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Make Up For Ever #2 Artist Palette (Colors You Crave) Review, Photos, Swatches

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette ($42.00 for 0.54 oz.) contains eight eyeshadows and two blushes–yes, two shades are technically blushes–in an assortment of colors tempered by lighter neutrals and deeper, richer hues. I would only consider three of the ten shades to be truly bright, and two of those are the blushes. Four are more neutral, and then two shades are darker colors, but the depth makes them smokier and intense but muted. I think the palette is less intimidating for someone who isn’t as used to bright eyeshadows. The two blush shades are actually the two weakest performers in the palette, with one being a little under-performing and the other being unimpressive. The eight eyeshadows are very good, with four receiving perfect scores. That purple blush almost made me withhold my recommendation, but the other shades are that good.

I wish Make Up For Ever had included two other, vibrant eyeshadows rather than two blushes, though–perhaps two of these: ME338 Acidic Green, ME304 Emerald, I238 Blue Cedar, or D826 Fig. They could have also used a different neutral than ME512 Golden Beige, as it is also in the Nudes You Need palette, and they have plenty of golden-beige kind of shades to choose from. I would have also liked to see one or two more mattes/satins included here–7 of the 10 are of the metallic family.

The value of the palette is $141.75 based on $21/0.08 oz., though Make Up For Ever has a discounting system if you buy two or three (plus the coordinating case) individuals at a time. Based on that, you could get three for $44 or $44/0.24 oz., which would give the palette a value of $99. Another way to look at it is the cost of purchasing all nine individually, and presuming you buy in trios to maximize your discount, you would spend $132. As long as you’d use at least three shades in it, then you’ll pay less than purchasing the three as singles (you would get more product, but a little goes a long way with these).

I872 Pearly Pink is a very light, pinky-white with a pearly sheen–just shy of a truly metallic finish. It had rich color payoff with a really smooth, buttery texture that was incredibly easy to use on the skin. The color wore well for nine hours before creasing very slightly. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

D552 Crystalline Gray Beige is a warm-toned, golden pewter with a sparkling, metallic finish. There is very slight sparkle to it, but the texture is dense enough to support the sparkle and actually keep it adhered to the skin with the most minimal fall out, even after nine hours of wear (like two sparkles). It was nicely pigmented with a creamy, blendable texture. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME512 Golden Beige is a light-medium gold with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted, metallic finish. It had great pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and creamy texture that just applied so well to the lid. It wore well for nine and a half hours on me. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME910 Electric Magenta is a bright, fuchsia-magenta with cool, blue undertones and an iridescent violet sheen. It had good pigmentation, but it wasn’t as rich as the average Artist Shadow, and the texture felt thinner and less blendable as a result. The texture of my individual pan seemed better with a creamier, easier-to-use texture. It still wore well as a blush for eight and a half hours. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME232 Turquoise Blue is a brightened, medium aqua-blue with a hint of warmer green undertones and a frosted finish. It was intensely pigmented with a beautifully blendable, buttery texture. It wore well for nine and a half hours before creasing very slightly. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME700 Amber is a golden copper with warm undertones and a frosted, metallic finish. The color payoff was fantastic with rich, full color coverage. The texture felt creamy, dense, and remained very blendable on the eyelid. It wore well for nine and a half hours before fading a bit. This is an incredibly dupable color, though this version is excellent. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

S924 Purple is a brightened, medium-dark purple with warm, pink undertones and a satin-matte finish. The texture was thinner and drier, and it was harder to really apply this one evenly as a blush, as it didn’t blend easily. It had semi-opaque color coverage, which was noticeably weaker than the individual I have of it. My single of this shade was also more blendable, though it wasn’t the best Artist Shadow for blendability that I’ve tried. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME302 Peacock is a blackened, brown-black with green-teal frost. The texture is incredibly cream-like, despite being a powder eyeshadow, and goes on as such: blendable, fully pigmented, and smooth. It wore well for ten hours before creasing. This shade was more pigmented and has a stronger bluish tone to its shimmer than my single, though when I blended the one in the palette out more, it appeared slightly greener. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

ME930 Black Purple is a blackened purple with subtle, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had fully opaque color coverage with a cream-like, buttery texture. It felt creamier in the palette than when it released in the Artist Palette of it feels with a smoother sheen–almost as if the base is stronger and covers the shimmer a bit more–but it is more comparable to my single, though the palette version seems creamier still. It wore well for nine hours on me. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette

Make Up For Ever I872 Pearly Pink Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I872 Pearly Pink Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever I872 Pearly Pink Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I872 Pearly Pink Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME910 Electric Magenta Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME700 Amber Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME700 Amber Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME700 Amber Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME700 Amber Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever S924 Purple Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
D552 Crystalline Gray Beige (inner lid), ME700 Amber (middle of lid), ME232 Turquoise Blue (outer lid),
ME302 Peacock (crease), ME512 Golden Beige (brow bone), Marc Jacobs Beauty Top Seacret Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever #2 Colors You Crave Artist Palette
D552 Crystalline Gray Beige (inner lid), ME700 Amber (middle of lid), ME232 Turquoise Blue (outer lid),
ME302 Peacock (crease), ME512 Golden Beige (brow bone), Marc Jacobs Beauty Top Seacret Eyeliner

Additional Looks

These are looks I’ve done previously that include at least one of the shades from this palette, but they are using previously released versions — these are more for collective inspiration 🙂

Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow
I318 Linen Khaki (inner lid), ME232 Turquoise Blue (outer lid), I212 Periwinkle (crease)

Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Shadow
I318 Linen Khaki (inner lid), ME232 Turquoise Blue (outer lid), I212 Periwinkle (crease)

Make Up For Ever I606 Pinky Earth Artist Shadow
I606 (inner lid), I662 (middle of lid), ME930 (outer lid), M636 (outer lid/crease),
D868 (outer lid), Marc Jacobs Plum(age) Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever I606 Pinky Earth Artist Shadow
I606 (inner lid), I662 (middle of lid), ME930 (outer lid), M636 (outer lid/crease),
D868 (outer lid), Marc Jacobs Plum(age) Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow
D552 (inner lid), ME644 (middle of lid), I628 (outer lid), ME614 (crease), S502 (brow bone)

Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige Artist Shadow

88 Comments

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Krista Avatar

Hey!
I am so excited to try these out- ordered this palette on the last day of the VIB sale. Happy to hear you recommended it 🙂 I’m probably most excited for ME-232!

Although two of the colours are marketed as blush, would they still be eye safe? I know US has different regulations than Canada, and for me at least they’re listed as eyeshadows with no disclaimer about blush only.

Thanks 🙂

Christine Avatar

Hi Krista,

On the back of my packaging, it lists those two as blush, and in the how-to book, it showed them as blush. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the Canadian packaging, so you would need to look at yours, since you already have it, or contact Sephora/Make Up For Ever! 🙂 They don’t really make a disclaimer on the packaging other than labeling them “blush.” They are listed as blush because they are not safe for use around the eye area in the U.S.

Krista Avatar

Thanks for your reply! I don’t have the packaging yet, as standard shipping to Canada has taken me over a week so far (and counting)

I’ll definitely reach out to them and see what they say once I get it!

Rachel R. Avatar

I’ve owned those two colors as singles for a while. I’ve used them many times as eyeshadow, with no problems. I have sensitive eyes. Some people are allergic to a red pigment in them. If you try, you may want to test a small amount, and keep them off the waterline.

mina Avatar

I ordered it yesterday and should come tomorrow.
I’m a makeup forever fan and am excited.
With all the other spring palettes released that contain yellow, orange, and other bright and other bright colors I feel that that MUFE should have also included these colors. Because I almost passed this one up for Anastasia palette (now online at sephora) or the Electric Palette by Urban Decay.
I also world have liked to see a side by side comparison of the palette size and the regular size.

Rachel R. Avatar

I have the ABH palette and this one. I like the ABH palette more than Christine did, but this one is much, much better, if that makes you feel better about your purchase.

I agree, though…I would have loved a bright yellow or orange, too. Peacock and Black Purple are so good, I forgive MUFE for not doing so. 😀

mina Avatar

My order arrived today instead. YAY! Christine is correct the textures are very soft and creamy and I love the pigmentation. It was a great buy for me because I don’t have these shades yet. I have 4 Shadows plus the pattern now. I highly recommend. The only thing I can say is that they should d have left the neutrals out since they already have a nude version, and swap them for the colors. It calms my buyers remorse from not getting the 30th anniversary palette

Rachel R. Avatar

I love your Turquoise eye look! I may have to steal it. The other eye looks are pretty, too. Your eye looks are always pretty, though.

I really love this palette. I owned three of the shades already, but they’re so good, I don’t mind having backups. I hope MUFE will do more releases like this.

Lulle Avatar

Hmm, I find it quite irresponsible for a brand to include shades that are not eye-safe in what looks like an eyeshadow palette. I see that they’re called “Blush” on the back, but wouldn’t it be safer to separate them from the shadows or make them look different somehow (different pan shape or something).
I wonder if they’re considered not eye-safe in the USA only?

Christine Avatar

I have heard they do not come with the same warnings elsewhere, but I don’t have the packaging to confirm personally. It’s not more or less than what is in place now with the Artist Shadows having all the blush shades lumped in with the eyeshadow shades (on Sephora’s site). The info should (but isn’t) be more transparent – same with UD’s Electric Palette, Ardency Inn’s eyeshadows, etc. etc.

At least Make Up For Ever showed them as blushes applied in their look book – that was unexpected for me.

El Avatar

It is US only – the FDA has not done tests on the eye safety of neon or red-based pigments, so it blanket classifies them as not safe. The EU has done the tests and the packaging I have in the UK has no such qualifications (e.g., for the UD Electric Palette).

Katherine T. Avatar

I think many people are going to assume the hot pink and bright purple are shadows, not blushes. I agree, they should’ve left out the 2 blushes and just added in more shadows

Christine Avatar

I totally agree! Only because I’ve encountered it so often that I know LOOK for it, and I tend to immediately assume anything ridiculously bright/neon is going to be technically a blush. I really try to use them as a blush (any time I don’t, it’s because I didn’t realize – that happened with UD’s palette!) as a result.

Samantha Avatar

Christine, I agree! I used UD Savage as a shadow with an eyeshadow primer, not really realizing. It stained my eyelids for several days. I looked ill. At least my eyes did not have a reaction.

Meghan Avatar

I have 2 of the MUFE eye shadow palettes (artist palette & studio case) and there seems to be some overlap with colours in all of them. I just wish that wasn’t the case because I like the added value of palettes, but I don’t like the fact that I already own some of the shades because of purchasing previous palettes. I’d like to get different colours without investing in full-size pans.

Nancy T Avatar

In all honesty, I have to agree with a few others before me who also would have loved to have seen a yellow, an orange, a green, and that those two lovely, bright purple shades were FDA approved as “eye safe”. Although, knowing me like I do, I know thaw I WOULD use them on the lids anyway. Too tempting for a purple-loving, green-eyed gal not to use on eyes!

Aline Avatar

I got this during the sale and the quality of the shadows is great. The black purple color is gorgeous and blends beautifully. I didn’t know you could use them as blush as well. The things you learn here!

Nicole Avatar

Love the looks ! I will be marking this blog post. Is there any way to pull out looks and store them anywhere within the blog? Like on the dashboard? I think this is a great palette. I agree with your remarks. Hopefully MUFE will listen. I hope they keep putting out affordable,quality pallets!

Christine Avatar

Not really! If I upload them as a look, then you could “love” it and it would save to your MyTemptalia profile (if you’re registered) under Loves, I think, lol. I’d like to try to be better about uploading them, but I totally forget right now.

Nicole Avatar

Its okay! I know you are super busy and of course I am registered! I’ll just love them . I can usually remembered where they are and pull them back up.:)

Grace Avatar

Yup… I’ve fallen in LOVE! Christine you are totally right about the super creamy and blendable textures. I did an effortless look in under 2 mins with Vol 1. and it looks so smooth! Ppl think I took hours to blend but in reality only 2 mins! LOVE LOVE LOVE these eyeshadows! Thank you again for getting these swatches and reviews up so quickly. This did not disappoint 😀 Now I’m thinking I want to purchase Peacock and Black Purple separately just cuz those are so gorgeous!

El Avatar

Somewhat surprisingly, I have no desire for this palette. The two dark shades are the only ones I want, and I’d really rather get them in a trio with another dark shade, as I’m far more likely to use them that way.

Erica Avatar

I didn’t buy this palette because I have a few of the colors already: golden beige and peacock. Amber is very dupable. Peacock is one of the most beautiful eyeshadows ever. It has a duo chrome look and is amazing under the lower lash and the outer v.

Genevieve Avatar

I love the fact that someone (anyone!) is bringing out some colours and I love this palette. But I do agree with you Christine. I don’t think there was any need to include blushes in this palette. There were also one too many shades that are very similar to each other – either the Pearly Pink or the Golden Beige. And yes, they should have included an emerald!
Peacock is the colour I love the most, but looking at your dupe list I have a few of these: Damaged from Vice 2, Very Wicked from Emerald Pretty and Max Volume from bareMinerals The Playlist. So I think I am covered on that score. And again, your eye looks are amazing.

JCarbonel Avatar

I first purchased the nudes version of this palette and was immediately validated by your stamp of approval. So much so I purchased the brights version, something slightly outside of my comfort zone. But I am so excited for it to arrive! This year appears to be my year of experimenting with color and I’m loving it!!!!! Christine your looks are sooo beautiful and inspire me to add more color to my life!!!!

Tammy Avatar

Any application suggestions for mufe’s artist shadows? Just got my fifth shadow today (blueberry) and it looks like this one is going back like all the others. Eye cream or no, primer or no, all the colors go on dry, patchy, flaky, scratchy, and crease badly after about four hours of wear. Yesterday I put on an old Urban Decay shadow, this buttery and rich and amazingly pigmented after six years. MUFES shadows
Are such a disappointment to me and I don’t understand why everyone else loves them. I use Mac brushes. Surely I am losing my mind? How is everyone else getting buttery, pigmented and long – wearing when I am getting dry, patchy and creased in just half a day???

Tammy Avatar

Christine, I think I solved my own problem. The colors I was having trouble with were the very metallic ones. They do better on top of the other shadows; when I try to use them as a base, they don’t have enough pigmentation and the metallic bits get into creases rapidly. Now that I am using metallic colors on top of the less sparkly shadows, I am having success. I knew there had to be an issue with the way I was using them. You can delete my previous post since I have figured out what the issue is.

Christine Avatar

Hey Tammy!

I’m glad you were able to figure out a way to make them work! Another reader mention that pushing the eyeshadow helped her a lot (instead of pulling). My other tip would be to try using a firmer or synthetic brush, since some of these have a more cream-like finish. I use MAC 239s, but after a reader mentioned the pushing technique, I realize that I tend to do that as my normal technique.

MichelleChefNYC Avatar

So glad to see these palettes getting such great reviews! Have been toying with picking up some of the MUFE artist shadows, but the price for the singles has had me holding off… might have to pick one of these beauties up, just wish I had done it when the VIB sale was going on…

Helene Avatar

I am a bit conflicted regarding this palette. I really would have liked it a lot more if they hadn’t put the neutrals in it. They are prettty, but I would have liked a golden yellow and a bright green. Still I might get this palette as there are really lovely shades in it. I love Peacock and Black Purple. I also really like the two colours that are blushes in the USA, but safe for wearing as eyeshadows in Europe.
I will get the neutral palette, if it becomes available here, and I may get this one.
The palettes are good value after all, and we don’t have all the eyeshadows at the Sephora I generally shop at.
Will let the wallet decide, I guess 😉

Cory Avatar

Omg genius idea on behalf of MUFE! I saw these the other day when my friend told me that M846 (Morello Cherry) was available online (I have been trying to get that shade since November!!!), & was soooo happy to see them! I’m hoping that they come out with at least eight more, which they could easily do! I can’t justify buying the #1 (Nudes) palette because I already have three of the shades & don’t want the two light ones (that only leaves 3 colors), but I only own 1 shade in this one (the shade they duped in both palettes, ME512), so it may be justifiable… Think I’m going to cross my fingers & hope for more to come!

* so psyched on that M846 Morello Cherry though!!! Although my friend didn’t check out in time, so she didn’t get hers… I think she’s a little pissed that she told me.. you know how we can get over our makeup lol!
Thanks for the reviews, Christine, you rock as usual!!!

Cory Avatar

She got something to hold her over 😉
Hey, I got mine & the entire plastic “case” piece (the refill case) was covered in red powder! The top of the box was slightly ripped too (I open all boxes very carefully just in case, you know?), & there were two partial white prints on the bottom of the refill case.. So I figured I’d ask if you encountered anything slightly similar with your darker MUFE mattes because I so don’t want to send it back…
The actual shadow was perfect on top & looked like it was nvr used, so idk what to think… This came from Sephora & I’ve nvr had any issues w/their shipping…it did come from a different warehouse than usual though.. Ugh idk what to think… Ssl

Cory Avatar

Yeah, I thought it was strange… I only have one other dark matte & it came through the mail just fine. Idk what to do. It’s such a hard shade to get your hands on. Return & wait for the next batch or wipe off & keep???
Thank you for answering, you rock!

Jessica Avatar

deceptive of them to put the blushes in the eyeshadow palette like that. they are being intentionally deceptive, knowing people will look at it and think the pink and purple are eyeshadows and maybe even buy it because they want to make an eye look with those colors.

Dia Avatar

I know there’s a million dupes for Peacock, but I’m still breathless every time I see that color. Brown with teal shimmer just looks soooo pretty.

I really like the concept of this palette. It gives more options and variations from the neutral-everything.

Natasha Avatar

First post on your fabulous site that I am falling in love with! Just like this palette! I caved and bought it the other day at Sephora. The colors! I am drooling over them. While the purple is not the easiest to apply, the end result is soooo vibrant, I am in love! This palette caught my eye when you mentioned it on your website, but the minute you also recommended it, I was in. Thanks! Super happy with my purchase. 🙂

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