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What would immediately make you interested in an eyeshadow palette?

I find it’s the color scheme that will draw me in (or not), but I’m not necessarily drawn to a particular color scheme… but I’ll say that a truly cool-toned palette would catch my eye in hopes that finally a good one has arrived…

— Christine

41 Comments

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Seraphine Avatar

At this point, I pretty much have (more than) everything I can possibly use, but a cool nudes palette with an A or A+ Temptalia rating would likely pique my interest. I think eight shades—mostly mattes with a couple of satin shimmers—would be perfect. And a price that’s less than $45. Brand-wise, Tarte, Urban Decay, or Kat Von D would be enticing for me. And sturdy, pretty packaging (no brush or mirror necessary).

Kimberley Avatar

The first thing I look at is the colors. Then if I’m interested I check reviews. If the colors are a lot different from what I have I’m not as picky about the quality as long as they are workable. If you ever find a good cool toned pallet that doesn’t cost a fortune I will definitely be purchasing it!

AB Avatar

I have all the basics I need. So these days I’d be drawn to a small (4-6 pan), high quality palette of pinks or peach ranges; perhaps I’m getting in the mood for spring. I might go custom — hoping the new MUFE shadows will be quality and better represented at local Sephoras than they have been.

The last palette that attracted me was Huda Obsessions Warm Brown, but from in-store swatching I found most shades too dark (I’m rather fair) and/or already well covered in my stash. Lately the palette I own I’ve been enjoying the most is Viseart Nuance.

Susan Avatar

Color scheme, and these days it would have to be NOT another ModRen clone or all warm neutrals. Something original or something that hasn’t been done for a while (all cool tones with a couple of blues and purples and greens, please). No bright red, no bright yellow, no black; those are all wasted shades for me.

And of course good quality and excellent pigmentation.

Dani Avatar

Dusty, cool tones. Unique shades. A brand that usually has good reviews. (That’s why Anastasia Subculture interested me so much, but…) a good Temptalia grade also matters a lot. Duochromes. Brand wise, I’m a little more receptive to releases by Kat von D, Pat McGrath (at least for gazing at the pretty colors!) and Sugarpill.

Lilly Avatar

Speaking of palettes…is the review for the Urban Decay Troublemaker palette coming soon? I’m debating whether to buy it with the 20% off at Ulta and your opinion is what I trust. Thanks and happy holidays.

Christina D. Avatar

It’s easier for me to say what makes me disinterested in an eye shadow palette!

Although I have become somewhat more discerning, the things that make me immediately interested are the brand (for instance, I don’t hesitate to buy the latest from Viseart), the color scheme, and the price. A little further investigating (where it’s made, if it’s cruelty-free, certain reviews) help seal my decision.

Pearl Avatar

Q: What would immediately make you interested in an eyeshadow palette?
A: The word ‘palette’.
**BUT**-
1. Has to be from a brand I prefer (Chanel, MAC, Tom Ford, Viseart) – there are other brands that I have been looking at (ABH, Natasha Denona, Pat McGrath) but I already have more than enough so it is just looking at this point.

2. Formula(s) that I like – I just saw the Chanel’s SS18 offerings and saw ‘palette’ and was excited but then I saw that it was a 9 pan of their other formula so that’s an easy pass.

3. Colors that I would use – I am guilty of systematically collecting all of the palettes from a preferred brand and justifying it by saying “I’ll figure out how to use it later” (Many of the Chanel Tisse, all of the Viseart). There are a lot of dupes but, I just love neutrals and jewel tones.

Nancy T Avatar

First of all, it has to have good reviews and be good quality overall. Unfortunately, sometimes a color schematic can really give me some internal conflict with that and even override it! In the case of UD Vice 3, that one still worked out very well for me. UD Naked Smoky, much less so.
Truthfully, I think I need to go on a palette diet for at least a year!

Eileen Avatar

The color scheme and the possible combinations and uses will immediately have me taking a look, but then the overall quality becomes the ultimate factor in deciding to buy or not to buy. If the quality to which I am accustomed isn’t there, then things like color scheme, finishes, cost, etc. don’t matter to me.

Genevieve Avatar

As you have said Christine, a really good cool toned eyeshadow palette would definitely catch my eye.
It would have to be the shades that I would wear: neutrals, some greens, blues, taupes, greys and golds.
The finish would be a mixture of satins, a matte and a little shimmer.
Above all, it would have to have a B+ or A rating from you.
Accessible and reasonably priced would help as well.

Robin Avatar

I’m with several of you – waiting for a cool tone palette. I’d love a Winter Ice Queen palette of all cool tone blues , grays and silver and purple . I couldn’t resist although I love my UD colors in those ranges !

jel888 Avatar

That’s EXACTLY what I want too, and have been asking for of Natasha Denona and anyone else who’ll listen. I’m a warmed-toned person, but I can rock cool-tones too, and that is what I think is missing in the Paletteland.

Bonnie Avatar

Finally…someone admits that packaging plays a role. May not be what makes you decide to buy, but it sure does get you to look. I like the sound of this palette and hopefully we’ll see more like this as we enter 2018, the year of Ultra Violet!

ShariP Avatar

A cohesive color scheme or one that is unique. A well liked and trusted formula. A good score here on Temptalia. Cost…its not on the top of my list, but I can’t justify spending $150 USD for an eyeshadow palette. Aesthetically, I like the packaging to be pretty, but sturdy. For some reason I’m partial to black and gold, lol, but obviously that isn’t that important. I’m kind of like Pearl…the word palette has my full attention.

Anne Avatar

Unique colors, and yes, colors! I love greens and purples and glitter. I like a matte glitter. I’m at my limit pretty much of warm, rose golds, I like them but the palette obsession is so bad that I’m stocked with dupes in these hues. If I can hold off, a good review from Christine is appreciated. I’ve been known to jump on something that looks like it’s going to sell out. Brings me to my Sephora-Moschino Gold Bear palette story. When that thing first came out, I had it in my cart several times only to hit the check out button and have it disappear. I called customer service just to find out what the heck was going on. I could have had them hold it at a physical store the next day but I ended up buying the small palette just to have something. Anyhow…the big gold bear is now back and easy to get. It is a nice palette, has a good mix of colors, mattes, shimmers, (warm rose golds, lol) etc. and the shadows are good quality, but I don’t think I will ever go through that again over a palette. Lesson learned. Not. Worth. It.

WildDove Avatar

What would draw me to an e/s palette would be if it had colors that I thought I would use, but don’t currently have. Or if the pigmentation and/or texture of the shadows was very desirable and much better than what I already have. I like a buttery texture and colors I would use often enough to justify the purchase.

Silvia Avatar

Colors! Although I’m pale I’m drawn like a?to thexwarm shades! Cool ones make look like a vampire just don’t do much for my eyes which are hazel green but a warm or rust oh! Baby! Lol! I actually ordered cool palettes recently hope I do get to use them.

Erica Avatar

A unique color scheme or colors unique to my collection. At the time, what drew me to the ABH Modern Renaissance was that red and those pink/magenta shades. I didn’t own anything like it at the time! I need something about to fill a void in my collection:)

Mariella Avatar

A collection of basic, slightly cooler toned neutrals with a pop or two of “wearable-for-me” brights thrown in (nothing like Too Faced’s Totally Fetch is what I mean by “wearable for me”). A variety of finishes and compact, slim, travel-friendly packaging. A perfect example is something like the Lorac Pro2 palette.

jel888 Avatar

Concur with you Christine, color-scheme all the way, and in second, particular colors that I don’t have or that have duo-or more chrome finishes. I REALLY like eyeshadows with color shifts, so if you or anyone knows of any palettes that have almost all chrome eyeshadows w/shifts that are B+ or more, PLEASE share. 😉

Jo2 Avatar

Definitely cool tones and a mix of shades I know I would actually use with easy to see looks. All the warm peaches and burgundy shades just do not suit me but I appreciated them when they were new and different and for catering to warmer tones. Now it’s getting to saturation I think. Also, any cool or neutral purples that look as though they will perform well. Hoping Pantone having a purple as colour of the year next year will bring some good purple palettes!

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