Natasha Denona Skin, Suede, Shell, Flamingo Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Skin (75S), Suede (58V), Sand Storm (90V), Arizona (88V), Shell (64V), Flamingo (57V), Sephora Blonde Ambition Eyeliner, Ochre (61P)
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.
Skin (75S) is a light-medium, coppery brown with warm, reddish tones and a frosted sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that was a smidgen loose and dry to the touch but applied well with minimal fall out. The color wore well for seven and a half hours on me before creasing. MAC Bamboo-zled (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Rouge Bunny Rouge Angelic Cockatiels (P, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dior Rivage #3 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Disney by Sephora Wanderin' Free (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Something's Fishy (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #9 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Golden Mink #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Laura Mercier Rosegold (PiP, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals Tan Lines (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Sandy (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Omigaud (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Dior Dune #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Smashbox Well, Hello (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Steady (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Moonflower (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Viseart Splendor (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Anastasia Kim (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Genie in a Bottle (P, $5.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Café au Lait (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Foxy (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Suede (58V) is a muted, medium brown with warm, yellow tones and a gold sparkle. This shade had semi-sheer coverage with a powdery, drier consistency where a lot of the sparkle blended away from the base, so most of it was lost in the brush or fell below the lid during application. I couldn’t build this one up over bare skin, so this would have to be used with a good, color-boosting kind of primer. It wore for six and a half hours before fading noticeably. Stila Warm Honey (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Buxom Star Treatment (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Stila Warm Taupe (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Fix (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Anaheim (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Cobblestone (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cocoa Mirage #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Brown Sugar (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Fifi (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). LORAC Undeniable (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Cork (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Makeup Geek Preppy (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Viseart Toffee (Dark Matte #1) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). MAC Wedge (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tarte Wanderer (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Clair-Obscur #1 (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Too Faced Mousse (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). theBalm #10 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Lancome Trenchcoat (LE, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Shell (64V) is a muted, medium rosy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was blendable but quite powdery, which made it hard to get really true-to-pan coverage over bare skin. The color started to crease after seven hours on me. ColourPop Made to last (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). Clarins The Essentials #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Fire (LE, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar). Huda Beauty Big Dreams (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Milani Always Pink of Me (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (90% similar). Hourglass Infinity #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte View from the Taupe (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop I Need Space (DC, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Stardom (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Viseart Jasper (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Inglot #337 (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Barcelona Beach (DC, $6.00) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Solitaire (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Very Velveteen (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Kaja Smoky Sepia (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). IT Cosmetics Adore (P, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Contour Mauve (36) (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Noted (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Lancome Voyage (PiP, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Rare Beauty Loyal (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Flamingo (57V) is a light-medium, pink-peach with fine gold sparkle over a mostly matte finish. The texture was very soft and silky, but it was very powdery, which resulted in a lot of excess product kicked up in the pan, but it also made it harder to get opaque coverage out of this shade without a slightly tacky base for it to adhere to. The color lasted for seven hours on me before creasing. Guerlain Ors et Merveilles #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Cowboy Take Me Away (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Spike the Punch (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Whiskers on Kittens (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Solar (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Bubbly (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Party Girl (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). LORAC Stone (Mountain Sunset) (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Europa (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Latte (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Jardins Eclatants #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Desert Rose (90) (DC, $10.00) is darker (85% similar). Anastasia Ballet (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Electrify #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Skin (75S)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Suede (58V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Shell (64V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Flamingo (57V)
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Natasha Denona Skin (75S) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Skin (75S) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Suede (58V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Suede (58V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Shell (64V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Shell (64V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Flamingo (57V) Eyeshadow
Natasha Denona Flamingo (57V) Eyeshadow
Skin (75S), Suede (58V), Sand Storm (90V), Arizona (88V), Shell (64V), Flamingo (57V), Sephora Blonde Ambition Eyeliner, Ochre (61P)
Skin (75S), Suede (58V), Sand Storm (90V), Arizona (88V), Shell (64V), Flamingo (57V), Sephora Blonde Ambition Eyeliner, Ochre (61P)
Well, this is very disappointing considering the hype around these shadows, and there are so many excellent neutral shadows out there for a lot less. Also to save myself from temptation, I’ve started inventorying and swatching all my neutral shadows, and I have enough to last me a lifetime, so no need to buy anymore unless it’s a unique color or formula
There are some nice shades, but it’s a little deflating to see them wear shorter – kind of like MUG Foiled.
I agree completely with your assessment on Flamingo. It’s kind of a dud. I’m curious what your takes are on Arizona.
Soon! 🙂 I did this look after I set-up my post that’ll review Arizona (this was a little faster to review).
I’m beginning to hop onto the other side of the fence on these. Not sure if they are quite worth the $. I’ll keep watching your reviews. Thank you so much for you thoroughness.
Christine,what’s your opinion on Tom Ford’s Lilac Dream with primer? i saw your review and it seems like the darkest shade is the problem. I’m just wondering it primer is enough to help it out?
I’m not a huge fan of it myself – mostly because $80 is a lot for something that doesn’t knock my socks off, you know? If they’re colors you LOVE and would wear often and don’t have dupes for, then maybe worth checking out.
Ugh, I totally meant Orchid Haze! Lilac got a C+, so I took it off my mental wish list and have replaced it with Orchid Haze. It still is weighing in with a B+ due to that darkest shade being a pain. It’s permanent. I have time to think on it. Thank you for your response. 🙂
I feel like I’ve been living under a rock. This company is blowing up and I have idea why.
I think they’ve received a lot of rave reviews on social and the like, so word travels fast!
Gotta say first of all, your eye look you did with these looks beautiful! (Looks like one of my few go-to looks)
However, I am becoming more and more perplexed at all the hype out there over these ND eyeshadows. They are so expensive, but they seem painfully weak when it comes to application and even worse, weartime. Skipping!
I think it’s the texture and intensity of the metallic shades, but the issues with wear are easier to notice if you don’t wear primer for sure.
Not really my shades. But at this price point, the performance is a bit disappointing anyway — it’s not giving me a lot of hope for the shades I am drawn to.
Bummer! 🙁
Wow, the ND aren’t doing as well as I would expect for the price. Glad I didn’t purchase. And REALLY glad you are doing these reviews! Thanks so much Christine!
No problem, Michele!
Great for the nude lovers out there I think 🙂
That could work!
The cost and many of the colors are so similar to MUFE (though I think ND has more duochomes). Think I’m happy to stick with my exorbitant MUFE collection over these. MUFE spoiled me for consistent quality in a wide range of colors for this price range.
I like the firmer texture of the Artist Shadows a little more – it makes them easier to use and versatile, IMO.
Exactly. I think MUFE is the better investment and many of her colors are dupable within the Artist Shadow line. And no problems for oily lids (like mine) with MUFE.
I actually expected the formula to feel more like the Artist Shadow range, but it is more like a traditional powder eyeshadow (very soft, lacks the density of Artist Shadow/KVD Metal Crush etc.).
They look SO soft. Too soft is never great for me. I like my Lorac Pros but the kick up and softness take so much from wear and application ease. The shade range with ND is reminiscent of MUFE but the dustup looks more Lorac-soft.
Pretty colors, but at this price point I want A’s. And a D is totally not ok.
I totally get that 😀
Too warm for me, too bad they didn’t work nicer.
Cool ones soon!
I don’t think these eye shadows are anything really special. It’s not like they have a magical formula that justifies the prices. An easy pass.
Lovely eye look Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
I expected higher scores from these shadows, but the eye looks you achieve with these are the most beautiful I’ve seen on your website. Sandstorm on outer corner is outstanding. I’m considering purchasing it, it gives you freshness
Thanks, Clidre!
It’s too bad about the binding fail with Suede. The gold shimmer looks pretty but not much point if it won’t stay put!
Exactly!!
Wow, they are so hyped up right now, I’m really surprised at how poorly they are performing for you. Really wondering why the hype is so widespread now. Were these singles? Maybe it’s just the palettes that are really nice?
They’re available as singles or in the palettes. They seem to be the same size? to my eye, so I don’t know if they’re really different. A lot of the non-mattes apply well, but they just don’t have great wear time.