MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor eyeshadow palette review + swatches

        For Spring 2013, MAKE UP FOR EVER has a palette that will take you over the rainbow! The MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor eyeshadow palette channels the 1930's cinematic revolution that all began when Dorothy stepped out the door of her windswept home into the magical wonderland of Oz. Like the filmmakers of that period, Dany Sanz has created a palette of over-saturated colors to make them seem more alive.




          The MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor palette is housed in black plastic packaging emblazoned with its namesake logo and the silhouette of an eye that seems to be a part of  MAKE UP FOR EVER's trademark imagery. There's a mirror on the inside of the lid. The palette contains eight 0.03 oz. eyeshadows (full size singles are typically 0.08oz.).

          When it comes to wearing brights, I like a small brush head since it allows for more precision. With most products I prefer to use my own full-size applicators, however in this case, I was happy to see miniature 10P and 16P brushes included. I've noticed that a product is often best applied with that brand's own brushes, and that seems to be the case with the Technicolor palette.

         The MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor palette is right on with this spring's bright color forecast. I've seen uncannily similar colors in the Spring / Summer 2013 collection in another favorite brand of mine (I guess great artists think alike)! It's also worth noting that the palette is pretty practical too; it has four neutrals in addition to the four brights.

          The MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor palette has eight colors, seven of which are from the permanent collection.  I like that MAKE UP FOR EVER chose mostly matte formulations; shimmer in bright colors can be a bit excessive. Black (#04) is a matte black. Yellow (Jaune) is a sunny yellow with slight shimmer. Apple Green (#91) is a fresh parakeet green. Turquoise (#72) is a bright blue. Lilac (#116) is a medium lilac; it's not as bright as the others. White (#00) is a paper white. Espresso (#17) is a rich warm brown. Beige (#126) is a peach-leaning beige with shimmer; as you can see it blends in seamlessly with my skin tone.

           As you can see in my swatches below, the colors are bright and beautiful. However, the formulation of these shadows has been a topic of contention amongst bloggers. Personally, I find that the formula works fine for me. I was delighted by how bright Apple Green and Turquoise looked on my lids after just a couple sweeps of the 16P brush (over NARS Smudgeproof primer). They held up well while blending. That said, I will acknowledge that the formula is a little dryer and not as perfectly silky as the regular line, and some of the colors are easier to work with than others. I think different application methods and applicators make a difference. First, the included brushes seemed to work better for me than my everyday makeup brushes. Second, it helps to swirl brushes vigorously to pick up pigment and swipe them on, as opposed to using a 'packing' method.

         I'm looking forward to incorporating the MAKE UP FOR EVER Technicolor palette ($45) into my routine. Brights aren't workhorse colors, so it's nice to get them in cost-effective palette form. I really enjoyed the story behind the creation of this eyeshadow palette; as you know, I'm a fan of inspirations. I'd say the standout colors are Apple Green and Turquoise; they'd be perfect for the Inspired by Monet look I wrote about earlier this month! Thanks for reading! Have you had the chance to try the Technicolor palette? What kind of look would you create with this palette? What MAKE UP FOR EVER products have you been loving lately?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.