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High-end makeup can seem outrageously priced — if you’re adding some new things to your collection, it can easily add up to a few hundred dollars. But what are you paying for? Is there really that much difference between mass and upscale brands? We compared a new four-color Dolce & Gabbana eye-shadow palette to drugstore brands with similar shades. Below, our rigorous testing and quasi-scientific analysis brings a clear winner.
Photo: Melissa Hom
PACKAGING:
Nice-looking packaging, although it could feel more substantial; very handy big mirror.
COLOR AND PIGMENT DENSITY:
Luscious, intense, and true on the skin; the gold was a rich, gilded swipe, not just a weak bit of frost.
BLENDABILITY:
Mmm, a pleasure to apply; silky and smooth.
FINAL CALL:
Only one complaint: major flaking. Gold sparkles ended up where they weren’t intended.
Photo: Melissa HomCHALLENGER No. 1: Black Opal Quad Eye-Shadow Kit in Golden Sunset, $5.50 at Duane Reade
PACKAGING:
Pretty generic, but at least you see what you’re getting.
COLOR AND PIGMENT DENSITY:
Looks chalky; leaves you unenthused.
BLENDABILITY:
The shadow pretty much stays where your applicator first lands, and won’t budge.
FINAL CALL:
Maybe good for experimenting with a color, but it’ll never be a favorite.
Photo: Melissa HomCHALLENGER No. 2: Sonia Kashuk Eye-Shadow Quad in Striking Jewels, $9.89 at Target
PACKAGING:
Smart; the little window lets you see the colors, but doesn’t look cheap.
COLORS AND PIGMENT DENSITY:
The deep green made our toes tingle — but that didn’t translate to the skin, where it barely showed.
BLENDABILITY:
You need to layer on so much just to see the color that blending is kind of moot.
FINAL CALL:
Requires too many coats. You shouldn’t have to spend fifteen minutes just on your eyes.
Photo: Melissa HomCHALLENGER No. 3: Eye Studio by Maybelline in Copper Chic, $9.99 for .09 oz at CVS
PACKAGING:
Pretty standard.
BLENDABILITY:
Excellent; the colors work wonderfully together or alone, and blend effortlessly.
COLORS AND PIGMENT DENSITY:
Very pretty and rich; impressive and intense hues that are true on the face.
FINAL CALL:
Who cares about the packaging? For $10, it’s an absolute steal.
THE WINNER: Maybelline. For the shadow’s quality and price, Maybelline’s palette can easily hold its own against the similar option from Dolce & Gabbana.
Designer Shadow Showdown: Dolce’s New Quad Versus Duane Reade’s AlternativesThings you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission
