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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Wednesday Question: Singles vs. Palettes Edition

Do you prefer eyeshadow singles, duos, trios, quads, quints or palettes? Why?

If you were to ask me this a few years ago, I would have told you that I prefer singles or a few shades together (duos or trios) to palettes. I recall a time when palettes really only contained a few shades that I would reach for, with the rest being shades I seldom touched. But beauty brands have really stepped up their "palette game" these last few years. I can easily get a complete look filled with beautiful colors from one palette alone these days. I do like the portability and convenience of a palette, but I also still like the freedom of single shadows to create my own combos. I never really got into creating my own palettes (depotting shadows and placing them into empty palettes) but I really like that idea in theory. Maybe someday I'll get there!
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27 comments

  1. It all depends on the colors, quality, and price. Usually I now prefer palettes as long as I think I'll use most of the shades and I don't already have dupes. Otherwise I buy singles to fill in "holes" of the colors I want & don't have.

    The best of both worlds is to buy an empty palette and add in all the colors you want. From most brands, though, the cost is prohibitive and the only exception I've found are the palettes/shadows from Coastal Scents. No affiliation, just very pleased with my first order from them.

    Would also like to add that I've reached critical mass when it comes to palettes of all neutrals. Am hoping for more color variation from brands, such as having quality sets of berry shades, greens, etc. along with complementary colors.

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  2. I love palettes like they are candy. The only way I'm really interested in a single shadow is if it is some truly interesting and unique color, like Kat Von D's shade shifter shadows.

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    1. What you said 100%. Even down to my last "exception" for a single.. the one before that was the Sephora chrome shadows when they went on clearance.

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  3. I used to buy more singles, but not so much anymore. The exception might be those Sally minis which sell for 99 cents, since they're easy, cheap and fun experimentation, but usually palettes of five or more get my attention. I agree that companies are offering more palettes, too, where you don't ignore a lot of the shades. The exception: unless it's one of those massive 48-shade ones they roll out for the holidays. With those I might only use a fraction of them, so I try to skip those nowadays.

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  4. Revlon Illuminance cream shadow quads are my favorite. Pallettes are a little overwhelming to me and I never use all the colors, and singles don't feel like a good value for the money. Quads are the perfect combination of foolproof color combos and variability. Wear one shade, two, all of them, all different looks!

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  5. With most brands, I prefer palettes... except NYX. The NYX palettes never do it for me, but their single eye shadows are better in quality

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  6. It is so extremely rare for me to buy singles. I love palettes. Palettes are always a better value but I think it's more than that for me. Palettes are fun! They invite creativity and experimentation. I love getting lots of colors and finishes at once! :D The one exception would be the Milani Bella Eyes which I am collection every single color of, lol. They are priced right, the quality is extremely high, and the color/finish range has it all.

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    1. Oh my, you must be my long-lost twin! I agree with you completely and I, too, have "collected" every single Bella Eyes shade. Those are amazing because, like you said, they have so many shades and finishes. And yes, palettes do inspire creativity. Especially anything by Urban Decay. ;D

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    2. I hear ya on the Milani Bella e/s singles, those are the only singles I've used in the past yr. Otherwise, I get most use out of quads, quints or palettes.

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  7. My preference is palettes or anything with three or more colors, but still small enough to be easily held in one hand. I don't have a good spot to sit down and do my makeup or any counter space. I find it easiest to work from a palette I can hold in one hand while I apply shadow with the other, especially when I am trying to get ready for work. If I have more time and am going somewhere other than work, I might bust out more crazy things and multiple palettes. I have one of those gigantic rainbow ELF palettes, but it is hard deal with, since it is so big, so I only use it if I need a weird, specific color. It is a real dream of mine to someday have a place with enough room to have a large, well-lit, sit down vanity with tons of storage.

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  8. I like inexpensive singles to try out a brand or shade. But I'm most drawn to trios or quads. I get everything I need together and it's portable for daily use.

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  9. I prefer palettes because they take most of the guessing out, push me into trying new colors even those outside my comfort zone and are travel-friendly. I have the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and the Matte Eyes Palette, love them because are versatile : I do my eyes and brows, use some shades as highlighters and if you are doing contouring not on a daily basis, they can do the trick. I'm looking forward trying the new Ulta's palettes, specially the rose golds that you reviwed G!

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  10. I'm a huge fan of palettes; I think I only own 2 single colors! Even though I agree that I don't use all the colors in a single palette, I still really like the option of having them since my style and likes are always changing and evolving and you never know when that crazy glitter midnight blue is what you're on the lookout for.

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  11. I'm still intimidated by using more than two colors on my eyes, so singles for me.

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  12. I personally prefer trios & 5-pan. I just find that majority of the palettes I own I only use 2/3 of the actual colors. Plus I figure if I need a color that's not in the trios or 5-pans I can just get a single instead of paying the extra money for a palette.

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  13. I don't find I have a lot of creativity when left to my own devices, so I tend to reach for palettes much more than singles.

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  14. Palettes because I can get a ton of looks and some of them are great for travel.

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  15. definitely palettes! it's not so much the value as i just really enjoy a big selection of color in one item. they're easier to travel with and i don't have to stand in front of my singles draw wondering which colors and how many shades i should pull out to do my look for the day.

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  16. I like palettes the best! I've thought of depoting my singles as well but I've found that cost of the empty palettes and supplies are too expensive...unless someone has any advice or tips...please? Lol :)

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  17. I am a recent convert to palettes. I still reach for a single here and there, mostly Milani. My once beloved Color Tattoos have been neglected lately. :-(

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  18. I prefer palettes made up of single eyeshadows. Like Coastal Scents Hot Pots and Makeup Geek Eyeshadows.

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  19. Over all I like singles the best because I'm very picky about bold colors but I do like them. Some have caught my attention recently and I'm thinking about getting one of the Too Faced Chocolate palettes to help build up my shadow collection again.

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  20. I used to like singles. But these days I'm more into palettes because they're more bang for your buck and save space for traveling. You can create many different looks with them too. The only thing about palettes are is that there is that 1 shade you don't particularly use or care for.

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  21. Having been gifted a bright colors pallet and buying an elf 32 the year before last I was overwhelmed. This past Christmas I got the lorac Royals set. I'm less overwhelmed because it is three quads but all this to say I prefer singles or small pallets.

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