I would consider it optimal for light skin tones -- medium could potentially be a stretch. I am very fair skinned and this palette is a very good fit except for the highlighters not being quite light enough. Smashbox has a medium-dark version of their 3-pan contour palette, which I believe uses the same powder formulas.
Yes, this is brand new from the manufacturer.
Powder Excellent pallete
I've bought it from Sephora and from Amazon twice. Same thing and I love it.