YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette ($60.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a muted, neutral eyeshadow palette with subtle, warmer shades. The eyeshadows are supposed to be “intense” in color, long-wearing, and crease-proof. I like the way YSL’s Couture eyeshadow formula looks on the lid, but it is a formula that really needs a primer to last through the day–so if you typically wear primer, and you don’t already have neutrals covered, you might like this one. The eyeshadows are very soft, lightly dusty but “melt” a bit, where they meld with the skin and don”t just sit on it and look dry. Overall, the pigmentation was semi-opaque to opaque with most shades blending easily. They all faded noticeably within six to seven hours on me, though.
Golden Glow #1 is a light-medium taupe brown with warm undertones and a pearly shimmer finish. It had great color payoff paired with a soft, smooth, and blendable consistency. The color started to fade after six and a half hours of wear. MAC Artificial Earth (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). theBalm #32 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Flannel (08) (DC, $39.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Dior House of Pinks #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Terra Sienna #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Golden Glow #2 is a pale, white gold with a frosted shimmer. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightly dusty, but blendable, texture that initially looked dry on the lid but seemed to “melt” and look more pearly after about a minute. The color wore well for six and a half hours on me. ColourPop Blow Fish (P, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Iced Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dior Golden Flower #2 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Becca Chardonnay (LE, ) is more shimmery, brighter (95% similar). Dior Exuberante #3 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). LORAC Opal (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Smashbox Pool Boy (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Moonlight (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Taiga #1 (DC, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Photosphere (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Guerlain Les Precieux #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Pelican (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Artemis (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Posh Pedigree #1 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Entrelacs #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Anastasia Soft Gold (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Fresh Blade (LE, $17.00) is brighter (90% similar). Makeup Atelier Honey Brown #1 (P, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Tangy Citrus (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Dior Sienna #2 (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Golden Glow #3 is a dark brown with a soft, satiny sheen. It had semi-sheer, buildable color coverage, while the texture of the powdery was looser and more powdery. I had trouble blending this shade out on its own as it tended to adhere where it was initially applied. Over primer, it blended much better. I noticed fading with this shade after seven hours. Hourglass Obscura #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Disco Dust #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Busted (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Too Faced Obsessed (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). YSL Fetiche #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Zagreb (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Hourglass Graphite #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Secret Lovers (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Gucci Beauty Tuscan Storm #4 (DC, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Constructivist (DC, $23.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Mekong (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S622 Black Brown (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Ankh (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Golden Glow #4 is a muted, medium-dark gold with warm undertones and a frosted finish. The pigmentation was good, though not fully opaque, while the texture had a slight dustiness to it, the color applied evenly and blended out easily to the lid. The color started to fade after seven hours on me. MAC Patina (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Laura Mercier Intense Moonlight (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Burberry Gold #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Go for the Gold (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Barefoot (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Cielo (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Sample Sized (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Amber (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). LORAC Navy #4 (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). YSL Avant Garde #4 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Joy Toy (LE, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar). Dior Night Golds #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Golden Glow #5 is a medium-dark taupe with very subtle, warmer undertones but has a “cooler” tone overall (the shimmer makes it appear cooler, I’d say) paired with a lightly frosted finish. This shade had fantastic pigmentation that applied really well to bare skin–even, smooth, and blendable–but only wore for seven hours on me before fading noticeably. Clarins Rosewood #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I550 Olive Gray (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Cinder (Left) (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Pearled Earth (PiP, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Stroke My Ego (DC, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Cloudy Afternoon (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Hourglass Silver Gunmetal (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sydney Grace Troops (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Tarte Trance (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Sephora Don't Get Me Wrong (DC, $10.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Satin Taupe (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). MAC Twilight Falls (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Dior Romantic Voyage #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar). Chanel Tisse Rivoli #1 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Tarte Steel the Scene (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Zoeva Delicate Acidity (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). bareMinerals Upgrade (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Golden Glow (13)
LELimited Edition. $60.00.
Golden Glow #1
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Golden Glow #2
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Golden Glow #3
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Golden Glow #4
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Golden Glow #5
PiPPermanent in Palette.
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow #1 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #1 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #2 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #2 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #3 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #3 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #4 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #4 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #5 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow #5 Couture Eyeshadow
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
YSL Golden Glow (13) Couture Palette
That looks a bit sheer for my taste, although I really like the color combo!
I can understand that! They are so blendable that they really could be more pigmented while still being easy to use.
If this had rated better, I might have tried getting it at the duty free (I’m heading to NYC again this weekend) but in reality, I’ve so many similar shades and if this does launch here, it could be priced as high as $75 CDN (the price of some of the YSL 5-pans at Sephora) and for that price, I expect divine performance!
I always find that they are pretty on, but they just do not last or are as pigmented as they are touted – and for the price, those are some big misses.
Love that Taupe #5 colour!
That’s a pretty one 🙂
I’ve only swatched YSL palettes in store, and have never been impressed with their shadow formula –seems very thin and sheer with lots of glittery fallout. It’s a shame, because I do love their elegant packaging and interesting color combos, and it’s on my bucket list to buy a kit one day. In this day and age, when the market is flooded with great neutrals even from DS brands, this would need to score an A+ to justify the price. Although the packaging isn’t as nice, better off buying a Viseart Theory palette for $45 and getting 6 great neutral shadows.
I don’t get much fall out with most of their eyeshadows, but they do seem to run sheerer.
Not the best quality for a $60 quint. This is an easy pass.
Glad I could save you some money!
Another promising palette with a dud, huh? For that price, I definitely expected better.
Totally understand!
I do like this a lot, it’s quite a sophisticated palette of colours. Shame it didn’t perform better!
Agreed!
The YSL Saharienne palette is one of my most-used palettes of all time. I realize their texture doesn’t work well for everyone — but for whatever reason that one works well on my skin (even without primer, though I wouldn’t expect it to last more than a few hours).! I’m wondering if this is pretty much the same formula?
I like the way they look applied – a very pretty, luminous finish most of the time – but they aren’t quite as described.
I have what amounts to a full set of warm neutrals, these aren’t compelling shades, the reviews are not stellar, and this is a rather high price point, so I’m going to pass.
Maybe next time YSL will nail it…
#5 is pretty. I’d take a single of it 😛
There ya go 😉
I’m so glad you reviewed the 2 YSL palettes. First, I’ve been looking at them for a while. Second, your pics are significantly better at showing the shades than any retailer pic (including YSL). Third, I agree with Lulle and Mariella with respect to the coverage and performance. Thanks!
Glad I could help, Michele! 🙂
The colour combinations are lovely and I think they would suit lots of cool toned complexions as well. But the middle brown shade really let the palette down, and I think that YSL can do a brown shade better (like all brands – brown should be the most perfected colour).
A seriously gorgeous eye look Christine.
Sometimes the best thing to come from a palette is the color combo idea!
I wish the shades were more pigmented. Beautiful concept.
Agreed!
It’s a nice looking palette, I have enough nudeish eyeshadows for now so even if this had been really good it would not have tempred me. They are, of course also a bit costly, so money saved.
So glad you have similar shades you can use already!
I’m so glad to see this review–just based on appearance, these look like they would perform like the Ciate Olivia Palermo suedes palate, which is pretty good. Based on your review (and even just the swatches), I’m even more impressed with what Ciate pulled off (at least the once). And thanks to you for saving me money in all the right places, as usual!
Glad I could help, Jessica!
I find it amazing that you make mediocre shadows look so beautiful when applied. I guess much is in the duration too.
Thank you, Susan!
Nice colors. But nothing I necessarily want or need.
Totally understand!
Christine,
I think the swatches of #2 and #3 are mixed up here. Do love how this palette looks, not how it performs. And your eyelook is stunning! I ‘ll try to recreate it with the Viseart Theory palette in Cashmere. Well, a more simple, less sophisticated version of your look that is, hahaha!
Fixed, thank you!
Very pretty colours, for sure, but YSL has disappointed me far too much in recent years so I’ll give this one a pass. For the price I expect much better. Too bad because YSL was one of my favourite brands back in the ’80’s. Oh well. I’m looking forward to Christine’s review of the new Chanel quad because THAT is one I have my eye on right now 😉
I understand, Cathy! It should be much closer to perfect at this price point.
I like the concept, but not a fan of the formula.
Same 🙁