MAC Pro Longwear Colour Sticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 3)
MAC Tea Leaves Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Tea Leaves Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medium, golden bronze with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic sheen. This one has micro-sparkle/glitter in it, but I didn’t notice any fall out over time unless I rubbed my eye, where a few bits dropped but the color stayed intact. The texture was very lightly emollient so it didn’t tug too much when initially applied, but it dries down almost instantly leaving little room for blending it out. Buxom Style Icon (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Spiked Cider (LE, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Dior Cosmopolite (P, $29.50) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Crushed Clove (PiP, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Natasha Denona Satin Tan (58P) (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). NARS Himalia (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Golden Petals Scattering (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). bareMinerals Schmooze (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Colour Pop Boxer (P, $4.50) is darker (90% similar). Givenchy Palette Ors Audacieux #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Sephora Coconut Shell (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Too Faced Cold Brew (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Sleek MakeUP Court in Cannes (LE, $9.99) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Firecracker (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS Beaumaris (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Make Up For Ever ME644 Iced Brown (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS Splendor (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). NARS Tan Lines (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Soft Steel Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medium-dark, taupe-brown withw arm undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a thin, lightly emollient texture that glided across the skin without dragging much, but it was hard to build-up color coverage. It also set very quickly, which made diffusing the edge more difficult. The color wore for ten hours on me. bareMinerals Yes Please (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Ska (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS Ursa Major (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Too Faced Smokin' (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Dior Cosmopolite (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Splendor (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Entrelacs #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Clarins Brown #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Cold Brew (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Reef (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). LORAC Dream Girl #8 (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS Himalia (P, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Natasha Denona Satin Tan (58P) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Burberry Gold #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). MAC Put Me to Shame (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Tarte Gingerbread Mansion (LE, ) is warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medium copper with warm, ornage undertones and a pearly shimmer. It had semi-opaque to fully opaque color payoff. The texture was lightly creamy–just enough to apply without being terribly uncomfortable to use–but difficult to blend out once it hits the skin as it seems to set almost instantly. The color wore for over ten hours without fading or creasing. NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #6 (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Amber Lights (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Kat Von D Dog Roses (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Siren #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 13 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Ardency Inn Copper (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Kat Von D Harpsichord (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Lucky (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). NYX Liquid Gold (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Smashbox Ambient (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Sand Bar Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a medium brown with warm, reddish tones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-opaque to fully opaque coverage, and it applied very smoothly and evenly without a lot of fuss. The consistency was more emollient than the majority of the range, which helped it apply better whether used as an eyeliner or as an all-over lid shade. It doesn’t blend out that well, because it sets quickly, but there is a little wiggle room if you work very, very quickly. It lasted for over ten hours on me. Sephora Nylon (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Fit for a Queen #1 (LE, ) is cooler, less glossy (95% similar). Kat Von D Glasswing (DC, ) is lighter (95% similar). Milani Totally Fawn of You (PiP, $5.99) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Feelin' Nutty (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M646 Latte (DC, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Chocolate Milk (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). LORAC Tawny (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Caramel (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Natasha Denona Atik (117CM) (PiP, ) is less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Vibe (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Frappe (DC, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Soft Brown (P, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Colour Pop Nip Slip (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Dragon Scales #1 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #13 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Rose Cloud (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Becca Ombre Rouge #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Dose of Colors Churro (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Puree (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Bitter Clove Pro Longwear Colour Stick ($22.00 for 0.049 oz.) is a dark, chocolate brown with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had semi-sheer to mostly opaque color coverage (in two to three passes). The texture was slightly stiff when trying to work with the product on the skin, though it didn’t tug much when used as an eyeliner. It was very, very hard to blend out, and after a certain point, I tried using a lighter beige shade to try to help it blend out, but that didn’t work well at all either. The color itself stayed in placed for ten hours. Kat Von D Shadow Box (DC, ) is lighter (95% similar). Becca Ombre Nudes #5 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Tarte Take on Bordeaux (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Hourglass Monochrome #5 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Hourglass Obscura #4 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Stila Bark (LE, $18.00)(90% similar). Tarte Powerful (LE, ) is lighter, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Disco Dust #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Viseart Minx #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Smashbox Java (P, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). Anastasia Fudge (DC, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar). Colour Pop Farah (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Laura Mercier Ganache (LE, $28.00) is lighter (80% similar). Bobbi Brown Bittersweet (LE, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | 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).
Tea Leaves
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Soft Steel
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Copper Pot
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Sand Bar
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
Bitter Clove
LELimited Edition. $22.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Tea Leaves Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Tea Leaves Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Tea Leaves Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Soft Steel Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Soft Steel Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Soft Steel Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Sand Bar Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Sand Bar Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Sand Bar Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Bitter Clove Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Bitter Clove Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Bitter Clove Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick
MAC Copper Pot Pro Longwear Colour Stick
Tea Leaves, Soft Steel and Crushed Clove were the 3 I was seriously interested in but, having checked the dupes, I have multiple dupes for each of them and ones that are far less finicky and fiddly to apply and blend – it doesn’t seem very pleasant that they don’t blend well with one another, for the most part, and that their texture tends to be stiff. So these will be an easy “skip” for me.
Happy you ended up with some good dupes AND if they’re better? Win win!
Wow, Tea Leaves is really pretty! Have been eyeing it since I saw the sneak peak. Should be fine as an eyeliner. I know it’s not that blend-able as any eye shadow, but since I have super oil lids, I’ll trade budge proof for blendable any day, and this color looks soft enough that I probably don’t need much blending. I already have a bunch of MAC stuff I’m going to buy, will probably toss this in my cart to try out
I think it will work as an eyeliner 🙂
Katherine, if there is any way you have access to Lise Watier, they launched the most amazing pencils a year or so back (probably made in the exact same factory as they look EXACTLY the same – twist up case with a “shaping sharpener” on the other end) and there are colours fairly similar to these but the biggest difference is that they are AMAZINGLY good. They apply and blend beautifully for about a minute but then, when they set, they simply do not budge or crease.
Thanks for the tip Mariella! I keep hearing great things about Lisa Watier products. Since Canadians miss out on so many products/brands, I think it’s great it’s a Canadian company, so gives you easy access to the products. I’ll keep an eye out for her stuff!
I do like the convenience of a lid wash that doesn’t need a primer, especially since I plan on hitting the City pool/ water park this summer. Question is; do you think that if one was to just use 1 or 2 shades, and did all the blending out using only their fingers, that these could work easier?
If not, I do at least have Maybelline Color Tattoo in the bronze shade.
I think one or two shades would be the max, but it would just depend! Some of the shimmery shades are easier to use, and if you don’t care about opacity, blending is OK/decent.
Nancy, read my comment to Katherine…if you can get Lise Watier by hook or by crook, they are so great! Totally worth trying to get.
Sand Bar looks pretty!
It is a nice color!
I would love to try the matte ones on the waterline and see how they fare out!
Let me know if you try ’em!
Soft Steel is kind of nice.
It’s a nice color!
Can’t say I’m super excited for these, but I might have bought Sand Bar at some point if it weren’t LE- seems like a neutral shade I’d get good use out of but I really don’t need it right now.
I like the color range – a lot of different types of neutrals!
I’m not really too interested in these. I have issues with paint pots looking dry on my eyelids, I could probably get away using them as a liner. But , I have hoards of liners . If they were working as a good base, I’d be more interested. Thanks for taking the time to review them all though Chrstine!
My pleasure, Nicole!
I just love the first three colours – especially Tea Leaves, but finding out that they are harder to blend – would make me consider buying them. These colours are not unique – they live in lots of our palettes. But I am really pleased to read the very decent ratings you gave them.
Copper Pot is a really pretty color! I just got At The Beach, wearing it today. I quite like it.
Awesome to hear! How are you applying it?
So far just on the waterline and it works quite well.
Whoa… Christine with no color on her lower lashline! How many years has it been since we’ve seen you like this? LOL.