MAC Heirloom Mix Pressed Pigments Reviews, Photos, Swatches
MAC Heirloom Mix Pressed Pigments
There are eight new, limited edition shades of MAC Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) in the Heirloom Mix collection, which will debut online on October 19th and hit stores/counters on the 23rd. Theese are smaller in size than the permanent versions–these are the size of a normal MAC eyeshadow and contain 0.04 oz., compared to the larger size, which contains 0.10 oz. and retails for $21 (though everything in this collection has slightly higher prices due to the limited edition packaging, presumably). Pressed Pigments are supposed to give a “high shine” when applied dry or a more “dramatic wet look” when applied damp. It has “sheer-to-moderate buildable coverage.” For as sparkly as a lot of these are, the fall out is a lot less than I’d expect with most dropping within the first few hours, but the majority does seem to stay on the lid. I experienced creasing somewhere between seven and eight hours. Most of the shades were fairly pigmented both dry and wet, though all were smoother wet. Sometimes the pigment (not the glitter) portion clumps together when you try to blend, so there’s a crumbly quality to the product that makes it harder to apply and blend (especially dry).
I have a very love/hate relationship with the Pressed Pigments. Often, they have a very pretty, sparkling appearance on the lids, and while far from perfected, they can be lovely in real life as the light catches all of the flecks and sparkles. The light to medium shades are more forgiving, while the darker ones are more nuanced and complex, but they are more difficult to apply and blend out. If you’re a really big fan of glitter and don’t mind some fall out (or have a good, go-to adhesive base), you might still want to take a look. If you’re a no-fallout kind of person, I’d look elsewhere for your glitter fix. Also, if you have a lot of the other shades released from this formula, it seemed like there was a noticeable amount of overlap with past releases (see comparison/dupe links below).
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “violet with blue violet sparkles.” It’s a deep, dark, blackened navy blue with sparkle and finer blue shimmer. It was quite opaque applied dry or damp, though it was easier to smooth out on the skin with applied damp as the consistency was a little dry around the edges. You’ll need to spend some extra time blending it out if you use it dry. It’s definitely not a buildable formula, though it is a formula that can be sheered out the more you blend it. On me, the color lasts a seven and a half hours before creasing, but there is continual fall out during the day. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “dark brown base with green pearl.” It’s a medium-dark, plummy brown with warm, orange undertones and a teal sparkle. There is a “green pearl” to it in a sense, but it is hard to see once it is applied to th eskin. Applied dry, it was mostly opaque but a crumbly, while applied damp, it was smoother. The color wore well for eight hours before creasing, but there was fall out while worn. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “pearly smoky mauve.” It’s a light, cool-toned pink with a sparkling finish. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer, and applied damp, it was mostly opaque with a smoother, more metallic sheen. This one was easier to apply to the skin, as it blended out more readily. It showed signs of creasing after seven hours of wear, and it did a small amount of fall out throughout wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “frosty wood.” It’s a warm-toned pewter–a mix of gold, taupe, and gray–with a sparkling, glittery finish. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer and lighter, warmer in appearance, while applied damp, it was more glittery and opaque. Again, the wear wasn’t bad–seven and a half hours–before creasing occurred, but there is some fall out during wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “soft light salmon beige.” It’s a light-medium, warm-toned peach with a metallic, sparkling finish. It was semi-sheer applied dry, and it was mostly opaque applied damp. It started to crease after seven hours of wear, and it had some fall out during wear. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “black gray with silver sparkles.” It’s a cool-toned, blackened gray with silver sparkle. Applied dry, it was mostly opaque, and applied damp, it was more opaque, metallic, and tended to clump together. This shade was difficult to apply both wet and dry, as dry, it was dry and stiff, where the color clumped together and specks (didn’t really apply like a powder eyeshadow, more like loose glitter), but damp application seemed to make it stick without blending much. It started to crease after seven and a half hours of wear, and I had a fair amount of fall out with this one throughout the day. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “white base with fine opal pearl.” It’s a warm, white gold with a sparkling, metallic sheen. It can be clumpy and crumbly, so I’d recommend using a firmer brush to press and work the product into the skin, which helps it smooth out. This shade lasted for seven hours before creasing slightly, and it had only a small amount of fall out. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment ($19.50 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “plum with violet pearl.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark violet purple with cool undertones and a sparkly finish. This was an interesting shade, as it was actually a bit more opaque applied dry than damp, though both application methods yielded high pigment. It was smoother when applied with a damp brush. This had a drier consistency, which was particularly noticeable when I was applying it to the lid and trying to blend. There was some fall out during wear, and it started to crease after eight hours. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Enchantment
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Modern Majesty
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Noble Descent
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Noblesse Oblige
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Nostalgic
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Prim and Proper
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Regal Affair
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
Victorian Plum
LELimited Edition. $19.50.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment
MAC Enchantment Pressed Pigment
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment
MAC Modern Majesty Pressed Pigment
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment
MAC Noble Descent Pressed Pigment
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment
MAC Noblesse Oblige Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment
MAC Prim and Proper Pressed Pigment
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment
MAC Regal Affair Pressed Pigment
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment
MAC Victorian Plum Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
MAC Nostalgic Pressed Pigment
Nostalgic (inner lid), Noble Descent (middle of lid), Modern Majesty (outer lid), Prim and Proper (crease)
Nostalgic (inner lid), Noble Descent (middle of lid), Modern Majesty (outer lid), Prim and Proper (crease)
Nostalgic (inner lid), Noble Descent (middle of lid), Modern Majesty (outer lid), Prim and Proper (crease);
MAC Sweet Sentiment Blush, Becca Champagne Gold Highlighter, NYX Power Lipstick
Regal Affair (inner lid), Noblesse Oblige (middle of lid), Enchantment (outer lid), Victorian Plum (crease)
Regal Affair (inner lid), Noblesse Oblige (middle of lid), Enchantment (outer lid), Victorian Plum (crease)
i’ve never tried mac’s pressed pigments before , but i’m loving modern majesty .
what base would you recommend ?
Something tacky, adhesive, etc. something designed for glitter.
Those look stunning! I love MAC’s Pressed Pigments so I’ll definitely have to check out this collection when it comes out. Beautiful x
Glad you like them!
Wow, these are beautiful!
Which are your favorites?
Victorian Plum looks interesting! But I’ve never used a mac pressed pigment before so I’m not too sure if I should take a shot in the dark on these. 🙁 Can’t decide! I’ll be making an online order the same day for some of the other pieces in this collection. So, this might be an on the spot decision.
I would say it just depends on how much you like glitter 🙂
You look so pretty in that full face photo…these might not be your favorite products but the look you created so works on you!
I love these….but don’t seem to wear the ones I have…though I love them…
That’s nice of you to say!
Hi Christine! As always, thanks for the review! This is off topic but I absolutely adore the lip color in the full face picture. It’s listed as nyx power…when I try to find it online I keep getting a pastel pink, is that the right one?
Yes, it is NYX Power. I don’t know what other swatches look like – just what I have, and it’s not a pastel pink! It is from their Wicked formula.
Wonderful, found it! Thanks so much… and what a fun line, has to pick up a couple 🙂
The look you did with Nostalgic, Noble Descent, Modern Majesty and Prim and Proper is soooo lovely, perfect for fall and holidays! Your take on these pressed pigments makes me think they may be worth the try. It´s dangerous how you make everything look gorgeous and wearable :D!
Thanks, Leticia!
Absolutely love these!! I want all of them!
Have you tried this formula before, Steph?
I thought I would really like the sparkly packaging of this collection but it looks like there’s shadow fallout all over the containers, I want to wipe frantically or blow on them to get the powder off D:
Aww!
Hi Christine,
Great swatches, and thank you so much for the quick turnaround with the whole collection.
I don’t see the review for Victorian Plum. It could just be my internet, as I’ve been having problems, but is one available for it?
Never mind! I just realized it’s in the same paragraph as Regal Affair. I obviously only skimmed that one! Sorry I overlooked it, though you might want to make it its own paragraph. 🙂
It is there! Please refresh – I fixed the formatting last night, but I think it was cached so I’m not sure why it’s not updating.
I actually love Enchantment and Victorian Plum!
Woohoo!
Although I suspect these are probably a lot like Chanel Fantasme to use, I would totally get Victorian Plum if, well, you know, LOL! 😛 the looks you put together are pretty – I love that Nyx lipstick on you! 😀
Worse, if only because Fantasme is at least cream-based!
Will the pro discount apply to this collection?
Please contact MAC Pro, as I don’t get information regarding their discount/program!
My eyes bugged out a lil bit after seeing Enchantment. I think the rest of the collection I could pass over though.
It sounds like Enchantment will be coming home with you?
Enchantment is STUNNING. I kind of like that they’ve made these smaller… I feel like they give you way too much product in the standard sizes.
I like that they’re smaller, too. I think that if they had done them in standard packaging, it wouldn’t have felt like such a dramatic change (probably more like $16.50 or $17 in standard, I’d guess vs. $19.50 in the LE packaging).
You look stunning Christine, loving that lipstick on you.
Thanks, Fabiola!
I love sparkle! Modern Majesty and Noble Descent and maybe even Regal Affair. . .. calling me. . . .my budget is going to love this.
Uh oh!
I’ve not tried this formula. I might just dive in if I can get Victorian Plum.
I didn’t want to like these, but both the looks you did and the swatches made them very interesting and good looking.
Let me know if you end up checking out the formula, Helene!
Pressed pigment shadows are also absolutely stunning if you apply them using your… FINGER! You get a sheer wash of the color with all of the beautiful sparkle- it is my favorite way of applying these. Before doing my foundation, I use my ring finger and blend it onto my lid, if I want a crease color, a do matte first, then apply the pressed pigment after. I’m super excited for these!!
I’ve definitely tried fingertips, but I don’t like that application method myself (same with the silicone applicators).
“Product is delicate. Please handle with care.” – I’ve never seen that on a MAC product before (Christine, do you know if it was on the original pressed pigments?). There are a few here that I like – Noblesse Oblige and Nostalgic especially – so I may give these a try. I keep hmmm’ing and hawwwing about the original ones too – I know they didn’t rate very well here but I think some of them might be nice either just for the inner corner or as a layering product over a more pigmented shadow.
I want to say it was on the last release of them, but I can’t remember. They even have it written on the website!
Ohh they’re so beautiful. I LOVE mac pressed pigments because they have this twinkle to them that isn’t quite straight glitter but you can still get away with it for daytime (when you incorporate them into a look well). I always thought that there weren’t enough colors in the permanent collection, so I guess that mac has heard me.. :p I definitely prefer the lighter colors though, the darker ones are a little intimidating, but I might try Victoriam Plum, it looks pretty!
They can be very lovely for sure – better in person, I think 🙂
Wow, these are all so pretty and I love the looks you made! I’ve never owned pressed pigments before.. so will regular eyeshadow primer (I have some UD ones) be enough to help prevent major fallout? I don’t mind if there’s still a little.
I would say you need something tackier!
Enchantment and Modern Majesty are my picks. I agree with you though – one has to be in the right frame of mind and dedicated to using a pigment, lol. I rarely use the ones I have.
LOL! Yes, you can love these… but they are… a specific product, haha.
modern majesty looks like mac blue brown pigment
Kind of – less obvious teal/blue to it.
I love Enchantment, Noblesse Oblige and Prim and Proper. They look beautiful to me. Your eye looks are sensational with these colours Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
Some of these are so beautiful but the fall out during the day is a deal breaker for sure!!!
What, no love for a disco party underneath your eyes? 😉
Wow, Enchantment, Prim and Proper, Modern Majesty and Victorian Plum are gorgeous! I think I’m gonna go with Enchantment and Modern Majesty, though. Prim and Proper is too similar to MUFE Black Diamond and that one doesn’t seem to have to same issues as Prim and Proper (for the same price). Victorian Plum, I’ll have to see what my stash thinks about it :D.
Black Diamond was definitely easier to use with less fall out!
Enchanted got me go all wooooooo!..
All the dark shade are so pretty
The darker shades seem to be more interesting/complex.
Holy cow. Never tried Mac’s press pigments before but they look gorgeously pigmented! Kind of wish there was a warm rust toned one x
Maybe next time around they’ll do one!
I like Enchantment best!
Yay!
Just excuse me for a minute while I go cry in the corner because MAC aren’t releasing any Extra Dimension shadows for Holiday!! I’m so gutted!! I was so hoping for some more shades, I absolutely love the formula.
Aww!
Enchantment and Victorian Plum are gorgeous! Do you think Pixie Epoxy would be a good base for these?
It should work!
Christine, you know when you do two swipes in a swatch pic (like the swatch pics above), what is the purpose behind that? Is the left swipe dry and the right one applied wet? I’m not quite sure. Thank you for clarifying.
Yes, usually the left is dry, the right is damp. 🙂 For cream eyeshadows/blushes, there is a regular swatch and then a blended out swatch.
Oh my! I like all the dark colors…especially Victorian Plum!
Love the color – wish it was easier to blend!
Wow these look nice! I’ve tried a couple of pressed pigments and they were just glitter. No real pigmentation. These look much better!
They are better!
I love that lipstick and blush on you. Gorgeous. The first and last shade really jump out at me.
Thank you!
Victorian Plum is nice!
It is intense!
These are two of the prettiest looks I’ve seen you do, very tempting.
Thank you!
I think all of these are absolutely gorgeous. Victorian Plum and Enchantment are amazing!
I like the richness of both of those shades!
I like the blackened ones.
Yay!
Wow!!! My jaw just droped!!! LOVED ALL of them!!! And the looks you created, perfection!!! You look beautiful!!! Wish I could buy them all!!!
Thank you, Luisafer!
I’m not particularly drawn to any of these, but I had to stop in and tell you that you look AMAZING in your full-face shot! Absolutely gorgeous! I think that NYX lipstick is gonna have to be mine – wowzers!! 😀
Thank you, Rachel!
These are so beautiful! I’ve used some of pressed pigments before and love them!
What are your fave shades, Aiman?
Victorian Plum is in a league all its own! Gorgeous!
Glad ya liked it!
Christine, do you have any additional information on the pricing? I just went to the website and they’re listed as $21 a piece… (same as the full-sized ones!) I was hoping that was a bug, or that MAC had sent you some info…? I love these, but I don’t know if I half-the-product-for-the-same-price love them 🙁
You would need to contact MAC as I don’t have insight as to why their prices are as they are! Sorry!
Oops! I misread the post 🙂 I thought they were priced at $19.50, instead of $21 for some reason. Never mind! Thanks for replying, Christine 🙂
You look amazing in these cooler toned colors! I can’t wear them with my skin tone, but these are YOUR colors!!
Thanks, Ellen 🙂
Are these a similar finish to the Mineralize Eye Shadows? I have Blue Flame and Young Punk from the Style Black collection that came out years ago, and Enchantment and Victorian Plum remind me of those. I just can’t work out if I can justify buying both if the colours and finish are as similar as they look.
Definitely different, Regan! These have a wetter and… grittier? feel in a way, since they are glittery.