DIOR Backstage Eye Palette 002 Smoky Essentials

This spring, Dior has made some updates to their Backage Eye Palette line and added a new shade, 002 Smoky Essentials. "Replaced" would be a more accurate word cause it seems that Smoky Essentials is replacing my favorite 002 Cool Neutrals. I am not sour about this change, however, because my Cool Neutrals is still intact and this new palette is quite awesome in terms of quality and versatility.

Dior Backstage Eye Palette 002 Smoky Essentials ($52, Dior)

The color story is indeed very "essential" and optimized for creating various smoky eye looks. I have tried this palette several times already, and I can get at least 3 different eye looks out of this palette. In fact, I brought it with me on my recent work trip and it was literally all I needed. 

As I said, the color composition is quite simple and neutral but, notably, there are more than a few rosier shades in this palette, which makes this palette even more versatile in my opinion.

The updated formula is definitely creamier and softer. Overall, the colors are more pigmented compared to the previous version. They blend in beautifully and seem to last on me all day without eye primer.

Since it appears that my beloved Cool Neutrals is going away and they both have the same numbering, 002, I wanted to swatch Cool Neutrals and Smoky Essentials side by side.

As you see, the color stories are not similar at all. Cool Neutrals is a muted mauve/plum palette in essence and Smoky Essentials is more neutral and versatile as it contains different tones.

There is a certain charm to the drier silkier texture of Cool Neutrals and I still adore this formula, I think more people will appreciate the updated version as it is creamy and more pigmented. Also, the updated ones do not have a primer in the mix anymore, and it is a welcome change.

And here is a makeup look that I created using the Smoky Essential palette:

This look is the softest look with a subtle rosy tone. In this look, I am also wearing the reformulated Rouge Dior Velvet lipstick in Mitzah and Rouge Blush in the same shade.

Dior Smoky Essentials is an excellent little eye palette! Nothing really original or unique, but a truly good workhorse that you can rely on for performance and versatility. 

Dior Backstage Eye Palette Smoky Essentials is available at these retailers:

Dior

Sephora

*The makeup products mentioned in this post were purchased by me. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for choosing to use them.