Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette ($80.00 for 0.41 oz.) includes twelve eyeshadows (0.03 oz. each), miniature-sized Caviar Stick in Cocoa, (0.03 oz.) and miniature-sized Full Blown Volume Mascara in Black (0.20 oz.). It’s a nice palette overall, and if you’re a fan of more neutral, muted colors with matte and satin finishes, you’ll probably get a lot of use out of this one. The downside is that if you don’t love or use the included minis, then this palette is significantly less value-packed than the last two editions of it. The only overlap with holiday’s palette is with Guava and African Violet. Generally, the eyeshadows had good color payoff, soft, smooth textures, and wore eight and a half hours before fading or creasing.

During the holidays, when Laura Mercier released the holiday Artist Eyeshadow Palette, it sold out quickly and was difficult to track down. It’s not at all a surprise that this is still around over a month later, because the $80 price tag of spring’s palette, compared to the holiday palette’s price of $48, makes it difficult to justify–even if Laura Mercier wants us to feel like we’re getting our value because they’ve included a miniature-sized Caviar Stick and Mascara. Laura Mercier says that the palette has a value of $120. Based on what’s included, the set includes $92.00 worth of eyeshadow, $10.40 worth of Caviar Stick, $12.00 worth of mascara, which is $114.40–shy of $120. I think it was a very shortsighted move to significantly increase the price of the palette and tossing in two minis, because the palette is the star attraction–the other two items are just bonuses, and at the end of the day, I don’t think they justify the $32 price hike, because you’re really not getting more value, you’re just buying more products and paying that price for them. If they had made the palette closer to $60 and included both minis, I think it would have sold better. Make no mistake: you are paying real money to get those minis, they’re not just toss-ins; it ends up looking like a way of justifying that $80 price tag to customers.

Noir is described as a “deepest black [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark black with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had fairly good color payoff, but it could have been a bit more pigmented. The texture was soft and blendable, and the color lasted well for eight and a half hours. There are many black eyeshadows just like it — see comparison swatches.

Deep Night is described as a “deep black navy [with a Matte finish].” It’s a blackened navy that leans almost purple with a matte finish. It had decent pigmentation, though it could have been more intense. It was more buildable, though, so you could achieve truer-to-pan color with a few layers. The color wore well for just over eight and a half hours. Wet ‘n’ Wild I’m His Breezey #3 (P, $2.29) is less pigmented. bareMinerals Maven (LE) is slightly bluer. NARS Kamchatka (P, $24.00) is lighter. MAC Naval (LE, $15.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

Coffee Ground is described as a “cool charcoal brown [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark, cool-toned brown with a matte finish. It had good color payoff, and the texture was soft and smooth without being powdery. It wore well for eight and a half hours. Too Faced Triple Fudge (P, $16.00) is darker. Laura Mercier Espresso (LE, $23.00) is darker. bareMinerals Boardroom (LE) is darker. MAC Brun (P, $15.00) is similar. Inglot #363 (P, $6.00) is very similar. Bobbi Brown Hot Stone (LE, $22.00) is slightly cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.

Cafe au Lait is described as a “neutral caramel beige [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium brown with subtle, warm yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation, and the texture was soft and silky. It wore well for nine hours. Sleek MakeUP Entwined (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, darker. Makeup Geek Latte (P, $5.99) is warmer. Chanel Charming #2 (LE) is very similar. Too Faced Chocolate Milk (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Bobbi Brown Frappe (LE, $22.00) is lighter. LORAC Taupe (P) is very similar. Burberry Pale Nude #1 (P) is more shimmery. Inglot #357 (P, $6.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches.

Ginger is described as a “light neutral peach [with a Matte finish].” It’s a soft, light-medium orange with a matte finish. It had really nice color payoff, and the consistency of the powder was soft, smooth, and easy to blend. The color wore well for almost eight and a half hours. Anastasia Orange Soda (LE) is more orange. Kat Von D Geek (LE) is more shimmery. Bobbi Brown Terracotta (LE, $22.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Buttercream is described as a “light neutral yellow [with a Matte finish].” It’s a pale, neutral-to-warm beige with a matte finish. It had fairly good pigmentation, and the texture was very soft and silky, though it almost looked chalky on my medium complexion (should be fine on fairer skin tones). It wore well for eight hours. It’s another basic shade, so there are plenty of similar shades out there — see comparison swatches.

Diamond Pink is a brightened, pinky-white with a metallic finish. This is a limited edition shade (exclusive to the palette) and has a Luster finish, officially. It had good color payoff, and the texture was soft but not quite as smooth as other shades in the palette. I noticed a smidgen of fall out over time with this color but not too much, otherwise the wear was eight and a half hours. This shade is surprisingly common to see, so there are quite a few that are very close (with minor differences, like a fraction lighter/darker/more metallic) — see comparison swatches.

Guava is described as a “peach stucco [with a Sateen finish].” It’s a light-medium, peachy-pink with warm undertones and a soft, golden sheen. The texture was incredibly soft and smooth, while the color payoff was good. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me. theBalm #14 (P, $6.50) is lighter. Too Faced Ringleader (LE, $16.00) is similar. Wet ‘n’ Wild Newport Nights #2 (LE) is less shimmery. MAC Dynamic Duo 1 #1 (LE, $15.00) is similar. Le Metier de Beaute Nouvelle (LE, $30.00) is lighter. bareMinerals Custom Made (LE) is less golden. See comparison swatches.

Sable is described as a “cool grey taupe [with a Sateen finish].” It’s a medium-dark, cool-toned taupe with a soft, pearly finish. It had decent color payoff, but it was a little stiffer than the other shades in the palette, though it lasted for almost nine hours applied to the lid. Bobbi Brown Smokey Grey (LE, $21.00) is darker. NARS Lhasa (P, $24.00) is similar. MAC Shale (P, $15.00) is darker. MAC Stolen Moment (LE, $19.50) is darker. Giorgio Armani Shimmer Greige (LE) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

African Violet is described as a “violet copper shimmer [with a Luster finish].” It’s a cool-toned, medium-dark plum with a golden shimmer-sheen. The texture was a little drier with larger shimmer particles, so it didn’t apply as smoothly. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours. theBalm #2 (P, $6.50) is darker. Fyrinnae Meerkat (Pressed) (P, $8.25) is darker. MAC Pinkluxe #3 (P) is darker, cooler-toned. MAC Neo Nebula (LE, $21.00) is less golden. See comparison swatches.

Violet Steel is a cool-toned, purplish-taupe with a frosted sheen. It has a Luster finish, officially, and is limited edition/exclusive to this palette. It had good pigmentation, and the texture was soft and smooth. This shade wore well for nine hours. Urban Decay Darkside (P, $18.00) is less shimmery. MAC Graphic Style (LE, $15.00) is similar. Urban Decay Armor (LE, $18.00) is grayer. MAC Moth Brown (LE, $15.00) is less shimmery, grayer. MAC Stolen Moment (LE, $19.50) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Rich Cocoa is a dark, warm-toned brown with bronze shimmer and a satin finish . It has a Sateen finish, officially. It had so-so color payoff, but the consistency was dry and powdery, so it wasn’t as easy to apply as the other shades. Urban Decay Twice Baked (P, $18.00) is lighter. MAC Carbonized (LE, $15.00) is darker. Dior Fairy Golds #5 (LE) is more shimmery. Burberry Dark Spice #2 (P) is darker. Bobbi Brown Cocoa (P, $22.00) is darker, less shimmery. See comparison swatches.

Cocoa (Caviar Stick) is a medium-dark, chocolate brown with warm, yellowy undertones and a satin-matte finish. It had excellent color payoff, applied smoothly, and wore well for nine hours without creasing or fading. Bobbi Brown Cocoa (P, $22.00) is darker, powder. LORAC Sable (P) is slightly darker, powder. Bobbi Brown Bittersweet (LE, $28.00) is very similar. MAC Dark Brew (P, $15.00) is more shimmery, powder. See comparison swatches.

Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara is supposed to thicken, lengthen, curl, and sculpt lashes. For me, it did all those things about average or a little better–a good mascara but not life-changing. I would say it does more to thicken than it does to lengthen. I didn’t have any smudging or flaking, and it was easy enough to remove.

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Spring 2014 Artist Eyeshadow Palette

Laura Mercier Cocoa Caviar Stick

Laura Mercier Cocoa Caviar Stick

Laura Mercier Cocoa Caviar Stick

Laura Mercier Noir Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Noir Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Deep Night Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Deep Night Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Coffee Ground Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Coffee Ground Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Ginger Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Ginger Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Buttercream Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Buttercream Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Diamond Pink Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Diamond Pink Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Guava Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Guava Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Sable Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Sable Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier African Violet Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier African Violet Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Violet Steel Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Violet Steel Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Rich Cocoa Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Rich Cocoa Eyeshadow

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow: Guava, Ginger, Cafe au Lait, Buttercream

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow: Guava, Ginger, Cafe au Lait, Buttercream

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow: Diamond Pink, Sable, Violet Steel, Deep Night, Buttercream

Laura Mercier Eyeshadow: Diamond Pink, Sable, Violet Steel, Deep Night, Buttercream