MAC Rose Lens Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

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MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette

Rose Lens

MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a new, permanent six-pan palette that included two matte shades and four shimmers. I was not impressed by the formula used for the new Connect in Colour palettes as the shimmers were dry, thin, dusty, and/or powdery with sheer coverage and poor longevity, while the mattes were better, they weren’t as blendable as they could (or should!) have been. The new formula is supposed to have “one-swipe” pigmentation and they are being sold as VERY pigmented eyeshadows, yet three shimmers were very, very weak eyeshadows… period.

The only thing that kept this palette from dropping into the D-rating range is that MAC only made an eight-hour wear time claim (whereas most brands aren’t specific, so 8 hours of wear typically garners 8.5/10 rating, and here 8-hour wear would be 10/10).

Ingredients

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MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

DM Me

DM Me is a medium, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted sheen.

  • Semi-opaque pigmentation
  • Thin, somewhat dry, harder to pick up evenly
  • Applied somewhat evenly, light fallout, prone to sheering out
  • Poor longevity (6 hours before fading noticeably)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

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MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

Strong Connection

Strong Connection is a darker, reddish-plum with moderate, warm undertones and a pearly sheen.

  • Opaque pigmentation
  • Smooth, somewhat thin but not powdery or dry
  • Applied evenly and blended out fairly well
  • Average-longevity (7 hours before fading noticeably)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

-

MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

Grain

Grain is a light, yellowed beige with moderate, warm undertones and a satin sheen.

  • Sheer pigmentation
  • Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
  • Prone to sheering out, fallout
  • Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

-

MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

Pink Net

Pink Net is a bright, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish.

  • Semi-opaque, buildable coverage
  • Moderately powdery, slightly dry with light fallout
  • Applied fairly evenly but could have been more blendable
  • Average longevity (7 hours before fading visibly; brand only claimed 8-hour wear)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

-

MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

In Living Pink

In Living Pink is a light, peachy-pink with warmer undertones and a pearly sheen.

  • Semi-sheer, somewhat buildable pigmentation
  • Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
  • Prone to sheering out, fallout
  • Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

-

MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

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MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow
MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

Cute on Mute

Cute on Mute is a light, pinky-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted sheen.

  • Semi-sheer pigmentation
  • Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
  • Prone to sheering out, fallout
  • Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

-

MAC describes their latest formula as "one-swipe, pure pigment payoff" with a "lightweight, silky-smooth texture" that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they're realistic!). They actually state that the formula has "up to 25% higher pigment load." Can't say that seemed true in practice, though.

The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.

In the past, sometimes MAC's formula didn't swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC's shimmers worsen over time -- and they don't seem like they're actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they're just... weak metallics.

Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.

Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.

9 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

Honestly, you’ve got to wonder why they even bother! This is really bad and Grain looks nothing like the pan of Grain I have (just like their “new and unimproved Tempting in the other palette you reviewed). If these are targeted largely at newer MAC customers, it’s a sad introduction to the brand.

raja Avatar

MAC is really hellbent on being subpar at this point. I can’t think of anything I would need to buy from them again that isn’t done 100x better than other brands at this point. Such a shame.

Brenda Avatar

wow. I have a Grain that must be 10+ years old by now and it still out performs this nonsense!

I wish MAC hadn’t messed with the line up they had in 2005-2010. I used to go to the pro store in Toronto quite often. Haven’t set foot in any MAC for over 4 years.

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!