Dior Cool Neutrals (002) Backstage Eye Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Cool Neutrals (002)
Dior Cool Neutrals (002) Backstage Eye Palette ($49.00 for 0.35 oz.) includes an eyeshadow primer and eight, powder eyeshadows in a mix of soft pinks and muted mauves. It’s the “cooler” toned palette (I bet the name gave that away), and given that there aren’t that many readily available cool-toned palettes, I can see it working well enough for the right person. It was better than the Warm Neutrals (001) variation, as it wasn’t quite as powdery and was more consistent in performance.
I don’t normally test eyeshadow with primer and have that reflected in the ratings not unless it’s explicitly stated to the contrary (e.g. the brand doesn’t make a claim that the eyeshadows are long-wearing and pigmented on their own). I do regularly test new formulations with and without primer so that I can pass on any insights to readers as a separate note (but it wouldn’t be reflected in the ratings).
I applied each shade with and without primer so that you’ll be able to see how they perform over Dior’s primer. Note: the very point of primer is to extend the wear of the eyeshadows, my rule of thumb (based on past average wear times of eye primers as Dior didn’t specify the length of wear beyond “long-wearing”) is 12 hours (this would equal a 10/10 score). The primer in this was decent but not particularly great, and I found it added texture to my lid.
Per the brand, it’s supposed to be an “all-in-one” palette that includes a primer that “provides long-lasting hold … [and] intensifies the effect of the color that will be applied over it.” The eyeshadows are supposed to be “buildable” (and designed to be “long-wearing yet richly pigmented”) and “blend beautifully” and “can be used as either eyeshadow or liner.” Without the primer, this palette would barely be worth reviewing; the formulation of the eyeshadows is very soft but powdery with some shades that were drier and on the dusty side.
The lighter shimmers I had to use with a dampened brush to get evenness and adhesion as the textures were dry and prone to sheering out with a moderate amount of fallout (even over the included primer) and left behind either no shimmer or little pigment. The mattes were better with a more blendable texture and more consistently pigmented, and they applied better over the primer.
Look Using this Product
Cool Neutrals (002)
PPermanent. $49.00.
Primer
Primer is a soft, sheer beige with a creamy texture that adhered fairly well, but it emphasized any imperfections on my lid and made my lid appear dry (compared to my go-to primers, like Smashbox 24HR, which makes my lid appear smoother) as it dried down as I patted it all over my lid. Some of the more white-based matte eyeshadows darkened considerably over the primer, even though it seemed dry to the touch. It made the eyeshadows last between seven and nine hours instead of four and six (without any primer) but didn’t provide exceptional long-wear like an excellent eye primer would (over 12 hours of wear). The formula lasted far better over Smashbox’s (12 hours) and Urban Decay’s eyeshadow primers (10 hours).
Look Using this Product
Primer
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Silver Highlighter
Silver Highlighter is a soft beige with warm undertones and a sparkling finish. The texture was drier and more loosely-packed with larger particle shimmer that did not bind as well with the base powder, which resulted in a fair amount of fallout and poorer adhesion as the eyeshadow would lift and disappear as I tried to blend it out. I had to use this with a dampened brush over the primer and really pat and pack it on to get a smooth, even, and visible application of the shade. It wore well for seven hours on me over the eyeshadow primer.
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Boli (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Sin (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Sin (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Escape (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Guerlain Gold Palette #4 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Hey (PiP, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Rivoli #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Bootycall (DC, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Soie (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Supermodel (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Silver Highlighter
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Ombre Sculpting Powder (002)
Ombre Sculpting Powder (002) is a soft mauve with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer coverage applied on its own, but it definitely intensified and applied more evenly when patted over the included primer. The texture was slightly powdery but very soft and blendable, so the powderiness didn’t become a big problem in practice. The color stayed on well for nine hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Mint Chocolate (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Zoeva MT100 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Sweet Fig (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- LORAC Overcast (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Rendezvous (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Ciate Pony (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chic Happens (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- LORAC Dusty Mauve (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Wishy Washy (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Ciate Jet Setter (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
Look Using this Product
Ombre Sculpting Powder (002)
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Shimmer Pink
Shimmer Pink is a pale pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There was a very faint sheen to it, but it looked more like a matte on me due to the very strong, white base. The texture was somewhat powdery and on the dusty side, but it blended out well and didn’t have that much fallout when applied over the primer (but I had to be careful not to sweep it on). It had good, buildable pigmentation that lasted for eight hours over the primer.
Top Dupes
- Sephora Gal Pal (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- MAC Colour Me Spoiled (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 1 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Insolent Rose #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Kitten (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Wood Pink #1 (P, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Can't Pink Straight (PiP, $5.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Rose Quartz (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Birthday Suit (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Guerlain Boulevard du Montparnasse #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Shimmer Pink
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Shimmer Lilac
Shimmer Lilac is a soft pink with warm undertones and a frosted finish. The texture was dustier and drier to the touch with some excess product that kicked up in the pan. I had trouble applying this dry as well as over the included primer as the dryness just resulted in the product dusting off my lid and appearing more like stark, whitish shimmer than any color. I used it with a dampened brush in order to get better coverage and visibility on my lid. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Sugared Raisin (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Daydream #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced The Strip (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Inglot J405 Celestial (LE, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Stone Cold (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Poesie #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Buxom Top Shelf (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Earthshine (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Mystic (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar True Colors (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Shimmer Lilac
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Shimmer Purple
Shimmer Purple is a soft, medium plum-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good color coverage applied dry, so it wasn’t what I’d call buildable (other than using a very light hand, which is true with most pigmented formulas). It was completely opaque and slightly deeper over the included primer. The consistency was smooth, soft, and a smidgen dusty, but it applied well to my lid and stayed on well for nine hours over the included primer.
Top Dupes
- Dior Coral Canvas #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Moira Satin Plum (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Clarins Rosewood #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Rebellious (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Vengeance (DC, $25.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Joshua Tree (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Golden Age #4 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Trait de Caractere #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Senso (10) (P, $30.00) is lighter, less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Slay Bells (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Shimmer Purple
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Matte Pink
Matte Pink is a soft pink with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had buildable coverage applied alone, and it applied opaque when applied with a moderate hand over primer. The texture was moderately powdery and kicked up quite a bit of product in the pan and was prone to sheering out on my lid with slight fallout as well. It wore well for eight hours over the included primer.
Top Dupes
- Lancome My French #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Wrapped Up (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar).
- Tarte Caregiver (LE, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Smashbox Parfait (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Strawberry Macaroon (259) (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Light Pink (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Benefit Pinky Swear (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Exhibit (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- LORAC Pink Cream (LE, $19.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 13 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Matte Pink
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Matte Mauve
Matte Mauve is a soft, light-medium mauve with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. On its own, it was more like a sheer wash of a pale mauve, but layered over the included primer, it had buildable (to opaque) coverage that was a few shades deeper than the pan color. The consistency was somewhat powdery, but it blended out well. This shade lasted for eight hours over primer.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Clubhouse (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Quiet Revolution #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Tarte Skipper (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Petal Pusher (DC, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Dusty Mauve (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Unruffled (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Countess (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Imogen (DC, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NYX Undress Me (P, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Ciate Jet Setter (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Matte Mauve
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Matte Plum
Matte Plum is a medium-dark, purple-taupe with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It appeared more plum in hue when applied without the primer, but over the included primer, it darkened and seemed to cancel out some of the plummy tones overall. The texture was very finely-milled but moderately powdery, which resulted in excess product kicked up in the pan and some fallout if I wasn’t very careful. It had medium, buildable pigmentation, which applied with mostly opaque coverage when used with a moderate hand over the primer. The eyeshadow blended out well and stayed on well for eight hours over the included primer.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M106 Slate (DC, $21.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Wood Pink #5 (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Night Owl #7 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- IT Cosmetics Fate (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Pepper (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Castle on the Hill (PiP, $13.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Erotica (PiP, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Milani Bella Taupe (05) (P, $4.49) (85% similar).
- LORAC Cool Gray (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- bareMinerals Head Over Heels (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Well that just saved me a bundle. Loved the look of the collection and was ready to plunk it down for most if not all of it. Likely passing on the whole thing.
Same here. Dior has really messed up again!
I own Colourpop Fame and while it’s not a full dupe, it seems close enough that I don’t need this. Christine, if you see this, do you mind saying what your favorite long-wear eye primer is? I need a new one!
MAC 24HR Prep + Prime Eye is my favorite, followed by Smashbox 24HR… I swear, when I read through the ingredients, they were almost identical, but I find the MAC to be just slightly more smoothing. I like NARS Smudge Proof, too, but I do prefer the creaminess of MAC/Smashbox overall (NARS is a bit thin in comparison).
I second both of Christine’s recommendations. MAC used to make an eye primer that was really bad but their new one (maybe released 2 years ago) is so excellent. I wish the tube had a narrow nozzle like UDPP does (it has a blunt, round opening that is messier and not as nice to use) but the texture and the way it keeps eyeshadows looking pristine all day are both aspects that make it a great product.
I think the narrow nozzle would be a problem, my own opened at the seam (in winter) because the product is thick. I put it in a empty MAC paint pot.
Thank you for your recommendations, I might need a new one soon and this is really helpful !
What a huge disappointment! This is the one product I’ve been most excited about. I like the shades even though some lean warmer than I’d prefer, and I could have done without the primer. The size is great too, however, it’s just not worth it to me anymore to use a palette that you have to work hard at to get decent results. I don’t mind somewhat buildable pigment since I no longer require full opacity in my eyeshadows, but I dislike fallout, and eyeshadows that are difficult to blend. I also expect them to last at least 12 hours with primer.
At this point I’ve pretty much given up the hope that my “perfect” palette will arrive and I’ve recently made up a Z-Palette of shades I like from various brands that sell singles, including Anastasia, Colourpop, theBalm and Coastal Scents. I chose purples (both cool and leaning warm), taupes, mauves, pinks, peaches and browns, and will likely stick with that, and add and subtract if I find new shades I like better. It’s mostly cool to neutral with some warmer tones, and I have light, midtone, and deep shades too.
For people looking for cooler leaning palettes that do have neutrals and some warms too, I highly recommend Laura Mercier’s Artist Palette, and Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons (which this week is half off at Ulta!). The TF original Naked Eyes Palette was great, and I’d always hoped that they would remake it into one of their smaller palettes like they did with some of the others, but their Boudoir Palette has some of the same shades and is nice. IDK with the recent update of their eyeshadow formula if Boudoir has been discontinued, but if it is you may be able to find it discounted.
That Boudoir palette is one I also really like and you are right – it’s like a much better version of this Dior one. Funny that you’d mention the BonBons palette because I just pulled this one out today after having put it aside for quite a while (and referred to it in Christine’s newest question).
Well, ok…my favorite shades in this palette got the lowest ratings. ¯\_(ッ)_/¯
All I can say is I am very happy with it. I just wish there was one more shade instead of the primer.
Glad to hear yours is working well for you! 🙂
Yup, guess I’m the lone weirdo who loves this palette!
I’d say that most reviews I’ve seen are positive, so 🙂
No you aren’t alone- I love it, too.
That’s disappointing. The color scheme on this is perfect.
This looks like the kind of scores that Wet n’ Wild have, for a fraction of the price. Besides lots of the shades are fairly similar to each other – so it’s an easy pass and it really isn’t that cool toned either.
I agree – you may as well buy a tube of decent eyeshadow primer plus WnW Sweet as Candy & Silent Treatment palettes and call it about even.
This a neutral pink palette, and not one that is especially cool, to my eye.
To bad the quality just isn’t there, as I could see this being a nice cool-toned e/s palette (shade wise) for those who are seeking one. Definitely not as good of quality as Dior’s more recent quint palettes.
Glad I waited for a review! I was so close to buying this on a whim the other day!
Many reviewers on YouTube were saying these palettes were really pigmented and performed well, so I thought maybe Dior had made some major improvements to their eyeshadow formula but your review suggests otherwise! LOL
Bummer this didn’t get a very good rating. I actually like mine very much and use it for travel. I tend to do clean, simple “professional” eye looks so it works very well for me.
I’m glad to see that someone else likes this palette! I think the shades are gorgeous and blend beautifully. It is a great size for travel, too. I can do a nice toned-down look for work or more of a smoky eye for going out at night.
I agree! I didn’t have any problem with the powders and I love how the colors looks against my olive toned skin.
I love it too! I prefer more subtle pigmentation because of the environment I work in, so this is perfect for me.
Me, too, ladies! I’m a sucker for beautiful subdued plums for my green eyes. I was going to spring for the Dior quint in “Dream” after Hot and Flashy’s recommendation and I’m glad I waited for this one. I also love the Viseart Cool Mattes (original) palette and it didn’t get a great review either. It is a workhorse for me- I’ve nearly hit pan. Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons is a palette I own and most shades are nice, but I just can’t get past those cutesy heart shaped pans. Uggggggh! They make me cringe.
I like this palette though certain shades are problematic. Am curious to see where the line goes, as I like the premise of Dior Backstage.
I was really tempted by this one, but I’m going to pass. I think it’s $60CAD, and for that price, I expect much better quality. Such a shame because the colours are really beautiful. Thanks Christine 🙂
ugh, im so disappointed. im a cool toned girl and was so looking forward to this. I may still go and swatch it because these are my colors. I also love the mac eye primer does wonders for my older creepy eyelids!
I love the look you created but the quality is worrisome for the price. These are exactly the kind of shades I love and this would be so easy to travel with. I think I’d have to swatch it myself to see if I could live with the few ultra duds in the palette.
I recommend swatching it in person. I bought this palette before it was reviewed here, used it a couple times, and was very happy with the results.
But after I read this review, I had a moment of self-doubt and actually swatched my own palette! But yes, I do love the texture and pigmentation of these shades. Lilac—the one that got a C- rating—looks great on my lid, and Silver Highlighter—which earned a dismal D rating—is what I use on my inner corners and it’s really sparkly and pretty.
Just my opinion. (P.S. I use a different primer than what comes in the palette.)
In the end, the only person you have to please is yourself. Dior is trending some very natural looks. I don’t mind that look at all. It’s seems quite fresh to me after all the MR and clone palettes. Each to their own! Enjoy your mauves!!!
I looked all over for it in store to swatch in person, but no one had it yet. I put off ordering for the longest time and was concerned that it would disappear if I didn’t jump on it. LE, right?
I will most likely get this one, too. But, like you, I’ll swatch it for myself.
Seeing how the scores were generally lower due to lower pigmentation, I still want this.
Bummer. But, since as expected, duped all around, no real need. But that doesn’t mean I won’t swatch it. Having these shades so compact and collected would just rule. For some of us, these shades are so easy and understated. Almost tempted to get it and Tim Gunn it. (Make it work). Maybe i’d have a Seraphine moment and love it. One could hope.
I just finally buckled and ordered this palette. It had my name all over it. Received it today- it is SO gorgeous! These are my all time favorite colors to wear. It makes me happy to own it. I have not used it other than to swatch it, but I’m hopeful. Keeping anyway! My green eyes and I are thrilled to own it. ?