MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette ($39.50 for 0.14 oz.) features five shades of cool-toned eyeshadows for the holidays.  This year’s eyeshadow palettes are a definite surprise–and in a good way–because they’re better than the last few years’ palettes in terms of quality. I don’t think they’re the best palette for the holidays now that they’re at nearly $40 a pop (and you’re only getting 0.14 oz.).  Deception had a chunky, glittery texture that felt dry and a little loose, while Romance Me was somewhat stiffer to work with, but the other three eyeshadows were nice overall.  Shadowy Lady felt softer and had more payoff (more readily) than I remember the permanent version having.  Deception had fall out during wear, and Frisco was prone to a little fading after seven and a half hours, while the majority of the shades looked mostly intact by the eight-hour mark.

Fair Sex is described as a “light frosted pink [with a Frost finish].” It’s a light pink with subtle cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had decent to good pigmentation and applied smoothly overall. Too Faced Taffy (LE) is similar. Urban Decay Minor Sin (LE, $18.00) is warmer. Marc Jacobs Beauty The Tease #5 (P) is more metallic. Dior Constellation (864) #3 (LE) is cooler-toned. MAC Dare to Bare (LE, $21.00) is warmer. MAC Invincible Light (LE, $21.00) is similar. Chanel Harmonie du Soir #4 (LE) is similar. See comparison swatches.

Deception is described as a “frosty golden brown [with a Frost finish].” It’s a subtly warm-toned, medium-dark brown with gold sparkle. The texture felt more like a Lustre, as it had a chunky, gritty feel because of the high sparkle content. LORAC Pewter (P) is less sparkly, darker. MAC Damson (LE, $21.00) is more golden. Disney by Sephora Chateau (LE) is smoother. MAC Roasted Chestnut (LE, $32.50) is warmer, darker. Chanel Ebloui (P, $36.00) is a cream product, darker. See comparison swatches.

Romance Me is described as a “warm plum with gold pearl [with a Lustre finish].” It’s a cool-toned, gray-tinged brown with a pearly sheen. It had so-so color payoff, as the texture was somewhat stiff and harder to blend. Disney by Sephora Jaq (LE) is browner. MAC Twilight Falls (LE, $21.00) is similar. MAC Shale (P, $15.00) is less gray/purple. See comparison swatches.

Frisco is described as a “soft pastel pink [with a Matte finish].”  It’s a light-medium, pink-peach with a matte finish.  It had fairly good color payoff, and the texture was soft, velvety, and not powdery. Too Faced Spike the Punch (LE) is shimmery. Too Faced Ringleader (LE) is frosted. MAC Orb (P, $15.00) is lighter. Inglot #341 (P, $6.00) is warmer, less pink. See comparison swatches.

Shadowy Lady is described as a “blackened plum [with a Matte finish].” It’s a deep, purpled burgundy with a matte finish. It had a soft, slightly powdery–but very smooth–texture with good color payoff. It actually seemed softer and easier to use than the permanent version. Disney by Sephora Wonder by Wonder (LE) is more muted. bareMinerals Nightcap (P) is lighter. MAC Fig. 1 (P, $15.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Cool Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Fair Sex Eyeshadow

MAC Fair Sex Eyeshadow

MAC Deception Eyeshadow

MAC Deception Eyeshadow

MAC Romance Me Eyeshadow

MAC Romance Me Eyeshadow

MAC Frisco Eyeshadow

MAC Frisco Eyeshadow

MAC Shadowy Lady Eyeshadow

MAC Shadowy Lady Eyeshadow

MAC Eyeshadows: Frisco (inner lid), Deception (middle of lid), Romance Me (outer lid),
Shadowy Lady (crease), Fair Sex (inner tear duct)

MAC Eyeshadows: Frisco (inner lid), Deception (middle of lid), Romance Me (outer lid),
Shadowy Lady (crease), Fair Sex (inner tear duct)