The Best Make Up For Ever Artist Color Shadows | Top 30
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a large range with over 100 shades, and there were winners and losers throughout the five finishes the range is divided into. I really enjoyed some shades, and I found others more challenging to use. I really did not like that the brand kept names but often changed colors or finishes to the point where I think it causes confusion. They didn’t seem to last quite as well on bare skin as before (particularly the shimmery shades), but they were easier to work with over various eyeshadow primers (previously, I often experienced better application over bare skin than some primers).
I think that the formula lost some of its uniqueness in the reformulation as most of the shades became a bit denser and slightly less pigmented as a result, as they were not as yielding to brushes, and the richness of the original formula definitely was a big reason why I was so impressed the first time around. The other factor that was in play for me, personally, is simply that a lot of brands have since rolled out more dimethicone-heavy formulations, so upon going through both the original Artist Shadow and the reformulated Artist Color Shadow ranges, I was just less blown away.
I spent a lot of time going back-and-forth between the two formulas, and I largely preferred the updated matte formula as it is a lot less powdery and more velvety, so they work more readily on bare skin whereas the mattes of the prior range I felt needed primer to apply best. I did not fully review and rate all the individual shades of the original formula, so it’s hard to compare solely by rating. The other formulas seemed to depend more on the shade, though the updated Satins and Iridescents were definitely firmer across the board.
The original Artist Shadow formula had a creamier, slightly softer, and thicker feel for finishes like Metallic, Iridescent, and Satin, while I felt the original Diamond finish was denser/thicker (heavier almost) and the Matte finish was more powdery but similar in softness and pigmentation (I did not find the original Mattes to be ultra pigmented across the board–semi-opaque to opaque, buildable, which you can see in my original swatches here). By and large, I found the formula to be easy to work with and did not have to spend a lot of time blending or fussing with the shades on the lid.
References
- Best & Worst by Finish: Diamond, Iridescent, Matte, Metallic, Satin
- All Swatches
- By Rating
Make Up For Ever D326 Black Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a blackened brown with soft, warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever D326 Black Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a blackened brown with soft, warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever ME614 Graphite Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever ME614 Graphite Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, chocolaty brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever D652 Celestial Earth Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep bronze with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Make Up For Ever D652 Celestial Earth Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep bronze with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Make Up For Ever ME400 Buttrercup Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, sunshine yellow with warm undertones and a metallic finish. ...
Make Up For Ever ME400 Buttrercup Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, sunshine yellow with warm undertones and a metallic finish. ...
Make Up For Ever ME554 Gunmetal Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cooler, silvery...
Make Up For Ever ME554 Gunmetal Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cooler, silvery...
Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep purple with subtle, warm brown undertones and a pearly sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever ME930 Black Purple Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep purple with subtle, warm brown undertones and a pearly sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, medium blue-teal with cool undertones and a metallic...
Make Up For Ever ME232 Turquoise Blue Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, medium blue-teal with cool undertones and a metallic...
Make Up For Ever I102 Onyx Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep black with a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented and had a smooth,...
Make Up For Ever I102 Onyx Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep black with a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented and had a smooth,...
Make Up For Ever I538 Pearly Gray Beige Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium, golden brown with warm undertones and a metallic...
Make Up For Ever I538 Pearly Gray Beige Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium, golden brown with warm undertones and a metallic...
Make Up For Ever ME230 Peacock Blue Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark, blue-teal with a metallic sheen. The consistency was...
Make Up For Ever ME230 Peacock Blue Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark, blue-teal with a metallic sheen. The consistency was...
Make Up For Ever ME828 Garnet Black Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen....
Make Up For Ever ME828 Garnet Black Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, plummy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a pearly sheen....
Make Up For Ever I340 Lime Green Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium chartreuse green with strong, warm yellow...
Make Up For Ever I340 Lime Green Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium chartreuse green with strong, warm yellow...
Make Up For Ever I414 Yellow Ivory Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light beige with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever I414 Yellow Ivory Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light beige with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever I544 Pink Granite Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with strong, warm undertones and a frosted...
Make Up For Ever I544 Pink Granite Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with strong, warm undertones and a frosted...
Make Up For Ever M402 Mimosa Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a vibrant, medium yellow with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Make Up For Ever M402 Mimosa Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a vibrant, medium yellow with warm undertones and a matte finish. It was...
Make Up For Ever M748 Coral Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark pink-coral with a matte finish. The color payoff was...
Make Up For Ever M748 Coral Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark pink-coral with a matte finish. The color payoff was...
Make Up For Ever ME734 Tangerine Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm, reddish undertones and a golden...
Make Up For Ever ME734 Tangerine Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm, reddish undertones and a golden...
Make Up For Ever I328 Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium, olive green with warm, golden undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever I328 Bronze Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium, olive green with warm, golden undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever I528 Pearl Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a very light beige with warm, vanilla undertones and a subtle, pinkish sheen....
Make Up For Ever I528 Pearl Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a very light beige with warm, vanilla undertones and a subtle, pinkish sheen....
Make Up For Ever M405 Straw Yellow Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light yellow with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It...
Make Up For Ever M405 Straw Yellow Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light yellow with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It...
Make Up For Ever M603 Cinnamon Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color...
Make Up For Ever M603 Cinnamon Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color...
Make Up For Ever M705 Canyon Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, medium orange-brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
Make Up For Ever M705 Canyon Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a muted, medium orange-brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. The...
Make Up For Ever M853 Neon Pink Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, neon pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It...
Make Up For Ever M853 Neon Pink Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, neon pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It...
ME512 Golden Beige is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow was richly pigmented and had a smooth, slightly...
ME512 Golden Beige is a light-medium gold with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The eyeshadow was richly pigmented and had a smooth, slightly...
M500 Ivory is a soft beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a soft, smooth consistency that wasn't too thin...
M500 Ivory is a soft beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation with a soft, smooth consistency that wasn't too thin...
Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, reddish brown base with blue-to-teal shifting shimmer. It had...
Make Up For Ever ME302 Peacock Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, reddish brown base with blue-to-teal shifting shimmer. It had...
Make Up For Ever ME338 Acidic Green Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium chartreuse green with warm, yellow undertones...
Make Up For Ever ME338 Acidic Green Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium chartreuse green with warm, yellow undertones...
Make Up For Ever ME624 Black Gold Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, black-brown with warm, olive undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever ME624 Black Gold Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, black-brown with warm, olive undertones and a pearly sheen. It...
Make Up For Ever ME644 Iced Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with warm, red undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever ME644 Iced Brown Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with warm, red undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Make Up For Ever ME912 Orchid Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark magenta with cooler, violet pearl and a soft,...
Make Up For Ever ME912 Orchid Artist Color Shadow ($17.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark magenta with cooler, violet pearl and a soft,...
Glossover Averages
Reader Reviews
Based on 1 Review, 1 Quick Review
The Good: Buttery (1), Blendable (1)
The In-Between: Highly Pigmented (1)
I appreciate all the hard work you have done here Christine because when brands reformulate some products are better and some worse.
MUFE is available at Sephora Australia now, so it will be great to see these shades in person.
There is a wide variety of colours and finishes here too, unlike UD that just sticks to mattes and shimmers, this brand offers a more diverse range.
EVERYTHING you said above, Christine. I didn’t like them reusing the names for shades that are now significantly altered, either. Not thrilled with the changes to some of my favorite WL shades at all. Had I known that they were about to DC their previous stellar Artist Shadows, you know I would have snatched up Reptile, Granite Pink, Pink Chrome, and Aquatic Khaki! And a few other shades while I was at it, like Linen Green, which they didn’t carry over.
I am so bummed that I wasn’t able to grab the original aquatic khaki. Like you Nancy if I had known I would have done a major haul. The original MUFE shadows were/are my faves. It’s a good thing the pans were huge. What I have will last me a while.
I’ve been able to find a bunch of the old formula on Glambot (often for $5 or so).
Like Nancy, I agree with your comments, Christine, and I do wish that instead of reformulating everything, MUFE had streamlined the line (there were so many colours in the original line and a lot of overlap) and relaunched the original colours in these smaller,, rectangular and lower priced pans. And I know what you mean about missing out on some of the original shades. I made a rush trip to Sephora to buy the original Golden Khaki because I knew (thanks to Christine) that it was a nicer colour and much more what I wanted. I wish the store had stocked more of the original shades; if they had, I’d have bought 2 or 3 more in all likelihood but the others I wanted were “online only” and no longer available since Sephora had already replaced them all in their online platform.
Genevieve, I’m excited for you that you’ve now got access to these shadows and can’t wait to hear which you purchase and what you think of them.
I can’t imagine the Iridescents and the Satins being MORE firm. I love my “old” Iridescent ones but I definitely need to use my densest of brushes to pick up the color. I think I only own one of the old Satins, though I tried several. I ended up returning almost every Satin I bought the first time around, because I wanted to use my fluffy brushes with them but they just wouldn’t pick up.
Thank you for testing all of these for us.
My favorite posts on your site are by far the ones where you put together palette with single eyeshadows, and I would love to see you put together some quads or 8-pan shadows of some of your favorite shadows!
Are these swatches over primer or bare skin?
Bare skin as always. If there was primer, that would be disclosed.