Hourglass just released seven new eyeshadows called the Modernist Eyeshadow Palette ($58 each for 5 x 0.035 oz/1.0g). Each palette seems to offer a diverse range of textures and finishes. There are different color variations for a soft to more dramatic eye. I went with the safe option and purchased Infinity a soft palette of warm neutrals which includes Warm Ivory, Dusty Rose, Bronzed Mauve, Cool Taupe, Dark Cocoa.
The shadows are extremely soft powders with an easy to blend texture. Pigment is very good on this palette and easy to blend and layer for a softly defined eye. Many of my readers have commented on the lack of soft satiny matte palettes in the high-end beauty market. If you’ve been on the hunt for a good palette of soft mattes (with one wearable shimmer) this is the answer to what you’ve been searching for. The only downside is the soft texture is so soft that there is a lot of powder kick-up when you swipe the palette with the brush. I didn’t find that the powder fallout translated to how it applied on the eyes though. With a good brush (like MAC 217, 219 or 239) I was able to get a soft medium gradient.
With soft neutral mattes like these sometimes the colors can end up looking muted or the same on the lids. I like to start with the medium shimmer shades first and then add the others to either highlight or contour the rest of the eye. The middle shimmer color is very soft but adheres well to the lids. The other mattes are softer and lighter in texture (although they have good pigment) and for me are better used as washes. The darkest color is best used with a damp brush or over a creamy liner to help the enhance the pigment.
The packaging and product design is incredibly unique. The powders in the compact are pressed together making them look like a wave pattern. When there is no separator between colors in palettes I usually get worried. I like tiny dividers because I find they make it easier for me to dip my brush into the palette without having to worry about mixing colors. The stripes are large enough for my MAC brushes for now. I do wonder how it will work once the surface is worn down after use.
They come packaged in a similar design to the Ambient Lighting Powder Palette, but the Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes are smaller. For the price and for consistency, I do wish they were larger in size.
Based on the comparisons above you can see similarities in the shades to other palettes. If you own a lot of neutrals you may find this easy to dupe. To me it seems to be a cross between Orchid Haze and Cocoa Mirage from Tom Ford. I’ve found this palette beautiful to wear and gives a lovely soft defined eye. I do wish the powder texture was a bit less soft because the palette itself can get quite messy with the powder kick-up, although as mentioned above, they meld nicely on the eyes and I experienced no fall out once I put it on the skin.
I know from reading other reviews that there are mixed thoughts on this, my recommendation is try before you buy if you are skeptical. Reviews with thumbs up from Goss Makeup Artist. Lukewarm review from Color Me Loud. Thumbs down from Temptalia.
I personally am really happy with my purchase, I haven’t seen or tested the others to give you a review on the entire collection of the Modernist Palettes (some look like they have more dramatic sparkles). Given the mixed reviews I don’t suspect this will be a universally loved palette, but I do know I’m not alone with my thumbs up thoughts on this.
You can find the Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palettes now at Sephora, Barneys New York and Hourglass Cosmetics. It will be available at other retailers later this month.
Did you try any of these palettes? What did you think?
Hey Sabrina, since I have no access to an Hourglass counter, I might just blind buy Color Field (the khaki one). I haven't bought anything green for a while, and that one is really speaking to me!
I personally love this look of this! While I own the Naked2 Basics, which obviously has similar shades, I've always been so impressed with the quality of Hourglass palettes that I'd love to give it a go. That second shade in from the left, especially, is stunning! Thanks so much for the amazing swatches!
I am baffled at some of the bad reviews, as I have the Monochrome one and it is lovely! It doesn't kick up any more powder than my other eye shadows, the pigment is good, it blends so nicely…I am going to get Infinity next! (I already have both TF Orchard Haze and Cocoa Mirage)
I was hoping you would review this product and that it would be a good one. So glad it was…I can't wait to get another one…and maybe another one! 🙂
Hi Sabrina! I have both Infinity and Obscura and agree with your review. Obscura is better quality and kicks up little to no excess powder. I returned Atmosphere; did not swatch it, as I knew the colors were not for me. I bought all three sight unseen. I have been experimenting with different brushes and application technique. These are lovely, not perfect, but are still palettes I will keep. The neutrals are perfect for my everyday looks. Thank you for your review and side-by-side comparisons to the TF compacts.
Thanks Louisa, glad to hear that Obscura has better quality! It's on my list to check out because it looks so stunning but I wanted to wait to see it in person before splurging.
Thank you so much for the great review! I love the packaging on this and know Hourglass makes phenomenal products, but agree with you that I like divider between my shadows and $58 isn't cheap.
Dear Sabrina, perfect safe choice and a great review. I do not own any neutral & matte eyeshadow (YEAH, SERIOUSLY) and this seem like a good option for me, and coming from Hourglass which is an amazing brand, I am definitely considering this fantastic option of soft neutral shades. Thanks for the review!
Hi Ningning, I don't own many matte palettes either. If you're in the market for one, it doesn't get better than Urban Decay Naked Basics or Naked2 Basics in terms of color and texture. This Hourglass one is also very good if you don't have a lot of similar shades.
I wish it was a little bigger! I didn't realise it was going to be smaller than the Ambient Lighting palette, I just bought the Khaki shade online. The swatches of your palette have made me really excited to get mine x
I think the design of the palette is really nice and encourages mixing the shades to reveal different shades. The powder is very softly pressed, this must be why it is a little powdery. Mine came with the lightest shade broken but it was due to overseas transport in a padded envelope. I would like to try Exposure next, enjoy my Infinity too. I think the expectation was a little higher but all in all not a bad palette for a thumbs down.
LorraineJanuary 24, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Lovely! perfect, smooth beautiful swatches. luxury palettes like this are such a welcome change. I like the heft of the Hourglass compacts. they seem sturdier and are nice to hold. I have had such bad experiences with some other brands- pricey compacts that falls on the floor and pan falls out and shatters, or lid is forever wonky on the hinges. For others looking for soft satiny mattes, try Laura Mercier ones. I have had great luck with them- easy to wear and blend and won't settle into fine lines. LM brand usually includes mattes in every palette and also satin shades with a subtle shimmer.
Glad you liked them Sabrina. The price is a bit steep for me, but I might still get them since it's beautiful, useful, portable and getting thumbs up from my favorite beauty bloggers. I do think every product will get a con – nothing pleases everybody, and I agree with you, it's a matter of technique and how one usually does makeup applications.
Hi Lena, if you can try them before buying I highly recommend it. I think they will be available at counters starting Feb so it's worth waiting for IMHO.
Fantastic review! I have Exposed on it's way to me right now and I can't WAIT to try it out! I love hourglass and the way they find new and exciting ways to package their product that really sets them apart from anyone else. xx
I saw this eyeshadow palette at Sephora . I do agree with you that the textures of these shadows is amazing. I love how soft and easy to blend they all seem, plus they are highly pigmented http://www.staplemeknot.com
Hey Sabrina, since I have no access to an Hourglass counter, I might just blind buy Color Field (the khaki one). I haven't bought anything green for a while, and that one is really speaking to me!
I totally agree Sunny! – Zeynep
I personally love this look of this! While I own the Naked2 Basics, which obviously has similar shades, I've always been so impressed with the quality of Hourglass palettes that I'd love to give it a go. That second shade in from the left, especially, is stunning! Thanks so much for the amazing swatches!
I love Hourglass! Great quality, and the shades are very gorgeous! 🙂
Nikoleta, xoxo
http://nljuljduraj.blogspot.com
So many gorgeous colors! Also remind me of the desert.
http://arnellavanilla.com/category/home/
I am baffled at some of the bad reviews, as I have the Monochrome one and it is lovely! It doesn't kick up any more powder than my other eye shadows, the pigment is good, it blends so nicely…I am going to get Infinity next! (I already have both TF Orchard Haze and Cocoa Mirage)
I was hoping you would review this product and that it would be a good one. So glad it was…I can't wait to get another one…and maybe another one! 🙂
I think everyone has different tastes/expectations – there are mixed customer reviews on Sephora.com as well. I think application is key though.
Hi Sabrina,
I love the second rosy brown shade in Hourglass Infinity! What a pretty rosy palette:)
As a side note, Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 looks lovely swatched on your skin as well!
I definitely want this! Thanks for the helpful swatch, the color from second left is beautiful ♥
You're welcome Kay!
This is such a stunning palette and every shade is so wearable! The quality looks incredible, too.
nueyork.blogspot.com
This is such a beautiful palette, I love the way they have pressed it all together. Makes it so much more beautiful.
Taylor
http://www.taylordevil.com
Hi Sabrina! I have both Infinity and Obscura and agree with your review. Obscura is better quality and kicks up little to no excess powder. I returned Atmosphere; did not swatch it, as I knew the colors were not for me. I bought all three sight unseen. I have been experimenting with different brushes and application technique. These are lovely, not perfect, but are still palettes I will keep. The neutrals are perfect for my everyday looks. Thank you for your review and side-by-side comparisons to the TF compacts.
Thanks Louisa, glad to hear that Obscura has better quality! It's on my list to check out because it looks so stunning but I wanted to wait to see it in person before splurging.
Those colors are gorgeous!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee
Thank you so much for the great review! I love the packaging on this and know Hourglass makes phenomenal products, but agree with you that I like divider between my shadows and $58 isn't cheap.
Glad you liked the review! Yes at $58 it is an expensive palette but I like this one 🙂
Dear Sabrina, perfect safe choice and a great review. I do not own any neutral & matte eyeshadow (YEAH, SERIOUSLY) and this seem like a good option for me, and coming from Hourglass which is an amazing brand, I am definitely considering this fantastic option of soft neutral shades. Thanks for the review!
Hi Ningning, I don't own many matte palettes either. If you're in the market for one, it doesn't get better than Urban Decay Naked Basics or Naked2 Basics in terms of color and texture. This Hourglass one is also very good if you don't have a lot of similar shades.
At least the colours are beautiful – warm neutral shades suit me perfectly! Lovely review, Sabrina!
X Alice
Thank you Alice!
I love the colour, the palette looks so pretty! Shades are my thing xx
These swatches look amazing but I have seen some swatch them pretty badly so I'm torn..
I always think that Hourglass products are so beautiful, I really need to try them out!
sophielfarrell.blogspot.co.uk
sophielfarrell
I wish it was a little bigger! I didn't realise it was going to be smaller than the Ambient Lighting palette, I just bought the Khaki shade online. The swatches of your palette have made me really excited to get mine x
Through New Eyes | Beauty Blog
Your swatches look a little better than some I've seen. I wonder if it's a quality control issue.
I think the design of the palette is really nice and encourages mixing the shades to reveal different shades. The powder is very softly pressed, this must be why it is a little powdery. Mine came with the lightest shade broken but it was due to overseas transport in a padded envelope. I would like to try Exposure next, enjoy my Infinity too. I think the expectation was a little higher but all in all not a bad palette for a thumbs down.
Lovely! perfect, smooth beautiful swatches. luxury palettes like this are such a welcome change. I like the heft of the Hourglass compacts. they seem sturdier and are nice to hold. I have had such bad experiences with some other brands- pricey compacts that falls on the floor and pan falls out and shatters, or lid is forever wonky on the hinges. For others looking for soft satiny mattes, try Laura Mercier ones. I have had great luck with them- easy to wear and blend and won't settle into fine lines. LM brand usually includes mattes in every palette and also satin shades with a subtle shimmer.
Glad you liked them Sabrina. The price is a bit steep for me, but I might still get them since it's beautiful, useful, portable and getting thumbs up from my favorite beauty bloggers. I do think every product will get a con – nothing pleases everybody, and I agree with you, it's a matter of technique and how one usually does makeup applications.
Hi Lena, if you can try them before buying I highly recommend it. I think they will be available at counters starting Feb so it's worth waiting for IMHO.
Fantastic review! I have Exposed on it's way to me right now and I can't WAIT to try it out! I love hourglass and the way they find new and exciting ways to package their product that really sets them apart from anyone else. xx
I'm excited for your Exposed palette!
I always wait for you swatches and review before purchasing and I'm certainly drooling over this one ;p -xxx-
K
http://www.lapizofluxury.com
I saw this eyeshadow palette at Sephora . I do agree with you that the textures of these shadows is amazing. I love how soft and easy to blend they all seem, plus they are highly pigmented
http://www.staplemeknot.com