Guerlain Mono Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Mono Eyeshadow ($34.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a recently released range of single eyeshadows. I bought three of them to try, and if you notice the pattern on the monos are the same as some of the recent limited edition quads (which I have had some issues with), and these are just okay. They’re average eyeshadows, which doesn’t make them compelling at $34 a pop given they’re somewhat powdery, prone to sheering out, and have below-average wear (six hours). The major selling point of the formula is that it’s supposed to “stay all day long,” but it’s the type of powder eyeshadow formula that feels like my eyelids are “eating” them as they just don’t last.
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow ($34.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light-medium, gray-leaning taupe with subtle, warm, almost mauve-y undertones and a metallic finish. The texture was soft and almost crumbly as a result, so it was somewhat powdery and easily sheered out when applied to the lid. If you wanted better color payoff, a lightly tacky base or cream eyeshadow would help tremendously. On me, it had creased after six hours of wear. Tarte Steel the Scene (LE) is darker. Dior House of Pinks #4 (LE) is pinker. MAC Divine Rule (LE, $16.00) is very similar. Gucci Beauty Sasso (P, $37.00) is darker, grayer, more sparkly.Urban Decay Angel (LE, $18.00) is slightly darker. Make Up For Ever I550 Olive Gray (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer. NARS Callisto (P, $29.00) is brighter, more metallic. MAC French Clay (P, $16.00) is warmer. Dior Golden Snow #4 (LE) is more metallic, pinker. Giorgio Armani Shimmer Greige (LE) Dior Fairy Golds #4 (LE) See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow ($34.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a light-medium beige with warm, peach undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a very soft, moderately powdery texture that kicked up a lot of excess product. It was buildable on the lid, though you have to be careful of how much you blend, as it can sheer out. On me, it lasted for five hours. ColourPop Cornelious (LE, $5.00) is darker, cream. Becca Ombre Nudes #2 (P) is similar. Tarte You’re a Natural (LE) is similar. MAC Georgia Peach (P, $16.00) is cooler-toned. Hourglass Infinity #2 (P) is darker. Tarte Force of Nature (LE) is darker. Edward Bess Cosmic Bliss #1 (P, $30.00) is slightly darker. MAC Kid (P, $16.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow ($34.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a murky, medium-dark olive green with warm, brown undertones and a pearly sheen. It had mostly opaque pigmentation and was the best-performing shade of the three I tried. The texture was smoother and less powdery, so it had better hold and didn’t sheer out when applied to the skin. This shade lasted for seven hours on me. Anastasia Anaconda (LE, $12.00) is warmer. Guerlain Les Precieux #1 (LE) is darker. Hourglass Color Field #5 (P) is darker. Sephora + Pantone Universe Dusty Olive (LE) is brighter. Chanel Tisse Fantaisie #3 (LE) is lighter. MAC Cool Companions #2 (LE) is cooler-toned. YSL Avant Garde #1 (P) is lighter. MAC Greensmoke (P, $16.00) is slightly darker. Inglot #419 (P, $6.00) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Taupe Secret (01)
PPermanent. $34.00.
Hey Nude (04)
PPermanent. $34.00.
Khaki Mono (07)
PPermanent. $34.00.
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Taupe Secret (01) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Hey Nude (04) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Guerlain Khaki Mono (07) Eyeshadow
Hey Nude (inner lid), Taupe Secret (middle of lid), Khaki Mono (outer lid/crease),
Marc Jacobs Beauty Peridot/Top Seacret/Midnight in Paris Eyeliners
Hey Nude (inner lid), Taupe Secret (middle of lid), Khaki Mono (outer lid/crease),
Marc Jacobs Beauty Peridot/Top Seacret/Midnight in Paris Eyeliners
Curse of the High End shadow strikes again. (ㆆ_ㆆ)
I genuinely wonder if they all intend to give us barely-there, sheer kind of eyeshadow but refuse to actually market them that way. I felt this was the norm 5-10 years ago, but that high-end brands were finally putting out pigmented formulas… and now we’re reversing.
Wendy.. That’s what I thought, too!! 🙂
Ahhh I got three of these (Taupe Secret, Brownie & Clyde, and Blue’s Brothers) and the only one that I love is Brownie & Clyde! Taupe Secret produces shimmer fallout throughout the day, which I find strange (and in all honesty quite rare) for a regular pressed shadow.
LOL! I only got neutrals, because I wasn’t sure about this formula (the pattern made me wary, as I haven’t had good luck with their recent quads with the same pattern), figuring if those were really good, then maybe the colors would be OK.
pretty packaging. I like the green best. But I think I would rather hunt down a dupe than pay $34 for a so-so shadow. Thanks for reviewing these! 🙂
No problem, Nicole! I definitely would buy eyeshadows elsewhere!
At this price, the ratings for all 3 need to be A+! All 3 are so easily duped with better quality shadows at lower price points!
Completely agreed. I was rather annoyed at just how average they were.
they have the cutest names in my opinion! really pretty shades too, just a tad bit too pricey for me 😛
The names are cute!
Do people use those little applicators that sometimes come with eyeshadow? Because personally I would rather they save on superfluous packaging by not including one. It doesn’t seem to match with the idea of “high-end”, anyway.
With these expensive brands rating so low, I feel validated for being cheap :P.
I think if you ask the community here, then many don’t, but the larger makeup user base – more than you’d think.
I do! In the morning, I’ll apply the shadow with a proper shadow brush, but during the day, when I’m on the go, I use the built-in mirror and applicator to do quick touch ups.
Chloe, what is really interesting is that the applicators that come with the new Chanel Tisse quads is very different from your typical sponge tipped applicator. These seem to be covered with a thin cotton flannel (think very, very fine cotton baby diaper fabric) and they do a really good job – actually better than most of my brushes – at depositing intense pigmentation on the lids. A few companies also put fairly decent brushes in some of their palettes (Bare Minerals The Star Treatment came with a surprisingly good brush that I would use if I were out and about and wanted to touch up before a night out).
I do, sometimes, with some eye shadows. It’s never my first choise, but sometimes a foam applicator does a better job than a brush. Right now, I can’t think of an example, though I have a feeling my latest Dior single (a total disappoiontment by the way) performed a little better when I used the foam (sponge) applicator.
Hi Christine! Thanks for the review, I totally want these now :p I think you switched the names of Taupe Secret and Hey Nude in a couple of places though (photo captions and also in the main listing where you go into detail about each shade).
The shots of the compact/packaging were from Hey Nude 🙂 I just wanted to place them higher up in the post!
Oh ok, got it! I thought I saw it in the earlier text portion too but it looks like you either corrected it already or I dreamed that up 🙂 I don’t blame you for only taking one pic of the packaging, doing separate ones for each would be a totally unnecessary waste of time! Thanks for everything you do 🙂 P.S. I didn’t notice the grades you gave them before leaving my last comment – just the swatches at first – so thanks for saving me from a HE buy that would have likely been disappointing!
I fixed the one in the paragraph 🙂 The photos were intentional!
I usually skim the ingredients list to see if they’re different, because most brands just do +/-, so if they appear to be the same, then I just shoot the one! But when I can, I like to associate it with the actual one – just in case it was off by one and I missed that!
Looks like a lot of packaging for a rather small amount of product considering the price… Makeupgeek comes in 1.6 or 7 grams? and retails for 5.99… Guerlain retails for 34… That’s a whole lot of doe for some plastic packaging… And apparently less pigment and staying power too… Seems like some of the high end brands need to rethink their concepts in order to maintain their status… Nice packaging only goes so far… Superior quality is what they need to aim for in the near future…
What’s funny is Guerlain–years ago–had singles and they would tout them as the BIGGEST EYESHADOW EVER!
Khaki looks so not khaki in the pan :-O Swatched it looks really nice though.
It’s a nice color, but I wish it performed better!
Oh bummer. I heard that they had reformulated these single shadows, but if they did, doesn’t look like much has changed. The packaging is kind of big for a single shadow, but it is elegant. At this price point, these need to be an A
Worse, for sure ;(
I actually shuddered when I saw that picture; the packaging to product ratio is horrendous. No way can I make room for something like that in my stash…
Good thing they don’t have too many of them, lol!
I have all of these. What a ridiculous rating you gave them.
I’m not sure why the rating is ridiculous – did you have a better experience, Jane? I happily invite you to share your thoughts, via comments, or leave a review through our review system 🙂 It’s always great to hear from others who have tried the product. Please share your insight, so it can help other readers!
Easy pass.
Agreed!
Well, I checked dupes for Khaki because I love olive tones as a sort of alternative-neutral, and I’ll be looking into Inglot 419. It’s not the closest in color, but it’s so pretty! Thanks for the money saved, Christine!
No problem, Lacey!
As luxuriously encased as possible.. But I pass. 🙂
I guess they put more towards the packaging than the product this time!
$5 eyeshadow in very expensive packaging.. I must say, did Givenchy HAVE to use leather in their new balmy concoction? It keeps me from buying one. That and my lip color. HA! 😛
Yeah, my guess is the new sheerer Givenchy formula isn’t going to be great for more pigmented lips!
Can I please just have the little gold coffin to hold my tiny things?
LOL!!! I read this and laughed so hard I made a coffee spray!!!
Aww, I’m sorry Nancy!! While on the topic, I’m looking for a miniature pixi to arrange the florals in the center of my exceptionally tiny treasures coffin. If you know of any, please do notify me. 😀
Now attempting to locate and subdue the elusive miniature pixi…
Hmm.. Have you checked the coffin? They have an affinity for snoozing! 🙂
Alas, the sweet wisp of a thing had lapsed into a deep slumber! In the sponge-tip tray!
And with a tiny gasp so quiet that no one will ever hear it, this whimsical micro mini wee bastard of thing has burrowed so deeply, cushioned by “his precious,” that the coffin was no longer an option. 🙁 😀
Indeed, it has become his luxuriant golden chamber in which to snooze-fest until times immortal….or until such time as he needs to consume his daily dose of pixi dust!
Lmao! 😀 I regret to inform you that too much dust was inhaled and a Lord of the Rings story is about to rekindle around this little being now obsessed with its previous.. But in the making of the first scene, the heavy sliding roof caught a foot a the poor thing bled a tiny pool of magic in its passing. RIP buddy. Thanks for taking my coffin for holding really super tiny things! 😉
Oh dear, RIP ye poor wee pixi!
There will be a burial held. Don’t worry about attending. It’s so small, I’m told, we’d miss it. 🙂
Ah, to live and die in L.A. from an overdose of pixi dust inhaled upon awakening in a tiny golden coffin whilst napping on a sponge-tip. Sir Pixi, ye shall be missed.
I like the Khaki one, but I’d not buy an eyeshadow at this price unless it had an A+.
Singles at this price must be REALLY GOOD!
Beautiful packaging but impossibly, undesirably clunky. No one wants a single eyeshadow to take that much space. Otherwise I think these are beautiful and I like that they’re semi sheer, but ultimately not worth the price tag for me.
If you like the sheerer aspect of them, then perhaps one of Guerlain’s recent quads would be more intriguing for you! 🙂
I really think the first two colours are completely dupable – you could find better quality from Colour Pop and very similar colours. I am sure we have them all in our various large palettes….Vice 1, 2, 3 LORAC Pro series etc.
The only colour I liked was the Khaki – but at that price – no thank you.
I an just going to add that if you have Guerlain’s Coup de Foudre eye shadow palette – the first shade is almost an identical dupe for the Khaki colour. But the Coup de Foudre colour is much better.
I was so disappointed! 🙁
I wanted Taupe Secret, sad to hear it didn’t preform better 🙁
🙁
Sheesh! My older Nyx eyeshadow singles work better and look better than these! Such poor quality for that hefty price tag is so disappointing….and totally a ripoff.
I wish these were better!
Such classy packaging but too bad the product doesn’t live up to the design of the compact…
It definitely doesn’t!
I picked up the Blue’s Brother one. It’ll be the only one.
How do you like that one? I feared the worst, so I didn’t venture for the bolder shades.
It can be made to work, but it does need some fussing as it’s prone to sheering out when blended. I’ve found patting it on over a stickier base gives the best application – basically, treat as if loose powder. That said, it really is a pretty, deep blue. Kind of a “brand new jeans” shade. I’m not sorry I bought it, but I don’t want any others in this formula, either.