Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Review, Swatches

I wish I had actually lived during the Renaissance. I would probably have married Raffaello and Bernini - regardless of either of their feelings on the matter. We live in far less artistic/creative and far more bland (and evil) times now.
So when I heard Anastasia Beverly Hills was coming out with an eyeshadow palette named Modern Renaissance, I had to buy it. A modern rebirth of neutrals, or a neutral take on the Renaissance's most famous colours - very fitting. Incidentally, this is ABH's first permanent palette.
I've already shown you a full-face makeup look with this palette here. Time to share my take on the shadows themselves.

Scroll down for the review and swatches of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette.

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Disappointingly, the packaging does not include any Renaissance-allusions in particular. It actually reminds me of the IT Cosmetics Romantics palette, reviewed here. Same colour, same suede material. The Florence skyline, or an embossing of Michaelangelo's David, would have made me squeal over the packaging.

The palette contains 14 eyeshadows - 11 mattes - and a double-ended brush. I like the blending end of the brush. I noticed some shedding with the other end. The shadows are named, thankfully, and some names have Renaissance connotations. Primavera (anyone else grew up calling Botticelli "bottled cherry" in their minds?), Vermeer, Buon Fresco and Venetian Red being prime examples.

As for the shades, I'm in love.
There are some traditional neutrals, and the rest are - with the sole exception of Love Letter, which is unapolegetically magenta - terracotta and berry takes on neutrals.
Buon Fresco is a dusty lavender-pink (YES!) and Antique Bronze pairs beautifully with it for a smokier look. I expected Venetian Red to be virulently traffic-light-red, but it passes off for a nice wearable berry on me. And that is why I love this palette so much.
My only gripe is that Raw Sienna and Burnt Orange look very similar. The former is slightly more amber while the latter is slightly more orange. 
Pigmentation? Top class. Some powder kicked up, but which soft shadows don't do that? Blendability? Perfect. Staying power? No complaints.

Swatches of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

Same order as the palette; bare skin, no primer; natural light outdoors.
LOOKIT that pigmentation. See what I mean about Raw Sienna and Burnt Orange?

For a makeup look I've done with this palette, go here. More looks to be shared over time.

Verdict and where to buy Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance

I love the uniqueness of this palette. Subtle enough to please me, but with some lovely shades - such as Buon Fresco - of which I do not have dupes. I also love how every shade in here suits a variety of skintones. I usually find there are a couple of uber-pales I have to avoid.
Most importantly, I love the Renaissance-related shade names. 
There is something in this palette for everyone. If you prefer subtler shades, you will be thrilled to know there is only one true bright in this palette. If you prefer non-neutrals, you will be glad to hear these are different takes - pink, taupe, terracotta and berry - on neutrals, with the one magenta eyeshadow.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette costs $42. You can buy from Sephora here or Ulta here.
If you want worldwide shipping - free, I might add - buy it here; they send free samples with each purchase and I got mine very quickly.

Feel free to pin any image on Pinterest - I cannot access my Pinterest, so any help pinning would be appreciated!

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