I'm a total sucker for eyeshadow palettes. They're just one of those things that I always end up getting excited about, especially if I love the brand. Novo's products have been a hit with me more often than not, and I'm a fan of their packaging too. This product is no exception - it looks amazing, even if it's a bit understated.
I spotted this beauty on Ozon for 400 rubles, and I was blown away by how affordable it was. The cardboard box was still intact, with a beige background and a delicate branch in the center. I'm not sure what the branch is meant to be - a cherry blossom, a peach tree, or something else entirely, but it's a lovely, feminine touch.
The palette itself weighs in at 19 grams, and I opted for the 02 shade. Although 01 was nowhere to be found, so I didn't have much of a choice.
The product code, QR code - the works - are all printed on the packaging.
The inner packaging is even more impressive - it's high-quality plastic that feels sturdy and almost double-layered. The lid opens with a satisfying click, and the mechanism is secure without being too difficult to open.
The reverse side of the lid duplicates the expiration date, shade number, and volume.
I've got to say, the palette is seriously heavy-duty - it's something you could give as a gift without feeling guilty. And the packaging? Clearly not budget-friendly, considering the price still has me stumped as to why it's so affordable.
The shadows inside look super pretty, and there's a protective film, plus a mirror with a matte finish - and the mirror is actually really smooth, no distortion, making it perfect for applying makeup.
The designs on the refills are really cute. I'm guessing you could use some of these products not just for eyes, but for your face too - like, the pink blush or the white powder. Although, it's pretty light, so it might not suit everyone's skin tone.
But what I like about this palette is that the shades of blush, powder, and highlighter all work well together - something I've never seen in a palette from Bio Color, for example.
At first, I thought the highlighter was magic, but it turned out to have some downsides.
The palette has two refills with glitter - one goes deeper into the gold, while the other has a cold, silvery undertone.
I was a bit surprised to find that I had to use my finger to apply these shadows, as they're semi-transparent on their own, more like toppers.
But they do look great, almost too fancy for everyday wear. The problem is, they're super easy to smudge and don't take kindly to being applied with your finger. And forget about using brushes - you'll be picking up 'osypashki' for ages.
With the palette, you can create different ombre looks, the only difference being that they'll be light or more intense, perfect for a night out.
The shadows blend well, and the matte shades are soft and easy to pick up on a brush. However, they can get a bit powdery in the pan, so don't press too hard when applying. If you overdo it, they'll start to fall apart, but that's easily avoidable.
They also blend well into each other, don't cake, lighten or dull over time.
The highlighter shadows can be applied with a brush or your fingers, but the glitter in them is a bit chunky for my taste, although it does look like it's from outer space. It doesn't leave a grey residue, but in bright sunlight, it can look a bit too flashy, not suitable for everyday wear. But it's perfect for a night out at the disco =).
The blushes are super soft, literally just touched them with my brush and the whole thing got dusty.
The pigmentation is really high, so it's a good idea to tap off any excess or you'll end up with raccoon eyes.
On camera, the blushes might look like they're not showing up, but trust me, they really make a statement on my skin. They sit on top of my complexion, looking a bit unnatural, and aren't the best choice for people with a yellow undertone - they're more suited to fair skin or used as a highlight.
The darker shades really do give a nice, intense color payoff, and they're super pigmented and clingy to the skin - they blend out nicely without any patchiness, but they do take a bit of time to set.
They can be a bit prone to creasing if your under-eye area is still damp from moisturizer or concealer, but it's not something that's super noticeable unless you're looking really closely - and even then, it's only if you're wearing glasses like I am.
The toppers, as I mentioned earlier, are semi-sheer and can be a bit prone to flaking under the eyes. You need to apply them with gentle, sweeping motions and be super careful not to cake them on.
Let's be real, the packaging isn't perfect, but I was in a rush and didn't put much effort into it. The makeup took around 10 minutes to apply, and if you take your time, you can get a better result.
The golden shimmer looks great, but it makes the makeup look warmer. From the photos, you can see that the highlighter gets a bit cakey, so you'll need to touch it up with a bobby pin every now and then.
Here's what the palette looks like after a month and a half of use. As you can see, the most popular shade is the warm beige. I've also been using the highlighters. I don't reach for the other colors as often, but that's mainly because I've been stuck at home lately. I removed the plastic cover from the mirror when I went on a weekend getaway and took the eyeshadows with me (I was worried it would look uneven in the photos).
I applied the swatches with my finger on dry skin without primer. The pigmentation is decent, but the darker shades can be a bit patchy. You can get a smooth application, but it takes some effort.
Putting everything together, I want to praise the palette, but it's also clear why it's budget-friendly. The eyeshadows aren't perfect, they can be a bit cakey, but they're long-lasting and don't fade throughout the day. The highlighters are pretty, but they're a bit finicky to apply.
But let's be real, the real magic happens when you're all made up. Unfortunately, the blush wasn't my cup of tea - the color just didn't work for me. The highlighter had chunky glitter that wasn't my vibe, and the powder was way too light for my skin tone.
I'm not regretting this purchase one bit. The eyeshadows in this palette are seriously better than anything I've used before. For 400 rubles, you get a solid daily makeup palette that's worth every penny. Sure, the mascara might take a bit of getting used to, but that's not the end of the world. The products in this palette are pretty decent - they don't irritate my eyes, they're lightweight and comfortable on my skin, and I'd definitely recommend them.