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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Too Faced Christmas In New York: The Chocolate Shop Review & Swatches

The Too Faced Christmas In New York Chocolate Shop is sold exclusively at Sephora ($58). There have been good, bad and "in the middle" reviews regarding this Christmas themed palette. I must admit, I never had high hopes for this palette from the initial swatches I saw online. I loved and wanted it exclusively for it's packaging. It's quite exquisite, but what about the rest of what it holds? Would I change my mind? Let's take a look...


The design of this palette is charming and truly exquisite. The box folds out to reveal a beautiful Christmas scene and the palette itself. You have a couple, perusing a chocolate shop on the sidewalk of 5th Avenue in New York during the Christmas season. The shop features an assortment of cakes, macarons, candy and other delicious treats. The gentleman is dressed in a dapper black suit. The lady is wearing a chic little black dress, pink hair and has a Sephora bag in hand. There's a cute black iron lamp post with a pink wreath and the chocolate shop has a patisserie style awning. The entire scene is dimensional (think di-cut, paper dolls, shadow box style). Deluxe samples of Too Faced's Shadow Insurance (it reminds me of Benefit's Porefessional), Better Than Sex Mascara and Too Faced Melted Chocolate Liquified Long Wear Lipstick In Milkshake are within the window of The Chocolate Shop.


Now, the palette! It says, Christmas In New York...The Chocolate Shop...Cocoa Powder Infused. It does have a light scent of chocolate. There's a pink & green Too Faced wreath on the front and in the background is a pink cityscape of New York City (both front & back). The palette can be removed from it's "tray". When you open it up, there's the cute Chocolate Shop Window scene repeated, 21 eyeshadows, blush, luminizer and bronzer color.


Let's go through the eye shadows! I love the names! FYI I used Smashbox primer AND The Too Faced Shadow Insurance on the back of my hand. Also, I marked colors that performed well with a green check mark. I was a little worried when I swatched the first group of shadows. Desserts On Me is a gorgeous (shimmering icy white). Raspberry Rose, which is a (matte light pink) applied very chalky. Loved Sugared Raisin (shimmering silver mauve). And Glaze (matte white cream) also proved to be chalky & patchy. So out of this group, I only liked 2 out of 4.


The next group was better. Cake Batter (matte soft peach) worked for me. It's a pretty soft peach. Butterscotch is gorgeous (it's a metallic copper). Banana Date (what is that? LOL is a satin soft creamy beige). It was ok, but chalky. Sugar Bells (metallic silver) and Mint Chip (metallic sea blue) are both mesmerizing. I could see using both together for a dramatic eye look. I think they're very pretty blues and I'm not a fan of blue. So out of this group, I liked 4 out of 5.


The third group, consisting of browns had some problems. I only liked 3 out of 6. If you haven't noticed already, it's the METALLICS that are the winners in this palette. The quality of the mattes... well they really struggled. Indulge is a glistening (silvered taupe), Cookie Dough is a (matte beige gold sparkle) shade. I see the matte beige, but ummm I don't see any sparkle. LOL Guilt Free is a (matte soft lavender). It came off grey-ish on me. Tootsie is nice! It's a (matte rich chocolate brown). I love gold, so I loved Gingerdoodle (shimmering champagne). Chocaholic (matte sand) fell flat for me.


The last group of shadows were a hit! But they were mainly metallics LOL Too Faced gets metallics right. Mattes (at least in this palette, not so much). Toffee Crunch is a deep (matte reddish? brown), Lava Cake is a (dark cocoa gold sparkle), Honey Dip is a (shimmering gold), Pound Cake is a (shimmering pinked gold), Jingle Berry is a (vibrant orchid) and Huckleberry is a (deep purple black pink glitter). I loved all of these and they performed well. So I liked 6 out of 6.


So for the eye shadows, I liked 15 out of 21. That's not too bad!

The last 3 things in the palette were a luminizer in (inner light), bronzer (chocolate soleil bronzer), and blush (chocolate covered strawberry). All shades are very beautiful. The blush is the only one to worry about. If you're fair (like me or lighter), I would use a very light hand. It's pigmented. I think it would look better on darker skin tones. The formulas for all are very nice.


Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Too Faced The Chocolate Shop is Sweet

Final thoughts. You guys know how particular I am! This palette surprised me. Is this an everyday palette? No. This is party! Night on the town! You're going to a special event or it's a special occasion palette! All these colors make a STRONG statement. I know I won't be using it very much. Just special occasions. It's also expensive! So you will have to weigh all options as to why you would want it and do you really need it. I had no expectations other than I wanted to display it in my makeup room. I'm just glad I'll get some use out of it. I JUST give this palette a Sweet rating. It's better than ok...It is good! BUT is it good for what YOU need? Don't spend that kind of money for it to be stored away. I'm a makeup package collector & blogger and I use makeup...so my purchase is justified. Hope this review helped you! I did purchase some other things from the Too Faced Christmas In New York Collection. Too Faced just mailed it. When it comes in I'll let you know my thoughts. Below are some of the looks you can put together using the color shades in this palette.

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38 comments

  1. This has the cutest packaging! And seeing all the swatches makes me want this lol!! The metallic shades are so pretty, I love the mint chip blue color! That's too bad the mattes in this weren't the best. I love how they included the blush, bronzer, and highlight too. Chocolate Soleil is one of my favorite bronzers. They highlight shade is stunning!
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Kim!

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  2. Too Faced always slays with the packaging! I swear I buy almost everything for the packaging. I think this collection is so cute and the palette is sweet. I agree with you regarding the palette having party looks and not everyday looks. I think it's great to add to the collection. Love the review Kim. Always the best! xoxo

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  3. OMG they never fail to create such an adorable packaging. This would be a perfect gift as well for the Christmas :)

    Love your new template btw!

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  4. That is such a cute set Kim I can see why you had to have it - really lovely packaging. It's great you liked so many of the colours (although not all) after being sure you'd be unimpressed with it. It's nice you might get a little use from it :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

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  5. The packaging is brilliant! This set would make a perfect gift for a makeup lover. Some of the tones are a bit intense but I like those neutrals.

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  6. I'm so in love!!!! While I'm not a fan of Halloween, its never too soon to get ready for Christmas!!! This palette is adorable, I have a knack for Too Faced :-) Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

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  7. I would love to have this palette because the colors are gorgeous!!! BUT! I already have enough "night out" makeup that I already don't use often enough. I'll have to pass.


    www.waltzandwillow.com

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  8. I've been wanting the one that comes with the three palettes so bad but I'm worried about the quality of the shadows. The packaging of course draws me in and the palettes look amazing color wise. I'm unemployed anyway so it's not like I can be spending money on makeup anyway sadly haha. Great review.

    http://asequinloveaffair.com

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  9. Too Faced's holiday releases are always so cute and colourful! I agree that those metallic shades are extra special. Thanks for the amazing swatches! xo

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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  10. That packaging is just too adorable, Kim, and 15 out of 21 is not too bad at all. I remember buying this Sephora eyeshadow set a looooong time ago, and I think I liked 2 out of 50 shades....haha....
    But you know, I can't believe Christmas sets are coming out already.....wut?!?!?

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  11. Thanks for an honest review, Kim! While I love the look of this palette, I know it wouldn't be for me because there is just too much colour and I prefer my eye make-up to be more subtle. But for a collector, it's a beautiful addition and so festive :)
    xox,
    Cee

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  12. I love how you advice your readers to consider their need against blindly asking them to buy this palette because you love it. See, that's why I adore you, Kim. I actually really like the shades in this palette and I think it's worth the money but that said, I will be giving this a miss because I know I won't get much use out of it.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  13. Sometimes I feel like I would be living under a rock if if weren't for you telling us about some of these makeup releases Kim! This has to be on of the most whimsically designed palettes I've seen in awhile. I guess 15 out of 21 isn't too bad. Thanks for your honest thoughts on the value of this palette.

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  14. Kim, even though you initially wanted this palette for the packaging (and I can see why), the colours in this palette are actually hues that I'd wear and with the ratio of what worked it seems worth it. Especially with the finished looks of "Cocoa Pop", and "Gingerdoodle." I just bought a brilliant BH palette and so far I'm in love with the shades similar to this, so I will bookmark this for gifting. Lovely review.
    FASHION TALES

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  15. Okay, this packaging is GOALS! Seriously though, how cute is this??
    Haha definitely one for the makeup collectors drawers :)
    I'm glad it surprised you too - those swatches look pretty good! I really want to play with some cobalt hues now...that blue would be so pretty for a bold smokey eye. If only I could apply it the way I'm picturing it in my mind...lol

    The Dragonfruit Diaries
    Visit my YouTube channel!

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  16. The Too Faced holiday palettes are always SO CUTE! I have 3 or 4 of them and the colors are so pretty and most are pigmented. These shadows do not disappoint! I will prob pass on one this year just because alot of the colors are similar each year and I really don't reach for my others that much at all. I get sucked into the Tarte ones too and never ever really use those either. I use my Morphe palettes the most.

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  17. Oh wow they have Christmas collections already everything looks super pigmented
    Beauty Candy Loves

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  18. Too Faced knows how to do cute packaging, and this one is very you! The metallics are the winners of this palette for sure, and they're super gorgeous! Great review of this, Kim! I loved what you said at the end about making sure this palette is for you and what you need. It's so easy to get swept up in all of the beautiful holiday packaging that you forget your tastes and needs.

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  19. Uhm...that third group of swatches...gorgeous! That blue is stunning! And I love the look of the blush too.
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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  20. Christmas is coming soon. These metallics will be perfect for Christmas parties.

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  21. Thank you for being honest in your review. Not everyone is, but that was. It is an amazing palette for nights out!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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  22. wow, this is quite a palette! i don't wear too many metallic/glitter shadows, so i'd pass on this one...but absolutely love the packaging!

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  23. So many fun colors, I love it!

    xx

    www.dylanasuarez.com

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  24. Looove the packaging it reminds me of the vintage pop up cards from back in the day !
    I'd wear Cake batter everyday. Now the super shiny ones, I'd totally skip.

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  25. Aw man, my comment didn't go through yesterday :( I posted one and when I hit submit, I loss internet connection and was hoping it went through, darn! Haha! I shared how much I loved the the palette and how beautiful the colors are, especially Jingle Berry and Mint Chip, those two instantly caught my eye, GORGEOUS! I think the whole idea is so cute and the shadows look amazing, but like you've said this is more of a special occasion palette or if someone is into makeup and/or collecting palettes, like yourself! As much as I would love to purchase this one, I've learnt my lesson after purchasing the VICE 2 palette that's collecting dust in my makeup drawer, haha. I fell in love with the packaging and colors, but have rarely used it (maybe the most 3 times!) and as you know, it's pricey! I think this would also make a super cute holiday gift idea, so it's great that you're sharing this with us now because I can see it selling out fast as we approach the season, I mean how cute and charming is it!? Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having the best day so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

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  26. I thought of getting the palette but decided against it, as most of the shades I would use are pretty similar to last years xmas edition, tho. But nevertheless it's a beautiful one, Kim.
    xox
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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  27. These colors look so nice! I need this palette!

    Have a great weekend!

    xoSE
    http://www.sashaelizabeth.com/

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  28. I love this palettes! really funny and cool!!!
    http://www.atrendyexperience.com/

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  29. Too Faced knows how to attract people, this Christmas themed box looks absolutely beautiful and it would also make a perfect gift for a beauty lover :) It looks like most of the shades performed great, I love how shiny the metallic ones are, when there are so many eyeshadows, it is ok to have a few disappointing ones I guess :)

    Ela BellaWorld

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  30. so many pretty colors to create multiple holiday looks!!
    www.samanthamariko.com

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  31. With that packaging any is in love, also good pigmentation of the shadows! The colors are ideal to impress at parties. Happy weekend Kim.


    www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

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  32. The packaging is really extraordinary! I love mint chip and honey dip. The metallics really deliver and I'd get this for a special occasion or just the packaging!

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  33. I do really think the packaging is quite sweet! I kind of wonder if it's not a bit too bulky to store though. I'd definitely agree that there are a range of shades, some lovely and not so good! It also really is quite pricey!

    Ps. I love the GIFS you've included in this, it makes such a difference!

    Musings & More

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  34. This is very well written post.
    I love all the products, the are very usable because of shades and the box looks nice.
    https://glaringwaves.blogspot.ba/

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  35. Great review! It was thorough and super informative.

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  36. a very sweet and most beautiful blog,design...
    Nice post dear...
    I follow you now on GFC, I wait back in to my blog.
    Kisses!!!
    Blog: www.newoutfitfashionblog.blogspot.ba
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/New-Outfit
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/milanewoutfit

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  37. Super cute packaging Kim! You're right, I do find the colours more of a party look than an everyday look, but it's perfect for the holidays.

    xo Jo

    http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/

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