Danessa Myricks Beauty groundwork palette
TL;DR: Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette is a versatile, brown-skin-friendly palette that works as eyeshadow, contour, and bronzer with warm, earthy tones. It has sleek packaging, medium pigmentation, and creamy, blendable textures for a seamless look. Downsides? It’s more for natural, sculpted looks than bold colour, and creams may need setting for long wear. Final verdict: perfect for a multi-functional, melanin-enhancing staple!
Let’s get to the details…
OK, if you’re on the hunt for a palette that does it all and loves brown skin, the Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork Palette is bringing the goods! This one isn’t your average eyeshadow palette—it’s a multi-use super something. Think contouring, bronzing, and eyeshadow, all in a range of warm, earthy tones that are perfect for melanin-rich complexions. Let’s break down why this palette is a must-have and where it could use a little extra love.
Warning: this is going to be a little longer than normal – this wonder does so much!
Packaging
First, let’s talk packaging, it’s sleek, it’s modern, and it feels expensive without going overboard. It has a dark coppery, almost cracked leather look to it with a metal plague planted firmly on the front. The sleek design with built-in mirror makes it travel-ready and chic. That mirror, which spans most of the lid, is a lifesaver if you’re on the go, letting you touch up or add definition with relative ease.
Another unique feature of this palette is that there are little indentations on the corner of each shade which means you can pop out and rearrange the palette however you like. This means you can keep your everyday go-to shades front and centre, or switch things up to suit specific looks or travel plans.
Materials & Formula
Danessa Myricks brought her A-game with this formula, making it perfect for brown skin with a thoughtful, skin-friendly approach. The Groundwork Palette is talc-free, so you don’t have to worry about any chalkiness or flashback, which is a win if you want that smooth, seamless look. The pomade-like texture of the creams feels luxe and easy to work with. The lightness of the palette gives full control as you layer and blend. The formula transitions to a cream-to-powder finish that provides great staying power. It glides on smoothly without clogging pores, offering a natural, long-lasting look without the need for constant touch-ups.
Shade Range & Versatility
Here’s where the Groundwork Palette’s unique selling points comes in. Danessa Myricks has crafted a single palette with two unique sections for each shade: “velvet pomade” and “shape n’ fix powders.” This setup is perfect for those who want a palette that not only adds colour but also helps with long-lasting hold and shine control. The velvet pomades deliver that creamy, putty like texture, blending effortlessly to sculpt, define, and warm up brown skin tones.
Then, there are the shape n’ fix powders, which contain Upsalite, an ingredient known for absorbing oil. This is a game-changer for anyone with oily or combination skin, as it keeps shine in check throughout the day, helping your look stay fresh. These two sections per shade gives plenty of versatile options for a buildable, skin-friendly result that works from subtle day looks to a light evening glam.
Shade Range & Versatility
The Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette is all about control. Unlike some palettes that hit you with intense pigmentation right out of the gate, this one takes a more subtle, buildable approach. The shades are softly pigmented, making them perfect for everyday wear when you want that natural, sculpted look without going overboard. But don’t mistake “buildable” for weak—the creamy pomades layer beautifully, allowing you to amp up the intensity for bolder, more defined looks if needed. It’s versatile, forgiving, and great for both beginners and pros who love having full control over their makeup application.
so, any Cons?
No palette is perfect, right? While the Groundwork Palette is a multi-use marvel, it leans heavily into neutrals, so if you’re a bold eye colour lover, you might feel limited here. And while the creamy pomade textures are rich and blendable, they don’t transfer easily if you’re using your fingers, which I know is always a quick way to apply eyeshadow for a lot of us. For best results, go in with a brush to really work the colour onto your skin. The creamy formula, while super blendable, can crease if you go in too thick, so keep a light hand or set with powder if you want all-day wear.
Also, with so many options, it can feel a bit overwhelming deciding what to use for which purpose. The range of textures and shades can lead to some trial and error as you figure out which combos work best for your look. But honestly, that’s a good con to have—this palette offers versatility in spades, so there’s always room to get creative!
Final Verdict
The Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette is a game-changer for brown skin tones—period. With rich, blendable shades, earthy tones, and a creamy, multi-use formula, it’s the perfect go-to for natural, sculpted beauty. If you’re looking for a palette that will bring out the best in your melanin and give you that effortlessly polished finish, this one is definitely worth it. Not for the colour maximalist though, but if you’re about those warm, grounding vibes, consider it love at first swipe!
Danessa Myricks Groundwork Palette is currently sold out on their website but you can join the waiting list to be the first to know when it’s back. If you can’t wait to get your hands on it, you can get it here for about £57. For my American beauties, you can get it for about $65 at Sephora.
