Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Makeup Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette ($165.00 for 0.79 oz.) includes twelve eyeshadows, one highlighter, and one contour powder. My favorite products are the highlighter and contour powders, which will come as no surprise, as I have reviewed them favorably in the past as standalones. You actually get more of each product in the palette than in the individual compact, but for $65 you could purchase the Contour Book Volume II, which also contains 0.17 oz. worth of the Celestial Powder and 0.14 oz. of the Sculpting Powder (plus other standout product sin the brand’s line, like a small version of Starlight and larger sizes of the cream versions of the highlight/contour found in this palette). I don’t think the eyeshadows are worth the additional expense; the shades themselves are dupable, but the formula feels dusty, dry, and sometimes powdery and other times stiffer. They blended out better than I expected, and they lasted seven to eight hours (so not too shabby), but they were more semi-sheer to semi-opaque and prone to sheering out when applied.
According to my calculations, the palette contains a total value of $263.20 worth of product. Here’s how the value breaks down:
- $68 worth of The Celestial Powder
- $56 worth of The Sculpting Powder
- $139.20 worth of The Essential Eyeshadow (going off of The Essential Eyeshadow Set price per ounce)
Candlelight is a light, golden beige with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. The texture is soft, smooth, finely-milled, and it blends beautifully on the skin without emphasizing pores. The color wore well for just over nine hours before it started to fade. Makeup Revolution Radiant Lights (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Laura Mercier Highlight 01 (P, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Devotee (LE, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Milani Luster Light (P, $12.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Glazed (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Touche (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Hourglass Incandescent Strobe Light (P, $40.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Sesso (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Nooner (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Hourglass Incandescent Light (LE, $48.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS 413 BLKR (P, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Duo N. 02 (Top) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Cover FX Celestial (PiP, $34.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Pretty Bonnes (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Pearl (PiP, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Belladonna (LE, $88.00) is darker (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Highlighter (Softcore) (LE, $60.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Light Beam (02) (P, $14.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Close-Up #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Pink Champagne (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Medium is a muted, medium-dark shadowy brown with hints of gray and a matte finish. The powder is incredibly silky and finely-milled, which helps it blend out well on the skin. It had good pigmentation and lasted for eight and a half hours. MAC Crevasse (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). LORAC Medium Contour (P, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Contour Deep (Tarteist) (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Zoeva Heavy Crown (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Omega (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Medium (PiP, ) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar). LORAC Deep Contour (P, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). MAC Coffee Walnut (LE, $20.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Sepia (LE, $23.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Contour (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). MAC Sculpt (P, $16.50) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). YSL Golden Contouring Contour (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). Zoeva Unfinished (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Iced Gold is a cool-toned white base with slightly warm-toned gold with a frosted sheen. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque pigmentation and was a little dry and dusty. It lasted for seven hours on me. Pretty Vulgar Free (PiP, ) is darker (100% similar). ColourPop Silver Millennium (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar). LORAC Opal (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Becca Moonstone (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Unlocked (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Rager (LE, $4.50) is brighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Snow (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Now and Zen (P, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Fresh Blade (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Anastasia Lucid (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Beamin' (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop High Tide (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). YSL Golden Glow #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Early Bird (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Next Season (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC What's the Pointilism (PiP, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Absolution (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Dance 'Til Dawn Eyeshadow #2 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Bleach (Distortion) (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Super Hard Core (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Champagne is a light-medium, beige-brown with warm undertones and a soft pearl shimmer. It had good color coverage with a soft, blendable texture that was just a smidgen powdery. This shade started to fade after seven and a half hours. MAC Sax Appeal (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Laura Mercier Bamboo (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Mellow (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S560 Taupe (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S642 Sahara (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Era (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Smash (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Milani Bella Cappuccino (03) (P, $4.49) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Wheat is a muted, yellowed peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation and was powdery to work with. The color started to fade after seven hours. Sephora Sandcastle (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Swarm (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Butterscotch (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC She's Gravy (LE, $17.00) is darker (85% similar). Sephora Cream (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). LORAC Toffee (LE, $19.00) is more muted (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M408 Mustard (DC, $21.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Camel is a muted, medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque color payoff with a lightly dusty consistency that made it prone to sheering out. On me, the color wore well for seven and a half hours. Chanel Deep #1 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). NYX Tryst (P, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Lovely Bunch (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC That Somebody (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Givenchy Delicate #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Head Over Heels (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Milani Bella Cappuccino (03) (P, $4.49) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Undressed (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S638 Mocha (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Bite the Beat (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Viseart Arrow (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Blonde (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Affresco #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Beauty Mark (PiP, $8.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Portobello II (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Pat McGrath Statuesque (DC, $25.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Rose in the Air #6 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Mink Mirage #2 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Hourglass Atmosphere #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Hazelnut (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Coco is a medium-dark brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was slightly drier in the pan, which made it stiffer to work with, and it turned patchy when I tried to blend it out. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque pigmentation and lasted for seven hours. Dior Feel #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Samael (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Clove (LE, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). Inglot #342 (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). Stila Warm Taupe (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M630 Sweet Chestnut (DC, $21.00) is darker (95% similar). Tarte Heartbreaker (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Lockout (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). Tarte Jetsetter (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Faith (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Coloured Raine Nighty Night (LE, $6.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Natasha Denona Coco (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Viseart Toffee (Dark Matte #1) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Becca Cognac (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Hot Chocolate (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). NARS Bengali (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Charmed, I'm Sure (PiP, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Driftwood (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Hourglass Infinity #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Dark Chocolate is a smoky, taupe brown with subtle, neutral-to-cool undertones and a soft shimmer. It had semi-opaque coverage, but it was thinner and dusty in texture, which resulted in it sheering out on the lid. This shade lasted for seven hours before noticeably fading. Giorgio Armani #08 (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dior Matte Charcoal (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). LORAC Truffle (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Smoked Sea Salt (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 20 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Saleos (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Soot #2 (DC, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Defy (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Licorice Lane (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Persuade (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Grunge (DC, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Keep Your Cool (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty O Snap (610) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Quai des Brumes (Right) (DC, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Fuze (LE, )(90% similar). Hourglass Infinity #5 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M106 Slate (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Nightfall (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). MAC Dance in the Dark (PiP, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Sleigh Watch (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Beige is a light beige with subtle, warmer undertones and a satin shimmer. It had good color payoff and was very soft and blendable, but it was dusty to work with, so it tended to sheer out on the lid and faded after seven hours. Urban Decay Good Karma (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). theBalm Wipe Out (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dominique Cosmetics Free Spirit (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Sephora Powder (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). KVD Beauty Crosses (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). KVD Beauty Rust (Highlight) (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Center Stage (LE, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar). Sephora Flagstone (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). Ulta Bone (P, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Cashmere (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Oh, Rocky! (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Desert Lightning (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Sand (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). bareMinerals Celebrate (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Winterlude (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tarte Sugar Cookie (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Divinity (PiP, $16.00) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Oat (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Broken (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Disney by Sephora A Wish (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Peach is a light-medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a powdery consistency that sheered out when I went to blend it. On me, this shade wore well for seven hours. theBalm Dream Boat (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Desert Rose (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Valhalla (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I520 Pinky Sand (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Viseart Pont des Arts (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Stila Rose Quartz (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Dior Ambre Nuit #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). NYX Girl Talk (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Hello Kitty Apple Pie (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Blue Garden #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Cle de Peau Baby Universe #2 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). LORAC Beige (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Light Grey is a light-medium, gray taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer coverage with a very thin, dusty consistency that just wouldn’t build up no matter what. This shade started to fade after six hours of wear. Lethal Cosmetics Unearthed (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Naked 2 (PiP, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Zoeva Ever (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Lazarus (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Buxom Designer or Die (P, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar). Natasha Denona Sculpture (226CM) (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Coloured Raine Misty Nights (LE, $6.99) is darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Frisk (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Blurry Blue #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). Chanel Blurry Grey #1 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Tailor Grey (P, $23.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Runs the Show (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Sets the Mood (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Pewter is a muted, mauve plum with subtle, cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a dusty, powdery texture that sheered out readily. The color lasted for seven and a half hours on me. Cle de Peau Cosmic Aura #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Pat McGrath Lilac Dusk (PiP, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). theBalm #20 (P, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Plum Grand (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Virgin Orchid #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). theBalm A1 (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). bareMinerals Violet Spell (LE, $14.00) is warmer (85% similar). Giorgio Armani #27 (DC, $33.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Circa Plum (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Social Butterfly #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Tarte Crystal (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Buxom Top Shelf (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). MAC Joy & Laughter #2 (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Espresso is a dark, taupe gray with cool undertones and a plummy vibe paired with a satin finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, blendable texture that was just a little dusty but easy enough to work with. This shade wore well for eight hours. ColourPop Meow (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Electroplate (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Maybelline Tough as Taupe (P, $6.99) is less shimmery (90% similar). Milani Bella Taupe (05) (P, $4.49) is warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Horizon (LE, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar). Rouge Bunny Rouge Eclipse Eagle (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Officer (P, $5.25) is cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Cherie (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Maybelline Black Orchid (130) (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Cle de Peau Satin Moon #4 (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Make Up For Ever S556 Taupe Gray (DC, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Jungle (LE, ) is less shimmery (85% similar). Burberry Storm Grey (No. 27) (DC, $29.00) is warmer (85% similar). NARS Lhasa (DC, $25.00) is warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Mixed Tape (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Anastasia Antique (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Chanel Tisse Gabrielle #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Ignite (DC, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Trusted Instinct #5 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (80% similar). Urban Decay Darkside (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Black is a medium-dark black with cool undertones and a smattering of fine shimmer over a mostly matte base. It had sheer coverage, and it was incredibly powdery, which made it prone to sheering out and turning patchy on the lid when blended. It wore well for seven hours before fading on me. LORAC Indigo (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 19 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). KVD Beauty Black Star (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC Dark Energy #4 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Black Tied (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Shameless (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Dark Soul (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Too Faced Bad to the Berry (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Friskie (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D104 Black Diamond (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Raven (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). LORAC Swept Up (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Night Owl #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop The Capricorn (P, $4.50) is warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Woof (LE, $16.00) is darker (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Catwalks (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Mink Mirage #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). bareMinerals Penthouse (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
The Legacy
LELimited Edition. $165.00.
Candlelight
PPermanent. $44.00.
Medium
PPermanent. $44.00.
Iced Gold
LELimited Edition.
Champagne
LELimited Edition.
Wheat
LELimited Edition.
Camel
LELimited Edition.
Coco
LELimited Edition.
Dark Chocolate
LELimited Edition.
Beige
LELimited Edition.
Peach
LELimited Edition.
Light Grey
LELimited Edition.
Pewter
LELimited Edition.
Espresso
LELimited Edition.
Black
LELimited Edition.
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight The Celestial Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight The Celestial Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Iced Gold The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Iced Gold The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Champagne The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Champagne The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Wheat The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Wheat The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Camel The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Camel The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Coco The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Coco The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Dark Chocolate The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Dark Chocolate The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Beige The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Beige The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Peach The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Peach The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Light Grey The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Light Grey The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Pewter The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Pewter The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Espresso The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Espresso The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Black The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin Black The Essential Eyeshadow
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Kevyn Aucoin The Legacy Palette
Christine, you made the bad products (eye shadow) look good. Beautiful as always. Thanks for the review. I wouldn’t have bought this anyway due to the price; but now we know just how bad the shadows are.
I was really surprised it wasn’t better!
IDK, but this is a very sad looking shadow palette. It looks like they took a DS palette, slapped the Kevin Aucoin name on it, along with a $ 165 price tag, and shoved it out the door in hopes people will buy it. Poor Kevin is probably rolling around in his grave! And I don’t understand why they added a contour shade to this — it eliminates a lot of customers who find the shade too dark, light, warm, etc. and at this price, every shade has to score an A+ and be use-able. For $165, I’d rather buy 3 UD Naked kits, 2 Viseart palettes, or 33 Colour Pop shadows.
Haha, I was like, “You could just get two Visearts for this price.”
I hear that, Katherine! What I find most upsetting is that this guy is DEAD, and now because whoever took over his company is making some awful products, it tarnishes his name, because his name is the brand. Before seeing the swatches yesterday, I was starting to think that maybe the eyeshadows were in a lux suede type formula like the Ciate ones. But instead, this mess.
But hey, I’m down with getting a few Viseart palettes down the road!
For $165, you can get the UD Naked Vault–which makes 6 palettes.
Great point! Wow, that makes this KA palette look even more ridiculously overpriced
I certainly expected it to fare better given its KA!
Me too!
I was underwhelmed by this palette too! Love the Celestial & Sculpting Powders, do not love the eyeshadows. I’ll be returning this and getting the individual face powders instead!
So sad that you had a similar experience, Hayley! 🙁
Thanks Christine. I had this in my cart and changed my mind. So glad I did. I thought it was overpriced. I ordered the Sculpting powder instead.
No problem! I think it is a lot to spend all at once, and it should be perfect if you do 🙁
I forgot to say that you look gorgeous even with the average palette.
Thank you!
You successfully killed my lemming to that one. Me and my wallet, we are forever thankful 🙂
Happy to help 🙂
What a shame the palette’s not better! I think you might as well only buy the two cheek products as they’re the best thing in it!
I agree!
I love the look of this palette but leven if the eye shadows were the most amazing texture and pigmentation of all time, I wouldn’t pay $165 for it. (Assuming that’s US dollars, then I would be paying closer to $200 CAD!)
It would be tough for sure! But the least it could was be good!
Yeah! My wallet is safe! You look really pretty in these photos Christine! And now I must see about BB Posh Pink! 🙂
Phew 😀
This is strange because the eyeshadow from the brand in general have a good quality. So mayor ouch for the price point!
I like the duos more than the palettes, if I remember correctly…
Yeah, at this price point this palette should be a big fat A, a C just won’t do.
Agreed!
Hi Christine,
If I hadn’t read your review, I would never think that the shadows were so bad, as you look absolutely gorgeous in them!! I especially love the black liner that you gave a rating of “F”. LOL
lol! 🙂
You look really beautiful in the photos, Christine! As much as this palette is pretty junky quality wise for the price tag, the range is indeed lovely on you.
My first impression of this palette was so positive. It looks really well crafted, super sleek, professional, and carefully edited; essentially the perfect travel palette. Then I looking at the colour range, I noted most of the palette falls into my makeup Kryptonite range.. all those aggravatingly orange/yellow based ‘neutrals’. They do absolutely nothing for me other than make me look like I should immediately be placed on a liver transplant list. I have light skin NC 20-25 range with yellow and green undertones and though many would classify me as a ‘warm’ skinned person, warm shades in the yellow orange range drag me down..so very badly. Based on that, this palette became a definite no. Glad it did. I might have been tempted otherwise.
Now seeing these poor swatches on a premium product, I’m very shocked because rarely do you find Kevyn Aucoin products getting a C.. considering the quality of the eye shadows alone would have probably brought the overall rating down to ho-hum C level. Ugh!
I expected it to be better — I was honestly surprised at the texture of these. You could definitely feel the talc in them, which always leaves me thinking “cheap,” though sometimes talc formulas have worked out really well.
After seeing the swatches yesterday, the C+ comes as no surprise. In reality, ONLY the contour and highlight save this palette from being a D or worse, it seems. The price makes it a travesty, IMHO.
Worse yet, is the stain it leaves on one of the most respected and talented MUA’s, Mr. Kevin Aucoin’s brand name. This is just UNACCEPTABLE on the part of those now running KA (into the ground, obviously!). Bring in those who, like him, respect the ART.
I think the grade is definitely being held up by those face powders!
Well, at $165, it was never going to be a purchase for me, so at least I know I’m not missing out–those sour grapes are actually sour!! I can tell by your full face pics that the contour & highlighter are definitely the stars here–they look great on you!–but those shadows….I really appreciate that they at least did both warm and cool neutrals, and, being fair and over 40, I appreciate more sheer, thinner textures….but I can get that from Stila or Tarte for a fraction of the price!
I think Stila and Tarte are, on the whole, better than this!
This is really bad. I think they should take better care of the name of Kevyn’s name. He was an amazing artist. I love his books. I still have to try the makeup, but I’ll most certainly not start with this beige failiure of a palett. Yes, I think it is that bad, even though the contouring products are really good.
The eyeshadows really lacked the feel and quality of the Celestial/Sculpting Powders 🙁
That Bobbi Brown/Sephora lip combo you’ve got going on is making your lips look extra-luscious! Thanks for the detailed review 🙂
Thanks, Melanie!
What are you using on your lower lashline here, Christine? Doesn’t look like any of these shadows from its opaque pigmentation, lol!
I think this was ColourPop DTLA!
Wow, that did even worse than I thought it would. *SMH*
🙁
Glad I didn’t plan on picking this up. I do like the Pewter color though. Very pretty.
Phew!
Yep – this is what I thought yesterday – it is awful. It’s a sad day when a brand cannot even get a light golden beige right. There are plenty of great palettes out there that have made these colours much better – Colour Pop for example, at a fraction of the price.
Your eye and face look is beautiful Christine – even with these shabby products.
I really thought this would be better for Kevyn Aucoin to put out 🙁
This was out of my price range anyway, but it’s pretty disappointing.
I swatched some Kevyn Aucoin eyeshadow duos at Space NK and they actually seemed really nice from the swatces – they were shimmery ones though.
I don’t remember them being this bad, but it has been awhile 🙁
You do it every time. Make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Are the KA regular shadow this bad?
Hope and love to your readers in France, Belgium, and for that matter, the GOOD people in Syria and Iraq, who are beset by these evil villains. I can’t help but think we are on the brink of WW3, and am very glad that I am playing the back nine.
You are too sweet, KJH! Thank you!
It is a tough time across the world. Here’s hoping 2016 is more peaceful.
You look so pretty in purple Christine! You are working that color and it looks great on you 🙂
Aw, thanks Tammy!
Lucky me I purchased the contour book during the sales. Looks like this time there were different options to purchase the covetted Kevyn Aucoin highlighter for a fraction of the original size but excelent amount of product, and this was not the most attractive one. I think whoever designed this palette and placed the price tag was not inspired. Just by looking at it it’s straight boring and feels cheap. Even if it was just 100$ I wouldn’t fall for it. I agree with other comments, better investing this on other options like Viseart.
I’m glad you were able to grab the Contour Book!