MAC for Iris Apfel Eyeshadows Review, Photos, Swatches
Friday, December 30th, 2011
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC for Iris Apfel: Eyeshadows
There are five limited edition shades of MAC Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) in the Iris Apfel collection: Diamond Dove (deep gray-brown), Early Bird (bright coral), Howzat (deep gray with silver sparkle), Robin’s Egg (mid-tone teal), and Silver Gull (blue-gray with sparkle).
- Diamond Dove is a dark brown with subtle cool undertones. It has good color payoff, but it is definitely a drier matte, so you may or may not like that type of texture (it’s more like most of MAC’s matte finishes–not at all like the Matte2 finish). This has a matte finish. Tarina Tarantino Wonderful is a slightly less gray brown in the palette. MAC Brun is grayer. MAC Copperplate is a bit lighter and much grayer. It’s a bit darker than MAC Double Feature 3.
- Early Bird is a medium coral-pink. This has a matte finish. The color payoff is good, but again, it is a drier matte, which you may love or hate. If you didn’t like working with MAC Free to Be (which is a bit darker but otherwise very similar), I doubt you’ll like this one. They’re both fairly dry. I actually found this to need more packing on the lid (I think to apply it to my inner third of the lid, I applied five or six times to get true-to-pan intensity). Inglot #361 is also similar.
- Howzat is a bluish gray with a sheen. This has a satin finish. I didn’t like it the first time it came out, nor the second, and I still think it’s subpar. The color payoff is terrible with a really dry, stiff texture that’s just not worth the effort. MAC Interior Life is similar but more matte.
- Robin’s Egg is a bluish-teal. This has a matte finish. This is the type of color that’s going to look bluer/greener depending on the colors you pair it with but your underlying skin tone will have an affect, too. For instance, warmer complexions will probably see this as more of a teal shade, while cooler complexions may find it turns bluer. The texture of this is different than the other matte eyeshadows–it’s much softer, not quite as soft as Matte2 finishes, but still softer and much easier to work with. It’s similar to MAC Double Feature 3 and Inglot #372.
- Silver Gull is a pale, neutral-toned gray with silver sparkle. This has a velvet finish. The base color has more of a matte finish, while the sparkle lies on top of the product, which does cause significant fall out (even just swatching, the sparkle doesn’t bind with the actual color). It’s also on the sheerer side and a bit powdery. Guerlain Les Ombres de Nuit has a slightly similar gray. Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of any other dupes.
These are some of the better single eyeshadows I’ve seen from MAC since Surf Baby (which was an exceptional set!). I think what will sway you is simply how you prefer your matte finishes–if you like them drier, more consistent with most of MAC’s matte range, you’ll like these. If you prefer softer, denser, almost buttery mattes, these are not like those. In my experience, drier mattes perform just as well as more buttery ones once you apply them, but it’s in a quick swatch that you might find the major discrepancy. I wore Early Bird, Robin’s Egg, and Silver Gull to test out the wear of these, and I did have fall out issues with Silver Gull (which also required packing of color to get it to show). Robin’s Egg is the easiest to work with, because it’s soft and very pigmented–so you don’t need a lot of it, and you can easily blend it out, too.
Where to Buy: MAC Cosmetics on January 5th, $15.00 each
The Glossover
If you like them drier, more consistent with most of MAC's matte range, you'll like these. If you prefer softer, denser, almost buttery mattes, these are not like those. In my experience, drier mattes perform just as well as more buttery ones once you apply them, but it's in a quick swatch that you might find the major discrepancy. I do not recommend Silver Gull for it has fall out and pigmentation issues.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC Diamond Dove Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird Eyeshadow
MAC Howzat Eyeshadow
MAC Howzat Eyeshadow
MAC Howzat Eyeshadow
MAC Howzat Eyeshadow
MAC Howzat Eyeshadow
MAC Robin’s Egg Eyeshadow
MAC Robin’s Egg Eyeshadow
MAC Robin’s Egg Eyeshadow
MAC Robin’s Egg Eyeshadow
MAC Robin’s Egg Eyeshadow
MAC Silver Gull Eyeshadow
MAC Silver Gull Eyeshadow
MAC Silver Gull Eyeshadow
MAC Silver Gull Eyeshadow
MAC Silver Gull Eyeshadow
MAC Early Bird on inner third of lid, MAC Silver Gull on center of lid, MAC Robin’s
Egg on outer lid and crease–thought I’d attempt to put both coral and teal together;
not so successful but fun to try! (And let me test out the wear of these three!)
Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
MAC for Iris Apfel releases in-stores on January 5th, 2012 and will be available at all MAC locations and counters; $15.00 each.
Is it limited edition?
Yes.
Any dupes?
See individual shade reviews! :)
I just ordered silver gull before I'd read your review on it, I'm really regretting now since I really hate dry chalky colors. I wanted kind off a almost sheer glossy light silver/blue color but I just haven't found it yet. Would you recommend the mac digit eyeshadow, I'm just a little worried since its in the purple category?
If Tilt was still around, I think that would have been perfect. Digit isn't blue at all - definitely purple!
Christine, Tarina Tarantino is very similar to Silver Gull-unfortunately it suffers from the same problem of having the glitter not blend in with the base colour.
Hi, how would you wear robins egg eyeshadow?
How does Robin's Egg compare to Electric or Narcotic by Urban Decay?
Hey, Christine. Mac Livechat says the collection is coming to stores (not counters) and online only. It's already online. Flamingo and Pink Pigeon are sold out.
I love Robin's Egg. So pretty and springy. Diamond Dove is very tempting as well. Might have to snag both of these! Thanks Christine! :)
Diamond Dove looks like an ideal brow color for me- I'll pick that up. I love the look of Robin's Egg, but in the end, I really don't need it...
I think I'll be picking up Diamond Dove, Early Bird, and Robin's Egg!!! Thanks Christine!
early bird would be such a pretty blush if used lightly!!!!
Hi Christine, i was wondering what blush color most resembles early bird? If there isn't one, do you think it could work as a blush with a light hand?
Hey Christine, out of these eyeshadows which ones would you recommend?
Hi Christine, Thanks for the swatches as always. Do you know what the release date for counters is in the UK? This collection has appeared online on MAC's website only and Pink Flamingo has already disappeared :-(
I can't believe it but I like all of these! And trust me, I don't even like MAC eye shadows! These must be something special :D
Hey Christine! Thanks for the great reviews ad swatches as usual. Those colors look really interesting to me and I am definitely going to take alook at them. Do you think that Diamond Dove is similar to MAC Handwritten in both color and texture?
Hi Christine! How does robin's egg compare to surf USA from the surf baby collection? Hope you have a safe and happy new year! Thanks for all your hard work this year, it's sooo helpful, and I truly appreciate all you do :)
I honestly thought I would want Diamond Dove (as it's really my sort of shade) and possibly Howzat but reading your reviews, I realize I've got close enough dupes for Diamond Dove and Howzat sounds not worth having.
I picked all my favorites as I was scrolling down...and then at the end you made a look out of all 3! hahahah love it!! muuuust have
Pft, I think your e/s look looks gorgeous! Silver Gull and Robin's Egg go beautifully together. Don't know if I can make the textures work for me (always had trouble with mattes, bah), but the shades are beautiful.
What brushes do you use? Sometimes you want to use a stiffer brush and pat it on, rather than sweet, OR sometimes a really fluffy brush ;)
Not that impressed for $15 a pop. I'll spend it on 3 Inglot matte or AMC shadows which I love!
Diamond dove, early morning and robin's egg are mine!!!
These are very fun colors!
How does Robin's Egg compare to Surf USA?
Robin's Egg is a bit bluer!
I know darn well I should skip these because I have similar colors, but I can't help wanting them. I have Mufe shadows similar to the coral and teal Mac shadows and I have several brown shades by Mac that match the brown in this collection, but I keep looking at these things!
Thank you for creating a look with these shadows. I've always thought your swatches are excellent, but it helps even more seeing the way these colors can work together on the eye area.
No prob, Em!
Ok I know is silly but I read your comment on Diamond Dove texture and Robin's egg is lovely... yay for mattes! It maybe be my laptop screen but Diamond Dog looks like an exact dupe for Inglot #363, my favourite cool brown. I really like my MACs (when they say brown I think Espresso), but I don't see a difference between MAC and Inglot's quality, so I'm just saying, if you like the shade, there's a dupe easier to work with, and more affordable too. BTW, I'm really liking Naturally and I. Apfel, I know they're not the most original collections shade-wise, but the colours are really wearable for me and I trust your reviews when you say quality it's good (have to check after falling for a couple MAC quads).
So good to know, thank you! :)
I know you don't like it but I think you are totally rocking that eye look! As far as the shadows I will be passing. I had hopes for silver gull. But with the sparkle? Oh no.
Thanks, Julia!
Is Diamond Dove similar in any way to Mac Dark Edge. I use Dark Edge as an eyeliner because it looks very natural, but it was limited edition, so I'm looking for a shade as similar as possible...
I love the look of Howzat and Christine, I LOVE how colorful you made this look! It's so fun. :)
Thanks, Danii!
Would MAC Cool Heat eyeshadow be a dupe for Robin's Egg eyeshadow?
Christine, does Silver Gull remind you of Bough Grey from Liberty of London?
Nice look you created!
Thanks a lot, Josiane!
I LOVED YOU EOTD!!
Thank you, Irene!
Ooh Im definitely going to need to get my hands on the Diamond Dove. I love that color I think it might be my go to crease color! I am so thankful for your blog post Christine... even though my bank account isn't LOL
No prob, Jacqueline! :)
Early Bird will be mine! I'm calling my MAC store this afternoon with a list of products to hold from this line and the Naturally line. The heartbreak from not getting the products I wanted in the Wonder Woman collection will never happen to me again!!!! And I think you did a pretty nifty job of blending the teal and coral. I like it ^_^ THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND FEEDING MY ADDICTION! I'm a lip liner away from a 12 step program.
Thank you! LOL, it felt impossible to blend the two beyond just barely connecting the two!
This collection is right up my alley! I really love the colors!
I was interested in picking up Early Bird and Robin's Egg but considering the texture and that I have never really worked with mattes do you think these shades are worth getting? And by the way I love that look! It's so different and unique:)
Robin's Egg, I would say yes - it is an easier matte to work with :)
Is diamond dove comparable to mac's mystery eyeshadow?
Urban Decay's Electric matte shadow is pretty close to Robin's Egg.... I have electric already but Diamond Dove is calling my name!!!
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