Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo ($49.00 for 0.09 oz.) features the Magnetic Color Shadow formula, which is supposed to be “saturated with pigment,” but then, they later say “buildable color” yet it is “pretreated and primed for high-color impact.” (Under the monos, they only say “intensely pigmented,” while the quads say “saturated with color for a high-impact, buildable finish.”) Both of these shades were quite pigmented, and the texture was soft and smooth, though the right shade had a little dryness to it while the left shade was fantastic.

You might be wondering what is the most “cost-effective” way to try Gucci’s eyeshadows. Their singles are $528.57/oz., duos are $544.44/oz., and quads are $382.35/oz., so quads are significantly more for your money, both when you crunch the numbers and because you can try four shades for the price of two singles. I’m not sure where Gucci is trying to price themselves, because some of their products are comparable to Chanel, Dior, etc., others more like Tom Ford but slightly less. The single and duo shadows seem over-priced relative to the much of the range.

Malachite (Left) is a rich, grassy green with warm undertones and a soft, frosted sheen. It had excellent color payoff with a really smooth–almost creamy–consistency that blended well on the skin. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading slightly. Anastasia Emerald (LE) is darker, more muted. Sephora Collection Rolling in the Grass (10) is more shimmery, cooler-toned. (P, $13.00) NARS Night Porter (LE, $24.00) is darker, cooler-toned. MAC Humid (P, $15.00) is slightly lighter. L’Oreal Golden Emerald (P, $7.99) is more shimmery. Sugarpill Junebug (P, $12.00) is darker. Make Up For Ever #310 (DC, $20.00) is darker, cooler-toned. Inglot #418 (P, $6.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Malachite (Right) is a deepened, muted navy blue with a pearly sheen. It had good pigmentation, and while it was blendable and smooth applied, the texture had a slight dryness to it (but it wasn’t stiff). The color didn’t show signs of fading until after eight and a half hours of wear. Dior Pied de Poule #1 (P) is less shimmery, darker. Sleek MakeUP Black Magic (LE, $9.99) is darker. NARS Giove (P, $29.00) is similar. Too Faced Heavy Metal (P, $16.00) is darker. Illamasqua Android (P, $25.50) is more shimmery. Giorgio Armani #20 (LE, $33.00) is similar. bareMinerals Controversy (LE) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite Magnetic Color Shadow Duo

Gucci Malachite (Left) Magnetic Color Shadow

Gucci Malachite (Left) Magnetic Color Shadow

Gucci Malachite (Right) Magnetic Color Shadow

Gucci Malachite (Right) Magnetic Color Shadow

Fume (Right) (inner lid), Fume (Left) (middle of lid), Malachite (Left) (outer lid),
Malachite (Right) (crease), Iconic Ottanio Eyeliner

Fume (Right) (inner lid), Fume (Left) (middle of lid), Malachite (Left) (outer lid),
Malachite (Right) (crease), Iconic Ottanio Eyeliner