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Sneak Peek: MAC Nutcracker Sweet Eye & Cheek Palettes Photos & Swatches

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Eye & Face Palettes
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Eye & Face Palettes

Here’s a look at the three eyeshadow palettes and two blush duos from the upcoming MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection, which launches online on October 20th and in-stores on October 27th (North America). I’ll do my best to get working on these and have reviews sooner rather than later, but I’ll definitely need your patience as I have about 45 (!!) palettes in the queue to review!

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Cool Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Enchanted Beauty Eyeshadow

MAC Enchanted Beauty Eyeshadow

MAC Performance Art Eyeshadow

MAC Performance Art Eyeshadow

MAC The Wrong Man Eyeshadow

MAC The Wrong Man Eyeshadow

MAC Marzipan Eyeshadow

MAC Marzipan Eyeshadow

MAC Quite Spoiled Eyeshadow

MAC Quite Spoiled Eyeshadow

MAC Absurdly Pretty Eyeshadow

MAC Absurdly Pretty Eyeshadow

MAC Sugar Plum Eyeshadow

MAC Sugar Plum Eyeshadow

MAC Plum Darling Eyeshadow

MAC Plum Darling Eyeshadow

MAC Nutcracker Eyeshadow

MAC Nutcracker Eyeshadow


MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Smoky Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Too-dle-oo Eyeshadow

MAC Too-dle-oo Eyeshadow

MAC Deception Eyeshadow

MAC Deception Eyeshadow

MAC Sweet Dreams Eyeshadow

MAC Sweet Dreams Eyeshadow

MAC Dewdrop Eyeshadow

MAC Dewdrop Eyeshadow

MAC Cake & Biscuits Eyeshadow

MAC Cake & Biscuits Eyeshadow

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow

MAC Dance in the Dark Eyeshadow

MAC Dance in the Dark Eyeshadow

MAC Licorice Lane Eyeshadow

MAC Licorice Lane Eyeshadow


MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Warm Eye Compact Nutcracker Sweet Eye Compact

MAC Filament Eyeshadow

MAC Filament Eyeshadow

MAC Whirling Eyeshadow

MAC Whirling Eyeshadow

MAC Era Eyeshadow

MAC Era Eyeshadow

MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

MAC Unwind Eyeshadow

MAC Unwind Eyeshadow

MAC Lady Fingers Eyeshadow

MAC Lady Fingers Eyeshadow

MAC Twelve Chimes Eyeshadow

MAC Twelve Chimes Eyeshadow

MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow

MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow

MAC Beyond Gorgeous Eyeshadow

MAC Beyond Gorgeous Eyeshadow


MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Copper Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush


MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Peach Face Compact Nutcracker Sweet Face Compact

MAC Tutu Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Tutu Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC Tutu Extra Dimension Skinfinish

MAC At Dusk Extra Dimension Blush

MAC At Dusk Extra Dimension Blush

MAC At Dusk Extra Dimension Blush

38 Comments

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We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

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Katherine T. Avatar

Skipping the shadows, but…..Wow! Looks like Whisper of Gilt/Pleasure Model needs to be mine! I’ve heard so much about Whisper of Gilt, sure looks shimmery, and Pleasure Model looks absolutely gorgeous too. Can’t wait!

Tracey E. Avatar

I love the paxkaging but am neutral on the palettes. Inconsistent opaqueness across the shades. The extra dimension skinfinish duos look lovely but I have dupes. Look forward to your review, Christine.

Michele @Binxcat4ever Avatar

Is it me or does the quality of the shadows look a bit better than MAC’s been doing recently? The cool palette is on my list to pick up. I like the other two as well but can’t justify more warm shades as I wear them less often. Even the duos look lovely for those looking. I wish Whisper of Gilt was a stand alone bc I could easily wear and love the shade but Pleasure Model is just too coppery-bold for my skin tone.

Coils of Love Avatar

Great blog post and i love the swatches!!! I know that whisper of guilt is going to SELL out super fast and I have already put quite a dent in my funds for the items previously released this month…?? Anywho…I like to come and show you support.
Ig: coilsoflove

Betty Avatar

Agree with all who are loving Whisper of Gilt (as long as its not chunky glitter) and Pleasure Model looks good too. Like the idea of the Sweet Eye compact, in particular Dew Drop for the center of the lid, but only worth it if all the shadows test well.

Meredith Avatar

Yes, the highlighters look promising. I used to love MAC holiday palettes, but over the years, it seems as if the quality just isn’t as good as it once was. I need to touch the eyeshadows first hand to commit $ to this batch. Thank you for always posting such detailed reviews. I rely on your opinion quite a bit!

Char Avatar

I’m surprised mac can still make money in today’s industry where PIGMENTED EYESHADOWS are all the rage…. Goodness… Why can’t they get it together..i can’t tell the last time i bought something from a Mac counter. Honestly.

Christine, can we get the whole palette swatched at once like in a pic? Like all the shades in each palette beside each other on your arm? It provides perspective. Thank you so much doll. You are the best!

Ginny Avatar

45 palettes God bless you, Christine. Holiday releases aren’t really my jam for some reason but Im liking the pink cheek duo. I don’t need it but if it gets an A I will consider 🙂

kjh Avatar

OMG! Good luck with that mountain of work. We’re thrilled by whatever you manage. The embossing is wonderful, nice echo of the braid/frog motif. Love the copper. The pink/gray palette has a nice selection of shades, though the swatches disappoint a tad. I might consider CCOing it, if it got there. Do any of the EL cos resort to PRC mfg for the holidays, as other brands do? C, you do not have to answer. Grab the remover. Omg, I can’t imagine what your face goes through. We all thank you a thousandfold.

Kirsten Avatar

I’m having such a hard time deciding which blush set I like better. On the one hand, I think the peach would suit my coloring better, but on the other hand, the Whisper of Gilt has so SO much love and hype around it.

Ellen Avatar

The smokey palette looks warmer than the warm, and very appealing!! The Nordstrom anniversary palettes and sets were disappointing, maybe holiday will make up for that!

briana Avatar

I didn’t purchase any of the eye shadows from Mac’s holiday collection, because I just feel like at this point, they really need to start improving their formula with all the great stuff out there now.. However, I keep seeing all the pictures of people creating pretty pink eye looks with this collection on instagram and I’m loving all the pink, burgundy and gold!! I am especially in love with that “absurdly pretty” shade from the cool eye palette.. trying to find a good dupe though.. would you say “simply marlena” from makeup geek is a good dupe or is this one more purple?

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