Natasha Denona Blue & Gray Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Natasha Denona Steel Blue (11V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Eyeshadow ($29.00 for 0.08 oz.) comes in 66 shades with four distinct finishes (Matte, Duo-Chrome, Metallic, and Sparkling). According to the brand, the eyeshadow formula is supposed to have “full, rich and intense color that won’t fade out, be “long-lasting,” and smooth. The majority of the shimmery shades were very pigmented with a soft consistency that was something just right and other times a little prone to crumbling/loosening in the pan, while the mattes were smooth but quite powdery, which resulted it color that didn’t adhere to bare skin as readily. The texture of most shades is soft, blendable, and most of the shimmery shades I’ve tested applied well to bare skin. The wear was fairly consistent, but there was some variance from shade to shade (which didn’t seem related to finish). The wear has ranged from five to eight hours, depending on the shade. Primer helps with longevity, adding two to three hours to the shade’s no-primer wear time, but they seem like shorter-wearing eyeshadows compared to most powder formulas I’ve tried.
Check out my first review for more depth about the formula as well as a pricing breakdown for singles compared to palettes.
Steel Blue (11V) is a muted, medium-dark blue with strong gray tones and a mostly matte finish. It was very soft but quite powdery, which resulted in sheer, uneven coverage when applied to bare skin–this one is imperative to apply over a good base. It seemed to have faded after five and a half hours. MAC Blk-ish (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 14 (LE, ) is more pigmented, warmer, better quality (90% similar). Viseart Sky (Cool Mattes 2 #7) (P, )(90% similar). Makeup Geek Stealth (DC, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Sephora Storm (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Linger Softly (DC, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC A Sprinkle of Blues #2 (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). NYX Leather and Studs (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Hello Kitty Playdate (LE, ) is warmer (80% similar). LORAC Denim (LE, $19.00) is cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Lavender Gray (40M) is a medium-dark, bronzy taupe with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The consistency was very soft, lightly powdery (a bit loose in the pan), but it blended out well and still had really good color payoff that didn’t sheer out easily. On me, the color wore well for seven and a half hours before creasing. Tom Ford Beauty Nude Dip #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Force of Nature #1 (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Sable (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever ME612 Silver Brown (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). NARS Daydream (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Until Dawn #1 (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Pat McGrath Inferno (PiP, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Minx (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Tarte Glam Girl (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Dragonfly (P, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Ulta Taupe (P, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Clarins Rosewood #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Snowdusk (LE, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D562 Taupe Platinum (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Lancome My French #6 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Mugshot (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Colour Pop Vanity Fair (LE, $6.00) is cooler (85% similar). Colour Pop HZRD (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Inglot J307 Lilac Grey (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Quick Silver (09M) is a medium-dark, silvery gray with neutral-to-cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had good pigmentation with a fairly soft, blendable texture that was a little dusty overall. This shade wore well for eight hours on me. Dior Blue Garden #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Au Fil de L'Eau #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Sephora Be My Bow (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Mindfiles (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Tin Man (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). bareMinerals Abracadabra (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). NARS Jardin Perdu (Left) (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Smoky #3 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever ME108 Steel (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Kat Von D Cathedral (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Tory Burch Beauty Stone Cold (P, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Bao Bao's Jewels #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Sydney Grace Storm Cloud (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Buxom Cool Caviar (P, $12.00) is darker (85% similar). Lancome Nuit (PiP, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Anastasia Denim Smokey (P, $12.00) is darker (85% similar). Make Up For Ever 18 Golden Grey (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Urban Decay Slanted (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Make Up For Ever I112 Chrome (DC, $21.00) is lighter (80% similar). Anastasia Blue Flash (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Koh Tao (89V) is a muted, medium powdery blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. While the eyeshadow is incredibly soft and smooth, it kicks up a lot of excess and is hard to apply evenly, as it sheers out due to the powderiness in the texture. It is not a shade that is really wearable without a good base/primer in place. It faded after six hours of wear. Inglot #369 (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I212 Periwinkle (DC, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Perfect Storm (P, $5.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Kat Von D Waters (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Colour Pop Taco (LE, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Oasis (P, $5.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Colour Pop Lost and Found (P, $4.50) is brighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Triennial Wave (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Hard Being the It Girl #2 (DC, $2.29) is darker (80% similar). Coloured Raine Jet Set (P, $6.99) is darker (80% similar). MAC At the Turntable (LE, $17.00) is lighter (80% similar). Colour Pop Starry Eyed (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Winkle (DC, $17.00) is darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Smoke (65V) is a muted, dark bluish-gray with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had decent color payoff, but the more powdery consistency made it hard to apply and blend on the skin without it becoming patchy (another one that needs a primer to be usable). It wore for six and a half hours on me. NARS Transvaal (P, $25.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Make Sure (PiP, ) is darker, brighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Nehru (DC, $17.00) is darker (85% similar). Natasha Denona Fata Morgana (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (85% similar). NYX Shameless (P, $4.50) is darker (85% similar). theBalm #26 (P, $6.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Dagger (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar). Chanel Quintessence #9 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Grey Horizon (LE, $17.00) is darker (80% similar). Natasha Denona Python (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Crow's Nest (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Chromatic (04M) is a bright silver with cooler undertones and a metallic sheen with slight sparkle. It had good color payoff with a really soft, slightly loose consistency that applies best with a firm, flat brush and then really packed on rather than blended (you may get a lot of fall out otherwise). It started to crease after seven hours on me. Tarte Flask (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). NARS Creeper (LE, $25.00) is more muted (95% similar). MAC Silver Coin (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Tisse Ombre de Lune #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Guise (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Tattle-Tale (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Slush Fund (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Ice (43) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). Make Up For Ever ME116 Silver (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Indica (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Illusion (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Shellshock (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Silver Coin (LE, ) is lighter, more muted (90% similar). Dior Moonlight #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Drippin' Diamonds (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar). Kat Von D Moonshine (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Lovesmoke (LE, $17.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). Dior Smoky Canvas #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Sleek MakeUP Pretty in Paris (LE, $9.99) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Discotheque (P, $20.00) is more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Metallic Steel Blue (11M) is a muted, smoky blue with cool undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good color payoff, though consistency was a little drier and looser, so it really had to be patted onto the skin and slowly buffed in to minimize ragged/uneven edges. This shade started to crease after eight hours of wear. Illamasqua Alluvium (P, $25.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Bijoux Royal #8 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). NARS Underworld II (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Jazz #3 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Celestial Peak (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Stila Denim (LE, $18.00) is darker (85% similar). Fyrinnae Mermaid Masquerade (P, $8.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Viseart Sapphire (PiP, ) is more muted (85% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #24 (PiP, ) is darker, brighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Moon's Reflection (DC, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar). YSL Wet Blue (10) (P, $30.00) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Love Cycle #1 (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Steel Blue (11V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Lavender Gray (40M)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Quick Silver (09M)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Koh Tao (89V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Smoke (65V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Chromatic (04M)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Metallic Steel Blue (11M)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Natasha Denona Steel Blue (11V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Steel Blue (11V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Lavender Gray (40M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Lavender Gray (40M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Quick Silver (09M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Quick Silver (09M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Koh Tao (89V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Koh Tao (89V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Smoke (65V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Smoke (65V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Chromatic (04M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Chromatic (04M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Metallic Steel Blue (11M) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Metallic Steel Blue (11M) Eyeshadow
Quick Silver, Chromatic, Metallic Steel Blue, Smoke, Steel Blue, Koh Tao, L’Oreal Cobalt Eyeliner
Quick Silver, Chromatic, Metallic Steel Blue, Smoke, Steel Blue, Koh Tao, L’Oreal Cobalt Eyeliner
Of all these, only Metallic Steel Blue is remotely tempting. I have some dupes for that beautiful Lavender Gray shade, so I’m set there. Also with having UD Naked Smoky Palette and a single of MAC Nehru, I’m good. Even though Naked Smoky probably isn’t the best smokey palette in the world, it does work well with a good base, pretty much like these, but less expensive in the end.
Love those muted blues like Metallic Steel Blue! Wish there were more of them!
oh ditto!!!! total gorgeousness. I was really sad at the performance on Steel Blue as well. It makes such an interesting transition colour that can work really well with both warm and cool looks.
I used the Swatch tab to look at her Matte shadows, and so far, they are all horrible (lots of C/D/F) , even the neutrals didn’t score well, the highest scoring Matte so far was a light brown at B-, which is sad at this price point. So I wasn’t holding out any hope for the matte blues. I do like the Metallic Steel Blue, and it got a decent score. but not sure if this formula will hold up on my oily lids, even with primer. I got an early access email to shop from Beautylish last week, but they are only selling Pre-Made 5 pans, so if I want to do a Custom Pan, I need to order direct from the ND website, and they don’t accept returns, so I would be out about $50 if they don’t work out. I do like there are a lot of unique colors in her range, so will need to think about this…
Oh correction, ND website does accept returns within 30 days of delivery, BUT the product has to be un-used and un-opened, and customer has to pay return shipping charges. So if I open it, test it, and it doesn’t work out, I still can’t return it (sigh)
Arizona/Sandstorm are the two mattes that stick out as being easier to use – very powdery – but at least blendable!
The only decent shadow is really Metallic Steel blue – the rest are either really poor or eminently dupable. What dud that Steel Blue colour is. A gorgeous eye look Christine!
Thank you, Genevieve!
Oh dear, two F’s for blue eyeshadows. They do look terribly powdery on your eye, even though it’s a beautiful look.
I gave up after 20 minutes of trying to get those matte blues to work, lol.
I really like Quick Silver, Chromatic, and Metallic Steel Blue. I really wish that Steel Blue and Smoke performed better. They would be beautiful colors on me.
I wish half the mattes performed better, lol… even just a little better.
Lavender Grey? As if!
LOL! I know, it’s so poorly named! Better/worse than “Cool Plum”? Hm.
Metallic Steel Blue is the prettiest one here, imo, but overall nothing really screams “Wow!” to me.
Exactly!
That eye look!
Is a mess without primer, LOL!