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MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad ($44.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a cooler-toned pink and purple-themed palette. It consisted of a light-medium pink, pinky-purple, plum, and medium brown. There was noticeable fading after seven hours of wear with all the shades, and I had a fair amount of sparkle fall out underneath my eye. I had higher hopes, given that the two I tested the day before had done surprisingly well on wear. If you’re still drawn to this palette, I would recommend using a slightly tacky base with them to improve wear, minimize fall out, and improve blendability.

A Medley of Mauves #1 is a cool-toned, light-medium pink with a frosted sheen. It had a powdery texture, so when it was applied dry, it didn’t stick to the skin well–dusted away. Applied with a damp brush, it smoothed out and stayed on the skin better and yielded semi-opaque color coverage. MAC Fair Sex (LE, $15.00) is lighter. MAC Pinkluxe #1 (P) is more glittery. Dior Garden Roses #1 (LE) is slightly cooler-toned. Bobbi Brown Pink Lily (LE, $21.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

A Medley of Mauves #2 is a pinky-purple with a sparkling, frosted finish. This one was very sparkly, and incredibly lovely to look at when swatched, but it definitely resulted in fall out when worn (not just during application, which you can clean up before you head out the door!). Applied dry, it’s sheer, and applied damp, it was semi-opaque. The consistency was powdery. Fyrinnae Meerkat (P, $6.80) is darker, purpler. MAC Pinkluxe #3 (P) is slightly purpler. MAC Neo Nebula (LE, $21.00) is lighter. Inglot #445 (P, $6.00) is darker, purpler. See comparison swatches.

A Medley of Mauves #3 is a warm-toned plum with brown undertones and a pearly sheen. The texture didn’t feel stiff but translated into a stiff, uneven application, which occurred whether I applied the color dry or with a damp brush. It had sheer coverage when applied dry, and then semi-opaque coverage when applied damp. This shade was more faded than the others after seven hours of wear. Anastasia Pink Sapphire (LE) is warmer. Urban Decay Last Call (P, $18.00) is more metallic, lighter. MAC Trax (P, $15.00) is more matte. MAC Star Violet (P, $15.00) is browner. See comparison swatches.

A Medley of Mauves #4 is a medium brown with a golden bronze pearled finish. The consistency was on the drier side, which made it harder to apply and blend out on the skin. Applied dry, it was semi-sheer, and applied with a damp brush, it was semi-opaque. Too Faced Hazelnut (P) is has a stronger sheen. Too Faced Chestnut (LE) is darker. Burberry Pale Nude #1 (P) is more matte. Bobbi Brown Praline (LE, $21.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #1 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #1 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #2 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #2 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #3 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #3 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #4 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #4 Mineralize Eyeshadow

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #1 on inner lid, #2 on middle of lid, #3 on outer lid,
#4 in crease, Urban Decay Rockstar Eyeliner on lash line

MAC A Medley of Mauves Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad
MAC A Medley of Mauves #1 on inner lid, #2 on middle of lid, #3 on outer lid,
#4 in crease, Urban Decay Rockstar Eyeliner on lash line

41 Comments

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Ruca Avatar

I anticipated a C on this. I really dislike the mineralize e/s, unless used wet, and that’s such a pain. 🙁 They always look SO pretty in the pans, though! I love the look of this quad best of the lot, but I doubt I’ll brave the purchase with my poor experiences with MES. I still think you managed to make them look amazing in-use! Gorgeous on YOU! 🙂

Ruca Avatar

Yeah, that’s been my MES experience, to date. Even on primer, they fall right off. If I get them wry, they’re gorgeous in swatches, but that only makes them perform about equal (or not quite that good) to standard MAC pressed e/s, and wet makes the product disappear too quickly for my comfort. I still think you pulled of a nice subtle look with this, but I know I’ll hate it. Also, I have Star Violet, and I’m not really a fan; no sense getting a dupe for a color I often find ugly already. LoL 🙂

Abbey W. Avatar

This was the palette I was most interested in, and I’m glad to see it’s an easy skip. I have products in my stash that can easily dupe (and outperform) these. Thanks for the quick reviews!

Natalie Avatar

How disappointing. =( I really loved the colours for this one. I’m going to try recreating your look with Maybelline’s Pomegranate Punk and other eyeshadows, it’s seriously pretty. =)

Ruca Avatar

BINGO! That’s been my experience. They are so pretty, I’d consider collecting them just for kicks if they were less expensive and maybe a bit smaller for storage, but the prices + the huge packaging for the standard singles sort of ruins that fantasy. Such a bummer! In 2012 I bought the entire Heavenly Creature collection only to return them all in exchange for brushes. Best exchange EVER. At least the brushes are all useable! 😉

Sylirael Avatar

The colours are so soft and pretty – my sister woould be totally into this palette 🙂

It’s such a shame that they were so difficult, because the colours look gorgeous on you, Christine!

Dea Avatar

Oh it looks beautiful. Such a shame that it has such a poor presentation :-(. Will sadly pass (though it was on my top pick list for spring 2014).

Quinctia Avatar

If you didn’t have to constantly review a million different eyeshadows for the site, I’d just suggest getting a couple of the Ulta baked duos to look at (because they are the most gorgeous things in the pan), and never touching another baked shadow again. Since those perform all right when foiled, and they are the prettiest to look at.

Jaa Avatar

I actually love the look you created with it. The colors aren’t too original but they are still really pretty… too bad they don’t perform well. I was actually thinking of picking it up but I guess I just saved myself $$44. Thank you for your honest review as always, Christine! 🙂

shelley Avatar

Its disappointing to hear that this one didn’t reveal great results on application. Feel bad for those anticipating this release. 🙁

Valerie C. Avatar

I almost bought this one because I fell in love with the shades. But, I’m going to pass because of the formula. Thank you for reviewing this!

Alexa Kwan Avatar

It’s such a disappointment that so many of their eye palette didn’t score an average of B+ of A-…otherwise I would have snatched one….the color for this one and the green one seems quite tempting on the pic! What a shame MAC these days seem not care about quality anymore ….

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