MAC Electroflash Mineralize Eyeshadow Duos Review
OVERALL, Electroflash will tempt you, even if you aren’t a fan of the duos! The mineralize eyeshadow duos definitely overshadow the lipsticks/lipglasses. You almost forget they’re even there, to be honest. I’m a lip product junkie, but I didn’t even pick up a single lip product this time around (but I am trying to budget, so that’s part of the reason). I liked Fast Thrill lipstick, because I felt it would make a nice summer lip, but I think I’ll wait on buying it for now. The mineralize eyeshadows feel incredibly smooth and rich when swatched. They go on intensely, and they feel like liquid velvet. I ended up with the two that drew me in (Fresh Green Mix and Sea & Sky), because I couldn’t resist the texture. I feel like they improve with each launch of duos. I will have to try them in a look before I pick up any more, though.
Get individual product reviews…
Mineralize Eyeshadow Duos
- Fresh Green Mix definitely catches your eye with its bright chartreuse coloring. The marbelized side shows up as a light olive green (think Golden Olive pigment, but a bit lighter). The solid color is much like a toned down Chartreuse pigment–not quite as green or over the top. I would say Juxt might compare to the marbelized side, though it’s a bit brighter. The chartreuse side is not as bright as Bitter (and it’s a totally different texture), as well.
- Hot Contrast was a popular favorite pre-launch, so I was eager to swatch. The marbelized side turns into a silvery purple color, very much like Thunder/Pearl of the Earth (previous LE shadows), only a bit more intense–richer in pigmentation. The solid color side is an intense matte black.
- Love Connection is the “tamest” of the nine duos. The marbelized side is a frosty neutral color with pink undertones, while the solid side is a frosty light peach.
- Pink Split is a good combination of colors. The marbelized side is a gray with pink undertones, while the solid color is a frosty baby pink color.
- Play On Plums isn’t as plum as I would think. The marbelized side is a dirty peach with subtle sheen, while the solid colored side is a dark, intense burgundy-brown. The solid colored side reminded me a bit of a browner Sketch.
- Odd Couple is definitely an odd pairing! The marbelized side is a deeper, dirtier peach with mauve to it. The solid colored side is a bright pop of purple, reminiscent of Violet pigment or even the purple side of the Mi’lady duo from last year.
- Polar Opposites is a stark duo, because of its intensity. The marbelized side is a deep, rich gray with purple sheen. The colored side is an incredibly bright and frosty metallic silver. Kind of like Forgery eyeshadow, but better texture and intensity.
- Sea & Sky stands out because of the bright blue, which is hard to capture. The marbelized side is a fun frosty, sky blue (like a bluer Azreal Blue), while the solid colored side is an incredibly intense medium-to-dark blue. The blue really does not compare to Freshwater or Deep Truth. It’s brighter than both, and it is much richer.
- Two to Glow is a fun combination. The marbelized side is a dirty pink-mauve with shimmer, while the solid colored side is a orange-ish bronze color. It doesn’t compare too well to Juiced, which is dirtier and more orange. This one is peachier in comparison.
Lipstick
- Dangerously Hot is a deep brown with red tones color. It is very creamy, and it is definitely an opaque color.
- Fast Thrill is a lovely pink with peachy tones and gold pearl. I think this is a great color, but it is definitely similar to Bombshell lipstick.
- Mellow Mood is a sheerer medium pink, kind of like Sweetie lipstick. Being a lustre, it is definitely not an intense color.
- Vanity’s Child is an incredibly sheer nude beige. It pretty much just added a slight gold sheen to my skin when swatched–no real color showed up.
Lipglass
- Cultureclash is a cool blue-pink gloss with subtle frost. I feel like I’ve seen this color in some variation in the past few months, though.
- Li’ Hot Pepper is a pretty red with fuchsia-pink tones to it. It’s not really a red so much as a very deep raspberry with brown, maybe? I don’t know, I just wouldn’t classify it as a pure red by any means. I was tempted by this one!
- Major Minor is a dirty peach-brown color, looks fun, reminds me of a browner and brighter Poetique, maybe.
- Sonic Vibe is a deeper pink with bits of fuchsia in it. It didn’t stand out a whole lot to me, just because it isn’t too unique on its face.
I can’t wait to pick up Fresh Green Mix!
Awesome 🙂 What look do you plan on using it with?
Thanks for the review Christine, I’m still very tempted by Fresh Green and Sea and Sky. I hope I don’t get more when i go to the store though, I’m trying hard to budget.
Of course, Sandy 🙂
When are you going? What did you get?
Hmmm….somehow I like your swatches so much better than the other user’s which you had posted before. I will go check these out for myself today and let yo know what I think. Thanks!
Thanks, Roselyn! Happy hauling!
WOW, I can’t even decide which one of the eyeshadows would be my favorite! I have to see them in person I guess. These are more expensive because they’re duos/mineralizes right? And do you think these would look best over a paint pot, or paints to capture the intensity?
When I was playing with them today the MA said they really performed best over a base.
Yes, they perform best over creamy bases!
They’re more expensive because they’re mineralized, I believe!
They look best over any creamy base, so a paint pot or paint would work well!
Odd Couple reminds me of NARS Jezebel duo (& the dc’d original matte version of Mariebad). I think Stila & L’Oreal HiP have done/copied this combo too.
Thanks for the swatches! I love Sea&Sky & Fresh Green Mix too.
Thanks for the dupe suggestions, Nartian!!
I just HAD to pick up Fresh Green Mix, it was absolutely too gorgeous to pass up!!
I tried and tried to convince myself I didn’t need it, that I could dupe the solid side by using Juxt and Goldmine,lol.. but it just was NOT as intense as the Mineralize duo and I would have regretted not getting it..
My counter didn’t have 4 of them yet though – including Sea & Sky and Hot Contrast so I couldn’t check those out. =( I was bummed! Oh well, less temptation! lol.. I am happy with what I purchased though and I’m dying to get home and play!
Nice pick, Trace 🙂
Too bad your counter didn’t get them all in 🙁
You have sealed the deal! Fresh Green Mix and Sea & Sky must be mine!!!
LOL! Those two are gorg.
Sea and Sky reminds me of Azreal Blue and Rebel Rock Blue Pigments. I am trying my darndest to stay away (cause overrich/cult of cherry is going to break me) but Odd Couple is calling me!
LOL! It is similar to it, but the blue in Sea & Sky is just so rich.
I went to play at the counter during lunch. I was underwhelmed with the lippies. Thought I liked Mellow Mood till I swatched it side by side with Viva Glam 5 and on me, they are identical. I did pick up Polar Opposite. But I’m undecided about it. The one I got has a lot of the lighter veins on the dark side and as such, it’s no where near as deep as the display was. That is always something I am wary of when buying a marbled product. I’m going to try it over a base and see if it works like I want. If not, I’m going to try and see if they have one with more dark veins.
I think they focused so much on the MES that the lip products were overlooked, LOL.
I picked up Fresh Green, Odd Couple, Contrast and Play on Plums. Oh and Dainty blush. The MA tried the solid green on the lid, the solid sign of Play on Plums, and the solid og contrast on the outer “v” it was BEAUTIFUL!!!! So sad I had to take it off because of work :0( and there is not that much fall out!
Great! Sounds like an awesome haul, Kula!
Dang nabbit! I like all the eyeshadows. If I do manage to restrain myself though, I’ll pick up Green Mix, Sea and Sky, Lil Hot Pepper and Dangerously Hot/ Lil Hot Pepper has such a cute name. *lol*
LOL, sounds like a nice haul though, Tekoa 🙂
I got fresh green mix and really love it!
Great! What do you like to wear it with, Winnie?
Woo-hoo! Now I’m liking the marbelized lighter blue shade from the SEA & SKY duo. Christine, how does this compare to Mutiny pigment from NN?? Also, how does the marbelized side from HOT CONTRAST compare to LOVELY LILY pigment from NN?? I’m seeing if I could do away without those since I already have FRESH WATER, DEEP TRUTH, and CARBON, as well as the pigments mentioned above. Thanks a bunch!
Mutiny is too aqua in comparison – just not quite the same. The marbelized side is more of a silvery blue – more in line with Azreal Blue, IMO.
Lovely Lily is lighter, a bit brighter – same family, though. Less mauvey-gray to it, though.
I just got home from the MAC counter!! I picked up the Polar Opposite and Play on Plum duos. They are gorgeous!! I love the solid shade in Polar Opposites, and the darker side creates a purply sort of color. The Play on Plums creates a beautiful bronzy sort of eye. The colors are extremely velvety and multi dimensional. I have never used mineralized eye shadows before, but I think I’m going to have to pick up some more. I also got the Major Minor lipglass which is also a BEAUTIFUL color. It’s kinda like your own lip color, but better! Perfect for a neutral lip.
Yay! I’m glad you picked up a few items, Liz 🙂 Let us know how you like to use them!
I don’t see your review of Pink Split, is it on another page?
Hi Jen…its hard to see because it is not in bold at least not on my screen but it’s between LOVE CONNECTION and PLAY ON PLUMS.
It’s there 🙂
OOoohh, I like Odd Couple.
I liked way more than I thought I would, ugh!
Christine I love the swatches and details you gve of every collection more that any other out on the net. And Odd Couple has my name written all over it, also love connection looks great to have for basics.
Thank you so much, Bianca! I’m happy to do it 🙂
Hey!
I picked up 3 of Cultureclash and Sonic Vibe, each. Honestly, it’s the perfect combo of sheer, frost, and coverage (all things that are usually impossible to put together because they are contradictory)…Cultureclash’s frosty bits are a sheer rainbow as opposed to plain silver or gold. Sonic Vibe has mostly gold frost in it that really makes the pink pop (and this is from swatching on my hand, but when I put them on my lips they didn’t differ at all like some l/g does).
I got one of Major Minor but just because I don’t have any l/g like this.
I also got Odd Couple and Pink Split!
I had been waiting for this collection for months!!!
I plan on getting some New View tomorrow…
Oh, wow! I’m glad you’re lovin’ the combo 😀
Wow thanks Christine. I think I’m going to get Sea & Sky, the odd couple and maybe pink split. I can’t take it, I must get to my Nordstrom pronto. Can’t wait to see your looks w/ Sea & Sky.
Sure thing, Kellie! LOL!
I picked up Sea & Sky, Polar Opposites, and Pink Split! LOVE THESE! Don’t know which one I’ll choose to wear tomorrow!
Nice!! Which one did you end up wearing, Cassie?
Pink Split!
I like Fresh Green Mix and Sea and Sky after seeing the swatches, and your review confirms it. I kind of like Polar Opposites too. I’m saving for future releases and spent a lot recently on Color Forms and Heatherette (it was launched yesterday in Asia *yay*). I’ll definitely get Green, but between Sea & Sky and Polar Opposites, which is better?
As for the l/s & l/g, I like Fast Thrill, Sonic Vibe and Culture Clash. I think these are very nice colors. I hope they are not overshadowed by the eyeshadows LOL.
Miss QQ, which part of Asia are you at? Currently we have Tendertones and Cool Heat on in Hong Kong.
Hi Nana. I’m in Singapore. Tendertones was released more than a month ago I think. After that was Colour Forms, followed by Cool Heat last week. It’s crazy, almost a collection released every week. Is Heatherette launching at HK soon?
Hi Miss QQ, Heatherette will be launched this week on the 17th in HQ. I’m so excited!
Hey Miss QQ! I hope you enjoy your purchases 😀
I only got Hot Contrast & Gentle blush, although I’ll be going back tomorrow to get Dainty & Nuance (maybe). I might get Fresh Green, but I wasn’t as wowed by it as I thought I might be.
Wow!! I’m surprised!
I’m actually surprized too! I love greens but on me the colours weren’t dense enough. I liked the mono side, but the marbled side looked really dull on my skin. That being said I’m gonna go back for one last look.
I think that play on plum can be easily duped with star violet and all that glitters…does anyone else find these a bit too shimmery and perhaps too flaky? I can’t seem to get myself to commit to them.
It helps to use Fix+ to give them some staying power and some better color pickup!
Do you use them with Fix+ and applied directly to the lid, or do you use a base first?
I think the black from Hot Contrast would look SO HOT wet.
I found the same thing – try using a synthetic brush which I find lays down glitter/frost/metallic eyeshadows better. My favourite is the Shu Uemura Synthetic Brush 10.
Star Violet is similar, but it wasn’t 100% dupe when I tried it in-store, though 🙁
Close, though!
Thanks for the swatches! I don’t know about the lip prodcuts but I am definitely gonna get myself the lovely Fresh Green Mix, Sea & Sky and Polar Opposites.
No problem, Nana! Always happy to share when I can 🙂
Nice picks!
Thanks for the swatches. I love sea & sky.
Hi Gio! Happy to assist. Will you be picking up Sea & Sky?
hi christine, i was wondering if the LG cultureclash the colour isit similar to dazzleglass’s baby sparks?
It’s similar, but more pigmented/intense (Baby Sparks went on very sheerly for me).
i put swatche up of bombshell and thrill on specktra 🙂
Thanks, Lala!
Lovely swatches, Christine! I think I am going to get Sea & Sky, Fresh Green Mix, and Hot Contrast or Play on Plums. I’m trying to limit myself to one or two, but these look so pretty <3
Hi DreamerChan,
Thank you! I’m glad you’re going to get yourself a few. They feel and seem wonderful — and I hated MES. I might be changing my tune over the next few weeks!
I’m trying to pick out a neutral-ish, work-safe mineralize duo-nothing TOO metallic or loud, something I will get a lot of use out of. I can’t choose between Play on plums, pink split, or love connection. what would you recommend for NC37/medium dark MSFN?
Hi Gina,
Try Love Connection – I think it’s the most work-safe!
I would go for medium dark MSFN for NC37.
Omg I want 3 of those duos, but it’s sure going to burn a hole in my pocket. Does anyone know how much these are in Canada? I went to check it out today, but that MAC only had half of them available. My first reaction when i only saw 5 on the display was, “OMG they’re sold out within a day already?” but the employee said the rest hadn’t arrived yet. I want polar opposite, sky&sea, and two to glow. =(
Hi Monica,
I don’t know how much they are in Canada, unfortunately. But I believe you can see it on the Canadian MAC website.
i’m so glad they’ve improved their mineralized products. all of them had good pay off, it was hard for me to choose. i didn’t get any e/s or the face powders because i thought all of the new collections were glittery so i chose the blushes, came home to find out the blushes were not at all glittery. now i have an excurse to want the e/s and the face powder, help.
Hi Victoria,
It definitely seems like they’ve improved the formula. Great… but not so great for my wallet!
Hi Christine, do you think the gray side in Polar Opposites is similar to Softwash Grey pigment? If it is, I have to get it…lol
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi blu3,
Hmm… not really, it’s not as bluish-purple, IMO!
Fresh Green Mix and Hot Contrast are lovely.
Hi Kayra,
I want to see someone use Hot Contrast wet. Desperately!
Goodness! I was convinced that I didn’t need these at all, but I swatched Love Connection and bought it immediately. Sigh.
LOL, I know how you feel, Sarah 🙁
Hello, may I ask you to use the article to my blog?
Hi Huirita, you may link to it, thanks!
So i went into MAC yesterday and i told my friends i was only allowed to buy 2 of the new products from the electroflash line,(to keep my cost down!) so i ended up getting Pink Split and Love Connection and i LOOOOOOOVE them, they are such gorgeous colors!!!
Hi Meig,
I’m so glad you were able to get those two, though 🙂 Enjoy!
Christine,could you do possible dups comparison swatches,basically swatch thse eyeshadows with possible permanent dup colors. I am still really iffy on this collection but don’t want to wait too much longer if there is a must have. I barely use the last mineralized collection. Thanks.
Teresa
Hi Teresa,
If there was a good permanent dupe that I could think of, I mentioned it in the review. But if there’s a particular color you’d like to me to look at again, I’d be happy to!
IF you could pick one duo, what would it be?
Sea & Sky probably!
I bought fresh green mix on MAC’s website, but when I received it in the mail, it broke into pieces *tears*… I bought Sea & Sky at the same time, loved it~… but I also wanna try love connection (but it seems like nobody really likes it…)
Oh no, Jin! 🙁 I’m so sad that happened. Did you contact MAC?
Hi, Christine; it’s been forever since I’ve come by the site – so sorry! As usual, the site looks fab 🙂
I was drawn in by the shadow duos, but when I actually got to my store, I was hard-pressed to choose a single item from the duos, the new blushes, and the MSF combos. I ended up getting Hot Contrast (there was a literal sharp intake of breath when I swatched it – always a good sign!), but the one time I’ve tried wearing it, I had to trash the look – too dark for daytime, and not enough time to try again. Any tips? I have a handful paint pots and cream shadows, but the only light-colored one I’ve got is Girl Friendly. Any recommendations would be much appreciated!
Enough about me – what, if anything, have you picked up from this collection?
Hi Kirsten,
I’m glad you’ve stopped by, though 🙂 To be honest, I haven’t found a way to work the MES like others have. I’ve tried pigments as bases as well as Soft Ochre paint pot, which you’d think would be easy. I even did Blacktrack underneath Hot Contrast, but it just didn’t go as WOW on the lid as it did swatched. I was told creamy bases work best with these, and the MES work best when used wet.
I’ve gone through half of the MES (keep returning/exchanging). I love the blushes, though, I think I have 4-5 – Dainty and Nuance are favorites for sure.
I bought Love Connection and Odd Couple. I love both duos! But I am wondering if the marbleized side of Hot Contrast is like Shimma paint. I am trying so hard to find a dupe for Shimma since it’s been discontinued. Does anyone know? TIA.
Thanks, Liz!
Hi Liz,
Hmm, I don’t really know. I mean, it’s very much like it looks in the swatch, and I don’t own Shimma (and haven’t swatched it in years, lol), so I couldn’t tell you.
Hey there! i got play on plums and it looks great!! I am tan (NW 43-45) i guess ..and am debating between sea and sky and fresh green mis..tho i think they wont look good on dark skin..any suggestions?
Fresh Green Mix is probably your best bet 🙂