The Dior Aurora (654) eyeshadow palette is one of the most eye catching in the Dior Croisette summer collection… if you may forgive the pun 😛 Featuring a 5 colour palette in rich sunset shades of gold and orange touched with a tint of pink, Dior has forgone the cannage quilt embossing for the radiating rays of the sun. At least that’s how I view it.
It does look very sunny doesn’t it? You may be happy to know, that the etching is quite deep so it doesn’t disappear all that quickly, which is a good thing. Beautiful as this palette is, I have to say that it is one made for the warm skinned girls. If you have warm skin tones, you will LOVE this palette! The texture of the shadows seem better than those in the normal range and the staying power is amazing. I’ve got a picture below which I took after 12 hours. It stunned even me.
The palette is a lovely one. The swatches you see here are done with just 1 or 2 layers and I was very impressed with the intensity of the colours and the delicate shimmer.
Dior Aurora 654 eyeshadow palette swatches : Warm gold (shimmer), Warm medium brown (shimmer), Warm orange (shimmer), Creamy beige (shimmer), Light pink (shimmer)
You may notice that every single shade is a shimmer shade but it isn’t glittery. Nope, not even up close. The creamy beige and pink actually help to tone down the orange and brown and you could come up with some pretty combinations. They both add a dimension of light which might seem like nonsense, until you do some layering, then you will notice how pretty they can be.
Is this very warm toned? Yes it is. I find the brown shade a little light although you could pile it on for better intensity. It doesn’t quite give me the depth I want though so I’d pair something a little darker. The orange and gold are actually gorgeous colours. They are sunny and bright and are very eye catching.
I however, am not very good at wearing warm colours like this, so here is an example of how I did it.
I wore gold on the inner corner blended into the orange and there is brown on the lower lid as well as shaded on the outer corner but it isn’t very obvious. What the brown did do was help tone down the orange so it isn’t as bright as it could be. If you prefer something brighter, by all means amp it up 🙂 There is also pink and the beige layered over, to blend and pull the colours together.
I’m not sure I managed to quite pull it off to be honest. I would likely do a deeper brown/black and use the orange mostly for accent. I do like the gold shade very much and you can mix and match the colours at will, of course.
Got to admit it looks damned pretty in the pan though! Dior 5 colour palettes, if you haven’t noticed, have their colours laid out so you can pair them diagonally for interesting results e.g. beige, pink and brown for a toned down light coloured eye or orange, gold and pink for a punchy look. A little tip to share with you applicable with all Dior 5 colour eyeshadow palettes 🙂
In a nutshell
Dior Aurora eyeshadow palette is limited edition and the warm toned palette of the 2 available in the Summer 2012 Croisette collection. The texture of the eyeshadows in this palette are beautiful. They are finely milled and the shimmer is fine yet lends a delicate shimmer to the eye area that helps these colours pop against your skin. By contrast the texture of the cool toned pastel Swimming Pool palette was less inspiring. I do think that those who are warm toned will carry off this palette with great aplomb. If you have cooler tones as I do, its harder to get it to work as well, but not impossible if you love the colours.
Pros: Beautiful texture of eyeshadows, Fine shimmer, Pigmented, Longlasting, Vibrant colours
Cons: Pricey, Not suitable for all skin tones
Who will like this : Ladies with warm skin tones or medium tanned skintones, Ladies who like to play with colour on the eyes
Here is how I wore this in a full face shot. The overall tone of the photo is a bit warm but this was roughly how it looked.
I wore it with pink-peach cheeks and a coral lipstick in keeping with the warm tones. Not one of my favourite sort of looks but it wasn’t as bad as I thought once I’d brightened up the cheeks and lips 🙂
And after 12 hours on my lids, here’s how the shadow looked on my eyes.
My eyes have clearly suffered after the ravages of battling a work day, but I was quite shocked to realise when I got home, that my eyeshadow was still near perfect. I don’t have a problem with shadow staying on, but this was really something else. I was so dead impressed I had to take a picture 😀
Interesting Fact: Aurora is the goddess of the dawn in Roman mythology… but don’t you think that this palette looks decidedly like a sunset palette?
Have you checked out the Dior Summer 2012 collection? Did you manage to try the Aurora palette? Do you like warm shades like this or how would you wear it? I don’t think it a must have, but for ladies with a warm or deeper skintone, I will urge that you take a look. It is quite beautiful.
Paris B
Dior Aurora (654) 5 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette Price: RM210 Availability: Dior counters Limited Edition: Yes, Summer 2012
I have swimming pool. Haven’t swatched it yet but will do it this weekend. I don’t know what you worry about. The warm tones look good on you!
Thanks Liky. Will wait to see how Swimming Pool looks on you. I checked it out at the counter and it felt a bit pale but I’m sure you’ll find a way to use it 🙂
it looks adorable on you and loved your description of the palette 🙂
Thank you Swati!
It works perfectly on you and it matches your scarf!!!!! 🙂 Pretty PB!!!
Mwaks! Thanks Nikki! I didn’t quite realized I’d matched my scarf till i took the picture lol
I actually think it looks like a sunrise one! And wow, you wear it better than I did. haha. I only wore it once and I was so, so glad that I dip, and dip, and dip (because I am used to the intensity and payoff from M.A.C), and the patterns are still there. hehe. At first I was so afraid to touch it lest the sun rays pattern flattens out. But Dior is still really sheer compared to what I am used too. I keep thinking I am not taking enough.
And thanks! I never knew diagonally opposite colors are paired! Thanks. No wonder I keep wondering how one interprets the Dior. I can never figure out.
I love the pink in the middle after using. At first, I thought I like the orange. But the pink is really the pretty one.
First Dior palette, and it is a pretty one. =D
I always associated sunrises with pinks, blues and yellows and sunsets with orange. Maybe that’s why this palette made me think of the sunset 🙂 I think you wore it well too. I found it very pigmented and I applied it with a dense shadow brush. Pretty much 1 swipe over the colour did the trick but I read you found it sheer? How different our perceptions are 🙂 but glad you enjoy it anyway and congrats on getting your first Dior palette!
haha, sheer because I am used to MAC and Urban Decay.
I actually found a new way to wear it after reading your tip about that diagonal match thing. And it makes me like the palette even more!
Ah ok next to MAC and UD anything else would be sheer 🙂 I guess that might be why I never got into those brands for eyeshadows 😀
Aww it’s so beautiful, Paris! It suits you so well.
Do you know about The Body Shop’s bronze shimmer waves? They were available a few years ago but I’ve seen it around again… the colors are pretty EXACLY much the same. (For half the price too I would imagine, haha!) I used that baby ALL through highschool, it was like my go-to shades. These bronzey shades look really great on brown eyes and the colors suit our yellow-based skintone.
Oh now you’re making me miss it! Haha. Such awesome colors!
xx Renee
Thanks Renee! I do remember the Body Shop shimmer waves. I didn’t have the bronze one because I found it too brown but I had an orange toned one and a pink one. The orange one was off on me and a bit frosty, but the pink one was nice and had a nice brightening effect on my skin. I think I might still have them! 😀
I think warm tones enhances the eyes puffiness, not en everyday look I can wear. It does looks very summer and will goes well with a floral dress.
For those who are very fair, I don’t think very warm tones are very suitable and you’re righmbundu does enhance puffy eyes. But those who have dusky and warm skintones look absolutely fab.
Way too warm for me. Money saved! 😉
Hehe glad to have saved you money! 😉
The other palette “Swimming Pool” caught my eye first but I must admit that “Aurora” is beautiful on the eyes! 🙂 Question: if you could only get one palette and had to choose between Royal Kaki and Aurora, which would you get? 😉
I first noticed Swimming Pool too but after seeing it at the counter I wasn’t impressed. It was too pastel and light and the texture was chalky. As to your question, it would be Royal Kaki for the simple reason that it’s permanent, easy to use and easy to wear as a neutral or as a smokey eye because the colours are more neutral and suitable for most.
Thanks for your reply! 🙂
I noticed on the after pic that the colors toned down a bit and suits you better 🙂
It’s also partly lighting 🙂 but the colours do soften even as they stay on 😉
Oh yup, Aurora is TOTALLY my thing! I was head over heels in love with it the minute I saw the promotional image, and I’m really happy that it performed so well! But yeah, I have to admit it’s not something that will work for everyone!
Definitely your palette!! 😀
What a gorgeous palette! I love the look you did with it, it suits you. 🙂
Thank you, Gio 🙂 it reminded me of something you would do! 😀
These shades are beautiful on you! I’m quite impressed with the staying power but as warm tones tend to make me look muddy I don’t think I will be getting this.
Thank you, Petrina 🙂 warm tones aren’t quite me either so I don’t foresee myself wearing this a lot, unless I’m feeling particularly adventurous. I usually prefer seeing what brands come out with for Fall/winter which are more our shades 🙂
This is still too sweet to look at!!!!!!!
LOVE~~~
it actually look very good on u Paris! Very sunshine summer-ish!! Perhaps not for work but definitely is a great tone when u go out!
It made my yellow skin tone very much yellow somehow so I had to stop myself frm getting it.. =(
it is still very lovely to simply look at it! The sunrays are too wonderful! Funny why they named it dawn lol.. I feel that the swimming pool looks more dawn hahaha…
I remembered you liked this one. It’s too bad that it didn’t suit you 🙁 I think the pattern on this one is really nice and I’m glad Dior went with it instead of the regular cannage quilt 🙂
I’ve been holding out buying a CD colour pallete as i think the price tag on it is atrocious! But i think, one of these days, you may eventually sway me!!! 🙂
haha, hi Kel. Yes. Paris B has swayed me into Dior already. And I just can’t help wondering why I thought Chanel is better all this while. Glad I discovered Dior.
Teehee I love that you’ve succumbed 🙂 I never liked Chanel eye palettes actually, except for the texture of the matelasses one. The regular one is not impressive at all to me.
Haha that would make it another feather in my cap 😉 I wouldn’t suggest Aurora though. Try one of the permanent palettes that are more neutral 😉
This palette does look good on you especially with the matching scarf. You are very good at matching your outfit with your makeup. I really enjoy reading every eye shadow review that you posted.
Thank you lavender. The scarf was quite unintentional but when I noticed it in the photo I knew it had to stay 🙂
Looks good on you. Great scarf, nicely matched the eye shadow. I really enjoy reading your eye shadow review, every single one. thanks for the effort!
Hi Paris,
O/t but I wonder if you can give any advise in buying corsets? I’m planning to buy my first one. My abs said goodbye to me recently and tummy getting bigger from all the food and sitting in from of the PC.
Since it’s kinda expensive and I have no clue where to start, I hope you can help me with this.
*offers cookies*
I’d scoff your cookies Irene. It am afraid I can’t help. I have never worn one and have never really been into it, preferring comfort clothing. I think there should be some tips online? A friend of mine used to sell them but she no longer does.
I think Aurora would be the perfect name for a palette with light, pastels colors..
Anyway, I really love the color in this palette! And you’re right they were basically perfect after 12 hours. I’m impressed!
From what I remember of your photo, I think it is a palette that would look good on your skin coloring. Not so stark and bright. I was impressed by the staying power too!
How darlingly pretty you are, Paris! I have heard/read mixed reviews about this palette: complaints that it was chalky and lamely pigmented. The pigmentation, from your swatches here (loved your remark about wearing the shadows on your arms …) looks okay. I don’t know. I think I’ll pass on this one. I am somewhat disappointed in the summer offerings overall. Spring was great and now that stuff is all gone!! Thank you for this. xoxo Beth in Pgh 😉
PS- I would love to get my hands on Dior’s spring palettes now, I am so angry at myself that I missed them when they debuted…
Aww thank you Beth! The pigmentation in this palette is very good. I do the however that the blue palette, Swimming Pool, is chalky and light and lacking in pigment so isn’t one I’d recommend. I have never been very keen on most summer collections because the colours tend to be so warm. I prefer fall/winter stuff with the rich colours 🙂 did you mean the palettes with the flowers imprinted? I think you can try eBay or keep an eye on Strawberrynet where sometimes these limited edition palettes pop up in a few months. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing! I was so disappointed when I realized that the Christmas couture golds palette which I really wanted was all sold out. The salesgirl tried to persuade me to buy this one. It looks so much like the famous summer star which turned out too warm for me, so I’ll have to pass this one and wait for another gold toned palette to come along.
Oh no, Jan, this one isn’t like Couture Golds at all and I’m glad you didn’t cave in. Can you get the Chanel Montaige one? That ones a good gold palette. Or you could wait till the end of the year when bands play a bit more with gold 🙂
I haven’t been down to Chanel to check. Anyway I’m pretty sure it’s sold out by now. I guess I can wait, maybe Time is the best cure for a lemming!!
Wise! 😀 If I am not sure, I wait it out too. Most of the time, unless it really calls to me, I will forget about it – whew! 😉