MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, & Swatches (Part 1) (2015)
MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows
MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is here to stay with eighteen shades to choose from (whew!); all eighteen are shades that have been released previously, some more recently and some from awhile ago. According to MAC, it’s a formula that ranges from “sheer crystallized light” to a “highly polished metallic effect” that “lasts up to [six] hours.” They can be used wet or dry, though if you prefer richer color, you’re almost always better off using these damp. They work well over bare lids dry and wet, but dry application fades a little faster and has a tendency to look softer overall. Dry, the coverage is often sheerer but buildable in practice, so you don’t have to use the product damp to get opaque coverage, but damp application usually deepens the color and gives it more richness. Alternatively, you can use an eyeshadow primer or base, which seems to meet in the middle between dry and damp results. I get anywhere from six to nine hours with these on average; and I tend to get longer wear when used damp compared to dry. I also liked how intense the colors looked damp, even after they dried down–sometimes applying damp just helps application but actual depth gets lost once the color dries back down but that isn’t the case here.
Some of the shades that were originally launched seem to have a smoother, finer formula today than when they initially launched. I didn’t feel like there were any duds here; they were fairly consistent with respect to color payoff, texture, application, and wear with some being more exceptional and some being a little less impressive, but no true misses. The texture has a dryness to it that is common to this type of powder-gel-liquid formula, but it’s not really a bad dry–it is still blendable, doesn’t fade easily, and doesn’t look dry on the skin.
MAC Amorous Ally Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “deep terracotta copper.” It’s a medium-dark, coppery brown with warm, orange and red undertones and a frosted sheen. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer and felt drier and was more prone to sheering out (better for a soft wash) and lasted for six hours. When applied damp, it was smoother with more even, opaque coverage and lasted for eight hours. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
MAC A Natural Flirt Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as an “iridescent light pink.” It’s a light peach with a hint of pink in the undertone and a more prevalent gold sheen. It had sheer coverage applied dry that lasted for six hours. Applied damp, it had semi-opaque that was buildable to opaque coverage, and it stayed on for eight hours before creasing. I noticed that this seemed substantially less pink-based in the permanent version I have at present compared to the last version I had (here). See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
MAC Dark Dare Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “charcoal black.” It’s a medium-dark black with a satin finish. It had semi-opaque coverage applied dry that intensified to a richer-looking black with stronger coverage when applied damp. The texture was slightly thin, but it was a lot less dry-feeling compared to its original iteration. It wore well for six hours dry, seven and a half hours damp. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
MAC Evening Grey Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “steel silver.” It’s a medium silver gray with a frosted, slightly metallic, finish. It had a slightly drier and looser texture, so this is one that really works better damp, as the powder comes together and goes on more smoothly as a result. It had semi-opaque coverage dry and mostly opaque pigmentation damp. Dry, it lasted for five hours; damp, it lasted for seven hours. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “deep blue.” It’s a muted, dark purple with a metallic sheen and cool undertones. It had mostly opaque coverage dry, though it wasn’t quite as deep, and it wore well for six hours. Applied damp, it was fully opaque and wore well for eight hours. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “dirty mid-tone violet.” It’s a medium-dark, cool-toned purple with a metallic sheen. It is less dry and smoother than the original iteration, and it wears better as the dry base seems to come together better, though it applied slightly unevenly still. Applied dry, it is semi-opaque with a less metallic finish and lasts for five and a half hours, while damp application is mostly opaque with a bright sheen and wears for seven and a half hours. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
Amorous Alloy
PPermanent. $20.00.
A Natural Flirt
PPermanent. $20.00.
Dark Dare
PPermanent. $20.00.
Evening Grey
PPermanent. $20.00.
Fathoms Deep
PPermanent. $20.00.
Grand Galaxy
PPermanent. $20.00.
MAC Amorous Ally Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Amorous Ally Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Amorous Ally Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Amorous Ally Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC A Natural Flirt Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC A Natural Flirt Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC A Natural Flirt Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC A Natural Flirt Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Dark Dare Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Dark Dare Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Dark Dare Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Dark Dare Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Evening Grey Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Evening Grey Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Evening Grey Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Evening Grey Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
Silver Dawn (inner lid), Lunar (middle of lid), Legendary Lure (outer lid), Dark Dare (crease),
Sephora Snakeskin Dress Eyeliner
Silver Dawn (inner lid), Lunar (middle of lid), Legendary Lure (outer lid), Dark Dare (crease)
Sephora Snakeskin Dress Eyeliner
Amorous Alloy (inner lid), Stylishly merry (middle of lid), Grand Galaxy (outer lid),
Fathoms Deep (crease), Sephora Love Affair Eyeliner
Amorous Alloy (inner lid), Stylishly merry (middle of lid), Grand Galaxy (outer lid),
Fathoms Deep (crease), Sephora Love Affair Eyeliner
Sweet Heat (inner lid), Sea Worship (middle of lid), Havana (outer lid),
Rich Core (crease), Sephora Snakeskin Dress Eyeliner
Sweet Heat (inner lid), Sea Worship (middle of lid), Havana (outer lid),
Rich Core (crease), Sephora Snakeskin Dress Eyeliner
I’m so happy that these are now perm! My fave e/s formula. And thank you for swatching them again, Christine!
No problem!
Fathoms Deep will be mine this time! I was so mad I missed on it last time around!
Yay!
This release is going to get expensive for me. Everything I missed during past LE releases.
At least they’re perm!
These are gorgeous! Finally Mac scores on shadows! $20 a pop is steep, putting them in the competition with Urban Decay’s new formula and MUFE artist’s shadow. These are definitely going on my wish list. I have Fathom’s Deep and Legendary Lure from last spring’s collection. Do you think the difference you noted warrants buying another of the same shade? So happy they are permanent because I want all of them so far! Ugh!
I don’t think I’d buy the same shade if you already have the original! The differences are slight, and the colors are very similar (especially once you apply/blend/use with other shades) to the originals.
The last 3 are so gorgeous, and love the complexity of Fathoms and Grand Galaxy. So glad these are permanent. After the orgy of spending this month (Sephora sale, Ulta sale, & Colour Pop haul), I’m putting myself on a strict no buy or low buy for the next few months. But I might pick up a color for fall/winter.
I hope they’ll add the blushes/Skinfinishes next!
Christine, I’m having a bit of trouble matching up the shadows in the large group photo with the individual “gloss overs”. The one that looks to be a somewhat greenish grey, bottom row far left – which one is that?
The group shots are just some of the ones in the post – I wasn’t originally going to review these, so they’re just tight shots of all of them together, which was in rough color-order. (I should amend to say: I was just going to post swatches but not do full reviews/wear tests for all of them (since a lot of them came out fairly recently and many didn’t have any noticeable differences).) I ended up reviewing them in alphabetical order.
That is Silver Sun!
Well that would explain the sense of deja voodoo … I have past iterations… kinda disappointed actually.
Yeah, the entire permanent range was pulled from past LE releases, which is good/bad, of course!
Considering this is what I’ve been wanting MAC to do (pull LE formulas into the permanent line-up) I’m pretty excited. Good move, MAC.
Christine, are you sure the swatch for Grand Galaxy isn’t a repeat of the one for Fathoms Deep? They just look really similar, and Grand Galaxy looks a lot more purple in the look you created.
Yes, I’m sure. Grand Galaxy is brighter with less black in its base color. They definitely look different to me, but they are both purples that aren’t super pink-based so they have a few things in common! 🙂
Do you know when these will be available for purchase? I didn’t see the date. Thank you.
http://www.temptalia.com/mac-extra-dimension-eyeshadow-for-may-2015
Excited to pick up so many of these, but glad I have the time now to do so and keep my beauty budget in check! 😉 Now it’s just a matter of deciding which ones to buy first…
As always, love the combinations you’ve used for the eye looks!
Thanks, Lacey!
That MAC made these lovelies permanent has me stoked!!! Love ’em! But now my bank account is whimpering somewhere in the (distant) background…..LoL
LOL! 😉
I’m getting more into reddish colors so Amorous Alloy is looking interesting. Fathoms Deep is nice too.
Amorous Alloy is really blendable!
Can you de-pot these?
As far as I know, they are poured/baked/produced on the base, not in a pan, so I don’t think I would depot, but I haven’t depotted anything in years.
need fathoms deep RIGHT NOW!
Yay!
Evening Grey would be my favourite colour – it does look beautiful. Your eye looks are stunning Christine – really gorgeous.
Thanks a lot, Genevieve!
Fathom’s Deep I think I love you!
It’s pretty!
Fathoms Deep and Grand Galaxy will be mine.
Awesome picks!
i like the 3D design. they look very pretty but i probably don’t need to try every brand’s new dry/wet formula right? …
Well, try? Sure. Buy? Maybe not 🙂
Sephora released eyeshadow like this year’s back, don’t know if u remember thrm, they had a wave pattern on them too and worked better dampened than dry imo, they had a much more limited color selection, I would love to try some of these thou in the brown n purple ranges. P.S. I love your site and I’m so happy I found it! 🙂
I think they came after MAC, but I sort of remember those – I can’t recall if I tried, though! Lots of brands have something similar to this (I believe Estee Lauder was first).
Some of these seem to swatch quite differently to the original LE ones! Though I’m pretty sure you noted the differences. Still super happy these are permanent – I have been hunting for A Natural Flirt for AGES and now I’m really glad I never pulled the trigger on overpriced eBay!
Some of the photos are 3-4 years old, so the lighting is different (I’m in a totally different location and use different equipment!).
I have Amorous Alloy and I wear it quite often! I love a good rusty eye look.
Awesome! What do you like to pair it with?
A MLBB lip! And sun-kissed skin.
Christine, I know you say the formula has changed. Do you still like fathoms deep as much as you did the first time? I noticed it got your 2014, shadow of the yr , or one of the shadows of the year. You really sparked my interest with that but I wanted to know if it would still get the same accolades from you, now
I don’t think the formula changed for Fathoms Deep — I only made that note for specific shades, particularly the ones that came out originally (a few years ago), as I do think MAC has refined it slightly since its original launch, but I didn’t notice anything different from Fathoms Deep. I believe it got the same score here as before…
I’m so glad these are permanent now. I like the ones I have a lot.
I feel a need for Grand Galaxy 🙂
Do you use yours dry or damp, Helene?
Generally dry, over a primer.
Nice! 🙂
I have light to medium combination skin. The colors Sweet Heat and Grand Galaxy were applied dry to my eye lids at the MAC counter. The makeup artist lightly pushed the eye shadow onto my lid with a small brush to apply, and said that MAC shadows were meant to be applied this way, not brushed on in a sweeping motion because it sheers them out too much. I loved the look so I bought them. The colors are very pretty but do not last.. I don’t know exactly how long it was before it wore off, but when I looked in the mirror seven hours later, it had totally disappeared from my eye lids without a trace that it was ever there, completely gone. So I know it had to have worn off a long time prior the seven hour mark. I will be returning the two shadows. I don’t reapply eye shadow during the day, so I expect it to last throughout. I give these shadows three stars, because of the pretty colors and the nice pot packaging if not for the pots I would give two stars for the pretty colors.
Thank you for sharing, Maryanne!