Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Smoke Sessions
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($48.00 for 0.58 oz.) is a limited edition palette that released and sold out promptly sold out in December. It’s a nice palette and includes a few shades that we don’t often seen in palettes, let alone housed together. I enjoyed the mix of warmer hues on the left and cooler tones on the right, though the palette will benefit from mixing and matching with lighter and more mid-tone shimmers and mattes in one’s stash.
I wanted to get my review up now before I forget how it wore (and now that I’ve survived the holiday palette season), as the palette will eventually be re-released. The brand last mentioned a restock was planned in a “few months” in late December, but there’s no concrete date. (Your best bet is to follow them on social media for the latest.) What I do know is that two green-themed palettes sold out QUICKLY! so I just feel like mainstream brands should get in on this green goodness… I wouldn’t say no…
Ingredients
Mica, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Dimethicone, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Alumina, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tin Oxide, Lauroyl Lysine, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium Carboxyethyl Siliconate. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Iron Oxide Ci 77499, Iron Oxide Ci 77491, Iron Oxide Ci 77492, Manganese Violet Ci 77742, Carmine Ci 75470, Ultramarines Ci 77007, Yellow 5 Lake Ci 19140.
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.
Smoke Sessions
LELimited Edition. $48.00.
Gravity OG
Gravity OG is a medium-dark gold with strong, orange undertones and flecks of gold micro-glitter over a frosted sheen. It had slight fallout as I applied and blended out the color on my lid, though the eyeshadow itself went on quite evenly using pressing/patting motions. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, while the texture felt denser, a little drier to the touch. It lasted well for eight and a half hours but had slight fallout over time.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Magic City (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- JD Glow Goldie Locs (P, $7.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Dream (PiP, $6.25) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Queen B (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Too Witty (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Amber (PiP, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Liquid Sun (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sleep In (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Standard (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Fortune (LE, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Gravity OG
LELimited Edition.
Grand Daddy
Grand Daddy is a rich, deep gold with warm undertones and green-gold sparkle and shimmer. The eyeshadow had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The texture was lightly creamy, dense but not too thick or firmly-pressed in the pan, and was easy to blend out along the edges. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- JD Glow Fools Gold (P, $7.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Sol (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Photosynth Sis (P, $9.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Clionadh Karat (P, $5.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia My Angels (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Titania (P, $27.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Imperia (265M) (LE, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Be the Sunshine (PiP, $6.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Dirty Money (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Gold Galaxy (LE, $25.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Grand Daddy
LELimited Edition.
Black Widow
Black Widow is a rich, medium-dark green with strong, golden olive undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was intensely pigmented with a dense, lightly creamy texture that was thicker and worked best with denser brushes or synthetic brushes. The color went on evenly and blended out nicely along the edges. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before creasing faintly.
Top Dupes
- Fyrinnae Tardigrade (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Clionadh Firewood (P, $5.50) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Dream Glow (Smoke) (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Fallen (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Yabbos (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Clionadh Shani (LE, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Shield (252M) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Scandal (LE, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tree of Life (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Master Metallics #6 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Black Widow
LELimited Edition.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a deep olive green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque in one layer, while the consistency was soft, velvety, and dense–more substantial with some powderiness in the pan. A little went a long way, and if too much was applied, there was fallout during application. I’d also be careful of using this over tackier bases as it may darken over wetter surfaces. I had no trouble diffusing and blending out the shade in my crease over bare skin, though. It lasted well for eight hours on me before I noticed any fading.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Smudge Me (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Charmed (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Intense #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace General (P, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Dirty Martini (DC, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Zoeva Herrengasse (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Damn She Olive (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Radikal (P, $8.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Mesmer Eyes (Cream) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Zoeva MT150 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Sour Diesel
LELimited Edition.
Space Queen
Space Queen is a deep, bluish-teal with cool undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had rich color payoff that adhered evenly to bare skin and diffused well along the edges without the product losing its intensity. The texture was soft, velvety, and smooth without being too powdery in the pan, though there was a touch of excess product that kicked up in the pan when I worked with it. The pigmentation was no joke, too, so I’d recommend using less than you think you’d need when initially applying the shade. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours before it started to fade on me.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Thrilled (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Water Bearer (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Duelo (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Majestic Breeze (PiP, $5.25) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lunar (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Monaco (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Scarab (37) (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Photosynthesex #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Python (PiP, ) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Anastasia Axis (DC, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Space Queen
LELimited Edition.
Mean Green
Mean Green is a deep, emerald green with subtle, warmer undertones and a metallic sheen. The pigmentation was fantastic with rich, even coverage delivered in a single layer. It had a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was dense without being too thick or too stiff in the pan, so it worked well with different types of brushes and techniques. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Facile (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Neverland (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Night Trip (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lemmy (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop 50-50 (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Phat Pockets (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Night Bird #4 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- By Beauty Bay Moss (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Mildew (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Anastasia C5 (Norvina Vol. 3) (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Mean Green
LELimited Edition.
Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth is a bright, medium teal with subtle, cool undertones and a chunkier, glittery finish. The texture was thicker, denser, and a little too heavy on the emollients, as I felt like it struggled to go on evenly without using my fingertips or a dampened brush. The product had a tendency to look more glittery when diffused, and you’ll be able to see it looking less “even” along my crease, but the high-shine finish camouflages a lot of its imperfections in person (as it looked like a smoother blend in person than it appeared in photos). The eyeshadow lasted well for eight and a half hours before it started to crease on me.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Big Banks (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Current (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- By Beauty Bay Breeze (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #52 (LE, $23.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Dynasty (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rivalry (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Milk Makeup Mermaid Parade (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Imp (P, $8.77) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Shallows (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- City Color Beach Cottage (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Sweet Tooth
LELimited Edition.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream is a pale aqua with subtle, warm undertones and cooler, bluish-aqua sparkle. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation but was best applied with a dampened brush or fingertips to maximize coverage as well as to ensure a more even application of product. The consistency was denser, almost too thick/dense, and didn’t play as well with brushes as a result. It stayed on nicely for eight and a half hours on me before creasing faintly and had a touch of fallout over time.
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Mint #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Heavenly (P, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Juvia's Place Chefchaouen (P, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Mint Green (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Abracadabra (P, $12.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Zambezi (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Clionadh Iceberg (P, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar).
- theBalm #36 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- City Color Hint of Mint (P, $6.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Golden Aquamarine (86P) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Palmitic Acid, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tin Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxide CI 77499, Iron Oxide CI 77491, Iron Oxide CI 77492, Red 40 Lake CI 16035, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Green 5 CI 61570, Chromium Oxide Green CI 77288, Ferric Ferrocyanide CI 19140, Aluminum Powder CI 77000, 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
Blue Dream
LELimited Edition.
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions | Look Details
Melt Cosmetics Gravity OG Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Gravity OG Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Grand Daddy Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Grand Daddy Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Black Widow Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Black Widow Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Sour Diesel Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Sour Diesel Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Space Queen Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Space Queen Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Mean Green Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Mean Green Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Sweet Tooth Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Sweet Tooth Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream Eyeshadow
Melt Cosmetics Blue Dream Eyeshadow
I’m kicking myself for not buying this when it was available.
I hope the popularity of this palette is going to push more companies to produce some green-centered palettes this year. I’d love to see sage greens, emerald greens, and forest greens mixed with some cooler toned browns and pinks and even some purples and blues. This palette is a great jumping off point I think, but as pro do-your-own-thing as I am, I find it to be unbelievably tacky. I feel like Melt was trying to have an edgy Urban Decay vibe but in the end it just came across as trying too hard to impress pot smoking teenagers instead of higher end edge. However, I’m probably the tackiest human being alive so I’m glad that they at least retained the theme throughout.
It’s a pretty palette and I’m happy it’s performed well. I love green shadows but I’m all but certain I can dupe just about all of this from my hoard.
I just came across an article this morning on my Google feed, by Allure (I believe) saying how green eyeshadow is the “it” color for 2019, so it’s possible we’ll be seeing some green palettes. If you think about it, Jeffree Star’s “Alien” palette centered around greens, as well as the Lime Crime “Venus XL II”.
As far as MELT trying to have that “edgy” vibe, it’s actually quite consistent with what the brand has been since it launched. If you look at both the founders, you’ll see that they are quite “alternative” I their aesthetic, and pot has been a frequent theme, so I don’t think it had anything to do with Urban Decay.
YESSSSS!!!! One look at them and you know this was purely the brand aesthetic, and not trying to be any other brand.
I’m waiting for my XL II to come in the mail! Super excited for it, I was thrilled when they announced it.
I think you misunderstood what I meant regarding urban decay. I’ve always leaned on the alternative side myself and have no problems with brands putting that image forward. However, there is a line between edgy pot themed aesthetic and novelty. To me, this looks like something I could find overpriced in Spencer’s clearance section next to the pot leaf socks, not a mid range palette that sold out within a few hours of launching. The lack of subtlety and thoughtfulness I think is what’s missing. A few changes in design would elevate this from “trying too hard to be cool” to “edgy, unique, cheeky, clever”. Everything else I’ve seen melt launch has been edgy with a strong theme without being campy, so I find this release to be kind of odd. I also think alienating a portion of makeup consumers with their packaging wasn’t wise but ??♀️
That’s good to hear about the green shadows. I agree with you about MELT. They’ve always been alternative/edgy.
I’m actually surprised how many people in this day and age are bent out of shape with the pot theme. I know so many older adults that use various strains for genuinely medicinal purposes, and it’s a godsend for them. Cheaper, safer, and more effective in many cases than prescription drugs. Plus, it’s less addictive than even nicotine and alcohol, so pretty safe on that count.
This theme is pretty on trend with Melt. Before Smoke Sessions, they had the Hot Box theme. So it really is on brand for them.
The key difference between smoke sessions and the hot box collection is melt used thoughtful, creative shade names to capture the theme of a hot box. Smoke sessions is a green palette covered in weed leaves with shades stamped with weed leaves, named after different strains of weed. There are so many directions they could have taken it but instead they chose the easiest design route. They created a novelty item instead of an edgy, pot themed palette and it’s on par with the phallic lipsticks you can buy on amazon. Just looking at their current three palettes lined up next to each other, there is a clear odd man out. I never said the theme wasn’t on brand for them, because it is. But the packaging definitely is not. Honestly it feels like they just made a successful attempt at making a viral palette.
Are vibrant green pigments more difficult/expensive to work with than other colors? These colors are so gorgeous, it just seems like a no-brainer to me that everyone should be making them, but in reality it’s hard to find good greens.
Wow – I still love it. Even though I don’t particularly like the references to cannabis and wish that the brand had named it Rainforest, or something along those lines, I really enjoyed the shades.
I do think this is a palette you would have to use in conjunction with another for lighter tones and let one shade be the hero of your eye look.
Thank you for the review Christine. Beautiful eye looks too.
It’s one of my favorite palettes. I am sad I missed out on the Gemini palette so I sure wasn’t going to miss this one.
I don’t think people will have (omg beautiful can’t touch it!) surface treatment issues with this one. I did not realize MJ smoke was the one Melt was alluding to. It’s kind of funny/sad that instead of admiring the shades, I thought More
M/U Drama! Wonder who is dragging Melt due to a weed leaf imprint? This is nice, though duped in stash. Kind of prefer Gemini.
Beautiful looks Christine. I’m so glad I was able to pick this up during the presale. I’m excited for Blueprint stack they are coming out with
Spectacular looks and generous review, Christine! I thought about buying it but the color story gave me whiplash. It is downright hideous and I couldn’t stand the cognitive dissonance between cool- and warm-tones greens, plus I don’t think I’d pull off that cool green like you do. But honestly, I’ve been blown away by your spot-on reviews and they’ve helped me make purchases for color schemes beyond my comfort zones – dark shadows, red lips, I now have lots of non-neutrals to play with! Just got my first Colourpop jelly much shadow in Half Moon and swatched it. OMG. This will be on my eyeballs tomorrow. Also, I got their Yin to My Yang bundle and the colors/swatches are stunning, as is the color story. Again, this will hop on my eyes in the next few days. Would be nice to see a review.. and I’ll be in line for any and all collabs you might do with Natasha Denona and anyone else!
I love this entire palette and will happily purchase it during the restock – fingers crossed as I missed it the first time – Sour Diesel in particular is at the top of my want list. Holy crap this is such a beautiful palette. I feel like everyone has to state the disclaimer that “I don’t enjoy marijuana, but if you want to, go ahead” and granted it’s true in my case, but the little leaves are so cute! I love them in there!
Yes to MORE green palettes hopefully coming out this year (and next)! Despite the marijuana related theme and names, I do really like this palette for the quality and richness of the shades. If I don’t buy this one, I may well get corresponding shades from SG instead.
It’s so pretty and I love greens so much, but as a therapist who works with teens who have had significant issues with MJ use, I could never buy it. (I realize some people smoke with no issues and I see only the bad side of things with young teenage brains that are still developing.) I too hope more people make pretty greens! For some reason, Absinthe doesn’t bother me, but maybe because the kids I work with aren’t using that. lol
I’m hoping other brands start making green themed palettes. I wanted Melt’s Gemini palette but couldn’t justify the price for only one-half of the shades (the more green side). I have similar feelings about this one where I do like all the shades, but I have several metallic/shimmer shadows that are similar. Perhaps, if Melt releases a palette with more unique matte shades, I’d be tempted to buy.
These greens are gorgeous! I am also seeking a green palette. I hope I can buy this is it’s re-released. I was thinking of buying the Huda one but I like these greens a lot more.
I live in a country where marijuana use is now perfectly legal but even so, I am troubled by the design on this palette, just as I’ve always disliked makeup companies trying to come across as “cool” and “cutting edge” (let’s face it – they’re really just about profit!) by using drug related names and themes. I like green eyeshadows but this palette is just too much green, too much “green overload” for me and I do resent this use of the image of marijuana.
Your looks are stunning, Christine. I planned to get this — but life intervened on the sale date. As it is, given my green obsession, between Sydney Grace, PMG and MUF, I can dupe nearly all of the shades, although it’s obviously easier to have them pulled together in one place. The one shade I don’t have or see good dupes for is Sour Diesel– a blackened olive. Actually I would love to see that color in eyeliners. I love the Surratt liquid liner formula and Mark Jacobs skinny liners. Hope either or both jump on the green trend and come up with some good murky greens. Or Chanel. This used to be right up their alley. And I hope they are NOT phasing out the Yeux Stylo for those smudgy-sticks that need to be sharpened, but can’t be.
What beautiful looks and palette! Four dupes though, so I’m not too unseat that I missed it.
I would love to see this and Gemini in a bundle because I feel like I need both! I’ve been super impressed by Melt lately and can’t wait to see what else they come up with.
I also hope that this will inspire more brands to release green palettes. There’s already the Huda Emerald Obsessions, and Juvia’s Place Tribe. I’d like to see other brands follow suit. I already have Gemini and Smoke Sessions, but I’d like a permanent or semi-permanent palette that I could recommend to my friends instead of saying “Oh, this beautiful color? Sorry, it was limited edition, blink and you miss it.”
Such a gorgeous palette and two stunning looks Christine! If I were not on an eyeshadow no-buy I would’ve snagged this when it came out! I don’t mind the MJ theme, and I think it’s line with the brand’s aesthetic, but I respect others’ opinions on it.
Maybe I will break my (now going on month 9 eyeshadow) no-buy for this! Thanks for the review!
Finally something that catches my eye. But I have to say it really reminds me of the palette that you photoshopped last month or so. We all thought it was something being released but this kind of reminds me of that vibe which I’m a huge fan of..thanks for sharing as it’s not a brand that I pay close attention to.
This is really pretty! Wondering what lip color(s?) you’re wearing here? Thanks!
https://www.temptalia.com/look/a-smoky-emerald-green-look-featuring-melt-smoke-sessions/
FYI, there’s a link in the caption underneath the photo that gives a full product list (“look details”) – for future reference! 🙂