Let me shout it from the top of Professor Trelawney’s tower; I LOVE ME SOME HARRY POTTER, HOGWARTSY GOODNESS. I cosplay as Hermione frequently, and about 65% of my wardrobe has something to do with that fandom realm. I’m just sitting here waiting for my letter to Hogwarts… So, with that – when Espionage Cosmetics released teasers of their Colovaria palette last year, I knew it had to be mine.

… oh yes. It had to be mine.

Fast forward to now, I’ve been using it for almost a year now and finally got off my little house elf bum to give you guys a massive 4 Looks in 1 Tutorial video and review – plus bonus blog content and pretty pictures. I am going to warn you right now; this video is about 25 minutes long so grab yourself a butterbeer, chocolate frog, or pumpkin pasty and let’s do this.

—– COLOVARIA PALETTE —–

Shades Included: Alohomora, Obliviate, Ferum, and Lacarnum Inflamora
Price: $35 USD  [Save 15% by using the code “NMA15CHAOS”]
Includes: 2.25g X 4 | 0.079 oz x 4 (Individual eyeshadow weight)
Available:  EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPIONAGECOSMETICS.COM – or at their convention booths. 
Released:  July 2017
Other: Cruelty-Free, Indie Brand.

Ingredients:   Mica, Triethylhexanoin, Zinc Stearate, Nylon 12, Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate, Tocopherol, Butyrospermum ParkU (Shea Butter), Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Simmondsia Chlnensls (JoJoba) Seed 011, Persea Gratlsslma (Avocado) 011, ChamomlllaRecutlta (Matricaria) Flower Extract, LonlceraCaprifolum (Honeysuckle) Extract, Cucumis Satlvus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract. MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines, Tin Oxide, Ferric Ferrocyanide.  – NOT VEGAN. 

The packaging of this palette is absolutely gorgeous. Like EC’s other pressed eyeshadow palette (the RPG palette), it is a four pan, hard plastic, rectangular case with glossy embellishments, a window to see the shadows when the palette is entirely closed, ingredients and shade names listed on the back and holographic “nerd makeup” branding. Inside the palette, you will find a useful mirror, exclusive Epoximise brush, and the four eyeshadow pans.

The palette’s size makes it perfect for slipping into a pocket or purse to carry with you on the go.

—– ALOHOMORA —–

Alohomora is a beautiful, golden hue that will sing to the soul of your favorite Hufflepuff. It is a metallic eyeshadow with tiny mica flecks that catch the light beautifully. Think of the shade as if someone melted down the winning Snitch and poured it into an eyeshadow… that’s what this color reminds me of.

This eyeshadow is beautiful when swept all over the lid for a natural was of golden goodness but be aware that Alohomora does tend to kick up a lot of product in the pan.

When applied on the face as a highlight, this shade works best for those out there who have light to deep skin tones. If you’re like me, and Luna Lovegood, you may find that this shade is just a touch dark to use as a highlighter, BUT it does work beautifully when lightly dusted over the cupid’s bow and lips. I like to add just a tiny little bit over some lip balm for a subtle lip look.

—– OBLIVIATE —–

First, let me say that while I was recording my tutorial and voice-over, I kept swapping the word Obliviate for Obscura (which while in the Potter universe, is more of a Fantastic Beasts term).

Obliviate is a dark, satiny black with tiny, silver micro-glitter flecks. When I first opened up the palette and saw the shade I was a little sad because I figured it would be like every other black with glitter shade… and I don’t like those kinds of eyeshadows, BUT thankfully, my mind was quickly changed as soon as I applied it.

This eyeshadow is truly unique and I friggin’ love it as an all-over smokey eye. Pigmentation wise, Obliviate is inky and intense when applied with your finger or foiled with a brush. However, if using a light hand, you can gradually apply it with a brush to get the most subtle smokey lash liner or crease shade.

The formulation of Obliviate is creamy and works exceptionally well as a base shade to transform the other three colors in the palette. I don’t think I would have liked this palette’s color combination as much as I do if they had left this inky black shade out of it.

—– FERUM —–

Ferum’s hue reminds me of the moment in Harry Potter and The Order of the Phienox where they are running around the Hall of Prophecies with all the glowing orbs. That teal-green glow is a spot on match for this eyeshadow’s color in my mind.

This light eyeshadow shade is the least pigmented and most powdery out of the four eyeshadows, but don’t let that turn you off of the palette. It is a beautiful shade for the inner corner or on top of Obliviate. I have also used it as an eery highlight, so I know that it works well on pasty pale folks.

As far as the name of the shade goes, I am not familiar with a spell strictly called ferum in the books or movies. I do remember Ferrum Enris vaguely as a sword summoning spell, but I can’t be completely sure. If you know, let me know in the comments.

—– LACARNUM INFLAMORI —–

A lovechild of burgundy and copper, this shade is right up any Gryffindor’s alley. I think I’ve even noticed pictures of Godrick Gryffindor in one of the hallways of Hogwarts wearing this eyeshadow. (/kidding)

Anyways, this shade was the one that initially pulled me into this palette. I am a sucker for a metallic red eyeshadow, and I was happily surprised at its formulation and blendability. As red eyeshadows go, most normally can’t be blended out on their own without pulling pink… BUT THIS ONE CAN! It has a subtle brown base to the metallic red eyeshadow and looks AMAZING on every color eye as a one-color blown out eye look. This is a must color for Autumn, for sure.

—– THOUGHTS ON THE PALETTE —–

Like I mentioned in the video, at first I wasn’t sure if I would get much use out of this palette as a whole due to its unique color combination. Add to that that there are ZERO matte colors in this quad collection of eyeshadows and … well… it was weird.

Thankfully, after actually having it in my hands to play with, my views changed, and I figured out how to make this palette work with all the magic of Dumbledor’s Army.

I will say that I tend to use Obliviate, Alohomora, and Lacarnum Inflamori in combination more so than combos using Ferum – but that may just be because I’m usually going for a quick out the door look with little fuss and those colors work well with my brown eyes.

For the price, it may seem like $35 for a four-pan eyeshadow palette may be a bit pricey – BUT – the packaging is sturdy, it comes with an exclusive enamel Nerd Makeup House Elf pin, and 4 2.25 gram eyeshadows *(which is more than MAC  and Urban Decay single eyeshadows, for comparison). And, of course, you are supporting a wonderful yet tiny, independent nerdy makeup brand.

The eyeshadows, with the exception of Ferum, are buttery and creamy and blend out beautifully with little effort. With their buttery nature, these shadows are soft, so I wouldn’t recommend participating in a wizard’s dual with this eyeshadow palette in your pocket – otherwise, you might break an eyeshadow, and nobody wants that… well… unless your name is Bellatrix La Strange.

I would like to add that these eyeshadows are buildable. You won’t get the most pigment you can with one swipe of the brush. For that, you’ll need to either apply the shadows with your finger or foil the eyeshadows by using some sort of makeup spray and pat the product onto your lid.

===== INSPIRED LOOKS USING THE PALETTE =====

GRANGER-ISH

This was the first look that I filmed for the palette tutorial overload and surprise surprise I was channeling my inner Hermione Granger.

MAKEUP DETAILS:
Face: Milk Makeup sunshine skin tint in fair & flex concealer in fair, lip+cheek in Werk, Becca Cosmetics hydra mist setting powder, ABH Dip Brow in Ash Brown and Auburn.
Eyes: Espionage Cosmetics Alohomora and Lacarnum Inflamori eyeshadows, Nudestix Lash Mascara, Smashbox Lid Primer in Light.
Lips: KVD Exorcist Liquid Lipstick with Alohomora and Lacarnum Inflamori patted on top of it.
Contacts: PinkyParadise Gemini Night Series in Blue (they look green to me)
Wig: Rockstar Wigs in Rhapsody (brown) which is their Hermione Granger recommended cosplay wig. It is floofy.
Jacket from Torrid

let’s get la’strange

Initially, I wanted to channel a look that was ode’ to Sirus Black… but it ended up leaning a bit more Bellatrix by the end. I especially love the sweatshirt that I was rocking which is from Hot Topic as part of their new Hogwarts collection that they just released in August.

MAKEUP DETAILS:
Face: MUFE Smoothing Primer & Velvet Matte Foundation in Y225 with Ultra HD Concealer in Y23, OCC John Doe Creme Colour Concentrate, Becca setting powder, and Milk Makeup Kush Brow Gel in Grind for the Brows
Eyes: Espionage Cosmetics eyeshadows in Obliviate, Alohomora, and Lacarnum Inflamori, Smashbox lid primer in Light, Becca setting powder, Milk Makeup Kush Mascara, and Japonesque Eye Pencil in Black
Lips: Farmacy Honey Savior Salve with a touch of Alohomora on top.
Wig: THIS WIG on Amazon.
Top: Hot Topic Azkaban Sweater
Contacts: Color Hue in Honey Brown

Retro Ravenclaw

Out of the four, this was my least favorite look mainly because I don’t like the way I look with bleached brows and platinum blonde hair, but oh well… RAVENCLAWS REPRESENT. One of the things that I did want to add was some of the new Galactic Glitter gels that I got in PR from Espionage Cosmetics a few weeks ago… be on the lookout for a full review of the new products later.

Makeup Details:
Face: Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint and Flex Concealer, KVD Bleached Brow PomadeBecca Setting Powder, Bite Beautiful Multistick in Blondie, Hourglass Cosmetics Blush in Mood Exposure.
Eyes: Espionage Cosmetics eyeshadows in Ferum, Obliviate, and Galactic Glitter in Jedi Mind Meld, Milk Makeup Kush Mascara, and Japonesque eye pencil in Black.
Contacts: Pinky Paradise Frosty in Green
Wig: IMSTYLE Ash Blonde wig from Amazon.
Jacket: Ravenclaw House Jacket from Hot Topic
Glasses: Luna Lovegood Spectrespecs from Amazon

Pretty Potter

Ooooh, this look gave me all the feels. I felt soooo cute in this little look, and I have worn it twice since filming the look… so if that doesn’t tell you something, then I don’t know what would. Also, I went with the book’s version of Potter and not the Radcliff portrayal… because I’m extra like that.

Makeup Details:
Face: Milk Makeup Sunshine Skintint and Flex concealers in Fair, Cover FX Calming Primer, Becca Setting Powder, European Body Art Alcohol Activated makeup in Clay and Walnut for the freckles, and Bite Beauty Multistick in Blondie.
Eyes: Espionage Cosmetics Alohomora, Ferum, and Obliviate, Smashbox Cosmetics Lid Primer in Light, and  Milk Makeup Kush Brow Mascara in Grind.
Lips: Farmacy Honey Savior Salve and some Alohomora
Contacts: Pinky Paradise in Frosty (Green)
Wig: Rockstar Wigs Boy Cut Short wig in Black
Glasses: Spirit Halloween Shop
Shirt: Target, I think.

———–
MISCHIEF MANAGED
———–

Thank you for making it to the end of this rather long post and video. You guys make me happier than Dobby with his sock.

Now is your turn to spill the tea leaves and tell me all the things. What shape did you find in your tea leaves? Here’s hoping it wasn’t… THE GRIM! All silliness aside, I want to know if you have already picked up the Colovaria Palette and if so, what are your thoughts about it? Which of the four looks was YOUR favorite? How’s your day/evening going?

Again, I would like to mention that I purchased this palette with my own money and wasn’t asked to do a sponsored post for them. I love Espionage Cosmetics, and they were the first indie brand that reached out to me. They will always have a very special, nerdy place in my heart and I love my friggin Nerd Makeup Familia to pieces.

If you haven’t already purchased the palette and would like to, I do have a Nerd Makeup Ambassador Discount Code that will save you 15% just by typing “NMA15CHAOS” in the discount code area at checkout. If you need spooky or cosplay-inspired nail art designs to go with your Halloween costume, you should check out their Nerd Manicure section as well. If you have a moment, give them lots of love, in general, because they are fantastic people and they work their nerdy butts off.

SHOP ESPIONAGE COSMETICS BY CLICKING HERE.

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FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, all views and products mentioned have been purchased by me unless otherwise mentioned. This post does contain referral or affiliate links.