Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Gold
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new, miniature-sized palette that complements the larger, 15-pan Gold palette. Per the brand, it will be part of the core collection, though I suspect it’s listed as limited edition at Sephora for the packaging (it’ll eventually be moved into the signature white packaging). All five shades performed well, while the two mattes were superb and the shimmers were varying degrees of good to great. If you tend to like the brand’s more recent formulas (last year or so), I think you’ll enjoy the newest mini.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Gold
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Lodge (283CP)
Lodge (283CP) is a light-medium, olive brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was a little too green-tinged to be a true brown, but it seemed a little warmer (browner) than a full-on olive green. The texture felt smooth, velvety, and was blendable without losing its intensity when applied. It had rich color coverage that wore well for nine hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty Phatigue (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lay Out (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Safari (187CM) (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Rubbabandz (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Digger (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Olive You (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Natural Wilderness (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Back Woods (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Sweetie Pie (LE, $16.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Ace Beaute Golden Apple (DC, ) is darker, brighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The majority of the brand's eyeshadows are quite pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The eyeshadows have improved over time, particularly with respect to longevity (without a primer). The original formula often creased on me within seven to eight hours, whereas the more current formula wears eight to nine hours with fading (instead of full-on creasing). The more matte finishes tend to be a bit more velvety, substantial, and less dry/powdery compared to prior iterations.
The metallic finish is often the creamiest, slightly denser in feel, but has excellent pigmentation, adhesion, and blendability. The sparkling shades can have some fallout, depending on how they're applied and how sparkly they are, so they sometimes work better with fingertips or a dampened brush; they can also run sheerer compared to other finishes.
Cream-Powders are the more unique formulation and tend to have firmer, almost stiff, consistencies and more semi-opaque, watercolor-esque coverage. They are longer-wearing, but they can take a few uses to learn how to use. This formula has also improved compared to when it first debuted--it is a bit more yielding now.
Browse all of our Natasha Denona Creamy Matte Eye Shadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Lodge (283CP)
LELimited Edition.
Dark Sepia (47P)
Dark Sepia (47P) is a muted, medium-dark brown with warm, olive undertones and a satin finish. It had good color payoff in a single pass, while the texture was soft, lightly dusty in the pan, but it applied evenly and wasn’t prone to sheering out or having fallout. It lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Lumiere et Opulence #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Disintegration (DC, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Cuir Brun (928) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Mademoiselle #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Rock (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Treasure (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Bedazzled Spruce (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel (2020) #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Witch (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Making a Scene (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.08 oz. - $362.50 Per Ounce
The majority of the brand's eyeshadows are quite pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The eyeshadows have improved over time, particularly with respect to longevity (without a primer). The original formula often creased on me within seven to eight hours, whereas the more current formula wears eight to nine hours with fading (instead of full-on creasing). The more matte finishes tend to be a bit more velvety, substantial, and less dry/powdery compared to prior iterations.
The metallic finish is often the creamiest, slightly denser in feel, but has excellent pigmentation, adhesion, and blendability. The sparkling shades can have some fallout, depending on how they're applied and how sparkly they are, so they sometimes work better with fingertips or a dampened brush; they can also run sheerer compared to other finishes.
Cream-Powders are the more unique formulation and tend to have firmer, almost stiff, consistencies and more semi-opaque, watercolor-esque coverage. They are longer-wearing, but they can take a few uses to learn how to use. This formula has also improved compared to when it first debuted--it is a bit more yielding now.
Browse all of our Natasha Denona Metallic Eye Shadow swatches.
Dark Sepia (47P)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
D'Or (284M)
D’Or (284M) is a bright, medium-dark gold with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer when I applied it to my lid, as initially it seemed a bit under full coverage when swatched. The base felt more emollient and creamier, but I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly and evenly it applied to my lid with a brush, though fingertip application would work well here. I noticed faint creasing after nine hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Pain and Panic (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Hoopla (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cursed (LE, $9.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Paradiso (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine 24 Karat (PiP, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Liquid Sun (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Gravity OG (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Blaze (263K) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Born to Rule (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Sun Drenched (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.08 oz. - $362.50 Per Ounce
The majority of the brand's eyeshadows are quite pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The eyeshadows have improved over time, particularly with respect to longevity (without a primer). The original formula often creased on me within seven to eight hours, whereas the more current formula wears eight to nine hours with fading (instead of full-on creasing). The more matte finishes tend to be a bit more velvety, substantial, and less dry/powdery compared to prior iterations.
The metallic finish is often the creamiest, slightly denser in feel, but has excellent pigmentation, adhesion, and blendability. The sparkling shades can have some fallout, depending on how they're applied and how sparkly they are, so they sometimes work better with fingertips or a dampened brush; they can also run sheerer compared to other finishes.
Cream-Powders are the more unique formulation and tend to have firmer, almost stiff, consistencies and more semi-opaque, watercolor-esque coverage. They are longer-wearing, but they can take a few uses to learn how to use. This formula has also improved compared to when it first debuted--it is a bit more yielding now.
Browse all of our Natasha Denona Metallic Eye Shadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
D'Or (284M)
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Bia (285CP)
Bia (285CP) is a brighter, medium green with strong, warm olive undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single layer, which adhered evenly and blended out with ease over bare skin. The consistency was smooth, velvety and not too powdery (but not too firmly pressed in the pan either). This shade stayed on well for nine hours before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop So Tender (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Local BB (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow Olive You (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow Savage (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lala (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- By Beauty Bay Eucalyptus (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Leo (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Float Your Crib (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Viseart Khaki (27) (LE, ) is lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Trust Me (P, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The majority of the brand's eyeshadows are quite pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The eyeshadows have improved over time, particularly with respect to longevity (without a primer). The original formula often creased on me within seven to eight hours, whereas the more current formula wears eight to nine hours with fading (instead of full-on creasing). The more matte finishes tend to be a bit more velvety, substantial, and less dry/powdery compared to prior iterations.
The metallic finish is often the creamiest, slightly denser in feel, but has excellent pigmentation, adhesion, and blendability. The sparkling shades can have some fallout, depending on how they're applied and how sparkly they are, so they sometimes work better with fingertips or a dampened brush; they can also run sheerer compared to other finishes.
Cream-Powders are the more unique formulation and tend to have firmer, almost stiff, consistencies and more semi-opaque, watercolor-esque coverage. They are longer-wearing, but they can take a few uses to learn how to use. This formula has also improved compared to when it first debuted--it is a bit more yielding now.
Browse all of our Natasha Denona Creamy Matte Eye Shadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Bia (285CP)
LELimited Edition.
Antheia (286DC)
Antheia (286DC) is a medium green with warm, bronzy undertones and a mix of cooler, forest green shimmer and warmer, olive gold shimmer. It had a metallic finish that was shiny and smooth without emphasizing my lid texture. The eyeshadow had rich pigmentation with a lightly creamy consistency that applied evenly and blended out with ease. It wore nicely for nine hours on me before fading a touch.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Commission (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Goa (P, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel (2020) #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Thorn (PiP, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Forever Charmed (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Gold Earth (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Devinah Cosmetics Stunned (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Dragon Scales #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Matheo (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Vivid (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.08 oz. - $362.50 Per Ounce
The majority of the brand's eyeshadows are quite pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. The eyeshadows have improved over time, particularly with respect to longevity (without a primer). The original formula often creased on me within seven to eight hours, whereas the more current formula wears eight to nine hours with fading (instead of full-on creasing). The more matte finishes tend to be a bit more velvety, substantial, and less dry/powdery compared to prior iterations.
The metallic finish is often the creamiest, slightly denser in feel, but has excellent pigmentation, adhesion, and blendability. The sparkling shades can have some fallout, depending on how they're applied and how sparkly they are, so they sometimes work better with fingertips or a dampened brush; they can also run sheerer compared to other finishes.
Cream-Powders are the more unique formulation and tend to have firmer, almost stiff, consistencies and more semi-opaque, watercolor-esque coverage. They are longer-wearing, but they can take a few uses to learn how to use. This formula has also improved compared to when it first debuted--it is a bit more yielding now.
Browse all of our Natasha Denona Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow swatches.
It’s gorgeous on you! :o)
Thanks, Sandy!
I think I want this one.
I think this is a definitely a yes for me. I have dupes, but they aren’t as spot on as I thought they would be.
This just arrived in my mailbox about 2 hours ago. I’ve not had time to use it yet (I was heading out for a hike with a neighbour and I’ve got a session with my trainer in a few hours so it seems silly to slap on some eyeshadow now) but I’m eager to try it as it’s my first ND purchase. I did swatch the shadows, though, and to be honest, I guess I just don’t get the hoopla about her formulae. But I’ll have to try it on my eyes for an honest assessment. What I am pleased about is that there seems to be a reasonable amount of product for the price, in light of the high prices of her larger palettes.
I actually think she’s one of the few brands that has really improved her formulas over time!
This would be perfect for you Mariella – it would work so well and you could easily add in a few shades from Sultry too. I so wish that palette had a olive shimmery number instead of the pink shade.
So, don’t laugh, ladies, but here’s how STUPID I am. I appear not to have ordered the Gold Mini Palette but rather the Mini Star one – what a dope I am (and I guess it’s just one more reason why I like shopping in person). I couldn’t figure out why my palette was missing that gorgeous Dark Sepia and then I looked more closely – honestly, talk about a dumb mistake. I’ve just re-placed an order for the RIGHT palette this time (I HOPE!!!) and will return the other one later this week (though I do really like the neutral matte Earth shade in it…heck, maybe I’ll keep it….nah, I so don’t need it…but it’s not very expensive – see the discussion I’ll be having with myself??? )
Oh, and Genevieve, I so agree with you about that pink/coral/salmon shade in the Sultry palette (if that’s the one you’re referring to).
Oh nooooooo. I lowkey was hoping this would get a bad review so I wouldn’t buy it ??? I’ve held off on the full sized gold palette due to price point but will pick this up as a Christmas present to myself during the November sale ?
Thanks as always for the review Christine!
My pleasure, Hana!
Ok, so I have dupes in the 80-90% range for most of these, but can one ever really have too many matte olive and shimmery olive gold shadows?
Really not sure that you can. Not only am I lemming this, but that blasted SG Mountain Trail is simmering again. I was doing so well avoiding that one until this review. I’m by no means a gold fan; this one reads like a delicious warm green fiver, with a pop of gold. Mmmm.
So far, the colors I’ve tried from Mountain Trail are really great! And this is the perfect time of year for warm olive greens…
(of course every time of year is good for warm olive greens)
This is the first ND palette to really catch my eye. There are still a couple shades I’m less interested in, but I can’t get enough of these olive shades for fall and winter this year. ?
I’m trying to convince myself that I don’t need this.
Me too.. I avoided the large Gold palette.. too many warm shades, but this one has somehow gotten under my skin.
This is a maybe for me. I have not hesitated to say I don’t care for ND shadows in previous posts here on the blog. I kind of lump ND, CT and TF into the same category as I had similar experiences with e/s from each brand. Having said that, I haven’t tried anything from ND in quite a while and the colour story here is particularly attractive to me and I think my daughter would like it also. This is going on my wish list to check out when I am in Seattle or CA.
I find I prefer ND over CT and TF by quite a bit these days – although I do like the more domed, baked-style TF shades. I like the newer Charlotte Tilbury 12-pan palettes more than the quads as well. Think TF/CT are a little more powdery than I prefer.
What was the last Natasha Denona palette you tried?
I actually de-cluttered it some time ago but it was the very first 5 pan she ever put out. I honestly don’t remember the name but it had shades of gold in it and in many ways the colour story of this reminds me of the one I purchased. I went to her website and don’t see the one I purchased listed there. I was so in love with the green/brown palette but didn’t want to pop for it not knowing her e/s formula and also because it was a huge chunk of change to drop on a palette when you have no experience of how it is going to perform. Still love the colours in that green/brown palette. So, it has been at least a couple of years since I tried her shadows and I know you have mentioned before that the formula has been improved. I have finger swatched the cranberry 5 pan palette and like the shades in that a lot. I hope that I can see it in store in about a month and then decide whether I am going to pick it up. I do really appreciate what both she and Pat McGrath are doing with regards to making smaller, more affordable palettes derived from their larger palettes. I like a small, well curated palette and for many it is the only way they are going to afford to buy any shadows from those brands.
Same here Christine,
I prefer the ND over TF, and CT. I am currently loving the ND metropolis palette.
Ditto here. TF is inconsistent and I was so disappointed with the CT pillow talk quad that I haven’t touched the brand again. ND has made a concerted effort to keep improving her formula, as evidenced by Metropolis and this palette.
I was hoping to get the large gold palette by ND, but maybe I will just get this one. Does the formula compare well between the palettes?
Do you mean as in quality or that the mini would work well paired with the larger Gold palette?
I meant more as in, is the formula in the mini the same as the large palettes she has. I don’t own any ND palettes so far. 🙂
I’m just imagining how beautifully these will all pair up with the full-sized Gold Palette, and it has me going “ooh & ahh!” I’m going to need to get my hands on this little gem!
This is now the first item in my VIB sale shopping cart 🙂
Thank you for your review Christine! I ordered but still waiting for it to arrive. 🙂
It does look really lovely and for someone who doesn’t any or many of these gorgeous olive shades, it would be perfect. A handy little palette containing all the shades you would need for a smoky olive look.
Great quality too. And once again Christine, your eye look is stunning.
boo hiss, I do not need this but i want it. I feel like someone at natasha denona is reading my mind with the kind of palettes they are producing. at the moment.. I think this is a definite for me. I love her formula and the mini’s and five pans I have of hers are often my go-to, especially for travel.
might wait a bit tho.
Wow, looks like I’ll be getting this during the holiday sale! Christine, how do you find ND eyeshadows perform when applied with fingers? It seems like a lovely travel palette, and it would be a bonus if I didn’t have to bring brushes along.
Shimmers should work just fine with fingertips! I can’t say I try too many matte eyeshadows with fingertips, though – but shimmers, yes for sure!
Thanks for the input!
Not being nosy, but why you don’t want to bring brushes with you when you travel? If it’s a don’t-want-to-bring-anything-nonessential along with you, just ignore this.
But, if it’s something like not wanting to worry about losing your good makeup brushes on a trip, have you ever tried a pack of foam makeup applicators? You know, like the kind they used to include with eyeshadows?
They’re small, don’t weight hardly anything, and cheap so if you lose them or throw them away at the end of the trip, you’re not wasting money. It’s just a thought…
I just prefer to travel light! I’m not one to do any super intricate eye looks (usually just three shades in a gradient, sometimes a halo eye). I find that fingers work ok for me for most looks, unless the formula is particularly dry, glittery and fallout-prone, or develops hard pan quickly.
Gotcha, I’m always trying to travel lighter and never seem to quite get there. *sigh*
I totally had my eye on this in my Sephora app. Thanks for sharing I think I want it even more now 🙂
Hm… I’ve always wanted to have the big Gold palette, but this one also speaks to my heart.. But I also just ordered the Mothership Totale Palette kit…… HELP I AM AN ADDICT. Haha, but I just loooove this look on you Christine, gorgeous!!
This is soooo beautiful and unique to other items out there! I do think it’ll pull cooler on me, and because I have warm toned olive skin, it’ll cancel out these olives tones in the palette and look like dirt on me. I’ll probs swatch it in store but won’t purchase :/
Great review! It‘s not available on beautylish though, I just checked again. Where can I getvthis in Europe? Thanks 🙂
First of all, this is more of an olive green palette than a gold palette…and I like it so much more this way than if it actually was gold!
It’s gorgeous and part of me wants it, but I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that green shades are not easy for me to wear. The more I experiment with color, the more I realize there are some that really don’t look good against my skin tone. And as much as I adore almost anything in olive green, I need to be careful about putting it on my face. So, although I do love the way this palette looks, I am going to have to pass on it. 🙁
This is so pretty and much more palatable than her larger palettes. I really want it but not sure I need it since I have Sydney Grace Mountain Trail. I don’t have a great dupe for Antheia though.
It’s really pretty, though I wish it looked more like the colors in Natasha Denona’s official swatches.
Swatched this yesterday. They all swatched great. Lodge was amazing. It blends out the others really well. I am starting a cart for the VIB sale, unless that pink PMG quad doesn’t release here, in which case I’m going to @Selfridges.
I just picked up this mini gold palette and love it! I gravitated towards the green shades, and this fills a nice niche in my collection. This looks gorgeous on you and gives me a benchmark for how to apply.
This finally arrived today, after an ordering “user error” and then a long stall at the postal sorting center for some reason (my “ordered in error” palette arrived within 24 hours; this has taken about 5 days!). I’ve only had it for half a day but I’ve slapped most of it on, even though I’ve nothing more than a personal training session at the gym on my schedule today. I am really liking it (though for my personal preference, replacing either BIA or Lodge with a pale beige/champagne colour would have made me love it a whole lot).
I didn’t purchase the Gold palette (came soooooo close though), so this may do it for me. It’s small, seems cohesive and I really like the olive – khaki green spin.
The creamy mattes are really stellar it seems to me. My mini arrives tomorrow but I got Metropolis and was impressed with the dark green. I haven’t tried the 2 dark blues other than to swatch them. They aren’t as dark blended out as they appear to be in the pan. I picked this over the Pat McGrath Nocturnal Nirvana. The price point is much better and these are more wearable colors overall for me. I can never have too many duochrome green/browns, green/reds…
Amazing palette, I like it even more than the large gold!