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 #1 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #1 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #2 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #2 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #3 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #3 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #4 Mineral Eyeshadow

Clarins Forest #4 Mineral Eyeshadow

Forest #2 (inner lid), Forest #4 (middle of lid), Forest #1 (outer lid), Forest #3 (crease)

Forest #2 (inner lid), Forest #4 (middle of lid), Forest #1 (outer lid), Forest #3 (crease)