Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette ($45.00 for 0.40 oz.) contains ten eyeshadows and will be released sometime this November (I don’t have an exact date). Each eyeshadow is 0.04 oz., which is just shy of the average size of a full-sized eyeshadow (0.05 oz.). Overall, it’s a nice palette; I only had trouble with a few shades–the beige shade having the oddest texture I’ve encountered; crumbly and difficult to blend. All of the more frosted eyeshadows had excellent color payoff, soft, buttery textures, and were easy to apply and blend on the eye. With the exception of the lightest, more matte shade, these eyeshadows wore well for eight to eight and a half hours without fading or creasing. The palette is encased in thick cardboard with ties that hold the lid in place.
The Essentials #1 is a soft, yellow-toned beige with a satin finish. I had to really scrape out the product and dust it on to get a swatch of it, because the texture was really strange. When I applied it, the powder would stick to itself and clump up against the skin. Even on the lid, it looks flaky and dry–crumbly–and it was just oddly difficult to use. Urban Decay Broken (LE, $18.00) is a smidgen lighter. MAC Shroom (P, $15.00) is lighter. Estee Lauder Halo (P, $24.00) is a cream product. Make Up For Ever #126 (P, $20.00) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #2 is a light-medium, white gold with a frosted finish. The texture of this one was very soft, slightly crumbly, but it was workable. I’d actually recommend trying this with a dampened brush to get a smoother result. Bobbi Brown Sunlight Gold (P, $28.00) is a cream product. MAC Greenluxe #2 (P) is similar. MAC Chilled on Ice (P, $18.50) is a cream product. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #3 is a medium brown with warm, subtly orange undertones and a frosted finish. It was very soft, a little powdery, but it had good color payoff. CoverGirl Melted Caramel (330) (P, $4.99) is darker. Disney by Sephora Palace (LE) is less warm-toned. Disney by Sephora Sultana (LE) is slightly rosy. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #4 is a light-medium, muted brown with subtle warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, and the texture wasn’t too soft. LORAC Taupe (P) is similar. MAC Soft Brown (P, $15.00) is warmer. Inglot #360 (P, $6.00) is darker. Inglot #337 (P, $6.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #5 is a light-medium taupe with slight warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had nice color payoff, and the texture was soft and buttery. MAC Until Dawn #1 (LE, $21.00) is darker. MAC Vintage Selection (P, $18.50) is a cream product. MAC Era (P, $15.00) is darker. Giorgio Armani Terra Sienna #2 (P) is cooler-toned. Bobbi Brown Heather Brown (LE, $29.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #6 is a medium-dark brown with warm, coppery tones and a frosted finish. It had good pigmentation and a soft, smooth texture. LORAC Gold (P) is more coppery. Bobbi Brown Tiger’s Eye (LE, $21.00) is very similar. Urban Decay Baked (P, $18.00) is slightly darker. NARS Isolde #2 (P, $24.00) is similar. MAC Love Connection #2 (P, $21.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #7 is a dark, chocolate brown with warm undertones and a smooth, frosted sheen. It had excellent color payoff, and it applied very evenly on the skin. Too Faced Brown Sugar (LE) is similar. MAC Her Cocoa #4 (LE, $15.00) is lighter. MAC Divine Decadence (LE, $15.00) is similar. Inglot #421 (P, $6.00) is very similar. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #8 is a medium-dark, taupe with a soft, frosted sheen and subtle, cool undertones. It had so-so color payoff, but it was buildable. Chanel Gri-Gri (101) (LE, $28.50) is slightly grayer. Urban Decay Juju (LE, $20.00) is similar but a cream product. MAC Vintage Selection (P, $18.50) is a cream product. Giorgio Armani Terra Sienna #2 (P) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #9 is a medium-dark, reddish-brown with warm, orange-red undertones and a frosted finish. It had excellent pigmentation, and the texture was soft and buttery. Makeup Geek Blitz (P, $6.99) is slightly less red. MAC Tan (LE, $21.00) is lighter. MAC Take Root (LE, $18.50) is a cream product. Guerlain Les Fauves #1 (LE) is darker. Estee Lauder Violet Underground #2 (LE, $21.00) is slightly redder. Benefit Dandy Brandy (P, $18.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
The Essentials #10 is a cool-toned, deep, dark brown with a frosted finish. It had great color payoff, and the texture was soft and smooth. theBalm Sophisticated (P, $16.00) is less frosted. Urban Decay Muse (LE, $18.00) is similar. Urban Decay Barlust (LE, $18.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette
Clarins The Essentials #1 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #1 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #2 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #2 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #3 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #3 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #4 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #4 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #5 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #5 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #6 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #6 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #7 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #7 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #8 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #8 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #9 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #9 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #10 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials #10 Eyeshadow
Clarins The Essentials: #3 (inner lid), #6 (middle of lid), #9 (middle of lid), #10 (outer lid/crease), #1+2 (brow bone)
Nice palette. And I do love my neutrals. 🙂
Wow, another brand comes out with a neutral palette. I’m shocked *eye roll* This is nothing special, I won’t be purchasing.
As much as I love Clarins and this packaging, this palette just doesn’t feel very unique to me. What a shame.
I like a couple of the shades but honestly not as impressed as I was expecting.
Disappointing, ESPECIALLY that first shade. I wanted this palette to wow me!
It’s a lovely palette and I like the price point–but I’m holding out for UD’s Naked 3. It will be my first “Naked” purchase : )
nice palette but am looking for UD no 3 now ( naked series ) .. i hope that one is nice
Christine , can you pls find somebody who can provide me ” VIB friends code”
I did shopped with help of one of the codes given by a friend but its not shipped yet plus I want to keep a backup for last minute .
Although now I am VIB but it may take some time to update my account status .
and I use this mail id only for my SEPHORA , pls help me if you can 🙂
Thanks in advance dear 🙂
I’m glad you were able to find one Rashmi, as I did not know anyone with a code left 🙁
#7 looks amazing but for the lack of quality on several other shades, I don’t feel as if “I need this” palette anymore. I’m pretty much covered in the neutrals/browns by Naked 1, Naked Basics, and some NYX loose pearl eyeshadows. I would rather save my money and see how Naked 3 turns out since it seems to lean more towards rose gold shades.
I hope that someone who invests into this palette can share if the #1 shade sucked for them too.
I really like this palette & the packaging, but I’m *trying* to hold off until the Naked 3 comes out.
I had high expectations for this palette… How disappointing! 🙁
The next in a seemingly neverending long line of Urban Decay Nake dupes. Unfortunately at this point, it’s just nothing to get excited about. 🙁
That look on you is gorgeous btw, absolutely beautiful.
Ah, darn, from the promo images it looked cooler. I’d have the same problem with this that I had with the UD Naked palette. Guess I’ll have to pass it up and donate the money with legitimate altruism. 😛
Looks like a “best shades of Naked 1 and 2” palette, but I kinda want it. #7 looks awesome. Never tried their shadows before.
Reminds me of the naked 2 palette , which do u like better ? Also do u think that the two matte shades in naked 1 are rather dry and hard and unworkable , unlike shades in the naked basics palette ditto the shade tease in naked 2 ?
I didn’t have issues with the mattes in N1, but Tease was stiffer in N2!
I like them both equally, I’d say. N2 might have more finish variety.
i love it so pretty!!!!
Es muy bonita, pero le falla la pigmentación a algunas sombras 🙁
wow this reminds me of my Physicians formula naturals quad pallette, only perhaps a bit more cool toned.
Another blogger I love is so in love with this palette. She feels like it’s a grown-up Naked. I have the original Naked and don’t do neutrals a lot, so I think I’ll have to pass, but it’s very tempting!
It was already out at my Macy’s counter today! I forgot to inspect it!
Been waiting for this review. Thanks so much! A Pass then!
Hey dear my status is updated n now I am vib
yaaaaaaaaaaaaa
thought let me quickly share it here
once again thank u so much dear
YAY!
I hope it will be available at my Clarins counter to check it out. I don’t own a naked palette, so this is an option for me. Hope it is not to warm for my skintone.
This looks just gorgeous and i ordered it yesterday from the UK!!! MMM looks better than the Naked 3 palette to me!
Come on Clarins! We’ve seen this palette a million times. Wish someone would come out with a bold original palette. With colors like Fyrinnae puts out.