Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette: Worth the extra blending?

It's been two weeks since Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance's sister "Subculture" palette launched and it has certainly been the talk of the town, state and even country.

Let's see where do I start?

Well the truth is, I really was not going to purchase this palette when the pictures first leaked in May. I did not think these colors would suit me, so I planned on skipping out. However, after Anastasia's daughter, Norvina, released official palette pics, I began to seem more interested. (the hype on social media didn't help either).

Once I saw the swatch pics, I knew it had to be mine.

I was fortunate to place my order before it sold out on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website on the July 25 launch date. (And boy was that a struggle- the site crashed due to so many people trying to get their hands on it.)

Nonetheless, it finally arrived in my hands Aug. 1 and I've been using it ever since.

Before it arrived, I saw maybe a dozen Youtube videos, more than half of which claimed there was much fallout and the formula was "too pigmented" to the point where the shadow was patchy. I also learned that the formula was different than the Modern Renaissance, (which to me honestly also has much fallout).

I knew I had to test it out for myself before giving in to any criticism, so I went in with an open mind.

When I first touched the shadows, I couldn't get over how soft and buttery they felt, I had been worried about them being too hard in the pan. But I was wrong.

As seen on the ABH site, the shadows are described as grungy mattes and bold metallics with an underground edge. The palette retails for $42, which is the same price as the Modern Renaissance.

LOOKS:

For the first look, I knew I wanted to test out the metallic shade in the palette, Adorn.

I first used Mac Soft ochre to prime my lids and applied Dawn, the neutral shade all over to set the product. Next I applied Roxy as my transition, and barely tapped the shade with my Sigma E42 bush to get the right amount and then tapped off excess. (Which to me is the trick-- there's no need to swirl your brush around in the shadow) Once I applied that I used New Wave in the crease and repeated the process. All Star was next to deepen the crease. So far, I found these colors blended well contrary to the reviews I saw. Adorn was next for the lid and I found myself applying a bit of Mac fix plus, to intensify the color. For the lower lash line I applied all star and adorn to bring together the look. This was where I experienced fallout central. When I applied my shadow color on my lids, etc. I did not see any fallout. However it was once I applied color to the lower lash line, that my entire under eye was full of shadow.

Overall, I liked how the look came out. It did last all day and I was glad with the overall result. (Side note-- I did NOT like my eyeliner that day- I tried out the Pretty Vulgar one and wish I used my Kat Von D trooper.)

Day 2 was certainly the struggle train that all of the youtubers had been talking about -- I literally almost gave up on this look, but I removed my eye makeup and began from scratch It took two tries to get the below look, but it's one of my faves- I'm not too sure it was worth all of that work though, considering I have similar shadow colors that work to get a similar look.

For Day 2, I wanted to dip into the green side, so I began my look by doing the same by applying mac soft ochre and dawn to set it. I then used New wave and roxy as my transition shades, axis (the deep teal color) on my crease and electric on the lid. I applied axis on the lower lash line as well. This time around, I applied the shadows very lightly and was pleased with the result.

For the next look, I decided to try the palette on my 15 year-old niece. I did a simple eye on her yet a bold lip. For the eyes, I used dawn for an overall eye color and then applied edge and new wave as transition shades. I went in with fudge for the crease (which is actually different than a previous fudge I own). This new fudge was incredibly difficult to blend. I must have spent minutes going back and forth trying to blend the lines. Once I blended as best I could, I used the Cube color as her lid shade. However, this color was far too difficult to build up as its extremely sheer. I decided to use Lyra from the Aurora glow kit as the eye lid color. On the lower lash line, I applied Urban Decay psychedelic sister liner for a bold look. I finished off with Milani sweetheart for her lips. For her glow, I used the aurora glow kit in the shade eclipse.  Mind you, I never do makeup on anyone, my niece is probably the second person, other than my mom I've done makeup for, I haven't perfected it just yet. She and I both liked the result.

For day 4, I seriously had a hard time thinking of what look to do. Just like the second day, I had done a look, but removed everything because it was patchy and not blending well. At this point, I really was going to give up and not use the palette for that day. However, I knew I needed another look for this review so I began once more.

To get the below look, I applied the base shade dawn and used edge and new wave as the transition shades. I applied untamed and axis to deepen the color and then used new wave all over the lid for an unexpected pop of color. Once I finalized this look, I was pleased with the result-- however once again it took far too long to blend, etc. I was even thinking of the option of returning the palette, because I was just so over it at the moment.

Final thoughts:

I find that with this palette I have to apply my makeup differently and use caution - something I never do with my other eye palettes. This to me is extremely frustrating, as I'm the type of person who does not want to spend so much time perfecting my eye look. I want the shadows to blend easily and seamlessly on their own.

This palette is not for an on the go look- you can't just swipe on a transition shade and apply a lid color. It really does take work- which is why I agree with the claim that it's not for beginners. I am in no way a professional at all, I practice just like all of you everyday and I find this is probably one of the palettes I have to work hardest at to perfect my look.

I'm not sure if this will be a palette I reach for on the daily, just because I know I will need to make sure I set extra time to get ready, etc. I can see this working for a night look, when you have time to actually get ready, etc but not for a quick morning routine. 

I'm kind of disappointed this palette didn't really work as I would have liked. I also feel that with the shade selection, there's only so many looks you can create-- bronze, teal, burgundy, yellow tones and not much more.

If those shades are up your alley and if you have time to get ready in the morning, then maybe this palette will work for you. Again, regarding fallout that wasn't an issue for me, it's more of the blending and being careful with how much product you're applying that makes me rethink my purchase.

I will continue to use it and experiment, but for now I'll rate it a 6 out of 10 (10 being a must buy).

Leave your thoughts and looks below! I'd love to see what creative looks you all created.

The palette is sold out on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website, but is available on the Ulta, Sephora, Macys, Dillard's and Beautylish site. The palette will be in stores Aug. 15.