When Jeffree Star Cosmetics announced the launch of the Blood Lust palette, I found myself torn. The color story seemed predominantly purple but surprisingly lacked actual purple eyeshadows in the initial pictures. Unsure whether to invest, I sought opinions from my YouTube community, and while some encouraged me to purchase whatever I liked, others expressed curiosity about a review. It was only after watching Nikkietutorials’ glowing review and admiring the vibrant eye looks she created that I decided to take the plunge.

First Impressions: Packaging and Pricing

The Blood Lust palette arrived in a grand, hefty box that felt luxurious, although I found the outer packaging somewhat flimsy—likely a decision made for shipping safety. Inside, the palette itself is a weighted, diva-worthy case with a velvet-like fabric finish and a clasp that reminded me of fine jewelry. The oversized mirror added to the luxury feel but also contributed to the overall weight, making it less travel-friendly.

I purchased mine from BeautyBay for 63 euros, which was slightly pricier than Jeffree Star’s official $54 price tag but saved me from paying extra taxes and shipping fees living in Europe.

Palette Details: Shades and Formulations

The palette houses 18 eyeshadows, with 10 pressed pigments designed more for accent application than heavy blending. The shade variety includes matte and shimmer finishes, and the shimmer shadows utilize a newer formula rich in micro-glitter rather than a pure foil finish.

Some standout shades for me were:

Vivid Mood: The reason I bought the palette, highlighted in Nikkietutorials’ looks. While it looked darker and more intense on her, on my eyes it was softer and less vibrant.
Blood Queen: A beautifully pigmented red with a creamy texture, surprisingly satin in finish despite its shimmer-like appearance in the pan.
Pink Magic & Jewel: Glitter-heavy shimmer shades that required a sticky base to pop.
Monarchy & Deviant: Matte transition shades that blended seamlessly but were quite subtle on my skin tone.

The palette also features unique shades like a mustard yellow, emerald green, and a gold-green shimmer—colors that initially seemed out of place but offered exciting versatility to the purple-dominated theme.

Testing the Palette: Application and Wear

Using my usual eye base—Maybelline’s Fit Me concealer set with Laura Mercier setting powder—I found some struggle with achieving the vibrancy seen on Nikkietutorials’ look, who used an unset sticky base. Without a sticky primer, the shimmers didn’t appear as vibrant, especially those loaded with micro-glitter, which tended to have fallout and patchiness. Applying these shadows with a damp brush or fingertips improved opacity and shimmer payoff.

Matte shadows had great blendability but could be powdery, demanding a careful hand to avoid fallout. For instance, the emerald green looked stunning but was tricky to apply smoothly and cleanly, working best with fingertip pressure.

My eye makeup involved 12 out of the 18 shades and encompassed a combination of soft lilacs, deep plums, a punchy red, and touches of green and gold for dimension. Despite my worries, the result was a wearable yet intriguing look that avoided muddiness and showcased the palette’s potential for both subtlety and drama.

Final Thoughts: Is Blood Lust Worth It?

This palette is a mixed bag, but in a good way. The color story invites creativity with purples plus unexpected pops of color, making each use fresh and fun. The matte shadows are dependable and smooth, while the shimmer shadows demand a little extra prep to shine their best.

If you love purple shadows and don’t mind experimenting with different finishes, Blood Lust offers plenty to explore. However, if you prefer intensely shiny metallics without needing glitter primers or damp application, some shades may disappoint.

Overall, I’m glad I listened to Nikkietutorials and gave this palette a chance. The quirks and surprises of Blood Lust make it a unique addition to my collection—one I plan to reach for often.

Have you tried Jeffree Star’s Blood Lust palette? What’s your take on the color story and formula? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your experiences!