I saw this on Etude’s official IG page last year, and because I’m such a huge fan of brown/nude shades, I immediately noted it down on my shopping list and made it a point to buy it in Korea.
I’ve been meaning to write this for some time now, but always forgot about it.. until today!
Product Description
Inspired by the art of coffee, this is a 10 color eye shadow that comes in various texture for different expression of the eyes for different occasions.
Official Retail Price in Singapore: SGD35.90
Ingredient List
Can’t seem to find this online, but I think it should be rather similar to the other Etude eyeshadow palettes.
Swatches
Review
Packaging
Sorry if the packaging looks a little dirty – I took these photos after using the palette for about 2 months!
If you’ve been to Korea, you’d know that coffee is REALLY big there, so it’s little wonder that an eyeshadow palette inspired by coffee would appear someday.
Suggested read: Top Coffee Shops in Seoul You Can’t Miss
There’s nothing very unique about the packaging (at least, nothing much different from the other Play Color Eyes palettes released previously, except a change in graphics).
I do have to say though, those individual pans look like they aren’t tightly secured in the palette, and I’m very sure I did not drop this palette before. Maybe it’s time for Etude to look into this, please?
Texture
The shades in this palette glide on SO smoothly, I almost thought I had bought the wrong brand. I used to struggle a fair bit with Etude’s eyeshadows because sometimes it applies too clumpy, but this palette applies like a dream.
I think there’s still some more work to be done with the matte shades, but I definitely think the glitter/shimmery shades in this eyeshadow palette are pretty smooth.
Colour payoff & intensity
I’m not going to lie – I was, and still am, blown away by how great the colour payoff is.
I would like to think that Etude improves its formulations with every new palette released, and that’s why I keep buying from them even though I’m not super impressed by the previous ones. I’m truly convinced that Etude has done something right with this, because I’m actually not complaining about any shade here being near invisible??
Colour
Browns are so good for beginners, and basically anyone who is bad (or good) with eyeshadow. I would say that the 2 shades Black with Extra Shot and Extra Caffeine are extra hard to work with, but everything else is very easy to blend and use on a daily basis.
I’m also quite impressed that this palette has a good mix of warm and cool tones. Although brown eyeshadow palettes are usually thought of as ‘warm’, this one manages to incorporate a few shades that are catered to those with cool undertones as well. This is great news if you have cool undertones, or lean more towards neutral (and hence can use both warm and cool shades).
I also just realized that the shades offered look rather similar to Urban Decay’s OG Naked palette – do you agree?
Staying power
Nothing amazing, but nothing to be criticised also. Its staying power is pretty average.
Final Verdict
If there is only 1 eyeshadow palette you have to buy from Etude, this is it. Not even the KitKat novelty one compares to this (sorry).
I’ve never been so impressed with an Etude palette, and I’m sure that if you have been using their palettes since the early days (think Juice Bar), you’ll agree with me as well. I am so glad that the brand listened to customers’ feedback and keep producing great palettes like these.
Individual Rating
Colour payoff: ????
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Overall Rating
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