MAC Pro Longwear Colour Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)
MAC Flat White Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is supposed to be a “medium-to-full coverage” cream eyeshadow pencil that can be used “all-over” the lid or as “statement liner.” The formula is described as “long-wearing, vibrant, and impactful” as well as waterproof. They have decent to good color payoff with fairly smooth consistencies, but they aren’t the creamiest nor the most emollient, so some shades can tug (the more metallic/shimmery shades tended to be the more emollient, while some of the matte to semi-matte shades were drier) or pull on the lid or lash line. The formula is waterproof and fade/smudge-proof; I didn’t have any issues with creasing after ten hours of wear with any of them. I did, however, find them hard to apply and blend out, as they dry down almost instantly. They are pretty hard to use together, as they don’t like to blend into each other, whether you use fingertips, a brush, silicone applicator, foam applicator, damp brush, synthetic brush, natural brush, or the shadow stick itself. This is also true with an attempt to use it all over the lid as a single color; I had the best luck using some of the lighter shades as a wash of color and applying with my fingertip, which helped to keep the product a little more malleable. They are easiest to use as a base, but they have a drier texture that made powders look a little dry/chalky on top at times. They can work as a liner as well (eight to ten hours), and a few of the lighter shades I tried on my lower waterline with varying degrees of success (six to eight hours), though I am not sure if they are recommended for waterline usage (MAC should likely have that info listed when they go live on the website).
MAC Flat White Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a stark, bright white with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque coverage in a single stroke, and it was buildable to mostly opaque coverage. The texture was a little stiff and thicker than other shades and emphasized the texture/lines of my lid. On me, it wore for a full ten hours without issue, but it was very hard to blend out on the skin. Inglot #373 (P, $6.00) is more muted (95% similar). Sephora Porcelain (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar). About Face Oxide (P, $14.00) is warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Por Vida (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Peppermint Cream (LE, $16.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty White Elephant (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar). KVD Beauty Linen (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar). Inglot #318 (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). NYX Milk (P, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Young Love (LE, $4.50) is more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M126 Chalk (DC, $21.00) is more muted (90% similar). Viseart Chroma #1 (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar). Sephora Daisy's My BFF (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). LORAC Cotton (LE, $19.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). Moira White (P, $7.50) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Pink Peony (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Silver Coin Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a light-medium, bright silver with a sparkling, metallic finish. It had sheer to semi-opaque color payoff after three layers. The texture had some slip, but it could have used more to apply more evenly and have some semblance of blendability. The color lasted for ten hours without fading or creasing. Chanel Tisse Ombre de Lune #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Make Up For Ever ME116 Silver (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). MAC Extra Silver (LE, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild The Night's Quad #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Coloured Raine Flashing Lights (DC, $6.99) is darker (95% similar). Sydney Grace Jingle Bells (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Glamrock (LE, ) is darker (95% similar). Natasha Denona Chromatic (04M) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Dior Trompe L'Oeil (011) (LE, $31.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Smashbox Rock Icon (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Viseart Mercury (GPV2 #14) (P, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Ice Crystals (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever ME116 Silver (P, $17.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). KVD Beauty Moonshine (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Pat McGrath Sterling (PiP, $25.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Interstellar (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Too Faced Ooh and Ahh (Right) (LE, $16.00) is lighter (90% similar). LORAC Glacier (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Free Folk (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Iris Eyes Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medum, steely bluish-silver with cool undertones and a metallic sheen. It had semi-opaque to mostly opaque, buildable coverage with a lightweight, somewhat emollient texture that applied more smoothly and evenly than other shades featured in this review. The color was very slightly blendable if I worked immediately (about 10 seconds maximum to work), and once it set, it was on for ten hours without fading or creasing. MAC Bleuluxe #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Persona Independent (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar). NARS Oscura (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). Clarins Midnight #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar). Pat McGrath Hypnotique (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Showgirl (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Pat McGrath Interstellar (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Showgirl (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Bright Moon (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Fantasize (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Smashbox Steel (P, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Clinique Big Blue (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Anastasia Blue Flash (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Blueberry Swirl (PiP, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Starry Night (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (85% similar). Urban Decay Strip (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Dominique Cosmetics Stargaze (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). Tarina Tarantino Diamond Dusk #3 (DC, ) is darker (80% similar). Natasha Denona Lavender/Gold and Silver (3) (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Frisky Blue Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medium-dark cobalt blue with cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had sheer coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque coverage. The texture was thinner and waxier, which resulted in the color being pushed around more than it did layering/building when I tried to get better coverage out of it. It was hard to blend out regardless of tool. The color lasted for ten hours without fading or creasing. Hello Kitty Dear Daniel (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Atlantic Blue (P, $17.00)(95% similar). Makeup Geek Neptune (DC, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Heroine (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Buxom Luxe Life (P, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Majorelle (PiP, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Starflyer (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar). ColourPop I'm Chillen (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar). Viseart Cornflower (13) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Huda Beauty Sapphire #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Anastasia B2 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Kaleidos Glowing Iris (Base) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Sugarpill Velocity (P, $13.00) is darker (90% similar). Illamasqua Sadist (P, ) is darker, brighter (85% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Insomnia (P, $6.00) is darker (85% similar). Anastasia C3 (Norvina Vol. 2) (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). Makeup Geek Boo Berry (DC, $6.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). NARS Outremer (P, $19.00) is darker (80% similar). Urban Decay Chaos (DC, $19.00) is darker, brighter (80% similar). Sugarpill 8-Bit (PiP, ) is lighter (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Cinderblack Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a dark black with neutral undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-sheer color payoff that was buildable to fully opaque coverage. The texture was lightly emollient and didn’t tug too much on the skin when applied, but it was incredibly difficult to blend out the edges if attempting to use it as smudged liner or as a cream eyeshadow. The color lasted for ten hours with no creasing or fading. ColourPop Roulette (P, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Stiletto (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Obsidian (01) (DC, $39.00) is cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever S102 Onyx (DC, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). KVD Beauty Black Metal (LE, ) is less glossy (95% similar). Le Metier de Beaute Onyx (LE, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Beg For It (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (95% similar). Milani Bella Black (12) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Obscur (816) (LE, $36.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tarte Fashionista (LE, ) is less glossy (95% similar). City Color Black Widow (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Makeup Geek Corrupt (DC, $6.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). NARS Filbuste (P, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). Chanel Rêve d'Orient #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). L'Oreal Noir C'est Noir (P, $5.99) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). MAC Nehru (Guo Pei) (LE, $17.00) is less glossy (95% similar). ColourPop The Senses (PiP, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M100 Black (DC, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Blackout (DC, $19.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Dior Celebrate in Gold #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Flat White
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Silver Coin
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Iris Eyes
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Frisky Blue
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Cinderblack
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Flat White Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Flat White Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Flat White Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Silver Coin Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Silver Coin Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Silver Coin Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Iris Eyes Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Iris Eyes Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Iris Eyes Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Frisky Blue Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Frisky Blue Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Frisky Blue Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Cinderblack Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Cinderblack Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Cinderblack Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Pro Longwear Colour Stick
Disappointed. I had high hopes for these.
I was bummed that they were so hard to blend, but I was pleasantly surprised when they were genuinely smudge-proof, lol!
Omg I think I NEED iris eyes!!!! And I love the look you did!! Do you think this will perform well as strictly an eyeliner? I can’t tell from the photo how thick the pencil is, as far as whether it would still be functional once the tip wears down…
Iris Eyes is a more unique shade at least! They wear the same as eyeliners from what I’ve tested so far. There is a sharpener on the other end.
Soooo dry…… 🙁
Yep! 🙁
But your eye look is awesome!
And it will last on the eyes with that longevity rating… but it sounds unpleasant to work with. 😉
I was so curious to see how these did on your testing. I was really hoping these would perform better than some of the other similar products on the market. I am truly baffled as to why brands can’t seem to get this formula right (as it relates to blendability, creaminess, etc.). Sounds like these suffer from the same issues I had with both the Estee Edit one in Pewter I bought (it has been relegated to being just a liner) and the Lancome one (which did somewhat better as far as being slightly better to blend and significantly better at playing well with other products). Thanks for testing these out for us!
I was hoping they would be as usable as the Laura Mercier ones, but these set so, so fast.
Too bad MAC couldn’t make a more blendable formula, there are so many good shadow sticks out there!
These really need to be blendable, I think, to be as versatile as described!
I war looking at these to use my $10 off coupon. Not with those grades 🙁
Aww!
Thanks for the review, Christine. How very disappointing. I was hoping these shadows could expand my Bobbi Brown/Laura Mercier collection. I may pick up the lilac as a base but could easily pass on all.
No problem, Tracey! I was hoping they’d be more like Laura Mercier’s as well.
Somehow I sensed these wouldn’t perform well. That blue swatch is ghastly though.
It’s interesting how they wear REALLY long but are hard to use as anything other than a base.
Yep, based on the swatches, I knew these wouldn’t score well. Sorry MAC, but eyeliners have advanced far, far beyond this–now you can get creamy, pigmented eyeliners that last +12 hours for $5-$15. But I do love your eye look, although it must’ve been torture trying to create it.
It is true! I feel like for eyeliner, you can get better coverage/application/easier application (since these are larger), and for eyeshadow pencils, these are hard to use as eyeshadow.
I was so excited to see all of these shown in the earlier sneak peek. I used to love MAC Greasepaint Sticks, until I realized how quickly they went RANCID (like, maybe 6 months!). I was hoping these might be a big improvement but it looks like they’re not so hot. I love the Sephora Jumbo Shadow/Liner pencils but dislike having to sharpen them (Lise Watier also makes some fabulous ones that TWIST UP, like the Bobbi Brown ones do) so at first, I was so pleased to see these releases from MAC and was scribbling down the names of the 3 or 4 I figured I couldn’t live without but now…..sigh….
It’s interesting, because MAC used to have Shadesticks, which I remember being a lot more usable. I might have a few still kickin’ around, but they’d be so old that I wouldn’t be surprised if they were dried out or just drier now, lol.
Shadesticks are one MAC product I simply never purchased, I think because I found that the Paint Pots and also Sephora’s Jumbo pencils worked every bit as well, if not better, for me. But the Greasepaint sticks came in a few really amazing, irresistible shades and I think I had 2 of them – one called “Dirty”, which was an amazing colour, and another dark green one, the name of which I’ve forgotten. But both of them went really rankly “off” in smell (and the texture went hard, dry and draggy too) in a very, very short time. But the SMELL – eeewww – it was so bad that even if I could have softened the product, I couldn’t have used it because of the smell.
I knew it! C+, C, B, D, C+…
🙁
You have taught me many things, all these years through your blog {although, possibly I’m older than your mother} :), so I saw the problem from sneak peek . Please ignore my bad english.
Aw, thank you Amalia! 🙂
I think you did a great job with the eye look considering that quite a few of these didn’t really blend very well! It does demonstrate that very clearly, especially with the black shade. I love Iris Eyes (groan at the pun!), it’s not fared too badly.
Thanks, Claire! It was awhile in the making, and eventually I just had to stop, because it wasn’t working better, lol!
I was really hoping that these would do well, especially because of the large colour selection. I like shadow sticks that stay put and I have some Kiko ones that are great but I was looking to expand my collection. Oh well, I’ll see how the other ones fare. ?
Me too, Gillian! The color range looked really cool!
Iris Eyes is super pretty. I’d consider getting it but I can’t decide how I feel about MAC right now with their latest collection. It’s like 50% of me cares and the other doesn’t.
Iris Eyes was the more unique shade!
I’m amazed you did as well as you did with the eye look, Christine. Good on you!! I can see these would be disastrous and tortuous for my aging eyelids. I don’t want to even think about going there. Think how much worse they will be in 6 months time after they have dried a bit.. YOWwwwww. Thanks for the timely review.
Thanks, Wendy! It was a LOT of tugging, so not something I’d be keen to do for fun. But you are right — if they dry out at ALL, they’ll be that much harder to work with.
UUUUuuugh these look horrendous swatched… dry and hard to blend…definite pass… Thinking about reviewing the ”Make Up For Ever Aqua XL eye pencils”? I’m curious how they compare… Seems that most brands release the waterproof pencils as summer nears…
They are very difficult to diffuse/blend out!
At least Iris Eyes is nice.
The color is really cool!
Yes, Iris is the prettiest shade, but overall they are not great. Lovely eye look Christine.
Thanks, Genevieve!
Maybe this will prompt UD to reissue Strip in a blue leaning taupey palette or in a theme palette, under a theme-oriented name. Could be nice. Iris, esp, is disappointing. These require a high skill level and very quick app, if you don’t want a splotchy mess. I see these as being d/c’d pretty quickly, ’cause there won’t be mass purchasing, once the difficulty level becomes widely known.
If only. I think I’ve told them a few times every year since it was discontinued to bring it back 🙁
You created a beautiful look despite the inferior formula. I was really hoping they would be smooth and a better quality.
Thank you, Valerie!
That’s really disappointing so far.
I hear you 🙁
That is too bad. I really hoped they´d be better in terms of blendability. I love eyeshadow sticks for convenience.
Exactly! I feel like these types of products need at least some blendability!
Iris eyes it is!
I love the look you did, beautiful!
I don’t like to have to worrk really hard on blending and work fast, so I think the rest of them are a pass.
Thank you, Helene!