Dior Grand Bal (539) Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Grand Bal (539)
Dior Grand Bal (539) 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette ($65.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a new, neutral color story that included two more gold-hued shades with a sparkling taupe and peach, which had a deep, almost cool-toned matte to round out the color scheme. The first shade was more sparkly and had a bit of fallout, while the second shade was more powdery (to the point of being a little dry), while the remaining three shades were excellent.
Ingredients
Grand Bal (539)
PPermanent. $68.00.
Grand Bal #1
Grand Bal #1 is a light gold with strong, warm undertones and fine, gold sparkle woven through a more metallic finish. It actually seemed like micro-glitter to me based on the depth of the particles, but I didn’t see any plastic (PET) glitter listed in the ingredients. The texture was smooth, dense and not overly thick, so it had some binder in it that helped to keep the sparkles from disappearing (in my brush or as a result of fallout).
It had good color coverage that was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. It lasted well for eight and a half hours but had light fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Moira Main Character (P, $8.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Moira Goodness (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Spark (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Ball Gown (V2) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Cressida (P, $27.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior New Look #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Tweed Brun et Rose #3 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Icon Day Eyes #1 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Falling Up (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Stila Sandstone (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy and comfortable texture" that is long-wearing and has "intense color" (or "high-pigment"). There are five finishes that can be found within various palettes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic, highlighter, and glitter, though there aren't specific descriptions by finish, unfortunately.
There were a few shades that seemed more sparkly and were sheerer, more like layering shades, while the other finishes tended to be pigmented. In general, the texture was moderately dense with the matte shades being slightly thinner and a smidgen powdery in the pan compared to the satin, shimmer, and metallic shades.
Aside from those more sparkly shades, the formula was blendable, pigmented, easy to work with, and lasted an average of eight hours on me (without a primer).
Browse all of our Dior High Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
TALC ● SQUALANE ● CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE ● SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE ● CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE ● SILICA ● ZINC STEARATE ● POLYBUTENE ● DIMETHICONE ● SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE ● SORBIC ACID ● TIN OXIDE ● ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN ● GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE ● PINUS PENTAPHYLLA SEED OIL ● CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL ● AQUA (WATER) ● SERICIN ● ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE ● CITRIC ACID ● POTASSIUM SORBATE ● TOCOPHEROL ● ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL ● [+/- :CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE) ● CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) ● CI 77000 (ALUMINUM POWDER) ● CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) ● CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) ● CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) ● CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) ● CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) ● CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE) ● CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) ● CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) ● ].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Grand Bal #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Grand Bal #2
Grand Bal #2 is a light, yellowish beige base with pink-to-gold shifting sparkle over a satin finish. It had medium color coverage (though it may be hard to tell based on the photo as it is close to my skin tone) in a single layer, which could be intensified if applied with a fingertip.
The consistency was lightly powdery, slightly chalky as it was on the drier side. There were signs of fading present after seven and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever D716 Crystalline Papaya (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Sugar (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Cristal de Printemps #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Dazzle (PiP, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Opal Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Prism (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Blossom (PiP, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Tarte Posse (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- theBalm Sandbar (LE, $16.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Angel Fire (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy and comfortable texture" that is long-wearing and has "intense color" (or "high-pigment"). There are five finishes that can be found within various palettes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic, highlighter, and glitter, though there aren't specific descriptions by finish, unfortunately.
There were a few shades that seemed more sparkly and were sheerer, more like layering shades, while the other finishes tended to be pigmented. In general, the texture was moderately dense with the matte shades being slightly thinner and a smidgen powdery in the pan compared to the satin, shimmer, and metallic shades.
Aside from those more sparkly shades, the formula was blendable, pigmented, easy to work with, and lasted an average of eight hours on me (without a primer).
Browse all of our Dior High Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
TALC ● DIMETHICONE ● CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE ● SILICA ● SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● DIISOSTEARYL MALATE ● HDI/PPG/POLYCAPROLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER ● DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER ● TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE ● MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE ● POLYBUTENE ● SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE ● SORBIC ACID ● SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE ● TIN OXIDE ● ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN ● GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE ● PINUS PENTAPHYLLA SEED OIL ● CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL ● ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE ● GOLD ● TOCOPHEROL ● ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL ● [+/- :CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE) ● CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) ● CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) ● CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) ● CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) ● CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) ● CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) ● CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE) ● CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) ● CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) ● ].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Grand Bal #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Grand Bal #3
Grand Bal #3 is a blackened brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There was a touch of sheen to the finish, but it didn’t seem overtly shimmery to my eye.
The texture was soft, finely-milled, and almost velvety with more substance but was still blendable when applied to bare skin. It had rich color payoff that stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ur Hot (LE, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Bittersweet (P, $7.30) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Rott #2 (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Everywhere (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Daystar (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sad Girl (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Porch Swing (PiP, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Give a Glam (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Espresso (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Dior Romantic Voyage #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy and comfortable texture" that is long-wearing and has "intense color" (or "high-pigment"). There are five finishes that can be found within various palettes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic, highlighter, and glitter, though there aren't specific descriptions by finish, unfortunately.
There were a few shades that seemed more sparkly and were sheerer, more like layering shades, while the other finishes tended to be pigmented. In general, the texture was moderately dense with the matte shades being slightly thinner and a smidgen powdery in the pan compared to the satin, shimmer, and metallic shades.
Aside from those more sparkly shades, the formula was blendable, pigmented, easy to work with, and lasted an average of eight hours on me (without a primer).
Browse all of our Dior High Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
TALC ● ALUMINA ● OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE ● MICA ● SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● NYLON-12 ● ZINC STEARATE ● PENTYLENE GLYCOL ● DIPHENYL DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIPHENYL DIMETHICONE/SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER ● SILICA ● TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE ● SORBIC ACID ● PINUS PENTAPHYLLA SEED OIL ● CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL ● AQUA (WATER) ● SERICIN ● MAGNESIUM OXIDE ● ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE ● CITRIC ACID ● POTASSIUM SORBATE ● ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL ● [+/- :CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE) ● CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) ● CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) ● CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) ● CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) ● CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) ● CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) ● CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE) ● CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) ● CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) ● ].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Grand Bal #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Grand Bal #4
Grand Bal #4 is a light-medium gold with strong, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic finish. The texture was moderately dense, lightly creamy, and very smooth to the touch.
It picked up well with a dry brush and deposited excellent pigmentation in a single layer that adhered evenly to my skin. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever Hotshot (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Dragon Scales #2 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Sephora Minx (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Alexandre Trois (P, ) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Famous (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Last Dance #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Haus (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Easy Smokey Day (Prime) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Filigree (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy and comfortable texture" that is long-wearing and has "intense color" (or "high-pigment"). There are five finishes that can be found within various palettes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic, highlighter, and glitter, though there aren't specific descriptions by finish, unfortunately.
There were a few shades that seemed more sparkly and were sheerer, more like layering shades, while the other finishes tended to be pigmented. In general, the texture was moderately dense with the matte shades being slightly thinner and a smidgen powdery in the pan compared to the satin, shimmer, and metallic shades.
Aside from those more sparkly shades, the formula was blendable, pigmented, easy to work with, and lasted an average of eight hours on me (without a primer).
Browse all of our Dior High Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● MICA ● ISONONYL ISONONANOATE ● ETHYLHEXYL ISONONANOATE ● ZINC STEARATE ● TALC ● PENTYLENE GLYCOL ● HDI/PPG/POLYCAPROLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER ● PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES ● ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER ● PHENOXYETHANOL ● POLYBUTENE ● TIN OXIDE ● MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE ● SORBIC ACID ● BUTYLENE/ETHYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER ● HECTORITE ● PINUS PENTAPHYLLA SEED OIL ● CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL ● AQUA (WATER) ● SILICA ● SERICIN ● BHT ● ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE ● CITRIC ACID ● POTASSIUM SORBATE ● ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL ● [+/- :CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE) ● CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) ● CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) ● CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) ● CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) ● CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) ● CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) ● CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE) ● CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) ● CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) ● ].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Grand Bal #4
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Grand Bal #5
Grand Bal #5 is a brighter, medium gold with moderate, warm yellow undertones and a smooth, metallic finish. It had intense pigmentation in a single pass, which applied well to bare skin with a smooth, even lay down of color.
The consistency was lightly creamy, dense but not stiff or too thick, and was easy to pick up and to apply on bare skin. This shade lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- UOMA Beauty Palm Wine (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Intense #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar).
- Sephora Champagne Please (372) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Golden Hour (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Step Right Up (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Quintessence #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Agate (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rich Rich (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Kaja Starcrusher (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Shimmy Dip (78) (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy and comfortable texture" that is long-wearing and has "intense color" (or "high-pigment"). There are five finishes that can be found within various palettes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic, highlighter, and glitter, though there aren't specific descriptions by finish, unfortunately.
There were a few shades that seemed more sparkly and were sheerer, more like layering shades, while the other finishes tended to be pigmented. In general, the texture was moderately dense with the matte shades being slightly thinner and a smidgen powdery in the pan compared to the satin, shimmer, and metallic shades.
Aside from those more sparkly shades, the formula was blendable, pigmented, easy to work with, and lasted an average of eight hours on me (without a primer).
Browse all of our Dior High Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● SQUALANE ● TALC ● CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE ● SILICA ● ZINC STEARATE ● POLYBUTENE ● DIMETHICONE ● SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE ● SORBIC ACID ● ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN ● GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE ● PINUS PENTAPHYLLA SEED OIL ● CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL ● AQUA (WATER) ● SERICIN ● ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE ● ALUMINA ● MAGNESIUM OXIDE ● CITRIC ACID ● POTASSIUM SORBATE ● TOCOPHEROL ● ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL ● [+/- :CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE) ● CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE) ● CI 77000 (ALUMINUM POWDER) ● CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES) ● CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE) ● CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS) ● CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN) ● CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES) ● CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE) ● CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET) ● CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) ● ].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I saw this one being used in a tutorial and I also saw it in store and the 4 lighter shades all seemed very similar and very sheer and just not worth the price and then that very dark middle shade – I don’t know – it just didn’t excite me the way Jungle and New Look did. Good thing – I think buying the 2 that I did was a bit of an indulgence although I have been loving using them.
For a quint, this has just too many shades that are very close to one another in tone and depth for me. Pretty, but it gets a hard pass from me.
I haven’t seen it applied but I do like the soft colors and the contrast of black. Similar too some other palettes I own so I will pass though.
Although I can easily dupe this palette, I think it’s a beautiful palette for an easy smoky eye.
Christine, what shadow packing brush do you use for your lid color? I like a MAC 242 but sometimes it’s too flimsy to pick up harder-packed shadows.
Sonia G Builder Three or Smith 253!
I think there is not enough differentiation between shades 1, 2 and 4 – there needed to be a more mid tone neutral shade to balance the quint out. With the three shades so light and then you have the very dark brown, it is too much of a contrast. At the very least, it is of good quality (apart from shade 2).
Hi Christine I am trying to find this in Canada but the Bay link you listed doesnt work and the other Canadian retailers don’t carry it – do you have any tips please?
The Bay showed some in stock, but the full variety is hard to find at any one retailer!
This is the first Dior palette I’ve clicked on to see swatches of.
There has never been one that has appealed to me, prior to this one.
For some reason I find the colour schemes to be unappealing overall and somewhat dated.
This, although there’s real similarities between a couple shades and I’m not in love with #5, is something I would consider–if I was actually wearing eyeshadow these days.
I’m obsessed with this palette, I also purchased nude dress and the cashmere one but I find this just so easy to use for a beautiful wash of colour with a deeper matte in my crease. Speaking of, the matte is very nice to use – I find it almost creamlike. Impressed with this new line from Dior – I hope the holiday palettes are just as lovely!
HI DEE- where did you find Dior’s Grand Bal? I’m in Michigan, U.S. and can’t find it in any stores-
Hi Laura, sorry I’m in the UK so I’m not sure about US stores but I bought mine directly off the Dior website & I would have thought the US Dior site would also have them. Good luck, hope you manage to get one!
I’ve been searching for Dior’s Grand Bal in retailers in the U.S. but am unable to find it. Has anyone else seen it anywhere in this country for sale?