BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette review

I'm a self-proclaimed eyeshadow fiend, but even I was intimidated by the BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette. The sheer variety of shades in the colour story was initially overwhelming, along with a whopping 45 pans to play around with. Who needs that many, right? Wrong.

Part of a collaboration range designed for BPerfect by creative makeup artist and influencer Stacey Marie, this palette was first  launched in 2021. The popularity of the Carnival series, which includes XL Pro-Remastered, Love Tahiti and, a more recent addition, Interstellar, endures. So much so that the Irish brand is ticking up sales across the UK.

The Antidote is marketed as a palette for creatives and those who like to experiment with makeup. Other brand claims include:

• All new shades

• Wearable colours

• Soft, blendable formula

• Highly pigmented shadows

• Mix of mattes and luxe shimmers

So, what did I think?

BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote packaging

Packaging, particularly poor packaging, can impact the buying experience of makeup products. This palette, however, has been beautifully designed and its packaging reflects the price point. I suppose, I was expecting something ‘in-yer-face’ carnival themed but I couldn’t have been more wrong. What I received was far more sophisticated. Think theatre, premieres, heavy velvet stage curtains and serious actors.

A lot of thought and effort has gone into creating the abstract cover, which is replicated on the packaging. We have plum and deep burgundy with black, all swirled into a cultivated representation of ‘Showtime!’. With embossed gold outline lettering and a gloss background element, it screams refined. I knew the moment I saw the packaging that what was inside would be something special.

BPerfect has further elevated the experience by including something I have never seen before - a branded plastic eyeshadow protector. While these films are included in nearly all eyeshadow palettes, I have not previously come across a fully branded one. Black on opaque, it replicates the branding for the palette in its entirety. A nice touch - and a great reason for people to retain it and keep their eyeshadows in tip-top condition for longer. 

Another thing of note: the inside of the box is also branded. Again, something I haven't seen before.

A real selling point for this palette is its huge mirror. With a gold surround and beautifully displayed ‘Stacey Marie - The Antidote’ in faux foil and white, it adds a truly luxurious touch to already great packaging.

This palette was supplied inside a protective bubble wrap sleeve and the box.

Palette dimensions:

Length - 28cm

Width - 17cm

Depth - 2cm

I actually got my tape measure out for the measurements because they aren't displayed on product pages.

Price:

The BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette normally retails for around £39. However, I purchased it for just under £20 from Beauty Bay which has been running a palette sale. 

Highly original - the branded eyeshadow protector

Eyeshadows: BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote

It took me a minute or two to focus on the eyeshadows because the overall presentation of this palette is simply stunning. I got caught up with the mirror, the swirls and, of course, that unusual protective sheet. Trust me to momentarily forget the most important thing of all!

While the eyeshadows have no fragrance, I noticed the palette has a fresh, clean whiff about it. Always a good sign.

The pans are laid out in five rows of nine. I can see at least nine colour themes and they are actually all relevant to 2024. Forget ‘Carnival’, which suggests vivid, one-time use and ‘too way-out’. Maybe ‘The Antidote’ is a reference to a more muted offering with just the odd splash of out-there eccentricity. The shades in this palette are relevant to a myriad of trends - from glam grunge to peach fuzz - and, yes, they are wearable. The palette includes a great selection of nudes, as well as some romantic Regency-type shades, so it is spot on for the soft glam look too.

Of course there are plenty of berry-toned colours, which span from pops of purple to deep burgundy - which entirely fits with the overall theme. From left to right, the shades go from warm to cool.

For the summer months, there is a vibrant coral and a couple of peaches. There is also the customary black, some taupes and interestingly some fabulous greys.

In total, this eyeshadow palette has 17 shimmers and 28 mattes, which is a good composition. The shadows are cruelty free.

The eyeshadows in the BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette

Pigmentation and performance

I would describe the matte shadows in this palette as very smooth and sheer. They are not crumbly or flakey to the touch. The pigmentation is spot on for the price - just above middle of the road. The shades blend effortlessly and offer good colour pay-off, particularly the darker ones. They feel velvety on the skin and fallout is minimal.

The shimmers are creamy, offering a range of depths in terms of finish. The shade Silvery, for example, is a stand-out classic, metallic silver. It delivers solid colour that so many other brands attempt but can’t quite deliver. Simmer and Nectar offer varying degrees of blinging gold, and Oyster is a dainty pinky pearl.

A moody dark grey shimmer is called Grunge - and that theme is one of the reasons why I purchased the palette. Moss, a matte green in Carnival The Antidote, is simply breath-taking and will pair nicely with one of the golds for a soft grunge look. Nearly all of the other shades can be used to create grunge makeup styles, and I am itching to have an extended play around with ideas.

I was pleased to see a pale white-cream-grey shade called Dove included in this palette. It is ideal for diffusing transition shades as well as for creating graduated looks. 

Standout mattes include Spiced Coral, Pretty Peach, Bon Bon, Pampas, Sable and Suede.

Because the eyeshadows are so easy to use, this palette is suitable for people of all skill levels - from beginners to professional makeup artists.

Close up of eyeshadow pans in the BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette

Fingertip swatches to give you an overall idea of the levels of pigmentation in this palette

In summary

BPerfect x Stacey Marie Carnival IV The Antidote palette is a stylish and versatile addition to my rather huge eyeshadow collection. As a serious collector, this purchase brings more than new shades to my table. It has unique qualities that set it apart from many other palettes. The branded shadow protector alone makes this an unmissable purchase for collectors.

Are the matte shades as pigmented as those in Jeffree Star’s Gothic Beach? A few, but not all. What about the shimmers? Well, they include some really fresh offerings as well as some must-haves. 

Of course, the palette is head and shoulders above large palettes from the likes of Makeup Revolution and La Roc Pro. Yes, it is more expensive - but what you get for your money is a unique, hugely versatile colour story and a one-off palette design that will make you want to treasure it. 

In terms of size, it is nowhere near the biggest palette in my collection. Yes, it’s big but it is not huge. Storage isn’t going to be an issue for me. I’d be interested to know what you think of the size. When is 'big' too big for you? There has been a gradual swing away from large palettes but, if I see something that really catches my eye, size is never a consideration. 

I rate this palette 4.8 out of 5 stars - 0.1 point below Gothic Beach. Some of the mattes have a better colour pay-off than others. Apart from that, it is a stand-out palette and a purchase I'm going to have a lot of fun with.

For creative ideas, you can find Stacey Marie’s interpretations of the Carnival series here.