Melt Cosmetics Twenty Seven Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Twenty Seven
Melt Cosmetics Twenty Seven 10-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($58.00 for 0.66 oz.) is a new, limited edition warm-toned palette with eight mattes and two sparkly shades. The mattes were quite nice–pigmented, blendable, long-wearing–but the two shimmers left something to be desired. The worst part is just that the shimmer shades are not particularly unique or different and yet so disappointing compared to the numerous dupes available. Shimmery golds, bronzes, and coppers seem like shades that any brand at any price point can push out good variations of… and yet Melt manages to disappoint with them.
Naked Sleep
Naked Sleep is a medium-dark peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was slightly denser but still soft and blendable with a touch of powderiness in the pan. It had rich pigmentation that applied well to bare skin, but I noticed there was a touch of ashiness when I mixed it with some of the more red-based mattes. It stayed on well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Euphoria (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Dusty Rose (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Buffed (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Morphe M.F.E.O. (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Seven Heaven (DC, $25.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Anastasia Birkin (P, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Tete-a-Tint (P, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Saddle (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Millennial (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Wake Up Call (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Downtown
Downtown is a medium brown with warm, rusty red undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent color coverage with a soft, velvety texture that was blendable and easy to work with on the lid. This shade wore well for just over eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Morphe Roxanne (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Branch (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Brassy (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Henna (Remastered) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Self Portrait 3 #2 (DC, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Morphe Risky (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Fringe (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NYX Not Today (P, $4.50) is more muted (90% similar).
- Sephora Sepia (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Romance (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Nip Slip
Nip Slip is a soft, medium coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had good color payoff, which was buildable to full coverage with less than half of a layer on top. The texture was soft, a touch thinner compared to the other shades, but it applied well to bare skin and blended out easily. It lasted for just over eight hours before it started to fade on me.
Top Dupes
- NABLA Cosmetics Gea (PiP, $8.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Ruby #8 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Zoeva MT070 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Zen (PiP, $8.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Love Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Wiser (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Flutterbye (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Juicy (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Coastline (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Cheeky (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Moxie
Moxie is a rich copper with warm red undertones and matte finish. The pigmentation was fantastic with opaque color coverage achieved in a single layer. The eyeshadow felt finely-milled and velvety without being powdery, yet it still blended out with ease. This shade stayed on nicely for eight hours on me before it started to look faded.
Top Dupes
- Morphe Heat (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Potion (PiP, $5.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Mandala (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Persia (DC, $25.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Warm Browns #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Wait, What? (P, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spice is Nice (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Spark (PiP, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Cuteologist (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Baja (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Crimefighter
Crimefighter is a bright, medium-dark orange with warm, brown undertones and a sparkling, frosted sheen. The texture was dry to the touch, which made it prone to fallout unless it was really pressed and pushed into the skin (which made fingertips the best tool to use). It appeared more much sparkly in the pan than what translated on the skin. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me but had moderate fallout. It’s strange that the shimmers in the brand’s larger-format palettes are so weak when the mattes are higher quality (often the finish that brands don’t get right).
Top Dupes
- Charlotte Tilbury Supersonic Girl #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Pledge Class (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Wild One (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay First Offense (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Starshine (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Pumpkin Pie (P, $6.99) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Boozy (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I722 Mandarin (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- NARS St-Paul-de-Vence (Left) (DC, $25.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Mimosa (DC, $14.00) is brighter (85% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
1 More Thing
1 More Thing is a soft, light taupe with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was soft, smooth, and velvety with a bit of powderiness that was present in the pan but not in the application, as the eyeshadow had opaque coverage and applied evenly to bare skin. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M548 Pink Gray (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Narciso (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pismo (P, $5.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Nude Awakening #6 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Nudie (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Merci You Later (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Nude #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Resistance (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Indie (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Divergent Radiant Initiation (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Thick
Thick is a muted, medium-dark brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff with a soft, smooth texture that was just a smidgen powdery in the pan but applied well to bare skin and didn’t have fallout. This shade blended out nicely and lasted well for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- Persona Audacious (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild VI Purple #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Sidekick (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Morphe Buns (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Romance (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Milani Spice It Up (PiP, $5.99) is warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Not a Basic Peach #1 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- LORAC Amaretto (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay WTF (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 05 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Vegas Past
Vegas Past is a mediu, golden bronze with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The texture was drier and more loosely pressed with a chunky feel to the touch, and it applied dismally with dry brushes or fingertips; it had to be applied with a dampened brush (moderately wet) in order to pick up enough product for smooth, even color coverage that was more opaque. There was moderate fallout when I used it with a dry brush, so again, the shade lost a lot of its versatility due to the texture. On its own, it wore well for six hours and had fallout over time.
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Bronze (PiP, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Orangerie (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Ice Dunes (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Zoeva Unfinished (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty 24K (Remastered) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Night Show (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Spice of Life (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Glitz (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Stellar (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Cleo (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Whiskey Neat
Whiskey Neat is a medium brown with moderate, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a soft, velvety texture that wasn’t too firmly nor too softly pressed in the pan, which made it easy to work with on the lid. This shade stayed on well for just over eight hours before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Picnic Basket (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Coco (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Truffled (PiP, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Cocoa Chili (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Leather (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Bengali (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Walnut (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Dark Matte #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Faith (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Toffee Crunch (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
Moonchild
Moonchild is a deep brown with warm, red undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented and applied evenly to bare skin, though it took a little more effort to diffuse as it seemed more prone to melting on the lid and having a stronger adhesion wherever it was initially applied–but it wasn’t too much effort to diffuse. If layered over other powder eyeshadows, I didn’t experience any blending problems. The texture was smooth, slightly drier to the touch, and more firmly pressed compared to other mattes in the palette. This shade stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading a bit.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Dolce (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Top Down (LE, $5.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- LORAC Joshua Tree (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Deep Shade (PiP, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Trait de Caractere #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Honeysuckle (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Bark (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Good Spirits (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #7 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M608 Red Brown (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate. May contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Blue (CI 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Oxide (CI 77861)
The two shimmers almost pushed me over the edge to purchasing this and now I’m really glad I didn’t as the colors left are not ones I would wear. Thank you for the review!
Also, I really wish the Gemini palette had been restocked when this one released as I would’ve snatched it up.
Gosh, how can a brand get its two shimmery shades so wrong when they’ve got the mattes (which are trickier) so right?
Just disappointing. I don’t get those lousy shimmery shades, either, Christine. Eh, I’m sure I’ve got dupes for each and every shade within it, so it’s not the worst letdown. I’ve heard some YT’ers giving this and its predecessor well deserved poor reviews for the same reasons you gave.
This palette reminds me of UD’s Naked Heat palette….
This is quite disappointing considering the price of this palette a hard pass for me. I love the look as always
Reminds me to play with my UD Naked Heat palette.
You’ve changed your angle on your outer corner…. I likes!!!
I totally agree. I bought the palette and the mattes are freaking awesome however when I used the shimmer shadows they were horrible and very disappointing.