Earlier this year, Makeup Revolution introduced four new 'Re-Loaded' Palettes, each containing 15 shades. These palettes offer a mix of both shimmer/glitter and matte finishes. The arrangement of shades places the top and second rows at the top, with the last row at the bottom.
General Performance and Formula
Upon initial swatching, the palettes are notably pigmented. The shimmer shades are described as creamy and easy to apply, a characteristic shared by most of the other shades. For optimal color payoff with shimmers, applying them with a finger is recommended, as this method yields more vibrant results than using a brush. If a brush is preferred, a flat shader brush is suggested to pack on more product.
Some shades do exhibit a slightly chalky texture, requiring a bit more blending to achieve a seamless look on the eyes. However, the majority of the shades are easy to apply and blend quickly. An exception noted is the orange shade in the second row of one palette, which presented some issues.
The packaging is described as basic, made of plastic, and some users express a preference for cardboard palettes with magnetic closures. While the palettes are generally sturdy, opening them can be a bit difficult, with some users noting it nearly broke a nail.
Specific Palette Insights
Newtrals 2 Palette
The Newtrals 2 Palette is highlighted as a pinky-red toned palette featuring 15 shades in pinks, reds, browns, and purples. The formula of these shades, especially the shimmers, is highly praised, with one reviewer describing the purple metallic shade as feeling like butter. The matte shades are also noted as nice and soft, not too powdery or crumbly. This palette is considered a favorite by some for its formula and blendability, with each shade standing out and layering nicely without creating a muddy mess. The affordability, at $7, is a significant advantage. A minor drawback mentioned is the wish for a few more unique shades, such as matte purples and deep browns and reds.
Division Palette
The Division Palette is considered the most unique in color scheme among the Reloaded collection, featuring greens, yellows, blues, and purples. It is frequently mentioned as a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette. While the shades may not swatch as well as they perform, they are reported to blend beautifully on the eyes with incredible pigmentation. The mattes are described as strongly pigmented but lacking the vividness of high-end palettes, which makes them buildable and easier to blend. However, some users found the mid-tone and lighter shades difficult to build up, often becoming muddy or blending away. The shimmers in this palette can be flaky and challenging to pick up with a brush, but apply nicely with fingers or a dampened brush. Some users found that certain shades, particularly the teal/green ones, looked identical on the eyes despite having different undertones. Overall, while some shades are enjoyable and the price is attractive, some reviewers suggest being cautious with this palette and express a preference for other brands' teal shades.
Velvet Rose Palette
The Velvet Rose Palette is noted for its resemblance in color scheme to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam palette, featuring typical fall/autumn shades like deep maroon, rusty brown, oranges, and mauves. The mattes in this palette are comparable to ABH formulas but are less pigmented, though still blendable and soft. The darker mattes are a favorite for many. The black shade is described as "soft" and highly blendable, which can lead to it looking like a dark gray due to its lack of pigmentation. The shimmers are considered good for the price, not intensely foiled but effective when applied with fingers, a wet brush, or directly over concealer/primer. This palette is generally recommended for its ease of use and buildable intensity, especially at its price point.
Re-Loaded Fever Palette
The Re-Loaded Fever Palette offers 15 shades with a variety of burnt warm-toned shades, including warm browns, burnt reds/coppers, and some plum/purple tones. This palette performed beautifully, with shades blending without looking muddy. The formula is highly praised for its pigmentation and quality, especially considering the low price of $7. It is suggested as a significantly cheaper alternative to the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette.
Comparison to Other Palettes
Some reviewers have compared the Reloaded palettes to other brands. The Division palette is considered a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette. While the Division palette is more affordable and easier to blend than Subculture, some users still found issues with pigmentation and shade consistency. In comparison to Subculture, the Division palette is less powdery and loosely pressed, offering a trade-off where Subculture is more pigmented but potentially patchy and prone to oxidation. Wet n Wild palettes are mentioned as having better quality for a lower price point.
The quality of the Reloaded palettes is placed on par with brands like Colourpop or Smashbox by some, suggesting they are not the absolute best but far from the worst. The packaging, while not luxurious, is deemed sturdy for the price. Some users found that the shades tend to have a little fallout and can be chalky, especially the mattes, but they blend out well on the eyes with incredible pigmentation. The shimmers can be a bit harder to work with due to glitter clumping.
Makeup Revolution RELOADED Palettes, VELVET ROSE & ICONIC DIVISION II Review & Swatches II Tumpa
Application Tips
- For shimmer shades, use your finger for maximum color payoff.
- If using a brush for shimmers, a flat shader brush is recommended to pack on product.
- For glittery shades, finger application is advised due to chunkiness. Alternatively, use a flat shader brush sprayed with makeup spray.
- Matte shades might require more blending to look seamless.
- To amp up the intensity of shimmers, use them with your fingers, a wet brush, or directly on top of concealer/eye primer.
- For matte shades that are less pigmented, layering and building up the intensity is suggested.
- Dense pencil or shader brushes are recommended for applying matte shades in some palettes.
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