Make Up For Ever Iridescent Artist Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)
Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I112 Chrome Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium, bluish gray with cool undertones and a pearly shimmer-sheen finish. It had rich color payoff with a creamy, moderately dense texture that was smooth and blendable on the skin, while the color adhered well to bare lids. On me, this shade wore well for eight and a half hours before creasing. Too Faced Blueberry Swirl (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Sapphire (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Be My Bow (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Frozen Blue (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Beaugrenelle #4 (PiP, ) is brighter (90% similar). MAC Bright Moon (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Cyber (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Burberry Stone Blue (307) (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Destination (LE, $32.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Lovey Dovey (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (85% similar). LORAC Starry Night (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Chanel Tisse Jazz #1 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Blk-ish (LE, ) is darker (80% similar). Milani Bella Sky (08) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar). Natasha Denona Quick Silver (09M) (PiP, $29.00) is darker (80% similar). bareMinerals Mingle (P, ) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). CoverGirl Charcoal (335) (P, $4.99) is darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Heavy, Black and Pendulous (LE, $17.00) is darker, brighter, cooler (80% similar). Makeup Geek Stealth (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Giorgio Armani Moonlight White #2 (LE, ) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I120 Snow Gray Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, bluish-white with cool undertones and a frosted finish. It appeared bluer in the pan than swatched, where it ends up looking lighter and brighter overall. The consistency was soft and blendable, while it felt looser in the pan than a lot of the shades in the Artist Shadow formula do, not in a bad way, just that it was noticeably different. When I tested it, the eyeshadow lasted for eight hours. Sephora Early Frost (DC, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar). Too Faced Nutcracker (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White (DC, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Crystal Avalanche (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). NYX Frostbite (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sugarpill Ice Angel (PiP, $13.00) is cooler (95% similar). theBalm A3 (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Starry Night #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Anti-Star (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). theBalm Metal-ica (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Flawless Figure (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Disney by Sephora Midnight Hour #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium sky blue with a pearly sheen. It had good color payoff, but the texture was much denser and a little stiffer to work with; this one seemed prone to skipping/applying unevenly for me. It started to crease after eight hours of wear. I also noticed that this shade must have been discontinued since the it came out. Give Me Glow Break the Ice (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Styledriven (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS Grand Large (LE, $28.00) is more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S208 Baby Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Jade (03) (DC, $39.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #25 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). JD Glow Bora Bora (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar). Make Up For Ever D206 Celestial Blue (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Terra Moons Rhea (P, $8.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Clionadh Frosted (P, $5.50) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Make Up For Ever #25 (P, $23.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Sydney Grace Swimming Swans (DC, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Giorgio Armani Swimming Pool Turquoise (LE, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium blue with subtle, cool undertones and a warmer, more golden sheen. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, dense, and cream-like consistency that applied well to bare skin but didn’t perform as well over primer (didn’t apply as evenly). This shade wore well for eight and a half hours on me. Terra Moons Rhea (P, $8.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). NARS Grand Large (LE, $28.00) is more muted (95% similar). Buxom Schmooze (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #25 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Styledriven (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever S208 Baby Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Dior Blue Lagoon (374) Eyeshadow #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). City Color Breezy (P, $6.99) is darker (85% similar). MAC Divine Blue (LE, $20.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Make Up For Ever D206 Celestial Blue (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Dior Rivage #3 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar). Give Me Glow Break the Ice (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Giorgio Armani Jade (03) (DC, $39.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Swimming Swans (DC, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Clionadh Frosted (P, $5.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Anastasia D1 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). Giorgio Armani Swimming Pool Turquoise (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bold, dark navy blue with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a denser, firmer consistency that was harder to apply evenly. I felt like this shade could be built up and diffused with some effort, but it wasn’t as impressive as the majority of this formula has been. Sephora My Boyfriend's Jeans (19) (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Kimono (LE, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Spring-Summer '17 (LE, $39.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Etiquette (LE, $6.00) is more muted (95% similar). Urban Decay Evidence (DC, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). NARS Cressida (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Natasha Denona Blue Spruce (02M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Just One Kiss (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Swing (116) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Stila Sapphire (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Stargaze (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Diving in Australia (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Danger (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Cobalt (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Eternity (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar). Glaminatrix Sapphire (P, $8.04) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Deep Truth (DC, $17.00) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Moskova #4 (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals Nightfall (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark bluish-teal with cooler undertones and a satiny sheen. The color payoff was incredibly opaque with a creamy, smooth consistency that applied beautifully to bare skin. The eyeshadow blended out with ease and lasted for eight and a half hours on me. Make Up For Ever I-20 (P, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). theBalm #43 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Fringe (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Smashbox Pacific (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). theBalm #23 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Tarina Tarantino Ozma (DC, ) is more shimmery, brighter (85% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #26 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). L'Oreal Teal Couture (P, $5.99) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Clinique Aqua Pop (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, brighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Mermaid (DC, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Inglot #413 (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). NARS China Seas #1 (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Emerald Lust #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Milani Primary #5 (DC, $6.99) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Make Up For Ever I300 Pine Green Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a dark, muted teal with subtle, cooler undertones and a satiny sheen. The consistency was quite dense, though it was smooth and seemed to apply just fine to bare skin. It had opaque pigmentation that blended out nicely. This shade started to crease after eight and a half hours on me. MAC Blue Karma (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). MAC Indigogo (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Effect (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Cleopatra (DC, $34.00) is brighter (85% similar). MAC She's a Model (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Radio (PiP, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Midnight Swim (16) (DC, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Blurry Blue #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Deep Sea (LE, $14.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #7 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Road Movie #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Chanel Quiet Revolution #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). bareMinerals Dazzle (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Scarab (37) (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Fixated (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Natasha Denona Deep Pacific (03V) (PiP, $29.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Big Sur (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #11 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Natasha Denona Python (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Sea Mist (DC, $6.00) is lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a powder eyeshadow available in five distinct finishes: Diamond, Iridescent, Matte, Metallic, and Satin. The texture of all finishes, except the Matte finish, are much denser and more like a cream-powder hybrid. I’ve used traditional eyeshadow brushes (like MAC’s 239, a go-to for me) with these and have hadn’t any issues, but for those who have, I would recommend a firmer, flatter synthetic brush (like MAC 242) to maximize payoff and application. The Diamond and Iridescent finishes have sparkle or micro-glitter, and I have found that the majority of shades have little to no fall out over time for me. The Metallic is the richest, smoothest formula out of the five finishes. The Mattes are soft and silky–much smoother and more finely-milled than the brand’s last formula–but these are sometimes sheerer, though buildable, and can be a little dusty or powdery to work with. The Mattes typically apply well and blend out without issue. The Satin finish feels the firmest of the five finishes but is the most blendable and pigmented; some are closer to metallic and others are more like a natural matte on. I get seven to ten hour wear, depending on the shade, across the range. The eyeshadows are larger than standard (0.08 oz. per the packaging). For the most bang for your buck, consider purchasing two ($32.00) or three at once ($46.00) or watch for seasonal releases of palettes (just be careful if you’ve already bought a few–the brand repeats very often).
I112 Chrome
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I120 Snow Gray
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I204 Sky Blue
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I210 Light Turquoise
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I218 Indigo Blue
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I238 Blue Cedar
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
I300 Pine Green
DCDiscontinued. $21.00.
Make Up For Ever I112 Chrome Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I112 Chrome Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I112 Chrome Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I120 Snow Gray Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I120 Snow Gray Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I120 Snow Gray Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I204 Sky Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I210 Light Turquoise Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I238 Blue Cedar Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I300 Pine Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I300 Pine Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever I300 Pine Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: I204, S336, I340, S214, I528, Sephora Summer Cruise Eyeliner
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: I204, S336, I340, S214, I528, Sephora Summer Cruise Eyeliner
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: D200, D206, S234, I220, D104
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: D200, D206, S234, I220, D104
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: S314, I238, ME302, S228, M650, M810, I918, D914, Marc Jacobs Beauty Ody(sea) Eyeliner
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: S314, I238, ME302, S228, M650, M810, I918, D914, Marc Jacobs Beauty Ody(sea) Eyeliner
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: I414, I330, I332, I300, I514, Sephora Indulge Yourself Eyeliner, Stila Mint Julep Eyeliner, D410
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: I414, I330, I332, I300, I514, Sephora Indulge Yourself Eyeliner, Stila Mint Julep Eyeliner, D410
Pine Green and Blue Cedar are really beautiful
Agreed!
These are all so beautiful. I have Indigo.
Yay! How do you like to wear Indigo?
It’s a great definer shade, or for darking up the outer V or outer corners. I love to line with it.
Blue Cedar has to definitely go on my wishlist.
All look great, I’ve swatched Chrome, it’s a bit darker and more neutral compared to my cooler lighter skin tone. I really liked it though. It’s a great choice for a smokey eye for pale people since it’s not as harsh as some of the other shades one might traditionally use.
Ooh, nice!
Good to know! (Adds to wishlist.)
*Swoon* Love all of these!! MUFE texture is sooo easy to work with!
I agree! Such a great formula.
Yes to Blue Cedar and Pine Green for me! Love those two! Pine Green is the same color as my eye’s outer ring part of color in my iris. Even though they say not to wear your eyecolor in eyeshadows, I do it anyway! It all depends on what one pairs it up with.
Nice! I hope you can check them out sometime 🙂
Beautiful! I’m diggin I112 and I300, so pigmented!
Glad you liked some of them! 🙂
Blue Cedar is such an awesome color. I’m not sure it would look good on me but I plan to buy a few blues from this line, so maybe it will make the cut. What are your favorite blues from the line, Christine?
I haven’t really had a chance to review them all yet, I don’t think!
Oh my goodness, some blues that finally score well! I’m putting these on my wishlist for a custom palette of blues for next sale
Woohoo! 😀
The last two shades of I238 Blue Cedar & I300 Pine Green are gorgeous. I would consider buying them even if they didn’t have a good grade.
Those are nice ones! They’re muted but still rich in a way.
I usually opt for an Olive Green color to go with my nudes but the Pine Green & Blue Cedar are calling to me.
Your eyes look beautiful..
Thank you so much! 🙂
Love this group and love that you are doing these by finish. Blue Cedar has been high on my radar, since you published it under muted colors last spring (?) Chrome is in my next trio, too. Was wondering about whether or not CP plays well with MUFE. Don’t think I’ve tried that yet. Paint pots play well with MUFE; found that out today. Keep going back to that muted post. Too bad MUG d/c’d Duchess. Can’t find a dupe that has the same level of drabbed down, but still colorful. That combo is also difficult to nail, witness failures like the LM watercolor palette. Maybe I’ll make my next day job password Ho4MUFE! No, do not channel this lust further. Super looks, C.
Yeah, at this point, it is just easiest to stay on task/organized by finishing them by finish! 🙂
Haven’t tried it with CP. I find I do not cross brands on the eye as often I did many years ago!
Oh so pretty! Pine green is gorgeous!
It is!
Generally these are my kind of colours – but somehow I am not fussed by the finishes. The only one I really liked was the Pine Green. As I have the UD Spectrum palette, most of the colours above were dupes of those.
I also liked the Chrome colour too – but preferred the Sapphire dupe from Visehart.
What I did really like were your eye looks Christine – festive and aquatic colours.
What kind of finish would you have preferred?
Beautiful bright eye looks! I’ve been looking at Blue Cedar for a while, and Sky Blue looks pretty too. I just ordered Blue Azure from Sephora , my package will be here tomorrow! Hope it’s as pretty as Blue Cedar!
Thanks so much, Denise 🙂
Your artistry really shines through with these. Can I ask what kind of brush you recommend with these; natural or synthetic? I own quite a few of these and haven’t settled on the best brush yet.
I use mostly MAC 239s for lid application, Wayne Goss/Chikuhodo/etc. kind of crease brushes — so primarily natural, but I’ve had fine luck using MAC 242s as well (synthetic)!
Oh, these look lovely! Too bad I’m not buying makeup any longer. 🙁
Good luck on your no-buy!
I don’t remember the last time I wore blue eye shadow (so boring of me, I know lol) but now I am really tempted by these! They look so beautiful! I just really want them the more I look at them haha! Feels like forever since I’ve really had fun with my makeup looks =)
Hey, if you love what you wear, that’s all good 😀
I’m looking at my Sephora Colorful Shadow & Liner in Stayin’ Alive, thinking it might be a good dupe. Might be a touch too green. Hard to tell.
Good dupe for Blue Cedar, I mean.
Nice! 😀
Actually, the more I look, the more I think it might be almost dead on. Clearly I need to pull this one out of the back of the drawer and start using it more, given how blown away I am by Blue Cedar!
Blue Cedar is gorgeous xo
It is!