Patrick Ta’s Viral Eyeshadow Duos: An In-Depth Review and Test
We tested Patrick Ta’s most-hyped eyeshadow duos so you know exactly what’s worth your splurge and what to skip.

Patrick Ta’s Viral Eyeshadow Duos: Are They Worth the Hype?
Patrick Ta’s Major Dimension Eye Illusion Eyeshadow Duos have set the beauty community ablaze since their release. TikTok, Instagram, and dedicated beauty forums are buzzing about these highly-anticipated shadow duos—so much so that debate hasn’t stopped since the $42 price tag was announced. Here, we take you inside Cosmopolitan’s unfiltered review and hands-on test of the buzzy palettes, so you can make the most informed, hype-free decision before adding them to your cart.
Why Did These Eyeshadows Go Viral?
Not all makeup launches have the internet in a frenzy, but the Patrick Ta eyeshadow duos did just that. Once the price was revealed, TikTok was split. Some users balked at shelling out $42 for just two shades, while fans cited Patrick Ta’s reputation for quality formulas and luxe finishes. The debate amped up when beauty creators like Mikayla Nogueira and Jeffree Star weighed in with their own candid reviews, scrutinizing everything from swatch quality to shade payoff. Meanwhile, Patrick Ta responded by drawing comparisons to other prestige brands (like Charlotte Tilbury and Hourglass) and defending the value based on formulation and shade development.
- Price: $42 for a duo compact
- Main debate: Are two luxe shades worth the sticker shock?
- Social momentum: BeautyTok and Instagram drove intense conversation, with viral tutorials and reviews flooding feeds.
- Notable voices: Star influencers joined the discussion (and controversy) about value and performance.
First Impressions: Packaging, Texture, and Initial Swatches
The presentation of Patrick Ta’s new duos immediately makes a statement. Housed in sleek, reflective compacts with a magnetic closure, each duo feels premium to the touch.
- Design: Luxurious feel with a slim, mirror-finish case—perfect for travel or vanity display.
- Product texture: Velvety powders and refined glitters. The shimmer has visible, multidimensional pearls that catch the light without chunky fallout (at least in the pan).
- Shade range: Each duo offers a pairing: one deep, rich base shade and one shimmering, luminous topper.
On first swatch, both the matte and shimmer shades deliver strong pigment payoff, with the glitter formula feeling particularly soft and smooth—more so than many comparable high-end palettes.
Testing Every Shade: Shade-by-Shade Reviews
Cosmopolitan’s beauty team tried the most popular duos, sharing firsthand impressions on application methods, wear time, and versatility across different skin tones and eye shapes.
Eyeshadow Duo: Talk To My Team
This duo is described as the ultimate everyday neutral for warm undertones. The matte base applies smooth for a clean, subtle smokey eye on brown or olive skin.
- Application: Blends effortlessly with a fluffy brush, but can also be quickly tapped on with fingers for a more relaxed effect.
- Pigment: Buildable color intensity. One layer gives a soft day look, while two or more delivers nighttime glam.
- Shimmer: The topper is refined—not chunky or overly glittery—making it work-appropriate with a single swipe, or high-impact with extra layers.
- Editor’s verdict: “I was impressed by how light it felt and loved the easy blend. The pigment is there, and I’ll be using this again.”
Eyeshadow Duo: Do You Know Who I Am
This shade delivers a bolder look, perfect for those who want to go beyond basics. The combination of deep plum and a lilac shimmer is especially striking for brown and hazel eyes.
- Layering: The deeper shade can be worn solo for drama, or paired with the lighter shimmer for dimension.
- Technique Tip: Editor Hannah Oh found color payoff was gorgeous even when using fingers, but recommended primer plus a brush for ultimate impact and staying power.
- Fallout: The shimmer had minor fallout after 3-4 hours—especially without priming—but can be easily brushed away.
- Editor’s verdict: “Color options are beautiful, but if you want a no-fuss, all-day glam, consider adding an eyeshadow primer for max wear.”
Eyeshadow Duo: We Need Better Lighting
Associate editor Daisy Maldonado went low-effort but high-impact with this shade. The duo offers a striking silver shimmer and a versatile taupe base.
- Application: “Just two swipes with my finger produced bold pigment and a lit-from-within glow.”
- Multitasking: The silver shade doubles as a stunning eyelid topper or a highlighter for the inner corners and brow bone.
- Wearability: Both shades can be sheered out for daytime or packed on for evening events.
- Editor’s verdict: “The glow is gorgeous and wearable for both everyday and special occasions.”
Performance: Texture, Pigment, and Longevity
- Texture: Powder formula is lightweight but comfortable on the lid. The shimmer shadow has refined, minimal fallout compared to chunkier glitters found in drugstore products.
- Pigment: Intense out of the pan, especially the shimmer/metallic. Most colors build well without patchiness or muddiness.
- Blending: Shades blend together seamlessly with little effort—no harsh lines, even for makeup beginners.
- Longevity: 6+ hours with minimal fading, but shimmer lasts longer and stays bolder with primer or a cream base beneath.
Comparing Patrick Ta’s Duo to Other Luxury Brands
Brand | Product/Format | Average Price | Texture & Formula | Shade Pairings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Patrick Ta | Major Dimension Eye Illusion Duo | $42 (2 shades) | Powder/Glitter (Light, Buildable) | Curated duos (can’t customize) |
Charlotte Tilbury | Eyes to Mesmerise (single pot) | $35 (single shade) | Creamy shimmer (wet-look) | Individual singles |
Hourglass | Scattered Light (pot shadow) | $30 (single shade) | High-shine, creamy glitter | Sold alone, not in pairs |
Tom Ford | Eye Color Quad | $90 (4 shades) | Powder/Shimmer/matte | Custom quads |
Makeup by Mario | Master Mattes Palette | $48 (12 shades) | Soft mattes & shimmers | Large palettes |
Compared to luxury leaders, the Patrick Ta duos are competitively priced on a per-shadow basis. What you lose in the ability to customize (each duo comes pre-paired), you gain in a tightly curated, high-performance experience—especially for those who prefer not to fuss with large pans or complicated palettes.
Major Pros and Cons: Patrick Ta’s Eyeshadow Duos
- Pros:
- Easy apply and blend—even with just your fingertips
- Shimmer can double as a face highlighter for multiuse
- Very pigmented, blends beautifully, and builds for high-impact glam
- On par with other luxury shadows for quality and finish
- Compact packaging is sleek and travel-ready
- Wide range of duo color themes to complement most skin tones
- Cons:
- Higher price ($42 for two shades) compared to mid-tier palettes
- Cannot customize duos; limited to preset pairings
- Minimal glitter fallout if no primer is used
- Some shades may fade after several hours if not set with primer
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy Patrick Ta’s Viral Eyeshadow Duo?
After extensive testing, Cosmopolitan’s shopping editors agree: If you’re after a high-impact , easy-to-apply shimmer or glitter shadow—and you’re willing to pay for luxury—the Patrick Ta duos deliver on both formula and experience. The compact size, curated shades, and buildable pigment make it a top pick for both makeup minimalists and glam lovers. However, the price point and inability to fully customize might hold back budget-conscious shoppers or those seeking more versatility from a single purchase. For occasional or special-event glam, though, these are a worthy splurge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are Patrick Ta’s eyeshadow duos suitable for beginners?
A: Yes. Both shimmer and matte shades are highly blendable, and application is effortless even without brushes, making them beginner-friendly.
Q: Do the duos work for all skin tones?
A: The current color lineup was specifically designed to flatter a wide range of skin tones, and editors with varying complexions found the shades universally appealing.
Q: How does the lasting power compare to drugstore eyeshadows?
A: The duos last longer than typical drugstore shimmer, especially with primer, maintaining pigment for up to 6 hours or more with minimal creasing or fading.
Q: Is the $42 price tag justified?
A: While the duos are expensive, they compete directly with other premium brands in terms of quality and finish. The price is reflective of formula innovation, pigment payoff, and luxurious packaging.
Q: Any tips for getting the most out of these duos?
A: For best longevity and color intensity, apply a primer or cream base first, then blend with a brush or fingertip. Layer the shimmer for a more dramatic look, or keep it sheer for day-to-day wear.
About the Author
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, known for deep dives into viral products and honest reviews. An obsessive skincare enthusiast and beauty trend-spotter, Jasmine spends her evenings reading, doom-scrolling TikTok, and listening to Harry Styles. You can follow her on Instagram for beauty tips and the occasional food pic.
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