Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette ($55.00 for 1.20 oz.) contains twenty-four eyeshadows that are designed to work together in pairs (though you can surely use them as you wish); twelve of the shades are touted as never-before-seen. Each eyeshadow is 0.05 oz., which is the average weight of a full-sized eyeshadow, so the palette is an excellent value overall. The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be highly pigmented, long-wearing, and “crease-free.” Overall, this palette is a good choice for a new holiday palette for yourself (or your wish list) or someone else. It has a good mix of colors and neutrals as well as a variety of finishes, so there are plenty of looks to be created. The texture of the palette was generally soft and smooth, with the only downside being occasional powderiness because of how soft the eyeshadows were. The color payoff was quite good with a few exceptions. The majority of shades wore well for eight and a half hours without fading or creasing, but shades that were powdery did tend to look faded after seven to eight hours of wear.
Dark Throne is a medium-dark gray with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had decent to good color payoff and applied smoothly and evenly. theBalm A4 (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery. Urban Decay Redemption (LE, $18.00) is lighter, more shimmery. MAC Deep Cravings (LE, $15.00) has a more satin-like sheen. Kat Von D Siouxsie-sioux (P) is darker. Urban Decay Ace (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery. MAC Typographic (P, $15.00) is more neutral, grayer. MAC Tall, Dark, & Handsome (LE, $21.00) is similar. bareMinerals Amnesia (P) is darker. See comparison swatches.
Precious is a soft, shimmery peach with subtle warm undertones. It had good pigmentation and applied smoothly. theBalm D2 (LE, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Her Cocoa #2 (LE, $15.00) is less shimmery. Tom Ford Beauty In the Pink #3 (LE) is more sparkly. MAC Summer Honey (LE, $21.00) is glittery. Disney by Sephora Midnight Hour #2 (LE) is similar. Chanel Intuition #1 (P) is slightly pinker. bareMinerals Peace (P) is less shimmery. bareMinerals Custom Made (LE) is pinker. Inglot #397 (P, $6.00) is less frosted, more metallic. See comparison swatches.
Babe is a medium-dark, cool-toned violet purple with bluish-violet iridescent shimmer. It had so-so color payoff, and the texture was somewhat powdery. theBalm A2 (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Violet Impact (LE, $15.00) is pinker. Illamasqua Trance (LE) is a cream product. Urban Decay Omen (P, $18.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.
Piaf is a medium-dark gray with a silver, metallic sheen. It had decent pigmentation, but the texture was slightly powdery/dry. CoverGirl Charcoal (335) (P, $4.99) is lighter. MAC Diesel (LE, $15.00) is darker. Disney by Sephora Midnight Hour #3 (LE) is lighter. Giorgio Armani #21 is darker. (LE, $33.00) See comparison swatches.
Sunset Blvd. is a medium, yellow gold with a soft, frosted sheen. It had good color payoff and applied smoothly. theBalm D1 (LE, $16.00) is a touch lighter. CoverGirl Melted Gold (320) (P, $4.99) is similar. Disney by Sephora Triton (LE) is also similar. MAC Dreammaker (LE, $15.00) is a touch lighter. MAC Goldmine (P, $15.00) is yellower. Chanel Blazing Gold (LE, $28.50) is similar. bareMinerals Surreal (P) is more frosted. See comparison swatches.
8 Bit is a muted, bluish-teal with pale gold shimmer and a frosted, metallic finish. It had nice color payoff, and it applied very smoothly without being powdery. NARS Bavaria (P, $24.00) is lighter. MAC Rain Drop (LE, $32.50) is darker. Inglot #413 (P, $6.00) is similar. Urban Decay Shattered (P, $18.00) is similar. MAC Sky (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery. L’Oreal Endless Sea (P, $7.99) is similar. See comparison swatches.
Geek is a light-medium, muted peach-orange with a satin finish. It had great color payoff with a soft, silky texture. Urban Decay ABC Gum (P, $18.00) is lighter. MAC Always Sunny (P, $21.00) is similar. Inglot #368 (P, $6.00) is more orange. See comparison swatches.
Fallen is a warm, gold-shimmered copper-bronze with warm, orange undertones and a frosted finish. It had fantastic pigmentation and a soft, smooth texture. Too Faced Gangsta (LE) is similar. MAC Cognac (LE, $15.00) is yellower. MAC Tempting (P, $15.00) is darker. MAC Bronze (P, $15.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.
Holy Bible is a pale, muted silver with hints of gray and white and a metallic sheen. It had decent color payoff but was a little dry. Disney by Sephora Glass Slipper (LE) is bluish. Disney by Sephora Your Voice (LE) is more frosted. Guerlain Les Aquas #4 (P) is similar. Le Metier de Beaute Platinum (P, $30.00) is darker. Inglot #447 (P, $6.00) is more metallic. See comparison swatches.
Oddfellow is a deep, dark black with subtle brown undertones and a teal shimmer/sparkle. On the eye, the teal sparkle isn’t really visible, so it’s mostly a matte black. It had great pigmentation and applied very smoothly–not at all powdery. MAC Fashion Legend (LE, $15.00) is lighter. Fyrinnae Biker Chic (P, $6.80) is more shimmery. Sugarpill Bulletproof (P, $12.00) has no sparkle. Urban Decay Blackout (P, $18.00) has no sparkle. Milani Pitch Black (P, $5.99) has no sparkle. Illamasqua Zeitgeist (P, $25.50) is similar. Le Metier de Beaute Fin (LE, $30.00) has no sparkle. See comparison swatches.
Birdcage is a yellowed, chartreuse green with a soft, frosted finish. It had good color payoff and applied very smoothly and evenly. Wet ‘n’ Wild I’m Seeing Triples Browbone (LE) is darker, less yellow. CoverGirl Lime Light (310) (LE, $4.99) is similar. Aveda Papyrus (P, $14.00) is lighter. Make Up For Ever #304 (P, $20.00) is greener. NARS Rated R #1 (P, $24.00) is similar. MAC Double Feature #2 #1 (LE, $15.00) is more frosted. MAC Brilliantly Lit (LE, $18.50) is a cream product. bareMinerals Icon (LE) is less shimmery. See comparison swatches.
Gunner is dark green with silver and green sparkle and subtle, warm undertones. This shade was quite dry and had sheerer color payoff. Urban Decay Bender (P, $18.00) is more frosted. NARS Night Porter (LE, $24.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Humid (P, $15.00) is more frosted. MAC Femme Noir (P, $15.00) is matte. L’Oreal Golden Emerald (P, $7.99) is warmer. See comparison swatches.
Spellbinding
LELimited Edition. $55.00.
Dark Throne
LELimited Edition.
Oddfellow
LELimited Edition.
Birdcage
LELimited Edition.
Gunner
LELimited Edition.
Precious
LELimited Edition.
Babe
DCDiscontinued.
Piaf
LELimited Edition.
Sunset Blvd.
LELimited Edition.
8 Bit
LELimited Edition.
Geek
LELimited Edition.
Fallen
LELimited Edition.
Holy Bible
DCDiscontinued.
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Palette
Kat Von D Dark Throne Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Dark Throne Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Precious Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Precious Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Babe Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Babe Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Piaf Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Piaf Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sunset Blvd. Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Sunset Blvd. Eyeshadow
Kat Von D 8 Bit Eyeshadow
Kat Von D 8 Bit Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Geek Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Geek Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Fallen Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Fallen Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Holy Bible Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Holy Bible Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Oddfellow Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Oddfellow Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Birdcage Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Birdcage Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Gunner Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Gunner Eyeshadow
Kat Von D Eyeshadows: Holy Bible (inner lid), 8 Bit (middle of lid), Bukowski (outer lid),
Dark Throne (crease), Birdcage (lower lash line)
Kat Von D Eyeshadows: Countess (inner lid), Stupid Autocorrect (middle of lid),
WTF (outer lid), Wonderland (crease), Fallen(lower lash line)
If you could only buy one, this or the UD Vice 2 palette, which would you get?
This palette is a better value, though I prefer a buttery/denser texture to my eyeshadows so I would tend to prefer Urban Decay’s formula over Kat Von D’s. Really, I would look at which palette had more colors I’d use regularly. Vice 2 is also a thicker/bulkier palette.
How deep were the pans? My concern with these palettes are how deep the pans are (the deeper=more product).
Thanks!
Hi Vron,
As mentioned in the very beginning of the review, each eyeshadow is 0.05 oz., which is the size of the average full-sized eyeshadow.
I’ve never been too crazy about her palettes. I had the original one–I can’t remember the name but I know it didn’t have great pigmentation. I’ll have to try this one out though
This is pretty nice overall 🙂
Their new palette are so much better. 😉
I have all but 2 of the 8-pan palettes, and 9 of the old, round duos, and the key to *all* of them is primer, specifically Kat von D primer. Just like a base-coat on the nails, a primer just makes for a better application/result. It may seem like an “extra” product/cost/step, but most of wouldn’t think twice about wearing foundation on our faces, so what’s really different about a foundation on our eyes?
This palette looks great and the packaging is really nice (:
Glad you liked it!
Love this! Will consider buying it, good price. I own 3 Kat V D palettes. I wish they were more hyped.
Which do you own, Holly?
Christine,
If you had a choice to choose between this Kat Von D palette and theBalm Balm Voyage Makeup Palette, which palette would you prefer to buy (both received B+ ratings)?
Please advise. Thanks!
Hi KC,
I think it just depends on which palette has more colors you’d use in them. theBalm’s palette is more muted and contains more neutrals overall, whereas the Spellbinding palette has more color and more shimmery shades.
I probably already have dupes for all these in my makeup collection , a collection is really what I have considering I will never use what I have in a lifetime , I’m only buying things that are really unique and wow me , in which this Kat Von D pallet doesn’t so ill pass !
The bigger your stash is, the less likely palettes like these will appeal to you since you already have similar shades.
Gunner -yikes :/
The rest is nice though!
Yeah, a totally surprising major dud!
Agree! I was really hoping for a nice, deep payoff with that one. Dropped like a lead balloon! 🙁
From what I’ve heard, the pairs of shadows are designed to work together to create a third shadow. Would you mind swatching the pairs of colors together to show us the colors they create?
Hi Maria!
This review is it for the palette! I have about 10 other palettes I need to work through from other brands that I’m working on right now – sorry! If I have time to go back, I definitely will consider it! 🙂 Thanks!
It would be worth it. I think you’d change your rating of this to an “A”! I had no intention of getting this palette. I have vice 2 as well, and think this one may totally give it a run for its money!
Oopsie, forgot to mention that I caved and bought spellbinding last night. 🙂
is this LE?
Hi April,
Yes, it is limited edition – it is indicated by “LE” on all of the photos for the palette in the Glossover! 🙂
Thanks for the review Christine! I bought this back during the 1st week of Sept as an early bday gift to myself along with her spellbinding Lipstick set. I love all the lipsticks, although I can’t bring myself to use the es’s yet. I collect all her palettes (with the exception of the love and fury one I think) that have mainly powder and not cream shadows. Her ludwig palette is still my fave though! I def think her brand is underrated. Have been using her foundation, concealer and powder for a couple weeks and I’m also in love! Oddball question: Do you take supplements for your nails?? They always look so strong and healthy…something mine aren’t. Any recommendations? Thank you for all that you do!
Good to hear that the lipstick set seems worth it! 🙂
I don’t! I just started taking vitamins again (I’ve always been REALLY bad about that), but that was literally this past week. I am very fortunate to have really strong/sturdy nails that grow well, but I don’t do anything for them. My dad, on the other hand, has super thin and brittle nails (part genetics I’m sure, but the other part being he’s the dishwasher at my parents’ house, which I’m sure takes a toll!). Nothing has worked too well for him though.
I guess you’re just genetically blessed.
Thanks so much! xo
This is such a great value, but I don’t see myself using it. I’m just not a big palette person. Something about them just overwhelms me and I end up grabbing single/pots or smaller compacts or custom collections I’ve made myself.
The only time I really reach for palettes is if I’ve just bought it or I’m traveling, though I tend to pick smaller palettes for travel and not these mega ones myself.
This palette is gorgeous! Thanks for the swatches.
Sure thing, Chantel!
These look really nice. On camera the consistency seems to be close to the UD shadows, is this correct or do my eyes deceive??LOL
More like MAC, as they have a thinner, drier consistency.
Would you say MAC or UD is more pigmented and buttery? My friend insisted that UD was not pigmented and that MAC was much better.
Urban Decay is more buttery in texture – both brands can be very pigmented, and I don’t know if I’d just blanket say one is better than the other, because it really comes down to the shades. MAC has some great shades, and they have some flops – same is true for Urban Decay. MAC’s Veluxe Pearl finish eyeshadows are most similar to Urban Decay’s overall eyeshadow formula, but otherwise MAC has a drier, thinner/firmer texture (not in a bad way).
Thanks for the info! I don’t like blanket statements either.
I’m in love! But then again, I have so many e/s and a fair amount of those are not used… I’d buy this one if I had a store that carries her line in my country. But since I don’t, I guess I’ll let it go. By the time my online orders arrive, I’m already lusting over something else. 🙂
Aww, bummer – I’m sure something else will catch your eye 😉
I actually feel like I would use all these colours. I wonder if it’s available in the UK?
If it was, it would be through Sephora since I believe it is a partnership/exclusive with Sephora!
This looks like a nice palette, but I don’t know if it’s something I would reach for too often. I keep thinking back to my UD Vice palette that is just collecting dust.
Do you reach for big palettes often at all or is Vice the only one you have?
I am seriously loving the look of this palette, wowza.
Yay!
Love Kat Von D’s makeup, especially the eyeshadows! Thanks for reviewing this!
No prob, Rachel!
I’m also one of those woman who has a lot of eyeshadows and that doesn’t prevent me of buying more. But it makes me way more picky. I’m also really into purples and greens and since two of the dubs are in those category I will pass on this one.
Yes this is an incredible value, but one must use them. Thanks for that thorough review!
Happy to help, Judith! Do you have any palettes that are go-tos for you?
I own 40 single eyeshadows, so most of my colors are coming from that. I actually like quite a lot eye love you from Josie Maran, the pigmentation is not on part with UD or MUFE but it’s very soft and blendable. Perfect on work days whn I’m in the rush. It’s also only pearl eyeshadows, no glitter. I also hit pan on many shade on MAC delights in 6eyes/cool a limited palette from 2005! All the colors are great except the one luster shade.
Im debating on whether or not to get this. I was wondering though why you didnt mention that each pair of e/s can be mixed to create a whole new shade?
Did you see the first sentence of the post? Here is it copied and pasted: “contains twenty-four eyeshadows that are designed to work together in pairs (though you can surely use them as you wish);”
That was my thought too! I thought one of the bigger selling points of this palette is that the pairs of shades not only “work together” but create a third, new shade!
You have excellent technique in putting looks together, but somehow the two looks you did appear as though they didn’t blend very well. E.g. I can tell a huge difference in a look you’ve done with Guerlain or UD vs. this palette.
I’m sort of bummed by the swatches, because I ordered this before your review. The payoff is not what I expected.
Maybe Vice 2 is a better way to go for me, although there are more shades in the KVD palette that I consider regularly wearable. What to do?
Sorry you didn’t like the looks, Melissa! The only thing I can think of is my eye lids are on the drier side.
I think it has more to do with the quality than your lids, Christine. 🙂
I find the shadows in this palette blend quite smoothly, my eyelids tend to be on the dryer side. 🙂
I’m salivating over this palette!!!! But I don’t live in the US and it can’t be shipped where I live :'(
Boooo! 🙁
Hi Christine,
I own both this palette and the new Urban Decay Vice 2 palette, I love them both very much, but this one is my favorite, this one just seems to be more versatile over all. I just love all the different colors and textures this one has to offer.
Great review Christine! 🙂
Happy to hear you’re enjoying yours, Karen! 🙂
I have this palette and I love it! I also have several of her other palettes and reach for them often. I love my UD and my Kat. 🙂 I am thrilled to see a review from you on this product; you are always so thorough.
What’s your favorite Kat Von D palette?
I was soooo excited for this palette, and when I received it, I was a little disappointed. A lot of the colors I had purchased the palette for were dry or rather sheer. I don’t mind so much the shadows that are powdery because I can tap my brush before applying, but I don’t like sheer eyeshadows, unless they’re intended that way. I also found a lot of the colors too frosty, and I HATE frost (love every other texture, though). The eyeshadows didn’t last on my eyes, either. I’d say by noon, I noticed fading.
I wanted to add that 8 bit is incredibly similar to Mac’s Steamy. They don’t look the same with arm swatches, but they do on the eyes. I had three people confirm for me. 🙂
Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy your palette, Christina! I hope you can return it!
Christine , whenever I see your palettes reviews , I almost have mini heart attack everyyyy time 😀 i am not saying this because I love you , you post amazing detailed reviews every time and every minute you spend in doing it you earn double the respect from all of us … I know you have read this many a times from readers but I felt like saying this again ….
If i sit and google for a month / year i will not be able to find reviews like these on whole internet.
This is what makes you so special , I have high respect for your time and energy and for Shaun who is there with you each moment and keep your spirits high .
I would love to try Kat von d palettes , tried her lipsticks though 😀 😀
I have Vice 2 and I really have too many palettes so it’s a no-go for me on this one. I do, however like the idea of “pairing” the eye shadows off together for those of us whose color sense is not always spot on!!
It’s definitely a nice reminder 😀
This looks great! I have the Kat Von D Tattoo foundation and I love it, it’s even better than Estee Lauder Double Wear, and that was my favorite until now!:X
Excellent review and lots of useful info! Thank you! I love the dupes list and the high-quality photos. You really helped me decide if I’m going to splurge… 🙂
Thank you, Lily!
Hello! i am planning on getting the naked palette and another one. I’m torn between this one, the vice 2 and kat von d spellbinding. I’m new at trying higher end makeup, I just have sephora’s blockbuster eyeshadows 2011 and just bought the superstars kit. Being new at this which palette would you recomend me? I want something that it’s really worth the money
If you love really buttery/dense eyeshadows, Vice 2 – if you prefer more mattes, softer shades, Kat Von D!
I thought I only wanted the Naked 3 palette for Christmas, but this palette really does look gorgeous and has a lot more versatility. Also, since most ppl are going crazy trying to hint down n3 I can for sure get this one at a reasonable price for the holidays without a black eye at the counter lol