Might as well take a chisel to Michelangelo’s David. That’s how I felt about swatching the new Dior 5 Couleurs Garden Pastels Eyeshadow Palette ($59) and why it took me so long to build up the courage.
Every time I’d contemplate taking a brush to the raised roses on the pans, I’d see myself tearing into a beautifully wrapped present, squishing a frosted cupcake or picking apart a delicate hors d’oeuvre.
I don’t want to do it! I don’t want to do it! I don’t want to do it!
But I finally did…
The quint, part of Dior’s spring Garden Party collection, looks right at home on windowsills, dressers and eyelids — even mine, which don’t always get along well with pastel colors.
These shimmery shades shocked me when I got them on my eyes. I really didn’t expect them to be this bright, and that was a very nice surprise. I suspect it’s because of their dense pigments and shine.
Too bad about the price…but that’s pretty typical for Dior.
If you’re comfortable with a splurge and love classic spring colors, quality powders and convenient quints, the Dior 5 Couleurs Garden Pastels Eyeshadow Palette takes the cake.
PRICE: $59
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Dior counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Back from the salon! I ended up keeping the same cut, just a little shorter, and with a couple of bright pink streaks. 🙂
Paris B says
I’m not a pastel eyeshadow girl so I am glad to be able to resist this one but you do make it look good! I have the purple palette which I think fares a wee bit better for me than the pastels 🙂 And your hair! I’m planning to cut some bangs too 😀
Inday says
OooooO, really feelin’ those pink streaks Karen! The quint is pretty nice too 😉
Chris25 says
It looks like candy and I want it! 🙂
Are the pink streaks semi-permanent. When I was 18, I had a Manic Panic phase. I did purple, red, blue, etc.
Appu says
LOVE your new hair! You look amazing! 😀
Heidi says
Looks like another great Dior palette! Such pretty colors. I can see all of these working really well with a navy blue liner (I’m obsessed with navy blue liners, it’s one of my ways to look more awake).
Oh, and I love that hair length on you and the pink streaks are so cool!
Laura says
I am so super jealous of your hair right now! lol
Tracy says
LOVE the pink streaks!!
Lola says
Great review as always! Just wish it wasn’t so expensive, I can’t imagine spending so much on one palette :O Are you going to be reviewing MAC’s Iris Apfel collection? 🙂
Rae // theNotice says
Ahh! I don’t know what’s more exciting – Dior’s Spring collection, or your hair 😉 It’s awesome to see so much pigment in a palette of pastels, though, and I love your (/your stylist’s) take on pink streaks!
Karen says
Happy Friday, Rae!
The pigment in this quint is awesome! I think it would look really flattering on you.
Got any plans yet for the weekend?
Karen B says
Absolutely LOVE the pink streaks. They look so awesome on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Karen! Happy Friday!
Eesha says
Lovely shades look awesome. Another great palette from Dior. Your pink streaks are freaking me out to get some highlight streaks done which I have been lingering for sometime for no reason as such. Those pink streak look awesome on you. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Eesha,
I hope you make the jump and go pink! They’re so much fun. 🙂
Happy Friday!
Vonvon says
I am waiting to get this quint! So pretty! So perfect!
And nice hair, Karen! I feel like doing something to my hair, too. But can’t decide what and how.
Karen says
I hope you love this quint, Vonvon!
Marina says
The quint looks beautiful and I really love your pastel yellow dress/top/whatever it is! The hair looks cool, I am thinking about some changes, too.
Karen says
Hi Marina,
Thank you! It’s a Calvin Klein dress I bought ages ago. I wish it was warm enough to wear it outside… it’s cold today!
Have a lovely Friday.
Naomi says
Oh the makeup looks great on you but I am totally loving the pink streaks!
Karen says
Hi Naomi,
Thank you! Happy Friday!
Joyce says
I usually don’t gravitate towards pastel colors because they don’t compliment my NC30/35 skintone very well =(
Also, I had my hair cut to my neck a few years ago. During that time, it was so easy to maintain my hair. Now my hair has grown really long and it takes more effort and time to maintain it. I’m thinking about cutting my hair short again.
Karen says
I’m an NC42 and love wearing pastels! I think it really depends on how user friendly the formula is. This one is very easy to work.
Kim says
You always look lovely, but these Dior shadows are absolutely beautiful on you! And the hair? OMG, love it!! I was going to ask if you were thinking of a wild highlight or two and I see you were. The pink looks so cool!! And the cut is adorable. Way to rock it, sister!! 🙂
Karen says
Happy Friday, Kim! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to do some fun streaks for a while… it was time to get it out of my system, LOL!
What are your plans for the weekend? Doing anything fun?
Kim says
I think they’re awesome! 🙂 Oh, you know… hockey, hockey, hockey. Actually, it’s a light weekend. Only one game per day, so we’ll have some down time. I’d really like to see Sherlock Holmes and MI4 (which I heard was fantastic, though I hadn’t planned to see it). #1 on my list is Tinker Tailor Solder Spy, but sadly it’s not playing here.
I ordered my Mia2 today – I should have it in about a week and will let you know how I like it! Only downside about sephora.com is that they’ll only let you use 1 gift card per purchase. Oh, well! 🙂
What are you guys up to? Something fun, I hope!
artemis says
awwww, poor lil roses:( they look gorgeous
i like the pink streaks 😀 i want some too :))
Karen says
You should do it, Artemis!
artemis says
hehe, maybe i will 😀
Nina says
karennnnn your hair is hawtttt! the hubs was talking me into getting blue but ive been resisting so far! 😀
Karen says
Hi Nina,
Oh, that’s super cool of your hubby. I’m pretty sure El Hub hates the pink, but he’ll just have to get used to it!
Would you do really dark blue, like Jeannie Mai?
Nina says
i want something that looks like Plumage eyeshadow! im still thinking about it but it would look so cool! 🙂
Karen says
That would be cool. You could pull it off! Is your work dress code relaxed? If yes, then go for it!
Nina says
yeah our dress code is pretty relaxed. ive worn nothing but jeans and a sweater to work since it got cold! 🙂
Sunny says
Both you and the palette look great! I like the pops of green and blue along with the shimmery neutral colors!
Love your new haircut too! The shape is excellent, and the pink streaks are very eye-catching!
Karen says
Thanks, Sunny! I’ve been wanting to do pink streaks for a while… figured it was time to make the jump!
Have a nice day!
PinkGlitter says
Pretty palette. Seems like rose designs in palettes are a new trend! I love pastels but thinking they probably wouldn’t look that great on me.
PS- Your hair is so fun! Love the bit of pink 🙂
Karen says
It is a pretty palette. I wish there was a way to keep those sweet roses intact! They’re so nice to look at. 🙂
Happy Friday!
Sarah S. says
I rarely comment but DAYAMN girl! I ADORE your hair!!!! It is definitely upstaging that gorgeous Dior quint 😉
Karen says
Thanks, Sarah. 🙂 I’m having fun with the pink streaks!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Fieran says
I love your hair! It’s so rockstar. You have so much guts 🙂
Karen says
That’s funny you mention that, Fieran, because it was partially inspired by Gwen Stefani. 🙂
How’s your Friday going? Good, I hope!
Em says
Karen, your hair is gorgeous!! I love the streaks!
Karen says
Thank you, Em! 🙂
Jill says
argh i’ve been lusting over this quint since i first saw it….and now your swatches have made me want it even more! maybe next time sephora offers a % off…they do one in spring usually.
and i LOVE the pink 🙂
Karen says
You won’t be disappointed with this quint, Jill!
Bea says
those eye shadows look gorgeous, I just wish they weren’t so expensive. In the UK, they’ll no doubt be about £50 or something which I just can’t justify spending which sucks because they’re so pretty
Love love love the hair by the way, looks great 🙂
DanielleO says
Love the new cut, and the streaks!
elana says
Your hair is off the hook AMAZING! Per chance… Is your stylist in the city? If so, can I get a referral?
Peace and much love-
elana
steph b says
Whoa! That is some fantabulous hair! I work in too conservative field to every try something like that, but I always admire it. One day, I will dye just a couple of curls another color.
Karen says
Thanks, Steph! I vote you do at least one curl… maybe one hidden in the back, just for you. 🙂
peach_ says
Your hair, your haaair! I love the daring pink streaks! As for the palette, I shy away from pastels too, but you make this look so good. And please don’t tell me you’re wearing the new Rosy Glow blush here or I’ll have to snatch it up!
Andreea says
Karen, this is the best haircut you’ve ever had, it suits you “formidable”!!
Lovely!
…still does not sell me the Dior quint, the last one I bought was shiny, too, shiny, and I did not get along with it… a shame for so much money.
nawi says
Love this palette and it looks great on you. I totally now what you mean bought this palette too and have not used it yet because I dont want to wreck the beautiful roses!
What blush are you wearing?
Hane says
Hello Karen! i may be the stranger to you but i feel soooo close to you as i see you EVERY SINGLE DAY. should i say every morning as seek you as soon as i turn on my computer? lol what were you wearing on your lips??
Dominique says
These 2 eye palettes in 5 colours are gorgeous, I have the other one ( rose ), shades are beautiful and the whole spring collection from Dior is very pretty. It looks pretty on you. Maybe I will purchase the one you wear, I don’t know yet.
Anne says
I just tried these at Dior’s counter… they are nice, but maybe too pastel for me… I think. I would rather have tried the rosy-purple ones, but they were sold out 🙁
Laurie says
Love the Garden pastels but what to wear so my clothes don’t clash!!