Fabulous This is Not

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette ($39.50 for 0.14 oz.) contains five eyeshadows: Blonde Mink (grey taupe frost), Magical Mist (metallic taupe), Brun (muted blackish-brown), Enviable (cool mint green with pearl), and Smut (muted black with red shimmer). Heads up–Brun and Smut are both part of the permanent range, and Magical Mist has made its way into a couple of past holiday palettes, too.

Whew! There is not a lot of product in this palette! 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.

Blonde Mink is a sheer, cool-toned, pale white-gray with a soft, frosted finish. It is supposed to have a Lustre finish. It looks grayer in the pan, but swatched, it’s very light and looks rather white. It had a very stiff, firm texture and didn’t yield much color. NARS Vent Glace is similar. Chanel Fantasme is a little reminiscent of this color, but Fantasme is more sparkly.

Magical Mist is a medium-dark brown with copper sparkle. It’s just barely warm. This shade has a lustre finish. The color payoff was decent, but it does have some loose sparkle, so it may be prone to fall out. Urban Decay Nevermind is warmer. MAC Earthly is more cool-toned. Buxom Mutt is barely warmer.

Brun is a dark black-brown, but you wouldn’t know it based on this palette. The texture was so, so dry and stiff. The finish is satin, though Brun tends to look more matte to me. I have it in the full-size, permanent pot, and it’s a dream to work with. Even when I applied this to the eye, it wasn’t easily blended out, and I definitely had to pick up the pigment, place it, and go back for more. For a real look at Brun, check out this swatch. MAC Diamond Dove is similar. MAC Twilight Falls is more taupe. theBalm Matt Ramirez is similar.

Enviable is a smoky forest green with a very subdued quality to it, color-wise. The texture was softer and smoother than the four other shades in the palette, and the color payoff was good. NARS High Society is similar but matte, so it appears darker. Tarina Tarantino Very Wicked is greener, darker. MAC Lady Grey is warmer. Make Up For Ever #84 is darker.

Smut is a red-toned, medium-dark brown with a satin finish. Here, too, Smut is a pale imitation of the permanent version (seen here. I was able to get a little more bang out of it when applied with a brush. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone is similar. MAC Legendary Black is cooler-toned. Tarina Tarantino Saw Dust Heart is similar but has no shimmer.

I had to use an eyeshadow primer to get the colors to show up in a look. When I tried to use and test them without a base, there was so little color payoff.  I had some fall out with Blonde Mink when I used it on the center of the lid, but it was not terrible.  Out of the palette, I used Enviable on the inner lid, Blonde Mink on the center of the lid, Brun on the outer lid, and Smut in the crease.  The reality of this palette is Enviable is the best shade, but on its own, it’s just a so-so shade. The other four eyeshadows are sheer, dry, and stiff–and two have some fall out during wear.  I will go ahead and say that of the three eyeshadow palettes, this one was the worst performing (this just happened to be the one that came alphabetically, so it was the first to be reviewed!).

I’m actually just really sad when it comes to MAC holiday palettes now.  There are so many options for palettes during the holidays, and I’ve already tested at least a dozen of them (reviews are still forthcoming for many) and MAC’s wouldn’t be where I’d go this year.  I’d take my money and check out brands like Bare Escentuals (the Ready palettes for the holidays are incredible!), Tarte (reader reviews have been very positive), and Too Faced–just to name some comparably priced palettes.  Not to mention, Urban Decay released three palettes recently for $36 each with more product than these.

The Glossover

	Fabulousness Neutral D
	I'm actually just really sad when it comes to MAC holiday palettes now. There are so many options for palettes during the holidays, and I've already tested at least a dozen of them (reviews are still forthcoming for many) and MAC's wouldn't be where I'd go this year.
	Product 6/10 Pigmentation 6.5/10 Texture 6/10 Longevity 7.5/10 Application 3/5
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MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Fabulousness / Neutral Eye Palette

MAC Blonde Mink Eyeshadow

MAC Magical Mist Eyeshadow

MAC Brun Eyeshadow

MAC Enviable Eyeshadow

MAC Smut Eyeshadow

Enviable, Blonde Mink, Brun, Smut, Mystery Kohl Power

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
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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

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?

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (nude base), Femme-fi eyeshadow (beige), Smut eyeshadow (cool brown), Silver Ring eyeshadow (silver), Shroom eyeshadow (beige), Carbon eyeshadow (black), Silverstroke Fluidline (silver gel liner), Feline kohl power (black liner), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: NARS Super Orgasm blush (soft peach-pink)
• Lips: Strawberry Blonde lipstick (coral-pink), Cult Fave lipglass (pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Femme-fi = Shroom; Feline = Grahpblack; Strawberry Blonde = Skew; Cult Fave = Pinkarat

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. On the inner lid, apply Femme-fi eyeshadow using the 239, then blend and cover entire lid. Apply Smut eyeshadow lightly in the outer crease. Darken crease using Carbon eyeshadow lightly tapped into outer most crease. Above crease, lightly apply Silver Ring eyeshadow to diffuse the shades. Sweep Shroom underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Silverstroke fluidline on upper lash line and inner lower lash line, then apply Feline kohl power on outer lower lash line (smudged/smoked with Carbon eyeshadow), and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with NARS Super Orgasm blush using the 129. Apply Strawberry Blonde lipstick to lips, and then top with Cult Fave lipglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

Mellan’s most favorite place in the entire world!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Copperbeam pigment (metallic brown), Woodwinked eyeshadow (warm dark brown), Smoke & Diamonds eyeshadow (warm silver/gray) on outer crease, Smut eyeshadow (dark brown), Goldmine eyeshadow (gold), Rose Blanc eyeshadow (frosty white-gold), UD Electric 24/7 Liner (bright blue), Givenchy Dandy Blue Pencil (dark blue), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Suncentered Colour Forms powder (soft peach)
• Lips: Strawberry Blonde lipstick (warm pink), Moonstone lipglass (sheer gold-pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Copperbeam = Tan; Smoke & Diamonds = Silver Ring; Rose Blanc = Nylon; Suncentered = Peachykeen; Strawberry Blonde = Please Me; Moonstone = Nymphette

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Copperbeam pigment all over the lid as the base with the 249. On lid, apply Woodwinked eyeshadow with the 239 brush. Darken the outer lid using Smoke & Diamonds eyeshadow and drag into crease using the 239. Deepen crease with Smut eyeshadow with the 239. Sweep Rose Blanc underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with UD Electric 24/7 Liner on inner lower lash line and Givenchy Dandy Blue Pencil on outer lower lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Suncentered using the 129. Apply Strawberry Blonde lipstick to lips, and then top with Nymphette lipglass for color and shine.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Copperbeam pigment (metallic brown), Ricepaper eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Bronze eyeshadow (dark brown), Smut eyeshadow (darkest brown), Texture eyeshadow (soft warm brown), UD Bourbon 24/7 Liner (warm brown), Rich Ground fluidline (warm brown), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Blooming blush (soft pink)
• Lips: Lightly Ripe lipstick (subtle deep pink), Liqueur lipglass (dirty brown)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Copperbeam = Chocolate Brown; Blooming = CoyGirl; Lightly Ripe = Syrup; Liqueur = Spite

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Copperbeam pigment all over the lid as the base with the 249. On the inner-to-middle lid, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow using the 239. Apply Texture eyeshadow to outer lid with the 239. Darken crease with Bronze eyeshadow with the 239, and then add depth using Smut eyeshadow. Sweep Ricepaper underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with UD Bourbon 24/7 Liner on lower lash line, Rich Ground fluidline on upper lash line, and Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Blooming using the 129. Apply Lightly Ripe lipstick to lips, and then top with Liqueur lipglass for color and shine.