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)