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MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows

MAC Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a new, limited edition powder eyeshadow formula that will be available in six shades. They are part of the Nutcracker Sweet holiday color collection, which will be online on October 20th and in-stores on October 27th (North America). There was nothing that struck me as particularly new or different about these from more shimmery eyeshadows. The texture was a bit softer and dustier in the pan compared to MAC’s typical eyeshadow formula with some shades being dusty enough to sheer out easily or shimmer separate from the base color. The six shades were fairly pigmented, blendable, and wore between seven and eight hours on me.

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a very light pink with warm undertones and a fine, white pearl over a satiny finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which did sheer out somewhat due to the dustier, thinner consistency. The color applied better by patting it onto the lid rather than sweeping to get better coverage initially. It wore well for seven hours on me before fading. YSL Rosy Glow #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #6 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC A Party of Pastels #2 (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Chanel City Lights #2 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Dior Trafalgar #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC Sweet Lust (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). KVD Beauty Instaglam (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Ulta Pink (P, $10.00) is darker (95% similar). Chanel Au Fil de L'Eau #2 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Good Fortune (LE, $16.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Sephora Raya (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). bareMinerals Merry (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente #1 (Eye Color) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Looking Glass (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Show Boat (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Pale Mauve (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Lilac Dream #1 (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar). Dior Eden-Roc #2 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Aim High (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Invincible Light (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dark plum with warm, brown undertones and a subtle, satin sheen. It had decent pigmentation with a slightly drier, looser texture that took a little more effort to blend and diffuse along the edges on bare skin (but I expect over primer for it not to be an issue at all). The color wore well for eight hours on me. bareMinerals Passion (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Too Faced Pop (PiP, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Eggplant (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Rare Find (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Rich Core (P, $20.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Uncut (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). Dior Golden Shock #1 (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar). Olivia Palermo Amethyst (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Jardins de Lumieres #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). theBalm Curvy Cami (P, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I834 Grape (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Aubergine (P, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Show Plum Love (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Remix (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Sydney Grace Dream Big (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Le Metier de Beaute Fig (P, $30.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 19 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Sensuous (DC, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). MAC Universal Appeal (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Seductive Rose #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a light-medium peach with a hint of pink and strong, warm orange undertones and a golden shimmer. The shimmer tended to pull away from the base as I blended the color on the lid, so it had a smoother, more satiny finish in practice than it appeared in the pan. It had good color payoff, though, and it was easy to blend and diffuse the edges. It started to fade after seven and a half hours on me. Laura Mercier Rosegold (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Smashbox Crisp (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Cle de Peau Grounded (Right) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). NARS Valhalla (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Rise and Shine (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I520 Pinky Sand (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Rose Champagne (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Anastasia Gem (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Disney by Sephora Splendid (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty You Up (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). LORAC Bellini (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Pretty Vulgar Shine (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Cutoffs (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Supernouveau #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). MAC This Love (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Satisfaction (DC, $25.00) is darker (90% similar). City Color Bubble Bath (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Sateen (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC So, So Saucy (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Viseart Pont des Arts (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark black with warmer, olive undertones and gold and silver sparkle over a matte finish. The sparkles didn’t translate onto the lid noticeably, as they did not bind with the base, so they would blend away or get trapped in the bristles of the brush before getting onto the lid. The texture was drier, dusty, and thin, which made it hard to apply evenly. It was difficult to blend without the color appearing patchy on bare skin. It lasted for seven hours before fading noticeably. theBalm Fierce (P, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Beyond Gorgeous (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Dior Nocturne (091) (P, $30.00) is warmer (95% similar). LORAC Cursed (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Scorpio (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Milani Melange (DC, $6.99) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Baby Hair (LE, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) a medium-dark pink with warmer undertones and a satin sheen. It had decent color payoff, but it was hard to build up and prone to sheering out. I also felt like it faded within a few minutes of application. This is a shade I would want to use over a colored base (or a white base) to help amplify the color and make it appear less faded. It wore well for seven hours before fading. MAC Fashion's Field Day (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Stila Carefree (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Ciate Jelly Bean (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Paris #3 (PiP, ) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC Fotos Y Recuerdos (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild VI Purple #10 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Be Our Guest (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). MAC Sushi Flower (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Rabblerouser (LE, $23.00) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I808 English Pink (DC, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Make Up For Ever S800 Grenadine (DC, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar). Dior Fusion (764) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Too Faced Just Peachy (PiP, $16.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Chanel Tisse Cambon #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). YSL Paris #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Dior Capital of Light #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar). MAC Rose (DC, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and sat better on the skin than Pretty Dainty as the texture was firmer, less dusty, but it wasn’t difficult to work with or blend out. I noticed fading after seven and a half hours of wear. MAC Gabriella (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop For Shore (P, $4.50) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). Huda Beauty Neon Orange #8 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Fuchsia Fury (LE, $17.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Watermelon (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS Domination (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop My Milkshake (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Pretty Dainty (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC Fashion's Field Day (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Seas the Day (P, $4.50) is cooler (85% similar). Dior Bow (887) (P, $29.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop All Night (LE, $4.50) is cooler (85% similar). Makeup Geek Unleashed (P, $9.00) is brighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Mu Mu Bloom (LE, $17.00) is cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Tart Me Up (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). Makeup Geek Simply Marlena (DC, $6.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dance Flowers Dance Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Dark Lullaby Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Forward March Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Mustache Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Pretty Dainty Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Rabblerouser Magic Dust Eyeshadow

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows

27 Comments

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Trina Avatar

I wonder why the price is so high for these? At first i thought maybe they were a different formula like lasts years holiday shadows. From your description and the swatches they look like the regular eyeshadows. I’m lost lol!

Tracey E. Avatar

With so many holiday offerings, including within this collection, lots of options for better performing products…although your eye look is lovely as usual, Christine.

Katherine T. Avatar

$23 for a single shadow that’s so-so quality and only .04 oz? Uh no thanks. I see a number of MUFE Artist singles listed as dupes, and those are only $21, much better quality, and are 07 oz. And if I buy 2 or 3 MUFE dupes in a custom pan, I get a discount. I’m not seeing anything “magical” about these MAC shadows.

Nancy T Avatar

Yes, I know Fotos Y Recuerdos and Pretty Dainty don’t have the best grades. There is just something about both that love. Probably that even though they are brighter pink eyeshadows, they can be sheered out enough to not make me look like I’ve got an eye infection or cried for an hour, LoL!
Conversely, I have been known to rock an insanely BRIGHT pink infused eye look, ie; my FB profile pic.

Fran Avatar

I actually do better with the crazy bright pinks than with subtler pinks — but already have a couple of them!

I guess, too, having rosacea, I’m wary of putting too much pink on my face, so have to consider blush and lip colors carefully when I’m wearing pink eyeshadow. Just stick to more of a contour/bronzer + highlight effect on the cheeks, maybe wear a taupe or gray lipstick.

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!