Up in Smoke This Set Goes

MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette ($39.50 for 0.14 oz.) contains five eyeshadows: Taupeless (lavender pink), Satin Taupe (taupe with silver shimmer), Love Spice (mid-tone rosy pink with pearl), Spellcaster (matte aubergine), and Black Slip (rich blackened plum with pearl).

For reference, MAC eyeshadow quads ($38.00) typically contain 0.19 to 0.20 oz. (about 0.05 oz. per eyeshadow). Last year’s holiday eyeshadow palettes contained 0.21 oz. (and retailed for $38.00). The prior year’s holiday palettes contained 0.19 oz. (and retailed for $36.00). You used to get six shades, but with this year’s design, you’re getting five.

Taupeless is a light pink with silvery-white sparkle. It has a lustre finish, so it is a bit sheerer and has lots of sparkle. I did experience a fair amount of fall out with this shade. This shade has been released before. Chanel Harmonie du Soir is a bit warmer, less sparkly. MAC Love Power is similar but less sparkly. MAC Young Venus is cooler-toned. theBalm Safe Bet Annette is slightly warmer.

Satin Taupe is a medium brown with subtle warm orange undertones and a gray-ish tinge. It doesn’t look like the permanent Satin Taupe at all. It had decent color payoff but it was a little dry. Guerlain Turandot is darker. Dior Fairy Golds is also darker.

Love Spice is a rosy-toned medium brown with a champagne shimmer-sheen. The color payoff was so-so, and the texture was a little dry. Giorgio Armani Champagne is similar but browner. Cle de Peau #207 is similar but grayer and sparkly. MAC Pink Frontier is a touch lighter. MAC Jete is darker. MAC desert is a bit grayer. MAC Earthly is grayer. Here’s a swatch of the permanent Satin Taupe.

Spellcaster is a matte, dark purple with subtle red undertones. It was dry, stiff, and was a pain-in-the-behind to blend. It’s an eyeshadow that you have to grab a lot of, place it, go back for more, place it, and then try to blend those together. Normally, I’d take some product, apply it to the middle of the area I wanted it to be, then I’d take the brush back and forth to blend it out. It just doesn’t work with the texture of this shade. NARS High Society is lighter. MAC Dynamic Duo #4 has a similar shade that was better pigmented. Urban Decay Rockstar is a little lighter and shimmery.

Black Slip is a red-toned brown with hints of burgundy and bronze shimmer. It had good pigmentation, and it was the best performer out of the five. The texture was a lot softer and more blendable. Urban Decay Rapture is lighter. Illamasqua Queen of the Night is not as frosted. MAC Winterized is grayer, less red-toned.

Taupeless had some significant fall out while I wore it, which wasn’t a total surprise, because it had a sparkly, kind of gritty/chunky texture that is common to lustres (which I rarely have good experiences with).  Satin Taupe is unrecognizable in this palette–I’m left wondering if this is even meant to be one and the same as the permanent version.  If not, they really should have named it something else.  Black Slip was the best eyeshadow, but I would say that it is a good but not great eyeshadow.   Spellcaster works really well with the rest of the colors in the palette, but it is difficult to blend and was noticeably faded after eight hours of wear, even over a primer.  I couldn’t get all of these shades to show up without a primer underneath; Black Slip and Spellcaster were the only ones that showed up decently without a primer.

The Glossover

	Fabulousness Smoky C
	Not as bad as the Neutral Eye Palette, but it's not a particularly good palette. It's not where I would spend my holiday money.
	Product 7/10 Pigmentation 7/10 Texture 8/10 Longevity 7.5/10 Application 3.5/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Smoky Eye Palette

MAC Taupeless Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Love Spice Eyeshadow

MAC Spellcaster Eyeshadow

MAC Black Slip Eyeshadow

Satin Taupe (inner lid), Taupeless (inner tearduct), Love Spice (middle of lid), Black Slip (outer lid), Spellcaster (crease), Feminine Edge Fluidline (lower lash line)

If you were using MAC Satin Taupe, how would you wear it?

What products would you use? Where would you wear it? Would it be the star of the look? Create a look using whatever you want, as long as you include today’s look book product!

MAC Me Over: Eyeshadows

There are six shades of MAC Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) launched with MAC Me Over. They include: Carbonized (frosty dark brown), Creamy Bisque (mid-tone ivory with pearlized pigments), Moleskin (nude brown), Mythical (frosty copper red), Outre (mid-tone mustard), and Satin Taupe (taupe with silver shimmer).

• Carbonized is a rich chocolate brown with bronze shimmer. The color payoff is lovely with a really soft and smooth texture. This shade has a veluxe pearl finish (so it is only 0.04 oz.). Urban Decay Lost is a bit similar, but it has a more reflective sheen and appears lighter, which is the same reason why Inglot #422 is not a dupe.  It’s similar to MAC Centre Stage but with less shimmer. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone is less brown.
• Creamy Bisque is a soft, creamy ivory with a pink tint. The finish has a pearly sheen. The pigmentation is pretty good, and I can see this being a go-to highlighter for some. This shade has a frost finish. MAC Blanc Type is more beige. It’s more like a less frosted Phloof!
• Moleskin is a softened, medium brown with a subtle, caramel warmth. This shade has a matte finish. It feels more like a satin to me, though–it has the same texture and, to some degree, the finish. It has good color payoff. It is a touch warmer than Urban Decay Naked but similar, though Naked has a softer formula. Inglot #337 is similar but has a redder base.
• Mythical is a coppery brown with a metallic shimmer-sheen. This shade has a veluxe pearl finish (so it is only 0.04 oz.). The pigmentation is good, but the color itself has a faded quality to it, and the texture is smooth and soft. It is lighter than theBalm Racy Kacy, less brown and red-tinted compared to MAC Faux Gold. It’s also a muted version of Coppering.
• Outre is a mustard-y brown–it has this mustard yellow tinge to it. This shade has a matte finish. It has a soft, smooth texture with lovely color payoff. It is reminiscent of MAC Ochre Style, which had shimmer in it. Double Feature 4 is muddier–it is grayer and browner. It’s darker and more yellowed than MAC Bamboo.
• Satin Taupe is a dark taupe with a hint of burgundy and a frosted finish. This shade has a frost finish, and it is part of the permanent range. It is similar to Bare Escentuals Meteorite.

The four I’ve tested so far are good.  The texture of both Mythical and Satin Taupe are excellent, but the color payoff is good across the board.  I think Moleskin, despite its demure manner, will be one that many will look to grab when it launches, because of its similarity to the famous Urban Decay Naked–consider it a sleeper hit.  I know Outre will look awful on me, but it has that so-ugly-it’s-pretty kind of appeal.

MAC Me Over is a 51-piece collection for fall, which will launch in North America on August 25th, 2011 and internationally in September 2011. It will launch online approximately August 23rd but there is no concrete online launch date. All products–unless otherwise noted–are limited edition.

The Glossover

	MAC Me Over Eyeshadows Swatches, Photos, Reviews A-
	The single eyeshadows definitely have a theme: neutral. They are more universally wearable, subtler, and generally more versatile as a whole. They will work well together or paired with existing shades in your stash.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Eyeshadow Swatches – Browns (Part 1)

As promised, here are even more brown MAC Eyeshadows ($14.50 for 0.05 oz.) — I have a few more palettes to work through, including more neutrals (which include more browns, too).

Tete-a-Tint is a soft, medium-dark peach-brown with a Matte2 finish. It is now discontinued. Inglot #337 is similar but less warm–more of a brown than tinted with burnt peach.
Amber Lights is a rich, warm-toned coppery bronze with a frost finish. Inglot #405 is similar, perhaps more bronze than golden.
Soft Brown is a muted, medium-dark tan brown with a matte finish. Inglot #337 is closer to Soft Brown than it is to Tete-a-Tint.
Bamboo is a soft, yellowed brown with a matte finish.
Motif is a pale yellow with a duochrome of pink iridescence. It has a frost finish.
Arena is a softened, medium beige-brown with a satin finish.  Illamasqua’s Furore is similar but a little more orange.
Espresso is a neutral, dark brown with a matte finish.
Mystery is a cool-toned, gray-brown with a satin finish.
Smut is a cool-toned, charcoal brown with burgundy shimmer and a velvet finish.
Satin Taupe is a dark taupe with a frost finish. Bare Escentuals Meteorite is similar.
Romp is a medium-dark, golden brown with a frost finish. Urban Decay Rush is similar to Romp, but it’s less golden.

Shades like Amber Lights, Romp, and Satin Taupe are some of MAC’s standout eyeshadows within their entire permanent range. Whether the colors are ones you’d wear or not, these are highly pigmented, smooth-textured, and so easy to blend. I have found that the neutral range of mattes is a cinch to work with; they really aren’t fussy–not powdery, chalky, or poorly pigmented. Soft Brown is one of MAC’s bestselling eyeshadow shades. Arena works so lovely as an all-over lid color because it has a subtle sheen but still remains rather sedate. Mystery and Smut are nice browns for those with cooler undertones. The only shade that falls a little short is Motif, which has a slightly gritty texture and less than perfect color payoff.

The Glossover

	MAC Eyeshadow Swatches - Browns (Part 1) A-
	Even though MAC may be known for their brighter shades and bold looks, their shade of browns is amazing. From matte to frost to satin finishes, they work well and come in a large variety.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Tete-a-Tint Eyeshadow

MAC Amber Lights Eyeshadow

MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow

MAC Bamboo Eyeshadow

MAC Motif Eyeshadow

MAC Arena Eyeshadow

MAC Espresso Eyeshadow

MAC Mystery Eyeshadow

MAC Smut Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Romp Eyeshadow

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette ($38.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes: Seedy Pearl (chilled lavender pink), Tendersmoke (muted silver lilac), Satin Taupe (taupe with silver shimmer), A Brown Suit (rich deep red), Beauty Marked (black.red with sparkle pearl), and Carbon (intense black).

• Seedy Pearl is a pale, cool-toned iridescent lilac pink that is a touch sheer. It has a frost finish and is part of the permanent range.
• Tendersmoke is a muted, grayish purple with plum. It had a really smooth texture and was nicely pigmented. It has a frost finish and is a palette exclusive. It is a grayer, less red-toned Satellite Dreams–no dupe in the permanent range.
• Satin Taupe is a cool-toned, medium-dark brown. It had excellent color pay off with a really smooth feel. It has a frost finish and is part of the permanent range, but this seems lighter and more golden.
• A Brown Suit is a berried red with a soft frost finish. It has a frost finish and is a palette exclusive. It resembles Cranberry quite a bit, slightly less berry.
• Beauty Marked is a semi-sheer blackened brown with flecks of burgundy and silver glitter. It has a rather dusty texture and not very pigmented. It has a velvet finish and is part of the permanent range.
• Carbon is a dark, blue-based black. It’s a finicky shade that doesn’t always swatch well but works better when applied. It has a matte finish and is part of the permanent range.

If you’re familiar with MAC’s holiday palettes from last year, the packaging is very similar–this palette is just all black and has no special design on the outside. The palette contains $55.10 worth of eyeshadow ($14.50 for 0.05 oz. for individual eyeshadows), so unlike the lip/face palette, this one is a much better deal.

The Glossover

	MAC Packed to Go Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches B+
	With the exception of Beauty Marked (and to a lesser extent, Carbon--but Carbon works decently applied, while Beauty Marked is still a miss), the eyeshadows were pigmented and smooth. The palette is definitely cool-toned, and the shades themselves coordinate well with each other.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Packed to Go: Cool Smokey Eyeshadow Palette

Quick & Easy Natural Smoky Eye

This is a super quick, super easy smoky eye that’s not too dramatic and still natural.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow (dark brown), MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow (medium brown), MAC Shroom Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner (black), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Korres #15 Natural Blush (natural brown)
• Lips: MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick (nude), MAC Nymphette Lipglass (soft pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Satin Taupe eyeshadow on the bottom third of the lid along the upper lash line. Lightly blend Soft Brown eyeshadow on the middle of the lid with the 239 and blend into and above the crease. Blend Shroom eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Zero liner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply #15 Natural blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Velvet Teddy lipstick first, and then layer Nymphette lipglass for a complementing lip.

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