The Lime Crime Venus XL II Palette initially didn't grab my attention online; the shades appeared muted and uninspired. However, witnessing the stunning makeup looks achievable with this palette completely changed my mind. This review dives into my experience with the Venus XL II, exploring its unexpected versatility and impressive performance. From initial skepticism to genuine appreciation, I'll detail the texture, pigmentation, and overall usability of this spring and summer-ready palette.Prepare to be surprised. The buttery smooth texture, exceptional blendability, and vibrant color payoff make the Venus XL II a true standout. I'll discuss the impressive performance of both the matte and metallic shades, highlighting the versatility that allows for both everyday and dramatic looks. While I'll touch on a minor preference for a more balanced matte-to-metallic ratio, the overall quality and stunning results significantly outweigh this small caveat.
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First Impressions and Expectations
Initially, the Lime Crime Venus XL II palette's online photos didn't quite capture my attention. The shades seemed rather muted and uninspiring. I wasn't initially convinced it would be a standout product.
However, after seeing several stunning makeup looks created using this palette, my perspective shifted. The versatility and the beautiful results changed my mind completely.
Palette Performance and Pigmentation
I was pleasantly surprised by the buttery texture of the shades. Even the deep browns blended effortlessly, something that's not always the case with similar shades.
While some metallic shades benefited from a wet brush application for optimal intensity, the overall pigmentation was impressive. The matte shades were particularly smooth and easy to work with.
Versatility and Look Creation
The Lime Crime Venus XL II palette is exceptionally versatile. I successfully created several distinct looks, showcasing both the matte and metallic shades.
The palette's range of colors makes it perfect for both everyday makeup and more dramatic, eye-catching looks. I found the color payoff to be consistently excellent, regardless of the shade.
Overall Thoughts and Conclusion
While I wish there were a few more matte shades to balance the metallics, the Lime Crime Venus XL II palette delivers excellent performance and versatility.
The palette's color payoff and blendability are exceptional, making it a worthwhile purchase for those seeking a high-quality palette for spring and summer looks. The stunning metallics are a particular highlight.
The only minor drawback is the slightly higher proportion of metallic shades compared to mattes. However, the quality of both types more than compensates.