Stila’s Precious Pearl Collection definitely got a lot of buzz from you guys–namely the stunning palette encased in a “mother of pearl” kind of case with six lovely shades of eyeshadow. Can I just say that the promo photos didn’t do the palette justice? The Precious Pearl Palette will be available this February for $40, and it features the following eyeshadow colors:

• White Gold Soft creamy white with gold shimmer
• Soft Pink Pristine light pink with pink and white shimmer
• Mid-tone Pink Neutral pink with warm undertones and pink shimmer
• Gold Deep gold with yellow and gold shimmer
• Green Intense mermaid green with blue and green shimmer
• Deep Blue Dark navy with black undertones and blue shimmer

Too often, promotional images tell one story while swatches/actual photos tell another story–one that’s disappointing. This is certainly not the case with Stila’s palette for spring. The palette itself is prettier in person than it is in the photos, especially because Deep Blue is so much bluer and brighter than the promo photo made it look. But you know what really makes this palette awesome? It swatches like a dream! The shadows are smooth, velvety to the touch, and each shade is well pigmented. There is no chalky mess here; no misleading colors. Colors are true to appearance, and I think this bunch of colors offers a nice palette for the spring season.

White Gold is a gorgeous creamy white shade with gold shimmer. I bet it would look stunning all over the lid or as a highlight (though darker skin tones may have to use a light hand so it doesn’t look OTT). Soft Pink is a frosty purple-pink shade; kind of reminds me of MAC’s Pink Opal, but deeper in color. Mid-tone Pink is really that: a medium pink; a little subdued and has less frosty shimmer and more of a nice sheen. Gold is a bronzy antique gold shade, very color-rich with the same soft sheen as Mid-tone Pink. Green is a soft greenish color with gold sheen and shimmer. Deep Blue is a rich navy blue with an almost purple-blue sheen, lightly shimmered.

All in all, Stila’s Precious Pearl Palette is a delightful surprise and a great way to kick off spring. I love the textures and color pay off of every shadow, and each color is one I can see myself using. They didn’t waste your dollars by throwing in a boring or unusable shade–and they didn’t make any of them chalky or poorly pigmented. Well-done, Stila! Color me impressed.

What do you think? Has the palette continued to live up to your expectations? Is this going on your to-buy list or are you passing?

Check out close-up photos and swatches of the palette!