NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival: A Detailed Review

This detailed review dives into the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival, a vibrant and versatile eyeshadow palette discovered at Walmart. The review explores not only the palette's impressive range of colors – from bold pops of pink and orange to essential warm neutrals and a deep black – but also its accompanying highlighter duo, featuring a warm gold and a soft dusty pink. The author assesses the pigmentation, blendability, and overall application of both the eyeshadows and highlighters, noting both strengths and minor drawbacks.The review provides a comprehensive look at the palette's capabilities, showcasing its suitability for a variety of makeup styles, from everyday natural looks to dramatic evening creations. Expect honest feedback on texture, fallout, and the overall performance of the products, culminating in a final recommendation based on the author's experience and assessment of value for money. Find out if the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival lives up to the hype and whether it's a worthwhile addition to your makeup collection.

Pros And Cons

Eyeshadow Palette (unnamed)
  • Offers a variety of colors, including pinks, oranges, golds, neutrals, and black.
  • Colors are suitable for various makeup looks, from natural to smoky eye.
  • Some shades can be used as highlighters.
  • Good value for the price.
  • Some shades are chalky and matte, requiring careful application and potentially resulting in fallout.
  • Shades can stain.

Read more: 5 Stunning Cool-Toned Eyeshadow Palettes You Need

First Impressions and Packaging

Upon discovering the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival at Walmart, I was immediately captivated by its vibrant color story. The packaging itself is sleek and travel-friendly, perfect for a getaway or quick trip. The palette includes a range of shades from bold pinks and oranges to warm neutrals and a classic black for smoky eyes, offering immense versatility.

Close-up shot of the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival packaging showcasing the 'New' label.
Close-up shot of the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival packaging showcasing the 'New' label.

I'd never seen these particular shades before, though some online comments suggest they weren't entirely new. Regardless of their release date, the color selection immediately caught my eye, presenting limitless creative possibilities.

A wide shot highlighting the diverse color range within the palette.
A wide shot highlighting the diverse color range within the palette.

Highlighting Duo Selection

In addition to the eyeshadow palette, I also found a highlighter duo. This particular duo featured a warm gold and a soft, dusty pink shade—a combination I felt would complement the eyeshadow palette beautifully.

The NYX highlighter duo shown alongside the eyeshadow palette.
The NYX highlighter duo shown alongside the eyeshadow palette.

This highlighter duo reminded me of a previous purchase, the 'Born to Glow' palette, and its elegant color scheme seemed ideal for achieving that sun-kissed, 'golden goddess' look. The two shades are perfectly paired, offering both subtle and intense highlighting options.

Close-up showcasing the gold and dusty pink shades of the highlighter duo.
Close-up showcasing the gold and dusty pink shades of the highlighter duo.

Eyeshadow Swatches and Texture

I performed swatches on bare skin, avoiding primers or moisturizers to provide an accurate representation of the eyeshadow's true color and texture. Some shades were more pigmented than others, with certain mattes displaying a slightly chalky consistency.

The reviewer's hand prepared for eyeshadow swatches.
The reviewer's hand prepared for eyeshadow swatches.

Many shades applied smoothly, blending seamlessly. However, the matte shades required extra care and a light hand to avoid excess fallout. I found layering helped deepen the color payoff.

Close-up of eyeshadow swatches on the reviewer's arm.
Close-up of eyeshadow swatches on the reviewer's arm.

Color Combinations and Versatility

The palette boasts a wide array of shades, allowing for numerous looks, from natural daytime makeup to bolder, more dramatic styles. I found the neutral shades perfect for everyday wear, while the bolder colors were ideal for a night out.

The reviewer points out various color options within the palette.
The reviewer points out various color options within the palette.

The inclusion of both matte and shimmer shades adds to the palette's versatility. The shimmer shades, in particular, can also be used as highlighters. The color combinations are endless, allowing for creative exploration and self-expression.

A close-up showing several shades swatched together to illustrate color combinations.
A close-up showing several shades swatched together to illustrate color combinations.

Highlighter Swatches and Review

The NYX highlighter duo, with its gold and dusty pink shades, proved easy to blend and apply. The shades were buildable, allowing for subtle or more intense highlights.

The reviewer is preparing to swatch the highlighters.
The reviewer is preparing to swatch the highlighters.

The gold highlighter gave a beautiful, radiant glow, while the pink shade offered a more natural, flushed appearance. Overall, the duo is a worthy addition to any makeup collection.

Close-up of the highlighter swatches on the reviewer's hand.
Close-up of the highlighter swatches on the reviewer's hand.

Final Verdict

The NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Festival is a versatile and impressive palette offering a range of shades suitable for various makeup styles. The inclusion of both matte and shimmer shades provides extensive creative options. While some shades have a slightly chalky texture and produce fallout, this is easily manageable with appropriate brushes and techniques.

The reviewer expresses her overall positive opinion of the palette.
The reviewer expresses her overall positive opinion of the palette.

Despite the minor drawbacks of some matte shades, the overall quality and color range make this palette a worthwhile purchase. The highlighters are also excellent, offering buildable color payoff and radiant finishes. I highly recommend this palette for its affordability, variety, and ability to create diverse makeup looks.