MAC Studio Eye Gloss ($22.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is one of those products that really mystifies me, because I don’t know why it’s launched and included in consumer-geared collections. I wish they were touted as lipglosses, because at least they might be wearable (though the texture is like glue). You can read my in-depth review of the formula here, but I’ll also summarize here. The formula is incredibly sticky, glue-like, and is so tacky that as you apply the product, you can feel your skin lift off of your eyeball, because the eyelid is sticking to your fingertip or a brush and snap back in place. On the lid, my eyelid gets stuck against the skin above my crease. It creases within five minutes (and I’d even just apply it to the lid, but it’s such a jetsetter that it finds its way well past the crease line anyway). The color goes on unevenly and migrates around. It transfers to the lower lash line (from the eyelid). It gets into the inner corner and causes the upper and lower lash lines to stick. I’ve tried barely a dab and a full glob, and the wear is always the same–disappointing and futile. It is more comfortable to apply a similarly-colored eyeshadow and apply a gloss or petroleum jelly on top for a glossy effect that is far more comfortable and less painful to use. MAC says they’re a “gloss for eyes that provides high shine with buildable coverage” and can be used to enhance pigments (which just causes them to crease, migrate, and move everywhere) or worn alone.

If you are so brave as to try, from all the attempts I have made using this formula, my best have been using downward strokes with a flat, synthetic brush (but only in one direction and never repeating over the same area), though this has not solved wear issues, only minimized the pain of applying. I think this, at best, a PRO product, and it would have been great if MAC made it for all-over – so it could be used on lips or cheeks, not just the eyes, which is probably the hardest and least practical area to apply something that feels like thick glue.

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss ($22.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “violet with multi-coloured glitter.” It’s a muted, navy blue with fuchsia, blue, and violet pearl in a glossy base. It creased within two minutes, was incredibly thick and tacky (like applying glue to your lids), made my skin stick to my fingertips/brushes and then later my lid stick to the skin above my lid, or my lash lines to stick together as the gloss migrated into my inner and outer corners and below the lash line. Makeup Geek Nautica (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Banafsaji (LE, $17.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #6 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, less glossy (85% similar). Urban Decay Beat Down (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Baby T (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar). Le Metier de Beaute Sapphire (LE, $30.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Givenchy Bleu Soie (4) (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss ($22.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “black with multi-coloured glitter.” It’s a dark black with warm, olive undertones and multi-colored pearl–a lot of green, pink, and blue–paired with a glossy finish. The color is gorgeous in the pot and swatched, but it is a nightmare applied and in use. Buxom Black Lab (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar). Sugarpill Stella (P, $13.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Scorpio (DC, $20.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Givenchy Inattendue #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Chanel Mirifique (P, $32.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar). Urban Decay Baby Hair (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Jet Couture (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (85% similar). Make Up For Ever D104 Black Diamond (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Dark Soul (PiP, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Erogenous Zone Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss

MAC Spank Me Studio Eye Gloss