MAC Nutcracker Sweet Magic Dust Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches
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. MAC A Party of Pastels #2 (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Trafalgar #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Chanel City Lights #2 (LE, ) 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). MAC Good Fortune (LE, $16.50) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Chanel Au Fil de L'Eau #2 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Sephora Raya (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). bareMinerals Merry (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Looking Glass (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente #1 (Eye Color) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Pale Mauve (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Show Boat (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Lilac Dream #1 (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar). YSL Rosy Glow #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #6 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Guerlain Cygne Blanc #1 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Superior Sound (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Blush (LE, $19.00) is 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). 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). Dior Golden Shock #1 (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar). Olivia Palermo Amethyst (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% 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). Sephora Girlish Appeal (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (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). 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). Chanel Lueurs Ambrees #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Gleam (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (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). 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). Stila Carefree (LE, $24.00) 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). 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). 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). 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. 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 Gabriella (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Fashion's Field Day (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Pretty Dainty (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% 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). ColourPop Seas the Day (P, $4.50) is 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.
Dance Flowers Dance
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
Dark Lullaby
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
Forward March
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
Mustache
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
Pretty Dainty
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
Rabblerouser
LELimited Edition. $23.00.
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
Not impressed with these. Did these remind you of Flamingo Park?
A little but not really since they had more shimmer overall!
It’s a shame that some of these shadows were a bit of a flop, but Dark Lullaby is still quite pretty. I usually don’t mind having to use primer, so I might have to check that one out.
Keep us posted if you try it!
is Forward March similar to urban decay X eyeshadow? it looks very similar to me, could they be dupes?
I don’t think they are dupes prsonally! http://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=MAC+Forward+March&sbs_1=261398&sbs_2_search=Urban+Decay+X&sbs_2=114532
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!
They didn’t seem different to me! My only guess was maybe a special pearl or something. The price might be wrong in the release, so I can email to double check!
Thanks you’re the best!
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.
Thank you, Tracey! 🙂
$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.
They were surprisingly pricey!
Yeah these are closer to $30 mark Canadian….. for that price I’d rather get more Kat Von D singles. 😉
I love the shades they chose this year.
The quality of these shadows is sad and from the name I was expecting them to be a cream to powder formula with a nice shimmer. MAC’s quality control is truly frustrated.
Yeah, I am not sure quite what makes them different!
Such a pretty eye look, Christine! But the swatches are less impressive 🙁
Thank you!!
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.
I need to see this bright pink eye, Nancy!!
I’m not impressed, but I might get Rabblerouser it’s a nice pink, I quite like to mix pinks with a lot of more neutral colours, just for fun. I wish Dark Lullaby had performed better, it’s a lovely colour.
I love plums like Dark Lullaby too!
These are really disappointing. 🙁
🙁 They are a little too dupable to be less than great, I think.
None of these is calling my name, but pinks are not especially flattering eyeshadow colors for me! Pink works better on my cheeks or lips…
Aww! I know pink eyeshadows can be hard to wear for some 🙁 It took me awhile to figure out how to wear it without looking like I was crying!
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.