NOTE: This post was written before the horrific terrorist events of 11/13. I would like to express my condolences for all the victims and their families.
First I have to apologize for being so late with this review. For some silly reason when it launched back in August, I thought it was another nude palette and wasn’t interested. It wasn’t until recently I realized the glory of this rainbow of color. I have been wearing Lancôme cosmetics for years and I love where the brand is heading. It seems every new launch gets better and better. If you have previously thought of Lancôme as a more “mature” brand, DON’T–they are keeping up with the times and the trends and the AUDA[CITY] in Paris palette is a great example.
Lancôme’s first multi-palette, AUDA[CITY] in PARIS ($68) offers 16 beautiful shades in matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes that let you bring the feel of Paris wherever you go. Create a daytime eye look, a bold look for the evening, or anything that falls in between. The palette comes in sleek, mirrored compact with a dual-ended brush.
This eye palette designed by Lancôme Global Makeup Creative Director Lisa Eldridge features 16 shades, ranging from nude neutrals to deep purples and is inspired by the streets of Paris. Lancôme’s artistry-inspired packaging is made for us beauty junkies. There is a massive mirror emblazoned with the Paris cityscape so you have Paris with you wherever you go! The palette and packaging are truly stunning!
This palette contains:
- Filigree (Light Gold Shimmer)
- Choquette (Peach Matte)
- Parfait (Light Pink Matte)
- Kitten Heel (Gold Copper Shimmer)
- Joie (Golden-Bronze Shimmer)
- Voyage (Muted Purple Matte)
- Sante (Brown Matte)
- Tenacity (Purple Metallic)
- Exhibition (Orchid Shimmer)
- Zip Me Up (Deep Purple Shimmer)
- Volcano (Silvery Gray Shimmer)
- Clock Strikes 12 (Gray Metallic)
- Audacious (Smokey Brown Shimmer)
- Couture (Dark Brown Matte)
- It List (Black Matte)
- Nuit (Black Metallic)
Dual-ended brush
AUDA[CITY] in Paris has a lovely mix of cool and warm shades in matte, satin and shimmer finishes. The color combination is beauitful and contains all the basics plus some unique shades– all of them highly wearable. The eyeshadows are grouped into four shade harmonies: Good Morning Paris (Filigree, Chouquette, Parfait and Kitten Heel), Ride & Promenade (Joie, Voyage, Sante and Tenacity) Unexpected Rendez-vous, (Exhibition Zip Me Up, Volcano and Clock Strikes 12) and Nuit Parisienne (Audacious, Couture, “It List” and Nuit). This makes creating a coordinated look a no-brainer!
L to R: Filigree, Chouquette. Parfait, Joie, Kitten Heel
L to R: Sante, Exhibiton, Zip Me Up, Volcano, Tenacity
L to R: Volcano, Audacious, Couture, It List, Clock Strikes 12, Nuit
I do suggest wearing a primer with these shadows but then I wear an eyeshadow primer everyday with everything. I got very nice wear with the palette–a good 8-10 hours with no fallout. Pigmentation is good and the shadows do not cling to my eye creases.
Some of the shades in the palette are in the permanent line, most notably Kitten Heel, a bestseller and Filigree that I have in another palette. My favorite shades are Filigree, a pale shimmery yellow gold, Parfait, a matte pale pink, Joie, a beautiful shimmery golden taupe, Exhibition, described as orchid shimmer, but I consider it a satin orchid and Zip Me Up, a gorgeous shimmery deep purple. I love all the shades on the bottom row: Kitten Heel, a shimmery peachy gold, Tenacity, a taupey lavendar metallic, Clock Strikes 12, a gray metallic and Nuit, a black metallic with a blue undertone. Each of these are complex and are almost duochrome in the sense that they have undertones and can change color in different light. You can see I am really enjoying this palette!
For this look I used Parfait under the brow bone, Tenacity on the lid, Zip Me Up on the lid, Nuit to line and Joie on the inner corners.
Lancôme AUDA[CITY] in Paris is a palette I will reach for daily because it has such a good range of colors and is easy-peasy to create polished and sophisticated eye looks. The mix of finishes makes the palette even more versatile taking from work to drinks easily.
I like that Lancôme included a dual sided brush but truth be told, I am kind of on the fence about it. The blending end is super but the flat end seems very stiff to me and I blame it for the slight powder kickup I got on a few of the matte shades. I would have liked something softer.
Bottom Line: as an admitted Francophile, Lancôme’s AUDA[CITY] in Paris does not disappoint. It’s a beautiful, neutral and elegant addition to any over 40 woman’s beauty arsenal. Even though this palette is on the pricey side, it’s worth every penny for the versatility and quality. I suggest grabbing it online at the Sephora.com sale and get 20% off!
Look at all those pretty colors. Perfect for makeup wearers.
That’s for sure!
Such an appealing palette. Love the figures on the mirror. And the shades remind me of Monet Waterlilies
I love the variety of colors and the packaging is to-die-for!
I just love that top row of swatches. I’m all about the shimmer shadows!
I like those softer shades too.
I really want this palette. I don’t generally drop coin on Lancome but this really, really calls to me because it’s so wearable! Also, what’s your mascara, your lashes look AMAZING!
Oh gosh, I think I used Laura Geller Glamlash–I got it in one of her kits and it’s really good!
I bought this and haven’t regretted it for a second! It’s a fabulous palette, one of the best of the year – glad to know you like it! I second @beautyjudy:disqus – what’s that mascara?
Laura Geller Glamlash. I saw your post on the palette and knew I had to have it!
What a great palette. It has just enough neutrals ans shimmers to get me hooked.
Yes, the combination of shades and finishes is amazing!
I always love Palette, it looks simple for me but fabulous.
How can you not love the colors! The soft ones make you feel like a princess. I love the darker shades though. I need this palette in my life, it’s kind of like the softer version of Naked!
Good point! I love having the gamut of light to dark shades in one palette.
I love the palettes too! It makes me looks pretty and my eyes look glow. I love all colors of yours!
This is a great all around palette to have-it has everything you need for lots of different looks!
That is a beautifully simple palette, great for anyone who’d like to purchase it.
Yes, it’s great for those who don’t wear much makeup as well as us beauty junkies!
I have been drooling over this palette but a lot of people were slapping it around, saying it wasn’t very pigmented, didn’t perform well on the eyes so I didn’t pull the trigger on it. But Your swatches look good and it certainly looks very nice in your eye looks. Maybe those who gave this palette iffy reviews were victims of mass hypnosis? lol
I was on the fence for a long time too, Erika. When I saw the palette in person and swatched it, I was hooked.
I absolutely love those color palette! I’m not the biggest makeup person, but those colors I can totally see myself wearing.
You’re right, the shades are highly wearable and universally flattering!
This is an awesome palette. The darker colors like the purple are my favorite right now. There are so many great looks you can make with them.
Yes, it’s very versatile
Even though the pigmentation isn’t the best, I still love the palette. I’ve gotten a lot of use from it. I’m considering taking this with me when I travel the next time since it’s so sturdy and I can do so many looks with it.
The gradient and mix of colors is fabulous!
I read mixed reviews of this palette. I like the neutral shades ‘tho
I’m glad I have it in my collection.
I want this palette so much!
Maybe Santa will hear you! LOL
this palette is SOOO nice
I really love ALL the shades!
I was thinking how much I loved Tenacity and then I saw you used it in your look- LOVE! Great minds think alike 😉 This palette is gorgeous.
I’m having a lot of fun with it.
I love this palette i love the colors. I want this
Put it on your wishlist!
I love Lancome and I’ve been using the brand for more than 7 years
I have a love for Lancome too, been using it for years.
Lancome is a great brand. The shades are gorgeous. My daughter would love this palette.
Perhaps it would make a nice gift?
This looks like a great palette of colors. I like to wear neutrals so this would work well for me
I’m a neutral lover too.
Great swatches, I thought I didn’t need this palette but now I want it hehe
Just call me The Enabler!
I have heard up and down reviews of this palette and I have been on the fence checking it out. The colors are gorgeous.
I was on the fence for a long time too Honey, but I’m glad I pulled the trigger on it.
Ooh I love this palette and Lancome products are so divine! Would love to try myself ha!
Go to a Lancome counter and swatch it!
I love all the palette. It’s very cute and neutral!
http://www.gregdemcydias.com
I have really been needing to update my makeup cache, and I love, love, LOVE the color selection in this kit!
The colors are fabulous and so wearable!
Wow, it looks great on your eye, totally gorgeous! Love all the shades on this one.
Thank you!
I’m still on the fence about this palette, some of the colors are really pretty though.
I was on the fence too until I saw it in person, then I was sold!
I LOVE the look you created! What a pretty palette!
Thanks Lisa!
I would really use some new eye shadows. great natural looking colors!
Yes, a wonderful mix of colors!
that look you created really makes your blue eyes pop! Gorgeous shades.
There are really pretty colors in there. I love them all! Perfect for the holidays.
Those are so beautiful! I love the brush that comes with it as well.