Maybelline "The Nudes" Swatches & Review

I know, I know. I'm a little late jumping on this band wagon, but that's because I was debating on purchasing it ever since it was released last summer. I was instantly drawn to this palette because of the beautiful neutral shades (duh. I love neutrals). However, I felt I already owned shadows comparable to almost all shades in the palette. 

I cannot tell you how many times I picked up this palette, walked around the store, and put it back on the shelf. Well, the other day I had some "extra bucks" from CVS and thought heck, I have no excuse not to buy it now, I got it for a whopping $5!!!  

Much to my surprise, when I got home I was shocked as to how many shades I did not have dupes for. Most of my neutral shades have warm/orange tones, while most of The Nudes palette has cool/grey tones.

What I Like

Unlike many drugstore eyeshadows, most of these shades are rather pigmented and do not have a chalky texture. I also love that there is a combination of both matte and shimmers. Additionally, while many cosmetic companies are now adding "example looks" into their palettes, many people don't have the time or occasion for those dramatic looks. The chart (below) on the back of this palette provides a guide for virtually any woman based on her preference and time by dividing the palette into Duos, Trios, and Quads. Creative. And finally, I love the color selection. I would say the gold and bronze shades are definitely the stars of the palette, though I think all the shades together have a great presentation, and obviously, much versatility.

What I Don't Like

Although most of the shades are pretty pigmented, the quality is fair. It's a bit harder to blend these shadows and even with a primer they fade significantly throughout the day. I also found some of the shades seem to resemble one another quite similarly once applied. 

The Verdict

Overall I would say this is a great palette, on the drugstore level, especially for the price. Would I buy it again? Possibly. It's not even close to being comparable to higher end palettes, but you definitely get your money's worth. I love the neutral and versatile feel this palette has making it the perfect palette for every woman!

Have you tried this palette yet? What do you think?