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Dior Backstage Eye Palette Coral Neutrals, Review

in the midst of summer, I got lost in the golden haze

Foreword

Welcome back to our Dior Backstage series. In this post, we will chat about the brand's limited edition 007 Coral Neutrals Palette, which looks like a perfect summer-time staple. Is it worth your investment though? Let's find out.

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If you missed the previous Dior post, you can check it here.

About the Product

As we have established earlier, Dior Backstage Eye Palettes are medium-sized, 9-pan eyeshadow palettes that come in a variety of finishes and color stories. Previously, we chatted about the original 002 Cool Neutrals Palette (review here), whereas this post will revolve around something a bit more peachy.

007 Coral Neutrals

Dior Backstage Eye Palette 007 Coral Neutrals (52 USD; Made in France) - is the brand's limited edition eye palette that features eight shadows and one eye primer.

Packaging: signature Backstage design with a clear, see-through lid. This is what I call a modern luxe aesthetic. In total, you get 10g/ 0.35 oz worth of product. This palette is portable and travel-friendly.

Formula: true to other Backstage palettes, the Coral Neutrals has that same Dior quality and feel to it. Shadows are finely milled and pigmented offering an impeccable blendability. There is neither an extra kick-up nor a chalky feel.

As always, my swatches are unedited (applied on dry skin; natural daylight)

Texture/Finish: every palette in the line consists of a mix of different formulas. While finishes vary, the texture remains equally smooth. When it comes to the Coral Neutrals, you are working with [what I would describe as] subdued metallic, satin, shimmer, and true matte finishes.

The way Dior labels finishes can be quite misleading. Case point - shades that are called "mattes", have a metallic touch to them, so the formula can't be identified as true (shimmer-free, glisten-free) matte. Three shades in the palette are labeled as "shimmers", however, they have zero shimmer particles in them. They actually look like toned-down metallics. A single sparkly shade is called a "highlighter", which does not correspond to what it is.

The pigmentation on all finishes is superb nevertheless.

Shades: as you can tell from the swatches, the Coral Neutrals has a soft feminine vibe to it with a lot of warmth. Most of the looks you will create with it will have that summery, whimsical peachy feel to them. The bottom three shades would be great for the transition into the fall season, as they offer more cozy warmth and depth. My only wish is that I would love to have a dark, matte brown here instead of one of the corals.

007 Coral Neutrals

Application: true to Dior standards, this palette has excellent performance (no matter whether you use your fingertips or brushes for application). Shades fuse easily into each other, without losing their character. An added bonus is an eyeshadow primer that comes with the palette; although you can use any other primer you already have and love.

Wear: around the 6-hour mark you might notice slight fading, where shadows lose their brightness a bit. Once they begin to fade, they do so with grace. No fallout, patchiness, or chalkiness.

Verdict

While it is not as punchy and daring as say Natasha Denona's creations, the Dior Backstage Eye Palette 007 Coral Neutrals still has its time and place. Or rather its audience - beauty lovers that appreciate a minimal yet sophisticated, trendy approach to makeup. This is the palette you would use daily, especially when you're tight on time but still want to make an effort. I find that it makes my whole complexion glow with a youthful radiance. If you want, you can use some of these shades as your blush or highlighter. They blend just as well on the face, as they do on the eye. The only question is "does this color story appeal to you or not?". As much as I like it, I am also aware that shades like these won't suit or work for everyone out there. However, if corals are your go-to, I have a feeling you will have a lot of fun with this Dior creation. I give it an A- rating.