MannyMUA x Makeup Geek Palette | Review & Swatches

The MannyMUA x Makeup Geek Palette is truly enchanting. But the highly anticipated collaboration between YouTuber MannyMUA and Makeup Geek (MUG) has caused quite a stir with its price tag and a meltdown with it's unique eyeshadow shades. And as expected the limited edition 9-pan custom palette has now sold out, leaving fellow MannyMUA and MUG fans disappointed. 
Stocked online only at Makeup Geek and Beauty Bay costing $45/£49.50, many complained about the price and the limited number of palettes. I anticipated it would cost around £35, so I was surprised to see it had been priced at £49.50. Admittedly I was apprehensive to part with my cash, but like the palette obsessive I am and with fear it would sell out in seconds, I took the plunge and purchased the palette. Soon after, I became guilt ridden, reading tweets that stated the palette was a rip off and in short I felt like a MUG. But after a few calculations, I came to realise the palettes contents is worth £50.55 and that's not taking into consideration the fact they're manufactured in the US (high quality) and 6 of the shades are limited edition. And let's face it, MUG eyeshadows are pretty darn fab. 

Price aside, I have no complaints. The MannyMUA x Makeup Geek palette is everything I want and look for in a palette. The eyeshadows are housed black cardboard palette thats' surprisingly sturdy and embossed in a pretty pink art deco pattern with a built-in mirror. And the outer packaging displays a holographic crescent moon (MannyMUA logo) and the eyeshadow shade names are displayed on the back also sat in a crescent moon, which is a nice touch. 

Inside are 9 full sized eyeshadows with a variety if matte, foiled and shimmer finishes. The formula like all MUG eyeshadows doesn't disappoint, they're high quality, highly pigmented, blendable and I find these particular MUG shades, are longer lasting and less prone to creasing. The shades include 3 of Manny's favourite existing MUG eyeshadows; 'Beaches & Cream', 'Cosmopolitan' and 'Frappe'. And also included is 'Insomnia' which is a pressed version of the MUG loose pigment and it's beautiful and seriously creamy as is the shade 'Luna' which is a hybrid of the MUG shades 'In The Spotlight' and 'Grandstand'. The remaining shades are custom created by Manny. The only shade which is a little gritty in texture is 'Mars', a deep red that when applied and blended appears more pink than red, but this doesn't hinder it's blendability, or application and is undoubtably my favourite shade in the palette.

Overall, I'm besotted by the MannyMUA x Makeup Geek palette. I've been reaching for it since its arrival and have received nothing but compliments on my eyeshadow. It encompasses everything I need from crease colours, pops of colour, a fab highlight (which I prefer to the likes of MAC Nylon), and a good old shimmer.

Artemis: is a frosted white gold with shimmery finish.  Beaches & Cream: is a soft peachy beige with a matte finish.  Luna: is a beautiful medium rose gold with a high shine foiled finish.  Cosmopolitan: is a gold-flecked medium rose gold with a shimmery finish. Sora: is a warm brown which is described as "terracotta" with matte finish. Frappe: is a maple brown with a matte finish.  Insomnia: is a warm red brown with blue reflects. With a duo chrome, foiled finish.  Mars: is a deep red with a pink undertone and a matte finish.  Aphrodite: is a deep plummy brown with a matte finish. 
What are your thoughts on the MannyMUA x Makeup Geek Palette? Emily