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MAC Dazzleshadow Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a new formula that launches online on June 11th and hits stores on June 18th (July for international locations). The formula is supposed to have “rich pigments [that] adhere to the lid” with a “twinkling sheen.” The “liquidform ‘bridge’ texture” gives it “superior adhesion and performance, minimizing fallout.” MAC didn’t note whether they could be used with a damp brush, though I used all with a damp brush (as well as dry and over primer), and I didn’t notice any adverse changes to the surface texture of any of the shades. The texture has a slightly emollient feel, but it is primarily a powder eyeshadow. It’s not really gritty, as the sparkles are flatter and less textured, but it’s not quite smooth like your traditional powder eyeshadow, because it is packed with sparkle. A lot of the shades had more of a duochrome nature and others shifted based on the amount of sparkle (the sparkly bits reflected light more, giving the color a lighter appearance at certain angles but not a real color shift).

The wear is poor when used dry; there is a fair amount of fall out as well as creasing within six hours, and there’s a tendency for the color to sheer out as it is blended on the lid. Even just applying the eyeshadow with a damp brush improves the wear to eight hours with minor creasing and less fall out but still a moderate amount. I also used Too Faced’s Glitter Glue, which these are harder to blend over (workable but requires extra brushes), but the primer intensifies the base color while making the finish appear more sparkly, even from the get-go. I think these are easier to work with when you’re only using one or two shades, but using them altogether with no other powder eyeshadows was a little more challenging, as they do not blend out as evenly as the glittery bits tend to give the edge a rougher, more uneven look as some bits of sparkle are spread but not the rest.

I think they’re an improvement as far as your standard powder eyeshadow that has sparkle or glitter in it (think of MAC Lustres as a good example), but it’s not a perfect formula. You’ll still want to use a good, slightly tacky base underneath to maximize the performance of both color payoff as well as wear. It is also comparable to several other formulas on the market in terms of feel and performance: Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow, MAC Pressed Pigments, Urban Decay Moondust, Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, Gucci.

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is described as a “light grey with silver sparkles.” It’s a muted, light-medium pewter with warm, beige tones paired with a sparkling, metallic finish. This was one of the better shades in the collection, as it had a stronger base color and less sparkle, which resulted in stronger color payoff, better application, and less fall out. It wore well for seven hours before creasing (worn dry), eight hours (worn damp), ten hours (with adhesive primer). Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery. MAC Palladium (LE, ) is less shimmery. Guerlain Two Stylish #1 (P, ) is lighter, warmer. Dior Constellation (864) #2 (LE, ) is warmer. Dior Etoile (021) (P, $31.00) is lighter. Sephora Collection Lunar Eclipse (98) (P, $13.00) is warmer. Kat Von D Telepathy (P, ) is lighter, warmer. Make Up For Ever D552 Crystalline Gray Beige (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer. Tarte C’est La Vie (LE, ) is warmer. ColourPop I Heart This (P, $5.00) is warmer. Hourglass Graphite #5 (P, ) is lighter, warmer. ColourPop Ice (LE, $5.00) is warmer. Giorgio Armani #1 Spring 2012 #4 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer. Sugarpill Tiara (P, $13.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is described as a “light burgundy with emerald sparkles.” It’s a reddish-burgundy with warm, coppery undertones paired with fine green shimmer that shifts from copper-brown to bluish-teal. It had semi-sheer coverage applied dry, which amplified to semi-opaque applied damp, but it is a very sparkly shade, so the fall out during wear was noticeable. It lasted for six hours (worn dry), seven hours (worn damp), ten hours (with adhesive primer). Urban Decay Solstice (P, $20.00) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is described as a “deep blue purple with pink sparkles.” It’s a muted, purply taupe with cooler undertones and multi-colored shimmer and sparkle, primarily blue and pink. It had the same color coverage applied dry as it did damp, which was mostly opaque. The texture was lightly emollient with good glide and adhesion, but it adheres better damp as it goes on smoother and the sparkles seem to bind better with the underlying color. There was a fair amount of fall out after six hours when worn dry, a little less fall out when worn damp where it lasted for closer to seven hours. I had minor fall out and longer wear (ten hours) when applied over a glitter adhesive. MAC Get Physical (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler. MAC Electroplate (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery. MAC Black Grape (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter. MAC 2x Dare #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker. MAC Dangerous Cuvee (P, $18.50) is lighter, warmer. MAC Grand Galaxy (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter. MAC Frost at Midnight (LE, $21.00) is warmer. Too Faced Sugar Plum Fairy (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Too Faced Nashville (P, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Fathoms Deep (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, cooler. Maybelline Black Orchid (130) (LE, $6.99) is less shimmery, lighter. Giorgio Armani Shadow (07) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery. Urban Decay Ether (P, $20.00) is warmer. Kat Von D Darkstar (LE, ) is less shimmery. ColourPop Meow (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, warmer. First 15 dupes listed previously, see even more dupes: See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is described as a “dark grey with pink sparkles.” It’s a muted, medium-dark gray with silver and pink sparkle over a metallic finish. It was very sparkly, so applied dry, it was less pigmented and more prone to fall out during wear and creased within six hours. Applied damp, it was easier to work with, as it adhered better and lasted a little longer (seven hours) with fall out but not as much as dry application. It wore for ten hours over a glitter adhesive with minimal fall out. Kat Von D Piaf (LE, ) is less shimmery. MAC Tundra (LE, ) is less shimmery. L’Oreal Liquid Diamond (P, $7.99) is less shimmery, lighter. bareMinerals Gunmetal (P, $18.00) is less shimmery. MAC Bao Bao’s Jewels #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker. Sleek MakeUP Acid #11 (P, $9.99) is less shimmery. NARS Jardin Perdu (Left) (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow ($21.00 for 0.03 oz.) is described as a “purple with light blue sparkles.” It’s a muted, medium-dark purple with warmer, plummy undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer, and applied damp, it was mostly opaque. I had some fall out by the end of six hours when I wore it dry, and then slightly less but still noticeable fall out after seven hours when I wore it damp. Over a glitter adhesive, it lasted closer to ten hours with minimal fall out. MAC Grand Galaxy (P, $20.00) is less shimmery. MAC Feel the Fever (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler. Sugarpill Strangeling (P, $13.00) is lighter, brighter. Make Up For Ever D926 Blueberry (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, brighter. NARS Jardin Perdu (Right) (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Urban Decay Voodoo (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Black Grape (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer. Urban Decay Hoodoo (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter. NARS Canberra (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Plumluxe #3 (P, ) is warmer. MAC Feel the Fever (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC Dazzleshadow
MAC Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow
MAC She Sparkles Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow
MAC Boom Boom Room Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow
MAC Feel the Fever Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
MAC Say It Isn’t So Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow
MAC Get Physical Dazzleshadow

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Dry: MAC She Sparkles (inner lid), Boom Boom Room (middle of lid), Say It Isn’t So (middle of lid),
Feel the Fever outer lid/crease), Get Physical (lower lash line)

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Dry: MAC She Sparkles (inner lid), Boom Boom Room (middle of lid), Say It Isn’t So (middle of lid),
Feel the Fever outer lid/crease), Get Physical (lower lash line)

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Damp: MAC Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop (inner lid), She Sparkles (middle of lid), Get Physical (outer lid),
Let’s Boogie (crease), Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans Eyeliner (lower lash line), Say It Isn’t so (lower lash line)

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Damp: MAC Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop (inner lid), She Sparkles (middle of lid), Get Physical (outer lid),
Let’s Boogie (crease), Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans Eyeliner (lower lash line), Say It Isn’t so (lower lash line)

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Over Too Faced Glitter Glue: MAC Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop (inner lid), She Sparkles (middle of lid), Get Physical (outer lid),
Let’s Boogie (crease), Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans Eyeliner (lower lash line), Say It Isn’t so (lower lash line)

MAC Say It Isn't So Dazzleshadow
Over Too Faced Glitter Glue: MAC Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop (inner lid), She Sparkles (middle of lid), Get Physical (outer lid),
Let’s Boogie (crease), Sephora My Boyfriend’s Jeans Eyeliner (lower lash line), Say It Isn’t so (lower lash line)

94 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Celia Avatar

I’m not super interested in these but you may have sold me on Say It Isn’t So just for the purpose of layering it over My Boyfriend’s Jeans. That combo looks great! How would you compare these to the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense shadows? Seems like the formula may sort of be similar with a textured feel on very tightly pressed powder that tends toward shimmer, though these appear to be a bit sheerer in general than ETKI.

Christine Avatar

I don’t think they have a similar feel or finish to the Eyes to Kill Intense personally – those are a true powder to me, just a loosely packed powder eyeshadow. These have a “wetter” feel and are solid (unless one arrives broken, then maybe not so much!) with actual sparkle 🙂

Celia Avatar

Thanks much! I’ll check them out if I get the chance since I always wished the Armani ones would actually have a wetter feel. At least the broken one has a fascinating, molten look to it now 😛

Lotus Avatar

Hello! All of my ETK feel super solid, packed, creamy as all get out, and they shimmer blindingly! Thankfully, I can pass on these though I was hoping they’d knock my socks off! Another reviewer said they felt flakey.. MAC glitter flakey sounds not too good. MJB Higiner in (Stone) fox or whatever is identical to Say it isn’t So! So if you have that, @cecilia .. You’re set! 😀 Thanks for the review so quickly, Christine! 🙂

Lulu Avatar

That’s weird. It was giving me an “Eyes to Kill” vibe too, so I was hoping this would be something softer for the summer. Clearly stick with the HG of my Armani. Thanks for your help, Christine

Lotus Avatar

(Stone)Fox isn’t! From looking more closely on varied monitors and swatches, I finally noticed the slight pink shift and shimmer! Now it reminds me of Armani ETKi 04 Pulp Fiction! 🙂 That one can definitely mimic this depending on how it’s applied, I played around! 🙂 Sorry about that! 😀

Celia Avatar

Ha also I did indeed intend to type “loosely” and only realized now I wrote “tightly pressed.” More caffeine needed clearly. And yeap, I’m with you. They’re an interesting formula.

Lotus Avatar

Celia, I find ETKi very creamy smooth, with outta sight shimmer! They don’t feel dry at all, they’re like a unicorn item to me.. Very addictive and mystical! Also, if you have MJB Highliner in the (Stone) Fox color, it is exactly as Say it isn’t so! 🙂 We are both very fair, so I hope that helps you! As for Cobalt, I’m with you! Do you have MAC Royal Blue Pigment? It’s SO fun to work with! Enjoy whatever you choose luv! 🙂

Celia Avatar

I do have Stone(Fox) and definitely others I can successfully dupe with 😉 I enjoy the ETKI too and find them addictive as well. I do wish they were a hint more of a hybrid and had some more creaminess to them, but they are very creamy for a powder formula.

And I do have the Royal Blue pigment! That’s definitely a classic. Lately I’ve been reaching for Urban Decay Dive Bar with MakeupGeek Center Stage for my cobalt looks. Worth a try 🙂

Lotus Avatar

Dive bar is quite close to UD Original Envy & esp. UV-B! (I’m so thankful for having been around when they started! And Original MAC, which began as theatre makeup! I left for NYC on Equity at 14, so multiple options beyond Mehton, Gradtobian..you know.. Was great! I don’t buy MUG, but Center Stage has had my attention for awhile! 🙂 I’m glad you’re digging it, Celia! 😀

Lotus Avatar

Ello! Try mixing Roysl a blue, Marine Ultra, Deep Purple Violet, Blue, and Frozen White w/ a bit Pink Opal & Platinum for Pigment mixing fun! 😀

Lydia Avatar

Wow, I love the finish on these… sorry to hear that they’re challenging to work with, but I think the end result might be worth it for me – especially She Sparkles. That is one eye-catching shadow, really something special!

Lacey Avatar

I feel like I’m getting to the age when I should try to pull away from the glitter, but I can’t help it. I want Get Physical for sure, and there’s probably at least one or two more I’ll need by the time this collection releases.

Nancy T Avatar

Over the TFGG these are super pretty! I adore She Sparkles, as well as either Get Physical or Feel the Fever. Although I’m not entirely sure where I would wear these considering how many odd looks I got from people the other day when I went shopping while wearing ColourPop Sugar on inner lid, Krinkle on lid, with MUFE Black Satin blended into the outer V! AZ seems too conservative for the most part. Seriously conservative. But generally, IDGAFF(ig).

Michele Avatar

Not sure about these but thanks for the review! FYI: MAC Code MACFAN1 will give you $10 off a $50 purchase…for those interested in these or something else 😉

Kelsey Avatar

LOVE Boom Boom Room, but I can’t justify spending $21 for a single shadow… especially because i tend to reach for them less often. I guess I’ll have to do some research for a cheaper alternative!

Katherine T. Avatar

Oh no! The colors are pretty, but I don’t want to pay $ 21 for a shadow that requires this much work, and there’s no guarantee anything will last or stick on my oily lids. I think I can dupe this by just taking a regular shimmery shadow and pressing on top a sparkly, glittery Color Pop shadow. And IMO, this should really be a holiday collection, not a summer one.

Make up tray Avatar

Dam!!! I never purchase without reading reviews first. I went ahead and got a few of these and now I regret it.I thought these would be getting better reviews and for $20.00 per eyeshadow they should’ve been getting A’s or Tempt recommends lol

Christine Avatar

I mean, they’re not bad as far as what IS available as a pressed, glittery/sparkly eyeshadow, but this isn’t perfecting the formula — glitter eyeshadow is one of those categories that has room for improvement still, IMO.

Frankly, I think MAC should have created an adhesive primer to go WITH these and market them TOGETHER! and call it a day.

Lotus Avatar

I’ve read as many reviews as I can find and I really was hoping to be amazed. But so many finding this formula flakey doesn’t appeal to me. Fortunately, my Armani ETK Intense has me covered. I don’t find them powdery at all! Intensely smooth, creamy, though a densely powder, and ultra shimmery to the moon! 🙂 Beautiful eye looks, Christine! Stunning! Thank you so much for posting this today! I was awaiting your review! 🙂

Lotus Avatar

I understand. 🙂 I’ve just never experienced them separating or loosening up on me, like a loose powder product usually does, which is why I love them so much! 😀 Uuuugg I was wishing Lets Get Physical, and Say it isn’t so were solid complex shimmers of A+ ratings! Awaiting your review for Lets Dance, big Donna Summer fan! 😀 The gold shifting one is also eagerly awaiting your review! I can’t borne Fall is starting.. Soon, XMAS collections.. Aye! Can’t they wait at your expense? 😉

Valerie C. Avatar

I think I’ll get She Sparkles. I love that one. My Boyfriend’s Jeans Eyeliner is stunning…..every time I see it in one of your looks it reminds me to get one 🙂

Nicole Avatar

These are really pretty. But,I know my limits with eyeshadow. And my red flag when up when I saw the swatches last night. These reviews seal the deal. Too much work for me. Absolutely stunning look and if I were a person who would have the patience,I may buy a few. But,I am not. Too many other goodies I have my eye on. Thanks for reviewing Christine!

Rachel R. Avatar

These are so pretty. I’m thinking duping with some ColourPop shades will be more my style. I’d hate to pay $21 bucks a pop and have these not get along with my oily eyelids. If they were A’s, I’d feel better about the risk. At least I now ColourPop works on me. We’ll see how the rest of the shades fare.

Rachel R. Avatar

Thanks for the extra info Christine. I don’t mind doing extra prep for something unique or astounding. On the other hand, if I can dupe cheaper and better, I’m even happier.

Genevieve Avatar

They are pretty colours, but I think there is always a problem with glittery eye shadows – fall out, lack of pigmentation, difficult to apply. As they are meant to be worn in the evening, I suppose it doesn’t matter if they only last for 5-6 hours or so.

Elizabeth Avatar

They look so pretty in the pans, but after seeing all the fallout, I am going to pass. Thanks Christine, you just saved me a lot of money, they are lovely, but I don’t have the patience for eye shadows that are difficult to apply and then having to pick them off my cheeks!

Quinctia Avatar

Hmm…they’re pretty but I’m not that impressed, based on your description of the formula. I’ve had rather good luck with UD Moondust and Sephora’s mirror finish eyeshadows, and those kill with sparkle while not being huge pains in the rear to work with.

Feel the Fever is really pretty, though.

jo Avatar

So many of these look pretty but sparkly fallouts are just pointless and not worth the $ no matter how gorgeous the color. It just looks odd when my face has glitter where there shouldn’t be glitter. ETK Onyx was like that for me. 🙁

jo Avatar

i notice you gave the dupe Urban Decay Solstice a C+, and this one a C. Very very close! If you HAD to pick one to purchase, which one would you pick, Christine? 🙂

ashley Avatar

Thank you for posting this. I ran out to get soltice when it first came out and like most make up junkies… kind of forgot about it. When MAC released boom boom room i was like omg i love it but it looked familiar. I have been trying to figure out if it was dupe and if i should try to find it. I am glad i looked on here before buying it.

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