By Terry have just released their Eye Designer Palettes that are currently available in two colour combinations: Smoky Nude (1) reviewed in my previous post and Color Design (2) reviewed here. Each palette contains ten eye shadows, has a mix of finishes and can be applied dry for softer, every day wear or using a damp brush for added colour intensity.
Packaging
Like with other luxury makeup brands, the By Terry Eye Designer Palette comes with a violet velvet pouch for protection during storage or travel.
The palette itself looks very luxe and sleek in its signature purple colour. :) The surface of the lid has a rubber texture so it feels tactile and secure to hold in your hand. Unfortunately, it does mean it attracts any dirt and dust. /:-\ The palette clicks to close. It is secure enough, but I feel it could be made even more secure, especially when it's put in your hand bag without its velvet pouch.
The palette is made from solid, quality plastic and there's a little bit of weight to it, but not too heavy so it's easy to travel with. I'm relieved it's not made from weighty, metal like By Terry's powder blush (featured here and here) - while it looks and feel luxurious, it's not the most practical! ;)
Below is the size of the palette compared to my slightly-smaller-than-average hand.
And...how it compares to the size of the new NARSissist Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette. It's the same width, but slightly shorter in length.
Below: the product description label on the bottom of the palette.
A large mirror is provided on the underside of the lid. Each eye shadow is embossed with the By Terry logo all along the outside.
Below is the dual-ended applicator brush provided. One end is a mini natural-bristled, soft, fluffy blending brush and the other is a nice, firm and precise eye liner brush. I like the long length of the dual-ended brush as it makes it easier to hold and I'm less likely to lose it compared to tiny ones! ;-) I would not recommend using the blending brush for picking up product from the pan and depositing onto the eye lids though as it's not dense enough for this and provides too much movement. I recommend a flat-shaped, soft, dense eye brush instead. The one provided in the palette is suitable just for blending out the edges.
Colours, Finishes, Texture & Application
The palette consists of ten powder eye shadows - mostly vibrant colours with matte, but mostly satin to sheen/shimmer finishes. All designed for creating a soft touch of colour for day to more dramatic, intense jewel toned eye looks for a night out.
The top row of palette from left to right consists of:
// Navy (matte) - This one performed the worst in the entire palette when applied dry. The texture was dry with nothing to keep the fine powders bind together, so applies unevenly, sheerly and very difficult to build the colour. It also easily transfers and drops out of place. When applied with a damp/wet brush however, it's completely transformed in terms of colour pay-off, even coverage and application. So, best to only use this with a damp brush unfortunately.
// Medium, brightened purple (satin)
// Lilac (matte)
// Warm, pale pink (satin to sheen)
// Cool, pale pink with a subtle purple undertone (satin)
The bottom row from left to right:
// Dark brown (matte)
// Copper (sheen to shimmer)
// Light to medium yellow (sheen to shimmer) - This one was a little powdery and applied a bit sheerly, too when applied dry. So, best to use as a wash of colour or with a damp brush for more intense, even colour pay-off.
// Light to medium apricot (sheen to shimmer)
// Orange (matte) - This one felt slightly dry to the touch, but still applied with excellent pigmentation and saturated colour.
So far, my favourite colour combination is the orange and purple! ^_^ I think it's a fun and modern colour combination - so long as you don't take the colour all the way up to the brows. ;) I must say, I've been obsessed with orange eye shadows lately - it's such an unexpected, flattering shade. It's a bit like how my love of orange/orange red lipsticks was discovered years ago - unexpectedly flattering (on just about anybody!). I found orange eye shadows contrasts so beautifully with my dark, brown eyes and even makes the whites of my eyes even whiter! And, on my medium skin - it surprisingly doesn't look all that loud when applied dry. Definitely more wearable than one would think! Trust me (though I'm not a makeup artist - hehe...). ;)
With the exception of the two shades I mentioned that didn't perform as well, the rest are pretty good quality in terms of having a smooth, silky texture, excellent pigmentation and ease of application.
Swatches (Dry)
Below are swatches applied dry with a clean finger on my medium, olive (~NC30) skin tone. All were photographed indoors under artificial lighting and using a strobe unless indicated otherwise.
Above: Top row of palette from left to right.
Above: Again, but shot in low light without a strobe to capture any iridescence in the eye shadows.
Above: Bottom row of palette from left to right.
Above: In low light without a strobe to capture any iridescence in the eye shadows.
Swatches (Wet)
Here are the swatches applied with a damp brush.
Above: Top row of palette from left to right.
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Above: In low light without a strobe to capture any iridescence in the eye shadows.
Above: Bottom row of palette from left to right.
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Above: In low light without a strobe to capture any iridescence in the eye shadows.
Ingredients
Click on the image to enlarge.
Size
Each of the ten eye shadows contain 1.4 g / 0.05 oz of product.
Made in Italy.
Overall
Out of the two palettes, Color Design was the one that caught my attention at first upon seeing the images online. It is just so gorgeous, vibrant, colourful and unlike anything in my collection. Annoyingly, however, this palette is not as consistent throughout in quality as the Smoky Nude (1) palette, which is overall - buttery, smooth, pigmented and a breeze to apply dry or wet. Even though it's only a couple of eye shadows that didn't deliver as well, I still expected the same quality as the other palette for the high price point. Nonetheless, I'm still happy to keep this as it's unique amongst my collection of eye shadow palettes. It's a fun range of colours that I'm keen to play with and experiment using both dry and wet techniques, and bring out the creative artist in me. ;) I think it's worth checking it out if you're craving colour.
Availability
Limited edition. I purchased mine from Space NK (UK) online.
Hope this was useful. :)
Thanks for looking! ^_^ xo
Are you a By Terry fan? Which of the two new palettes are you keen to splurge on?