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Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette ($37.99 for 0.384 oz.) contains six, full-sized eyeshadows (each is 0.064 oz.) in a limited edition palette. Five of the six are new, exclusive shades, and one is from the permanent range. It’s a very warm-toned palette that contains three very shimmery shades and three matte to satin shades. It was a good palette overall with a couple shades having a slightly powdery consistency, but the pigmentation and wear were both impressive across the palette.

Makeup Geek eyeshadows retail for $5.99 each, which means the palette contains $35.94 worth of eyeshadow–there’s no value/deal here, other than having the palette to house them in. They aren’t glued in, so you could remove the eyeshadows from the included palette and put them elsewhere, or you could theoretically switch out a couple of shades and put in other ones (though the names of these are printed on the palette). Makeup Geek is typically a very budget-friendly option for high quality products, but at this price point, the palette ends up competing against so many other palettes from brands. I wish these were available individually so you could pick and choose the ones you wanted if you didn’t love all of them (or already owned Bada Bing), since you’re really paying for each and every shade at this price.

Casino is described as a “shimmery saturated metallic gold with orange undertones.” It’s a brightened, light-medium orange with golden shimmer and a frosted finish. It had good color payoff, with a soft, blendable texture that was a smidgen powdery. It wore well for eight hours and a half before fading slightly. MAC Golden Hours #2 (LE, $21.00) is lighter. Makeup Geek Gold Digger (P, $5.99) is slightly less orange, but it is rather similar. MAC Chessa (LE, $15.00) is darker, less shimmery. MAC Goldmine (P, $15.00) is much lighter. Dior Aurora #1 (LE) is similar. Le Metier de Beaute Goldstone (P, $30.00) is slightly browner. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Sin City is described as a “shimmery medium golden apricot.” It’s a brightened, medium orange with yellow gold, frosted shimmer. It had good pigmentation that applied evenly and smoothly, though the texture was slightly powdery. The color showed a bit of fading after eight hours of wear. Sleek MakeUP Sunset #4 (P, $9.99) is more metallic. MAC Fresh Daily (LE, $15.00) is darker. MAC Chessa (LE, $15.00) is similar. Chanel Pearl River #4 (LE) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Roulette is described as a “shimmery rosy burnt sienna.” It’s a medium-dark, copper with hints of red and brown and a metallic finish. It had rich, intense color payoff, and the texture was soft, buttery, and incredibly smooth. Applied, it wore well for nine hours before fading. LORAC Nude #5 (LE) is more orange. Divergent Peaceful Shimmer (LE) is lighter. Maybelline Caramel Cool (100) (LE, $6.99) is a cream product. MAC Gingersnap (P, $15.00) is less shimmery. MAC Amorous Alloy (LE, $19.50) is darker. Urban Decay Trick (P, $18.00) is a touch lighter. Makeup Geek Vegas Lights (P, $6.99) is slightly darker, warmer. Sleek MakeUP Sunset #9 (P, $9.99) is less metallic. Sleek MakeUP Sunset #3 (P, $9.99) is redder. NARS California (P, $24.00) is darker. MAC Brash (LE, $15.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Mirage is described as a “pale matte beige with peachy yellow undertones.” It’s a light, pastel yellow with a matte finish. It had nice color payoff, but it was noticeably powdery, so there’s a lot of excess powder kicked up in the pan. I recommend tapping off excess product prior to applying to the eye to avoid fall out during application. I didn’t see any fading until after eight hours of wear. bareMinerals Pacific Sands (LE) is lighter. Kat Von D Entomology (P) is more muted. Divergent Altruistic Almond (LE) is less yellow. theBalm Snobby (P, $16.00) is darker. Burberry Pale Nude #3 (P) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Desert Sands is described as a “medium terracotta matte.” It’s a medium-dark brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had nice color payoff without being powdery–it was well-balanced between soft and silky. It wore well for nine hours before fading. LORAC Nude #4 (LE) is darker, browner. Urban Decay Tyranny (LE, $18.00) is darker, less yellow. Kat Von D Glasswing (P) is lighter, cooler-toned. MAC Butterfudge (P, $15.00) is more shimmery. Too Faced Chocolate Milk (LE, $16.00) is a touch less yellow. Disney by Sephora Bazaar (LE) is darker. Urban Decay Beware (LE, $18.00) is darker. MAC One to Watch (P, $21.00) is more shimmery. MAC Outre (LE, $15.00) is yellower. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Bada Bing is described as a “deep brown with flecks of gold.” It’s a dark brown with a mostly matte finish and bits of gold sparkle. The sparkle doesn’t really show up once you apply the shade–it just gives it a barely-there sheen overall. It had good color payoff, but the texture was a little drier and thinner than the original version I have. It stayed on without fading for eight hours. MAC Cocktail Black (LE, $15.00) is similar. Dior Sundeck #5 (LE) is redder. Divergent Bold Espresso (LE) is more matte. Chanel Charming #4 (LE) is warmer. LORAC Sable (P) is redder. MAC Ground Brown (P, $15.00) is more matte. MAC Carbonized (LE, $15.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Vegas Lights

LELimited Edition. $37.99.
A-
A-
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
4.5
Application
92%
Total

Casino

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
A
A
9.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
94%
Total

Sin City

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
4.5
Application
91%
Total

Roulette

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
99%
Total

Mirage

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
B+
B+
8.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
7.5
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
87%
Total

Desert Sands

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
99%
Total

Bada-Bing

DCDiscontinued. $6.00.
B
B
8.5
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
8
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
84%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette

Makeup Geek Casino Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Casino Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Casino Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Casino Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Sin City Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Sin City Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Sin City Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Sin City Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Roulette Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Roulette Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Roulette Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Roulette Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Mirage Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Mirage Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Mirage Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Mirage Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Desert Sands Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Desert Sands Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Desert Sands Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Desert Sands Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Bada Bing Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Bada Bing Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Bada Bing Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek Bada Bing Eyeshadow

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Eyeshadows: Casino (inner lid), Sin City (middle of lid), Roulette (outer lid),
Desert Sands (crease and above crease), Bada Bing (crease), Mirage (brow bone),
Sephora Sun Tan + Tiramisu Eyeliners (lower lash line)

Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup Geek Eyeshadows: Casino (inner lid), Sin City (middle of lid), Roulette (outer lid),
Desert Sands (crease and above crease), Bada Bing (crease), Mirage (brow bone),
Sephora Sun Tan + Tiramisu Eyeliners (lower lash line)

109 Comments

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xamyx Avatar

This palette is definitely a fairly unique combination of colors, and all of the dupes seem to be HE, so if one likes the combo, I’d say it’s a fairly good value! That said, as beautiful as all these shades are, and they look stunning on you, Christine, I just can’t do this one…

CatG Avatar

I love the first two colors especially! I like the overall color scheme of this palette, but wish it had more colors (I rather than have more but smaller sized eyeshadows in a palette) and that it was more of a deal. I also have a lot of the dupes you listed, so I think I’ll be passing.

Aditi Avatar

I might be in the minority, but I really, really like the look of this palette! Being warm toned, it’s difficult to find an all (very) warm-toned palette, but this fits the bill! Can’t wait till it comes out!

Diana Avatar

I think these look awesome on you! I think despite them being warm toned all that yellow would be too light for me personally. I tend to feel very self-conscious in golds that are too yellow but I really wish Roulette would become available as a single because it’s absolutely beautiful…I may pick up MAC Gingersnap while I’m the mall today though…Thanks Christine!

Sonya Avatar

I do like the look of the palette (Roulette in particular) but most of the colors are similar to ones I already have. Maybe at some point they will release these shades separately, but this is a pass for me

Floz Avatar

Wow, this is the first palette I’ve seen in years that is an absolute must-have for me! It looks amazing, plus Vegas is my favourite place in the world 🙂 Thanks for your review, as I wouldn’t have seen this otherwise and I only know the brand at all from your blog.

Thanks for your hard work all the time on the blog, gives us makeup addicts something to look forward to every day! xx

Natalie Avatar

Wow the price per shadow on this is more expensive than Naked Basics, Naked Palettes, Lorac Pros, TF Chocolate Bar, It Naturally Pretty, etc. It is kind of shocking how the palette costs MORE than buying six individual shadows. I get that these are new shades and it’s LE, but still, I would think that an eyeshadow palette should have more value. The price is purely for conveniency purposes. With that said, at least the shadows are good quality! The color scheme is not for me, but you created a nice look!

Christine Avatar

Makeup Geek’s margins may be smaller, and I’m sure their volume is different than a lot of the bigger brands, so there are some of those things at play I would imagine (but I don’t know). But if you’re basically paying the same price as you would to get them in pans, I’d rather buy individually, since then you could buy the ones you loved. There’s usually at least one or two shades in a palette that is either similar to something you have or you aren’t loving.

At least it is high quality, as you said! 🙂

Arielle Avatar

I get that Makeup Geek is a fairly new brand and all that but they sort of missed the mark on premade palettes with the pricing. I might still pick it up based on more reviews but am kind of bummed by the brands ‘it’s like getting a mirror for $2’ thinking. I have empty z palette type cases I like more than this cardboard one already. I usually buy palettes for the discount as opposed to the fact that it’s a curated selection. I think they should have considered pricing this at $2 below market as opposed to $2 above and just avoided a lot of the criticism in the first place. If I can choose from several 10-16 pan eyeshadow palettes at $40ish or this 6 pan for $37…. eeeeeeeeh MUG loses there. Also the more I look at it the less I think I can get a full look from this palette alone.

Christine Avatar

I think if they did $30–maybe as high as $34–it might have circumvented some complaints, but I think as a brand that most people buy empty Z palettes and fill ’em up with pans… selling individually would have worked well — and they could still be limited edition. They could have designed a Vegas-themed free form palette and sold that separately or bundled with all six eyeshadows (and maybe just included the palette at cost vs. retail).

Arielle Avatar

Bingo! I’m actually kind of surprised that they went this route to be honest. The MUG Starter Kit and Z Palette Bundle as well as the MUG Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette are perpetually sold out on the website! I think doing curated limited edition collections of eyeshadow singles would be a better deal then this sort of venture.

Sylirael Avatar

I got the email about pre-ordering this, but when I saw the picture I was so disappointed! It’s SO WARM. Now, if you like warm toned shadows, then hey, don’t let me rain on your parade! 😀 But for me, it would be unwearable.

But that’s ok, because I have a Makeup Geek cart jammed to the top with eyeliners and blushes already that I need to trim down a bit, so it’s not like I needed another thing to watn from them, LOL!

Andie Avatar

Totally agree about price point on this Christine. For a budget friendly brand, this isn’t very budget friendly (in comparison to singles). Makes it an easy “pass” in my book. Will definitely be buying somer of the singles soon though.

Christine Avatar

I think if they had launched individual pans, then at least you could purchase just the ones you loved, because if you’re actually paying full price for each shade, then you should love them all. Usually, a palette will have $100+ value, cost $40, so you’re like, “eh, don’t love two of the eight, but still worth it!”

Karin Avatar

They will have a buy one free one promo before this ever move! I will pick up a tarte after dark any day. O hate cardboard packaging unless the palette is like all my favorite things.

Mariko Avatar

I would reach for 4 of them often, but maybe not the other 2 as often. Of course, I’d have to see them in person…I think you’re right, I’ll just buy 6 single shades (or more haha) and wait and see if these are ever released as single shades!

P.S. I seriously love your reviews, they’re so helpful!

Jacquelyn Avatar

I am a bit bummed about the fact you can’t buy them separately. I really like the look of Roulette, I think it looks absolutely stunning…

To buy the whole palette or not to buy…

Melissa Avatar

Oh gosh, its so warm toned….it would not suit my fair yellow based skin…it would just completely wash me out and make me look really ill or dead. It would have been nice to get a few more colours like the Lorac Pro so it would suit a larger variety of skin tones. Plus, i really am not feeling the packaging…it looks really cheap. I’m sure the quality of the eyeshadows are there as i love all of my other MUG shadows, but they really missed the mark on this one. I think this is a definite pass.

Malia Avatar

I’m sorry it’s a pass for me too! You’re right, most palettes are supposed to have “value” , plus I’m so not a fan of the shades. I’ve purchased individuals from them in the past and they’re great but not anything to blow my socks off yet lol

Mariella Avatar

Yikes….way too warm for me with the exception of Bada Bing and maybe Mirage. Even though it looks like you’d not yet touched them, there seems to be a heck of a lot of loose powder/fallout around all the pans, in the little space between the metal and the cardboard of the palette.

KJH Avatar

Well, another dupable neutral, it’s not. Concept-wise, it’s a hit. I had thought to gift this to a friend, who is/was all about gold shadows. To me, the swatches read more yellow + orange than gold. And this one has far from universal appeal. It’s so warm and so monochromatic. MUG VL does pull up a great look on you, but it might just look SO WRONG on many people (Syl + maybe Rikki ): more people than not, methinks. But I see this as looking fine on some of your Indian co-bloggers, like Vineetha + Rashmi! They certainly are shades that would ‘make blue eyes pop,’ from the color wheel perspective. But, I suspect there’s a heavier percentage of cool toned blue-eyed than any other eye color. And your cooler readers are definitely not going for this, blue eyed, or not! You were spot on about a bundle/individuals with a separate case + the verdict on the price point = excessive. I could wear this, but don’t think I’ll go for it, even though i’m an older matchy-matchy type…it would be just the set to go with my car (year 25-37 of yellow VW beetle, my third.) I know it’s nuts, but with me, makeup has to echo SOMETHING, pick up the colors of something. It’s my age. Ya, but my art does not match my sofa! I find this palette an odd first choice offering and am vaguely deflated. Certainly hope this does not presage an increase in price for MUG singles, which it could. All the others creep up on a regular basis!

Christine Avatar

I was surprised to see it lean so, so warm as well for a first palette – especially since I feel that there are a lot of warmer-toned palettes (there’s a reason why so many are asking brands to put out a truly cool-toned palette, and why UD keeps trying with Naked2, Naked3, and Naked2 Basics!). The palette is quite nice, but I echo your feelings on it as a first release.

Rikki Avatar

If by Rikki, you mean me, I’d rock it whether it suited me or not. I don’t discriminate against any colour or undertone (er except maybe silver but that’s only because it ALWAYS creases on me for some reason) when it comes to my eyes, lol. I really wanted this palette when it was announced but NOT for that price.

KJH Avatar

you rule on everything you apply, but esp the pinks + purples + blues. just ’cause stuff is contrasty doesn’t make it bad. i just think of you as ruling in cooler colors, esp. lipstick. you can rock any shadow you feel like. makeup is theatre, in a way, so anything goes. no offense, but i still think it’s look better on the subcontinental women. i wish you had this palette, to put up a look + show me how wrong i am about that. you’re bf adorable! and talented!

anne Avatar

I like the colors – specifically roulette. but i wish she would have sold them as singles instead of a palette as like you said- there’s no real value aside from being able to pop them out, so its also a waste of $ on the pkg. as I don’t know anyone that uses MUG e/s not in pans. I like that they are warm toned but there’s not enough variation, 3 are so similar for it being a “palette” if that makes sense lol. I can’t decide if its worth it, casino is too similar to gold digger also

Jenny Cupcakes Avatar

This is a cute idea, but I wish that makeup companies would pick other cities besides NYC, Vegas, LA.

Like Chicago, or San Diego, or Munster, IN.

Nina Avatar

I was having a no-makeup-buy month and I almost made it… and then this was released. 🙂

I love everything I’ve seen about the Vegas Lights palette so far. It’ll be my first time trying MUG products and I’m so excited! Your review just made me even more giddy that it’s coming in the mail (and onto my face) soon.

Even though I’m pretty light skinned these are totally the colors I usually go for. I love an orange/peachy/rosy look and I’m not at all bothered to use shimmery shadows for everyday looks.

Candice Avatar

These are so nice and the concept is really well done. Too bad about the price and really it’s a palette I like to look at and read about but would never own. Way too warm-toned!

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