Natasha Denona Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Lila
Natasha Denona Lila Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a fun color story, and for as edited as it is, actually came together cohesively for me. I would have liked to have seen the shimmery purple be a little creamier/thinner so it would layer better with the mattes more readily. The medium, warmer plum hue could have been more blendable over bare skin.
Looks Using this Product
Lila
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Poison Berry (180CM)
Poison Berry (180CM) is a medium-dark purple with warmer pink undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was nearly opaque inn a single layer, and it built up to full coverage with less than half of a layer on top. The texture was soft, slightly drier and dustier than most of the brand’s mattes (but dryness in purple shades like this doesn’t seem to be uncommon across brands). It blended out well but had some fallout during application. It stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Filtered (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Big Wig (LE, ) is more muted, cooler (95% similar).
- Kaja Major Grape (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Spellcaster (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop 143 (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sista (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Invincible (P, $9.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Heart Eyes (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Manganese (345CM) (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Amethyst #4 (LE, ) is more muted (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.
Looks Using this Product
Poison Berry (180CM)
LELimited Edition.
Blue Dahlia (181DC)
Blue Dahlia (181DC) is a deep purple with cool undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with a second layer or if one used a dampened brush to apply. The texture was fairly dense and required a heavier hand/denser brush in order to pick up product readily. The eyeshadow blended out well but was thicker compared to the mattes in the palette, so I felt like it didn’t blend with the mattes as well as it could have. It wore well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Sugared Violet (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Simbad's Seas (LE, $9.99) is cooler (95% similar).
- Too Faced Sugared Violet #2 (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Beat Down (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Ascent of Glamour (LE, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Too Faced Villain (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Alien Babe (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- NARS Canberra (LE, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Shady Bitch (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Plague (LE, $19.00) is darker (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.
Blue Dahlia (181DC)
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Raisin (182CM)
Raisin (182CM) is a muted, medium plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque, while the texture felt soft and smooth to the touch without being too powdery in the pan. However, it seemed more prone to absorbing natural oils on my lid that made it a little harder to blend out and avoid patchiness (and I still experienced some off this when I tried it over primer, it just wasn’t as bad). It lasted for just over eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- About Face Vintage Granada (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Up in the Air (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Hustle (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Empowered (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Venomous Void (LE, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Unpredictable (P, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Trophies (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Talisman (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte No Filter (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Maasai (LE, ) is lighter (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
Raisin (182CM)
LELimited Edition.
Linen (183M)
Linen (183M) is a soft gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The consistency was smooth, lightly creamy, and dense without being thick or stiff in the pan. The color coverage was opaque in a single layer and blended out easily on my skin. It did seem to turn other shades a bit grayish when I used it on my brow bone/just above the crease area. This shade stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Contraste Horizon #2 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Uninhibited (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Ciate Halo (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Blonde Ambition (211) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Vivacious (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Ladylike (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Morning Star (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Joie (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Party (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Champagne (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% 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.
Looks Using this Product
Linen (183M)
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Flint (184CM)
Flint (184CM) is a soft brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented with a smooth, velvety consistency that was slightly powdery in the pan but adhered well to bare skin. The eyeshadow blended out easily on my lid and didn’t seem to have much fallout, which surprised me based on the texture in the pan. It wore well for eight hours before I noticed slight fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Relax (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sage (Contour) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Smashbox Taupe (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Cherish (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter (95% similar).
- Zoeva Lost in Thoughts (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Viseart Resistance (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Give Me Glow Teenage Dirtbag (PiP, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Warm Taupe (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Power Eyes Prime (LE, ) is lighter, 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.
Oh, all new colours! I had assumed it would be shades taken from the current Lila palette but no. Poisonberry is blowing my skirt up but the others I could take or leave, considering how much I have similar already.
Things to consider!!!
If only it was a single, though I guess the cost of a single… LOL.
Was considering this. Should not be surprised that I’m duped. That’s great, bec have not forayed into ND yet. Getting ND, liking it, and continuing could be a vey expensive undertaking!
Thank goodness for dupes 😉
Oh yes it can! But I was able to stop after Sunset, though this one may bring me back (and her new foundation). 😉
Preserve us all from great makeup. Seriously!
Beautiful eye look. I’m on the fence with this one, while the price is really nice, I do have a few dupes and I did just pick up a purple toned palette (the one by Ace Beaute) so do I truly need another one, however, I did just pick up a purple toned palette and this could go really nicely with it. I’m also never fully satisfied with Natasha Denona’s products.
I’d say work with what you have and see if what you just got is enough for you, especially if you haven’t liked past ND products. (This palette was consistent with past ND reviews for me.)
Very true. I have so many palettes that I don’t touch. I literally just found my Huda Desert Dusk palette, and I’ve used it maybe 2 times. I do need to use what I have before buying something else, especially since from what I’ve seen this hasn’t been advertised as limited edition. Thanks Christine!
Thanks! Never heard of Ace Beaute and if it’s the Paradise Fallen palette you just purchased, how is it? It’s very different with the darker brown and grey twist.
I grabbed the Paradise Fallen & the Classical Paradise. I love them both because they are fairly unique.
Hey, Jessica, thanks for getting and mentioning the Ace palette. I love it when readers intro me to an unfamiliar-to-me indie. Paradise Fallen looks like the most ‘me’ of all current ‘purple palette’ offerings.
It’s one the more purple offerings from the purple palettes. It’s a really nice palette.
Thanks for mentioning Ace Beaute. I’ve got their page up and it’s talking to me! I discovered another site from the UK, OPV Beauty that has some pretty impressive colorful palettes. Both sites are in the same price range. I’m always interested in new Indy sites, several of my favorites I have found reading this blog.
The palettes that I have from Ace are really great. Nice and pigmented and the shimmers that I’ve used do not need any extra work to get them to work. The mattes do kick up a lot but they are very pigmented and blend really nicely.
I love the look you created but I think I can dupe the colors in this palette.
Thank you, Lesley!
Hi Christine, I have been waiting for this palette it is soo beautiful and so glad you reviewed it. Here in UK we have been blocked by Sephora fromceven seeing the US site so I wont be able yo purchase this.
Sephora tweeted to someone, who asked why they kept getting the French site, that no one in UK could access Sephora US because of new EU guidelines on security.
However, no one in UK has this problem with other US sites, such as Nordstrom or Ulta etc.
I’m sorry to hear that!
You can buy direct from Natasha Denona’s website for €10 or €25 shipping to the UK.
Thank you, Claire! ?
I’m surprised us Brits can view the Ulta website as it quite clearly says it doesn’t ship internationally. Shame about the US Sephora, though; they were better and more varied than the French site.
I didn’t do the Lila palette, so this may be my buy-in to missing it (though as I looked back at your review, these colors are even in it?). Would you say that these are on par with how the others blended in the Lila palette or even do you prefer some of the other colors? Because Per Se and Amara (and a few others really draw me), but then so does Poison Berry & Blue Dahlia.
I think the Lila is a little easier to use overall. It’s so hard to compare since Lila has so many more shades, so it just seems more versatile to me (overall). Have you looked at what shades you own already – do you have a good amount of overlap with Lila that maybe just the mini is sufficient?
It’s a pass for me as I have several dupes. I’d love to see if Wet n Wild single eyeshadow in Moonchild is a dupe for Blue Dahlia. On the computer screen it looks pretty close.
Christine, your skills as a makeup artist blow me away. Beautiful look.
Thank you, Shari!
This review has me going back over the Lila palette review several times, and then all of your eyeshadow reviews on her eyeshadows, and thus realizing that I may be missing some of the best ones form either, this palette, the Lila one and the Tropical one. Hmmmm…
The Tropical palette seems to be the worst released to date (hence why it’s been on sale – lots of over stock!), though it has more unique/interesting shades relative to Lila.
For a small little palette, this is very cohesive and the shades chosen can be worn in lots of different looks. Linen and Blue Dahlia are my favourites.
I was surprised at how well it coordinated!
Yummy Poison Berry! Kinda stiff for a single, but fairly unique.
LOL, and yet $25 is as expensive or cheaper than the normal single prices (less product but still).
Good point. I bought that TF dupe for the blurple as a single…
Very pretty and quality colors. I would not have thought of these combinations. Brava, Christine.
Thank you, Susan!
What a glam eye look this produces! Now for me to try it out using a combo of CP Hustle and 143, plus MAC Ascent Of Glamour and maybe Retrospeck, too. Perhaps using Kid as my transition.
Thank you, Nancy! 🙂
Seems like a nice little palette for anyone wanting to test out some purple looks
Good point!
I like this one, the colors all work together so well. No random outlier. Not sure it’s for me as I am on fair side and do better with lighter shades but will try it out in-store and see what happens.
I was surprised how usable the five were together!
I was so happy I bought this palette! I managed to use all colors thanks to Christine’s eye makeup tutorials that she brought back a month or so ago. Since it was a work day, I used the gorgeous Blue Dahlia as a liner, Linen over most of the lid, and doubled up in the crease with Poison Berry in the deep crease with Raisin right above it. The matte color was my brow bone shade. I’m not sure if I used Linen again as an underbrow highlight. Thanks to the tutorial I’m beginning to play with that. It’s a great way for me to introduce a little sparkle and shine in that area. I know I bitch about it all the time but metallics are pretty unflattering when you have wrinkles.
Happy to hear my tutorial helped you, Anne! 🙂
I like that some of the more expensive brands (Natasha Denona, Viseart, etc.) are doing these smaller palettes so someone who may not want to spend so much can still try the brand. I like this color story, and it’s pretty unique. I might consider picking it up eventually.
I agree, Tiffany! Plus, how many of us finish all of our eyeshadows?!
Definitely not me! Price per gram means nothing to me when it comes to eyeshadow!
Best look I’ve seen with this palette, hands-down! You make me want to buy it.
Thankyou, Amy!