IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Transforming Eyeshadow Palette review, swatches

From the time I began wearing eyeshadow last year, theBalm's N*de'Tude had been my favourite neutral palette. Until my mid-2014 haul, seen here.
When I saw the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette Vol. 1 on Never Say Die Beauty here, my first thought was, oh dear, another neutral palette. And then, I saw Allison's swatches. They were versatile, not brown-based or grey-based, and bright and fresh. More importantly, they were matte. I have a preference for matte eyeshadow - and matte lipstick - as it is more suitable for work-wear, and there is no risk of any portion of my skin remotely resembling Edward Cullen Esq., Vampire.
IT Cosmetics is cruelty- and paraben-free. Also, this palette is supposed to be hydrating and anti-ageing, and the shadows are infused with peptides, collagen, silk and antioxidants. Makeup and skincare rolled into one - there was no way I was going to resist that, despite owning half a dozen other neutral palettes. And, in addition to containing 14 matte eyeshadows, this palette also has a transforming shimmer pan, if you tire of the mattes. Which makes this quite the be-all and end-all of palettes in theory. Now to find out if that is actually the case in practice.

Here is my review and swatches of the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 1 Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette.

 

Packaging of the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 1 Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

The external cardboard box is quite fancy-free. The inner palette is covered in plush velvet, a la Urban Decay N@ked 1. A potential dust magnet. But I don't mind - I have actually had my fill of metal, plastic and cardboard-finish palettes and I like variety.
There is a magnetic closure. Inside, I am not a fan of the gold foil covering. Either matte finish, to go with the theme of the palette, or a non-tacky brown or black would have been nicer.

Formula of the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 1 Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

These shadows can be worn wet or dry, which is cool, and as eyeshadows or eyeliners. Moreover, as I said, you can convert them into shimmery shades with the Transforming Pearl. However, this washes out the shades quite a bit. Besides, what is the whole point of buying a matte palette if you want to make the shades shimmery?
Apart from the usual suspects, ingredients include camellia leaf extract, grapeseed extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, rice extract, chamomile flower extract, avocado oil and olive leaf extract.

With all that goodness, there is NO surprise at all that the shadows are super-buttery soft. So soft, in fact, that when I swatched them with my fingers, my fingerprints were left on the pans. I was initially scared to dip my brushes in them, but a gentle hand is always safer. They simply glide on to the eyelids. Although there is some fallout within the pans, I did not notice external fallout apart from the shade named "Love", which I have been using as a highlighter.
I apply all eyeshadow above a primer. With the shades in this palette, I have noticed no creasing during a workday.

Shades and swatches of the IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Vol. 1 Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

I know I keep repeating myself, but I love the fact that there are 14 matte eyeshadows in this palette. Most neutral palettes contain only a couple of mattes, or six out of twelve, or eight out of sixteen, at the most. The shades here are:

First Row:

Sheer Joy, Soft Light, Warmth, Soulful, Mocha, Violet, Midnight and Noir

Second Row:

Love, Sunrise, Sunset, All Heart, Java, Iconic, Transforming Pearl.
Sheer Joy and Love are highlighter shades for my skintone. Soft Light is a pale taupe that is ideal for a barely-there look, as also Warmth.

Swatches:

As you can see, Warmth, described as "camel", disappears into my skintone. Can someone release a foundation in this shade?

The shades range from the mandatory brown and beige-based neutrals to a rust, a couple of purple-based colours, a blue tone, taupes, clay and even a couple of rosy neutrals. This versatility is what I love the most about this palette. It is so easy to have all the eyeshadows looking brownish and muddy, which is why I believe brands took their time and improved upon the original N@ked palette.

Now for on-finger swatches to give you an idea of pigmentation. Also in natural light. These are (from left) Midnight, Noir, Sunset and Java.

Finally, here are a couple of shades - Midnight, Noir and Java - with the transforming pearl thing swiped on top. See how they become washed out? I'm not a fan of this and will be using them as matte eyeshadows. I think it ruins the gorgeousness of the matte shadows. Midnight becomes a bland slate and Noir is a dull grey. Java becomes plain mud. They could have added a couple more matte shades instead of the pearl; if I want a shimmery eyeshadow, I know where to go.

Summary

The IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette is now my favourite neutral palette. First of all, the matteness of the all the shades is a huge win for me. Secondly, I love the texture and finish. Even matte-haters may end up loving how soft these shades are and how smoothly they glide over the eyelids. Thirdly, the versatility of the shades! I am someone who finds neutrals somewhat monotonous after a day or two, and even I managed to live through some 10 days by reaching for this palette alone.
And the downside: Apart from the Transforming Pearl, I love everything. Two more matte eyeshadows instead of that sheen would have been brilliant. If you love shimmery eyeshadows, or like me, use them once in a while, you would be better off reaching for a shimmery eyeshadow (palette!) rather than use the Transforming Pearl above these gorgeous mattes.
I love that they have called this palette "Volume 1". That means there are more editions in the pipeline. I can't wait to see them! This palette costs $42, though that depends on currency conversion rates everywhere. I cannot remember how much that was in dirhams and I have no idea where my invoices went.
Bottom line: 
Do you need this, even if you have all three Urban Decays, theBalm, Accessorize Exposed and Lorac Pro? Y.E.S.! 'Nuff said.

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Disclaimer: I bought this; post may contain affiliate links.