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Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette ($42.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a series of “autumn hues” of “khaki, satiny taupe, intense bronze, and pale gold.” The formula can be used wet or dry, depending on the intensity one desires. Three of the four shades had very nice color payoff, while one shade had more of a glimmering, metallic consistency and look, so it was sheerer (the press release actually calls it a “beige illuminator,” so sheerness would make sense here). The darkest shade felt like a cream eyeshadow–did not feel like a powder at all. All four shades wore without fading or creasing for almost eight hours, and the glittery shade had minor fall out over time. Worth noting, the palette seems like it has plenty of product, but by weight, it’s a mere 0.10 oz.–which is about half of what you’d expect spread across four eyeshadows.

Forest #1 is a medium-dark, olive green with warm, brown undertones and a satin finish. It had nice color payoff, and the texture was silky-smooth and blendable. theBalm D4 (LE, $16.00) is more matte. Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #1 (LE) is darker. Urban Decay Jealous #1 (LE, $18.00) is warmer. theBalm Lead Zeppelin (P, $16.00) is darker. MAC Fiction (DC, $15.00) is very similar. Guerlain Coup de Foudre #1 (LE) is greener. bareMinerals Eureka (P) is more frosted. bareMinerals Speaker Box (LE) is slightly darker. Make Up For Ever #148 (P, $20.00) is more olive. See comparison swatches.

Forest #2 is a glittering golden beige with a metallic finish. It had sheer color payoff, and this is the shade the press release describes as a “beige illuminator.” It’s not much of an eyeshadow–best worn alone as an all-over wash or layered on top of something more opaque to change the texture. I noticed a little bit of fall out over time with this shade. MAC Phresh Out #1 (LE) is lighter. Kat Von D Galore (LE) is yellower. Guerlain Crazy Paris #2 (LE) is slightly warmer. MAC Vanilla Diamond (LE, $21.00) is lighter. Bobbi Brown Bone (LE, $28.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

Forest #3 is a deep, dark, murky blackened green with warm, khaki undertones and a sprinkling of bronze shimmer. It’s almost gray. The texture of this felt like a cream–there was nothing powder-like about it!–and blended and applied like one. I didn’t have any creasing with it, though, which is what I was most worried about. It’s incredibly pigmented–a little goes a long way. Too Faced Chocolate Moon (LE) is blacker. Urban Decay Cobra (LE, $18.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

Forest #4 is a golden taupe with warm, brown undertones and a frosted, metallic sheen. It had very nice color payoff, and the texture was soft, silky, and buttery. Sleek MakeUP Lust in LA (LE, $9.99) is similar. Too Faced Buche de Noel (LE) is darker. Urban Decay Shakedown (LE, $18.00) is less golden. Urban Decay Suspect (LE, $18.00) Burberry Pale Barley (P) is similar. Benefit Thanks a Latte (P, $20.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches.

P.S. — Clarins’ Friends & Family sale is currently in progress and ends on 11/13. They have a tiered system, so if you purchase one item, it’s 15% off; two items, 20%, 3 items or more, 25% off with code CLARINSFF13.

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #1 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #1 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #2 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #2 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #3 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #3 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #4 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Clarins Forest #4 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Forest #2 (inner lid), Forest #4 (middle of lid), Forest #1 (outer lid), Forest #3 (crease)

Clarins Forest Eye Quartet Mineral Palette
Forest #2 (inner lid), Forest #4 (middle of lid), Forest #1 (outer lid), Forest #3 (crease)

23 Comments

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Rae Avatar

Forest looks lovely on you, Christine!

I’m usually a big fan of Clarins’ quads, but I’m having a bit of trouble reviewing this one — while the earthy green hues complement your skintone beautifully, they look pretty garish and sickly on mine. It’s hard to test something for wear time when all you can think is “geeze, I look like I’m going to be ill”! >.<

Christine Avatar

Does the darkest shade feel like a cream or powder eyeshadow to you? ‘Cause that texture was throwing me through a loop!

I am too used to seeing two different eyes and blushes and lips that don’t match. I don’t even really think about how it looks on me as an individually anymore!

Keri Avatar

This is really pretty! I’ve never tried Clarins before, but this might go on my Christmas wishlist! But… Naked 3 is really pulling me, so I’ll have to wait and see.

Wwendalynne Avatar

This seems a little like the Chanel palette I picked up from Fall 2013 collection called Mystere, but warmer. I like the Chanel interpretation better for my skintone. This is pretty, but shade #1 in particular could go terribly wrong on me.

Ari Avatar

I was just wondering that – as Mystere is a winner for my difficult colouring, but its pigmentation is lackluster enough that this was looking like a fantastic replacement. Too-warm is death for my skintone, however, so thank you very much for mentioning this: I’ll be swatching this if I can, rather than dashing off to order it in a fit of ZOMG. *g*

Mariella Avatar

I’ve got a few Clarins 4 and 4+cake liner palettes and I love them. I got the palette from last Xmas and the shades in this are fairly similar so as much as I’m tempted and as much as I really like the subtle neutrals in this one, I am going to try to resist.

VCR Avatar

I looove these colors. Wish the texture of the champagne color was better. Clarins is underrated for me, they have some good stuff. I’m going to check this palette out next time I’m at the counter!

hali Avatar

I love the selection of colors in this palette. Greens that are not really greens! Right up my alley. I was looking at this post on the Clarins website, and they say it is 5.8g or about 0.2oz of product, just like all the other Clarins quads. Maybe Nordstrom has it wrong on their website?

Mariella Avatar

So, I finally broke down and bought this (well, got it with SDM points) and I am SO in love with it. I think this is going to be my every day palette for the next week or 2 (I’ve just taken over for a teacher who had a baby on Friday and things are a bit hectic as I settle in; these shadows will help me be out the door early but looking put together).

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