Warm Neutrals (001)

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette ($49.00 for 0.35 oz.) includes an eyeshadow primer and eight, powder eyeshadows in a mix of subtly warm and moderately warm-toned hues across shimmer and matte finishes. This was the worst performer between the two variations of palettes that were released (just give me some time to write the other review;thank you for your patience!), though neither were impressive to me.

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.

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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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).

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A Cool, Mauve Eye with Dior Cool Neutrals

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Gold Highlighter

Gold Highlighter is a medium gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had a soft, more loosely-pressed texture that was dry, dusty, and prone to sheering out and suffered from fallout, and this all occurred over primer. I had to dampen my brush just to get this to go on evenly enough to show up for testing, because I could barely tell I had anything on with it applied dry (and over the primer). It lasted for eight hours over the primer.

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• Smashbox Champagne (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
• Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #3 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
• theBalm #41 (P, $6.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
• MAC Oh So Gilty (P, $18.00) (90% similar).
• Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Collision (LE, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
• ColourPop Crimper (LE, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
• Tarte Vivacious (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
• Tarte Baby It's Gold Outside (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
• Dior Phenix (545) (LE, $32.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
• Surratt Beauty Starr (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Ombre Sculpting Powder (001)

Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) is a soft taupe with warm, olive undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was sheer, not at all buildable when I tried without primer, but definitely performed better over the primer with more buildable coverage when applied with a lighter hand and more opaque coverage if patted on. The texture was rather powdery, though finely-milled and ultra-soft to the touch, which kicked up a fair amount of product all over the palette when I used it, even with a lighter hand. The eyeshadow darkened substantially over the included primer (much greener, too) and wore well for eight hours.

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• Marc Jacobs Beauty O Boy (600) (LE, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
• MAC Pinch of Sage (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
• Sydney Grace Death Moth (LE, $5.25) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
• Natasha Denona Lucy (464CM) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
• MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
• Give Me Glow Mushroom (P, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
• Chanel Road Movie #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
• Chanel Deep #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
• KVD Beauty Sage (Contour) (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
• KVD Beauty Ashes (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Shimmer Beige

Shimmer Beige is a soft, yellowed beige with warm undertones and a soft, frosted finish. The eyeshadow was so dry, loosely pressed, and powdery that it had to be packed and packed onto the lid for decent coverage but there was so much fallout underneath my eye. I had to use it with a dampened brush to minimize some of the mess and get more even application; this was all over the included primer (don’t even bother using it without a primer). Over the included primer, it stayed on well for seven and a half hours.

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• Tarte Wander (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
• Morphe Beam (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
• KVD Beauty Sterling (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
• ColourPop Bluebell (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
• Disney by Sephora Sea Shells (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
• LORAC Sugar (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
• Morphe Enlight (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
• theBalm High Tide (LE, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar).
• Buxom Silk Sheets (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
• Urban Decay Bribe (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Shimmer Copper

Shimmer Copper is a soft, peachy orange with warm undertones and a frosted finish. The texture was so dry and dusty, which led to product getting all over the palette and tons of fallout during application, regardless of whether it was on bare lids or over the included primer. The only way to deal with this shade was to apply it with a dampened brush, which helped minimize the fallout and keep it from blending away to nothingness. It lasted for eight hours over primer.

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• MAC Mortal #2 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
• Tarte Rays (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
• Tom Ford Beauty Warm (Winter 2016) Eyeshadow #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
• Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #3 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Viseart Orange Topaz (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
• Dior Pink Vibration #1 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
• Too Faced XOXO (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
• BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
• Make Up For Ever Igneous (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
• ColourPop One by One (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Shimmer Brown

Shimmer Brown is a soft, medium brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had medium, buildable pigmentation that applied with opaque coverage in one layer when applied over the included primer. This was one of the few shades that wasn’t overly powdery in the pan and actually applied without having to worry about fallout. It wore well for nine hours over the included primer.

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• Tom Ford Beauty Suspicion #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
• Hourglass Plum Brown (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
• NARS Ursa Major (LE, $29.00) is lighter (95% similar).
• MAC Silver Dawn (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar).
• Chanel Tisse Mademoiselle #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
• YSL Saharienne #3 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Clarins Brown Sugar #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
• NABLA Cosmetics Tribeca (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
• Tom Ford Beauty Noir Fume #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
• MAC Winsome Lose Some (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Matte Nude

Matte Nude is a soft peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. It darkened a few shades when layered over the included primer. It had semi-sheer coverage on its own with a very powdery texture that kicked up a ton of excess (which, given there’s a cream-based primer, ensured that the primer always had some powder in it from one of the many, powdery shades in the palette!). Patted on top over the primer, there was only moderate fallout instead of most of the eyeshadow below the lid instead of on it but it wasn’t as blendable as it seemed to stick a bit too strongly. Thankfully, the lightness of the hue made that more forgiving than it would have been with deeper shade. It lasted for eight hours over the included primer.

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• ColourPop PCH (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
• Tarte Barefoot in the Grass (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Smashbox Fresh Take (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Dose of Colors Basic (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
• Milani My Daily Latte (PiP, $5.99) is darker (95% similar).
• Ciate Honey Bunny (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
• Too Faced Peaches 'n Cream (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
• Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #3 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
• LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Eyeshadow #1 (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar).
• Urban Decay ABC Gum (DC, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Matte Ochre

Matte Ochre is a medium, orange-brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had medium coverage applied dry on its own, and applied over the included primer, it appeared more true-to-pan with opaque coverage and remained blendable. The texture was soft and slightly powdery, but it wasn’t as problematic as some of the shimmery shades in the palette. It wore well for nine hours over the included primer, which wasn’t the most disappointing wear time, but it was far below what I’d expect taking the effort to prime the lid, though.

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• Sephora Sand Dunes (327) (P, $9.00) is cooler (95% similar).
• NABLA Cosmetics Paprika (P, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
• BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
• ColourPop Extra Curricular (PiP, $4.50) is brighter (90% similar).
• Givenchy Beige Mousseline (2) (P, $23.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
• Make Up For Ever M705 Canyon (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
• Sephora Terracotta (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
• Huda Beauty Warm Browns #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
• Tarte Warmth (PiP, ) is darker, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
• Morphe Orb (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Matte Charcoal

Matte Charcoal is a medium-dark taupe with subtle, warm brown undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer coverage with a soft, velvety texture that was incredibly powdery and prone to sheering out without the included primer, which it did perform well over. I did not find that it was buildable without the primer, though, and when I used it over the primer, it was pretty opaque from the get-go. The eyeshadow did blend out well and stayed on well for nine hours over the included primer.

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• Kevyn Aucoin Dark Chocolate (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Fenty Beauty Gettin' Toasty (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
• Wet 'n' Wild Lights Out #1 (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
• KVD Beauty Saleos (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
• Fenty Beauty Henna Sea (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
• Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 20 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
• Milani After Hours (PiP, $5.99) is darker (95% similar).
• Makeup Geek Grunge (DC, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
• Persona Maverick (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Become (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).

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A Gold & Brown Eye with Dior Warm Neutrals

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Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Palette | Look Details

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Palette | Look Details

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Eyeshadow Palette over Smashbox 24HR Eye Primer

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Eyeshadow Palette over Smashbox 24HR Eye Primer

Dior Primer Backstage Eyeshadow Primer

Dior Primer Backstage Eyeshadow Primer

Dior Gold Highlighter Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Gold Highlighter Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Beige Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Beige Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Copper Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Copper Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Brown Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Brown Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Nude Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Nude Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Ochre Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Ochre Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Charcoal Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Charcoal Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Backstage Eye Palette

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Palette | Look Details

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Palette | Look Details

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Eyeshadow Palette over Smashbox 24HR Eye Primer

Dior Warm Neutrals (001) Eyeshadow Palette over Smashbox 24HR Eye Primer

Dior Primer Backstage Eyeshadow Primer

Dior Primer Backstage Eyeshadow Primer

Dior Gold Highlighter Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Gold Highlighter Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Beige Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Beige Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Copper Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Copper Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Brown Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Shimmer Brown Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Nude Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Nude Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Ochre Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Ochre Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Charcoal Backstage Eyeshadow

Dior Matte Charcoal Backstage Eyeshadow