Sephora really likes to create these huge eyeshadow palettes from time to time (great for you, not-so-great for my swatching arm), like this Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette ($34 USD / $41 CDN), coming soon to Sephora this May 2012, with 63 shades in 21 color-coordinated trios! Plus it even has a small travel palette that fits three trios too.

The Packaging

This palette is pretty large, mainly because of its depth.  The inside of the top of the palette is one large mirror, which is great for being able to do your full-face makeup.  48 eyeshadows are visible upon opening the palette, which slide apart to reveal the remaining 15 eyeshadows and travel palette beneath.  The case itself is a glossy black, which I’m not ever a fan of because while it looks sleek and gorgeous at first, it gets dirtied up with fingerprints so easily.  The individual trios are removable (there are little holes beneath them you can push your finger through to pop them out), and it comes with a mini travel palette that you can snap three trios into to take with you on the go. I absolutely love this idea, because this gigantic palette is anything but travel-friendly.

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Trios pop out)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Travel palette)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Travel Palette)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Empty travel palette)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Full travel palette)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Travel palette)

The Eyeshadows

The individual eyeshadows vary in color, texture and quality… just like almost every huge Sephora eyeshadow palette I’ve ever laid my hands on. The good news is that there are many more ‘good’ eyeshadows in this palette then bad (unlike the previous Sephora + Pantone Universe palette which had about 1/3 of them fall below my expectations).  Again, mainly the glittery light colors weren’t the highest quality, and some of the matte shades as well, but the majority of the colors are a shimmer or frost finish which usually have a fairly good color payoff, especially worn wet.  I did experience quite a bit of fall out with some of the darker, glittery shades.  I would also definitely recommend a primer underneath these colors to extend their wear and vibrancy.

Some of the trios I like more than others, characterized by their quality and color combinations.  I’ve noted below the sets of 4-5 trios which I like most out of the group, and you can check out the swatches below each to see their payoff and intensity.  The only other thing to keep in mind is to be careful when digging into some of the darker shades- they can flake off and fall into other ones (which doesn’t make for a very nice surprise when sweeping on a highlight shade with black mixed in).  I love how some of the colors are paired up in a way I would have never thought before, but they actually look great together!  Definitely a great way to inspire your next smoky eye.

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Neutrals, I prefer column 3 best)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Neutrals, Column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Neutrals, Column 2)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Neutrals, Column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Neutrals, Column 4)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greens, I prefer column 1 best)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greens, Column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greens, Column 2)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greens, Column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greens, Column 4)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, I prefer column 2 best)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, Column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, Column 2)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, Column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, Column 4)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Blues, Column 5)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Purples, I prefer column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Purples, Column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Purples, Column 2)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Purples, Column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Purples, Column 4)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greys, I prefer column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greys, Column 1)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greys, Column 2)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greys, Column 3)

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette (Greys, Column 4)

Summary

• Price: $34 USD / $41 CDN for 63 x 0.019oz / 0.53g
• Availability: Sephora (May 2012)
• Overall: I love the concept of this palette, even if all of the colors aren’t fabulous, its a pretty decent kit for a beginner or someone who wants to expand their shade range. I love that the trios are pre-coordinated, and pop out to be put into a travel palette.  There definitely are some duds in the collection (low quality, flaky, etc) but there are some excellent ones as well. Takes the guess work out of pairing smoky eye shades!
• Rating: A-