Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Matte Palette

I keep most of my makeup in my vanity, but some of it winds up in my bathroom organizer. Those items are the ones I'll reach for time and again, especially when I have 5 minutes to slap a face together at 4am. Within days of getting the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Matte palette, it found its way to that organizer.

It's THE no-fuss everyday palette. 

It's not tremendously exciting to look at, I'll admit. The packaging is simple and practical - clean, plastic, lightweight. The colours are basic, everyday colours.

And that's the point. These are all the shades you would need to create a natural eye, a contoured, professional eye, a smoky eye. For the average woman, this is exactly the kind of palette that ends up being a staple in the makeup repertoire. And for a beauty junkie like me, it's that sleeper palette that I end up reaching for again and again. It's practical, reliable and surprisingly versatile. In a beauty industry dominated by flash-in-the-pan trends and gimmicks, a makeup item that does exactly what you need it to is a rare bird indeed.

I have to admit, when I first started playing around with this palette, I was hesitant. Most of the eyeshadows that I consider to be good quality and well-performing share a similarly dense, smooth, buttery texture. I know I can get great payoff, adherence and blendability from that kind of texture. These feel firmer, finer, drier. I got into them expecting lacklustre results.

I could not have been more wrong. These have good to excellent pigmentation, apply super smoothly and blend like a dream! They are not powdery, with the exception of the two lightest shades, which aren't as smooth as the rest. They are also the sheerest and the most given to blending out. I found that the shadows in this palette had minimal fallout, and lasted through an average workday (and then some) without a problem when I wore them over a primer.

The colour range is very good as well, with solid mid-tones and deeper tones, and both cooler and warmer leaning shades. If anything, it skews slightly more warm.

Compared to something like the Lorac Pro Palette, you're getting less versatility since there are no shimmer tones, and slightly less payoff, though the softer texture of the Pro palette also creates more debris. I do think a good shimmer is easier to find than a good matte, however. If you're choosing between the two, this one is definitely the more affordable option.

Availability: Exclusively at Target. Price is 19.99$ CAD and USD.

Pros: Good to great pigmentation, blends and builds very well. Great wear and smooth application with minimal fallout. Range of warm to cool leaning shades, variety of depth of tones. Packaging is slim, light and practical.

Cons: Two lighter shades have more powdery texture, are somewhat sheerer and prone to blending out. Packaging may feel a little too basic and lightweight.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)