MAC Cosmetics - Neon2 Pigments Review, Swatches, Product Photos

The Neon2 pigments are exactly that–NEON! They are day-glo, super bright, borderline-obnoxious (okay, maybe they ARE obnoxious) in terms of just how much color potency they have. Yes, some of you may feel that these colors actually burn your retnas. I bought all six more or less so that I could review and bring y’all swatches and photos, though I will certainly try a few looks for you. Probably not today, if only because I am not in a “neon” mood, LOL. The texture is matte, but they all remind me of True Chartreuse’s texture–which is a glorious matte. Goes on like a true dream, smooth, buttery, and delightful to work with. I tend to use pigments as bases, and these would work well under ANY shadows that you want to brighten up.

I have some safety information, plus individual color reviews/descriptions (and lots of photos!).

Safety: According to the insert found in these pigments, the following shades are not to be used in the eye area: Full Force Violet, Magenta Madness, Neo-Orange, Red Electric, Green Space, and Rock-It Yellow. Green Space is the only color not recommended for lip OR eye area.

Please note that I nor Temptalia endorse using these pigments on areas that are not recommended! There are numerous reasons why a pigment may or may not be eye-safe, and on the most extreme end of the scale is because there are sharp particles found within it that can scratch the delicate areas of your corneas. On the lower end of the scale is that the dyes used in the pigments may be found to be irritating in a large number of the popuation (e.g. red dyes). I’m not trying to scare you, but I think anyone who uses pigments that are not eye safe should be fully aware of potential dangers.

• Yes, I use pigments that are not eye-safe, but I use them in moderation; and by moderation, I probably only use it once or twice a year, if that.  I also use all pigments with mixing medium, which is a water-based adhesive, to better secure the pigments to my eyes and reduce potential fall out.

Furthermore, the ingredients listed are…

• Neo-Orange, Red Electric, Magenta Madness, Full Force Violet: Polyester-3 [+/- Orange 5 (CI 45370), RED 28 (CL 45410), Yellow 7 (CL 45350), Yellow 10 (CI 47005), Violet 2 (CI 60725)]
• Green Space: Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289)
• Rock-It Yellow: Yelow 10 Lake (CI 47005)

• Magenta Madness is an intensely vibrant rich magenta.
• Red Electric is more like a red-pink than a pure red, so it’s nothing like Basic Red pigment. It’s incredibly bright.
• Neo-Orange is a deep neon orange, not quite construction orange (like Neo Sci Fi), but darker.
• Rock-It Yellow is bright, but surprisingly not as neon yellow as it could be. I just didn’t feel like I needed to avert my eyes like I did with Red Electric.
• Full Force Violet is an intense, richly pigmented cobalt-blue. I can see violet, but I also see a lot of blue in it, which I suppose is why color is in the eye of the beholder. This actually reminds me a bit of Cool Heat’s Climate Blue!
• Green Space is the most wearable of the six, because it’s actually not as neon or flourescent as the others. It reminds me a lot of Kelly Green, actually.