You smell it before you even see the shimmers. That distinctive, slightly artificial but totally addictive cocoa scent hits you the second the tin pops open. Honestly, in a world of "clean beauty" that smells like nothing or, worse, wet hay, the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette feels like a rebellious, decadent relic. It’s loud. It’s shiny. It’s literally infused with real gold.
Most makeup trends die faster than a cheap eyeliner smudge, yet here we are, still talking about a palette that launched back when metallic lips were the pinnacle of fashion. Why? Because the formula actually holds up. While newer brands pivot to sheer "clean girl" washes of color, this palette reminds us that sometimes we just want to look like a literal trophy.
Jerrod Blandino, the co-founder of Too Faced, really leaned into the "more is more" philosophy with this one. It wasn't just another neutral palette with a couple of glittery toppers tossed in as an afterthought. It was a calculated risk that mixed heavy-duty foil textures with the matte staples people actually use. If you’ve ever dipped a finger into "Money Bags" or "Chocolate Gold," you know it’s not just shimmer. It's a high-shine, buttery impact that most modern releases still struggle to replicate.
The Science of Putting Real Gold on Your Eyelids
Let's get the "gimmick" talk out of the way. Too Faced claims this palette contains real 24k gold. Does that make the eyeshadow perform better? Science says... maybe, but mostly it’s about the luxury. Gold is inert. It’s not going to revolutionize your skin health in an eyeshadow, but from a formulation standpoint, the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette uses it to achieve a specific luminosity.
The real MVP here isn't the gold, though. It's the cocoa powder.
Too Faced famously uses antioxidant-rich cocoa powder in their "Chocolate" line, which supposedly helps with smoothing. Whether it’s the antioxidants or just really clever chemistry, the mattes in this palette—like "So Boujee" and "Cocoa Truffle"—blend with a silkiness that avoids that chalky, dry look common in older metallic-heavy palettes. It’s a sophisticated balance. You get the high-intensity glam of a foil, but the base of the look stays grounded in high-performance mattes.
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Breaking Down the Shades (And Why "Decadent" Is the Secret Winner)
Most people buy this for the center-stage metallics. "Gold Dipped" is that perfect, true yellow gold that doesn't look like cheap costume jewelry. It’s regal. But if you're actually using this for a daily look, the real hero is "Decadent."
It’s a matte black.
Wait, don’t scroll past that. A good matte black is the hardest thing for a brand to nail. Usually, they’re patchy or they blend out into a muddy gray. "Decadent" is deep, opaque, and stays put. It turns the palette from a "special occasion" item into a functional tool for a smoky eye.
Then you have the wildcards. "New Money" is this shocking, neon-leaning pink. It looks terrifying in the pan. You see it and think, I am never wearing that to the office. But when you tap a tiny bit onto the center of a neutral lid, it creates this dimensional, sunset effect that’s surprisingly wearable.
Then there’s "Holla for a Dolla." It’s a deep, moody forest green with gold flecks. In 2026, we're seeing a massive resurgence in "grunge glam," and this shade is basically the poster child for that aesthetic. It’s messy in the best way possible.
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Is the Formula Dated?
People ask this a lot. Makeup technology moves fast. We have "multichromes" now and "liquid-to-powder" shifts that make 2017 technology look like cave paintings.
However, there’s a specific "foiled" texture in the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette that many modern brands have abandoned in favor of sheerer toppers. Modern shimmers are often designed to be translucent—the "glass skin" effect. This palette is the opposite. It’s opaque. It’s thick. It covers the lid in a single swipe.
For someone with textured lids, this can be a double-edged sword. If you apply too much, it can emphasize fine lines. But if you use a flat synthetic brush dampened with a bit of setting spray, it creates a literal sheet of metal over the skin. It’s a specific look that sheer glitters just can’t mimic.
The Controversy of Scented Makeup
We have to talk about the smell. Some people hate it.
If you have sensitive eyes or a sensitive nose, the cocoa fragrance might be a dealbreaker. Fragrance in cosmetics is a known sensitizer for a certain percentage of the population. Dermatologists like Dr. Dray have often pointed out that while fragrance makes the experience "fun," it adds zero functional value to the product.
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That said, for the average user, the scent is half the fun. It’s a sensory experience. It makes the act of getting ready feel like a treat rather than a chore. It’s nostalgic.
Why It Outlasts the Original Chocolate Bar
The original Chocolate Bar palette was a revolution. It gave us the "sweet" themed makeup craze. But the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette actually fixed the original's biggest flaw: the "purple" shades.
In the original, the purples were dry and turned brown on the eye. In Chocolate Gold, "Livin' Lavish" is a vibrant, metallic royal purple that actually stays purple. The pigmentation jump between the first generation and this one was massive.
What You Should Know Before Buying (Or Re-Buying)
- Weight: The tin is heavy. It’s great for a vanity, but it’s a bit of a brick for travel.
- Fallout: Because these are "foiled" shadows, they have some weight to them. Expect a little bit of gold dust on your cheeks if you don't tap your brush.
- Longevity: These shadows don't budge. Use a good primer, and the metallic shine will last 10+ hours without creasing into the fold of your eyelid.
Actionable Tips for 2026 Styling
The way we wore this palette in the late 2010s—huge cut creases and heavy concealer—is a bit tired now. To make the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette look fresh today, try these specific techniques:
- The Metallic Liner Trick: Instead of a full lid of gold, take a small angled brush, wet it, and use "Money Bags" (the green) or "Famous" (the bronze) as a sharp winged liner. It’s subtle but catches the light beautifully.
- The "Halo" Pop: Keep the entire lid matte using "So Boujee." Then, using only your ring finger, press a tiny amount of "Chocolate Gold" directly in the center of the lid. Don't blend it out too far. It creates a 3D effect that makes your eyes look wider.
- Monochromatic Depth: Use "Rich Girl" (the cool-toned silver-taupe) all over the lid and under the lower lash line. It’s a "one and done" look that looks expensive but takes thirty seconds.
This palette isn't just a collector's item. It's a workhorse dressed up in a gold suit. While other brands are busy stripping down their formulas to be as "natural" as possible, Too Faced reminds us that sometimes, the most natural thing in the world is wanting to sparkle.
If you still have yours, dig it out. If you don't, it's one of the few "older" palettes that justifies its price tag even by today's standards. Just make sure you check the expiration—if the scent has changed or the texture has gone grainy, it’s time for a fresh one.
Next Steps for Your Collection:
- Check the batch code on the back of your palette to ensure it hasn't expired (most powders last 24 months, but many users find they last longer if kept dry).
- Pair the metallics with a modern, lightweight skin tint to balance the "heavy" eye look.
- Experiment with using the shade "Rollin' in Dough" as a matte brow bone highlight; it's one of the best "clean" base shades ever made.