The YSL Pure Chromatics Eye Shadow in 'City Drive Classy' is one of the items I chose from their perty fall/autumn collection (to see all my picks - click HERE).
Above: the 'City Drive Classy' palette is the same size as the regular Pure Chromatics compact from the permanent collection, but it does have the ultra-chic, ultra contemporary graffiti design in black. ^_^ Very stylin' no? ;-)
Inside the palette is a mirror, a dual-ended sponge applicator (for dry application) and a dual-ended soft rubber applicator (for wet application) for those who care to use them.
The palette consists of a satin champagne, a very warm, light to medium, coppery brown, a warm dark brown, and a shimmering steel grey shade.
Above: photographed to show more the texture and finish of the eye shadow powders.
Swatches
All swatches were applied on medium, olive skin tone (~NC30) and photographed indoors under artificial lighting using a strobe.
![]()
Above: close up of the shades and their swatches below via their corresponding numbers.
Application
I personally like to wear this palette in any of these ways:
A) Medium, copper brown on the mobile lid, champagne in the inner corner and dark brown in the outer corner. The result is a lovely warm neutral eye look for day or night (adding more depth colour for evening by layering or applying with a wet applicator).
B) shimmering steel grey on the mobile lid and the dark brown to line the upper and lower lashes.
C) optionally add the medium, warm copper brown on the crease and just above the crease as a sort of 'transitional' colour to option B above. :) B and C are great for a night out as the shimmering steel grey creates an edgier, cooler and modern look.
I found application was very easy. Blending was easy when dry with pretty good colour pay off. I only found very minimal shimmery fall out with the steel grey shade (hardly noticeable) when applying in a gentle patting motion. I never really bother applying with a dampened applicator on my eyes (because I don't have the time or patience!), but as you can see from the swatches below the intensity is greatly increased, should you choose to wear it in this way.
Comparison Swatches
Somehow the shades reminded me of the Pure Chromatics Palette in #9 from the permanent line, but as you can see from the swatches below, the two are quite different.
![]()
Below: swatches of 'City Drive Palette' are in the top row and the 'Pure Chromatics #9' swatches are in the bottom row.
Overall
I'm happy with this palette. I think it would suit many skin tones and eye colours depending on your comfort zone. The beautiful, warm copper brown in particular would be very flattering against blue-eyed beauties. The steel grey against the contrasting warm colours adds a modern, edgy feel and certainly reflects the urban, chic look that the palette was made for. Love that it isn't just your average neutral palette, so worth checking out if you're after something a little different. :)
I'm happy with this palette. I think it would suit many skin tones and eye colours depending on your comfort zone. The beautiful, warm copper brown in particular would be very flattering against blue-eyed beauties. The steel grey against the contrasting warm colours adds a modern, edgy feel and certainly reflects the urban, chic look that the palette was made for. Love that it isn't just your average neutral palette, so worth checking out if you're after something a little different. :)
Hope this was useful.
Thanks for stopping by! ^_^ xo
Thanks for stopping by! ^_^ xo