Sephora Cool PRO Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Cool
Sephora Cool PRO Eyeshadow Palette ($68.00 for 1.12 oz.) contains 28 eyeshadows in a “cool” color story. I would describe it as more of a neutral-to-cool palette; there were a few warmer shades in the palette, but there were a lot of more mauve, pink, and muted shades. While 28 shades is a lot, I was surprised that there was some overlap in the pink shades, and it didn’t seem as versatile to me as I was using it to come up with different color combinations (merely an observation and has no impact on the rating). There were a couple severe misses in the palette coupled with a lot of so-so quality eyeshadows that made this palette underwhelming at the end.
The formula is supposed to feature “high pigment, high performance” with long wear and better adhesion. The matte shades were often powdery with some seeming chalky–I had a lot of looks turn a bit gray or muddy along the edges after using a shade above the crease or on the brow bone. The shimmers varied from smooth, creamy, and dense (with noticeable silicone) or drier, looser, and there were some glitter shades that felt more like loose sand than a usable product. The latter was barely salvaged with a glitter adhesive, but they could not be solved with fingertips or a damp brush.
I know there has been a lot of buzz about the new Sephora PRO palettes, but I did not find the eyeshadow formula to be that easy to work with as quality varied too much between shades, they applied lighter/darker than they appeared in the pan, and there was considerable fallout (and yes, I did tap off excess product prior to applying!). Even when I tried the formula over a primer, I was less impressed; sometimes, I felt like the eyeshadows were easier to control over bare skin! I’ve actually been a fan of Sephora’s Colorful Eyeshadows since they released them several years ago, including the reformulation, but these are substantially different (which some may prefer).
$68 is a higher price point for palettes, but for most mid-end brands, it seems in line with the size of the palette–each shade is almost as much the average single, full-size eyeshadow. Sephora’s house brand isn’t high-end, and it sometimes comes in lower than mid-end with respect to product pricing, but it seems to float around there. Using Sephora’s Colorful Eyeshadow (different formula) as a point of comparison, each shade retails for $10.00 and contains 0.07 oz. or $142.86/oz. The palette retails for $68.00 and contains 1.12 oz. or $60.71/oz. Here are some other pricing comparisons of a few mid-end/high-end palettes:
- Sephora PRO Eyeshadow Palette: $68.00 for 1.12 oz. or $60.71/oz.
- Too Faced Natural Love: $59.00 for 0.90 oz. or $65.56/oz.
- Tarte Tarteist Palette: $53.00 for 0.70 oz. or $75.71/oz.
- Ciate Pretty, Fun, & Fearless: $42.00 for 0.52 oz. or $80.77/oz.
- Too Faced Sweet Peach: $49.00 for 0.54 oz. or $90.74/oz.
Linen
Linen is a soft beige with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, but the coverage was reduced in practice as the consistency was rather powdery and prone to sheering out (as well as to having fallout!). The color wore well for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Color Field #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Peach Butter (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Rock On (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Golden Reflections #4 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Rust (Highlight) (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Vanilla Nuts (PiP, $23.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass Atmosphere #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte French Manicure (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Beaugrenelle #3 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #1 (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
Powder
Powder is a light beige with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a powdery consistency that was prone to fallout and sheering out very easily. I felt like it was harder to control exactly where it applied, and it had a tendency to turn the brown shades in the palette grayish. It lasted well for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Rockabilly (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Nocturnal (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Beige (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Glow (PiP, $5.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Mylar (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Too Faced Snow Angel (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M532 Sugar Coated Candy (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Lifelike (DC, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Bone (PiP, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Presence (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Seashell
Seashell is a light peach with subtle, warm undertones and a frosted finish. It appeared darker in the pan than when applied to the lid. The texture was soft, dense without being stiff, and easy to blend out on the lid. The color wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Fabulous! (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Buxom Cocker Spaniel (P, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Cristal de Printemps #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Ambre Nuit #3 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Les Precieux #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Guerlain Bois des Indes #2 (P, ) is darker (85% similar).
- Kat Von D Glitz (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Opal Rose (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Tulle
Tulle is a light-medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a glittery finish. It was more like looser glitter than a standalone eyeshadow as it appeared to have no pigmentation other than the sparkle. The texture was very dry, loose, and came away like sugar granules. There was no wearing this alone–it applied with virtually no adhesion, so it was an exercise in frustration as I would pat it on and find it all underneath the lid instead.
Top Dupes
- Sephora What Happens in Vegas (283) (P, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Jouer Bikini (LE, ) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Diamond Butterfly (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Pastelluxe #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #1 (PiP, ) is more pigmented (90% similar).
- Tarte Heat Wave (LE, ) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Stila Sandstone (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Amanecer (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Alchemy (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Uptown Girl #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
Latte
Latte is a soft, peachy beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had great pigmentation that applied fairly well to bare skin with only a bit of fallout, as the texture was on the more powdery side (but finely-milled and velvety to the touch). The color started to fade on me after seven hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Hourglass Atmosphere #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (100% similar).
- Persona Humble (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sugarpill Heart-Shaped Cookie (PiP, $13.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M534 Oat (DC, $21.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Divergent Serene Vanilla (LE, ) (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Hard Being the It Girl #3 (DC, $2.29) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Flamingo (57V) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Aya (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced White Chocolate (PiP, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Flower Child (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar).
Flax
Flax is a light-medium brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented and had a smooth, velvety texture that was more substantial (not as thin) than other mattes in the palette. This shade stayed on well for seven and a half hours before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Cocoa Mirage #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Social Butterfly #2 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Force of Nature (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Hourglass Infinity #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Conundrum (P, $5.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Hourglass Neutral Brown (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Tuscan Storm #3 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Bold (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Bel Air (P, $5.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Amour (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Violet Gray
Violet Gray is a soft, medium-dark lavender with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had medium coverage, which was buildable to semi-opaque pigmentation in two to three layers. The consistency was incredibly soft and finely-milled but quite powdery, which made it messier to use in the palette and on the lid. It wore well for seven hours on me before fading.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Energetic (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Fogged In (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Jardin Zen #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Girl Crush (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Sarah (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Figment (P, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Friend Zone (P, $6.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Laura Mercier Plum Smoke (PiP, $23.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Zoeva Gallery (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 15 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
Ballet
Ballet is a pale pink with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had a soft consistency but was quite powdery and prone to sheering out on the lid, which also resulted in being more prone to fallout during application. It had semi-opaque color payoff that lasted for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Celeb (LE, $5.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $16.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Baby Cakes (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Light Pink (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #1 (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Jelly Donut (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Wrapped Up (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Flounce (PiP, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Lancome Parfait (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Baptism (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
Cashmere
Cashmere is a light peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. I noticed this shade darkened one to two shades on my lid (did not seem to darken on my arm, though). The consistency was soft but rather powdery with a tendency to sheer out and drop powder onto anything below it, even after tapping away excess product on the brush. It had good pigmentation, though, and wore well for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- theBalm Fearless (P, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Bone (PiP, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Ivory (PiP, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Snow Angel (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Blanc Type (DC, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Enigma (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Drawing a Blanc (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M535 Oat (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Egg Nog (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Tea Rose
Tea Rose is a medium pink with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a firmer, denser texture that made it harder to work with and to apply on the lid. This shade lasted for seven hours on me before fading noticeably.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Burnout (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Cabo San Lucas (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Sushi Flower (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Snowberry (P, $8.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Paris #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Tiny Pansie (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Calm (Left) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Venus (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Pink Champagne
Pink Champagne is a muted, medium pink with warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had good pigmentation but the consistency was rather firm in the pan, which made it necessary to jab at the surface to dislodge powder from it. The eyeshadow appeared faded within six hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Cle de Peau Calm (Left) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Pink Venus (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Girlie (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Cabo San Lucas (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Snowberry (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Paris #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I808 English Pink (P, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Frontier (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Rose
Rose is a medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The color payoff was opaque, while the texture was soft, slightly looser in the pan, and blendable with slight fallout during application. It stayed on well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Posh (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC It's Snowing (LE, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Dainty (LE, $5.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop The Scales (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Blossom (LE, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Stila Enchantress (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Begonia (PiP, $19.00) (90% similar).
- MAC Love Spice (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty TFX13 (LE, $36.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Booty Call (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar).
Orchid Mist
Orchid Mist is a light-medium, rosy mauve with warmer undertones and a frosted sheen. It had good pigmentation that applied fairly evenly to bare skin, but I noticed it seemed to fade and look less metallic within a few minutes of application. This shade seemed to apply better with a dampened brush, as it also had a looser consistency in the pan. It wore well for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Pretty Vulgar True Colors (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Mad Mod (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Blossom (LE, $12.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Pink Diamond (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Ametrine (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Dior Shimmer Lilac (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Hourglass Exposure #5 (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Glasswork (P, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Tinsel (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Viseart Amethyst #5 (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
Croquis
Croquis is a subdued, medium-dark reddish plum with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out nicely. It started to fade noticeably on me after eight hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Central Perk (P, $5.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Mod (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Hustle (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Love Sick (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Mars (LE, $6.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Douce France #3 (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M847 Burgundy (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Mulberry (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Louvre (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Snitch (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Ash
Ash is a light-medium, golden pewter with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, moderately dense consistency that was lightly creamy and adhered well to bare skin. The eyeshadow lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Smokey #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Acoustic (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani #19 (DC, $33.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Golden Pear (LE, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Melancholia (DC, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC LES Artiste (PiP, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Constellation (864) #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Platinize (LE, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Too Good to Be True (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Hello Kitty Cookie (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Mushroom
Mushroom is a light, golden taupe with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent color payoff that applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The texture was soft without being too thin or dusty, so it blended out well and did not sheer out too easily. It wore well for seven and a half hours before fading.
Top Dupes
- MAC Sweet Dreams (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Omega (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Cappuccino (LE, $23.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Prissy Princess (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Fossil (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Mud Mask (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Ashes (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Hide & Seek (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M540 Gray Beige (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Clair-Obscur #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
Fog
Fog is a muted, medium gray with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer coverage with a very powdery, dusty consistency that was prone to fallout during application (even after tapping away excess!). It did not improve over a primer–the best use I could find for it was to diffuse a deeper shade so the lack of pigmentation was an asset rather than a detriment. This shade started to fade noticeably after six hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- MAC Courtly Grey (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Gris (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Fiction (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Lovey Dovey (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Meet Me in Paris (P, $5.99) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Dios (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Smoke (Contour) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Navy #2 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #6 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 14 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Graphite
Graphite is a medium-dark gray with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had medium, buildable pigmentation with a soft, velvety texture that was somewhat powdery in the pan but was not too difficult or frustrating to use. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Blasé (LE, $5.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Berlin Underground (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Ice Queen #4 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Print (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #23 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Dagger (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Tempest (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Cloud (LE, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M106 Slate (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Cool Matte #8 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Heather Grey
Heather Grey is a soft, medium pink-mauve with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. The texture was noticeably powdery with a lot of excess product that kicked up in the pan, and this contributed to making it harder to apply evenly and with full coverage to the lid, as it would sheer out as soon as I started to work with it. The eyeshadow stayed on well for seven hours.
Top Dupes
- Ciate Jet Setter (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Vintage (P, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Purpleberry (LE, $6.99) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Petal Pusher (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Mauve (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Amethyst #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Chic Happens (P, $5.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Silk (LE, ) is darker (85% similar).
- LORAC Sundown (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- LORAC Dusty Mauve (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Mauve
Mauve is a brighter, medium-dark pinky-berry with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, and the texture was drier to the touch but had less excess powder that came away from the pan, so it was easier to work with on the lid. The eyeshadow blended out well and lasted for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- NABLA Cosmetics Senorita (PiP, $8.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Like (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M820 Dark Purple Pink (DC, $21.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Trove (LE, $5.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Bing (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Shake It Off (LE, $5.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- Ciate Violet (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Berry Pop (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Spanked (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Rose in the Air #8 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Orchid
Orchid is a brighter, medium pink berry with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. The color payoff was mostly opaque, while the texture was soft, slightly dusty but blendable on the lid. It wore well for eight hours before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Bing (PiP, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Risque (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Rose in the Air #8 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Trove (LE, $5.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Senorita (PiP, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Spanked (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Nirvana (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Berry Pop (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Ciate Violet (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Ciate Quartz (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
Moon
Moon appeared as a medium-dark taupe brown with a glittery finish, but it was more like a light taupe as it was so sheer. The consistency was dense, drier, and felt like it had large chunks of glitter. It was difficult to apply, whether I used fingertips or a dampened brush, as so little product seemed to adhere to the lid. There was fallout while worn, and it seemed to wear for six hours, at most (it was hard to determine given the sheerness).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Trance (PiP, ) is darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Deception (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Bounce Around (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Lancome Tenacity (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Pain au Chocolat (P, $5.99) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Zoeva Outline (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Anastasia Custom (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- MAC Satin Taupe (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
Rosewood
Rosewood is a brighter, medium-dark rosy plum with strong, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had excellent pigmentation that applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with ease. The consistency was denser but not stiff or difficult to use with a brush. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading on me.
Top Dupes
- Ciate Renegade (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- City Color Ladylike (P, $6.99) is darker (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Stupid Autocorrect (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Anarchy (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Bed of Roses #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente #2 (Eye Color) (LE, ) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Vampire Lovers (368) (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Camellia (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Ignition (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Coffee
Coffee is a muted, medium-dark taupe brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied fairly evenly to bare skin and blended out without too much work. The consistency was soft, lightly dusty, and a bit drier to the touch. This shade wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Shade II (2015) (LE, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Black #6 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M549 Dark Taupe (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Cashmere Coat (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Bali (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Les Cendres #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Head Over Heels (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Volatile (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Buck (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- theBalm Dig It (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate is a medium-dark brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was soft, not too powdery or too firm in the pan, though there was some excess product kicked up in the pan, even when used with a light touch. The pigmentation was nearly opaque and lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Coco (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Becca Cognac (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Tippy Taupe (P, $5.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Stone (LE, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Walnut (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Hot Cocoa (P, $6.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Lockout (PiP, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Dior Feel #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Faith (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Nighty Night (LE, $6.99) is brighter, cooler (95% similar).
Espresso
Espresso is a muted, medium-dark brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation that applied well to bare skin. The texture was slightly powdery in the pan but did not look dry or sheer out too readily on the lid. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Creased (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Gold Palette #1 (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Stila Being (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Noble Spirit (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Adele (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Umber Fire Finch (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- KKW Beauty Loyalty (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Shea (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Natural Brown (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Saddle (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
Sketch
Sketch is a deep gray with cool undertones and a frosted finish. The eyeshadow was very pigmented with a soft, lightly dense consistency that was easy to apply and blend out on the lid. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Bento Box (LE, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Synergy (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Graphite (07M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- MAC Light of the Silvery Moon (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Smoky Sequins #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Santeria (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Gunmetal (LE, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Emerald Dusk (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Galaxy (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Obsidian
Obsidian is a dark black with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage, which was buildable to full coverage using a second layer of product. The consistency was soft, smooth, and just a touch drier (but less powdery) than other shades in the palette. It blended out without too much work but was not the most blendable black eyeshadow I’ve used. The color wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Loverboy (DC, $25.00) (100% similar).
- Tarte Punk (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Roulette (P, $5.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Noir (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Ink (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Carbon (P, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Nehru (Guo Pei) (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Smokey #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Bonnie (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Blackjack (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Kaolin, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate May Contain: Bismuth Oxychloride, Blue 1 Lake, Carmine, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Red 40 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines, Yellow 5 Lake. Product May Contain Carmine.
Tulle and Moon… 😂 Wow, this is such a disappointment, but somehow you managed to put together some beautiful looks. Thank you Christine for saving me 70 bucks!
You’re very kind, Miss M!
Thank you for reviewing the Cool palette first since this is the one I have my eye on (no pun intended). I still love the overall look of the palette but $68 is mighty pricy for a C+. If either the grade was higher or the price was lower, I’d have taken a chance. Thanks, Christine!
Of course, Christina! 🙂
WOW! What a bummer! Maybe if it goes on sale it’d be worth another look. Thanks for the thorough review!
No problem, Rachael!
Hi Christine, I have a question for you. I’m in Canada and here the Sephora pro palettes are $85 and the new Marc Jacobs palettes are $64. The only Sephora palette I liked the look of is the cool one, would you say the MJ palettes are a better buy – I’m looking at quality here, not quantity. And I know this isn’t something you normally do, but would you be so kind as to tell me your 2 fave MJ palettes? 🙂 I’d really appreciate it. THANKS!
Hey Michelle,
I’m probably the wrong person to ask because I really did not enjoy the way these applied or worked for me but others have really enjoyed it. So for me, yes, the Marc Jacobs palettes are better in terms of quality (overall), but you are only going to get 7 shades for your $64 so it’s a huge difference in overall composition. Is there a reason for picking MJB/Sephora over other brands? What about Viseart Cool Mattes? More shades than a MJB palette, less than a Sephora, but probably less than the cost of two MJBs?!
Hey Christine – I like the Idea of a mix of finishes and colors and I loved my one and only MJ palette – The Siren. I’m sick to death of all the warm palettes, not into brights, and have too many neutrals already. Thus the appeal of this one, at least it had some originality. I really on,y have Sephora and Nordstrom here to shop at so lots of brands you review I don’t have access to. Maybe this one with a good primer?
I tried it over a primer (not for wear, for application), and I still did not care for the way they came together/applied myself. I feel like Viseart Cool Mattes is one of the few palettes with a similar “vibe” but it’s by no means cheap!
Super disappointed! This was the palette that I was the most excited for!
I know 🙁 Even though it’s not a totally cool-toned palette, it’s certainly a start, so I was bummed it wasn’t better.
I’m probably an outlier on this but I like this palette and was pleasantly pleased after seeing mixed reviews, when it arrived. I’ve been wearing it all week, well since Tuesday, as it arrived Monday. I also managed to pull off Tulle with minimal fallout. I used it as a highlight over ballet under my brows and in the inner eye corner. I think I’m seeing more fallout from Rosewood albeit tiny glitter. I did NOT use glitter glue, either. Kind of pointless since the matte shade was already on. I did photograph the look which I posted on my review on Sephora’s website but I think I would have needed to use flash to show the glitter or taken them outside. I have not used Moon yet. It reminds me of Bobbi Brown’s high glitter shadows which IMO are only for overlaying another shadow. For me a matte on the under brow area. I’m 55 and shimmer is not a good look in that area because it enhanced wrinkles 🙁 I think I’m mainly most impressed with this one as it has less dupes than either of the other 2. The the warm is not going in my collection. I do appreciate your reviews!
I’m glad you’re enjoying your palette, Anne! I did try layering the glittery shades over powder, but they did not layer/stick with the powder eyeshadows for me, unfortunately!
Maybe it’s the muggy humidity here in Maryland that kept it down! Lol! Actually I don’t go out in at that much except to warm up. I think I just got lucky, actually. The general consensus for those 2 shades is blech.
Anne we are similar in age range and both don’t want warm palettes lol. Would you say this one with a good primer would be a winning combination? It’s so pretty when I look at it.
A good primer and the right brush! I have the Tulle on again today (& Moon) but I used a fluffy brush and was probably a bit too heavy handed and didn’t tap off the excess. I sprayed it down with Urban Decay All nighter after cleaning up the excess with a big brush I use for brushing off excess eye makeup from my cheeks. Glitter glue would probably do the job, too. One of these days I’m going to post a look I did with one of the glitter bombs in the Natasha Denona Star palette. I used glitter glue and it worked quite well.
Wow, that’s pretty awful.
I was disappointed!
There is something definitively wrong with a palette, when the brand’s OWN DUPES are so much better. If S can do Berlin Underground, clearly they can do better than these mediocre to poor grays. Got enough good dupes from mufe, Zoeva, Viseart, that I’m not whining. Another reason Blackbird has been calling (in the dead of night, lol). If this were decent, it would be well worth the price. Would have loved to love ya, baby. Ear worms today, clearly.
It’s a very different formula from the singles, that’s for sure! I had higher hopes from previous experience 🙁
I saw a video reviewing the Pro Palettes this morning as well, and…they sure seem to kick up a lot of powder. I was really hoping for more at that price point. Maybe Sephora will reformulate it later?
Yes, several shades were quite messy in the palette!
Wow, rated higher than i thought it would! Really wish it was more cool toned and better performing!
LOL! Higher! Well, that’s always good, I think 🙂
Wow, I thought this one swatched better than the other two; really surprised it did so badly but also feeling smug bc I decided to skip the line anyway 🙂
I wasn’t keen on any of them, but I haven’t reviewed the other two yet so I don’t know what the ratings will look like!
You weren’t kidding when you said that the quality of this palette was all over the place! Although reading through it has cemented my decision to buy Viseart Amethyst palette, possibly that Dior quint, too. Those are SOLID purple/cool mauve and plum shades I would be happy to wear.
Sometimes a more edited palette is more useful! 🙂
Thanks so much for reviewing this massive palette! It’s the one I wanted the most. It’s sad the shades didn’t really perform so well in the end even though they look gorgeous in the pan. The looks you have are beautiful though. I’m still debating whether I should get this even if the price seems high. I do appreciate when you put the price of the eye shadows per ounce and compare that to other similar products. It really puts things in perspective for me. It seems many companies are really missing the mark on making a nice/varied cool-toned palette. I’m thinking in the end I’ll probably build my own custom “cool-toned” palette slowly to get what I really want. I will check out some suggestions I’ve seen here, like for the Viseart cool palette.
I think building your dream palette works well as long as you have the patience/funds to do so (singles are almost always pricier than a pre-made palette, unfortunately!), but it would be a great way to ensure A-quality across all the shades!
Yeah, I was thinking of maybe looking at some lower-priced, but high quality brands to start (like Colourpop or MUG) and maybe getting a few colors from ABH or Urban Decay if need be… Like I said, starting slow, but also waiting for some good sales and deals! 😄 Your swatch library has been a great help in scoping out shades and dupes! ❤️️
ColourPop is a great place to start and about as affordable as singles go 🙂 Remember with ABH you can get the singles discounted if you buy enough of them – I believe (4 for $40, so $10 each, or 8 for $70, or $8.75 each), I think the 8-shade discount might be directly through ABH, though.
Yikes. This is why I stay away from pre-made palettes; especially the jumbo ones! While mores costly, I still prefer to build my own I think.
I think it can be harder to remember which ones were duds, too, in such a large palette.
I’m so disappointed, this was the one I was most intrigued with. I watched xsparkage review it today on YouTube and she raved about it. The eye look was gorgeous. 😕
Yeah, Leesha and I chatted about our reviews earlier! Just proof that two people can have very different experiences!
Even if the palette was better quality, it still wouldn’t work for me because this many colors in one palette would just confuse me! I prefer a smaller, more coordinated palette, like UD Naked 3.
Sounds like it’s definitely not a palette for you!
LOL…so true. I get confused just by all the different colors in ABH Modern Renaissance palette, but I’m working on it.
Christine, thank you for the price per ounce comparison. Thats always nice to take into account. Since I’ve been inventoring my collection this week I can say with confidence that even if this had been a stellar palette I would be passing on it. 😝
My pleasure, Shari!
The swatches confirmed my doubts about this palette and now the ratings have too. What a mammoth effort Christine trying to get this palette to work. It is really an expensive dud.
Far, far too many pink shades for this to be ever called a ‘cool’ palette and so many caramel type shades as well.
The only two shades I liked were Ash and Sketch.
By comparison, and thank you again for this, other brand’s better palettes are cheaper.
I’m happy to help, Genevieve!
Yikes, money saved, thanks Christine. I was cautiously optimistic, since this was supposed to be the the Sephora “Pro” formula, whatever that means, but this is very disappointing. But I’ll be studying the dupes list for the ones that are more unique to my stash.
I’m a big fan of Sephora’s house brand of products, including their single eyeshadows so it saddens me to see that this is such poor quality (and not exactly cheap!)
Me too, Mariella! I actually had higher hopes for the palettes.
I really like mine. I know there are some with a rough texture but I think most preform well. As far as kick up goes, my Modern Renascence palette is dustier.
I’m happy you love yours!
Hi Christine, After saw some kind of soft reviews about this palette on YouTube; I really appreciate your honest point of view. The quality of this palette is not as good as ABH Modern Renaissance but it did better than the Huda Beauty Rose palette. Maybe I’m still going to Keep it because I think I can make lots of look with it. Cheers
Why is it that no brand seems to be able to release an actually COOL TONED cool palette? This, the Viseart cool mattes palette, etc…. they’re always full of warm browns, maybe a gray, then weird uncohesive pinks. It confuses me, why can’t a cool palette be nice cool taupes, browns, greys, maybe some greens and blues?
I think it might be harder to do cooler greens than pinks/purples? It also seems like (true or not) that pink/purple/mauve seem more popular to put in a “cool” palette over brighter blues/greens in general.
I knew there was a reason to wait for your review of the cool palette. It was sitting in my cart since it was announced because my brain said, “Yay! Finally more cool toned collections!” The vanishing glitter shades seem to be the same issue for its two sister palettes. With big palettes I don’t mind one or two dudes but there are too many shades you rated average or terrible for me to spend money.
I guess it’s about time to pull the trigger on that Viseart palette that’s been in my cart for ages.
Which Viseart palette has been in your cart?
The larger 7 Cool Mattes Viseart palette. It’s the only one that keeps moving from my ‘loves’ to cart and I don’t pull the trigger to purchase.