little white truths

I've managed to buy five of these Marc Jacobs septets over the past year so that should tell you how much I like them. 

I've decided to review this one in Provocouture first because I'm currently denting it via Project Dent, and also because it's the one I've used the most - for the simple reason that it's probably the most neutral and understated of the five I own.

The reason why I've bought so many of these (more than any other eyeshadow formula) is because they work so well for me, and I also love the colours.

Plus I never had much eyeshadow (I have hooded eyes so I tend not to do too much with them), so when these came out, I had gaps in my collection and I was more than happy to fill them.

I suppose I also like these smaller palettes because I'm more likely to use most if not all of the colours whenever I reach for one, while I find that with larger palettes I tend to use a few specific colours and some of them are left to gather dust. Indeed I'm definitely a small palette person, although I suspect that puts me in the minority!

Marc Jacobs claims/product details:

• A long-wearing eyeshadow palette that features seven shades - including four fashion finishes: velvet, satin, silk and lamé - to layer and dress your eyes
• Empower your inner eye stylist with these ultra-luxe eyeshadow palettes 
• Beyond his fashion design, Marc Jacobs is also known as 'the ultimate stylist' for making last-minute adjustments to perfect every look right before it walks down the runway
• Each curated palette includes a covetable mix of chic neutral, wearable shades, and provocative pops in a new super-plush shadow formulation to cover lids in lasting, velvety-rich pigment
• Available in six different colourways, choose the wardrobe that speaks to you, then layer it on to make the ultimate impression
• RRP $66 AUD for 7 x 0.08g

There's the left half of the palette, direct sunlight:

And the right (noting that the middle shade is repeated):

Now for swatches.

Indirect sunlight:

Say It is a cool, frosty pale pink that's quite metallic so it has a big impact on the eye and I tend to use only a small amount because I don't like strong eye looks. It's incredibly soft and smooth in texture (it feels very creamy, almost wet) and I think this helps it adhere well to the eye. It lasts nicely on me and it's very easy to blend. I tend to use this as an inner corner and lash-line highlight.

With Style is a pale, cool-toned pinky lavender that's matte in finish. It's very smooth and silky in texture (it feels gorgeous to the touch) and it applies and blends well. It has a decent amount of pigment for a colour this pale and my only issue with it is that it's too strong in pigment to use all over the lid and in the inner corners of the eye, given that it's a pink/lavender colour that can make my complexion look dead (I'd prefer a cream for this purpose). Still, it wears well and I use it to set the lid and the crease - anywhere that I'm going to add another, deeper colour over the top.

Otherwise is a medium brown with strong mauve undertones and a matte finish. This shadow is drier in texture than the first two (it's a little more dusty), and while I wouldn't call it dry, I prefer the texture of the first two shadows. Still, this is the most useful shadow of the lot and I use it every time I reach for the palette. It's beautiful through the crease and I've also used it occasionally for a one-shadow look when I'm in a rush. There's something special about this colour - it's not quite brown and not quite mauve - and I don't own anything like it. It wears, applies and blends well, although note that it's not as pigmented as the other shades.

Direct sunlight:

You Might is a medium lavender mauve with golden shimmer running through it. The texture is creamy and it applies and blends well. Do note that the pigment isn't huge so you'll need to build it if you want a more molten look, but for my preferences, the pigment is perfect. I can use it for a soft wash of colour over the lid or I can apply a couple of layers for a more opaque look. Do note, though, that the more I build it, the more it emphasises texture - so I tend to go easy with it because I don't want crinkly eyelids. I do really love it though and it's a flattering shade on my brown eyes.

As Well is a soft black (I would almost call it a charcoal), and although it's matte, it has a decent amount of gold and copper shimmer running through it so it has some sparkle on the eye. It's soft and smooth in texture, and although it applies and blends well, I have more issues blending this out than I do any other shade in this palette - although that almost invariably applies to all dark shades and at least this one is easier to blend than most. I don't normally use colours this dark so I haven't worn it much, but it does look nice on the eye and I appreciate that it's soft and buildable so it's easier to work with than other dark shades I've used.

Just Stay is a medium-dark plum that looks slightly more neutral and muted on the eye than it does in the pan, something I appreciate because it's good for everyday wear. It has a satin/pearl finish so it's not shimmery like the other shades and it doesn't emphasise texture on the lid, which is something I appreciate too. It applies and blends beautifully, and the pigment is good but still soft and buildable, plus it wears well. I really enjoy this on the lid and I love a purple that's office-appropriate: it's just a good colour.

In Bed is a bright, medium hot pink that isn't quite matte: while it looks mostly matte in the pan and on the eye, it does have some tiny bits of micro glitter running through it. It's still soft, creamy and velvety but it's drier than some of the other shades and it also has the least amount of pigment of all the shadows in this palette. Still, there's enough pigment that you can see it well on the eye - of course, that's partly to do with the colour - and I don't mind having less pigment in a shade like this because I prefer to use brights as a soft wash of colour (I'm not one for bright eye looks, given my hooded eyes). It wears well and it's one of those rare flattering pinks that doesn't make me look sick. In that sense it's like the pinks you would find in the ABH Modern Renaissance: surprisingly wearable and less scary than you might think.

Verdict

I love this palette and I recommend it. Indeed, I've decided to give the formula an HG tag because it's probably the best one that I've ever worked with. In fact, I don't think I've ever given an eyeshadow formula an HG tag before! It's perhaps no surprise, then, that I've gone ahead and bought five of them.

Overall I really can't fault this palette but that's because it suits my preferences: where the pigment is less, I'm happy with that, and where it's more I'm happy with that too.

What also surprises me about these Marc Jacobs septets is that they're a lot more wearable than many of them look, given how bright and colourful some of them are, and I haven't had any issue with these if I've wanted to use them for the office or basic looks.

If you haven't tried one of these, I urge you to go in-store and test one. They're just lovely, and this one in Provocouture is one I reach for often because it's so easy to use.

Love.