YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette, Summer 2014, Swatches, Photos and Review

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette in studio lighting

For Summer 2014, Yves Saint Laurent has released a new line of five shade eyeshadow palettes that come in a slim, gold case and has a brand new formula. Inspired by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, the new Couture Palettes have a very structural feel about them. Inside, the shadows are separated by heavy, black lines, which give the palettes a strong, mod feel. There are more of the shades you will use the most, like the base shade, and less of the contouring, highlighting and lining shades. The palette seems to have a clear starting point. The base shade seems to naturally lead the eye around to the center, like the spiral of a seashell. The palette is said to be laid out to make "application as intuitive as possible."

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette in studio lighting

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette in studio lighting

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette in studio lighting

There are eleven new Couture Palettes ($58 for 0.18oz/5g) in different shade combinations, from classic grays to bold blues and girly pinks. The palette I picked up, Fauves #2, is a neutral palette that leans noticeably warm.

• Shade #1 is the highlighter shade. It's a pale, creamy, ivory shimmer with a hint of peach. It's the only shade that has a shimmer finish, which is extremely subtle.
• Shade #2 is a medium, chocolate brown. The finish of Shades #2, #3 and #4 are all very similar, somewhere between a satin and a matte.
• Shade #3 is a medium deep, saddle brown satiny matte.
• Shade #4 is the base shade. It's a light to light medium, warm, butterscotch, with a satiny matte finish.
• Shade #5 is a deep, dark, rich, coffee brown matte. It isn't as nearly as warm as the other shades are and it was the only shade that has a matte finish.

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette swatches in studio lighting

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette swatches with forced flash in studio lighting

The Couture Palettes have an all new formula which promises long wear and intense, vivid color. It has a somewhat unusual texture, with a hard, ridged surface. The surface does seem to wear down with use to a softer texture. The powder itself is extremely pigmented. Each shade is mostly to completely opaque in one pass, even the pale ivory. The shadows don't crease or fade and last nine to ten hours on me over primer. I did experience a little bit of fallout with the darkest shade, though it was very minimal.

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette swatch comparison in studio lighting

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette swatch comparison with forced flash in studio lighting

When I went to pull out comparisons, I was a little surprised to find that Chanel Charming Ombres Matelassées Palette from this past holiday season was an almost exact match. Though there are a few slight differences between the two. Charming #1 is a darker tan with a matte finish, while Fauves #1 is lighter pearly cream. Charming #3 is similar in color, but has a glittery finish, while Fauves #2 is deeper with a satin finish. Also, Charming #5 is a little bit cooler in tone with a hint of eggplant, and Fauves #5 is a little deeper and more neutral to warm.

YSL Fauves #2 Eyeshadow Couture Palette in studio lighting

I have some mixed feelings about YSL's new Couture Palette. For one, I'm not particularly fond of the colors. From the swatches online, I had assumed that the palette would be a cooler toned, neutral combination. While I love Charming, I didn't need another one. The only thing that bothers me about the new design is the separation between the shades. I don't feel it is enough to keep loose powder from migrating to other shades. The new formula however, is truly outstanding. It is exceptionally long lasting and more pigmented than most eyeshadows I have tried. I look forward to trying a few more Couture Palettes.

I purchased my Fauves #2 Couture Palette from Saks. It is also available from YSL.

Have you tried YSL's new Couture Palette yet? Do you have your eye one any of them?