I honestly think the desert dusk palette huda is one of those rare makeup items that actually lived up to the massive hype it received back when it first launched. If you've been into makeup for a while, you probably remember the absolute frenzy when Huda Kattan announced this follow-up to her original Rose Gold palette. At the time, everyone was obsessed with those warm, sunset-inspired tones, and this palette just seemed to capture that "Arabian Nights" aesthetic perfectly. Even though the beauty world moves at a lightning-fast pace and there are a million new releases every week, I find myself reaching for this one constantly.
That color story just doesn't get old
The first thing that hits you when you open it is how cohesive yet adventurous the color story is. You've got your transition shades, your deep "moody" colors, and then those toppers that just scream "glamour." It's not just another neutral palette with a pop of blue. Instead, it leans heavily into the purples, rich oranges, and shimmering duo-chromes that actually look like a desert sunset.
I'm a sucker for a good matte, and the mattes in here, like Eden and Amber, are basically the workhorses of my entire makeup routine. They blend out so easily without getting patchy, which is a huge deal when you're dealing with warmer tones that can sometimes look a bit "bruised" if the formula isn't right. But the real stars of the show in the desert dusk palette huda are definitely the textures.
Let's talk about those duo-chromes
If you haven't tried the shades Twilight or Retrograde, you are seriously missing out. They aren't your typical shimmers; they have this multidimensional shift that catches the light in a way that makes it look like you spent way more time on your eyeshadow than you actually did. Twilight has this gorgeous lavender-to-blue shift that I love popping right in the center of the lid. It gives off such a ethereal vibe.
Retrograde is a bit more daring—it's like a reddish-brown base with teal reflects. It sounds weird, but on the eyes, it's stunning. I usually just tap these on with my finger because, let's be real, most high-shine shimmers perform better with the warmth of your skin anyway.
The infamous "Cosmo" shade
Okay, we have to address the elephant in the room: Cosmo. This is the pure glitter shade in the palette, and people have very mixed feelings about it. It's a pressed glitter, meaning it's quite chunky and definitely requires some sort of glitter glue or a very tacky base to stay put.
If you just go in with a dry brush, you're going to have glitter on your cheeks, your nose, and probably your furniture for the next three weeks. But, if you use it correctly—meaning a tiny bit of primer and a flat synthetic brush—it looks like actual jewels on your eyes. It's not an "everyday" shade for most people, but for a night out? It's unbeatable.
Is it actually beginner-friendly?
This is a question I get asked a lot about the desert dusk palette huda. Because it has some bolder colors like Saffron (a deep red-orange) and Royal (a true purple), it can look a little intimidating. However, I actually think it's a great palette for someone looking to branch out from basic browns.
The way the palette is laid out makes sense. You have a clear row of transition shades at the top, deeper defining colors at the bottom, and the "fun" stuff in the middle. You can easily do a very simple, matte-only look for the office, and then transform it into something intense for dinner just by adding one of the shimmers. It's versatile, which is what you want when you're dropping a decent amount of money on a high-end palette.
How it holds up against newer releases
Since this palette came out, Huda Beauty has released the New Nude, the Mercury Retrograde, the Empowered palette the list goes on. So, does the desert dusk palette huda still hold its own?
In my opinion, yes. While the formula in her newer palettes is arguably a bit more "refined" (the shimmers are creamier and the mattes are even more buttery), there's something about the specific shades in Desert Dusk that hasn't been replicated perfectly elsewhere. The balance of warm and cool-toned purples is something she really nailed here.
I've noticed that some of the newer palettes can feel a bit repetitive if you already own a lot of makeup. Desert Dusk feels unique. It's got that specific Middle Eastern influence that made the brand famous in the first place. Plus, the packaging is iconic. That close-up of Huda's eyes with the crown? It's a vibe.
A few tips for getting the best payoff
If you're struggling with fallout or pigment, here are a few things I've learned over the years of using this palette:
- Use your fingers for the shimmers: I know I mentioned this, but it's worth repeating. Brushes just don't pick up the duo-chrome reflects as well as your fingertip does.
- Don't skip the primer: Especially with shades like Oud and Saffron. These are high-pigment colors, and they need something to grab onto so they don't fade throughout the day.
- Do your eyes first: Because there can be some kickback in the pan, I always recommend doing your eye makeup before your foundation. That way, you can just wipe away any fallen powder without ruining your concealer.
- Blend Oud slowly: Oud is a very deep, rich brown. It's great for deepening the outer V, but a little goes a long way. Start with a tiny amount and build it up, or you might end up with a bit of a muddy mess.
Final thoughts on the palette
At the end of the day, makeup is supposed to be fun, and the desert dusk palette huda is just fun. It encourages you to play with color without being so "out there" that you feel like you're wearing a costume. Whether I'm going for a soft, peach-toned look for a brunch or a smoky, dramatic purple eye for a wedding, I know I can find everything I need in this one sunset-themed box.
It's one of the few palettes in my collection that I've actually hit pan on. If you're looking for something that offers a mix of textures and a color story that feels both classic and trendy, it's definitely worth checking out. Even years later, it still feels like a luxury experience every time I pick it up. It's a classic for a reason, and I don't see myself decluttering it anytime soon.
If you've been on the fence about it or maybe you have it tucked away in a drawer somewhere, give it another look. Sometimes the "older" favorites in our collection are the ones that actually deliver the most consistent results. There's a certain nostalgia to it now, sure, but the quality is what keeps it relevant in a saturated market. Honestly, it's just a solid, beautiful palette that does exactly what it promises.