Viseart Absinthe Theory Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Absinthe
Viseart Absinthe Theory Palette ($45.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a new addition to the Theory range, and it features a mix of neutrals and greens. I liked the color story, and I think the six shades worked well together. I wasn’t keen on the addition of random glitter particles in two of the shimmer shades, as I did not feel they contributed positively–they just resulted in fallout during application but did not look sparkly or glittery on. I also found one shade (#4) to be weakly pigmented compared to the other five shades.
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Sable (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Compassionate (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Buttercream (PiP, $23.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Amen (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Seeking (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Palm Trees (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Heaven (PiP, $16.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Nest Egg (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Tealight (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Lazy Afternoon (207) (P, $9.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Lactate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide. May Contain (+ -): Titanium Dioxide (77891), Iron Oxides (77491, 77492, 77499), Blue 1 (42090), Carmine (75470), Black 2 (77266), Mica (77019), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510).
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.
Absinthe
PPermanent. $45.00.
Absinthe #1
Absinthe #1 is a pale beige with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It was nicely pigmented with a smooth, velvety texture that was a touch powdery in the pan but applied evenly to bare skin. It wore well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Take a Memo (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Melanie (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Smashbox Hero (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Zoeva Nighthawks (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Porcelain (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Sage (Highlight) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Ecru (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Buttercream (PiP, $23.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Compassionate (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Amen (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Absinthe #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Absinthe #2
Absinthe #2 is a light beige with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted finish with flecks of larger glitter. While I enjoy glittery eyeshadows, I’ve never quite understood when the glittery bits are sparser and aren’t really mixed in with the underlying eyeshadow, because all it resulted in was fallout and little glitter (if any!) on my lid. The consistency was soft, smooth, and blendable and applied well to lids–except the glitter. It lasted for eight hours on me as most of the glitter fallout occurred during application.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- LORAC Moonlight (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Dior Expose #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Artemis (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Guerlain L'Heure de Nuit #1 (DC, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Blonde Gold (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Sand Castle (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Becca Chardonnay (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Absolution (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Les Precieux #3 (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Red Carpet Arrival (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Absinthe #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Absinthe #3
Absinthe #3 is a medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff that was buildable to full coverage with half of a layer more. The texture was smooth, a bit drier but not powdery, though it still blended out nicely and stayed in place for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Sable (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Seeking (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Becca Ombre Nudes #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Lumieres Naturelles #3 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty We'll See (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M631 Cappuccino (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Publisher (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Cool Taupe (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Persona Charming (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Absinthe #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Absinthe #4
Absinthe #4 is a light-medium green with warm undertones and a golden sheen along with flecks of chartreuse glitter. The glittery bits were just like the kind in #2, which meant that little to none of them translated onto the lid but merely resulted in fallout during application. The coverage was medium and buildable, but it needed a primer or to be applied with a dampened brush for full coverage. It lasted for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC 2 Dozen and One Greyhounds (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Nest Egg (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Ciate Chartreuse (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Sage (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Splatter (LE, ) (90% similar).
- Dior Rose Garden #1 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Champagne Supernova #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cleopatra (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Emerald #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC In the Meadow #3 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Absinthe #4
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Forest (Absinthe #5)
Absinthe #5 is a deep, blackened green with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. There were almost imperceptible pearls in the powder, but it functioned and looked matte to my eye in practice. It had rich color payoff that applied evenly to smoothly to bare skin. I had no trouble blending out the edges. It wore well for eight and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Beryl (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Jungle #5 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Glammo Camo (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Enviously (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Montane (3) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Beatallica (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Untamed (DC, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- LORAC Forest (LE, $19.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- Morphe Enchanted (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Bottle Green (DC, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Forest (Absinthe #5)
PPermanent.
Absinthe (Absinthe #6)
Absinthe #6 is a medium-dark forest green with warmer, olive undertones and a metallic sheen. The pigmentation was nearly opaque, while the consistency was smooth, lightly creamy and easy to work with on the lid. It started to fade on me after eight and a half hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Palm Trees (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (95% similar).
- Danessa Myricks Secret Garden (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Draco (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Christmas Tree (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Rolling in the Grass (10) (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Vert Metal (836) (P, $36.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Lemmy (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Timber (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dior Emerald #3 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Whispering Ibis (P, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
-
The eyeshadow formula is supposed to be "pigment[ed]" with "smooth and even application" that is "long-lasting." The matte shades are typically semi-opaque to opaque but buildable with soft, velvety textures that can sometimes be a little powdery or slightly firm, depending on the shade. I find that the mattes are often best suited to someone who likes control over pigmentation and may prefer to build up color; they regularly perform better in practice than just swatched on the arm as well.
The shimmer shades range from satin to metallic, and the more metallic shades tend to feel creamier to the touch, while the satin ones have a fine pearl to them that looks almost melted on the lid once blended out. Both the mattes and shimmers are blendable and easy to work with. Most of Viseart's eyeshadows wear between seven and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Viseart Eyeshadow swatches.
Oh, #5 is evvvverything. Wish I could get a single like that but the dupes don’t really measure up.
Here’s hoping one day Viseart will have singles!
I have a little palette from Clinque called Jenna’s Essentials (sadly, discontinued now) that has a shade that looks amazingly like #5….it looks black in the pan but it is also a darkened black-ish green. If Absinthe were available in-store, I’d love to compare them.
You’re so right about “Jenna’s Essentials”! I just remembered I have this palette (Jenna’s).
I was right on the cusp of ordering it i’ll have to dig it out and compare.
If you do order Absinthe, I’d really love to know how close they are because I’m basically slapping myself silly to keep from ordering it….it’s crazy really so if they are as similar as I think, maybe that will be all I need. I thought that blackened green would be a lot like the dark shade in Nars Rue Allent but I did used Temptalia’s swatch comparison feature and they are actually quite different.
There’s such a dearth of matte greens out there amongst a brand’s permanent singles!
Aaaack!!! Reviewed well and stunning eye look!! Looks like I’ll be getting this
Thanks, Katherine!
Glad to see this score a passing grade. I am headed to Spokane, Washington this Friday so I will pick this up as I love the shade of green and it is small enough to make a nice travel palette.
Have a blast in Spokane, Deborah!
Despite the weird random glitter in shades #2 and #4, I am still going to buy this. It feels like many of us have been waiting quite awhile for a green-centric palette that winds up somewhere in the A grade range, and this one delivers! Now, I will say this, however; that had I put together a green 6-pan using the MUFE Artist Shadows while available, it would’ve been a superior palette to Absinthe. Even if just a wee bit. Linden Green, the OG Bottle Green, etc.
I wish they hadn’t included the glitter! Such a weird choice 🙁 More in the spirit of Too Faced/UD!
Same, Christine, I wish they would have left that bizarre random glitter OUT.
Thank you for you comment Nancy! I remember now I have one of those and it is so pretty!
You were smart and proactive to have done that. One more sigh about the demise of OG mufe. I had a green one backburnered and lost out. Might still be forced do a green trio, with protest and resentment. Now big S and abh seem to be up for reformulation, hopefully to come out better than OG mufe’s reincarnation.
When MUFE was doing their sale last fall, I did get Linden Green, Linen Khaki, and Prussian Blue– and I also have an old Tarantino Palette, and so as beautiful as they look, I keep feeling resistant to getting this palette just for #5 an #6.
Thank you for this review Christine!
I have been waiting for a green theory for a while and while I love the colour selection, I can dupe 4 shades within viseart’s shadow range. I recreated a small selection inspired by this palette and I have been playing with it today ?.
Lovely eyelook by the way! I will copy it for sure this week! ?
Thank you, Marie-Estelle!!
I think this is such a pretty little palette.
The color scheme worked well!
I really liked the color story for this one, but the only two shades that are exciting for me are #4 and #6, and I found decent dupes for them in things I already have/was planning to pick up.
Thank goodness you have dupes!
Christine, it would be a whole lot easier for me to convince myself that I don’t need this if only you’d stop doing such beautiful eye looks!
I’m 100% positive you have dupes to recreate 😉
Absolutely adore your eye look Christine – these shades really do suit your colouring.
Love the concept of the palette and the shades chosen, but I do agree with you about the inclusion of glitter. It does not add to the palette, but detract as the glitter has not been integrated well enough into the shades. This could be a gorgeous day time palette and it’s a shame that No. 4 is so poorly pigmented as well. Still, it is a beautiful, compact offering from Viseart.
Thanks for the review, Christine! While I won’t be getting this one because I feel green eye shadow clashes with my green eyes, I am glad Viseart came out with this palette because it means they’re listening to their customers. I know I’ve seen plenty of comments on their Instagram asking for a green-themed palette from them, and they delivered! Love this brand!
Yep, I’m gonna buy this! 5 and 6 are just gorgeous!
Love the idea of having an ES palette focussed on greens. Personally I would have preferred satins instead of the shimmers w/ glitter.
Hm, I have been waiting for the green theory palette a while now and I can’t help being a bit disappointed. The light green looks so gorgeous in the pan, but with the extra work to be done to make it work it’s a bit of a let-down (very un-viséarty). Since I am on a no-buy this year I have enough time to ponder about whether I will get this or not. :smiley: In the meanwhile I’ll work with the empreinte du désert quad, to see if I even like to wear this kind of green (yes, that was a tiny, precious bump on my dry no-buy road). 🙂
I wish there was one more green shade in here if not two. I guess I was hoping for a green palette vs. a half green palette, more in the style of the amethyst palette. Not sure about this one yet.
Thank you for the swatches! I have two theory and 4 regular palettes plus a petite. I love this brand they aren’t flash and hype, but they seem to get it: we want quality.
The greens in this are really pretty!
Did anyone notice the similarity in shades between this and the Makeup Atelier Guilded Greens palette?
https://www.beautylish.com/s/makeup-atelier-palette-eye-shadows-t08-gilded-green
I really want this even though I felt burned by the Amethyst palette.
Got this one last week and applied yesterday. I totally agree with you on the heavy glitter fallout with the medium shimmer shade – I was quite annoyed with the heavy glitter specs fallout that went to my cheekbones and the experience makes me want to send it back. The light shimmer shade I placed in the inner corners of my eyes and I didn’t have issues with that one.
The emerald green’s alright but overall I found this to be a letdown in comparison with their original mini 8 Pan palette as well as the Amethyst & Ablaze Theory palettes. I really had high hopes considering my positive experiences with those and the lack of a good green palette.
I saw one of Pat McGrath’s big eyeshadow palettes has an interesting green shade. Has anyone used it?