Review: Smokey Eyes Palette [NYX]

Posted by Tamara in eye shadow, review | 2 comments

Category: eye shadow (10 palette)

Product Name: NYX For Your Eyes Only Smokey Eyes

Product Description: NYX’s signature eyeshadows in a 10 colour combo palette that offers a bold, dramatic, variety of colours. (from nyxcosmetics.ca)

Price: ~ $14.99 CAD (from nyxcosmetics.ca)

Amount: 14g (0.49 oz)

Packaging: A glossy black compact with a large mirror that feels quite sturdy and closes securely.

Experience: I had seen these palettes online for a time, but it was only once I saw them at one of the local drugstores that it really caught my attention.  This particular series ‘For Your Eyes Only’ was set up with palettes built around eye colour (blue, brown & green) and a smokey kit, which is what I gravitated towards.  It stuck me as particularly versatile because there was a decent range of shades; whether you wanted something subtle or dramatic, you were covered.

A blend of textures makes this palette attractive to me because I prefer to have a mix of textures, though I do feel it was lacking in a matte/satin finish in a lighter shade.  Since my brows are dark, I was also able to use one of the shades to fill in my brows and the lighter shades also work nicely as highlights for the face.  Multi-purpose is always a plus when it comes to palettes, because it’s less to carry in your makeup bag for touch ups.

With just a primer, I got about 5-6 hours wear time with these shadows.  When I added in a creamier base, the longevity increased by a few more hours.  I encountered no irritation with any of these shadows and in fact used this palette exclusively for about 2 weeks when I first picked it up.  I just kept reaching for it, I think because it was just so convenient and easy.

The shadows are very soft and smooth, though I did have some problems with adhesion.  When I first patted on the colour, the colour payoff was great.  Once I started blending however, the colour would fade very easily.  I remedied the situation by using a sticky base (in addition to my eye primer), but it was disappointing that the shadows couldn’t stand on their own.  I also felt like the imagery on the box was deceiving.  Comparatively, the illustration seems a bit more accurate than the photo, unless of course you’re using a really dark base.

On it’s own this palette was a major flop.  Usually this would be enough to turn me off entirely, but surprisingly I found myself thinking that it has potential.  I feel like most people are using bases, so you can definitely make it work if you want to.  Paired with an appropriate creamy base (I use NYX’s Jumbo Pencils), I think it’s a good value (~ $1.50 per shadow) for an everyday or travel palette.  Despite my initial problems with adhesion, I really do enjoy this palette.  Go figure.

Pros: good initial payoff, great versatility for looks (dramatic vs subtle), mutli-purpose, nice mix of frost & satin finishes, smooth texture

Cons: no light matte shade, poor adhesion (without a sticky base)

Rating: 2.5/5 (without base)