Koh Gen Do is mostly famous for exquisite skin care and excellent base makeup products, so when the company released two eye shadow palettes (#301 and #302) late last year I was quite excited. Rae's photos and swatches made me want these Koh Gen Do palettes even more. Oddly enough, every time I visited a KGD counter, #302 was out of stock. Playing with #301 I was instantly smitten with the texture, but since I knew that I'd never use the light pink color in the palette I couldn't justify buying it. But I kept going back and admiring the quality, so eventually I just ordered #302 online.
Let's go back to the texture for a second. Not all mineral eye shadows were created equal. Sometimes there's too much crumbling, a powdery look or a lack of pigmentation. But that's not the case here. All four colors are silky to the point of creaminess, and while there is a bit of a fallout when using a dry brush (none if you use a damp one), application on the lid is jaw-dropping smooth with a light-diffusing effect. All four colors blend and layer beautifully. The colors complement each other and work in various combinations, and with the hint of edginess thanks to the "Midnight Blue" shade, things can go as dramatic or as neutral as you want them.
Speaking of Midnight Blue, it's actually a violet blue color, and strangely enough I don't think I have anything similar in my collection. The other colors are more standard, but the texture makes them worth the space they take in my palette drawer: Lemon Chiffon is not really a color as much as a base/highlighter. It has a pearly finish and just enough pigment to even the lids without adding much of a color. I like it, but I know it's not to everyone's taste. Copper and Deep Coffee are more of a "what you see is what you get", and are perennial basics in my wardrobe. Yes, there's a slight resemblance to the limited edition YSL fall palette, but the difference in finish/texture (Koh Gen Do is superior) and the complexity of pigment (YSL wins this part) sets them apart.
Bottom Line: I'd love several more color options.
Koh Gen Do Mineral Eyeshadow Palette 302 ($59) is available from Barnyes, online and in store.
Palette #302 is gorgeous - I love the mix of colors, esp. the violet. It nearly has a red/plum undertone. I have yet to purchase but I hate to try this line at some point, so many gorgeous items!
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