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Sneak Peek: Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes Photos & Swatches

Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes
Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes

Here is a sneak peek at the other five variations of the Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes ($58.00 for 0.17 oz.). Full reviews to come as I test them, but I can tell you that some shades are very powdery, others are somewhat powdery, and a few were actually a little stiff. The quality seems to really depend on the specific shade, but in general, mattes tended to be more powdery and more shimmery shades were more pigmented.

Also, every single compact had a degree of scratches on the exterior of the lid. Only one had very slight damage, the others were immediately obvious.

See more photos & swatches!

Hourglass Atmosphere Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
Hourglass Atmosphere Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

Hourglass Atmosphere #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Atmosphere #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Atmosphere #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
Hourglass Color Field Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

Hourglass Color Field #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Color Field #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Color Field #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
Hourglass Exposure Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

Hourglass Exposure #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Exposure #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Exposure #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
Hourglass Monochrome Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

Hourglass Monochrome #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Monochrome #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Monochrome #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura Modernist Eyeshadow Palette
Hourglass Obscura Modernist Eyeshadow Palette

Hourglass Obscura #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #1 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #1 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #2 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #2 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #3 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #3 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #4 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #4 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

Hourglass Obscura #5 Modernist Eyeshadow
Hourglass Obscura #5 Modernist Eyeshadow

61 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Christine Avatar

My original order is still processed but never picked up – I placed another order and did 1-day shipping. Sephora is putting a trace on the original to see if they can locate it. I told them I hope they can, because I don’t want it (since I placed another order and already received), so I’d rather them locate + put it back into stock!

Emily Avatar

The purple and green ones seem to have a couple of really beautiful shades, but that will not make up for the price. They would have to be A or A+ quality for me to actually purchase them. I will just look at the Temptalia dupes for the shades that I love once the reviews come out. 🙂

Nicole Avatar

Oh wow! These are just stunning to look at. So sad for the reviews. Maybe they would be nice to hang on the wall. 🙂 On the upside, can’t wait to see the dupes! lol..Thanks Christine..# 1 Beauty Blogger for sure! I don”t think any other would have purchased (4) $58 palettes for the sake of her readers curiosity. You should consider a line or a collab..maybe with Hourglass..help them out!

Fran Avatar

Thank you, Christine! I think I’ll still wait for your full reviews. I wish Sephora had them in store and I could swatch them myself. At least Color Field looks somewhat promising, since it has four shimmers, but what I was really hoping for out of this was a palette of creamy neutral truly cool-toned mattes — what Atmosphere should be — but I’m not holding out much hope for that at this point.

meganlisa Avatar

These shadows seem very inconsistent. Some look lovely, other patchy and barely there. I’m still super curious about these so look forward to your reviews. Did you end up getting 2 sets or were you able to cancel one?

meganlisa Avatar

I had a big order lost by on track in the F and F sale. They basically picked it up and lost it. And it was the one with my skin care stock up so it had a number of pricey items ( that 20%). Sephota replacec it and filed a claim with on track. I don’t need the items but this is what you do. I hope they also reimbursed your overnight shipping!!!!

Amy Avatar

Exposure looked like palette heaven for me but the swatch of the second eyeshadow is really disappointing. These are being released in the UK at £56 so I think I’ll be saving my money for something else.

Skye Avatar

Just took my palettes back to Sephora. For $58 I expect much better. The fall out was so ridiculous that when I put my mascara on some more shadow fell off them. The colors are nice but nothing I didn’t alreafy have.

Katherine T. Avatar

These look totally hit-or-miss. Some shades look pathetically sheer and patchy, others look decent but very dupe-able, a few are gorgeous. So sad about this collection, it’s not worthy of the Hourglass name. Of the swatches, the Color Field Kit looks the most promising–all of the colors will look good on me, and that antique gold-olive shade (#4) is gorgeous. I hope it reviews well ,but if not, looking forward to the dupes!

Kelly Avatar

I got the Monochrome palette and am returning it tomorrow. Weird powdery texture and doesn’t apply easily. For the price and brand reputation, I had higher expectations.

Ginny Avatar

I do like the color scheme of the pink one, the green one, and the purple one. But the mattes are so disappointing! I haven’t tried them myself but I think the new Clinique 8 pan palettes might be better. They have similar color schemes (pink, green, blue, purple, etc.).

NotSoFrivolous Avatar

I received my order of these palettes from Sephora and like you mentioned, every single one of these was seriously damaged and for this ridiculous price of CAD $67 + tax, I think the packaging should be impeccable. This bothers me enough that it would prevent me from purchasing the palettes altogether. And one of the palettes came smashed to pieces, which I supposed isn’t necessarily anyone’s fault but it just added to my overall irritation with these palettes. Anyway, that’s my rant. Looking forward to full reviews of each palette!

Cory Avatar

Exposure is sooooo pretty! Oh it’s a shame! I was just looking at these the other day, thinking about how pretty they were to look at, but not understanding how they were able to press together all those different finishes into one piece, you know what I mean? & the scratches…that’s odd.. I wonder if it happened @ the Sephora fulfillment warehouse or on Hourglass’s end…
Luckily these are pretty easily duped shades

Sarah Avatar

I don’t see the appeal of these. Expensive, poor value, inconveniently laid out, and a lackluster formula. It’s almost like Hourglass said, “Wheeeee let’s just swirl them in a palette and sell it cuz it’s pretty!” And it seems to have worked. I expect more from the company that came out with Ambient Powders, Veil Mineral primer, and Immaculate Liquid Foundation. All high quality or innovative or both.

Catie Avatar

Ouch! Some of these shades, especially the mattes, hurt to look at! And like everyone else has said
Can’t wait for your dupes! Thank you again for all that you do! Such great unbiased reviews.

Elizabeth K. Avatar

Thanks for the preview, Christine! Color Field is the one I was most interested in, and that looks okay, but okay won’t cut it at this price. Waiting to see your review.

Rachel R. Avatar

Color Fields (green) actually looks kind of promising. Exposure (plum) is nowhere near as good as I’d hoped. Shade #2 is just horrible looking. That was the one I was really lusting for, too. Money saved. If the greens got an A grade, I might find Color Fields (future) splurge worthy.

Sheena Avatar

I seriously went “eww” at Exposure’s second shade. That was shocking. It’s a pity though gg because the rest look fairly decent but that one shade turned me off.

Monochrome seemed to be the only palette w consistent payoffs throughout. Not the best, but consistent. Interested to see how these hold. Else I’ll just get Marc Jacob’s Enigma.

Colour field looks somewhat good but I have too many palettes of those shades to settle for sub par.

Thanks for doing the hard work for us!

Jennifer Avatar

How disappointing 🙁
I have had my eyes on the monochrome pallete since the press releases came out. Oh well, my wallet does thank you. It’s been whimpering since Christmas.

Lacey Avatar

Of the 3 palettes I was still hoping to grab, it looks like 2 (the plums and dark browns) have at least one obviously underperforming matte shade. I do like that there aren’t drastic differences in the look of dry vs. wet swatches in the olive palette. Fingers crossed!

Deborah Avatar

I really like the different ‘look’ – the old circles and squares of color is boring. Well, I didn’t think they were boring until I saw this Ha! I think some of the swatches are lovely but I never buy palettes.

Genevieve Avatar

The only one I would be interested in is Colour Field and that seemed to swatch well. Karen, from Makeup and Beauty, swatched and wore it a few days ago and it looked lovely. I love the olive greens in the palette. However some of the other palettes were, quite frankly, dreadful. I could tell that they were powdery and stiff. Now if Colour Pop can do it, so should Hourglass.

Andrew Avatar

It looks like I’m seeing some improvements over the first two you reviewed, but overall this launch seems totally underwhelming. There seems to be quite a bit of overlap, too; I understand wanting to have wearable basic shades in every palette but where is the variation? If you want the average consumer to purchase more than one palette there has to be more variation between them, especially when you’re charging nearly sixty bucks!

Hourglass is such a solid brand, so how has this launch turned into such a feeble attempt to branch out?

Anyway, thanks again for all of your hard work. I’m sure people think you just play dress-up all day but I can only imagine the intricacies of your job. Have a good one!

Anna Avatar

I had high hopes for Exposure but given the swatches I’m going to have to pass. Would have thought that shadows from Hourglass would be soft and buttery with lovely color payoff. Oh well – I still haven’t finished my mauve Dior quad from 2012 anyway.

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