MAC Eyeshadow Swatches – Neutrals (Part 1)

• Back with more MAC Eyeshadows–almost through the permanent shades I have–and this set features neutrals, including browns as well as beiges.
• Honesty is a soft coppered brown with chunky gold and copper glitter. It has a lustre finish. It’s not the chunkiest lustre I’ve come across, but it doesn’t make my list of must-haves. Urban Decay Blaze would be a good alternative.
• Patina is grayish-brown (almost taupe) with a pale, golden sheen. It has a frost finish.
• Wedge is a warm-toned, medium brown with a matte finish. It is warmer and brown compared to MAC Omega but softer than MAC Cork.
• Soba is a yellow-ed brown with a subtle golden sheen and satin finish. It’s yellower than Wedge, and the finishes are different, but they are similar.
• Era is a darkened beige with a champagne sheen. It has a satin finish. It is lighter (and shimmery) than Burberry Almond.
• Malt is a pinked brown-beige with a matte finish. It’s a bit powdery. Inglot #344 is similar.
• All That Glitters is a lightened copper-gold with a veluxe pearl finish.The texture is rather gritty for a veluxe pearl.  Urban Decay Blaze is similar.
• Bisque is a soft beige with a matte finish. Inglot #390 is similar.
• Brule is a soft, warm beige with a satin finish.
• Blanc Type is a pale white-beige with a Matte2 finish. Inglot #355 is similar but may turn more peach on some complexions.

Eyeshadows like Honesty and All That Glitters–tend to have chunkier textures with glitter fall out.  I will buy a new All That Glitters, even though mine was brand new as of a month ago, since many of you say I have a bad batch, but please give me some time to do so. Shades like Bisque, Brule, and Blanc Type are very light, and I know that on me Blanc Type photographs ashy (on me) when I’ve used it as a highlighter. Patina is a fun shade, because it’s almost like a neutral duochrome, and I couldn’t think of a real dupe for it.

The Glossover

	MAC Eyeshadow Swatches - Neutrals (Part 1) B-
	Two shades brought down the overall grade of an otherwise average to good set of eyeshadows. They're good--not the best on the market--but reliable and easy to work with (excepting Honesty and All That Glitters).
	Product 8/10 Pigmentation 8/10 Texture 7/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Honesty Eyeshadow

MAC Patina Eyeshadow

MAC Wedge Eyeshadow

MAC Soba Eyeshadow

MAC Era Eyeshadow

MAC Malt Eyeshadow

MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow

MAC Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Brule Eyeshadow

MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow

Dark Neutrals: All Ages, All Races, All Sexes Look

I gotta tell you, the eyeshadows from All Ages, All Races, All Sexes are really not so flattering on me. I’m thinking it’s probably the cool edge that they all have; it’s just a little much on me when used together. I think Cross-Cultural and Showstopper can be used, but perhaps not together. I think, on me, I need something earthy and metallic-y to warm them up and make them more flattering to my skin tone. (This is what prompted me to throw in Honey as the eyeliner… probably should have done Bourbon instead!)

So Sweet, So Easy really isn’t too cool for those with warm skin tones, but it can look cooler or warmer depending on what you pair it with.  If you want to try this look, I’d recommend opting for a cooler-toned liner (maybe a neutral brown) and Resort Life lipgelee instead — I think the pink in Preppy doesn’t quite suit the coolness of the eyes.

Even though it didn’t come out to my liking, at least it can show you some of the new products in action! As always, experimentation is key to finding out what you like and don’t like — and makeup always washes off!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), MAC Universal Mix Pigment (white gold), MAC All Races Eyeshadow (cool lilac-mauve), MAC Banshee Eyeshadow (dirty pink), MAC Cross-Cultural Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow (dark black-brown), MAC Bisque Eyeshadow (matte neutral highlighter), Urban Decay Honey 24/7 Liner (gold), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush (medium pink)
• Lips: MAC Preppy Lip Gelee
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 188 (small stippling brush)
• Substitutes: All Races = no dupe; Cross-Cultural = Espresso; Showstopper = Brun; So Sweet, So Easy = Ladyblush; Preppy = Pinkarat

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. With water-based mixing medium, apply Universal Mix pigment onto the eyelid with the 239. Using the 239, apply All Races eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Banshee eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cross-Cultural eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Showstopper eyeshadow with the 226. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Bisque eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Honey Liner on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply So Sweet, So Easy cremeblend blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 188.

For lips, apply Preppy lip gelee for shimmer and color on lips.

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So here’s a tip about using all matte eyeshadows (or matte products in general): make sure you’re exfoliated and well-moisturized. My eyelids were a touch dry on the inner lid, and the mattes really enhanced that dryness. The same thing is true if you have drier skin and opt for a matte finish foundation; it doesn’t always go so well! Winter is being particularly brutal to my skin lately, but I imagine that has more to do with the fact that we’ve seen some below 50 temperatures here in California (hey, WE freeze at 50 degrees here!).

Happy Friday!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Blanc Type eyeshadow (matte white-beige), Malt eyeshadow (pinky-beige), Wedge eyeshadow (soft brown), Bisque eyeshadow (pink nude), Lancome Plum Tease Gel Artliner (plum), Urban Decay Rockstar 24/7 Liner (dark purple-plum), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Face:  Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (medium)
• Cheeks: Petalpoint blush (raspberry-pink), Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer (icy rose highlighter)
• Lips: Giorgio Armani #600 Rouge d’Armani lipstick (fuchsia plum), Lancome Untamed Plum La Laque Fever (muted plum)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Petalpoint = Well-Dressed + Breath O’ Plum

Directions: Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner and middle lid, apply Blanc Type eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Malt eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Wedge eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Rockstar Liner on lower lash line, and Lancome Plum Tease Gel Artliner on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Petalpoint blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Giorgio Armani #600 Rouge d’Armani lipstick to lips, and then top with Lancome Untamed Plum La Laque Fever for color and shine.

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I did this look for fun before I took a shower on Sunday, and in my hurry, I forgot to take close-ups of the eyes/lips, so there’s just a couple of full-face photos, but hopefully you get the idea

I wanted to use Illamasqua’s Static pure pigment, since it sure looks pretty, but I was so not feeling it in practice — it was gritty, never melded together, and really didn’t work.  I layered it on top of the paint pot and then put the eyeshadows on top of that, and it even looked heavy and accentuated every little line on my eyelid (which aren’t even really noticeable until you pile makeup on top!). Static is really similar to MAC’s Pink Opal pigment, which is cheaper (by a lot) and never had any problems using before.  Oh, and packaging?  I think I already lost 10% of the product on my floor and countertop after only opening it twice.  Two thumbs down for that!  I’ll probably review it later, so you can hear me gripe it about it on the official then!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Illamasqua Static Pure Pigment (iridescent pearly white/fuchsia), Digit eyeshadow (pale, light purple), Beautiful Iris eyeshadow (medium purple), Parfait Amour eyeshadow (cool medium-deep purple), Make Up For Ever #92 eyeshadow (matte deep purple), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Liner (purple), Stila Violet Smudge Pot (deep purple), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Face:  Kiehl’s Tinted Moisturizer (in medium)
• Cheeks: Petalpoint blush (raspberry pink), Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer (rosy highlighter)
• Lips: Guerlain Gemma lipstick (medium pink), Guerlain Crystal Pearl KissKiss Gloss (pearly white)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Petalpoint = Dollymix + Well Dressed

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply Illamasqua Static pure pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Digit eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Beautiful Iris eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Parfait Amour eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Make Up For Ever #92 eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Lust Liner on lower lash line, and Stila Violet smudge pot on the upper lash line using the 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Petalpoint blush using the 129, then highlight with Dior Rose Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 188. Apply Guerlain Gemma lipstick to lips, and then top with Guerlain Crystal Pearl KissKiss Gloss for color and shine.

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Digit, Beautiful Iris, Parfait Amour, MUFE #92

I was watching Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance Music Video yesterday, and I felt a little inspired by the bold makeup she’s wearing around the four minute mark. At first, I thought she was wearing this look while dancing a bit, but I think the looks are different–the one she wears while dancing (also around the four minute mark) seems cleaner, not quite as dark, though the lips seem really similar.

Anyway, this is inspired by and not so much as an exact replica. If you wanted to be more on target, I’d say to go for a slightly messier smoky eye, add a little bit of gloss to make it look wet and have a sheen, and then go for a very dramatic cheek contour. The shape of the black portion on the eye also goes up quite close to the inner brow bone and then comes down.  The lashes should also be bigger and flair out more on the outer lash line.

Also, this look is actually REALLY easy. No, seriously! It’s pretty much any cream black base all over the lid. I used the same technique I did back in 2007 to create this black smoky eye tutorial. The lashes took me infinitely longer and still didn’t adhere correctly–but it was good enough to fake it in photos (and my eyes were burning from upper lash line irritation, so it was a hurry-up-and-finish situation).

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Blacktrack fluidline (black), Carbon eyeshadow (matte black), Vex eyeshadow (duochrome white-purple), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Feline kohl power (black), false eyelashes (anything big and dramatic), Zoom Fast Black Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Sculpt sculpting powder (dark shadow), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (#140)
• Lips: Red No. 5 lipstick (deep red), Violetta lipstick (bright purple), Vino lip pencil (dark red)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Red No. 5 = New York Apple

Directions: Apply Blacktrack fluidline all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, pack Carbon eyeshadow on all over the lid. Using the 226 brush, lightly blend the crease with Vex eyeshadow. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Feline Kohl Power on lower lash line, and apply false lashes to upper lash line, then lightly apply Zoom Fast Black mascara on lashes. Sweep hollows of cheeks with Sculpt sculpting powder using the 168, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 165. Apply Red No. 5 lipstick to lips, and then top with Violetta for color and shine.

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I wore this look yesterday to have lunch with my mom and sister My mom seemed to really love this look on me — she said everything just complemented each other. She rarely comments on my makeup, so maybe there’s something to what she said, ha!

Happy Friday! I hope you all have some fun weekend plans coming up!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (matte, neutral base), Blanc Type eyeshadow (matte beige-white), Showstopper eyeshadow (matte, cool dark brown), Spiced Chocolate eyeshadow (matte reddish-brown), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Urban Decay Underground 24/7 Liner (dark dark brown), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Refined mineralize skinfinish (peach-nude)
• Lips: Touch lipstick (creamy brown-taupe), Lychee Luxe lipglass (coral)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Showstopper = Ground Brown; Spiced Chocolate = Embark, Refined = Soft & Gentle

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base. Apply Blanc Type eyeshadow all over the lower lid using the 239. Apply Showstopper eyeshadow to the middle-to-outer crease with the 226. Overlay the crease with Spiced Chocolate eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Urban Decay Underground 24/7 Liner on lower lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Refined mineralize skinfinish using the 129. Apply Touch lipstick to lips, and then top with Lychee Luxe lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!