MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad ($33.00 for 0.19 oz.) is a new, limited edition quad that will be available online on May 26th, and in select stores on June 2nd. The quad contains two permanent shades–Mystery and Carbon–and frankly, Sandstone is so close to Cork (permanent) that it might as well be an all-permanent quad (I imagine most readers will have a beige eyeshadow that would function similarly to Mother’s Milk). The colors work well together, and it creates a smoky, more neutral-toned look, so those who prefer pre-made quads and don’t mind that the pans are glued in might still prefer buying it already put together.
Mother’s Milk is a light beige with neutral-to-cool undertones and a soft, pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a slightly firmer texture, but it seemed to apply and build well on the lid–I didn’t notice the stiffness once I was using it. The color lasted for eight hours on me. Anastasia Treasure (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar). Chanel Poesie #2 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Dior Eternal Gold #2 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Phresh Out #1 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Viseart Kifu (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Pure Bred #1 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tarina Tarantino Elektron (DC, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). bareMinerals Air (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Supermodel (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Parisienne #4 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Rouge Bunny Rouge Rain Dove (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angel #1 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Crystal Spark (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Shimma Shimma (DC, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Smashbox Flirt (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Givenchy Tentation #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury The Rock Chick #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Surratt Beauty Soie (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Satin Ochre (Left) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Bones (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Sandstone is a muted, medium brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was slightly dusty, but it was smooth and finely-milled, which resulted in a very blendable product in practice. It had semi-opaque, buildable coverage that adhered well to bare skin. On me, the color started to fade after eight hours. Too Faced Fifi (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Sweet Tea (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Taupe (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Stila Warm Taupe (LE, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #7 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). LORAC Brown (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Becca Ombre Nudes #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Coco (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Buxom Star Treatment (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). theBalm Flawless (P, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Natasha Denona Flint (184CM) (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Dare (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Tarte Jetsetter (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Divergent Radiant Initiation (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Natasha Denona Lucy (464CM) (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Chessboard (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M630 Sweet Chestnut (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Dior Ombre Sculpting Powder (001) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Clarins Brown #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). elf Thrift Shop (P, $5.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Mystery is a medium-dark taupe-brown with cooler undertones and a matte finish. The texture was marginally dusty, though soft and smooth with good blendability on the skin. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that lasted for eight hours on me. Laura Mercier Earth (LE, $23.00) is cooler (95% similar). Anastasia Volatile (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). bareMinerals Tide Pool (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Drama in the Snow (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Persona Maverick (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Clinique French Roast (PiP, $15.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). NARS Belladonna (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Dolly (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Chocolate Cake (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Tarte Eiffel for You (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Anastasia Mercury (DC, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). Sephora Roasted Chestnuts (DC, $10.00) is darker (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Henna Sea (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). theBalm Woodie (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Soot #2 (DC, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Baubles (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar). MAC Not Basic Black (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty O Snap (610) (LE, $29.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Carbon is a medium-dark black with a matte finish. This might be my most-owned eyeshadow ever, which means I’ve seen a lot of variations of it; it varies widely when it comes to quality–sometimes it’s so stiff that even sheer payoff is a challenge, and very occasionally, it’s quite good (I think I recall once or twice!). This time around, it yielded decent pigmentation, though the texture was still on the firmer, stiffer side. When I used it, I found the texture somewhat blendable, but it does take extra effort or building very gradually to minimize how much you have to blend out. Once on, it lasted for eight hours. Make Up For Ever #04 (DC, $20.00)(100% similar). MAC Bleuluxe #5 (PiP, )(100% similar). KVD Beauty Killing Moon (LE, )(100% similar). Too Faced Sin City (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Hard Magic (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). bareMinerals Lights Down (P, ) is lighter (95% similar). Anastasia Noir (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). Sephora Obsidian (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Dark Matter (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC Overnight (LE, $17.00) is brighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M100 Black (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarina Tarantino Lovely #5 (DC, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Smashbox Blackout (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). NARS Pandora II (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). City Color Black Widow (P, $6.99) is more shimmery (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Bonnie (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #1 (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Nocturne (P, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Sephora Black Lace (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Beg For It (LE, $20.00) is cooler (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Pillars
LELimited Edition. $33.00.
Mother's Milk
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
Sandstone
PPermanent. $17.00.
Mystery
DCDiscontinued. $17.00.
Carbon
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Mother’s Milk Eyeshadow
MAC Mother’s Milk Eyeshadow
MAC Sandstone Eyeshadow
MAC Sandstone Eyeshadow
MAC Mystery Eyeshadow
MAC Mystery Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Pillars Eyeshadow Quad
Is it just me, or does every swatch look dry? MAC needs to just do great lipsticks, foundations and blushes, and call it a day(with the eyeshadows). Their track record(of late) seems to be terrible and there’s no point coming out with a new line every other month and adding (re-packaged eyeshadows) that aren’t the same quality as your other products. Just sayin’!
Carbon was stiff, but Sandstone/Mystery were more dusty than particularly dry I would say.
C+ and it still looks like the best Carbon swatch I’ve seen in a while.
Ha, ha, ha. Would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
HAHA! I thought the exact same thing!
Am I the only one getting a listing of a whole lot of other products AFTER the glossovers of the 4 shadows? Creation, Energy, Sinner Red all the way through to Aristic (sic?)?
As for this quad, even before seeing the lower 2 shades, I thought “Wanna bet they stuck Carbon in this one too?” It looks so very ordinary and dupe-able, even if the rating had been A+.
Should be fixed! Sorry! I imported products into the database but forgot to remove the post # (of this post) so it created Glossovers for all of those shades. So sorry!
Not a problem at all, Christine. I only asked because I thought it was either computer problems at my end or that maybe this was one of the MAC “kits”, which included the quad and some lip products and liners….
These look soo dry/chalky/dusty to my eye. That being said these colors are perfect for a traveler with warm skin. This could make just about any type of look with one other pop shade or shimmer shade.
A couple were dusty, though they didn’t look that way on the lid at least!
Yikes, the colors are SO dupe-able, the swatches look SO dry and weak, and this is the best Carbon I’ve seen, but it’s still a C+, it’s tragic 🙁
One day, Carbon will be great. Maybe. Okay, maybe not.
I love love the neutral eye look you created with this palette. It is quite dupeable and perhaps I shall make my own similar quad from the existing shades in the permanent line!
Livia
Thank you!
What would be a good dupe for Mother’s Milk from the permanent line? x
Livia
It kind of depends on your skin tone, as I wouldn’t say there is one exactly like it, but it is a beige and can look cooler/warmer depending on your undertones.
Surprisingly, I really like this quad! BUT; I am also 110% sure that I could easily and effortlessly dupe it with what I already have. Lorac Pro Palette immediately comes to mind! Plus, a bunch of MAC shades I already own across my stash. Nothing easily portable, though.
I definitely think you could dupe it – even with a build-your-own-palette at MAC!
Or better still, what another reader said below; UD Naked Basics. I do NOT know how it is that I still don’t have that….?
Prob the latter. But I think they COULD do it.
Hey goofed and the comment went in the wrong place. Oh, well. N you would definitely use NB. Surprised you don’t have it. Anytime a palette, MUFE e.g is lacking a crease/ transition/ whatever, out it comes to the rescue. If you have been doing without it, pick it up for upping your status somewhere, when you need the points. Sepho comes to mind….
I’m just as surprised, myself. Always talk myself out of it by telling myself that I already have a ton of MAC pro pan singles, including: Orb, Kid, Handwritten, Nehru, etc. Plus, Lorac Pro Palette. Yet, the NB looks like a staple, still.
This palette seems nice but not worth the money especially if you already own a couple palettes. It’s would be great for someone that isn’t really into makeup, it could be their everyday palette.
Totally agree — the colors are very dupable! I mean, beige and black? Definitely staple shades for many!
I’m weirdly missing and currently hunting for an all-matte, neutral (cooler-leaning) quartet (or trio and quintet) like this one, but Carbon’s inclusion (because of its infamous inconsistency in quality, as you noted) doesn’t quite sway me.
Are there similar palettes you’d recommend looking into, Christine? I may just jump for UD Naked Basics 1, otherwise…thanks!
Really hard to find anything truly cool-leaning, to be honest! I think Naked Basics is still one of the better short ‘n sweet matte-centric palettes!
Carbon actually looks half-decent in the swatch. These colors are so easy to dupe. I wouldn’t get this.
It really does, haha!
This may appeal to matte lovers, but I agree with Mary above – they do look very dry and dusty. Maybe it’s the colours. Average.
There are better palettes out there for sure!
This would be a nice, effortless quad, if the pigmentation were there.
Mystery is a really nice brown..and eureka, not a warm brown, but argh..a complete pita in the single version I have as well.
And eyeroll, Carbon is still being served up.
I don’t know why MAC doesn’t just ditch Carbon and start putting Typographic in everything.
If only!!! Or bring back Nehru, even if JUST in the LE palettes, because it’s a thousand times better!
This is for the Brandt brother collections, yeah? Because leave it to them to come up with a creepy, incestuous sounding name like “Mother’s Milk” for a shade. That family is so weird.
It did seem like an unusual name!
It’s pretty par the course for their white collar antics. The one brother was pictured on the beach getting uncomfortably handsy with his mother, and then there’s the infamous Vogue article with the photoshoot of them lacing her up in S&M gear. I assume they think they’re AVANT GARDE, YOU F*CKING PLEBES, but I think most of us have watched the Kardashians long enough to recognize their ilk when we see it, regardless of the income bracket.
I agree, that name just sounds all kinds of wrong!
They look so dry… Meh.
They could be better!
While we are starting petitions for MAC to have collections in honor of ones we’ve lost or even living…i think there should be one started to END CARBON!!!! Every time they add it to a palette or just alone n i see a swatch I cringe n immediately wanna jump in a jar of vaseline!! why mac…whyyyyyyyyyyy. By now it should’ve been reformulated or revamped to be a blendable n a true black (ie UD blackout comes to mind) **le sigh**
They should use Typographic instead!
I’m a huge fan of neutrals and even I think this is boring and sad, LOL.
Gotcha!