Honestly, the beauty world had a collective meltdown when Huda Kattan announced that the Huda Beauty Icy Nude palette would be the brand's last ever 18-pan eyeshadow release. End of an era? Absolutely. For years, those big, chunky plastic palettes with the huge mirrors were the gold standard for Sephora hauls. But as we move deeper into 2026, the "big palette" fatigue is real. People want curated. They want "one and done."
Yet, here we are with 18 shades of frosty, cool-toned goodness.
If you’ve been following Huda’s journey, you know she’s been leaning hard into the "icy baddie" aesthetic lately. It’s a sharp pivot from the warm, sunset-heavy vibes of the Rose Gold Remastered or the Desert Dusk days. This palette is cold. It’s crisp. It’s basically Elsa from Frozen if she spent a weekend at a rave in Berlin.
But does it actually work on human skin, or is it just a collector's item for the shelf?
What’s Actually Inside the Box?
Let's get into the textures because that’s where Huda usually wins. You’ve got the standard buttery mattes, but the "special" shades are what people are talking about.
Specifically, there’s a platinum bio-glitter topper that is surprisingly eco-friendly. Most glitters feel like sandpaper, but this one is sort of... plush? Then you have the "trio-chrome" formulas. These aren't just your basic shimmers. They have these crushed flakes that look almost wet on the lid.
- Iced Out: A white duochrome metallic that hits like a highlighter.
- High Life: A soft purple matte that looks suspiciously like a mauve-taupe until you blend it out.
- Faux Fur: A deep chocolate brown (because every cool palette needs a grounder).
- Platinum: The literal star of the show. It’s a silver metallic that’s so bright it’s almost blinding.
The variety is interesting. Some critics—like those over on Reddit and YouTube—have pointed out that many of the light mattes look identical once they’re on the eye. Oneself and Cold Plunge? Basically twins if you have fair skin. But for deeper complexions, those subtle shifts in undertone actually matter for a seamless transition.
The Big "Cool Tone" Debate
Is it really cool-toned, though?
People keep saying this is a cool-toned palette, but if you look closely, there’s a sneaky burgundy and a few peachy mattes hidden in there. It’s more of a neutral-cool hybrid. If you compare it to something like the Pretty Grunge palette, Icy Nude is much more wearable. It’s "office icy," not "goth icy."
I’ve noticed a lot of people comparing it to the Rose Quartz palette. While both have that ethereal, sparkly vibe, Rose Quartz is much more pink and purple. Icy Nude is grayer, silver-er, and—dare I say—more sophisticated. It’s for the person who wants to look like they’ve just stepped in from a snowstorm but still has their life together.
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Why 18 Pans Might Be Too Many
Let's be real for a second. Does anyone actually use all 18 shades?
One of the biggest complaints from the community is that this could have been a 9-pan "Obsessions" palette and nothing would have been lost. There’s a bit of repetition. Do we need three different versions of a light gray matte? Probably not. But since this is the final 18-pan palette, it feels like a "greatest hits" of Huda's cool-toned formula development.
The price point is another sticking point. At around $69, it’s an investment. In 2026, where "quiet luxury" and "minimalist kits" are trending, dropping nearly seventy bucks on a massive palette feels very 2016. But for the Huda stans, the collectors, and the people who genuinely live for a high-shimmer metallic, the formula quality justifies the price.
Formula Breakdown
- Mattes: Very pigmented. They blend like a dream but be careful—the darker shades like Unapologetic (burgundy) can get a little patchy if you don’t prep your lids.
- Metallics: These are "high-shine." They work best when applied with a finger. Don’t even bother with a dry brush; you won’t get the payoff.
- The Glitter: Since it's bio-glitter, it’s not as "sticky" as old-school glitters. You’ll definitely want a glitter glue if you don’t want silver specks on your cheeks by noon.
Is It Worth It?
If you already own Pretty Grunge or Natasha Denona's I Need a Nude, you might find this redundant. However, if you've been searching for that perfect "icy baddie" look that doesn't make you look washed out, this is a strong contender.
It’s specifically great for those with cool or neutral undertones. If you’re very warm-toned, some of these grays might turn a bit muddy or "bruise-like" on you. It's a palette that requires a bit of skill to navigate, but the results are undeniably high-end.
How to Make the Most of Your Palette
- Prep is Key: Use a tacky primer. These shimmers have "fallout" written all over them if the base is too dry.
- Finger Application: Use your ring finger for the shade Platinum. The heat from your skin melts the formula for a true foil finish.
- Mix Your Tones: Don't be afraid to mix the burgundy Unapologetic with the silver shimmers. The contrast makes the "icy" effect pop way more than just using grays alone.
- Check Your Lighting: Cool-toned shadows look very different in artificial yellow light versus natural daylight. Always check your blend near a window before heading out.
The Huda Beauty Icy Nude collection isn't just about the palette—it also includes the Blush Filter and Faux Filler glosses in matching frosty tones. If the palette feels like too much of a commitment, the glosses are a much cheaper way to tap into the trend.
At the end of the day, this launch is bittersweet. It’s the closing of a chapter for one of the biggest brands in makeup. Whether or not you buy it, you have to respect the hustle of going out with a glittery, freezing bang.