On the search for fabulous fall eyeshadows I came across the Cargo Vintage Escape Eye Palette. She screams fall & if the shades themselves don’t give that away color names like “Hot Cocoa” or “Rustic” or even “Withered Leaves” should be a direct giveaway. With some matte shades, some shimmer, & satin I saw a nice variety with a pretty foolproof array of colors. Keep reading to see what I think!

The palette itself has really simple packaging. The exterior is a camel colored leather with a magnetic strip closure along the front to keep it shut. It doesn’t feel like it closes super securely but a lot better than nothing there at all. I like that it curls over the top which feels like a bit of extra grab. Cargo Cosmetics is printed in the right corner on the front in silver. The back has a clear, removeable sticker with basic information that can be removed. I do wish the actual palette name was printed somewhere.

Inside there is actual black plastic casing around the eyeshadows. Most palettes use foam or cardboard so that was a pleasant surprise. This is way easier to clean. Each eyeshadow has the shade name printed below which I totally appreciate. No silly plastic coverings to hassle with or having to look somewhere else to see what shades I’m using. Inside you get a medium sized mirror, could be bigger but have definitely seen smaller. Inside is a double ended brush, one side an angled eyeliner/shadow brush & the other is kind of a small, thinner c-brush. It is an okay brush but not mind blowing. While traveling, this would be a decent nook for an eyeliner.

I swatched each eyeshadow below on bare skin. I apologize for the imperfections on my hands…new kitten wounds. I really wish I had another way to swatch but this is my spot 😉 The photos of the shadows themselves are grouped in sets of 4 from left to right in the palette. The first photo on the left is in natural light while the one on the right is with flash. Because these shades are more muted than a lot of those I feature (what…no teal or hot pink?!) I thought showing them both was really important because sometimes the light is what helps the shimmer hit the surface.

Swatched left to right: Harvest Moon (a very light cream satin & feels almost matte), Cuddle (neutral toned pink satin), Crisp (iridescent gold shimmer that applies like a satin), & Hot Cocoa (neutral milk chocolate matte).

Harvest Moon is clearly suuuper close to my pale skintone & works amazing in the inner corner for subtle highlighting or on the browbone. It doesn’t look shimmery & is just barely not completely matte. Cuddle is probably the only pink I’ve considered a neutral in ages since it doesn’t make my eyes look red & actually works with this palette. Crisp is fabulous & although it looks white in the palette it comes off as gold in the swatch & on the eye. Beautiful to highlight or top another shade with. Hot Cocoa actually looks warmer in the swatch for some reason but it is a basic, easy to use matte brown.

Swatched left to right: Frolic (taupe-y grey brown shimmer), Cinnamon (warm coppery brown shimmer & wet it is more metallic), Autumn (matte peach), & Withered Leaves (brown/green base packed with green shimmer).

Frolic is a nearly metallic taupe so obviously I absolutely love it. Cinnamon is really pretty & doesn’t have fallout. Autumn is a great matte shade which I can sheer out as a highlight or load onto the lid for a base. Withered Leaves is the only shade in this palette I don’t consider neutral because twig is more gunmetal to me. It is absolutely stunning & actually appears more complex on the eye.

Swatched left to right:  Twigs (blue toned grey metallic), Black Crow (soft matte black), Rustic (metallic copper), & Chestnut (deep matte brown).

I think Twigs is a beautiful gunmetal-esque shade but the name doesn’t seem fitting? Black Crow is the only dud in this palette for me because it just isn’t as smooth or pigmented. It does alright for darkening outter corners but not something I’d reach for often since it isn’t all that dark or easy to use. Rustic is easily one of my favorite shades in the palette, copper? Why yes, yes I do love that shade for fall! Plus it has great pigmentation. I didn’t have much hope for Chestnut after Black Crown but it is actually quite soft & pigmented. Nice dark shade that blends out or sets liner nicely.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect palette for fall that is mostly neutral, contains no glitter, & has mattes this could be it. The shades for the most part are buttery & easy to use. You can easily create work or fun looks that stick to the neutral side of things without having to think about it too much. With the exception of Black Crow, the mattes in this palette were a joy to try out. This is my first Cargo palette & I’m quite happy with the outcome!

This palette has a $140 value but retails for $39. For 12 nice sized shades of quite nice quality I think it is on par with other pricing. If you’re looking for something other than an Urban Decay Naked type palette I think you’d dig this as well. Keep in mind my swatches are without primer so they look even better with some!

This is a limited edition palette & I’m not finding it being sold everywhere currently. I did find the Cargo Vintage Escape Palette available from the Cargo website & Macy’s but you might check in stores since I bought mine at Ulta.

What do you think? What is your favorite fall palette this year? Have you seen anything similar?