MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette Review & Swatches

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MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Art Library Palette
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details
MAC It's Designer Palette | Look Details

It's Designer

MAC It’s Designer Art Library Palette ($48.00 for 0.60 oz.) contains a mix of brighter mattes and pops of shimmery color along with a medium black. I feel like the palette tells the story of MAC eyeshadows over the last few years. The mattes are firmer, stiffer, and better for building up color but when it comes to deriving really electric color on the lid, they’re not as pigmented as needed to do so–I’d recommend using a tacky primer or white base to help get more oomph out of them (assuming true-to-pan color is the goal). The shimmers were less consistent, but most of them were under-performing due to pigmentation and texture, either being too dry or too emollient. If you’re someone who tends to use dampened brushes with their shimmers, that would help quite a bit and likely give you a better experience working with the palette overall.


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MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow
MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow
MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow
MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow
MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow
MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow

Chrome Yellow

Chrome Yellow is a bright, medium yellow with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, but it was the type of yellow that seemed to fade a bit after application and was more prone to sheering out as I worked with it. Over an eyeshadow primer, it was better, and of course, over a white base, it would pop quite a bit. The texture was slightly thin, a little dry, though blendable. It lasted well for seven and a half hours on me before fading a bit.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow
MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow
MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow
MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow
MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow
MAC My Kid Could Make That Eyeshadow

My Kid Could Make That

My Kid Could Make That is a bright, lime green with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage, though it needed to be layered (two to three layers) to get to full coverage in practice as it had a drier, thinner consistency that was prone to sheering out and fading when applied to bare skin. It started to show a bit of fading after seven and a half hours of wear.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)
MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)
MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)
MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)
MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)
MAC Bright Pink Powder Blush (Small)

Bright Pink

Bright Pink is a bright, fuchsia pink with cooler, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation but appeared a bit more muted, a little darker when applied to my skin and lost some of that intensity seen in the pan. It had a drier, firmer consistency, which made it easier to apply in layers to build up coverage, but it became more troublesome to blend at full pigment (in one layer). It wore well for eight hours before fading a bit and stained my skin slightly.

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MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow
MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow
MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow
MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow
MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow
MAC Can't Afford This Eyeshadow

Can't Afford This

Can’t Afford This is a fiery orange with warm, reddish undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color coverage with a smooth, blendable texture that wasn’t too soft nor too firmly pressed in the pan. It was thinner than most matte eyeshadow formulations these days but consistent with MAC’s. The eyeshadow applied well to bare skin and blended out with little effort. It stayed on well for eight hours before fading a bit.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow
MAC If It Ain't Baroque Eyeshadow

If It Ain't Baroque

If It Ain’t Baroque is a medium-dark gold with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. The texture felt drier and chunkier, as it didn’t seem to have as much creaminess or slip to help keep all the shimmers and sparkly bits contained. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that applied best by pressing and patting onto my skin, then blending the edges. There was some fallout during application, which I was able to mitigate if I used it with a dampened brush. It lasted for just over seven and a half hours on me before I noticed some fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), 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.

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MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow
MAC It's Designer Eyeshadow

It's Designer

It’s Designer is a light-medium orange with warm, golden shimmer and larger sparkle. The texture was drier and felt more loosely-pressed in the pan, which gave it a powderiness and a tendency to having fallout during application. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that I could pack on and get to opaque coverage if desired, but it’s the type of texture that I would use with a dampened brush to minimize fallout and improve adhesion and coverage. It wore nicely for seven and a half hours before there was visible fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow

Starry Night

Starry Night is a reddened-plum base with blue-to-violet shifting shimmer. The consistency was incredibly creamy and smooth; it adhered beautifully to bare skin and blended out easily along the edges. It had opaque color payoff that stayed on well for eight hours before it started to crease faintly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), 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.

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MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow

Darkroom

Darkroom is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The texture was rather emollient and had more slip, which yielded weaker pigmentation that didn’t apply as evenly as preferred. I’d recommend using this with a dampened brush or fingertip to get smoother, more even and opaque coverage with less effort. It lasted nicely for seven hours on me before I noticed signs of fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), 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.

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MAC High Concept Eyeshadow
MAC High Concept Eyeshadow
MAC High Concept Eyeshadow
MAC High Concept Eyeshadow
MAC High Concept Eyeshadow
MAC High Concept Eyeshadow

High Concept

High Concept is a pale silver with subtle, cool undertones and a frosted finish. The texture was soft, more loosely-pressed in the pan, and a little drier, so there was fallout during application as I worked with this shade on my lid. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation, but between the pigmentation and texture, it was a shade I’d recommend using with a damp brush or over a lightly tacky primer. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me before I noticed slight fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow
MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow
MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow
MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow
MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow
MAC Gallerina Eyeshadow

Gallerina

Gallerina is a muted, medium-dark blue-leaning teal with cool undertones and a frosted, slightly metallic finish. The texture was lightly creamy with some slip, which helped it adhere better without primer, but it didn’t go on as evenly as I would have liked. I had to work it in and buff out the powder to get even, opaque coverage. It stayed well for eight hours on me before I noticed faint fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow
MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow
MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow
MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow
MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow
MAC Triennial Wave Eyeshadow

Triennial Wave

Triennial Wave is a brighter, medium blue with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. There were barely-there shimmers strewn throughout that helped make it more blendable but didn’t visibly change its finish from looking matte. The eyeshadow had a soft, powdery consistency, which made it more prone to sheering out (though blendable!) and harder to build up without a primer or tacky base under it. It had some fallout during application as well from trying to built it from medium coverage to opaque coverage. It lasted nicely for seven and a half hours on me before I noticed signs of wear.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), 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.

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MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow

Carbon

Carbon is a medium-dark black with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had medium, buildable pigmentation with a drier, stiffer texture. Carbon is one of those shades that swatches pitifully but is excellent for adding and layering over other shades to darken but less so for all-over application or when one wants true black eyeshadow. The version included the palette is not the best nor the worst Carbon I’ve encountered in my time; it was more workable but definitely more in the “buildable pigmentation” zone. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me before I noticed slight fading.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Ingredients

Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), 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.

Bonus: Video Overview ♫

12 Comments

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Claire Avatar

I was thinking the same, it can pretty much entirely be duped with the Urban Decay Electric Palette, which I own and love! This is an easy pass because I have dupes, and better performing alternatives, for every single shade!
I love the green eye look though ?

Nancy T Avatar

Thankfully I do have these shades scattered throughout my e/s palettes and singles even. I do wish that this palette had had greater consistency in the formula used, instead of having at least 2 or 3 different ones for the shimmery shades alone. On the other hand, this could be a nice palette for someone who doesn’t mind those issues, I guess.

Mariella Avatar

MAC would be wise to release Gallerina as a single (I’m sure they won’t but it would be nice if they did) and also STOP ramming Carbon down everyone’s throat in so very many of their palettes. It’s good that this isn’t the worst version of Carbon (there have been some real losers) but even so a C+ isn’t exactly stellar!

BunnyFufu Avatar

At first glance this reminded me of Juvia’s Place, then secondly, Huda Electric. It made me a little sad that here is an OG Mac [ba dum bum!] daddy in the game, and being late to it. Then to read that the pigmentation is lacking–dagger thru the heart. I want OG Mac back. ‘Til then, JP and Huda get my coin.

Kira Avatar

Agreeing with everyone who sees Urban Decay’s electric palette. I think it would have been more original if they had done more neutral or muted versions of green, light blue, pink, orange, etc. rather than vivid. I think that would have been more on point for this season’s trends too.

Raluca Avatar

I think Gallerina is what drew me so much to this, but I’ll just grab the Nyx one instead. It even got a better grade. Thank you so much for all your work!

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!