If there is one thing we all can agree on, Dior does amazing packaging and though it’s not the outside that matters, this time around, I was treated to an amazing surprise! Aside from the Dior eyeshadow quints, I haven’t tried more of their eyeshadow range.
The Dior Diorshow Mono Eyeshadow ($36, available here), first launched in 2016, is a range that was created to complement the sophisticated look of Dior’s runway design and inspired by the textures of the garments and fabric the coutourier work with. There are nine shades which have different finishes – satin, matte, glitter – so there’s something to suit your preference!
The colours are heavily biased towards satin finishes (7 of them in fact!) and I can’t help but find this design very similar to another iconic French brand, the CHANEL mono eyeshadows – with the full mirror, couture logo stamped on the eyeshadow. Note that these eyeshadows are not available at Sephora – they can be found at other Dior counters including The Bay, Holt Renfrew, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique!
When I wear eyeshadow, no matter how natural, glammed up, or special it looks, I always try to stick with matte, or satin finish, and a forgivable formula, like the Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow. For someone who has a fear of commitment, I always try to get at minimum, two colours, and/or palettes over single eyeshadows. I was a little apprehensive about the Dior Mono eyeshadows at first, and I was worried that it would have a poor colour payoff, or be too glittery on my lids.
When I first tried these, I was a little bit worried about patchiness, fallout/powdery and colour payoff. I was absolutely wrong because the 3 colours I have, 026 Techno // 554 Minimalism // 658 Cosmopolite, are simply divine. They feel really smooth and easy to pick up with a brush or your fingers (with a little bit of fallout) and swatch beautifully as you can see below, without any primer underneath. The eyeshadow is on the softer side – almost as if it’s “wet” – so it’s easier to apply with your fingers to apply than a brush.
The eyeshadow has some dimension to it, irrespective of the finish. It’s not a flat colour so to speak – there’s a bit of duochrome going on in 554 Minimalism, and both Techno and Cosmopolite are not your average satin-finish, shimmery eyeshadow. They wear well as a “topper” eyeshadow – something you can use to make your base colour “pop” to give it that something-something.
The eyeshadow adheres well on the skin without primer and blends quite well and one application has a good colour payoff. The shade “Minimalism” is the only one I had a bit of an issue with – it was sheerer, looks “flatter” and doesn’t have as strong of a payoff as the more metallic Techno and Cosmopolite.
The eyeshadows are splashier than Clarins Ombre Iridescente and they’re more night-time/special occasion appropriate than Clarins’ more everyday, subtle colours / finish. They cost a pretty penny (CAD$36) and the colours are mostly those you can find dupes of; I think if there’s a colour or one shade that you know looks absolutely divine on you (for me it’s Cosmopolite), this is worth investing in!
Have you tried the Dior Diorshow Mono Eyeshadow