Natasha Denona Tropic Mini Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Tropic
Natasha Denona Tropic Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($25.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new, limited edition (and Sephora-exclusive!) mini palette that features five shades from the larger Tropic palette. They’re from the last row, and of the 15 shades in the original Tropic palette, they were the most interesting/least done within the brand’s releases. Mint Frost is much improved (from F to A-!), while the others were consistent with past performance; Tiger Lily seemed slightly worse (B- to C+).
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Tropic
LELimited Edition. $27.00.
Mint Frost
Mint Frost is a pale, silvery aqua with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which was buildable to full coverage with a bit more layered on top or when applied with a wet brush. The texture was smooth to the touch, lightly creamy, but not too densely packed in the pan–it was miles above the version that was in the original Tropic palette (that one rated an F!). It lasted nicely for eight and a half hours on me before creasing noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Mint #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Seafoam (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NYX Mermaid (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Stila Freedom (LE, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia B1 (Norvina Vol. 3) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC So Jaded (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- CoverGirl Turquoise Glow (325) (LE, $4.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Smashbox Sea (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Solstice (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Joy (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (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 Sparkling Eye Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Talc, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Isododecane, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Tin Oxide, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Green 5 (Ci 61570), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Carmine (Ci 75470).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks Using this Product
Mint Frost
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Exotic
Exotic is a bright, emerald green with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with a smooth, dense, and lightly creamy, but it had such a firm/dense texture that it does require a flatter brush and a moderately firm hand. I actually found that it softened a bit after two uses, and while it was dense, I didn’t struggle to apply it to my lid or to blend it out. It wore well for nine hours on me before creasing faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Juvia's Place Buzo (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Clionadh Forest Heart (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Sephora Picnic in the Park (07) (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Disney by Sephora Fins (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Milani Green Safari (P, $6.49) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Bull (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Juicy (LE, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Grasshopper (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Juvia's Place Mali (P, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Midori (P, $13.00) is less shimmery, 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 Metallic Eye Shadow swatches.
Ingredients
Mica, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Aluminium Powder (Ci 77000), Carmine (Ci 75470).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks Using this Product
Exotic
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Laguna
Laguna is a bright, medium blue with strong, cool undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, while the consistency was soft, velvety, and blendable without being too powdery or prone to fallout. It did darken a bit when applied to my lid, though, so it may be more reactive to natural oils/wetness (like from a tacky primer). It stayed on well for eight hours on me before I noticed fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dominique Cosmetics Evil Eye (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar).
- Terra Moons Neptune's Waves (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- elf Oasis (P, $5.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Drip Drop (DC, $6.99) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Zoomship (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Outrun (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia B5 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Glaminatrix Coast (P, $7.30) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia C2 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Luv Poem (LE, $4.50) 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.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Carmine (Ci 75470), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Laguna
LELimited Edition.
Tiger Lily
Tiger Lily is a deep blue with cool undertones and a satiny sheen. It had opaque pigmentation, but the issue I had was getting the product to translate from pan to brush to lid. The texture was dense, almost like a compacted cream, and had a firmness to it that made it harder to pick up and apply. I’d recommend using this shade with a flat, synthetic brush and gently jabbing the edge of the brush against the pan to pick up product and then press and pat it onto the lid. It seemed a bit firmer compared to the original in the larger Tropic palette, but it was pretty comparable overall (not much of a compliment!). The eyeshadow lasted well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Moon is Blue (LE, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics King Stud (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Soaring (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Moira Holy Moly (P, $7.50) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Two Piece (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Weirdly Wonderful (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop The Town (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Midnight Bolt (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC A Sprinkle of Blues #3 (PiP, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Blue My Mind (P, $9.99) is lighter, warmer (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.
Ingredients
Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tin Oxide, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Carmine (Ci 75470).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks Using this Product
Tiger Lily
LELimited Edition. $29.00.
Zena
Zena is a muted, medium-dark lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow had a soft, silky feel that wasn’t too powdery nor too firmly pressed in the pan. It had rich color coverage that applied well to bare skin and blended out with ease. It wore nicely for eight and a half hours on me before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Illamasqua Can Can (P, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Strada (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Release (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Zoned Out (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Flowery (PiP, $8.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Dope (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Sydney Grace Regal (P, $5.25) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Purple Haze (DC, $17.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- ColourPop Heiress (P, $4.50) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Jam Session (LE, $17.00) is darker, 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.
Ingredients
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Carmine (Ci 75470), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Hi Christine! Thanks for all you do. One thing I’m curious about – how does your database search mechanism handle swatches of different instances (technically different products) of the same brand and name? So for example, here with Mint Frost, there are two swatches of wildly different performance/appearance/ratings from the full Tropic palette and this mini-palette. When I pull up a swatch individually (I usually go to “Compare Any Two”), there’s only one option for Mint Frost and it points to the OG Mint Frost. Does the search retrieve the first chronological record? At the bottom of the individual page for Mint Frost, I can see that it’s available in two palettes, but when I click on the mini-palette from there and pull up those five swatches, it also retrieves the OG Mint Frost with the poor rating rather than this improved version with the great swatch and rating.
This absolutely isn’t a criticism – you and your guys have built so much functionality into this site! It really doesn’t matter anyway when the difference is small (like the single UD Lounge eyeshadow vs. the version in the Afterdark palette). Thanks!
Hi Catherine,
We have some tweaks to make to that, but it is a pretty low priority item. The actual shade page, Mint Frost, will show multiple images unless I’ve specifically archived some (e.g. MAC Carbon does not need to have 15 iterations showing from the last seven years). The rating shown on the page is an average of all ratings.
That eye look is some kind of pretty! I loved the color scheme but didn’t buy the Tropic palette now I’m so glad I waited.I wish she’d also added the yellow shadow. But these are the best shadows in the Tropic palette. Mine will be here tomorrow.I’m protectively taking this in my purse when I travel.
That eye look you created is so pretty! Especially with that blush! I’d buy this palette if it were Nyx but can’t really spend money when I would never use the green shade
I love these minis! I may pick this one up since it seems to be a much-improved version of the more interesting shades in the Tropic palette.
Thank you for reviewing this so quickly. This mini piqued my interest after reading your post about The Best & Worst of ND palettes; with ‘Tropic’ being the one you said you reached for less and less, I was wondering how this mini would perform. I noticed on the Sephora site that one or two reviewers had the same issue with Tiger Lily that you did with one person stating they had to “scrape off the the film” on top with each use before it was usable. Sephora also mentions that the palette includes “metallic, duo-chrome, and chroma crystal” finishes, so I wasn’t sure whether Laguna and Zena were the same “creamy matte” finish as the full-sized palette or if they had been changed for the mini. So far Lila has been my favorite mini palette, but once I get my hands on this that could change! Plus I think Blue Dahlia from Mini Lila, although pretty different from Tiger Lily, would play really well with the other colors in Mini Tropic to the point that I wouldn’t even miss Tiger Lily. And for the price point I don’t mind just one color being kind of ‘meh’, especially with the other colors performing on-par or better than their full-sized counterparts. With that said, if I wanted this as a stand-alone palette I don’t know if the issues with Tiger Lily would be a breaking point, because it feels integral to the palette to add depth around the four brighter colors. But that’s just my unsolicited “two cents” lol!
I’m glad she improved Mint Frost but wish she had eased up on the press/emollient elements in Tiger Lily! It’s a beautiful color but could be a lot easier to use.
Agree! Definitely picking this one up. If the navy is a weak shade, I have plenty to chose from in stash and not a deal breaker for me.
I love this and I’m so tempted to get it. I checked my collection and could dupe all of them, but I just love the compact size. These are just the sort of colors I love in the summer and on vacation.
Immediately goes on WL! Looks like August will only be this and Nude Mini if the Simple Human mirror is still available when I get paid again. Provided that I wait, and don’t dip into my savings for the mirror!
A vibrant palette to be used in conjunction with other palettes I think. I do wish Tiger Lily was easier to use and better quality as it is a lovely shade.
WOW! Beautiful! It’s been a while as I’ve been going through a very busy and career changing period right now and this palette is popping! At least you’ve made it be like “bang” in my eyes Christine, great colors! I can hardly believe it’s only a B+ with your look, but I believe you. Checking to see if I have the colors as I didn’t purchase the larger palette.
Oh well, I have four excellent dupes for this palette, so nope it will be. A shame, I like Zena! I’ll have to check for dupes for that one.