Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette Review, Swatches, EOTDs

Lancome Auda[City] in Paris is one of the two eyeshadow palettes I am loving this Autumn. The other is the IT Cosmetics Romantics palette, reviewed here. If you read that review, and then scroll down this page to see the photos of Auda[City], you will notice that both have soft shades. Neutrals, but soft, pretty, wearable colours.
I fell for the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris eyeshadow palette as soon as I saw the photos. Such pretty shades! Plus, the packaging is gorgeous. Who does not love the stilettos over Paris's most famous skyline? This palette combines fashion with good taste. I wanted it all the more because it was designed by Lisa Eldridge herself. Formula and pigmentation, you ask? Read on.

Review and swatches of the Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette are further below.

As I said, I love the packaging. Classy and fabulous! They have reproduced the design on the protective film over the mirror, so I haven't removed the film.

The shade names are written on the back of the palette. There are 16 eyeshadows, and a double-ended brush, and the mirror is full-length. I like the blending end of the brush, which is dense and fluffy, but not the shader end because the latter is too thin and "slippery" for my liking.

Formula, pigmentation and staying power of Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

There is a mix of mattes, satins and shimmers.
Not-so-good news. Sante, a light burnt orange which I wanted to love so much, is dry and disappears into my skintone when I apply it on my eyelids. Clock Strikes 12 and Couture sheer but buildable - that is not really a complaint. Audacious (third from right, top row) had some fallout and kept spreading over even while swatching.

But the good news? Most shades are lovely. Repeat: lovely. They work well for me - very good pigmentation. Easy blendability. No creasing. Lasting through the day. Not migrating to my nose or hair. Kitten Heel is gorgeous and has my heart. Zip Me Up is a taupey purple that I LOVE. Exhibition is a pretty soft rose satin eyeshadow I wear so often that I may actually hit pan on this. There are some beautiful taupes in here. I get great colour payoff with most shades. Two are sheer but buildable. 
I do not want to ooh and aah here - why not scroll down and look at the swatches?

Shades and swatches of Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

On bare skin, no primer.
From left, row 1: Filigree, Chouquette, Parfait, Joe, Voyage, Sante, Exhibition, Zip Me Up
Row 2: Kitten Heel, Tenacity, Clock Strikes 12, Nuit, Volcano, Audacious, Couture, "IT" List
In direct sunlight:

Please note the bit of clumpy dark brown-ness below Couture is because the tape I had used for separation hadn't come off so the shadow got in the gap and mixed with the adhesive.

In natural light:

What do you think of those? I had to go over Sante a couple of times to get that swatch, and also had double-swipes of Clock Strikes 12. The rest were easier.

Eye Makeup Looks with Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette

I have full-face photographs to share for more posts, but quickly, here is a sampling of eye makeup looks with this palette. I haven't tried out a smoky eye look with this palette yet, but here are some wearable options.
The first look features Joe and Tenacity. The second is Volcano and Audacious, while the third is Voyage, Devotion and Zip Me Up in the outer "v". The last two are the same EOTD, because I love Kitten Heel so much. It goes from rose pink to golden coral-rose.
There is this myth about softer shades being suitable only for older people and how you should avoid them during your 20s. Hogwash! So many makeup myths that make little sense - do whatever makes you feel good. And whatever is appropriate - it depends on whether you are going to do a presentation or attending a wedding, or off to a nightclub.

Verdict

I am all about rosy neutral shades right now, so this palette has been part of my daily makeup routine ever since I got it. The shades are all so soft and pretty. Even Nuit is a soft grey rather than the jet black you expect from the name.
Lancome Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow Palette is definitely among my favourite palettes for 2015. It is also one of my top two Fall 2015 launches. You can get some versatile day and night looks from this. I have no complaints - though I realise this is subjective. For me, this palette is worth the $68 it costs because I get use out of it almost everyday. Plus, it contains 16 shadows, and there are smaller palettes which cost more. Lancome Auda[City] is available at Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom (worldwide shipping available), Lancome itself, and in stores that carry the brand. It is also now available in the UK and EU in-store.
Do you need this palette, even if you have a bazillion neutral palettes? I say yes. It suits all ages and has some versatile and lovely shades - rosy, purple, taupey, peach and grey hues. Not just the beige-and-brown stuff. A variety of finishes. Some shades need a bit of work but the effort is worth it. You can get several day and night looks out of this. And, you get 16 eyeshadows. More bang for your buck. 

Big question: Romantics or Auda[City]? For me, it is both. I don't have too many soft shades and get a lot of use out of both palettes. I will be good and skip other Fall 2015 launches instead!

Are you a fan of this palette? Which is your favourite Fall 2015 release?