8 Must-Have MAC Neutral Eyeshadows
8 Must-Have MAC Neutral Eyeshadows
About the Temptalia Must-Haves Series
A series of posts showcasing must-have products from MAC Cosmetics’ permanent line of products. Selections are based on quality, universality, uniqueness amongst the line, and the like. Limited edition shades are deliberately excluded to make buying easier. Readers’ comments act as a supplement to these lists of their favorites and must-haves. You can find the entire series here.
Shroom eyeshadow is a soft, lightly shimmered beige color. It is great for an all-over wash on the lid for the ultra neutral look, but it also makes for an excellent brow bone highlighter for just about any look. It is an essential for any one looking for neutral shadows.
Ricepaper eyeshadow is a smooth, shimmery peachy beige that can instantly brighten your look. It’s great to highlight the brow bone or the inner tear duct, and of course, it makes an awesome lid color, too.
Wedge eyeshadow is a matte, muted taupe. Mattes make for excellent neutral colors, because they can be used in so many ways. They’re perfect for giving any look more depth when used in the crease, and the contrast between finishes is often one way to add complexity to your look, too.
Bronze eyeshadow is a rich, deep chocolate-bronze shade with lots of shimmer. It’s gotta be one of my favorite shades of all-time, and I am constantly using it. It works well with other browns and neutrals, but it is easily paired with golds and greens, too. It’s a versatile shade with so much color pigmentation — I can’t imagine anyone not loving it.
See four more must-haves!
Smut eyeshadow is a deep brown-black with subtle red-tones and shimmer. It’s not overly shimmery, but it can be noticeable, depending on whether you’ve used other shimmer shadows, too. I like it for a deep, noticeable crease, and I think it’s excellent for smokey eyes, too. It’s a nice go-to for something less whoa! like a black eyeshadow, but it offers more than just “dark brown.”
Soft Brown eyeshadow is a matte, warm-toned medium brown. It has a little bit of peachiness to it, which makes it a nice way to brighten up any neutral look. The texture and color are superb, and Soft Brown is a huge favorite for me.
Woodwinked eyeshadow is a warm, medium-to-dark shimmering brown. It’s got a bit of antique gold in its coloring, which kicks up the color a notch. This is an extremely flattering color for most complexions, and it’s a very pretty shade. It works well with most shadows, and it’s smooth and blendable.
Cork eyeshadow is a matte, soft medium brown. It’s not too warm-toned, which is a huge reason why it’s recommended. A lot of browns can be very warm in tone, so having one that’s more neutral in your set is a great way to add more variety to your looks.
What are your favorite MAC neutral eyeshadows?
hi christine i have: bronze woodwinked club shroom patina quarry print satin taupe carbon sketch i know most of these colors are not neutrals, What other kind of neutrals do you think I should get to complement these? specially patina im in love with this color...i was thinking omega or coquette, for reference im nc 20-nc30 in between thanks!!
Hi!! can u tell me the difference between cork and espresso? im not sure if i need to buy both or just espresso. ty!
Cork is warmer and lighter
Christine, This is an old post, but I'm hoping you could help me. What colour do you use for a nude wash over your lid? I'm NC20/25 and I went to the MAC store today. Bamboo seemed to work well. I think it will also be useful for blending out neutral shadows. I'm planning to pick out Cork for my crease. (That would bring my MAC complement to: Ricepaper, Bamboo, Cork, and Print. I may get Copperplate in the future.) As you can tell, I'm picking shades for a neutral, minimal makeup look.
I'm going to grade 12 and I'm planning on buying a 4 palette from Mac. I want a neutral eye for school. I was thinking about Shroom (highlight), Cork (crease), Naked Lunch (base), Satin taupe (hype). My skintone is light-medium (asian). Recommendation please? Top 4 e/s for a neutral palette?
can you name some neutral eyeshadows (LIMITED EDITION) that worthed to be in the permanent collection?? just curious :)
By far, OMEGA is my favorite neutral! I can't believe it didn't make the cut!
I would like to get some brownish MACeyeshadows to create neutral everyday looks with them but I'm not sure whicho es Ishould get.I have pale skin with cool undertones,blue-greenish eyes and blonde hair... so I guess not many browns would look good on me? Any suggestions?
Try Soft Brown, Brule, and Wedge.
I have all of those but wedge, cork, and smut :)
oh and i dont have ricepaper either!
I guess if I'd had to pick my neutrals (NC35) they would be: Romp All that Glitters Corduroy (love) Phloof! Vanilla Bronze Cork Amber Lights Hugs Christine!
My faves right now are Brulé and Kid.
I have shroom, era, dreammaker, expresso, satin taupe and club. What other kind of neutrals do you think I should get to complement these?
Soft Brown, Wedge, Cork, Orb
-Vanilla -Cork -Shroom -Soft Brown -Satin Taupe -Woodwinked -Bamboo -Saddle -Mystery Also, when I need to warm up a look I use just a tad bit of Rule. It may sound crazy, but it does wonders!
Great list! I also love Orb, Brulee, Mystery, Satin Taupe, Mulch, All That Glitters, and Naked Lunch too!
hey!! wanted to ask Jest or Ricepaper?? (or any other light salmon-ish color)
For more of a salmon shade, then Jest or Naked Lunch.
My top ten faves are: woodwinked, expensive pink, steamy, humid, trax, twinks, all that glitters, paradisco, creme de violet and electric eel... ii still have to buy from my list shadowy lady, concrete, smut and etc etc..=D
I think that All That Glitters is a nice neutral eyeshadow.
Wow. No one mentioned this shade - Mystery is my absolute favorite! :)
Faves are; Soba - taupy beige with the slightest iridescence Era - Slightly browner than Soba (a bit warmer) Mulch - nice dull chocolate brown with subtle gold glitter I'm very olive brown skinwith major yellow undertones and some of the beautiful colors like Shroom tend to pale out on my skin. These have just enough warmth to impart a soft highlight and contour to my lids.
Naked Lunch is my ULTIMATE go-to MAC eyeshadow, one of the very few I have hit pan on. It is more buttery in texture, more shimmery and also warmer than Shroom. I love this primarily to blend colours on my lid and into my brow but it makes a great highlight or wash. Mulch or Twinks, both shimmering rich browns (Twinks being more of a reddish brown) are also must-haves for me!
Those are all amazing shades :D
I think soft brown has been discontinued!! Can you pls recommend a similar colour?
Soft Brown is permanent! :)
Naked Lunch! oooo i love that color
Yay!
how similar are ricepaper and femme fi?
Very similar.
i love all that glitters and mulch (: those are my go to colors! then ricepaper as highlight
Yay!!
Hi Christine What would you recommend for African American women. I am a NW45-NW 50 in foundation.
I'd probably say shades like Ricepaper, Texture, Brownscript, Bronze wuold all work well!
Hi Christine...I want to place my final mac order tonight to get the free shipping and need some of your expertise on good brow bone highlighting eyeshadows. Can you please list your go to neutral colors. I have dazzlelight, femme fi, shroom, and ricepaper. What do you think is better for bright eyed eyeshadows as a highlighter to blend and tone down harsh eyes that is not frosty or white (something skin tonish i guess is the rule of thumb for bright eyes right?) I cant tell the difference on the net between brule, bisque, blanc type? Is there any preference..sorry so many questions Last what do you think of vapour e/s...is it really shimmery or is it a good one. I would love love love it if you could possibly list your favorite brow bone highlighting go to colors (Other than the ones I have dazzlelight, femme fi, shroom, and ricepaper))so that I can finalize my order. Thx a million ;)
To be honest, my favorite highlighters are Femme-fi, Shroom, and Ricepaper. Jest and Gleam are nice for a bit more warmth. I reach for Gorgeous Gold whenever I do really bold blue/teal looks, but that's probably just me :) Brule is darker than Bisque, which is darker than Blanc Type. Blanc Type is nearly white. Vapour is OK, it's not really shimmery from my experience, though.
Thank you soo much for your quicky reply. What would be a good matte neutral brow bone highlighter then brule, bisque or any other suggestions that are closer to skin color for the sole purpose of doing a smokey eye and not having my brow bone being so bright? I want to be able to have a wash of color that blends out my harsh lines that is not as bright or shimmery as the femmi fi and shroom categories? Thx a bunch..you are such a doll. TTYS
Bisque would have my first recommendation, then Bamboo, and then maybe Blanc Type, but Blanc Type is really light, so if you have a medium or deep skin tone, I wouldn't recommend it.
maybe you could add pictures of these next to each other as well, pretty please?
Please look in the swatch section for images! Thanks!
OMEGA!!! Its a cool toned brown. I use it every day! From crease color and even to contour! Its fantastic!
Omega is also great for brows!
I use Femme Fi almost everyday...love love love it and its texture. I also <3 dazzlelight as an eye popper!
I adore Femme-fi, too :D
Brule, Phloof!, Ricepaper, Naked Lunch and Bisque!
Nice ones, Ana!
Thanks for doing this Christine!! I have been looking at Mac website for two days now trying to narrow down my choices. Can you help me with the following colors? mylar, vellum, dazzlelight, vapour, crystal avalanche, ricepaper, sugarshot....they all look very similar online. I am quite far from a counter to swatch. I hope you or anybody can help. THanks again.
I want to get these colors if they are different enough. Thanks.
oh, also is ricepaper similar to creme royal? thanks
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