There are 4 new permanent eyeshadow palettes released by Dior early this year, of which I’ve already shown you two – Rose Porcelaine and Grege. I honestly thought I’d like the blue palette best, so I saved that for last. Oh boy! Mistake! My personal favourite of the 4 is actually this one – Royal Kaki 454.
Despite the rather unfortunate name and, if I’m to be honest, quite boring look of the palette, I’ve found Royal Kaki to be the most versatile palette. Its good, whether you want to go for a subtle look, or for something more dramatic. There is a good mix of light and dark shades, shimmer and mattes, warm and cool colours. If you were to try just one Dior eyeshadow palette, my vote goes to Royal Kaki. You will experience effusive language, blatant fawning and nauseating adoration for this palette in this post. I’m not sorry 🙂
I will however, start with the rather unfortunate name. You see, “Kaki” in the Malay language translates as “foot”. You can understand why therefore I wish that when they translated the name into English, Dior went with “Royal Khaki” which would make a lot more sense. “Kaki” is however, French for “Khaki” but then should it not have read “Royale”? Maybe not. French is not a language I speak 🙂 Semantics aside, this palette is known as “Royal Khaki” on some sites and “Royal Kaki” on others.
Unlike the other Dior palettes, Royal Kaki features 2 matte shades and 3 shimmer shades.
Dior Royal Kaki 454 swatches L-R swatched 1 time clockwise: Shimmer warm gold, Shimmer white, Shimmer cool silver, Matte black, Matte Khaki
The 2 matte shades are the deeper shades, and if you use a brush, applies smoothly on the lids without fall out. I use the black mostly for deepening the colour and to line (if you use a fine tipped brush and dampen it a bit, it makes an excellent liner that stays put on the waterline for AGES!). I use the Khaki green as a colour accent while I use the shimmer shades to add highlight.
I actually found that blending the warm and cool shades kept it quite interesting. Most of the time, I use just the black and gold with white for highlight, or black and silver. They both look quite different.
Or as I’ve done here, you can use black and gold and then use the Khaki as an accent colour with silver and white to blend it all in. Yes, I used all 5 shades 🙂 For some reason, it looks incredibly polished, and considering that the Khaki is a matte shade and considering that I’m not very good as using matte shadows, this is great.
See how the Khaki green gives it that subtle smokey look? You could of course, blend it out even more for something more dramatic. I like to keep it simple this way. Its quick and thus far, error proof for me.
In an nutshell
Dior Royal Kaki (or Royal Khaki) 454 is my favourite palette out of the 4 eyeshadow palettes released by Dior this year under the New Look collection. The quality is quite unmistakeable and there is a good mix of shimmer, matte, light, dark, warm and cool shades in this palette. I usually use just 2 or 3 shades but you can easily use all 5 and it will still look good. Smoke it out for a night out, or tone it down for an everyday eye. Lasts on me all day without fading or fall out. I can’t rave enough about this palette and this is, I think one of the best I’ve come across from the brand.
Pros: Lovely palette with a good mix light, dark, shimmer, matte, warm and cool colours for a variety of looks and complexions, Matte colours are pigmented and are not chalky not do they have fall out, Shimmer colours are not glittery nor do they have fall out, Matte black is impressive as liner
Cons: Pricey
Here’s how I wore this look with this palette.
I broke all convention and went with strong eyes and strong lips. I think it worked 🙂
If you’re eagle-eyed, you might wonder if this palette was in any way similar to the Chanel Ombres Matelassees palette in Montaigne. I’d say no. I find the Chanel one more golden and lighter in colour and feel. This one is deeper and doesn’t lean towards being golden at all. So, go ahead and get both LOL! 😀
Have you checked out any of the Dior New Look palettes yet? Does this palette in Royal Kaki 454 catch your eye or do you prefer one of the other 4? If you’d like a compact little palette that you can tote around, or use daily for everyday, or for special occasions, I will suggest you take a look at Royal Kaki.
Paris B
The other Dior New Look palettes featured on MWS (click on thumbnail to go to review):
Dior New Look eyeshadow palettes come in 4 shades Price: RM210 Availability: All Dior counters Permanent: Yes
Lily says
April 30, 2012 at 9:03 amThis is one of my favourites too! The one I have is the mini one… complimentary for customers. I have yet to buy the full sized palette, but I have so many maybe I’ll save up for another instead.
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 9:47 amI think the mini one will last ages! 😀 Its a great colour combination. Definitely a keeper.
Tracy says
April 30, 2012 at 9:05 amUGGGGH. I should not have clicked on this! 😛
I was wondering how this one was and you look absolutely beautiful in it! It’s such a classy smokey eye!
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 9:47 amThanks Tracy! 😀 It is an absolutely gorgeous palette to me. Thankfully its permanent eh? 😉
Hanny says
April 30, 2012 at 9:09 amI like the smokey eyes with red lips look, seriously. ^.^ Maybe because the colors used are neutral, so the red lips don’t clash? IDK that’s what I think about it, huhuhu.
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 9:48 amI thought they pulled together quite nicely too 😀 Whoever said strong eyes and lips don’t work eh? 😉
Shija says
April 30, 2012 at 10:17 amHey Paris, you can pull up really well with strong eyes and lips.. I definitely can’t… Or i’ll look evil or really over like Datins… This is my fav palette among the others… Good choices though…
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 9:50 amThanks Shija 🙂 LOL at the Datins – I think you can do it too. Just don’t do that fuchsia pink lipstick Datins like to use and purple shadow. I don’t know why they like those >.<
shijA says
May 3, 2012 at 11:17 amAttention…Attention… I’m comin’ in.. Said Datins… Hehehe just kidding..
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 11:56 amhahaha! 😀
lyn says
April 30, 2012 at 11:22 amOooh, so glam! I don’t think the eyes look too strong and they are very complimentary against the hot red lipstick!
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 9:51 amThanks Lyn 😀 My fave-est palette ever!
jyoan says
April 30, 2012 at 1:20 pmOmg! Contrary to what the post says, I actually fell in love with this one the moment I saw it!
I though Porcelain was too cool and Grege was too normal. This has a nice combination of colour yet still looks neutral.
Plus, I so far haven’t come across any green I can’t wear, except for moldy green. This looks a bit deep green, not sure if it will look moldy on me… … Would have to try it for myself.
I am actually using the Chanel 51 Montaigne in my everyday pouch now. That’s just too pretty without the gold going overboard.
Seriously… Royal Kaki is by far the only palette that looks better for warm skin. I don’t know Malay at all, I have no idea why the muse until I read further down. Haha! Honestly sounds fine to me as I read it as Khaki.
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:00 amLOL No, it won’t look mouldy at all. I like how the green blends with the gold and black to give some sort of accent to the colour. But yes, do try it for yourself before you decide. Its permanent, whew! 😉 I think you’re right. This is the only palette out of the 4 tailored for neutral to warm skintones. The rest are too cool.
S. says
April 30, 2012 at 4:03 pmI think I’ve just found my first Dior palette!
It’s absolutely beautiful and I can see myself wearing it a lot.
xx
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:01 amI’m sure you will get lots of use for it! Definitely worth taking a look 🙂
Sunny says
April 30, 2012 at 5:05 pmLooks like a great palette, Paris! I think you totally rock it! I don’t own a green like that yet, so I might swatch it when I have the chance!
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:04 amDo try it Sunny, I think it will look lovely on your skintone 😀
Jennifer says
April 30, 2012 at 8:03 pmGold, white, silver, black – such beautiful killer colours. Sorry, I don’t fancy Khaki but the way you blend them gave you very gorgeous eyes. I like 🙂
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:07 amKhaki can be a tricky colour. Sometimes, it can actually look dirty but I’ve found that blending it with other colours helps a lot. I think this is a great palette to play around with anyway. It suits various skintones, and effects 😉
juan says
April 30, 2012 at 8:13 pmwhat caught my attention was the colour of your lips. nice lipstick!! 😉
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:08 amThanks! 😀 Problem is, I cannot remember the colour now >.<
lavender says
April 30, 2012 at 8:29 pmThis palette should be easy to use. Your lipstick brings out the best of this look. thanks for sharing!
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:08 amThanks Lavender 🙂 Yes, this is, I feel the most versatile Dior palette I’ve come across yet!
Saphy says
May 1, 2012 at 11:09 amThe palette’s name made me chuckle, royal foot XD
I love the shimmer warm gold swatch :D!
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:31 amExactly! I feel so awkward writing Kaki but then I guess only those who understand Malay will get it 😀
Lisa says
May 1, 2012 at 11:25 amLooks good. This palette looks like a combination that Dior should have been doing in a while. I’m getting bored/frustrated with the palettes Dior has been coming up with in the recent years. Many of the palettes look good but upon purchase, i don’t find myself reaching out frequent enough for them to justify the buy. Hence, my resolution this year is to stay away from Dior and give other brands a chance instead. 😉
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:36 amI have to agree with you. Dior seems to be averse to deeper shades in their palettes so its good to see them finally bringing out some neutral and good colour combinations. For variety, I like reaching out to my Japanese palettes. They are so different from Western brands 😀
Ling says
May 1, 2012 at 7:48 pmI love the Matte Black and Matte Khaki – they look very pigmented in your swatches.
And lol – Kaki equals foot? I learnt a new word today 🙂
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 10:48 amHaha yes, Kaki = foot in Malay 😀 The colours are fairly pigmented – quite surprising coming from Dior 🙂
Sam says
May 3, 2012 at 11:20 amOoh, love this one! Think I might bite the bullet and buy at AUS prices when there’s a gift with purchase on.
Paris B says
May 3, 2012 at 11:57 amYay! Hope you will like it (although AUS prices are seriously scary!)
Issa says
May 3, 2012 at 4:35 pmLove the colors on this palette! 🙂
Paris B says
May 4, 2012 at 3:40 pmGorgeous right?!
Jan s says
May 10, 2012 at 6:53 pmI’m torn between this and the gold Chanel palette…!! I guess this one would be more pigmented?
Paris B says
May 13, 2012 at 11:28 pmYes this ones more pigmented than Chanel. Also less gold. You might want to hurry if you want the Chanel one. It was limited edition and I don’t know if it’s still available 😉 if it is, you can swatch them both then decide 😉
pinkpretty says
May 31, 2012 at 6:06 pmwow! i love this.