Veracious Product Review: Cle de Peau Eye Colour Quad in #303 Baby Universe

Hi, everyone! I've been on a bit of a Cle de Peau kick this week and I'm here to hit you with another amazing option from the brand. I clearly need another eye shadow palette like a hole in the head, but the newly reformulated Eye Colour Quads seriously caught my eye last Fall. I finally caved with Cle de Peau was offering a serious GWP in November, and was thrilled to make this baby mine. 

The Cle de Peau Beaute Eye Colour Quads come in navy blue cardboard boxes with gold and white lettering. 

As per the back of the box, these palettes promise shadows rich in texture, inspired by "celestial jewels". Not sure what a celestial jewel would look like, exactly, but it sounds tantalizing nonetheless. The palettes are meant to offer coordinated shades that blend together seamlessly while creating definition and a flattering, brilliant finish. 

Like the Luminizing Face Enhancers, the Eye Colour Quads can be purchased on their own (stored in a plastic clam shell container) or alongside a coordinated compact case. Since I splashed out for the compact with the highlighter, I opted to purchase the shadows solo. I figured they would be protected just fine in their plastic case, and the quad would definitely be easier to store this way!

There are 8 shade variations in the range and I ultimately fell for #303 Baby Universe. Not only is the name both curious and surreal, the shades included are totally beautiful and much unlike other in my collection (a difficult feat, indeed!). Baby Universe includes a warm, mid-tone nearly-matte brown, a shimmery peachy champagne, a plum-tinged darker brown with a satin finish, and an ultra shimmery garnet. It was this right-most garnet shade that sold me on this palette especially- it's truly something unique!

Here are swatches of the four tones in Baby Universe on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone):

And here are a few shots of a look I created with the Baby Universe Quad. I applied the lighter matte brown shade all over the lid, the satin plum shade on the crease, the shimmery garnet on the outer corners, and the paler champagne as a highlight on my brown bone and inner corners of the eye. 

And now for my breakdown of the perks and setbacks of this luxurious palette: 

Pros:

• Texture of the shadows is very soft and silky, feeling almost creamy (but not at all heavy) on the lids
• The matte shades are not flat and the shimmery shades offer complex, non-garish shimmer (both leading to a polished, sophisticated finish)
• This mix of finishes allows you to create a variety of looks with only 4 shades
• Sheer to medium pigmentation makes it impossible to 'over-do' application
• Colour wears true without creasing for 10+ hours
• Baby Universe offers a unique, yet wearable mix of shades that should be flattering with many eye colours and skin tones
• Appreciated that you are not forced to pay extra for the compact if you do not want it

Cons:

• These shadows can be a bit powdery, in that they can "kick up dust" when you sweep a brush across them
• Those who love ultra-pigmented eye shadows will not think this palette is worth the money, as the formula is more subtle and sheer
• The price. Even without the compact, this quad will set you back over $60 CAD

Overall, I quite like this palette! Its strength does not lie in bold pigmentation or flashy metallic finishes, but rather in the ultra soft texture, sophisticated shimmer, unique shade combination, and extremely long-wearing, comfortable formula. I can't say that I'll be running out to purchase other quads from this range, but I'm very happy to have Baby Universe as part of my collection!

Have you tried any eye shadows from Cle de Peau? Tempted by the shades in this palette? What eye shadow palette do you reach for when you want a sophisticated, polished (but not boring) look?

Thanks for stopping by! xo