Hey makeup lovers! Today I’m diving DEEP into a product I’ve been using for literally a decade now – the Maybelline New York Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quads in Designer Chocolates. This little $7 palette has been in my makeup bag through thick and thin, and I’ve got THOUGHTS to share!
First Impressions & Packaging
Let’s talk about what you get for your money. The quad comes in a compact plastic case that’s recently had a redesign – thank goodness! The older round design was super slippery and I can’t tell you how many times I dropped it (usually resulting in at least one shade cracking). The newer rectangular design is a HUGE improvement and much easier to handle.
One thing that bugs me though – the lid doesn’t label which shade goes where according to the application guide! I ended up using a permanent marker to label mine, which isn’t ideal but works in a pinch.
At 0.17 oz total, it’s not the biggest palette out there, but considering how long it lasts (unless you drop it!), I think the size is reasonable for the price point.
The Color Story
Designer Chocolates features four shades that work really well together:
- A light, shimmery base shade for all over the lid or highlighting
- A medium rose/mauve transition shade (less pink than it appears in product photos)
- A medium-dark brown for depth
- A deep chocolate/burgundy shade for lining or creating drama
The colors lean warm and are especially flattering for brown eyes, though they work for most eye colors. If you’re looking for a natural everyday look that can be amped up for evening, this quad delivers.
I will say – the lightest shade is VERY white/bright, which can be stark on deeper skin tones. I’m fair-skinned and even I find I need to blend it carefully.
Application & Performance
These shadows have a soft texture that picks up easily on brushes. They’re not ultra-pigmented like high-end brands, which is actually a PLUS for beginners or anyone who prefers a buildable formula! You won’t accidentally end up with way too much color on your lid.
The shadows blend nicely, especially if you use a primer first (and honestly, who doesn’t use primer these days? Not to prime is a crime!). Without primer, you’ll see fading by mid-day.
The darkest shade works double-duty as an eyeliner when applied with a damp angled brush. I’ve even used it to fill in my eyebrows in a pinch!
The staying power is decent for a drugstore product – about 6-8 hours with primer before you notice fading. I rarely need to touch up during a normal day, but for evening events, I’ll freshen it a bit.
The GOOD:
- AMAZING value for money! At around $7, it’s a steal.
- Foolproof color combination that works for everyday wear
- Includes a step-by-step application guide right in the package
- The colors are universally flattering for most skin tones and eye colors
- Not too shimmery, not too matte – a nice middle ground
- Buildable formula that’s hard to mess up
- The darkest shade doubles as eyeliner and even brow powder
- No fallout issues during application
- Great for travel since it’s compact and has everything you need
- I consistently get compliments when wearing these shades!
The BAD:
- The sizes of the four shades are uneven, and ironically, the smallest pans are the colors most people use the fastest (the rose and mid-brown shades)
- The lightest shade is too stark white for many people’s taste
- Can arrive broken due to shipping (seems to be a common issue)
- Not as pigmented as higher-end brands
- Tends to fade by end of day without primer
- The applicator that comes with it is basically useless (and sometimes missing entirely)
- The rose/mauve shade appears more pink in product photos than it is in real life
- Some quads have more shimmer than others – inconsistent finishing
My Daily Application Routine
I’ve perfected my routine with this quad over the years:
- Apply eyeshadow primer (I use Urban Decay Primer Potion)
- Sweep the lightest shade all over the lid and up to the brow bone
- Apply the rose/mauve shade in the crease and blend well
- Deepen the outer V with the medium brown
- Use the darkest shade along the lash line as liner (I dampen my brush for this)
- Add a touch of the lightest shade to the inner corner as a highlight
This takes me literally 3 minutes and looks like I put in way more effort! For evening, I just intensify the darker shades a bit.
Who Should Buy This?
This quad is PERFECT for:
- Beginners who want a foolproof eye look
- Anyone who prefers natural, understated makeup
- Busy people who want a quick, no-brainer application
- Those on a budget who still want quality
- Travel makeup bags where space is limited
- People with brown or hazel eyes (the colors make these eye colors POP!)
Long-Term Thoughts
After using this quad for years, I’ve tried MANY other eyeshadows (including high-end ones costing 5x as much), but I keep coming back to this one. Why? It’s reliable, flattering, and easy. Even when I’m half-asleep, I can’t mess up applying these shadows.
The color combination is timeless and works for any occasion. I’ve worn it to work, weddings, dates – everywhere! And the compliments keep coming, which says something about a $7 drugstore product.
My biggest fear is that Maybelline will discontinue this shade combination (please don’t, Maybelline!). Several reviewers mentioned having trouble finding it in stores, which worries me. I might need to stock up!
Worth Noting
A few things to be aware of:
- If ordering online, there’s a risk of breakage during shipping
- The applicator is sometimes missing (but you should use real brushes anyway)
- The rose/mauve shade runs out WAY faster than the others
- Some reviewers have found a close dupe for the rose shade: Jolie Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Sugared Beet
The Bottom Line
The Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Designer Chocolates is a reliable, affordable workhorse of an eyeshadow palette. It’s not going to blow your mind with intense pigmentation or fancy packaging, but it WILL give you a beautiful, flattering eye look day after day.
For $7, it’s earned its permanent place in my makeup collection. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, versatile eyeshadow quad that actually works, this one deserves a spot in your makeup bag too!
Rating: 4.25/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼
Would I repurchase? I already have – multiple times! And I’ll continue to as long as Maybelline keeps making it!
Buy on Amazon: Here
