Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette Review

Beautycounter has just released a new collection of powders!  Included in that collection are the Velvet Eyeshadow Palettes.  Now, if you’re familiar with BC and have been tracking with the company for some time, you know that they are constantly improving.  One of the biggest examples of this is their eyeshadows.  The older shades came in duos and they were very light.  VERY light.  Then there was the Ocean & Pacific Palette.  The colors were brilliant.  They went on smoother but they still had a tendency to look worn as the hours went on and they’d crease.  Christmas brought with it the Winter Jewel Palette and the Ultimate Nudes Palette.  Some of my favorite shadows are from the Ultimate Nudes Palette.  They really feel high-end.  The biggest problem I had with that palette was the fact that it would collect in the creases of my eyes.  I really don’t like that.  I could smooth it out and make it work, but when you’re paying top dollar you shouldn’t have to do that.

Sometimes I feel like I know that I’m using a clean beauty product because it doesn’t perform very well.  That should not be the case.  The Ultimate Nudes Palette actually performed pretty well.  In other words, I wasn’t painfully aware of how safe and clean and nontoxic yet completely uninspiring it was.  When I use a clean beauty product, I want it work like all those toxic products out there.  I don’t want to see the difference.  You know what I’m saying?  And now, Beautycounter has brought us these new eyeshadow palettes.  They’ve reformulated to address long wear, texture and payoff and they are so gorgeous.  I’ve learned everything I can about the new Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palettes and I’m ready to tell you all about these beauties.  Let’s dive in.

Why Beautycounter

As you may already know, I decided to become a consultant with Beautycounter because I wanted to have safer products and the consultant discount (25% off) helps me get more of them at a better price.  Also, I was intrigued by the company’s desire to create products that are made without the use of the more than 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients on BC’s “Never List”.  And of course, I want it all.  I want luxuriant skincare and makeup and body wash that works as well as any other product on the market without all the toxins.  It should be noted that I don’t think that Beautycounter is the only company out there that is doing this.  Since joining BC, I’ve discovered many other clean beauty companies.  And every once in a while, I find a product from one of those companies that I like more (gasp).  So, it goes without saying that there are some affiliate links in this post.  It means that whenever you buy something from a link in this post, at no additional cost to you, you’re supporting my small business.  Thank you for that. If you want to know more, see my disclosures here.

 

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palettes

So, according to Christy Coleman, Chief Artistic Officer for Beautycounter, the new Beautycounter powders deliver on payoff, precision, performance and purity.      Payoff refers to the one swipe color intensity we all love.  Artist grade pigments that deliver great payoff without questionable ingredients.  Precision  means that all ingredients go through a triple milling process to ensure perfect, precise particle size.  Silky smooth powders that lay down evenly and blend beautifully. Performance is all about long wear.  Using an innovative ingredient butter powder.  Butter powder is a natural binder that helps the powders go on smoothly and last all day.  Purity is what truly sets BC apart.  Every single batch of makeup is tested for heavy metals resulting in higher performing, safer formulas.

At the center of these new palettes is a metallic-looking shade that is made from mica powder.  This is a huge game-changer for the makeup industry.  This type of texture has not existed in the products before this one.  Metallics are in these days.  The problem is that they often contain -duh – heavy metals which are toxic.  You don’t want that stuff anywhere near your eyes.  Mica powders are made from a non-toxic mineral that gives off a shimmery and metallic-like appearance.  This is yet another reason to love Beautycounter.  They continue to innovate and create safer products that perform as well as any other product out there.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Classic

The Classic Eyeshadow Palette is all about sun-drenched neutrals.  Use it to look chic and polished.  It is wearable all day.  It includes a light shade called Ivory, medium shades Suede, Cinnamon, Copper and Sahara.  The dark shades in this palette are Sienna, Sable, & Burnished.  The metallic-looking shade is called Penny.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Classic Shade Descriptions

• Cinnamon: satin warm brown.
• Ivory: satin ecru.
• Suede: matte soft neutral brown.
• Sienna: matte terracotta.
• Penny: sparkling bronze gold.
• Copper: metallic copper.
• Sable: matte rich brown.
• Sahara: satin sheer gold.
• Burnished: satin burgundy.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Classic Ingredient List

CINNAMON, IVORY, SUEDE, SIENNA, COPPER, SABLE, SAHARA,
BURNISHED: Mica, Talc, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Boron Nitride,
Lauroyl Lysine, Silica*, Zinc Stearate, Magnesium Stearate,
Methicone, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Potassium
Sorbate, Trimyristin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate,
Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane†
May Contain/Peut contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI
19140)
*present in Cinnamon, Ivory, Copper, Sahara, Burnished
†present in Sahara
PENNY: Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl
Stearate, Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Jojoba Esters, Zinc
Stearate, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus (Sunf lower) Seed Wax,
Lauroyl Lysine, Potassium Sorbate, Acacia Decurrens Flower
Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491)

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Romantic

The Romantic Eyeshadow Palette features whimsical and feminine colors that can be dolled up for evening.  It is a dreamy collection.  It includes light shades called Candlelight, Cameo and Flush.  The medium shades are named Truffle, Dusk and Brulee.  Moondust may be considered a metallic-looking shade.  Dark shades of Moto and Smolder complete the palette.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Romantic Shade Descriptions

• Moto: matte soft grey.
• Brulee: satin warm taupe.
• Candlelight: satin beige.
• Cameo: satin pink.
• Moondust: sparkling white.
• Truffle: satin cool taupe.
• Flush: satin cool violet pink.
• Smolder: deep eggplant with blue shimmer.
• Dusk: satin dusty rose.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Romantic Ingredient List

MOTO, BRULEE , CANDLELIGHT, CAMEO, T RUFFLE, FLUSH, SMOLDER, DUSK: Mica, Talc, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Boron
Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Silica**, Zinc Stearate, Magnesium
Stearate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Methicone,
Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol,
Trimyristin*, Hydrogenated Lecithin*, Barium Sulfate†,
Stearyl Triethoxysilane†, Magnesium Silicate††, Synthetic
Fluorphlogopite††, Triethoxycaprylylsilane‡, Tin Oxide‡‡
May Contain/Peut contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI
16035), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ultramarines (CI 77007),
Manganese Violet (CI 77742)
*present in Moto, Brulee, Cameo, Cameo, Truffle, Smolder, Dusk, Flush only
**present in Moto, Candlelight, Cameo, Truffle, Dusk, Flush only
†present in Smolder only
††present in Flush only
‡present in Truffle, Dusk only
‡‡present in Cameo, Candlelight, Truffle, Flush, Dusk only
MOONDUST: Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl
Stearate, Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Zinc
Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed
Wax, Lauroyl Lysine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Potassium
Sorbate, Polyglycerin-3, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI
77891)

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Statement

The Statement Palette features full jewel tones for an amazing pop of color.  I imagine that it would be the go-to palette for the fashionistas among us.  The light shades are named Bone, Flaxen and Cider.  The medium shades are called Nightfall and Peacock.  The name of the metallic shade is Crown.  The dark shades are Raven, Mulberry and Denim.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette Shade Descriptions

• Peacock: satin turquoise.
• Bone: satin cool white.
• Mulberry: satin warm purple.
• Raven: satin rich black.
• Crown: sparkling black gold.
• Nightfall: warm grey with silver sheen.
• Denim: satin deep indigo.
• Cider: satin pink mauve.
• Flaxen: satin neutral beige.

Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Statement Ingredient List

PEACOCK, BONE, MULBERRY, RAVEN, NIGHTFALL, DENIM,
CIDER, FLAXEN: Mica, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Talc, Boron
Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Magnesium
Stearate, Methicone, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter,
Potassium Sorbate, Trimyristin, Hydrogenated Lecithin,
Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane*,
Dimethicone†, Tin Oxide‡
May Contain/Peut contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891),
Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 40 Lake (CI
16035), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510),
Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288)
*present in Cider, Flaxen
†present in Peacock
‡present in Rave, Cider, Flaxen
CROWN: Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl
Stearate, Mica, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Jojoba Esters, Zinc
Stearate, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus (Sunf lower) Seed Wax,
Lauroyl Lysine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3,
Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499)

How to Wear Your Velvet Eyeshadow

Use in addition to the Flawless in Five Collection.  Flawless in Five is the foundation upon which all makeup looks can be built.  These are the six products that every woman should use everyday for an effortless natural look.  It is like a regimen for your makeup.  Read my Flawless in Five Review here.

There are no rules when it comes to shadow these days.  Anything goes, really.  But when in doubt refer to these three basic steps:

1. Choose a medium shade to wear all over the lid.
2. Follow with a darker shade worn in the crease.
3. Light shade on the brow bone and in the corner of the eye.

My Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette Review

The first thing I noticed was the sleek packaging.  I continue to love that Beautycounter uses cardboard packaging.  A much better choice for the environment.  I also noticed that they have included a mirror in these palettes.  Can I just say, “YES!!!”  You’d think this would be something that is included in every palette but that has not been the case in the past.  For whatever reason, the Ocean & Pacific Palette did not have a mirror.

Being that safety is really important to me.  I also like the fact that BC tests every single batch of color cosmetics for heavy metals.  That is huge.

On Color Payoff

The first thing I noticed was that the colors looked the same on my skin as they did in the palette.  The pigment went on light, at first and was easily built up.  I noticed that the powders blended really well together.  The powders are really fine.  One of the colors–Cameo looks basically like a white color but when I put it on, I could really see the light pink shimmer in it.  It was subtle and surprising.  It makes it an excellent brow highlighter.

On Long-Wear

So far, I’ve tried this palette two times.  Both times I’ve been surprised by how well these powders wear.  Hour after hour I’d look in the mirror surprised to see that my face still looked put together.  I didn’t have problems with them melting down or shifting.  They didn’t bunch up in the creases of my eyes.  This is a huge win.

On Versatility

I’ve tried a day time look and a night time look with this palette so far.  I love these colors.  The nine shades seem to provide an unending array of possibilities.  I’m not usually a very daring when it comes to my makeup.  I typically just put a sweep of color over the whole lid and a medium shade in the crease and a darker color in the outer v.  I usually play it safe.  There are plenty of ways to do that with this palette.  Additionally, the darker shades allow for some bolder looks. My favorite, favorite thing about this palette is the powder in the center that contains mica.  It is so pretty on.  I put it right in the middle of my lids to give it that sparkle.  This stuff is gold!

Final Thoughts on Beautycounter Velvet Eyeshadow Palette – Romantic

This palette is quickly becoming one of my must-have beauty products and it is definitely my favorite Beautycounter product when it comes to eyeshadow.  It is very clear that Beautycounter has worked really hard to improve the quality of their shadows.  They go on smoother, blend beautifully, stay on longer and come in so many gorgeous shades.  Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this palette but if I was forced to complain about something I’d wish that it came with at least one makeup brush.  I highly recommend this palette.

If you are smitten with these amazing palettes the way I am, you can buy them here.

You May Also Like: