Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle that we’re still talking about the Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette in 2026. Makeup trends move at the speed of light. One week everyone is obsessed with "cloud skin," the next it's "espresso makeup," and through it all, dozens of palettes launch and disappear into the clearance bin. But Unzipped? It hangs on. It’s that reliable pair of jeans in your closet that makes you look good without trying too hard.
Carol Shaw, the founder of Lorac and a legendary Hollywood makeup artist, basically pioneered the "skin-first" approach to color cosmetics. When she dropped the Unzipped palette, she wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. She just wanted to make a rose-toned neutral set that actually worked on human skin, not just in a studio with $10,000 lights. People often confuse "neutral" with "boring," but this palette proved that shimmer and matte textures could be sophisticated rather than just glittery.
It's about the undertones. Most palettes lean too orange or too grey. Unzipped hit that sweet spot of mauve, bronze, and dusty rose.
The Secret Sauce of the Lorac Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette
What makes this thing tick? It’s the formula. Lorac is known for "PRO" formulas, which basically means they are incredibly soft. Sometimes too soft. If you’ve ever used a Lorac shadow, you know the "kickback" is real. You dip your brush in, and a little puff of powder flies up. Some people hate that. They think it’s messy. But that’s the trade-off for pigment that blends like a dream. You don't have to scrub your eyelid to get the color to show up; you just light-tap it on.
The Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette contains ten shades. That’s it. In an era where brands like Morphe were releasing 35-shade behemoths that could double as a laptop, Lorac kept it tight. You get four mattes and six shimmers. The names are all "Un-" themed: Undercover, Unbelievable, Unattainable, Unconditional, Unbridled, Undiscovered, Unreal, Unspoken, Unstoppable, and Untamed.
- Undercover: A matte cream that actually covers redness on the lid.
- Unconditional: This is the MVP. It’s a matte, dusty mauve-pink that works as a transition shade for almost any skin tone.
- Unbridled: A deep, reddish-brown matte that adds drama without looking like a bruised eye.
Most people don't realize that the "Unzipped" line actually expanded later. There was Unzipped Gold, Unzipped Ocean Sunset, and Unzipped Mountain Sunset. But the original? The original is the one that people keep repurchasing when they hit pan on that one specific rose-gold shimmer.
Why Texture Matters More Than You Think
High-end makeup isn't just about the color. It's about how the mica is milled. In the Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette, the shimmers aren't "glitter." They are more like a metallic sheen. If you’re over 30, you probably know the struggle of glitter settling into fine lines and making your eyelids look like crinkled tissue paper. This formula doesn't do that. It sits flat. It reflects light in a way that looks expensive.
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I’ve seen dozens of "dupes" for this palette over the years. Coastal Scents tried it. Makeup Revolution tried it. While they got the colors close, they couldn't nail the buttery texture. There is a specific slip to these shadows—likely due to the dimethicone content—that makes them feel almost creamy to the touch even though they are pressed powders.
Addressing the "Dated" Allegations
Is it old school? Yeah, kinda. We’ve moved into a phase where everyone wants liquid shadows or "multichromes" that shift five different colors in the sun. The Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette doesn't shift. It doesn't glow in the dark. It doesn't have a cooling sensation.
But here’s the thing: most of us just want to look decent for a 9:00 AM Zoom call or a dinner date. We don't want to spend 45 minutes blending a cut-crease with neon green pigment. This palette is for the person who has five minutes. You throw "Unconditional" in the crease, pat "Unbelievable" on the lid with your finger—yes, your finger works better than a brush for these shimmers—and you're done.
It’s a "workhorse" palette. It's not the one you show off on Instagram to look edgy; it's the one you actually use until the plastic hinge breaks.
The Problem With Modern Palettes
Lately, brands have been prioritizing "press" over "performance." They want the palette to look amazing in a square on a website. This leads to shadows that are pressed so hard they have no payoff, or "pressed pigments" that actually stain your skin because they aren't technically eye-safe. Lorac stayed in their lane. They kept the formula consistent. While the brand has gone through some corporate changes—being acquired by Markwins (the same company that owns Wet n Wild)—the core Unzipped formula has remained remarkably stable.
How to Actually Use the Lorac Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette
If you're looking to get the most out of this, stop using those tiny sponge applicators. Throw them away.
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- Prep is non-negotiable. Because the Lorac formula is so soft and "dusty," it needs something to grab onto. Use a dedicated eye primer. If you don't have one, a tiny bit of concealer set with a translucent powder works in a pinch.
- The Finger Technique. For the shade "Unreal" or "Unattainable," don't bother with a synthetic brush. The heat from your fingertip melts the binders in the shadow and gives you a true foil finish.
- Deepen the V. Use "Untamed" or "Unbridled" with a very small, pointed pencil brush. Don't swipe. Just dab it into the outer corner of your eye and then blend the edges with a clean, fluffy brush.
People often complain that "Unzipped" looks too similar on the eye once blended. That happens if you over-blend. Because the tones are all in the same family (burgundy, rose, tan), if you blend too much, you end up with a monochromatic wash of "mauve-ish brown." To prevent this, keep your dark colors concentrated and your light colors bright.
Real Talk: The Packaging
We have to talk about the cardboard. The Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette comes in a slim, rose-gold cardboard flip-top. No heavy plastic. No fancy latch. Some people find this cheap. Personally? I love it. It's lightweight. It's thin enough to slide into a laptop bag or a crowded vanity drawer. Plus, it includes a decent-sized mirror that doesn't distort your face.
The downside? If you spill water on it, it's over. Cardboard doesn't forget. And because the shadows are so soft, if you drop this palette on a hardwood floor, "Unbelievable" is going to turn into a glittery explosion inside the box. Treat it with a little respect.
Who Is This For?
If you have a "cool" or "neutral" skin undertone, this palette is your best friend. If you are very warm-toned or have a deep olive complexion, some of these shades might look a little "ashy" or "pink-eye-ish." It’t important to know that. Not every palette is for every person.
However, for the "Soft Summer" or "Soft Autumn" seasonal color types, this is basically the Holy Grail. It mimics the natural flush of the skin. It’s "nude" but with a romantic lean.
Where Lorac Stands Today
In the mid-2010s, Lorac was the brand. You couldn't go onto YouTube without seeing the PRO Palette 1 or 2. Then, brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills and Tarte started taking over the shelf space at Sephora. Lorac eventually exited Sephora and moved to Ulta and Amazon.
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This move actually made the Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette more accessible. You can often find it on sale now. While the MSRP usually hovers around $35–$39, it’s not uncommon to snag it for $25 during a 21 Days of Beauty event. At that price point, the quality-to-cost ratio is unbeatable.
Myths About the Unzipped Palette
One common myth is that it’s a "Naked 3" dupe. It’s not. The Urban Decay Naked 3 palette is much more "grey-pink" and cool-toned. Many people find Naked 3 makes them look tired. The Unzipped palette has more warmth and richness. It has those copper and bronze undertones that keep the rose shades from looking too stark.
Another misconception is that the formula has changed since the Markwins acquisition. While some of the newer, limited-edition Lorac palettes feel a bit different, the "Legacy" palettes like the original Unzipped still use the same high-mica, high-pigment recipe that made them famous.
Making the Most of Your Purchase
If you decide to pick up the Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette, or if you have one buried in your drawer that you've forgotten about, here are the immediate next steps to level up your look:
- Check the Batch Code: If your palette is more than five years old, check the smell and texture. If it smells like "old crayons," the oils have turned. Toss it. If it still performs well, you're good to go.
- Switch Your Brush: Use a natural hair brush (if you're okay with that) or a high-quality "mink-synthetic" for the mattes. These shadows are too soft for stiff, cheap plastic bristles.
- Go Monochromatic: Try using "Unconditional" as a soft blush. Since the tones are skin-mimicking, it works beautifully to tie your whole makeup look together.
- Dampen the Shimmer: For a true evening look, spray a flat brush with a bit of setting spray before dipping into "Unattainable." It turns the shadow into a liquid metal that stays put for 12 hours.
The beauty world is noisy. It’s full of "must-have" products that you’ll forget about in three weeks. The Lorac Unzipped eyeshadow palette isn't noise. It’s a quiet, reliable classic that does exactly what it promises: it makes your eyes look bigger, brighter, and more awake without making you look like you’re wearing a mask. Sometimes, the old favorites are favorites for a reason.