Melt Cosmetics Gemini II Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Gemini II
Melt Cosmetics Gemini II 10-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($58.00 for 0.68 oz.) is a mix of coral and red-toned shades with pops of olive green. The palette included eight matte shades and two shimmers, and surprise! the quality was there! The mattes were soft, blendable, albeit a little powdery, but they weren’t too thin. The shimmers were definitely denser and a bit firmer than the average brand but picked up without issue using my typical shader brushes. I do think that the first four shades are a little redundant and how much so will depend on your skin tone.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Gemini II
PPermanent. $58.00.
Bela
Bela is a brighter, peachy coral with warm, orange undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had medium to semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation with a moderately powdery–though finely-milled–texture. There was some fallout when I worked with this shade as a result. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Demure (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Vivrant Thing (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Gea (PiP, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Peony (Rosé Edit) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Coastline (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Flutterbye (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Agate You (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Utopia (PiP, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Nudist (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Tarte Oh Deer (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Zinc Stearate, Mica, Silica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide(Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163).
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.
Look Using this Product
Bela
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Lady Like
Lady Like is a soft, medium coral-orange with strongh, warm undertones and a matte finish. This shade was nearly opaque in its opacity from one layer, while the texture was soft, lightly powdery but not prone to sheering out. It wore well for eight hours before showing signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Quasar (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Nearly Apricot (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Footprints (LE, $5.25) is warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Eden (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cozy Cute (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Freshly Cut (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Adobe (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Queensland (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Half Baked (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mambo (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Silica, Zinc Stearate, Mica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
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.
Lady Like
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Sweetheart
Sweetheart is a dusty, medium-dark pinkish-coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow was smooth, finely-milled, and blendable with a hint of powderiness that was mostly confined to the pan. It had nearly opaque color payoff that lasted well for eight hours before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Dominique Cosmetics Strawberry Milk (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Balancing Act (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Sun Poisoning (PiP, $5.25) is darker (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Ghosted (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cherry Stem (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Retro (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pokey Oaks (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Nearly Mauve (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Unbothered (PiP, $6.99) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Spiaggia Rosa (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Zinc Stearate, Mica, Silica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain:, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163).
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.
Sweetheart
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Gemelas
Gemelas is a darker, muted copper with rosy undertones and a matte finish. The texture was smooth, finely-milled, and blendable without being too powdery. It had rich pigmentation that stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Drizzled (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Take Control (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pipers Piping (P, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kaja Velvety Mauve (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Silhouette (LE, $4.50) is brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Foxfire (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop In My Tumbly (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Gulf Coast (P, $5.25) is lighter (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Dearest Constant (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Berry Fizz (DC, $5.25) is lighter (85% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Boron Nitride, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
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.
Look Using this Product
Gemelas
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Love Sick
Love Sick is a deep red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage paired with a smooth, lightly powdery texture that was blendable without being too thin or too firmly-pressed into the pan. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably but did leave a slight stain behind.
Top Dupes
- Chanel Intensite #4 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Auburn Allure (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M847 Burgundy (P, $17.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Croquis (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Louvre (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Snitch (LE, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Scandalous (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Cepheus (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Warm Browns #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Snitch (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Silica, Zinc Stearate, Mica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride. May Contain: Carmine Red (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Red 40 (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
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.
Love Sick
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Shmood
Shmood is a rich, deeper brown with warm, reddish-copper undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture was slightly denser and more firmly-pressed into the pan with more thickness than is typical of shimmers these days, but it was easier to work with than most of the brand’s past shimmers–it picked up just fine with a regular, dry brush. This shade showed signs of fading after eight hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- LORAC Ocean Floor (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Malibu Bronze (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Hot Chocolit (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Antique Coin (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Twin Flame (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Stila Twig (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Morphe Hillster (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Off Duty (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- ColourPop Close Up (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
Zinc Stearate, Mica, Silica, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Black 2 Nano (Ci 77266).
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.
Look Using this Product
Shmood
PiPPermanent in Palette.
LX Queen
LX Queen is a deep burgundy-brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It felt slightly drier compared to other shades in the palette, but I did not find it impeded application as it was pigmented, blendable, and not prone to fallout. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Sith Lord (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Everyone's Darling (PiP, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Boss Lady (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Burnish (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mauve #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia All Star (DC, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Celebrate in Style (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Mixed Berries (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Fired Up (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Pat McGrath Mink Noir (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Kaolin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Carmine Red (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163).
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.
LX Queen
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Matheo
Matheo is a dark olive green with more of a blackened base and contrasting, gold-leaning shimmer that gave it a metallic finish. It had a denser, slightly thicker consistency than the typical shimmer, though not as firm or as dry as past shimmers from the brand. The eyeshadow had opaque pigmentation that wore well for eight hours before showing signs of fading.
Top Dupes
- NARS Fallen Star (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Buffy (P, $7.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Stila La Douce (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D320 Golden Khaki (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Starlight #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Take Two (P, $9.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel (2020) #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tree of Life (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Defiance (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
Mica, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Kaolin, Silica, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Black 2 (Ci 77266).
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.
Look Using this Product
Matheo
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Boy Mum
Boy Mum is a deep, olive-toned brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage that adhered evenly to bare skin and blended out without difficulty as it was smooth, not too soft nor too firmly-pressed into the pan. It lasted nicely for eight hours before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics Chocolate (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Half Sweet (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Down to Urth (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Root 'Em Up (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Aviator (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Shea (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Victory (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Robert (Light) (PiP, $5.25) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Taboo (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Nutty (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
Silica, Zinc Stearate, Talc, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Chromium Oxide Green (Ci 77288), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163).
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.
Look Using this Product
Boy Mum
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Almond Eyes
Almond Eyes is a darker olive green with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color payoff with a soft, blendable texture that did seem to darken slightly when applied to bare skin. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Zoeva MT150 (PiP, ) is more muted (95% similar).
- Zoeva Herrengasse (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Spun (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Destiny (DC, $12.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bewitched (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Damn She Olive (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Local BB (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Enchantment (LE, $5.25) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Scrap (339CM) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Agua Ardiente (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Silica, Zinc Stearate, Talc, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Dimethiconol, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163).
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.
Hooray! The quality is there! I remain interested in this palette!
Beautifully done palette by Melt! Between this and She’s In Parties, I have a feeling that the brand is finally becoming more consistent in their quality and that they’ve really begun to get it together. I know that they also revamped and improved on Gemini I Palette as well.
This is a really nice looking palette. Still have my mindset against Melt but nice to see it perform for those who love this brand. I just can’t get past the whole pot vibe from the company and regret their close association with the drug. I know , I know but hey, I am 68 and a Registered Nurse. Our lungs were not intended to inhale any hot smokey chemicals. The color story is not particularly unique either. There is tremendous depth in each shade, however, which is nice. Melt has always had really good pigmentation.
You’re not alone, Deborah. I’m a year older than you but I think age is neither here nor there. Doesn’t take a genius to recognize the social and health costs of drug use (and Melt isn’t alone in this – UD sort of made its ‘name’ with drug-related names). I live in a country where marijuana use is now legal but even so, I don’t think there’s anything glamorous about drug or violence related names for cosmetics.
As for this palette, there are may 3 or 4 colours that would work for me so this is an easy one to skip.
Too bad I can’t purchase the greens separately. I’m holding out for Beauty Bay’s Earthy (the big one) since I’m not too keen on MELT.
It’s good to see a brand do something well – even those most of Melt’s offerings aren’t always to my personal colour story. I do love two shades in this palette – Shmood and Matheo – with quite a few dupes.
It’s been awhile for a good Melt e/s palette and I want this and want to support the brand even though they are all over the map quality wise.. I love the looks of their campaigns and the cohesion they create with e/s palettes which contain super saturated colour (unlike the more chaotic style of ABH). However, I have no need for it and I do not care for the redundancy of the lighter side of the palette either. Torn.
Glad to see Melt get a great review. I’m all covered on pinks, but I like the similar shades on the left 🙂
This is a gorgeous palette and I’m glad I picked it up! Thank you for the amazing swatches.
Putting aside my dislike for pinks, the redundancy of the first four shades in a SIXTY DOLLAR, TEN PAN eyeshadow palette is….a bit rich. If you ignore those four then it’s ten dollars a shade for the rest and you’d better be in to them. I am, but I just can’t buy any more palettes with so many similar shades – especially ones I hate.
Love the packaging, love all but the pink shades, love that it’s got good quality. I’m still kind of bummed that it’s not a color story for me AND they ignored 420 this year. I actually (though I’ve noticed it’s not a popular opinion, especially among the demographic that’s been hit the hardest with government propaganda about “drug use” growing up) look forward to their weed-themed releases. It’s just another holiday for companies to cater to so why not?
I think this should have been an 8-pan palette. The first two-three coral/pink shades really bug me, like, they feel so out of context. But I’m so surprised that the palette scored this well! I was prepared for the worst. I think I’m going to grab this, it will be a nice compliment to the original Gemini palette, which I already have.