Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette Review + Looks

It’s finally time, time I got around to reviewing the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette. Not that I have been necessarily putting it off, I just really wanted to test her out and see what the curfuffle was all about. I also put of off purchasing for quite some time until I heard a few reputable sorts say that it had been “fixed” or improved.  I believe I bought mine in November and the palette was released late Summer.

In this review, I’ll go over the “controversy” and of I think the palette has been improved upon and all the details I would normally include in a review, plus show you some looks I have done using the Subculture.

The Controversy

Let’s get the ugly stuff out of the way. This palette was so hyped and anticipated, as it was meant to be the sister palette to Modern Renaissance which is at this point one of the most iconic palettes since the Naked 3. We were expecting a lot of Subculture and ABH. However, the palette despite being something totally new and original was a flop because of the formula and pressing issues.  When I saw this palette for the first time, I fell in love with it and was pretty upset that it got such bad reviews so I decided to bid my time should they address the issues. We all saw the fallout of this palettes release all over Youtube, most notably Alissa Ashley hitting pan in her first use of it. There was maybe one good review to every fifty poor reviews. Issues ranging from patchiness, oxidation, not blending, fall out, dusty, too pigmented and just plain messy. Then came ABH and other telling everyone they were using the palette wrong like they are idiots that never used eyeshadow before. Some of the bad press I think was a lot of jumping on the bandwagon, but there also were flaws with the palette. There was such a mess of rumors and hype. I just waited it out like I said before investing the money in a palette. Okay, you guys know all the drama I am sure so enough about that,

The Packaging + Component

Subculture is packaged and presented just like Modern Renaissance aside from the colors used. The box this time is a muted deep teal and mustard/gold font which is repeated in the palette itself.

The palette is the same as the Modern Renaissance in format with a velvet exterior which gets filthy as you can see. This was even with me storing it in the box and it still got dirty.

The layout is also like the Modern Renaissance, you get a nice double ended brush that I actually quite like aside from being a tad scratchy and you get a nice mirror.

The Breakdown

Let’s talk about these shades and performance. The shades are awesome and something really unique, I was and still am excited to use this palette because I can really get creative and have fun. It’s grungey ugly\pretty shades at their best. I live for the yellow and oranges.

Formula wise, they are extremely pigmented so do use a light hand and work slowly. You only need to gently dip the shadows with a brush to get plenty of color payoff. They are dusty, slightly more so than the Modern Renaissance but nothing like what  I have seen online so I do think they have pressed them firmer since the launch. I haven’t hit pan or made a huge mess at all and I have been using the hell out of this palette.

I swatched Subculture when it first came out and it was much messier so they have corrected the issue for sure.

I haven’t experienced any color changing or oxidation, nor any patchiness. The shades have all blended beautifully for me and wore for hours on end. I’ll tell you right now I like this palette and am very happy with it., but I would still recommend being gentle with it. It does have a learning curve.

Let’s get a better look at the shadows.

Roxy is described as an ultra-matte muted coral. This is a gorgeous vibrant peach. I love it for the transition.

Electric is a really interesting shade, not the most pigmented unless you apply it with a finger or damp brush, it’s more like an eyeshadow topper shade that adds really cool dimension to a matte shade. Great for the center of the lid. Electric is described as a duo-chrome lime gold and that is exactly what it is. My photos don’t do it justice.

Next up is Fudge which I believe was in another palette. Fudge is described as an ultra-matte warm bronze. It is a perfect warm brown. I really like this shade as well.

New Wave is another really cool shade, an ultra-matte citron orange. This one looks great as a transition shade and I dip into it pretty often.

Untamed is a unique matte green described as an ultra-matte tarnished green. It’s like a cool toned forest green. It makes a stunning liner and eyeshadow. I love a good green shadow.

Edge is the shade I was most excited for and it didn’t disappoint. Edge is described as an ultra-matte gold mustard which is my favorite color in general so as an eyeshadow I was in love. The pigmentation is outstanding.

Rowdy is described as an ultra-matte blackened purple. I will say this one is maybe too much black and not enough purple. It reads more black on the lid than purple.

Axis is an amazing ultra matte blue-green. Rich and Velvety. I have a look planned for this one.

Mercury is an ultra-matte slate grey. This is another unique color. I haven’t seen a grey like this. It’s got a warmth, yet is still cool toned and grey. Like a concrete taupe.

All-Star is an ultra-matte vintage wine. This one looks great as liner or all over the lid.

Adorn is a fantastic metallic bronze.

Destiny is an ultra-matte sage green that is almost grey and very muted but pigmented. I would like it to be a little more olive green to be honest.

Dawn is an ultra-matte sand. Great for the transition.

And lastly, we have Cube which is described as a duo chrome pink pearl. Like Electric, this is a sheer eyeshadow that works best over another shade but adds something really special and pretty to a look.

On a whole, I really like Subculture and glad I purchased it but also glad I waited. I do think the idea of this being a sister palette to Modern Renaissance is a good concept. They work well together. Subculture is the rebellious little sister.

I do recommend making sure your eyelid is set with a powder before applying the eyeshadows, this is something I always do with any palette because you will get the best blend.

I feel like this palette is an accent palette not your go-to everyday kind of thing, that’s what Modern Renaissance is and what Soft Glam will be. This is a more avant-garde palette. I think some of the criticism came from people getting this palette and not knowing what to do with it, the colors are weird and super pigmented, not like we are used to but I liked that about the palette. It inspires me.

The Looks

I’ll link any tutorials I have done here as well.

Get the Look | Moon Green Awakening | Makeup Tutorial Feat. ABH Subculture + KVD Saints & Sinners

The Verdict

I love it, simple as that.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture retails for $42. Shop here: Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Eyeshadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Review + Look Book

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