The Essential Eyeshadow Palette (£30) contains 5 matte shades. Off white, Grey, browned grey, black and terracotta. The Terracotta seemed somewhat out of place but was an interesting inclusion.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFrek0XGTAXR6sKFcgwt37V4RsRM8ju7g4sTJ-PIL1s7ZxpBKUkBjrrIK0BLKBYpwxSFPlCJgk2qG2CLgRN3FFDCDs-G51GwhmzPzb2TvpJY5D6NN_e6wp44Q_-OcivlizppvJN9Lhzas/s320/LY+Palette.jpg)
The shadows are smooth and have great wear, although I do not find they blend as easily as my favourite brands. The black has a dryer consistency in feel and when swatched than the others, however it applies smooth on the eye, I think it easily out performs MAC’s Carbon in terms of pigment and wear.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9fRfPpQDroEp1eEzVBnBOQUQqgxIIXBtZsEJbG0PsK8i3lCHy04lPBtH4lmr016-1oE1ouXTwps55gQRhgEqXgYEsbJK90dcxjIP-r0ucf-z6Gk2Uj4thK53V-Vv7nfZ7iXzNmheR56U/s320/LY+s1.jpg)
Apart from the Off white, the colours are extremely pigmented. After having played around with this palette I have given up trying to use the Terracotta shade. If I blend it with the other shades I end up with an unflattering murky colour as below
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXAuzk2K0qH3uvMw13gJiRLLotgyrXMVpHmoHm6FX-pi8-K3AOsAZQd0T-u0gx4ShRLBJ9_sf_3leo074D1uIDOOnlxIbur583v-MBRI3s7bNcsbzqjs4xV8P7OoqVN267uO4usf7WO2U/s320/LY+eye.jpg)
I’ve tried it on the lid, in the crease and neither works, I feel like I haven’t mastered how to get the best out of this palette and its due to my lack of application technique as I am sure there is a way to incorporate the terracotta.
If I ignore the terracotta I can get a soft or deep smoky look, but these colours are not unique.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn7VJys1dyMgUXxfVaNuNQAtv95eUabb7YbdzLW5O8wJe6BqB7p8o2ZWb6E22vRxRZW8dIk9RWM3Ue6NZePYaV9kD-mAD3Powo2GBXpOf0kaE7uHp64TiYVyt2jPVRe3NwZr-Be3jggKu/s320/LY1+%25281%2529.jpg)
I do however like this palette for the colour pay off and long lasting wear. So whilst this isn’t quite working for me I will be keeping a watchful eye on future releases from Louise Young.
Here are the shade names:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwFsQBmW9NROcDxeCjekw4jWdv-IGviBsy1rcLrIlbTdCvlNhlBv2mVVJGJ8t8ciypho03k0GH9eoqMzmodhgUzgRFO_jBDUGi8YhMVfKmPG_AnL2kdC7aNKD61tWtOtSkgi2beIEmnGi/s320/LY+back+of+palette.jpg)
My husband bought me this from the Louise Young website (
http://www.louiseyoungcosmetics.com/index.php), the delivery was cheap (£2.99) and quick and they do offer international delivery.
I quite like the eye with the terracotta. Maybe it's just because it's not a colour you're used to?
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me a lot of the Kevyn Aucoin palette #1. Hopefully she'll bring out some other combinations.
I was looking forward to this palette coming out, but I'm not sure if I should buy now. Shadows that don't blend easily are a major sticking-point for me, as life is too short to be blending eyeshadow!
ReplyDeleteI think that teracotta colour would work quite well on my complexion, but I can understand why you are hesitant about those sorts of shades - it can look odd if you're not used to it. It would look fab on green or blue eyes!
Thanks for the review :)
Both looks are lovely! The black used in your smokey eye looks amazingly pigmented. Terracotta can be nice to add a touch of warmth above the crease. On myself, anything with a lot of orange in it can be tricky to use, so I am trying to learn how best to apply it because I've seen these types of shades look fabulous on others. Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace actually. I think that combination works very well on you, although I understand that if you don't feel comfortable with it, it's not something you will go back to.
ReplyDeleteThe palette looks like a good quality one and all the colours look smooth and pigmented...
Have a great week hon!
Nina x
OMG this is SOOOOO funny. I've just written about Louise as well. Her make-up brushes are just the best.... loving what you've done here too - what great taste we have !!! ha ha
ReplyDeleteHi Grace,
ReplyDeleteYour right it is probably because I am not use to it, but I don't think I can get to liking it really, I do tend to stay in my safe colour zone, as you may have noticed ;)
Hi dempss01,
Whislt there are things I like about it, its not something I would recommend, colours aside the blendabilty was a bit disappointing, I know we all have different techniques/brushes but its just not up to the normal standard of my favorite shadow brands.
Hi Makeup Magpie,
Thanks! I wish I could wear warmer shades, I wonder sometimes if its because I am so pale that the contrast is just too much, my skin does tend to make things go orange! :)
Hi Nina,
You know since I posted this, I dislike how the terracotta looks in the first pic even more! I think if the shadows blended better this would be very impressive, I'm very fussy x
Hi Ballet news,
;) I am going to have to get the blusher brush after your post, I really like the crease brush I have from LY, they are quite good prices as well I think.
You know (and don't laugh!), the combination of colours in this palette is exactly like an old Boots Natural Collection one which I bought when I was at Uni and which I loved (I still have it!). Funnily enough, i only used the terracotta colour only once or twice while the other colours are well consumed! So yes, I understand your reservations about this shade! I've heard about her brushes, will wait for your review, which I'm sure will come ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteI remeber my younger days when I would buy from the Natural collection, can't believe you still have it! Glad its not just me that has an aversion to terracotta ;)I have already reviewed one of her brushes, the crease one LY38, I highly recommend it x