Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

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Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eye Look | Look Details
Natasha Denona Gold Mini Eyeshadow Palette

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.

Gold

LELimited Edition. $27.00.
A
A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9.5
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
96%
Total

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Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Lodge (283CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow

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).

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.

Lodge (283CP)

LELimited Edition.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
99%
Total
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Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Dark Sepia (47P) Metallic Eye Shadow

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).

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.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9
Longevity
5
Application
92%
Total
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Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona D'Or (284M) Metallic Eye Shadow

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).

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.

D'Or (284M)

LELimited Edition. $29.00.
A
A
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
94%
Total
1 of 2
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow
Natasha Denona Bia (285CP) Creamy Matte Eye Shadow

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).

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.

Bia (285CP)

LELimited Edition.
A
A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
97%
Total
1 of 3
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Antheia (286DC) Duo-Chrome Eyeshadow

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).

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.

Antheia (286DC)

LELimited Edition. $29.00.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
9.5
Longevity
5
Application
99%
Total

49 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

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.

Mariella Avatar

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??? )

Hana Avatar

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!

kjh Avatar

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.

Deborah S. Avatar

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.

Christine Avatar

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?

Deborah S. Avatar

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.

Valerie Avatar

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.

Genevieve Avatar

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.

Evi Avatar

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.

Melissa Avatar

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.

Rebecca Avatar

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…

Melissa Avatar

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.

Odielle Avatar

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!!

Vcr Avatar

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 :/

Seraphine Avatar

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. 🙁

Valerie Avatar

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.

Mariella Avatar

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).

Anne Avatar

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…

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