Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette ($36.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a new and limited edition palette for spring. It’s supposed to contain “eight long-wear, full coverage shadows that deliver matte, pearl, and high-glitter finishes, plus one transformative color veil.” There are three more sparkly shades in the palette, and they had varying degrees of fall out (see below). The matte aqua green, Archangel, was powdery and, at times, chalky so it was difficult to work with; it’s a shade that would highly benefit from being applied over a primer or even a slightly tacky, white base, to maximize color payoff and minimize the powderiness and tendency to fade/sheer out. Shades like Placebo and Dog Roses were richly pigmented and easy to apply and blend. With the exception of Archangel which faded faster than the rest, the others didn’t show signs of fading until eight hours.
Selena is described as a “glitter purple.” It’s a lavender purple with subtle cool, pink undertones and a silver glitter/sparkle. The sparkle tended to separate from the underlying color, so some of the sparkles get trapped in the brush, some fall out during application, and the remaining ones are visible on the lid but do eventually migrate below the lid during wear. It had really nice color payoff when swatched, and on the lid, it was fairly good, but it had a tendency to look slightly faded. Tarina Tarantino Fantastical #2 (P) is lighter, more iridescent. Guerlain Two VIP #1 (LE) is warmer, more glittery. NARS Rage (LE, $24.00) is more fuchsia. Kat Von D Babe (LE) is purpler, less glittery. theBalm A2 (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Violet Impact (LE, $15.00) is less glittery. MAC Power Boosted (LE, $15.00) is darker, more fuchsia, less glittery. See comparison swatches.
Dayglo is described as a “transformer shade, iridescent white.” It’s a green-tinged white with a green-gold iridescent sheen. It had good color payoff and was mostly opaque. The texture was soft, a smidgen powdery, but smooth and blendable. Dior Dulcinee #2 (LE) is very similar. Dior Peacock (434) Eyeshadow #3 (LE) is slightly warmer. MAC Zestful is greener. See comparison swatches.
Galore #2 is described as a “pearl peach.” It’s a yellowed peach with a frosted, metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation, and it applied smoothly and evenly. bareMinerals Ball Gown (LE) is more frosted. LORAC Light Bronze (P) is warmer. Disney by Sephora Splendid (LE) is similar. MAC Hey (P, $15.00) is less yellow-toned. Buxom Collie (P, $18.00) is a cream product. See comparison swatches. You might wonder why it’s called “Galore #2,” and that’s because there’s also a shade called “Galore” in the Spellbinding palette–except they’re not the same. I did swatch them side-by-side to be sure (in the pan, they look more alike), but sure enough, this is a definite peach, whereas the previously released Galore is more of a peach-tinged beige–but much, much lighter. It’s really frustrating when brands do this, especially when it was just released a little over a month ago.
Placebo is described as a “matte peony pink.” It’s a medium coral-pink with a matte finish. It had fantastic color payoff, and it applied smoothly and evenly. This was a dream matte to work with. MAC Full of Flavour (LE, $15.00) is similar. MAC Free to Be (P, $15.00) is also similar. MAC Early Bird (LE, $15.00) just a smidgen pinker. MAC Dear Cupcake (LE, $15.00) is pinker, lighter. See comparison swatches.
Santeria is described as a “glitter greenish grey.” It’s a cool-toned, charcoal gray with teal shimmer and larger silver sparkle. It had really nice pigmentation, and the texture was fairly soft and smooth. Urban Decay Redemption (LE, $18.00) is similar. LORAC Slate (P) is less frosted. Disney by Sephora Jetsam (LE) is similar. Urban Decay Asphalt (LE, $18.00) is less cool-toned. MAC Jade’s Fortune (LE, $21.00) is less frosted. Make Up For Ever #1 (P, $23.00) is a cream product. See comparison swatches.
Archangel is described as a “sparkle seafoam green.” It’s a light-medium aqua green with a satiny sheen. It seemed like it had amazing color payoff when I swatched it, but the texture was also noticeably powdery–a little chalky. On the lid, it was prone to sheering away, so it’s a color that really performs better over a primer, as on bare lids, it just doesn’t stick well, nor does it last (showed signs of fading after six hours, much earlier than the other shades). Dior Dulcinee #5 (LE) is slightly bluer. theBalm B2 (LE, $16.00) is very similar. Sugarpill Mochi (P, $12.00) is darker. MAC Lucky in Love (LE, $21.00) is more frosted, bluer. See comparison swatches.
South is described as a “matte beige.” It’s a light beige with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It was soft, easy to blend, nicely pigmented, and not powdery. It’s a very basic shade, so there are a lot of similar shades from other brands — see comparison swatches.
Dog Roses is described as a “sparkle bronze.” It’s a coppery brown with golden sparkle and a frosted sheen. There is some loose sparkle in this, but it is less sparkly than Selena, so a lot of the sparkle seems to disappear between the pan, brush, and lid, so I didn’t notice a lot of fall out over time, just a stray sparkle or two. It was intensely pigmented, and it applied very smoothly. Tarina Tarantino Wonderful #3 (P) is lighter. Makeup Geek Glamorous (P, $5.99) is less frosted. Anastasia Rum Cake (LE) is browner. Clarins The Essentials #6 (LE) is similar. MAC Exquisite Ego #2 (LE, $21.00) is warmer, lighter. LORAC Gold (P) is similar. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #4 (P) is more copper-hued. NARS Isolde #1 (P, $24.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.
Esperanza
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Selena
LELimited Edition.
Dayglo
LELimited Edition.
Galore #2
LELimited Edition.
Placebo
LELimited Edition.
Santeria
LELimited Edition.
Archangel
LELimited Edition.
South
LELimited Edition.
Dog Roses
LELimited Edition.
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Esperanza Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Selena Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Selena Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Dayglo Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Dayglo Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Galore #2 Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Galore #2 Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Placebo Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Placebo Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Santeria Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Santeria Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Archangel Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Archangel Eyeshadow
Kat Von D South Eyeshadow
Kat Von D South Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Dog Roses Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Dog Roses Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Eyeshadows: Dayglo (inner lid), Archangel (middle of lid),
Selena (outer lid), Santeria (crease), South (brow bone)
Yay, finally this is out!
Yay!
Not a palette for me, but I think Placebo is a really beautiful shadow!
It is! Too many dupes.
It seriously sucks when there is an eyeshadow that under performs in a palette xD It just ruins it for me D; they must all be A’s damnit
I hear you, Mari! 🙁
Overall, I really like this palette! Even though there are a couple of colors in there, this palette still seems pretty versatile.
It’s a very fresh and fun color scheme!
OMG every shades are unique and pretty 😀
That they are!
I really love the shades they chose for this palette, it’s ideal for spring. I don’t have any eyeshadows by Kat Von D, I think I’ll have to pick this one up. Thanks for the great review, as always! 🙂
It’s really pretty and colorful for spring 🙂
My pleasure, Alisa!
What a fun palette for spring! I think they are taking a page from their Spellbinding Palette and going with a simpler box style case for the LE ones now.
It seems like it!
That shade “Placebo” makes me think it would make a great blush!
I bet it would be lovely as a blush! Great idea, Kayvid!
It looks pretty, but I need more matte shadows before I get another mostly shimmery one.
Hope you can get the mattes you need 😉
Thank you!
Wonderful 🙂
Glad you liked it, Liz! What were your favorite shades in the palette?
Oooh, loving the design on the palette 🙂 I am not sure about the colors in it though. I definitely want to try Kat Von D make-up, but I don’t think this would be my first choice.
She has a lot of other palettes you could choose from! 🙂
Really pretty. So glad to see these reviews before buying. It’s been super hot (80s) in So Ca where I am so I’m too much into the spring collections…which seem more suited to my current weather than the winter ones. Still not sure about this one…but it’s so very pretty. And I like Kat Von D Shadows….Thanks!
The weather has been so warm in California, though not in the 80s up north!
In the 80s here in Los Angeles! We’ve had a bunch of local fires so it’s actually a very bad thing. But it does make the heavier winter stuff less fun. I love the coral in this palette!
The packaging is what’s really getting me with this palette, so pretty! Some pretty colours but I don’t think it’s something I’ll be getting.
It is very bold & bright packaging!
Archangel reminds me of an Innoxa shadow single I got about a thousand years ago! ^_^ Nostalgia trip!
I like the overall colour scheme of this palette, it’s very ‘spring’. I’m not sure I’d personally get much use out of it, though. I’d just look at the pretty colours!
I like how it’s spring but is still bright 🙂
So far this is my favorite Spring palette.
That’s awesome, Vanessa! Enough to buy or just admire from afar?
South, Santeria, and Placebo are gorgeous! I’m gonna pass on this palette though as I know I would never use it.
Placebo was an amazing shade!
I’ve been eyeing this for a week or so online. Thanks for the review! I think it’s a great little palette. I’ll definitely be picking this one up!
No problem, Elle!
i would use all those colors!!! i was gonna get the new Dior Dulcine palette but after the review no thanks. maybe this instead!
That’s awesome! If you’d use ’em all, then it sounds like a good idea!
i would def use all these shadows for sure so pretty and love the packaging!
I don’t really care for the packaging but I love the colors and the swatches look really nice. It’s definitely very unique!
I agree – it is an interesting mix of shades for spring!
Loved Placebo and selena. But overall I will pass this one I guess! Thanks christine for the review 🙂
You’re welcome, Vineetha! xo
The shade Archangel is really pretty.
It is! If only it was better performing.
OH LAWD I NEED DIS
Enjoy 😀
Well, now I kinda want this palette…. There are some colours I don’t have!
Uh oh! 😉
Same here…I only have a dupe for the highlight shade. Now I’m tossed up between this and the Chocolate Bar palette though I think I’ll get more use out of the latter.
This palette is nice but isn’t catching my eye ~which is great for my wallet =]
Phew!
I just bought this palette because of your review 🙂 I can’t wait for it to get here so I can play with it! Thank you, as always for the color comparisons <3
Aww!! I hope you love it, Phyrra! Can’t wait to see your looks with it.
The colors are pretty, just not me, which is why I skipped Angeles & Mi Vida Loca. I do appreciate the fact that the palettes she does are consistent in tone, and while there may be one or two shades I’d wear, there are enough in them to not push me to buy them, LOL!
Also, the packaging would seriously annoy me, as it wouldn’t fit neatly with the rest of my 8-pan palettes. I do love the artwork, though.
Haha! Yes, too many palettes of varying sizes can present a storage problem.
Yay! Glad to see your review and swatches–I was already planning on snapping this up tomorrow.
Happy to help, Marina!
This one is amazing!! I love the art and the colors!! I’m currently trying lighter colors, like Archangel, Placebo, and Selena, as I tend to use darker colors for my eyes. HOWEVER, I just bought Spellbinding this holiday, together with Pretty Rebel (both arrive on November/December to my country) so I think I’m gonna pass 🙁
Sounds like you’ve already indulged in palettes for the time being! 🙂
No way Jose… No way..
Im loving the pastels bjtythe shades are too similar to my Mac call me bubbles quad
I kind of see the similarities, but since it’s only four shades and this has eight, I guess they seem more different than similar to me!
I’m glad this reviewed so well. I’m a big fan of Kat Von D makeup, so I odered this as soon as I saw it come online on Sephora without seeing any reviews or swatches. It’s been about ten days and I’m still waiting for it to arrive. I wish Sephora’s shipping to Canada didn’t take so long!
I hope you get yours soon, Chelsea! Sephora ground used to take about a week to get to me, just going east to west coast!
I have been so excited for this palette. I ordered it from Sephora about a week ago, and it just arrived yesterday. I haven’t had much time to experiment with it, but I do think the colors are gorgeous and so great for spring.
Keep me posted on how you like it once you’ve had more time to work with it, Kristen! 🙂
Will do, Christine. I already know I’m going to love that purple, despite the fallout/fading issues. I’m such a sucker for purples. 🙂
it reminds me of the Ammo pallet from Urban Decay , colors are different but the packaging is a bit close to it
I would layer archangel over a base of Nars Larger Than Life Eyeliner pencil in Barrow street or the mint green smudge stick from Stila.
Love the packaging
Oooh this is so pretty! I want it but I worry it’s got too many overlapping shades with my Urban Decay Ammo Palette for having only 8 colors (Selena=Grifter, Dayglo=Polyester Bride, Dog Roses=Smog)? Anyone else think these shades are too similar to warrant owning both palettes? It’s hard to tell without owning it or seeing it in person :/
There are some similarities for sure, Emilie! I would say that Urban Decay’s is going to be frostier/more glittery. Grifter I remember being kind of annoying to work with. Smog is browner/darker.
Oh, absolutely. I love Ammo (by the way, I use the looks you did with it all the time, they’re so lovely!) but I can never find a single use for Grifter. I’ve tried finding things to pair it with but it’s so sheer with such awful fallout that it’s more of a pain than it’s worth, sadly. It’s on sale on the Urban Decay website so perhaps they’re discontinuing it. Thanks for all of your great reviews, infinitely helpful! 🙂
If you have a cream eyeshadow, you could try patting Grifter over it 🙂
Good idea, I’ll give that a try. Thanks, Christine! 🙂
I just got this palette in the mail.. must admit that I bought it for the packaging and for Placebo! But as a neutral gal, I’m having so much fun trying the colors!
Question for you – I don’t understand the concept of the “transformer” shade. What does “transformer” mean? How is it use unique/different from any other color? I’m a makeup noob!
Hi Amanda!
It is and isn’t any different. It’s just an eyeshadow, but the way it can be used is really layered over another eyeshadow – so apply one shade, then pat over the “transformer” shade and you’ll see it change a little, particularly because of the way the shimmer in the transformer looks! 🙂
I like the Selena color,it’s too glittery used dry,but I sprayed my brush to dampen it,the payoff was much better! I would suggest that for the more chunky glitter shadows in this, 🙂 oh and use a color base,paint pot,color tattoos etc. I used Dog Roses with Mac Eclair paint pot underneath for a base,it is gorgeous for a simple brown smokey eye! Don’t wet the Archangel one it’s too matte/satin.