How do you feel about purple eyeshadows? Or pinks? If you’re not a fan, I totally get it. I love ’em now, but I used to avoid both (CORRECTION: I just fixed a typo in this sentence. I DO like pinks and purple eyeshadows now, but at one time I didn’t) because I thought they made me look kinda trashy and tow up…like I just lost the kind of cat fight where girls remove their big hoop earrings and bust out the Vaseline before going toe to toe in the schoolyard (NOTE: violence is not the answer, kids).
But if you’re even a teeny, tiny bit curious about pink and purple eyeshadows, Dior’s $58 Pink Design 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette might be an elegant (albeit expensive) way to get to know them better.
It’s one of two 5-Colour eye quints from Dior’s fall 2010 collection. With a sheer and creamy iridescent eyeshadow base, a dark purplish black liner and eyeshadows in shimmery purple, shimmery purplish-pink and glittery pink, it covers all the bases for some very chic cool-toned looks.
Working with purples and pinks can be trickier than working with easy-peasy neutrals. Bold lines can be tougher to blend away, but Pink Design’s shades and textures, like those of other Dior shadows I’ve tried, abide by my brushes and feel very beginner-friendly to me.
More to like…
- Dior sprinkled the pink shade with a healthy dose of fine glitter (aka “good glitter”), giving the palette a fun, flirty vibe.
- The creamy purple liner expertly draws opaque, solid lines without any skipping and adheres nicely to the lash line (but it struggles along my waterline)
- I didn’t think I’d like the iridescent base at first (thought it looked straight up white in the pan), but I do; it applies as a sheer, opalescent pinkish white that flatters lids even when used by itself
Swatches from left to right (for reference, I’m an NC35): shimmery purple eyeshadow, iridescent base, shimmery pink eyeshadow, glittery pink eyeshadow, dark purple cream liner
After a short time playing with the palette this afternoon (sorry I didn’t take a face shot, but I plan to use the palette again), I gotta say — I think I like this a little more than last year’s Night Butterfly palette, also from Dior. That one was cool-toned as well. Although I really loved its deeper, darker colors, Pink Design’s shades feel a touch more wearable and useful to me.
The major drawback, of course, is the $58 price. Yeah, the pans are big, and the quality’s there, but that’s a lot to ask for one palette, even one this good. Available at Nordstrom stores and online at nordstrom.com. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Improv Workout 101
Today at lunch I hopped on the treadmill to get my sweat on, and right before I started moving, I realized that I’d lost my iPod armband (I have a sneaking suspicion Tabs had something to do with it). Since I don’t like to can’t run without music, I MacGyver’d this improv iPod holder using a headband:
I took the pic with my phone, hence the Blair-witchy quality
It slipped a little, but it got the job done, huzzah!
So how was your Wednesday? It looks like we made it over the hump. For that I vote we celebrate with Nutella. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love that this palette has a liner included….and the tones of pink and purple are very wearable!!
I love that the liner is included, too. It makes it *that* much easier.
I love this purple palette, OMG!!!
Hi Sherri,
Yay! Do you think you might pick it up?
I’m not a huge fan of the colors in the palette itself. The purple cream liner is gorgeous, but the price….Eeeek!
I know! But they’re a very nice indulgence if you’re in the mood for a splurge.
I love the color of the dior palettes but have a big problem with fall out. Have you figured out any good ways to prevent the excess fall out?
Hi Jenn,
I don’t have any real trubs with fallout with this one… the only shade that seems kinda tricky is the glitter one, but that’s kind of expected for a glitter shadow.
You could always try wetting your brush head first with something like MAC Fix+ beforehand.
I’m one of those who aren’t into pink or purple for the eyes so why am I salivating over this one?! I love Dior’s Artistry palettes so I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this one!
same here! ive never liked purple but this one is so pretty that im tempted…
Oh and I can’t wait to see your look with this one 🙂
I’m hoping to do it today or tomorrow! Too many purples, too little time, LOL!
KAREN! How could you not love violets?! 😮
Unfortunately, the only shade that really “calls” to me is the liner… and $58 for just a liner would be ridiculous 😛
Hi Rae,
I know! I’m so glad I saw the light!
Looks pretty but I would never spend that much money on a single palate.
Yeah, I hear ya. Everything that Dior makes is pretty pricey, sigh.
I love this palette! I also have the last years Night Butterfly and love that too 😀 I think If I was able, I’d buy every single palette Dior has (LE) 😀
Night Butterfly is so fun for dramatic looks! What do you think of this year’s fall stuff from Dior?
I have to admit I’m a Dior fan so actually there aren’t any palettes that wouldn’t suit me. 😀 And I really love Dior collections. They look like they were made for me. 😀
When it comes to price, yes, their stuff is pricey but here it’s even more. 🙁 Their palettes in Croatia are now approx. $80 O.o (!)
I usually love pinks and puples for some reason the shades in this palette don’t appeal to me. The liner is beautiful but the others look kinda meh to me. 🙁
I take it you’re more of an uber-pigmented eyeshadow person! 🙂
This looks beautiful! I can’t wait to take a look and try it out.
I really like this one too. Thumbs up for wearability!
How’s your Thursday going?
I love purples but really can’t do pinks 🙁
love your improv armband! way to get the job done 🙂
So! I’ve been meaning to tell you that I think it’s so funny we drive the same car. Is yours back from the shop yet?
I know – so crazy! Esp since they are the same color! And I rarely see any of them on the road, so they’re not that common – at least, not here. I should get it back on the 28th 🙁
Well that’s just around the corner! I think you should celebrate with some makeup LOL.
Lol, what should I get? I saw that stila has some new stuff out…
Maybe do a drugstore run for some instant gratification? That way you can save $ for the MAC fall stuff, ooh la la!
I’ve been really into Boots gloss lately…
Your armband is awesome, Karen! 😀
That Dior palette is LOVE as well. :X
I can’t remember if you have any Dior palettes…
BTW, I’m wearing our Star Anise lipgloss right now, LOL!
I have … one! Its a Neutrals palette called Night Dust. Ive used it maybe 2 or 3 times since I got it. I dont want to overuse it because it is so pretty!!! LOL the Hubs said im silly for not wanting to use it.
Oh wow I am too! Whats even funnier is my boss noticed that I had lipgloss on – he almost always sees me harassed w/ eaten off lipgloss/lipstick. He said the color is nice! Witwoo! 😀
Give that palette some lovin’ lady! 🙂
Maybe Star Anise will be the next Nymphette of the drugstore world?!
Oh wow. It just might be. Im using Star Anise again today. I might need a backup!
I will give my Dior some much deserved lovin’ …. maybe this weekend when the Hubs and I go out on a date!
So subtly sparkly and beautiful! I love the pinks and the white and the… well, break out that Vaseline for the purple. 🙁
Genius on the improv armband too! It reminds me of the “tape” that they wrap around your arm after giving blood, except much more stylish! PS I don’t think it’s possible to run without music. Even if someone is chasing you, you should still – at least – hum. 🙂
Waaay back before easily portable music (aka the late 90s), I used to run without anything. I honestly don’t know how I did it… having good music just makes running more fun!
I couldn’t agree more! I used to use the living room stereo. 🙂 One of my friends swears by the TV, but I find that I get too distracted and end up with my sneaker hitting the side-rail. Which looks a bit like this at the 58 second mark…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3KCjIAhSPc
OMG! I just laughed for five minutes…. LOLOL
I’m all over the purples this summer!
Hi Trinidad,
What are your favorite purples?
Brilliant on the headband idea. =)
Hi Anna,
Thanks! 🙂 Gotta love improv tech accessories.
Love the headband idea!!!
I look forward to some face shots when you play with this palette in the future. The colors I think could be very pretty, but I’m interested to see what you do with them. The price tag on this sucker, however, is far above what I would ever pay for such a palette! 🙁
Hi Chrissy,
Dior always costs an arm and a leg. Have you tried anything from their line?
These like they would create a soft pretty purple smokey eye. Loving that dark purple for the liner. I have sooooo many purples, but I just love myself a good palette!
I loooove the dark purple liner. It’s very richly pigmented and so creamy. 🙂
What are your favorite purples?
I love Beautiful Iris, Nocturnelle, and Shadowy Lady for a purple smokey eye. I have a whole storage box full of purples and greys! Mostly MAC, but I should start branching out!
Those are all lovely colors… they might even go with this palette quite nicely. 🙂
That’s a really cool idea with the headband. I’ve been running with everything stuffed in a fanny pack. Granted, the fanny pack is made for exercise and the only time I use it, it’s still a fashion faux pas.
Also, I like those Dior colors, but I hate when they put something creamy in with powdered things. You’re just asking to get that purple cream liner all gunked up.
Hi Trisha,
Oddly, I think fanny packs are kinda cool. I’m a fashion-challenged child of the 80s, though, so what do I know, LOL!
Great pictures! I think this is a gorgeous quad.
Thanks, Regina!
I can’t wait to see a FOTD with this pallette. Tabs told me he hid your armband under the fridge. You didn’t har that from me.
LOL, has he been texting you about his exploits? That naughty tabby!
crap. thought i talked myself out of this, but i want it again
lol.
hopefully going shopping this weekend, will play with it in person and decide.
Ha, I do that all the time. I talk myself out of stuff and then when I see it in person it’s all downhill from there. 🙂
This palette looks interesting, perfect shades for fall, but I am interested in the other palette from this collection more. Dior always makes good purples and violets.
Hi Marina,
Yes, they handle the purples and violets really well.
Thats a pretty pallette. I should stop reading your blog Karen you keep showing all these gorgeous products lol. Vince the kitten says hi to Tabs by the way lol.
Tabs says “meow-meow” back! Actually he’s kind of pissed at me right now. I put a ribbon around his neck and have been trying to take a pic of him wearing his new “accessory” for the last 20 minutes. He’s not having it AT ALL.
What’s Vince up to?
Awww bless him. Give him some tuna lol. Vince is going crazy he is racing round my living room,and has been launching himself at my legs. He makes the cutest crying sound when he wants attention. kjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjmmmmmmmm////////
5444444444
That was Vinces message to tabs. He likes the keyboard lol
Cats are so funny when they’re acting out. Tabs is usually pretty well behaved, but the warm weather and the long days are making him 100% more loco than usual. He’s been biting me, swiping at my ankles, demanding I carry him around like an infant… all sorts of craziness!
I want a kitten so badly. The local animal shelter is currently offering reduced kitten adoption fees and I’m sorely tempted.
This is a gorgeous quint of pink and purple combinations, which I love. I have the Night Butterfly from last year, which I quite like. I like the colour combos for the Pink Design but I don’t think I like the powders and cream bases together. I think it would get messy.
Hi Amy,
Night Butterfly is a great palette. Gosh, I can’t believe it’s already been a year since that came out. How time flies!
What a pretty palette! And purples and pinks are my favorites! Dior Artistry is very nice. I have one in Green Design.
Ooooh man it’s so pretty! And that purple eyeliner, sigh..
Can I ask what the brushes are like, though? I bought a Dior palette last summer and was very disappointed the brushes were the plain foam applicator – for that price, I want real brushes! If MAC can do it, no reason why Dior can’t..
lol karen! i love your McGyver ingenuity! brilliant!
Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for the pictures. If you had to chose between Misty Mauve and Pink Design, which would you chose?
Srah
Hi Sarah,
Hmm, probably Pink Design. I really love the purple liner. 🙂
Thanks so much! I love purple liner too!!
Should I or should I not?
Hey! Thank you so much for the great pics. I have a couple of question about this product.
I read a review at Sephora that says the liner is hard to get into the brush & it also comes off easily after you wear it. Do you find the liner to be like that?
There seems to be lots of glitter in all of the 4 shadows. Do you think they will still be suitable to be worn every day? Like to the office or classes for examples? Or are they not ‘that’ glittery in real life/once you put them on your eyes?
Thank’s a lot in advance!! 😉