Disclaimer: The product featured was provided for review.
During the London Drugs Fall Beauty Event earlier this summer, I saw a couple of neutral palettes so it's safe to say that the neutral eye trend is still going strong. A really affordable option comes from Annabelle Cosmetics and it's called the Smokey Nudes Palette ($12.95). I've got some swatches for you today, to check them out, click.......
Packaging:
The palette comes in a small rectangular clear and black compact. The size is very convenient for travelling but the quality is a bit inferior. I accidentally dropped this from my desk and the palette literally broke in two at the hinges.
Formulation:
This palette has a good range of sheens and shimmers but not one pure matte. There are a few standout shades, but the majority of the shadows are just okay, the formulation feels very smooth but the texture of the shadows is a bit thin and the pigmentation overall is not as intense as I'd like.
-Soft pink sheen, smooth but sheer
-Taupe brown shimmer, the texture feels very creamy but the color is very light and sheer
-Taupe shimmer with okay color payoff
-Dark grey satin, this one is great, the pigmentation is phenomenal
-Soft black with subtle silver sparkles, this one is very sheer unfortunately
-Icy white shimmer, this one is quite lovely and pigmented
-Dull golden sheen, again the pigmentation is just not as intense as it appears in the pan
-Medium brown shimmer, super pigmented and buttery
-Dark brown with gold and red sparkles
-Dark brown grey, this one is also very nicely pigmented
Overall:
 |
| Annabelle Smokey Nudes Palette |
The palette comes in a small rectangular clear and black compact. The size is very convenient for travelling but the quality is a bit inferior. I accidentally dropped this from my desk and the palette literally broke in two at the hinges.
 |
| Annabelle Smokey Nudes Palette |
This palette has a good range of sheens and shimmers but not one pure matte. There are a few standout shades, but the majority of the shadows are just okay, the formulation feels very smooth but the texture of the shadows is a bit thin and the pigmentation overall is not as intense as I'd like.
-Soft pink sheen, smooth but sheer
-Taupe brown shimmer, the texture feels very creamy but the color is very light and sheer
-Taupe shimmer with okay color payoff
-Dark grey satin, this one is great, the pigmentation is phenomenal
-Soft black with subtle silver sparkles, this one is very sheer unfortunately
 |
| Annabelle Smokey Nudes Palette |
-Dull golden sheen, again the pigmentation is just not as intense as it appears in the pan
-Medium brown shimmer, super pigmented and buttery
-Dark brown with gold and red sparkles
-Dark brown grey, this one is also very nicely pigmented
 |
| Annabelle Smokey Nudes Palette |
I'm a bit disappointed in this palette. I've tried some really great neutrals from Annabelle before (see this quad I've reviewed) so I definitely felt the quality of these shadows could have been better. Additionally, the quality of the packaging is just not up to par. I've never had a product literally break in half after accidentally dropping it from such a low height. So all in all the value is good but it's worth investing a few more dollars and get a better drugstore neutral palette like the Maybelline The Nudes (reviewed here).
Availability:
The Annabelle Smokey Nudes Palette will be available this Fall at London Drugs at other drugstores nationwide.