Product Review -- Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette

Over the past few years, I've tried plenty of eyeshadow palettes (and single shadows too) from Kat Von D, and much to my surprise, I've yet to be really disappointed.

In fact, in most cases, I've been seriously impressed.

If pressed to pick a favorite, I would probably say the Monarch Eyeshadow Palette from a couple of years back, though I really love my Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette too.

I really didn't think anything could top those two.

But the MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette that's come out recently as part of the Kat Von D holiday collection may actually outclass them (even if only by a hair...).

Like all of Kat Von D's recent palettes, the MetalMatte comes in a sturdy cardboard packaging. It is a long rectangle shape, and is much larger than the brand's other recent offerings. When I hold it against my hand, it reaches from the tips of my fingers to just a few inches from the crook of my elbow.

Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette

The artwork on the outside of the palette is striking, as is usually the case with Kat Von D palettes. It's embossed with raised silver writing that spells out "Metal" when you look at it in one direction and "Matte" when you turn it the other way.

Inside, there is a decent sized mirror, which would work for touch-ups, but the palette doesn't stay open by itself so you need to prop it up against something.

The palette contains 9 eyeshadows in Kat Von D's Metal Crush formula, 8 of which are brand new, as well as 13 matte shadows. The array of colors in the palette is really lovely because there are some bright, bold shades and some more natural, earthy tones, so I feel like the selection would appeal to a pretty wide range of people.

Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette

The 9 Metal Crush shadows are Nebula, a metallic navy; Watt, a metallic teal; Ignite, a metallic sea foam; Tinsel, a metallic silver; Glitz, a metallic pale rose gold; Twinkle, a metallic lilac; Volt, a metallic violet; Synergy, a metallic bronze; and Flash, a metallic yellow gold.

From l. to r.: Nebula, Watt, Ignite

From l. to r.: Tinsel, Glitz, Twinkle

From l to r.: Volt, Synergy, Flash

The 13 matte shadows include Linen, a white; Jet, a black; Velour, a royal blue; Stone, a cement gray; Moss, a forest green; Ribbon, a deep purple; Silk, a purple mauve; Fringe, a peach; Feather, a light yellow; Oak, a chocolate brown; Suede, a light tan brown; Bone, an ivory; and Velvet, a deep plum.

From l. to r.: Linen, Jet, Velour, Stone

From l. to r.: Moss, Ribbon, Silk, Fringe

From l. to r.: Feather, Oak, Suede, Bone, Velvet

I have one of the Metallic Crush single shadows, which I like very much, and I find the metallic shades in this palette to be almost identical in formula. They're smooth, highly pigmented, and blend easily. 

Only one of the metallic shades, Tinsel, has any chunky glitter, but I find that it still has a smooth texture and there isn't much fallout to speak of.

The matte shadows in this palette feel very much like the mattes in the rest of Kat Von D's recent palettes -- they're smooth, silky, and nicely pigmented. There isn't a chalky one in the bunch, so they're really nice work with.

On the whole, I think the concept and execution of the palette is pretty fantastic. When you're using highly metallic shades, you'll want to pair them with matte shadows to keep your look from being too intense or over the top.

The colors of the shadows also work well together, and there is a wide range of looks that you can do with the palette.

That's another point in its favor -- I feel like it's a complete palette. You won't really need to bring in other shadows or palettes to create a full look.

(If you're short on on ideas for looks, the palette comes with instructions for three different looks using the palette.)

Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette and look card

The palette is a little pricey at $60, but I feel like you really get your money's worth. I wholeheartedly recommend it, so you may want to add it to your holiday wish list or consider it as a gift idea for the fellow makeup lover in your life. 

You can purchase the palette on the Kat Von D website or at Sephora.

Have you tried the Kat Von D MetalMatte Eyeshadow Palette? Which shades are your favorite?