As a makeup enthusiast who has tested countless eyeshadow palettes across all price points, I’m excited to share my in-depth review of the Maybelline New York The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Blushed Avenue. This compact palette has generated significant buzz in the beauty community for offering drugstore pricing with performance that rivals higher-end brands. After extensive testing and analyzing feedback from various users, I’m ready to break down everything you need to know about this popular mini palette.
Product Overview
The Maybelline New York The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Blushed Avenue is a travel-friendly compact featuring six complementary shades in warm, rosy tones. The palette includes both matte and shimmer finishes, designed to create complete eye looks from subtle daytime makeup to more intense evening styles. As part of Maybelline’s City Mini collection, this palette aims to provide an affordable option for those seeking quality eyeshadows without the premium price tag.
Packaging and First Impressions
Size and Portability
The first thing to note about the City Mini palette is its size—it’s genuinely mini. Multiple reviewers commented on being surprised by just how compact this palette is, making it ideal for travel or makeup on the go. While some were initially taken aback by the small size, most came to appreciate this feature for its practicality and portability.
Packaging Quality
The palette comes in a sleek plastic case with a transparent lid that allows you to see the shades without opening it. Several users noted issues with the durability of the packaging, with multiple mentions of the shadows breaking easily during transport. One user specifically mentioned having purchased the palette four times because it’s their favorite, but complained about its fragility. Another received their palette with crushed shadows that had spilled throughout the package, requiring a return and replacement.
Shade Selection
The Blushed Avenue palette features six complementary shades in the rose/pink family with warm undertones. The collection includes both matte and shimmer finishes, providing options for dimensional eye looks. The color story is cohesive and designed to work well together, allowing for complete eye looks from a single compact palette.
Performance Analysis
Pigmentation
Opinions on pigmentation vary significantly among users. Many reviewers praised the palette for excellent pigmentation, particularly for a drugstore product. One user mentioned being “blown away” by the pigmentation as a first-time Maybelline eyeshadow user. Spanish language reviewers similarly praised the “increible pigmentación.”
However, other users reported difficulties getting the shimmer shades to show up on their lids, even when applying with fingers. One reviewer specifically mentioned, “For some reason, I couldn’t get the shimmers to show up on my lid. I used a brush and a finger – the only thing I didn’t do was wet my brush.”
This discrepancy suggests that primer choice and application technique significantly impact performance with this palette.
Blendability
Most users found the shadows easy to blend, with one reviewer comparing the quality favorably to high-end brands: “Absolutely fabulous, the quality is just as good as high-price brand names, super easy blending.” A Spanish language reviewer noted that the matte shades were easy to diffuse (“fáciles de difuminar”), though slightly powdery.
Texture
The texture received mixed reviews. Several users described the shadows as “velvety” with a smooth feel, while others noted some powderiness with the matte shades. A few mentioned that the palette can be somewhat chalky, particularly compared to other color options in the City Mini line. One detailed review stated: “I do find that the graffiti pop palette is a bit chalkier than urban jungle.”
Fallout
Fallout concerns were minimal among reviewers. One user specifically mentioned having “no issue with fallout” when using a combination concealer stick and lotion as primer. The Spanish language reviewers noted minimal fallout while working with the shadows (“la caída es mínima mientras la trabajas”).
Longevity
Wear time reports varied considerably. Some users reported the shadows lasted “for hours” or even a full workday (12+ hours) when used with a good primer. One reviewer specifically mentioned, “The pigment also lasts at least 7-8 hours before a touch up.”
In contrast, others experienced poor longevity, with one stating, “The color also creased in the first hour and was worn off by lunch.” This variance likely relates to skin type, primer use, and environmental factors.
Color Performance and Suitability
Shade Range and Versatility
The Blushed Avenue palette features warm-toned, rosy pinks that received mixed feedback depending on skin tone. One user with yellow undertones found the colors complemented their complexion well. Several reviewers with green eyes specifically mentioned that these shades made their eye color “pop,” suggesting this palette works particularly well for enhancing lighter colored eyes.
However, some fair-skinned users found the colors unflattering, with one stating, “The colors are horrible for fair skinned people.” Another described the colors as “really ugly” and giving “the appearance of bruising.” This indicates that while the palette may be versatile, it’s not universally flattering for all skin tones.
Color Accuracy
A few reviewers noted discrepancies between the colors depicted in product images and the actual shades in the palette. One specifically stated, “Color is not like pic.” This suggests potential issues with color representation in marketing materials.
Finish Performance
The performance difference between matte and shimmer finishes was consistently noted. The matte shades generally received positive feedback for their performance in the crease and blendability. The shimmer shades garnered more mixed reviews, with some users finding them “amazing and very pigmented” while others struggled to make them show up or found they “aren’t as great” and “don’t last” as long as the mattes.
Application Tips from Users
Based on user feedback, here are some application techniques that optimize this palette’s performance:
- Primer Selection: Multiple users recommended using a flesh-toned primer without setting it. One specific recommendation was using NYX HD concealer or Fit Me concealer as a base.
- Application Method: For the shimmer shades, finger application generally yields better results than brushes, though some users still found this insufficient.
- Complementary Products: One user suggested mixing the shades with Chameleon Gold from Topshop for “a pretty pink iridescent effect.”
- Professional Results: For maximum longevity, a user reported excellent results with Urban Decay primer, maintaining the look for a full 12-hour workday.
Value and Price Point
The consensus among users is that the Maybelline City Mini palette offers excellent value for the price point (approximately $7-10 depending on retailer). One reviewer who owns “around 40 of these mini travel type palettes” from brands ranging from Wet n Wild to MAC stated that “Maybelline has stepped up their shadow game” and even preferred these palettes to their “fave Smashbox Cover Shots.
Another reviewer who had to replace hundreds of dollars worth of eye makeup found this palette to be a reliable and affordable option that performed well. Multiple Spanish language reviewers echoed this sentiment, noting the palette is worth the price for a drugstore brand (“vale mucho la pena para ser de una marcar de farmacia”).
Quality Control Issues
Several users reported receiving palettes that appeared used or damaged. One user mentioned: “The moment I opened the package it was not even taped and this was exactly how it came out of the package. This is completely unsanitary. A complete waste of money. There are obvious fingerprints in the pallet and smudges on the outside of the pallet.”
Another received their palette broken, describing it as “my favorite eye shadow and I’m completely out of it.” These reports suggest potential issues with quality control or packaging during shipping.
Comparison to Similar Products
Users who compared this palette to other brands offered valuable insights:
- Compared to High-End Brands: One user who owns palettes from drugstore to high-end found that Maybelline’s formula compares favorably, stating it stands alone and eliminates the need to pack additional shadows when traveling. They even preferred these palettes to their favorite Smashbox Cover Shots.
- Within the City Mini Line: A user who owns multiple City Mini palettes noted formula differences between color stories, finding that “the graffiti pop palette is a bit chalkier than urban jungle,” suggesting formulation variations even within the same product line.
Who Should Buy This Palette?
Based on aggregated feedback, this palette is best suited for:
- Travelers: The compact size and complete color story make it ideal for travel.
- Those with green or light-colored eyes: Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned these colors enhancing lighter eye colors.
- Makeup enthusiasts on a budget: Those looking for decent quality at an affordable price point.
- Those who prefer warm, rosy tones: The palette leans toward pink/rose shades with warm undertones.
The palette may not be ideal for:
- Those with very fair skin: Some fair-skinned users found the colors unflattering.
- Those seeking highly pigmented shimmer shadows: The shimmer performance received mixed reviews.
- Those who need extremely long-wearing formulas without primer: Some users experienced creasing and fading without a good base.
The Bottom Line: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for the price
- Compact, travel-friendly size
- Good pigmentation for most shades (particularly mattes)
- Easy blendability
- Complementary shade selection for complete looks
- Particularly flattering for green and light-colored eyes
- Minimal fallout when used with primer
Cons:
- Fragile packaging with breakage issues
- Inconsistent shimmer performance
- May not flatter all skin tones, particularly very fair skin
- Some quality control issues reported
- Requires good primer for longevity
- Smaller pan size than some users expected
Final Verdict
The Maybelline New York The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Blushed Avenue represents an impressive effort from a drugstore brand to deliver quality eyeshadows at an accessible price point. With proper application techniques and primer, many users found performance comparable to much pricier options.
However, the inconsistency in user experiences suggests that individual factors like skin type, application methods, and color preferences heavily influence satisfaction with this product. The quality control issues reported by multiple users also indicate room for improvement in packaging and shipping protocols.
For the approximately $7-10 price tag, this palette offers good value for those seeking warm, rosy tones in a travel-friendly format, particularly for enhancing green or light-colored eyes. Those with experience using eyeshadow primer and proper application techniques will likely get the most satisfaction from this product.
Score: 7.5/10 – A solid drugstore option with impressive performance when used correctly, but with some notable inconsistencies and quality control issues that prevent it from being a universal recommendation.
This review is based on analysis of user experiences and industry expertise. Individual results may vary depending on skin type, application techniques, and personal preferences.
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