This post has been such a long time coming but it's finally here! I'm going to cover off the palette itself, the brands and formulas in here and of course the mix of shades that I have found really work for almost any look I want to create.
Which Palette?
First things first: choosing a palette. There are a lot of options on the market and I've tried just about all of them! The most famous is of course the Z Palette (£15.25 for large). Though it does the job and has always protected my eyeshadows, the cardboard packaging isn't exactly stylish and it is quite expensive for what it is. The MAC palette (£8 for large + £2 for the 15x Insert) is good for MAC shadows but not for anything else due to the fact that their pans are slightly smaller than most, so you'd have to wedge in other brands and may not be able to get them back out. For me that's a no-no because the reason I like custom palettes is how easy they are to swap around and re-arrange. Even with MAC shadows I find the insert makes it hard to get the eyeshadows out without stabbing them with your nail! There's the Makeup Geek Travel Vault (£12.50), which is both stylish and sturdy but only comes in one size, which fits about 11 shadows in it, so it's my #1 when I'm going away (as it also has a mirror) but isn't big enough to be a permanent home for my shadows. Another option is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Quad ($8) which is great because it fits all the different brands of eyeshadow pans that I have. However they only seem to do these for 4x shadows at the moment, which is such a drawback because this would definitely be my palette of choice if I could fit more shades in it. A similar alternative (which I discovered recently thanks to Mummy's Beauty Corner) is the Morphe 12 Colour Magnetic Palette (£5.50), as it fits any brand of eyeshadow pan, has a mirror and has the wells for the shadows which makes things look tidier as well as the indents so you can get them out without damaging them. It feels a little flimsier than the Makeup Geek Vault but it is a bit tidier.
I eventually settled on the Makeup Forever Magnetic Palette (£6.50 for large). It's so affordable, isn't too bulky and is relatively attractive. It's a tin palette so I'm not sure how secure my eyeshadows would be in this if I were to travel with it. However it's perfect as the permanent home of my essential eyeshadows and when I'm away I just pop a select few into either the Makeup Geek or the Morphe palette, as this is a bit big for me to take away personally. I can fit 32 shades in this palette and whilst I do have other eyeshadow pans knocking around, this is pretty spot on for the edited highlights.
The Brands and Formulas
I'll give you a bit of a run-down of the general formula and quality of each of brand in my palette, just so things don't get repetitive I'll let you know below if any individual shades vary from my overall assessment.
MAC Pro Refill Eyeshadow Pans | £10 each | MAC have fallen from favour a little since so many affordable (and better) options came along for custom eyeshadow pans, however there are a handful that I still love. Overall these have a very 'solid' formula, which means that whilst they don't exactly 'glide' on, they are very pigmented and long-wearing. The Matte finishes are a little dry and under-pigmented; personally I wouldn't recommend this formula if you can find a similar shade from one of these other brands. The Veluxe Pearl, on the other hand, is a really great one. It's a subtle metallic shimmer finish that looks beautiful on the lids.
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pans | £5.50 | This is one of my favourite formulas; overall the shimmers are the perfect midpoint between ultra-creamy and metallic and powdery. They don't kick up too much fallout, blend out easily, generally have a subtle shimmer as opposed to glitter and last incredibly well. The mattes are overall very creamy (though a couple of shades do have some fallout) whilst being very easy to work with and having amazing pigmentation.
Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow Pans | £8.50 | These have a dewy, metallic shimmer. They don't quite have that amazing longevity of the standard eyeshadows but still last well and don't crease. The colour payoff is just insane and they look so multifaceted on the lids.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Singles | $12 | This is pretty much my perfect eyeshadow formula; they don't have much fallout, the pigmentation is really great, they are so easy to work with, they last well and come in so many shades and finishes. I haven't found a single dud and the mattes are some of my favourites.
Coloured Raine Eyeshadow Pan | £6.95 | I hadn't heard much about these eyeshadows but I have to say I'm impressed. The shimmer shade has an almost foiled finish when swatched, though it looks more subtle once applied. They blend out with minimal effort and I was really pleased with the colour payoff with the matte colour. My one drawback is that they don't wear as well on me as some of these others.
The Shades
Makeup Geek Shimma Shimma - An off-white/champagne shimmer. The sheen this has is very natural and I use it most days as an inner-corner highlight.
Makeup Geek Rapunzel - This is a light champagne-beige. I'd say it has a satin finish so the sheen is a lot less visible than with Shimma Shimma. I often go for this when I want a less stark highlight or it works as a lid shade.
Makeup Geek Rapunzel - This is a light champagne-beige. I'd say it has a satin finish so the sheen is a lot less visible than with Shimma Shimma. I often go for this when I want a less stark highlight or it works as a lid shade.
Makeup Geek Starry Eyed (Foiled) - My final highlight option is a super-obvious one for an evening look. Starry Eyed is a dewy-metallic champagne shade with slightly peachy undertones.
Makeup Geek Magic Act (Foiled) - This can work as a highlight but I tend to use this light liquid-gold-look shade all across the lid.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glisten (Metallic) - This is a very warm beige-toned shimmer with slightly bronze undertones that I love all over the lid. It even works on its own for a natural wash of colour.
MAC All That Glitters (Veluxe Pearl) - A total classic! This is a slightly more neutral-toned alternative to Glisten that works with either cool or warm eyeshadow looks. I'd say it's a very light nude-beige shimmer.
Anastasia Beverly Hills RTW (Velvet) - This has a very subtle sheen to it and I'd say it's a very warm caramel tone (it's almost orange in colour).
MAC Amber Lights (Frost) - An old favourite of mine; I love wearing this bright orange-toned gold shimmer all over the lids with a berry lip for a winter evening look.
Makeup Geek Homecoming - This is one of my go-to everyday shades; it just always works! It's a brown shimmer with a bronze undertone, however it's not too warm so can work with a cooler crease colour too.
MAC Woodwinked (Veluxe Pearl) - This is another favourite! It's similar to Homecoming but there's more of a warm, antique-gold tone to this bronze.
MAC Woodwinked (Veluxe Pearl) - This is another favourite! It's similar to Homecoming but there's more of a warm, antique-gold tone to this bronze.
Makeup Geek Grandstand (Foiled) - An all-time favourite of mine! This is a really metallic copper shade that's stunning even when worn alone.
Coloured Raine Golden Olive - This seems very wet-look when swatched but the shimmer is a little more muted once applied. It's an olive-gold as the name suggests that's still going to be within a neutral-lover's comfort zone.
MAC Sable (Frost) - This is a really understated red-toned brown shimmer that's perfect for Autumn.
MAC Cranberry (Frost) - I like to use this deep, warm pink shade in the crease. It just adds a little pop of colour to a neutral eyeshadow look.
Makeup Geek Pretentious - Ok it's not a million miles away from Golden Olive but it's definitely more of a muted, brown tone with slightly olive and gold undertones.
Makeup Geek Flamethrower (Foiled) - This bright orange red with a wet-look shimmer is seriously incredible for any warm-toned evening eyeshadow look.
Makeup Geek Frappe - I think this has to be one of my all-time favourite crease colours as a huge fan of warm nude eyeshadow looks. It's a mid-toned caramel brown matte.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Red Earth (Ultra Matte) - I really love this earthy pinky-brown matte in the crease when I want to switch things up from Frappe but I still want quite a warm look. It's such an Autumnal shade too.
MAC Quarry (Matte) - This is a MAC Matte so isn't as pigmented as some of the other shades I have here, however for this colour it just seems to work. You don't always want intense pigment and this taupe with slightly lilac-grey undertones always seems to do the job when I want a cooler crease colour.
Makeup Geek Creme Brûlée - This light-medium warm brown works really nicely as a transitional shade, though I do find this has quite a bit of fallout.
Makeup Geek Peach Smoothie - I use this light-medium peach matte similarly to Creme Brûlée but probably like it more because the unique colour really adds dimension to an eyeshadow look. I do find this quite crumbly and it does kick up some serious fallout but I love the look it creates so much that I just deal with it! I quite often mix this with Creme Brûlée.
Makeup Geek Peach Smoothie - I use this light-medium peach matte similarly to Creme Brûlée but probably like it more because the unique colour really adds dimension to an eyeshadow look. I do find this quite crumbly and it does kick up some serious fallout but I love the look it creates so much that I just deal with it! I quite often mix this with Creme Brûlée.
MAC Saddle (Matte) - As far as I'm aware, this still isn't available individually in the UK so I picked it up in the US for $6! I do find this has more pigment and a smoother texture than most MAC Mattes. It's a medium-deep warm brown with slightly yellow undertones.
Makeup Geek Tiki Hut - This muted brown-mustard matte shade has been well-loved this Summer. Jaclyn Hill describes it as 'baby puke'; intended as a positive!
Makeup Geek Morocco - I really rate this vibrant orange-red matte shade; it's incredible in the crease with a warm eyeshadow look. It's also great with Flamethrower.
Makeup Geek Brownie Points - I don't find the payoff of this as good as with my other Makeup Geek mattes, however that's not always a negative. It's a concrete grey with cool brown undertones.
Makeup Geek Cherry Cola - This is amazing for adding a subtle pop of colour to the crease. It's a matte muted purple with a brown tone to it.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cognac (Titanium) - This is an all-time favourite of mine! It has an incredible wet-look shimmer and the warm colour is somewhere between an antique red and a brown.
Makeup Geek Cocoa Bear - Another go-to crease shade; it's a very warm red-toned matte brown. I often go in with Frappe then deepen the outer part of the crease with this.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Truffle (Shimmer) - This is a fairly subtle shimmer colour in a plum-purple that isn't obviously cool or warm in tone. I really like it patted with a flat shader brush on the outer part of my eyelid.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Deep Plum (Ultra-Matte) - This deep plum (no surprises!) shade is like the matte version of Truffle for me.
Makeup Geek Taupe Notch - This doesn't seem like much in the pan (or swatched!) but I love how it looks on the lids. It actually really pops when paired with a warm crease shade. It's a brown-taupe with a very subtle sheen and a slightly crumbly texture.
Makeup Geek Bada Bing - I'm not usually one for micro glitter in eyeshadows but this just really works for me. It has a cool brown base with a golden shimmer running through it. The texture doesn't feel too chunky and this is another I like to pat on with a flat shading brush.
Loved this post. You have given me thorough explanations of each pans, so I have a few options to choose from and I am so ready to get my hands on makeup geek eyeshadow pans. Great post as usual Hun xx
ReplyDeleteLaura| www.lauralivinglife.com
Makeup Geek eyeshadows are just amazing :) xx
DeleteLove your eyeshadow collection! I really hate z-palletes, I think they're so unsightly! I am dying to try some ABH eyeshadows though!!!
ReplyDeleteNatasha Kendall
Thank you for putting such a helpful post, Jasmine! Especially about the pans. I will always go back to this post now whenever I feel like putting up my own palette.
ReplyDeleteSelene Addicted
You've made the palette of perfection! I don't think theres a colour in it I don't love. This is such good idea as I always put off buying single shadows because I've nowhere to store them. x
ReplyDeleteJordan || Darling Jordan
The individual pans in a magnetic palette are definitely the solution to that :) xx
DeleteAll those are my dreams shades! Great post Jasmine and so helpfull! I recently started buying individual eyeshadows and now I have more on my list!
ReplyDeleteKaterina xx
http://p-s-kate.blogspot.gr/
I love the look of the Golden Olive shade by Coloured Raine, it looks gorgeous! So many lovely shades. I have alot of these MUG ones. I really need to try the ABH ones.
ReplyDeleteEmmysBeautyCave | Bloglovin | ColourPop GIVEAWAY
OMG, this palette ist soohoo amazing!
ReplyDeleteJust perfect for your eyes. I would prefer grey and taupe shades :)
xoxo, Colli
my beautyblog - tobeyoutiful
I really need to try ABH shadows!
ReplyDeleteParie x
classandglitter.com
These shadows are such gorgeous colours especially for going in to Autumn! I've been eyeing up the MUG eyeshadows for a while now but I keep changing my mind on what colour palette I want to go for first! XX
ReplyDeletesgxstyling.blogspot.com
I definitely recommend taking the plunge and picking a few up, though it's definitely addictive haha xx
DeleteThis is just perfect in every way possible! I love everything you picked here hun!
ReplyDeleteFix Me In Forty Five - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
Blog Lovin' // Instagram
xx
This palette is heavenly. Couldn't of chosen a better range of colours! The holder is also super affordable which is good. Really need to try the ABH shadows but they're just annoying to get hold of in the UK :(
ReplyDeleteJaynieShannon | Beauty & Lifestyle
Xx
You can just order them from Sephora :) xx
DeleteI love your eyeshadow picks - I own a bunch of these but I have a few that I added to my list. I really want to try Makeup Geek Homecoming!
ReplyDeleteKate | katelovesmakeup.com
Such a gorgeous palette!
ReplyDeletexo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
This are so pretty! I especially love the lightest eight, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteAnna.
A New Old Fashioned Girl
Those shades are gorgeous! They're all perfect for autumn as well x
ReplyDeletehttp://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk/
I love how you have a lot of warm tones! So up my street! I definitely agree with you about MAC eyeshadows slipping away into the background but other shadows are just better! I'm so used to using Makeup Geek eyeshadows everyday so when I got the ABH Modern Renaissance palette I was so blown away by how good they were! Definitely agree with you that they are the best shadows too!x
ReplyDeleteRebecca | Rebecca Olivia Capel
I think you'd love their singles in that case :) xx
DeleteThe shades are perfect.
ReplyDeletehttp://societyfix.blogspot.com.eg/
STUNNING! I need to get 'all that glitters' it looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteGrace x
http://graciebellblogs.blogspot.co.uk
This pallet looks perfect, it is full of tones and colour that I love. I think I am going to have to do some online shopping!
ReplyDeleteDanielle xx
http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
That is a pretty perfect palette! Really want the MUFE palette but I think it's out of stock on Debenhams now :( also need to get my hands on some ABH singles, they look and sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteDanielle's Beauty Blog
It's in stock on the site I have linked which is where I got it x
DeleteThanks Jasmine, I have problems paying for delivery though lol! I also just googled it and think I was searching the wrong thing on Debs, it's still there and I hope to get it if I'm in time for the Kat von D launch :) xx
DeleteSeriously this palette is a dream palette, it has the perfect mix of the colours I love, swatches look so good! I still haven't made my custom palette, I keep postponing and then the colours I want always is out of stock when I want to get it. Golden olive and glisten are gorgeous! x
ReplyDeleteEla BellaWorld
Palette perfection :) And thanks for the mention :) The Morphe palette is pretty good :) x
ReplyDeleteMummy’s Beauty Corner
This is so satisfying to scroll through. All those lovely warm shades!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about warm tones on the eyes haha xx
DeleteYour palette looks stunning! I love all the shades you have in it. I need to work on building my custom palette!
ReplyDeleteNicole | The Glam Surge
These are really nice colors. Mac Sable I find best. Great post. I find your blog very nice.
ReplyDeleteMany greetings love,
Katharina von http://blogundbeauty.blogspot.de/
Most of the shades that I own (I only have a few singles) are included in this post! I love All that glitters, woodwinked, shimma shimma, flamethrower, and rapunzel. I'll have to try out the ABH singles and thanks for all the recommendations on magnetic palettes! Only my MAC shadows stick to my Pro palette and it's really annoying, I've been looking for a new one.
ReplyDeletewww.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com
I'd definitely recommend the Makeup For Ever one if you have a variety of brands you want in one palette xx
DeleteIf I had this palette, I seriously don't think I'd ever need another one. So well put together!!
ReplyDeleteOlive & Ivy
I recently tried coloured raine too and I absolutely love the formula of their shadows. This is truly the ultimate neutral palette. Great post!
ReplyDeleteTrecee
http://treceefabulous.blogspot.com/
I have been seeing this magnetised palette on Instagram but I never knew were they were from, I'm so happy I have found it. I have 2 of the MAC refill palettes and the fact that they are not magnetic is a massive pain. Plus loving your eyeshadow picks, I will definitely adding a few of these to my shopping list.
ReplyDeletewww.tomikaydoesbeauty.com
Amazing palette! I kind of wish it was a pre-made one available for sale - it's so well put together!
ReplyDeleteLexie
nailgirl.net
Thank you :) xx
DeleteThis is my literal goals - these are the perfect colours. So natural and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKassie www.styledevoured.uk
This palette is right up my alley! I ADORE earthy warm colors, this is just GOALS
ReplyDeleteKate x | http://katealifestyle.blogspot.com
ABH also have an 8 pan palette you can get but it's only on their website. I am certainly a mug eyeshadow lover though.
ReplyDeleteAh I didn't realise - I don't think they did it when I was in the US xx
DeleteI have the MAC palette and have to agree that getting the shadows out is such a pain! Love all of your picks, they seem to work really well with your skin tone!
ReplyDeletePaula
Thirteen Thoughts
You have amazing taste Jasmine! I've started creating my own Morphe palette and I absoutely love it <3
ReplyDeleteAbigail Alice x
Such a great selection Jasmine. I love this good mix of ABH, Mac & MUG in one post. I really want to buy MUG travel vault as u mentioned it is secure for travelling. Is MUG Flamethrower similar to one of the inglot eyeshadows you have? I have similar copper bronze shimmery shade in Inglot..just wondering!
ReplyDeleteAsh | www.mstantrum.com
The Inglot has a much more muted colour and isn't as dewy/shimmery to me xx
DeleteWonderful post! I have yet to try out the makeup geek eyeshadows, I think it's just because I get so overwhelmed at the large selection they have now! So thank you for all the swatches that was very helpful!
ReplyDeletestephanieC
Wow this was a very thorough rundown and very helpful. You have a very big collection of shadows to play with. I think eyeshadows are one of my favourite makeup products, I feel like they really let you explore your creative side.
ReplyDeletewww.thesundaymode.com
Ooh I love all these shades, looks like the perfect palette for autumn too! Immy x
ReplyDeletewww.immymay.com
Such a brilliant post and you have the very best swatches Jasmine! <3 Thankyou for this, I have quite the addiction to MUG and ABH, and now I'm interested in trying the coloured raine range too ^_^ So many shades to add to my wishlist, but I found myself nodding along to a lot of these too - love all those foiled finish shades and Rapunzel is just perfection in a pan!
ReplyDeleteIqra | The Blushing Giraffe x
You'd LOVE Rapunzel! xx
DeleteI squealed when I seen this post, you know how much our eyeshadow tastes are the same haha, seriously its love... and now my wishlist is growing by the second :D
ReplyDeleteErin || MakeErinOver
My whole Z palette is basically MUG. So there are many of my favourites here. Although I'm really enjoying my custom Inglot palette. i'm desperate to try the ABH singles, they sound amazing! The CR one looks so pretty! xx
ReplyDeleteLPage Beauty
If you did a collab with a brand and create this eyeshadow palette so your readers could purchase, I would totally buy it! You selected the perfect shades and I love how you have the right balance of matte and shimmers.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
Haha thank you - I used to be such a shimmer girl but mattes definitely add the dimension to a look :) xx
DeleteSuch a fab post Jasmine! I have always very much stuck to palettes as I pretty much failed at making a mac eyeshadow palette before. But with the introduction of a few more affordable custom eyeshadows (mainly MUG) I've been itching to try again and make one. I'll definitely be referring back to this when I do as this has been super helpful.
ReplyDeleteI also really love the palette you've used, what a bargain!
The Makeup Directory
That palette is gorgeous!! I need more silvers and purples in my "perfect palette" but I really love those warm oranges too! I don't blog anymore but you can chat me up on instagram: Batty4Beauty :}
ReplyDeleteLucky you that you can pull off both warm and cool tones :) xx
DeleteI have been wanting to purchase that MUFE palette forever, but it is always out of stock online and it bugs me!!
ReplyDeleteYou have some great shades here! I am dying over...well all of them! haha
Angie | Chocolate & Lipstick | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
This was such an interesting post! I recently just did my first makeup geek order and with that picked up a z palette, i like it but i purchased the extra large which apparently fits 32 but it definitely does not. Definitely going to look into these custom palettes.
ReplyDeletewww.themakeupaficionado.com
This palette is amaaaazing how good are Makeup Geek shadows?! I love Cocoa Bear. One I think you would like from the look of this is Mac - Uninterrupted, a brick brown colour. So nice! Lovely to see somebody else from Manchester on my feed :) Alice xxx
ReplyDeletewww.aliceadventures.co.uk
Ooh sounds right up my street - thanks for the tip :) xx
DeleteI've been on a spending ban for so long now, I'm pretty sure I haven't spent money on make-up for a good 2-3 months now (saving up)! Now I've read this post and there are so many shadows I want to put into my own palette which I began to create! I feel like all of these are essentials haha
ReplyDeleteCharlotte // www.charlottespicks.com
LOVE all of these shades!
ReplyDeleteKez | acaciasdreams.com
That palette is just gorgeous 😍😍😍
ReplyDeleteStacey White
www.staceylouisewhite.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you for your comments - I hope this was useful and gave you some ideas for your own perfect palette :) xx
ReplyDeletePerfect colours!! <3
ReplyDeleteTheVogueWord
TheVogueWord