LORAC California Dreaming Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000

California Dreaming

LORAC California Dreaming Eyeshadow Palette ($30.00 for 0.34 oz.) includes twelve eyeshadows in both matte and shimmer finishes. The palette runs warmer, but it seemed more like a neutral palette with pops of rose and mauve accents. The formula felt looser and drier overall; sort of like LORAC’s “filler” formula, when they put together more affordable palettes but aren’t part of their Pro collection (which always has a silkier, more refined feel). I find that this formula can be better or worse depending on the shades and finishes. The downsides of the formula tend to be that they are prone to fading more quickly and sheering out, so a good primer is an absolute must-have to make this palette wear and perform well.

California Dreaming

LELimited Edition. $30.00.

C+

7.5

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

78%

Total

Sand Castle

Sand Castle is a very light white gold with warm undertones and a soft, frosted finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation paired with a soft, lightly dusty consistency that sheered out a bit on the lid. It wore well for seven hours before fading noticeably.

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Urban Decay Vanilla (DC, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
MAC Posh Pedigree #1 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Dior Expose #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
MAC Carefree (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
KVD Beauty Thunderstruck (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
bareMinerals Breathtaking (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Buxom Born Glam (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Artemis (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Dior Golden Flower #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Viseart Absinthe #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Alumina, Synthetic Wax, PTFE, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Isoeicosene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Kaolin, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.

Sand Castle

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

B-

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

7.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

80%

Total

Button

Button is a medium brown with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation, but the texture was much looser and prone to kicking up a lot of excess product in the pan and causing some fallout during application. The eyeshadow applied decently to bare skin without sheering out, but it seemed to fade more quickly at a mere five hours.

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NARS Nepal (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
Makeup Atelier Nude #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
NARS Nepal (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Milani Bella Champagne (16) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #3 (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Naked (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Too Faced Y'all (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Tarte Messy Bun (LE, ) is more muted (85% similar).
LORAC Unreal (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, brighter (85% similar).

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Ingredients

Synthetic Wax, PTFE, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Boron Nitride, Isoeicosene, Kaolin, Silica, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 40 Lake (CI 16039), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)

Button

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

5.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

73%

Total

Overcast

Overcast is a muted, medium purple with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had a dusty, more powdery texture that sheered out too easily, so it was hard to maintain true-to-pan intensity and opaque coverage. This shade started to fade after six hours on me.

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Marc Jacobs Beauty Violet Hour (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Tarte Skipper (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
NYX Undress Me (P, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (002) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
IT Cosmetics Romance (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Marzipan (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
ColourPop Clubhouse (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
IT Cosmetics Enchanting (P, ) is brighter (90% similar).
Sephora Heather Grey (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Persona Chic (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).

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Ingredients

Overcast

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

D+

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

Application

68%

Total

Bonfire

Bonfire is a light pink with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation and a dustier, more powdery texture that was harder to apply to the lid for all-over color. When I used it to blend out a crease color, it was easier to use as I did not need it to be fully opaque. It lasted for six and a half hours on me.

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KVD Beauty Plum (Highlight) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Anastasia Baby Cakes (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
MAC Flounce (PiP, $17.00) is more muted (95% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 13 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
LORAC Light Pink (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #1 (LE, ) (95% similar).
Tarte Caregiver (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $16.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty With Style (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Huda Beauty Rose #8 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Bonfire

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

Product

7.5

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

73%

Total

Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy is a muted, medium rosy coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-sheer color payoff, which was buildable to medium coverage. The texture was drier and dusty, which made it harder to work with on bare skin. This shade started to fade after six hours of wear.

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Makeup Geek Tuscan Sun (DC, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar).
ColourPop Labyrinth (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Cupcake (DC, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
Viseart Summertide (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Sprung (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Cheeky (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Melt Cosmetics Modern Love (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Kaja Smoky Sepia (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
ColourPop Bare with Me (P, $8.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Cha Cha (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Hot Toddy

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

Application

66%

Total

Starfish

Starfish is a soft, peachy brown with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good color coverage that went on smoothly and evenly. The texture was firmer but not stiff or difficult to work with. On me, it lasted for seven hours.

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Ingredients

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MAC Expensive Pink (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Makeup Geek Cosmopolitan (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
MAC Summer Sun (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer, lower quality (95% similar).
Gucci Beauty Autumn Fire #2 (DC, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Anastasia Intense Gaze (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty The Dreamer #6 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
NYX Golden Peach (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Make Up For Ever #153 (DC, $20.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Too Faced Oh Snap (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Urban Decay Freelove (DC, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).

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Ingredients

Starfish

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

B+

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

7.5

Longevity

Application

87%

Total

Seaside

Seaside is a blackened olive green with flecks of emerald green and khaki shimmer strewn through it. The texture was drier, almost crumbly in the pan, and it was harder to apply evenly to bare skin. I had the best luck using this over primer and with a fluffy crease brush. The color started to fade after seven hours of wear.

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Ingredients

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Dior Jardin #3 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Veruschka (DC, $34.00) is darker (95% similar).
Chanel Jardins de Lumieres #1 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
MAC Mysterious Influence (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
Hourglass Color Field #5 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
MAC Vintage Coin (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Smoky Emerald (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
Urban Decay Stash (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Guerlain Les Precieux #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Polyurethane-11. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035)

Seaside

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

Product

8.5

Pigmentation

Texture

7.5

Longevity

Application

76%

Total

Cable Knit

Cable Knit is a muted, plummy taupe with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had medium coverage paired with a very loose, powdery texture, which was a real mess to use as it kicked up so much extra product in the pan itself. While blendable, it had a tendency to “melt” on the lid and look a bit uneven after a few minutes of wear. This shade wore for just over six hours on me.

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NABLA Cosmetics Caravaggio (PiP, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
Tarte Stylin (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
Urban Decay Eight (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
LORAC Blackberry (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
Viseart Chocolat II (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
Dominique Cosmetics Cafecito (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Dior Atelier Dore #5 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
bareMinerals Kismet (P, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Dark Roast (DC, $5.25) is more shimmery (90% similar).
LORAC Spell Breaker (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Cable Knit

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

D-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

Application

61%

Total

Cozy

Cozy is a light beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation with a soft, lightly dusty texture that was blendable and fairly easy to apply to bare skin. The eyeshadow wore nicely for seven hours before fading.

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Inglot #352 (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
theBalm #24 (P, $6.50) is darker (95% similar).
Tarte French Manicure (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
LORAC Chip In (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
LORAC Nude #1 (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Stila Light Pink (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Tarte Sand Out from the Crowd (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
ColourPop Hear Me Out (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
MAC Blanc Type (DC, $17.00) is brighter (95% similar).
ColourPop With a Smile (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).

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Ingredients

Cozy

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

7.5

Longevity

Application

86%

Total

Boots

Boots is a blackened purple with subtle, warm undertones and a pearl finish. It had intense color payoff with a very smooth, almost cream-like texture that was easy to work with and applied beautifully to bare skin. This shade wore well for eight hours on me.

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Ingredients

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LORAC Licorice (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Ardency Inn Purple Hearts (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
MAC Evil Stepmother (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Chanel Tisse Beverly Hills #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
Make Up For Ever D830 Black Rose (DC, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar).
NARS Tatar (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
MAC Starless Night (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
MAC Totally Trouble (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Tarte Play Nice (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Tarte Illusion (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).

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Ingredients

Alumina, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octamethyltetrasiloxane, Zinc Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Silica, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499)

Boots

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

A-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

Kitty Kat

Kitty Kat is a medium-dark, reddish bronze with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The texture of this shade was unlike anything I’ve tried from LORAC before; it was incredibly silky and soft, almost airy and cool to the touch. It was very finely-milled, but it had a tendency to sheer out if applied with sweeping motions. I found that patting it on the lid was the best way to apply it. The color wore well for seven and a half hours.

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Ingredients

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Pretty Vulgar Eye Spy (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Urban Decay Tectonic (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
NABLA Cosmetics Tribeca (P, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 14 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Urban Decay Lost (DC, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
NARS Daydream (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty On the Runway (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
LORAC Dark Mocha (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Pat McGrath Ritualistic (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Lancome My French #6 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).

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Ingredients

Talc, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Octamethyltetrasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492)

Kitty Kat

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

B+

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

8.5

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

88%

Total

65 Degrees

65 Degrees is a light peachy-pink with warm undertones and a high, frosted sheen. The consistency was a little looser and drier in the pan, but the eyeshadow applied evenly to bare lids and did not sheer out too easily. It had good pigmentation that lasted for seven and a half hours on me.

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ColourPop My My My (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
Sephora Raya (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
MAC A Party of Pastels #2 (PiP, $21.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Show Boat (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
Dior Trafalgar #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
MAC Sweet Allure (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Too Faced I Ruff You (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Laura Mercier Diamond Pink (LE, $23.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Viseart Tourmaline (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
Viseart Stardust (GPV2 #1) (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).

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Ingredients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octamethyltetrasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Aluminum Powder, (CI 77000)

65 Degrees

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

8.5

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

86%

Total

LORAC California Dreaming Eyeshadow Palette

LORAC Sand Castle Eyeshadow

LORAC Button Eyeshadow

LORAC Overcast Eyeshadow

LORAC Bonfire Eyeshadow

LORAC Hot Toddy Eyeshadow

LORAC Starfish Eyeshadow

LORAC Seaside Eyeshadow

LORAC Cable Knit Eyeshadow

LORAC Cozy Eyeshadow

LORAC Boots Eyeshadow

LORAC Kitty Kat Eyeshadow

LORAC 65 Degrees Eyeshadow

LORAC California Dreaming Eyeshadow Palette

LORAC Sand Castle Eyeshadow

LORAC Button Eyeshadow

LORAC Overcast Eyeshadow

LORAC Bonfire Eyeshadow

LORAC Hot Toddy Eyeshadow

LORAC Starfish Eyeshadow

LORAC Seaside Eyeshadow

LORAC Cable Knit Eyeshadow

LORAC Cozy Eyeshadow

LORAC Boots Eyeshadow

LORAC Kitty Kat Eyeshadow

LORAC 65 Degrees Eyeshadow

Temptalia

LORAC California Dreaming Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

California Dreaming

LELimited Edition. $30.00.

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Sand Castle

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Button

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Overcast

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Bonfire

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Hot Toddy

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Starfish

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Seaside

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Cable Knit

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Cozy

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Boots

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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Kitty Kat

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

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65 Degrees

Top Dupes

Ingredients

LELimited Edition. $19.00.

Quick Shop: Ulta, Nordstrom, LORAC, DermStore