. OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE. TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE [STM3808A/04]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Brown Sugar #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Brown Sugar #4
Brown Sugar #4 is a light brown with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a soft, velvety texture that was a smidgen powdery in the pan but had good adhesion on my skin. It applied evenly and blended out well along the edges. This shade stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NYX Underneath It All (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Bel Air (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Golden Day #4 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Hollow (P, $6.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Cream Puff (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Illusion (PiP, $8.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Stay Sharp (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Hourglass Atmosphere #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Atik (117CM) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Feature (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (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.
Ingredients
TALC. SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE. CI 77499/IRON OXIDES. CI 77491/IRON OXIDES. CI 77742/MANGANESE VIOLET. CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE. CI 19140/YELLOW 5 LAKE. CI 77492/IRON OXIDES. DIMETHICONE. ZINC STEARATE. CAPRYLYL GLYCOL. PENTYLENE GLYCOL. BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA STEM EXTRACT. SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE. DIISOSTEARYL MALATE. OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE. TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE [STM3808A/04]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Whilst I love the colour story of this little quad, the formula is particularly poor – everything looks quite muted (too muted) and some of the shades are really disappointing. It is nothing like their former glory in the Rosewood series of a few years ago.
I often feel that these little quads are good for travelling, but I would have to add to it, so maybe not. I also think they are made more for all who buy a little palette, a duo up to maybe a quint and then use only that until it’s finished.
That said, sometime you find small gems, a light brown isn’t one for me, though.
Back before primers was a thing, I used to buy small palettes, so I could carry them with me, even in quite small handbags to fix my lids when the eyeshadow creased, and it did far to frequently.