Best Things in Beauty : Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in No.21 Midnight Brown.

today i want to show you the Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in No. 21 Midnight Brown. this shade is a relatively new addition to their permanent range, released for fall 2011. after its launch in the US i waited quite a while but haven't spotted it popping up in the european online shop, so i ordered it through Maureen.
now that it's available, the free express shipping promotion at the online store is over and i wouldn't want to pay 15€ extra for that... but Burberry Beauty is starting to expand in germany and now is represented at many counters all over the country.
the eyeshadow range by this brand seems quite unspectacular, it's a selection of soft and grounded basic shades which get their sophisticated spirit thanks to extraordinary textures and the luxurious packaging.
the Sheer Eye Shadow comes in a velvet pouch with Burberry-typical nova check pattern. the extra heavy, reflective graphite compact also has this pattern engraved as well as the eyeshadow itself. it has a magnetic closure, a little mirror and spongey applicator inside. to my displeasure it opens not more than ~100° (just like the blush compacts), which basically is my only complaint with Burberry's packaging in general. it contains 2.5g and costs 25€/30$.
Midnight Brown already is one of the more exciting shades in the range, it's a neutral, medium dark plummy brown with intense silver shimmer and glimmer, it appears almost like a dark taupe when blended out. it contains small crystal shimmer flakes that makes it look even more iridescent on the lids but doesn't feel gritty at all. on the contrary - it has a very smooth texture and applies very evenly and intense. it blends like a dream, the shimmer remains complex even when pressed and blended on a primed lid and creates a beautiful depth to this eyeshadow, making it perfect to wear on its own. i love it as a quick smokey eye for day- and nighttime, it lasts very well on my oily lids.
this is an incredibly basic shade but looks so captivating and universally flattering once applied, everything i wished MAC's legendary Satin Taupe to be but could never fulfil...
i think Burberry Midnight Brown is an absolute staple that should not be missing in any collection of a neutral- or taupe- or high-end-lover - and i guess most of us is at least either one of this ;).

please have a read at The Beauty Look Book here and here and Café Makeup here for additional reviews with fantastic photographs and comparisons for this product!

in this close up of the used product you can see the glimmer flakes, but they look very fine and smooth once applied.

Burberry Midnight Brown swatched in sunlight & with flash (last pic)

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this is a one-shadow-only look with Midnight Brown, i love how dimensional it appears!

comparison

Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadow Duo in A Major, fis Minor - Burberry Midnight Brown - MAC Satin Taupe

i was quite surprised myself, but i don't have as many similar shades to this basic brown as i have assumed. the most similar are Rouge Bunny Rouge A Major, fis Minor duo and MAC Satin Taupe. the RBR shade is lighter and has a finer, pearly shimmer. it's more a true taupe with cooler undertones. Satin Taupe by MAC just looks quite flat in comparison to Midnight Brown and is also a bit lighter. it also applies as a warmer colour than MB.

together with my other Burberry eyeshadows: