Sunday, May 20, 2012

Too Light

I've heard so many good things about Too Faced eyeshadow palettes and how they rivalled (or surpassed) the Urban Decay Naked Palettes, so naturally I had to have one. I managed to swatch the range of Too Faced palettes at a local department store (where these retail for $59.95, but I bought mine from Beauty Bay for about $35) and narrowed it down to a choice between the Naked Eye or Romantic Eye palette. I settled on Naked Eye because I thought it had more wearable, everyday neutrals with some of the cool, taupeish shades that I loved so much about Naked2.






To be perfectly honest, these eyeshadows don't thrill me. They're actually kind of disappointing. Even though they swatch beautifully, except for Unmentionables and Lap Dance (and I suppose Stiletto, but that is such a chalky, patchy matte black that I don't bother with it) they apply very lightly. I really have to pack on the shadows for them to show up, and even then, the colour is quite light on my eyelids or too similar to the natural colour of my skin that they don't produce much of an effect. I had high hopes for Birthday Suit and Pillow Talk to be flattering, easy-to-wear washes of colour over the lid, but they're just not dark enough to give me the depth and definition I need. Lap Dance is a gorgeous colour by itself, but it applies more like a cool silver than the complex taupe with purple and tan tones that I was after.

Not that I'll hit pan with any of these shadows, but three of the shades are more than twice the amount of the rest (2g compared with 0.9g). Considering that ivory and pale pink mattes aren't really up my alley and Birthday Suit barely shows up, it seems pointless and somewhat wasteful to have dedicated larger pans to those three shades specifically. I'd rather have a few more 0.9g shades and a wider shade selection.

My issues with Naked Eye could have more to do with my eye shape and skin tone than the quality and features of the eyeshadows themselves. However, I have to say that I don't find these shadows as pigmented as or better textured than the Urban Decay Naked palettes, or even my Sleek palettes. They're fairly close (e.g. Tease from Naked2 is similar to Like a Virgin in terms of texture and pigmentation, Satin Sheets is just as shimmery and vibrant as say, Chopper from Naked2), but I wouldn't say superior. I still prefer my Naked palettes because the colours work better on me and the eyeshadows are easier to apply. I really wanted to love Naked Eye, but it's just not for me. Maybe I would've rated Romantic Eye more highly, but after this underwhelming experience, I'm not exactly rushing out to confirm my suspicions.

62 comments:

  1. these colors are so beautiful
    that's too bad that these eyeshadows didn't work good on you:(

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    1. I really wanted to love them, but they just didn't apply well on me :(

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  2. I prefer the brown palette. But I am more waiting for the Summer Eye to arrive at my Sephora. I hope they will arrive. I don't own any at the moment though. Not tempting enough.

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    1. You mean Natural Eye? I was thinking of getting that but I was afraid it would be too similar to the original Naked palette. Probably would've liked it more than Naked Eye anyway. Summer Eye has some pretty colours :)

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  3. Before getting the Naked Palette, I considered buying this one as well because of the wearable neutrals. Too bad these shades didn't work well with your skin tone! I totally agree with you on the sizing of the eyeshadows in the palette - I rather have equal amounts with more variety than 3 big highlight/all over colour shades. Sometimes it really annoys me when makeup brands do that with their palettes because I don't use light washes of all over colours that often and they end up being a waste for the amount of money I paid. So right now, I'm quite glad that I stuck to waiting out for the Naked Palette instead of getting this! :)

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    1. Agreed, I mean I wouldn't mind if I actually used or even liked the colours in the larger pans. I definitely think Naked was a better choice than this palette - I really wanted to love it (and from swatching it at the store, I thought I would), but they apply poorly to the eyelid. Half of them barely show up and even using a cream eyeshadow base as I would a primer to try to bring them more to life :/

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  4. These colours look amazing, it's disappointing that they are not as good as the Urban Decay eyeshadows.

    http://dugongsss.blogspot.com

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    1. I guess it comes down to individual preference and experience as some people may prefer them to Urban Decay. Just not me :p

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  5. I've never reallly tried any products from this brand but i quite like the packaging and the way you pull it out with a little ribbon is quite cute :) I don't think anything can replace the naked palette because their quality is just too good, although i think that there are not enough matte shades in the palette compared with shimmers.
    Thanks for sharing~x

    www.beautypicknmix.blogspot.com

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    1. The packaging is cute and I'm glad they downsized the box - it used to be quite bulky because there was an extra compartment for a useless brush underneath the eyeshadows. I think they decided to dispense with that for the better. I generally don't wear matte shades so I don't mind them not being in the palette, though I know that's not a view shared by many :p

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  6. I really like the insert tutorials you get with it! xo

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    1. They're quite useful to give you ideas as to how to wear the shadows and mix up your looks :)

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  7. It's rather unfortunate that these shades didn't work for you because I've heard many good things about these palettes! The most raves I heard about are for the 'natural eye palette' and from online pictures and swatches, it seems like a better match for your (and my) skintone! xx

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    1. I consciously decided to stay away from Natural Eye, only because I thought it'd be too similar to Naked. Maybe the wrong thinking? :p I don't know! It is unfortunate because I was very much looking forward to owning my first Too Faced palette and I was fully prepared to be converted if I fell in love with this palette, unfortunately that simply wasn't the case :(

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  8. I really wanted to try this, but think I'll stay away now, as I'm still yet to get the Naked palettes haha, which I want (neeed!)
    Lovely review. Sorry they don't work for you though :(

    Laura xoxo

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    1. Whhhatttt, get your hands on the Naked palette Laura! :p You really surprised me there saying you didn't have it, what kind of makeup junkie are you? ;)

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  9. It's a shame you didn't really love this palette. I personally hate the names Too Faced give their shadows (and don't get me started on UD). x

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    1. Haha, the names are a bit cringeworthy, I mean ... "Unmentionables"? It only occurred to me when I was writing this post what that was referring to, lol!

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  10. Aah, that's such a shame. They're lovely colours though. :) x

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    1. They really are, guess I'll have to be content looking at them rather than wearing them :p

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  11. beautiful colours!. but you're right, the black looks chalky

    have a great day :)

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    1. I do love the colours, it's just too bad they don't apply very well. The black is really terrible, I have so many matte black and other black eyeshadows that are much better that I highly doubt I'll be touching it again. Thank you, you too :)

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  12. I really like the colors! Too bad they don't really work.. hugs

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    1. I know, I wish they were just more pigmented and showed up when applied! I guess Lap Dance and Unmentionables are okay though.

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  13. They really are quite close to your skintone... That's disappointing. They swatch beautifully though! The names are a bit of a turn-off. You'd think these companies would be a bit classier with the names of their shades.

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    1. Haha, Michelle made a similar comment. I guess I don't pay too much attention to the names, but the names could definitely use some extra work! I swatched these on my inner arm (the wrist side), which is about 3 shades lighter than my face, so really, half of these (like Pillow Talk and the 3 larger pans to the left) barely show up even packed on with primer underneath :S

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  14. this palette is beautiful, but I agree with you, that it might not worth every penny.The shades are all my cup of tea, but I think urban decay did a better job.
    But no worry, I think it'll look pretty on your vanity table ;)

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    1. It's only not worth it price-wise because of how disappointing I found the eyeshadows when they were applied, though everything else seemed so promising from the outset, including when I swatched them at the store! I love the shades, I just wish they worked for me and weren't so sheer and light. UD definitely is better in my opinion. I agree the packaging is pretty though :)

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  15. too bad these shades don't work well with you. They look gorgeous. Good that you got a great deal on this though.

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    1. Yeah, I guess on the upside I didn't pay the retail Australian price - I wouldn't definitely felt ripped off :p They do look really pretty and totally up my alley, it's just too bad they're very underwhelming when applied to the lid :(

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  16. Sorry to hear these didn't work out :( Satin Sheets looks gorgeous though!
    xx

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    1. Satin Sheets is very beautiful, it's quite a unique shade (gold-pink duochrome) and quite shimmery :) One of the better shades in the palette for sure!

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  17. I think there must be a reason everyone pines over the Naked palettes then hahaha xD It's really too bad they don't work well on you :(

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    1. Well, a product becomes a cult favourite for a reason I suppose :) At least I gave Too Faced a go, even though I wish my experience was a more positive one.

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  18. I love Too Faced palettes. I wear mine all the time. I love the colors they include.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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    1. Which palettes do you have? I'm glad you enjoy yours :) They do have some very pretty colours!

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  19. theres a couple of nice shades in there but i already have so many neutral eyeshadows.

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    1. Me too, I really need to stop buying eyeshadow :p Sometimes all it takes is one or two gorgeous shades that just call out to you for me to be sold on an entire palette.

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  20. I like some of the colors. However, colors look different when they are on. Better luck next time!

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    1. That's definitely true and something I think I forget now & then - just because a colour swatches a certain way, it doesn't mean that's how it's going to look when actually applied to the eyelid. A lesson I learnt from this experience with Naked Eye!

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  21. I have such a hard time with these "pre-selected" collections because I'm so picky! I'm a fan of the MAC palettes so I can choose my own. Are you a MAC fan??

    Evani

    P.S. Thanks again for stopping by my site and leaving such a sweet comment. :)

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    1. I want to be a MAC fan but I really don't have any of their products, believe it or not! They're just so pricey where I live. I'm sure if I went on holiday to the US I'd probably go a bit bonkers at the MAC store :)

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  22. I'm glad you posted this. The other day I was drooling over this palette in Myer. Particularly the Satin Sheets shade. I think I'll ask to try it out on my lids when I'm next in there just to see if I'm as underwhelmed as you are.

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    1. I think this palette would look lovely on you, the colours I believe would suit you more. I have strong yellow tones to my skin and I have a monolid, so these kind of sheer, light mattes and neutrals basically don't do anything for me. I need my shadows to have a bit of pigment and I don't mind some shimmer as well. Satin Sheets is a gorgeous shade, one of my favourites from the palette. Let me know if you do end up buying this palette (or another Too Faced one), I'd love to hear your thoughts and if you end up liking it a lot more than me :)

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    2. Hmm...you're making me second guess myself! Stay tuned for a potential purchase and review. I think if I do end up buying this one (after a test drive, of course) it'll end up being during my time in London this October. The mark-ups on Too Faced products here in Aus are a little too steep for my liking. I feel like I'm constantly whinging about cosmetics prices here, but there's definitely a reason for that!

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  23. These swatches kind of remind me of my Inglot e/s palette - It made up of a combination of neutral mattes and shimmery shades. Too bad the e/s didn't work for you. Unmentionable looks really unique though.

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    1. I don't have any Inglot eyeshadows but I've heard fantastic things about them. Unmentionables is one of my favourites from the palette (despite the horrible name, lol) - I like the grey/dark green tone to it.

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  24. they look so pretty. i have to buy me some!

    xx

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    1. There are some lovely shades, hope they work for you if you do decide to buy this palette :)

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  25. I have the natural eye palette. The colors seem similar, but a little different. I use that palette almost daily. Its one of the best I've found for an everyday look that is easy/fast to apply and go. Its also great from day to night. Sorry this palette didn't impress you like you wanted :/..Hopefully you find something else soon! :)

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    1. I have heard wonderful reviews about Natural Eye, though I do recall some comments about people experiencing quite a bit of fall out with the eyeshadows in that palette. I think I probably would've liked Natural Eye better, especially as there are more darker/shimmery shades in there. Perhaps I'll give Too Faced eyeshadow palettes another go some time in the future.

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  26. this is a great review :)

    --Izumi
    HYBRID HUNTER

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  27. Thank you, sure, followed you back :)

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  28. Great review! Thank you for this I was tempted to buy this palette too but I have the Naked 2 already so I will just save my money for something else :)

    xo

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    1. Good choice! I definitely prefer Naked2 and I think it's a better choice than the Too Faced. But you may like this palette, I guess you don't really need it if you have & like your UD though :)

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  29. Thanks for reviewing and swatching. I've seen these on Indian Vanity Case and other blogs...I like the idea of nude palettes but the shades just were too blah and light in general when I saw them, hence I choose to get the 'Natural eye' kit.

    I'd totally recommend the Natural eye kit, the browns are rich, there's a gold, pink, taupe, bronzey and almost black shade.

    I haven't tried any of the Naked palettes yet...I hope to get Naked2 soon!

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    1. I guess I'm going to lean towards Natural Eye (rather than Romantic) should I ever buy another Too Faced palette. Kind of kicking myself I didn't just buy Natural Eye first off. Naked2 is one gorgeous palette which I'm sure you will use thoroughly should you ever buy it :)

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