MAC Hypnotizing Holiday Shadeshifter Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Behind the Curtain
MAC Behind the Curtain Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a silvery lilac with a sparkling, metallic sheen that shifted from cooler, more silvery lilac to warmer pink. The texture was incredibly emollient, which helped the larger sparkle particles transfer and adhere to skin without lots of fallout.
I found that I had to take care and do gentle blending to avoid excessive fallout, though, and I had the most even application when I pressed the product onto my eye using a fingertip. A dry brush did not pick up product as evenly, while a wet brush seemed to introduce too much additional moisture and made it more prone to sliding around. It had opaque pigmentation that stayed on well for eight hours with light fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Clionadh Hunter (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Amour (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Aerialist (371SM) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Violet Satine #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Stila G*psy (P, $24.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Dior Galactic #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Abundance (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Fyrinnae Illusionary (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Inglot J401 Silver Dollar (LE, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Anastasia Seaside (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.03 oz. - $733.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "ultra-gliding multi-pearlescent pigments." There's not much else claimed or described by the brand! They were mostly opaque to opaque with slightly more transparent bases, which may have been an illusion as the texture was very emollient ("ultra-gliding" was an apt description). That glide helped the product transfer to the lid with less fallout, but there was definitely still some fallout, especially when blending.
I would recommend applying the formula using fingertips for maximum coverage, sparkle, and the least fallout. I don't think that a dampened brush was ideal as it made the base more slippery, though, so one might put a bit of adhesive spray onto the skin first, then pat on the product using a fingertip to get some additional hold.
They had a duochrome shift, sometimes almost like a weak multi-chrome, but I found that the duochrome shifts were surprisingly subtle--they read more sparkly and multi-dimensional with a mix of shimmer/sparkle but just didn't have that strong shift at most angles.
The texture was chunkier, as they used very large flecks of sparkle throughout, but the ingredient list did not list any plastic (PET) glitter just to be sure. I did not find that it was an uncomfortable texture on my lid at all, and there was only light fallout while they wore--not enough for my eyes to feel irritated or bothered. They wore around eight hours before they seemed more prone to fallout.
Browse all of our MAC Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Cellulose Acetate, Stearyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Talc, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triacetin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Behind the Curtain
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Calling Your Bluff
MAC Calling Your Bluff Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a light-medium, pinky plum with warm undertones and a shiny, sparkling metallic finish. This shade shifted to a warmer, yellowy orange but it wasn’t the most extreme or obvious shift.
It had rich color coverage in a single layer, though it was best applied with a fingertip to minimize fallout. The texture was very emollient without being prone to sliding around as long as I didn’t use a wet brush (so fingertips or a dry brush, the latter yielding more fallout). It wore well for eight hours with light fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Huda Beauty Gemstone #4 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS In Heat (LE, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Babe in Charms (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Go for It (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Care 4 You (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Meditate (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- City Color U Jelly? (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Collective (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Natasha Denona You (354DC) (LE, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.03 oz. - $733.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "ultra-gliding multi-pearlescent pigments." There's not much else claimed or described by the brand! They were mostly opaque to opaque with slightly more transparent bases, which may have been an illusion as the texture was very emollient ("ultra-gliding" was an apt description). That glide helped the product transfer to the lid with less fallout, but there was definitely still some fallout, especially when blending.
I would recommend applying the formula using fingertips for maximum coverage, sparkle, and the least fallout. I don't think that a dampened brush was ideal as it made the base more slippery, though, so one might put a bit of adhesive spray onto the skin first, then pat on the product using a fingertip to get some additional hold.
They had a duochrome shift, sometimes almost like a weak multi-chrome, but I found that the duochrome shifts were surprisingly subtle--they read more sparkly and multi-dimensional with a mix of shimmer/sparkle but just didn't have that strong shift at most angles.
The texture was chunkier, as they used very large flecks of sparkle throughout, but the ingredient list did not list any plastic (PET) glitter just to be sure. I did not find that it was an uncomfortable texture on my lid at all, and there was only light fallout while they wore--not enough for my eyes to feel irritated or bothered. They wore around eight hours before they seemed more prone to fallout.
Browse all of our MAC Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Cellulose Acetate, Stearyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Talc, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triacetin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Calling Your Bluff
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Ho Ho Hocus
MAC Ho Ho Hocus Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a bright, medium green with subtle, warm olive undertones and lighter, brighter gold and emerald green sparkle throughout. It shifted from lighter, warmer green to deep, olive green, though I found the shift to be more moderate.
The consistency was very emollient, almost wet to the touch, which helped the eyeshadow apply evenly and have good adhesion with minimal fallout. A fingertip was the easiest method, though, as a dry brush didn’t pick up product as well as desired. It had opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which lasted well for eight and a half hours with light fallout (far less than one would expect).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Citrine Envy (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath VR Emerald (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Facile (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Dior Night Bird #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Mean Green (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Sweetsop (P, $6.25) is darker, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Natasha Denona Emerald Green (16M) (PiP, $29.00).
- ColourPop Yaaaay (LE, $6.00).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.03 oz. - $733.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "ultra-gliding multi-pearlescent pigments." There's not much else claimed or described by the brand! They were mostly opaque to opaque with slightly more transparent bases, which may have been an illusion as the texture was very emollient ("ultra-gliding" was an apt description). That glide helped the product transfer to the lid with less fallout, but there was definitely still some fallout, especially when blending.
I would recommend applying the formula using fingertips for maximum coverage, sparkle, and the least fallout. I don't think that a dampened brush was ideal as it made the base more slippery, though, so one might put a bit of adhesive spray onto the skin first, then pat on the product using a fingertip to get some additional hold.
They had a duochrome shift, sometimes almost like a weak multi-chrome, but I found that the duochrome shifts were surprisingly subtle--they read more sparkly and multi-dimensional with a mix of shimmer/sparkle but just didn't have that strong shift at most angles.
The texture was chunkier, as they used very large flecks of sparkle throughout, but the ingredient list did not list any plastic (PET) glitter just to be sure. I did not find that it was an uncomfortable texture on my lid at all, and there was only light fallout while they wore--not enough for my eyes to feel irritated or bothered. They wore around eight hours before they seemed more prone to fallout.
Browse all of our MAC Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Cellulose Acetate, Stearyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Talc, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triacetin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Ho Ho Hocus
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Prrrplexing
MAC Prrrplexing Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.03 oz.) is a darker, bluish-teal that shifted to truer navy blue with a hint of red at the most extreme end. It had a very emollient texture, almost wet to the touch, which helped the product adhere to bare skin without lots of fallout (and actually wear for eight hours with little fallout).
The eyeshadow had opaque pigmentation with a smooth application of color using a fingertip or a dry brush, but the dry brush had noticeable fallout during the application process.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Orphic (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Moira Green Paradise (P, $8.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Downtown (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Electric Sapphire (LE, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Fishy (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Equilibrium (382M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Lunar Metal (LE, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Haus Labs Deep Teal Shimmer (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- ColourPop Just Your Voice (LE, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia A3 (Norvina Mini Vol. 3) (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.03 oz. - $733.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "ultra-gliding multi-pearlescent pigments." There's not much else claimed or described by the brand! They were mostly opaque to opaque with slightly more transparent bases, which may have been an illusion as the texture was very emollient ("ultra-gliding" was an apt description). That glide helped the product transfer to the lid with less fallout, but there was definitely still some fallout, especially when blending.
I would recommend applying the formula using fingertips for maximum coverage, sparkle, and the least fallout. I don't think that a dampened brush was ideal as it made the base more slippery, though, so one might put a bit of adhesive spray onto the skin first, then pat on the product using a fingertip to get some additional hold.
They had a duochrome shift, sometimes almost like a weak multi-chrome, but I found that the duochrome shifts were surprisingly subtle--they read more sparkly and multi-dimensional with a mix of shimmer/sparkle but just didn't have that strong shift at most angles.
The texture was chunkier, as they used very large flecks of sparkle throughout, but the ingredient list did not list any plastic (PET) glitter just to be sure. I did not find that it was an uncomfortable texture on my lid at all, and there was only light fallout while they wore--not enough for my eyes to feel irritated or bothered. They wore around eight hours before they seemed more prone to fallout.
Browse all of our MAC Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Cellulose Acetate, Stearyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Talc, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triacetin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Prrrplexing
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Right Before Your Eyes
MAC Right Before Your Eyes Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow ($22.00 for 0.03 oz.) has a soft, rosy mauve base with warmer undertones and contrasting gold shimmer that shifted from pale gold to warmer gold to chartreuse. This had the most noticeable shift from the shades released alongside it, which made it truer to the formula’s premise.
The texture was smooth and emollient with a built-in adhesive that made for an easier application of such a sparkly product. I preferred using a fingertip to apply, as this resulted in almost no fallout during application, while a dry brush had some fallout during the initial laydown if I wasn’t very careful to press it on. I wouldn’t recommend a dampened brush as it introduced too much added slip.
The eyeshadow had nearly opaque color coverage that lasted well for eight and a half hours with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Northern Lights (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Mielke Way (P, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Neon Green #9 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Barb (LE, $12.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Play Hard (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Ray Day (LE, $6.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Clionadh Opulent (P, $10.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Clionadh Enchantment (P, $12.50) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Sugarpill Dream State (PiP, $13.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Sydney Grace The Greatest Gift (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.03 oz. - $733.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "ultra-gliding multi-pearlescent pigments." There's not much else claimed or described by the brand! They were mostly opaque to opaque with slightly more transparent bases, which may have been an illusion as the texture was very emollient ("ultra-gliding" was an apt description). That glide helped the product transfer to the lid with less fallout, but there was definitely still some fallout, especially when blending.
I would recommend applying the formula using fingertips for maximum coverage, sparkle, and the least fallout. I don't think that a dampened brush was ideal as it made the base more slippery, though, so one might put a bit of adhesive spray onto the skin first, then pat on the product using a fingertip to get some additional hold.
They had a duochrome shift, sometimes almost like a weak multi-chrome, but I found that the duochrome shifts were surprisingly subtle--they read more sparkly and multi-dimensional with a mix of shimmer/sparkle but just didn't have that strong shift at most angles.
The texture was chunkier, as they used very large flecks of sparkle throughout, but the ingredient list did not list any plastic (PET) glitter just to be sure. I did not find that it was an uncomfortable texture on my lid at all, and there was only light fallout while they wore--not enough for my eyes to feel irritated or bothered. They wore around eight hours before they seemed more prone to fallout.
Browse all of our MAC Shadeshifter Duochrome Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Cellulose Acetate, Stearyl Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Dimethicone, Silica, Talc, Sorbitan Isostearate, Triacetin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Tin Oxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Aluminum Powder (Ci 77000), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I an drawn to Ho Ho Hocus…it’s the perfect shade of green! These are really lovely. I don’t own any MAC, but this might be my first purchase…
Really pretty shades, especially Ho Ho Hocus and I hope they aren’t too much trouble to apply.
Dang! I’m up Schitt’s Creek! These are hotter than Pokemon. I want to catch ’em all!
Hmmmm. After Sydney Grace, Cliodnah, Nikki Joy Cosmetic these are a bit disappointing.
Since I prefer using a brush, dry or wet and find applying with my fingers a lot harder, I’m passing on these. I think my fingertips are too big, or something, and I find it hard to see what I’m actually doing. Maybe I should just practice a bit. 🙂
I like the colours and the shifts in these, though, Right Before Your Eyes being my favourite.
I really like Prrrplexing. It reminds me of a blue/brown pigment that I had and couldn’t find a replacement for. But after Sidney Grace, do I need anything else? Makeup is never a need, always a want…
These are beautiful, and I think the hypnotic packaging design from this launch works the best on these cute shadows.
Tempting, but I’ll save it for an indie brand haul
I always apply my lid color with my finger. Always. Matte, shimmer, metallic? Doesn’t matter. I don’t know why I enjoy it so much but I do, so *having* to do that never throws me off. Ho ho Hocus and Prrrplexing both look right up my alley.
I was able to swatch these in store at Macy’s and I was very impressed with them. I will definitely wait for these to go on sale post holiday season and pick up a couple of shades. They are absolutely stunning in person. I have always thought the MAC eyeshadow single formulas are great and these are no exception.