Are Natasha Denona Eyeshadows worth the hype? Palettes #2 and #10 Review, Swatch & FOTD

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday. Since the semester just started, I had a super busy week so couldn't post until today. I was planning to write this post yesterday but I was too tired to do anything else than just laying on the couch and watching some YouTube videos. Eventually I must have fallen asleep. Tomorrow we are attending the 60th birthday of my mother in law. We have to drive around 2.5 hours from here. I am excited about the celebration but I am hoping to be able to get enough rest until Monday so the second week can start.

Some of you send me messages and e-mails asking if I will be reviewing Natasha Denona Eyeshadows. I ordered two of the quints, Eyeshadow Palette 5, #2 and #10 to try out and wore them multiple times during last week and weekend. I hope my thoughts are helpful for some. They are... right after the jump.

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palettes #2 & #10

Let me start with packaging. There is not too much to be said here. But let me tell first that I don't think packaging is the most important thing about a product but since I have to give you an honest impression about this one, I won't mind my language. It is plain drugstore packaging. I have seen better packaging at drugstore actually. It is cheap plastic with cheaper plexi lid which can break your nails so you have to watch out. It looks like there is no thought went to this part of the product, there is a part for a brush for example but there is no brush.

Alright, so I leave it here and won't come to that again. If packaging is very important for you, it might be a deal breaker but I can live with it but I would expect something a little better for the price point.

Each of the quints come with 5 x 2.5 g (0.08 Oz) of product and cost around 48 bucks (without taxes). There is a 28 pan big palette, which costs around $240. The big palette has the same pan size for each shade so if you do the maths, by ordering that one you only save $29. For me it was not worth getting all those green and blue shades on the purple palette which I would never use so I went for two of the Quints. I thought it is a good way to try them out without breaking the bank.

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palettes #2 & #10

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 in shade 02 is a combination of purple and rose gold. Each shade has a name, which is great so that you make sure you don't get the same shade twice. Another good thing is that the quints doesn't have the shades repeating so you can get more and more quints if you like the formula without having to get a shade twice.

The letters behind the shades tell (sometimes) which formula they have. I recommend you check out the singles (here, not affiliates) for that and make sure you know what you are getting. V stands usually for matte, M for metallic but some M are duo chrome or sparkling (something like glitter). 

I write the ones I have for you. Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5 in shade 02 has the following shades:

51M Rosewood, finish metallic, a mid-toned shimmery/metallic rose shade which is very wearable.

40M Lavender Gray, finish metallic, a mid-toned rosy taupe, very close to 51M Rosewood and makes me wonder why these two are in the same palette but other than that it is a lovely shade for an easy day look. The texture is lovely.

64V Shell, finish matte, a mid-toned peachy tan shade which makes a nice transition on the crease. On me this shade is a bit too warm and too dark as a transition and wished there would be a cooler and lighter shade for that. The formula is nice though and it applies and blends beautifully.

87M Light Coral, finish metallic, is a light peachy gold, which is a great shade for all over the lid if you are fair. I think this shade is making this palette very versatile and wished one of the first shades is also a bit lighter. You know, not everyone goes full on smoky during the daytime or even if you do, you would like a touch of lightness in the inner corner to open up the eyes.

22M Maroon, finish metallic, is a deep reddish purple with satin to shimmery finish. I found that this one applied on the crease nicely as well since it is not too shimmery. Maroon is another shade which makes Palette #2 more versatile and less mono-chrome.

Swatch: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow5, Palette #2 

Since last week was very rainy, some of the following photos are a little dark, sorry for that. All in all these apply beautifully and are very pigmented and smooth. One of the problems I faced though is that if you would like to apply many shades at ones, this is not the best formula. It doesn't layer well. If you apply one shade, the next shade doesn't show up well. One great thing about these is that although they are very smooth and pigmented none of these crumbled on me (exception being the sparkling shades but this palette has none) and there was almost no fall out during application and later on during the day. The lasting power is also very good.

Below I am wearing Shell on the crease with Maroon applied on it (but didn't show up so well because of layering problem I mentioned), Light Coral on inner corner and Rosewood on the lid. Another day I tried Lavender Grey but the shade was so close to Rosewood to ever understand the difference once applied on the lid so I didn't edit the photos.

in-action: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #2

Here is the look in context with Natasha Denona Palette #2 on the eyes, Maria Galland bronzer/blush on the cheeks and Maria Galland lipstick on the lips, reviews on these coming up in a day or two so more details later on.

FOTD: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #2

Now on to Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette #10. This one was a must have for me since... well, you know me... it is purple! This one is a little different than #2 in that it has a so called sparkling shade, 20M True Gold is something like a glitter but it is more opaque. Here are the list of the shades:

75P Satin Skin, finish metallic. I don't know why this one has "P" instead of M. It is a cool peachy tan shade with metallic to satin finish. This is a shade I haven't used because it almost disappears on me. I wished there would be a lighter shade in this palette to use on the inner corner instead of this one.

49M Vintage, finish duo-chrome. Although given as duo chrome, I don't see the duo chrome effect in this one but it is a gorgeous shade to apply on the lid by itself. It just really needs a lighter shade to support on the inner corner.

24V Aubergine, finish matte. It is a deep reddish brown/plum as a liner or to deepen the crease and add drama. This swatches a bit dry but I appreciate these type of shades being a little dry than them producing fall out. The consistency of this one is just right. Only that since these don't layer well, once I apply Nina's Orchid on the crease, it is very hard to add this one on top.

20M, True Gold, finish Sparkling. I wore this two times, it was a big failure the first time around since I tried to use a brush and wanted to layer on another shade. The glitter went into my eyes and they got swollen the other day. It was terrible. The second time around I picked it up with fingers and applied on the inner corner, alone, not over a shade. It was lovely. That said the result was really dramatical and all day long I was conscious of my make-up although I can really wear lots of color without looking too much. All I want to say is that, reserve this one for special occasions!

82V Nina's Orchid, finish matte. This looks scary but was very wearable (mostly since it is matte) on the crease for me. It is a purple fuchsia shade, love it. I found the matte texture to be great, no fall out and the vibrancy was preserved during the day.

Swatch: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #10

This is the make-up with True Gold on inner corner, Nina's Orchid and a touch of Aubergine on the crease and Vintage on the outer corner. This was way too sparkly for a day look. I had the feeling everyone was looking at my make-up lol. Anyway, never again haha!

In-action: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #10

This is a look I loved, Nina's Orchid on the crease but this time Vintage and Satin Skin on the lid. It is more wearable and fun at the same time. I tried to add Aubergine to the outer corner but again, layering problem.

In-action: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #10

In this look I am wearing Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette #10 on the eyes, Tom Ford Bronzer Terra and Blusher Frantic Pink on the cheeks as well as Tom Ford lipstick in Julian on the lips. This was one of my favorite looks last weekend, really loved it how it wore and photographed.

FOTD: Natasha Denona Eyeshadow 5, Palette #10

Here are a summary of my thoughts:

Pros

• Buttery texture
• Pigmented 
• No fall out
• Fun shades
• Longevity
• Constant quality throughout the range

Cons

• Cheap packaging
• High price
• Doesn't layer well (shades can't be combined)
• Similar shades in a palette
• No light shades for inner corner to open up the eyes
• May get to be too much for daytime

Natasha Denona Eyeshadows, Palette #2 and #10

Final thoughts: Check out cons and pros above to decide if Natasha Denona is right for you. I really like the texture and wished it would layer a bit better. I had such a problem with Cle de Peau (e.g. here) eyeshadow formula as well. I think if you are into some color, if you like mid-toned shades without having many light shades and if you are applying one or two shades maximum on the lid without mixing too much and if you don't care about the packaging, you might like Natasha Denona. I have mixed feelings but not too bad since I ordered two more quints. Expect another review soon.

Is layering so important for your eyeshadows? Do you think a palette should have light shades to be complete? Have you tried Natasha Denona make-up yet?

Disclaimer: The products in this post were purchased by me. 
I am not paid for this review. All opinions are honest and my own.