MAC Rose Lens Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

Christine — Fri, 12 May 2023 21:00:00 +0000

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

Rose Lens

PPermanent. $34.00.

C-

6.5

Product

7.5

Pigmentation

6.5

Texture

7.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

72%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop Cast a Chateau (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Muse (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Dior Mirage #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
ColourPop Fever (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
KKW Beauty Samurai (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
Huda Beauty Purple Haze #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
ColourPop My Prince (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
ColourPop TTYN (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
Viseart Confiture (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Reflection (LE, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar).

View Swatches

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.

DM Me

PiPPermanent in Palette.

C+

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

4.5

Application

79%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Lethal Cosmetics Euphoria (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Mercurial #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
Urban Decay Holidaze (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Lost Love (P, $6.25) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Chanel Lame Pourpre (35) (LE, $36.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Flirty (Deep) (PiP, $6.25) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Sephora Camellia (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Custom Design (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
ColourPop The Scorpio (P, $4.50) is warmer (90% similar).
Dior Mitzah #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

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.

Strong Connection

PiPPermanent in Palette.

A-

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

8.5

Longevity

Application

92%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Dior House of Dreams #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
Wet 'n' Wild Fit for a Queen #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Lisa Eldridge Cressida (P, $27.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Dior Toile de Jouy #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
ColourPop Ladybird (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Urban Decay Meta Data (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Natasha Denona True (357M) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
ColourPop Destiny (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery (90% similar).
Chanel Candeur et Seduction #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

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.

Grain

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

51%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop Glamverse (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
ColourPop Lovecraft (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
Anastasia E1 (Norvina Vol. 4) (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
ColourPop Fan Fiction (LE, $4.50) is cooler (95% similar).
ColourPop Pillow Mint (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Venusian Peony (LE, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Sugarpill Melody (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
ColourPop Loves It (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
ColourPop Uggghhh (LE, $4.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
Huda Beauty Neon Pink #1 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

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.

Pink Net

PiPPermanent in Palette.

B-

7.5

Product

Pigmentation

7.5

Texture

8.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

82%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

ColourPop On the Edge (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Coloured Raine Pinkleberry (LE, $6.99) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Dior Fusion (764) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Stila Dollish (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
ColourPop Estrella (She's Got Solstice) (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar).
Morphe Sissy (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Fenty Beauty Meteor Crush (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
ColourPop Never More (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar).
NABLA Cosmetics I Got You (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Kevyn Aucoin Laser (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

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.

In Living Pink

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Product

6.5

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

4.5

Application

66%

Total

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).

Top Dupes
Formula Overview

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Clionadh Prophecy (P, $5.25) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Sydney Grace Blushing Peach (P, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
Pat McGrath VR Rose Venus (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Cheers Babe (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Pat McGrath Smuggler's Spice (LE, $32.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
ColourPop Buzzy (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Terra Moons Wicked Rose (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
ColourPop Beggin' U (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Huda Beauty Angelic (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Pat McGrath Pink Mystique (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).

View Swatches

Formula Overview

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.

Cute on Mute

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

6.5

Longevity

Application

59%

Total

MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette

MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette

MAC DM Me Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Strong Connection Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Grain Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Pink Net Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC In Living Pink Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

MAC Cute on Mute Connect in Colour Eyeshadow

Temptalia

MAC Rose Lens Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

Rose Lens

Ingredients

Rose Lens

PPermanent. $34.00.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

DM Me

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

DM Me

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

Strong Connection

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Strong Connection

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

Grain

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Grain

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

Pink Net

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Pink Net

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

In Living Pink

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

In Living Pink

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges

Cute on Mute

Top Dupes

Formula Overview

Cute on Mute

PiPPermanent in Palette.

Quick Shop: MAC Cosmetics, Ulta, Nordstrom, Selfridges