MAC Rose Gold Snow Ball Eye Compact Review, Photos, Swatches
Rose Gold
MAC Rose Gold Snow Ball Eye Compact ($29.50 for 0.28 oz.) is a new, limited palette that contains six eyeshadows. It’s housed in a slim compact, and each eyeshadow is almost the equivalent of a full-sized MAC eyeshadow (0.047 oz. vs. 0.05 oz.). The shades came together without too much work as each eyeshadow was fairly pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing. There are two Dazzleshadows, which are more glittery shades, so if that’s not your cup of tea, you might find them harder to work with or too sparkly for your preferences.
Look Using this Product
Rose Gold
LELimited Edition. $29.50.
Winterlude
Winterlude is a light beige with neutral-to-warm undertones and a satin finish. It had excellent pigmentation with a soft, lightly powdery consistency that was blendable on the skin but did have a tendency to turn the darker browns in the palette gray and slightly uneven. The color wore well for seven and a half hours on me before fading slightly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Sugar Cookie (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- theBalm Fearless (P, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Brule (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Oh, Rocky! (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Vacay (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Flagstone (DC, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte In a Flurry (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Milk and Cookies (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Juicy (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Divinity (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.
The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.
The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.
The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.
The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.
One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).
Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Winterlude
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
No Curfew
No Curfew is a soft brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was soft, powdery but blendable on the skin. It had semi-opaque color payoff that wore well for seven and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Dusty Trails (Light) (PiP, $5.25) is darker (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Narciso (P, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
- NARS Open Wide (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Come Together (LE, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar).
- Ciate Skinny Dip (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Calling Birds (DC, $5.25) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Undress #3 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Iced Mocha (P, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Infinity #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarte View from the Taupe (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.
The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.
The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.
The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.
The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.
One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).
Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
No Curfew
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
She Sparkles
She Sparkles is a light, silvery pewter with neutral-to-warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had sheer coverage when applied with a dry brush, whereas it had mostly opaque coverage when applied with a dampened brush, but MAC doesn’t indicate that the pigmentation should be anything other than “rich.” The texture was slightly drier and noticeably sparkly, and while the brand might claim “minimal fallout,” I’d say there was a moderate amounnt during application and then slight fallout throughout the day.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Stila Warm Silver (LE, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Palladium (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sugarpill Tiara (P, $13.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Tarte C'est La Vie (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC LES Artiste (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Guerlain Two Stylish #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Byredo Verglas (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Sephora Wizard (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Dior Etoile (021) (P, $31.00) is lighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
She Sparkles
PPermanent. $18.00.
Shiver of Delight
Shiver of Delight is a medium copper with warm, red undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had good color coverage in a single layer, even dry, paired with a sparkling, lightly dusty texture. It was fully opaque and had a smoother, more even application when applied with a fingertip or a dampened brush. This shade did not have as much fallout during application as She Sparkles. It wore well for eight hours with slight fallout over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Delirium (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop A Little Quarky (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Extra Bubbly (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Whiz Kid (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D712 Crème Brûlée (P, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Golden Copper (P, $12.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Gemini (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Sous Le Sable #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Celestial (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Pattaya (LE, $22.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Look Using this Product
Shiver of Delight
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
Budding Passion
Budding Passion is a medium-dark bronze with warm, red undertones and a pearly sheen. It had excellent pigmentation with a fairly soft, blendable texture that applied evenly to the lid. The eyeshadow wore well for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Dynamic (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Clarins The Essentials #9 (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Maroon (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Dior Riviera #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Truffle (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Roach (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Shadow (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Outlandish (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- LORAC Brown Sugar (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Sephora Espresso (377) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.
The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.
The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.
The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.
The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.
One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).
Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Budding Passion
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
Drama in the Snow
Drama in the Snow is a medium-dark taupe brown with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff that was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The consistency was firmer and needed a heavier hand to work with unless one wanted to build the color up very gradually. I noticed that the color turned a bit grayer as I blended it and it had a chance to sit on my skin for a couple of minutes. It lasted for eight hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Marc Jacobs Beauty O Snap (610) (LE, $29.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Smoked Sea Salt (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Admiral (P, $5.25) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Mystery (DC, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Clan (PiP, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Saleos (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Bowl Out (LE, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Baubles (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Solar Exposure #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Grunge (DC, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$17.00/0.05 oz. - $340.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be a "highly pigmented powder" that goes on "evenly and blends well." MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance--and higher performance at that--compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.
The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they're not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren't powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.
The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow "topper." I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.
The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.
The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn't have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I've found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.
One thing I've found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don't swatch well, they often apply better in practice--as in on the eyes!--than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).
Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.
Yay! Looking forward to using this, especially the Dazzleshadows.
Much improved version from the MAC holiday palettes of many years past! Enough so, that I might just need to get it for posterity sake, as somebody obvs fell asleep at the wheel of their notorious Grinch-ly holiday machine this year! Nice for a change!
This is an excellent little palette that would be perfect for travelling: lots of really wearable everyday shades. My only wish was that the gold and silver shades were shimmers rather than glitters.
Beautiful eye look Christine.