I’m specifically calling this a product update on the Sigma Ambiance palette since that is my newest Sigma Palette purchase and my initial post only provided swatches. However, I feel like the formula is consistent enough across all of the palettes that I own that you can also consider this a product update for the Cor-de-Rosa (swatch post) and Warm Neutrals (swatch post) palettes as well (pictured below).
As mentioned in my previous posts, while this formula is nicely pigmented, I’d call it buildable. If you are looking for intense pigment right away, I think you can pass on these. The mattes are loose and have kick-up in the pan, but they are not as messy as the Anastasia Beverly Hills formula. I have the most success using this formula with the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow primer. I have tried it with the NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base and didn’t like that combination.
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Swatches – Sigma Ambiance Palette, $49.00**
In my experience, the Sigma formula is really great for those that like applying shimmer shades with their fingers and prefer a buildable matte eyeshadow. For me, these shimmers just work better with finger application. There are a couple of exceptions in the warm neutrals palette (amaranth and iconic) but for the majority of the shimmers they work better with fingers.
They can be applied with a brush, but the pigment goes on quite sheer and needs to be built up. But as I build up the pigment, 9 times out of 10, the look turns out patchy. Applied with my finger, I immediately get the shine and impact I want and the application is smooth. It is the same story whether I use the provided E54 brush, the Smashbox Full Coverage Shadow brush, or the Sonia G builder Pro that I was just raving about. I do however like the E54 for applying matte shades.
As far as the mattes go, I prefer to apply mattes lightly and build if needed, so this formula really suits my preferences. It is possible to pack on the matte shades for an all matte lid color or intensity in the outer-v, but I feel like they still really shine when applied in light layers. I was reminded when working with Pat McGrath shadows recently, how pigmented some other formulas are in comparison. Natasha Denona and Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadows also pack more pigmentation for some other points of reference.
Sigma Cor-de-Rosa and Warm Neutrals Palettes
The Sigma eyeshadow formula is vegan and considered clean beauty which they define as being “free of more than 70 harsh chemicals.” Something that a lot of clean beauty products have in common is a short shelf life. Sigma lists these palettes as having a 12 month shelf life.
The Cor-de-Rosa palette is more prone to hard pan than the other palettes I have. Particularly with the shades high society and dark knight, I have used scotch tape to remove the layer of hard pan a few times. I have had the Cor-de-Rosa palette the longest (May 2020) but I started noticing the hard pan fairly soon after purchase. While I don’t feel like anything is expired or performing much different just yet, the short shelf life is definitely something to consider.
Another reason I have really enjoyed the Sigma palettes comes down to color preference. Something about the shades and undertones that Sigma chooses just works well for my coloring.
All of these 14-pan palettes from Sigma retail for $49.00** but they always have sales, so there is no need to pay full price. I would recommend waiting for one of the 40% off sales (from the Sigma website) if you were interested in buying any of them. I think they are nice eyeshadows and they really suit my personal preferences, but a $49.00 palette should work in any way you decide to use it. Also, while the included brush is of nice quality, it becomes less of a bonus when I can’t successfully use it with the shimmer shades in the palette. Lastly, the short shelf life is another reason not to pay full price.
Overall, I enjoy the mattes even more than the shimmers, but these palettes are still a favorite of mine. However, the more I use them, I just started to realize some ways that they suit me would make them a turn off for others. If you are someone that likes super-saturated colors or only likes to apply eyeshadow with brushes, I think these may miss the mark.
I hope you found this helpful. As always, I appreciate your time. 😊
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Nikki From HR 
From what you’ve posted, it doesn’t sound like the Sigma eyeshadow formula is for me…but I’m still curious about it. Haha. I’m pretty sure I said the same thing in one of your previous Sigma reviews too lol.
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lol yep, I remember talking about them with you. I know what you mean though, still wanting to see something for yourself.
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Thanks for this review. These shadows look beautiful but as I really don’t need them, the short shelf life is a real issue for me.
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You’re welcome! It really is something to keep in mind and there are definitely other eyeshadows on the market with longer shelf lives. This seems to be a permanent palette for Sigma though, so I don’t think there’s any rush to get it.
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