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MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection — Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad

Richard Phillips contributed three eyeshadow quads to the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection. Let’s take a look at the earthy quad called Photo Realism…

Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad ($36.00)

  • Photorealism is a paled down yellow-gold with a bit of a taupe-mix in the base with a frost finish. This is a very unique color, actually. Just the way the gold comes together makes it unusual.
  • Fresh Approach is a cool-toned, minty green. It’s not a bright, springy green, because it is mixed with a little bit of aqua to make it more of a mint green. It has a veluxe pearl finish, so it has a nice, smooth texture with great color pay off.
  • Image Maker is grayish green with a frosty finish. It actually reminded me of Club eyeshadow with less reddish tones.
  • Grey Range is a dark blue-green and is a pretty good match to Deep Blue Green pigment, actually. It has a veluxe pearl finish, which is why it has good pigmentation.

I’d put both Photo Realism and Notoriety eyeshadow quads on the same level–they’re both nice palettes with colors that go on smoothly and have good color to them. Notoriety is likely the more wearable between the two, because of the neutral tones, but Photo Realism is surprisingly wearable. None of the colors are so bright or bold that they couldn’t be used in a more subtle look. I’m really impressed with Photorealism, just because it has so much dimension to it. I love the idea of Grey Range, because I’ve always wanted an eyeshadow the color of Deep Blue Green pigment (I don’t like pressed pigments). These colors also just scream FALL! to me, too. I like it when things fit!

  • Product: 8/10
  • Value: 8/10
  • Ease of Use: 8/10
  • Packaging: 9/10
  • Overall: 8/10

Recommendation: Perfect for fall, Photo Realism is a great combination of softer, cool-tone greens and blues. If you like a little color in your looks, you might find yourself falling for this quad.

Availability: MACCosmetics.com

See up-close photos and swatches


Photorealism


Fresh Approach


Image Maker


Grey Range


Photorealism, Fresh Approach, Image Maker, Grey Range

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40 Comments

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Luda Avatar

I fell in love with this quad when I saw it – I promised myself I wouldn’t get another green/grey smokey shadow but I had to get this one.

sprut6 Avatar

I ordered the purple quad and I might go back and get this one. I love the look of these but I so rarely wear green eyeshadows that I’m not sure.

Diabla Avatar

I generally don’t like quads and have never bought any but I must admit this one is really beautiful! I love Image Maker and Grey Range!

Amy Avatar

I still on the sit on this quad, it is the most beautiful of the 3, but I think I might have similar shades from The Balm. I will have to compare them.

Heather Avatar

I love this quad. I love green. Although, I feel this shows up more blue-ish then green, I still love it. I asked my boyfriend how my green eyeshadow looked and he repeated green eyeshadow it looks more blue. So if you can’t work with blue it might not be your quad.

Caroline Avatar

I went to my MAC store and an MUA there used this quad and created a BEAUTIFUL eyeshadow design with it that was easy to recreate. This is probably my favorite purchase from this collection.

Nadia Avatar

I thought i wouldn’t like this quad even though i like greens but this is very pretty. I’m debating weather to get it or not. Are there any dubes to these shadows in the permenant collection?

Teresa Avatar

My PR quad came today and it’s gorgeous. I allowed many enablers to entice me into getting it & it was worth it 🙂 Today I used grey range in the crease of my everyday look (which always includes mulch, sometimes sable &/or style snob). It was beautiful. Cant wait to try out the rest, as I was in a rush today.

Thanks for the post, Christine! I look forward to trying your PR combos as well!! -> ( http://www.temptalia.com/6-ways-to-wear-mac-photo-realism-eyeshadow-quad )

Teresa Avatar

Thanks, Christine! 😀 Also an update if I may, this has become one of my very fav MAC products I’ve purchased! I used the full quad one day + shroom as a highlighter and it was INCREDIBLE! It’s like it was made for me, lol! I have it infront of me and can’t stop staring at it either ;D I can’t wait to use it again, but now it’s my baby and I’m scared to ever run out! haha 😀

Teresa Avatar

Oh, also I’d love to ask if anyone has any dupes for this in terms of a neutral quad? (Aside from Notoriety). What I mean is, each colour in this quad being replaced by a neutral (browns), with the same payoff, same “shade”, etc, if I’m explaining it right :/ For example, *perhaps* Fresh Approach could be Sable? I’m not sure 🙂 If anyone can help I’d appreciate it so much! 😀
Thank you 🙂

Lindy Avatar

I love this quad! I have green/hazel eyes (depending on the makeup and clothing i’m wearing) and finding good greens and green grays (a good green gray is hard to find) has been nearly impossible! Does any one know of any other greens that MAC or anyone else may have that is like this quad? Or like Hold My Gaze which was amazing!

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