MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)
MAC Blue Orbit Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows (Part 1)
MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a new formula for the brand, but it may seem and look familiar! Estee Lauder’s Powder Gelee formula is very comparable to this one. Since Estee Lauder is the parent company of MAC, I’m not surprised! MAC says this is a buildable formula that can yield sheer to heavier coverage, and they state that it lasts up to six hours. These are ten shades in total, and this post looks at the first five (and the next post will cover the remaining five).
Here are official color descriptions for the five in this post: Blue Orbit (light iridescent purple), Dark Dare (charcoal black), Grand Galaxy (dirty mid-tone violet), Havana (dirty copper brown), and Lunar (royal blue).
- Blue Orbit is a violet purple with blue undertones and a soft silvery-purple sheen. This was one of the sheerest shades out of the ten–it was fairly sheer when applied dry, and there was still some underlying sheerness when used damp. I tried to test this one dry, but it was difficult to get it to show up! MAC Wintersky is bluer, less purple. Urban Decay Blue Bus is darker.
- Dark Dare is a medium-dark black with brown undertones and a very subtle silver and teal micro-shimmer (hardly noticeable, looks almost matte from afar). It has a slightly dry look when it is applied dry to the skin, but it takes on a smoother result when applied damp. This one has a “glow” finish, and though I don’t know what that means in MAC-speak, it has a low-level sheen compared to the other shades. It’s similar to a lot of other black eyeshadows.
- Grand Galaxy is a medium purple with red undertones and a silvery metallic sheen. It is less metallic and almost redder-toned when applied dry, while when it is applied damp, it takes on a more metallic quality to the finish. theBalm Lavish Latoya and Urban Decay AC/DC are similar to the dry swatch of Grand Galaxy. Bare Escentuals Encore is in-between the dry and damp swatch. Estee Lauder’s Cyber Lilac is not a dupe!
- Havana is a medium-dark warmed-up amber brown with subtle orange undertones (but it doesn’t read red at all). This is one of the more pigmented shades, as it is opaque both dry and damp. The damp swatch makes the color appear a little darker, but there’s a very low-level sheen in the finish either way. MAC Buckwheat is very similar. MAC Make Your Mark is a touch red-toned. Laura Mercier Cedar is a little yellow-toned.
- Lunar is a midnight navy blue with a subtle violet purple shimmer over a blackened navy base. The blackened base is most apparent when it is used dry, while it takes on a very smooth blue result when applied damp. It is rather sheer when used dry as well. MAC Naval Blue is purpler. MAC Blue Flame is similar but has a more intense black base. MAC Shop & Drop is darker and more purple-tinted. MAC Blue Storm is slightly purpler.
I’ve put off the writing of this post for the majority of the day for two reasons: 1) readers voted highlighters over eyeshadows first, and 2) I really wanted to test a few more shades for wear, since MAC made a very specific wear claim. These are the shades that I have worn and tested for wear: Blue Orbit, Dark Dare, Havana, Modern Pewter, and Rich Core. I wore them alone over bare skin, over a primer, and used them both wet and dry.
Without a primer, they do hold up fairly well for six to eight hours when applied damp (with water), but if they are applied dry, they do seem to fade after three to four hours, with it looking rather sheer at the sixth hours. The worst thing is that when they are applied dry, they don’t stick as well, so if you rub your eye even briefly (oops!), it wipes away instantly. Over a primer, they do very well; no fading or creasing even after ten hours of wear. I was definitely surprised at how well they held up over bare skin when used damp–there was only a little fading after six to eight hours, but it was not really noticeable from afar. My eyelids are normal-to-dry, but they’ve been closer to normal these past few days.
The texture of these is that same unexpected combination of dry, soft, and smooth. There’s just this inherent dryness to it and then a real softness so it ends up applying really smooth. These can be used wet or dry, so all swatches are dry and then wet (using just water). These will look more intense, opaque, and smoother when applied damp, but overall, they were fairly pigmented when used dry. Over a primer, you can get closer to the damp results, but I still liked using these damp best. I also liked that it retained a lot of the intensity even after it dried on the lid.
Blue Orbit
LELimited Edition. $20.00.
MAC Blue Orbit Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Orbit Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Orbit Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Orbit Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Orbit 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 Dark Dare 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
MAC Grand Galaxy Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Havana Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Havana Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Havana Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Havana Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Havana Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Lunar Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Lunar Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Lunar Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Lunar Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Lunar Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow
Modern Pewter, Havana, Rich Core
Looooove these! Plus it comes out on my birthday! I think I’ve found a great gift for myself! 😉
Yay! Happy birthday!
I didn’t think I needed any of these until I saw the look you did with them. OMG Christine, beautiful!
So far, I’m only loving Grand Galaxy, but I’ll probably pick up Dark Dare as well; I can never seem to pass up a black or purple eyeshadow…
…well crap. These look beautiful, and I feel my money leaving me prematurely. MAC why do you do this I was trying to be good and save money I need at least two of these colors (Havana must be mine).
I can’t decide about these. Wet, they look gorgeous. But what’s the “extra dimension” about them? They don’t look different from other Mac shadows to me, but maybe I’m missing something.
how did you use these wet? wet the brush? wet a spot on the shadow? and if you did put water or whatever directly on them, did it leave a hard spot?
I wet my brush, and then pick up the eyeshadow. No, water does not leave a hard spot.
How does Grand Galaxy compare to Hypnotizing?
Grand Galaxy is a lot more purple! http://www.temptalia.com/mac-shop-drop-eyeshadow-quad-review-photos-swatches
just wondering.. how do you apply wet? do you wet your finger/brush then dip it into shadow. or do you put shadow on finger then wet it?
I dampen the brush, then dip it into the eyeshadow!
Hey you read my mind! I was thinking about how gorgeous modern pewter would look with rich core. I was trying to ignore rich core but…I can’t 😉
Hello Christine! How do these stack up to the Mega Metal shadows? I realize they are a different formula but I am interested to hear if there are any similarities. 🙂
The feel is definitely different, and the Mega Metals weren’t as metallic in finish!
Now i wanna get them just to try out the look you did , Christine 🙂
So gonna get blue orbit!
Blue Orbit is quite pretty! I’ve probably got a couple things I could dupe it with already, though–I tend to migrate to all the blues, purples, and greens in existence. XD
I can’t wait. I want something from all 3 collections, I hate when MAC does this, they always find a way to take my money. Thanks for the reviews!!!
These look awesome!!!
Oh wow, I think I need Blue Orbit and Grand Galaxy! Blue Orbit is about the first blue I see that I think I can probably work with. The little sheerness makes it look less threatening lol
urgh. im only going to US in may, i think i shld grab my fav first here in Singapore. Singapore jacks up prices by $5 – $10.
Wow, Lunar swatched a lot darker than I expected, but it’s a gorgeous shade! Same with Grand Galaxy. I suspect these are going to sell very fast. 🙂
If you only got one what would be your pick?Whats the true stand out for you, or maybe if you got two tee hee…;) Thankyou for your help.
Blue Orbit, Modern Pewter – those are the more unique shades for me – and I have a soft spot for pewters. Hervana and Rich Core are the top performers, though!
Thankyou I might go for Rich Core and or Modern Pewter if all the other stuff i’m getting doesn’t add up too much. P.S I love the look you did with those.
Ahhhh! Grand galaxy is SO gorgeous.
How does Blue Orbit compare to cornflower pigment?
I believe Cornflower is darker and bluer!
Christine…if you had to pick your favorite 3 whichs ones would you pick? I’m brown hair brown eyes NC 30 skin. I was thinking…Lunar, blue orbit and sweet heat. I don’t have many eye shadows.. Most are neutrals. Thanks for your time!!!!
Blue Orbit, Modern Pewter, Rich Core 🙂
Sold!!! Thank you! Have an awesome weekend and thank you for all your blogging 🙂
Hi Christine, my first time to message you but I am a big fan of your blog over in UK, so helpful whenever I feel the urge to splurge. Bought a few pieces from this gorgeous collection. Which colour(s) do you think would most compliment blue orbit. I have bluey, grey, green eyes which change with shadows. Any tips be most appreciated! You are sooo pretty by the way!
I’d recommend Lunar, Modern Pewter, and Warm Thunder!
Italians do it better 😉
These are gorgeous. Finally a MAC release to be excited about, it’s been AGES since they have released something buzz worthy IMHO
I tested Blue Orbit dry one day – within about 1/2 hour it changed from periwinkle – the color it appears to be and which i loved – into a very faint light warm iris with purple shimmer. I have to say that the change was rather a shock. It was a pretty color, just totally unlike it appears in the pan.
I went back another day and tested it wet. It stayed more blue, but still began to shift to warm iris after a couple hours. Wet the color did stay strong, at least.
Neither test was over primer. I have ordered it, and i hope that over primer it won’t be as much of a chameleon.
Way to go MAC! Finally – a release where all of them are good! I went to Macy’s yesterday to check them out and they are all beautiful. I ended up picking up Blue Orbit, not because it was the best formula, but because the color is so cool. Grand Galaxy is unbelievably gorgeous too!
I bought Modern Pewter and even though I use TFSI as a primer, it creases and disappears on me. So bummed, I love the color. Christine, any suggestions? What primer do you use? Thanks!
I use NARS’ primer!
I absolutely love the design of these and the idea of the new formula, but the finish seems a little too metallic for me :(!
Hi Christine,
Do you think Havana is similar to Urban Decay’s Toast or maybe even Hustle from the Naked palette? I like the look you did with these shadows and Julieg metallic cat eye look. She used Havana in her look, but I think I rather have Rich Core. If I can use the other eyeshadows mention instead of Havanna I think I will be ok. Idk…what do you think?
I think you could get pretty close with those! 🙂
Hi Christine. I watched your youtube review for the Extra dimension collection. I was wondering thd name of the lipstick and blush you have on in the video? They’re gorgeous!
Thanks 🙂
in your opinion what are the three best/most unique shades for nc15 skin, green eyes, brown hair?
Just a warning to anyone who depots eyeshadows! When I went to depot these to put them in my zpalette, I discovered that they don’t have a pan but are in the pot with this plastic net-like bottom! Nothing on the sides so they can’t be taken out of the pot! Just thought I’d share and hopefully prevent anyone from messing up their shadow. Love your reviews and swatches!
Hi Christine- is Urban Decay Gravity Eyeshadow (from UD Book of Shadows IV) and MAC Grand Galaxy similar?
@phillipsea20dc I’d say Gravity was a little purpler.
@Michelle Thank you for the heads up!