MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette ($49.50 for 0.295 oz.) is a warm-toned palette with products for eyes, lips, and face. It contains three eyeshadows (0.028 oz. each), two lipsticks (0.024 oz. each), one iridescent powder (0.176 oz.), and one eye pencil (0.015 oz.). The products represent a a total value of $44.09 –$16.80 worth of eyeshadows, $7.20 worth of lipsticks, $15.09 worth of iridescent powder, and $5 worth of eyeliner. Over time, as more and more brands churn out mega palettes for the holidays all around $50 or so, and I wish MAC would step-up the value (or reduce the cost) of their holiday sets and kits.  Golden and Showstopper were the major misses here, as neither performed well; while Myself wears away quickly and Coffee is uncomfortable to use.

Golden is described as a “muted golden tan-beige with shimmer.” It’s a softened, medium orange-brown with golden shimmer. The texture of this was strangely dry and almost crumbly/chunky. It flaked away and didn’t bind together well. The color payoff was so-so but it tended to sheer out/blend away as the product didn’t stick to the skin well. What did apply lasted six and a half hours. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil (P) is browner. Wet ‘n’ Wild Bikini Contest (P, $3.99) is similar. NARS Laguna (P, $36.00) is more golden.MAC Soft Sand (LE, $25.00) is darker, browner. See comparison swatches.

Myself is described as a “light dirty mauve with traveling pearl [with a Lustre finish].” It’s a pale, muted pink with neutral undertones and a golden sheen. On lips, it lightens the natural color and has semi-opaque color coverage. It wore for two hours. MAC Sublime Pleasure (LE, $15.00) is similar. MAC Flair for Finery (LE, $15.00) is also similar. MAC Feed the Senses (LE, $15.00) is darker. Revlon Pink Lemonade (P, $7.49) is similar. See comparison swatches.

Love Talk is described as a “mid-tone cool nude [with a Cremesheen finish].” It’s a plummy brown with neutral-cool undertones and a luminous sheen. It had mostly opaque color coverage and wore for four hours. It was a smidgen drying–but this is typical of Cremesheen finishes for me, though I know others do not have any issues with this finish! Bobbi Brown Soft Nude (P, $24.00) has more plum in it. MAC Viva Glam VI (P, $15.00) is more frosted, less brown. Guerlain Chant d’Aromes (P, $35.00) is more shimmery. Bobbi Brown Uber Suede (P, $24.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Tenderly is described as a “soft warm pink with frost [with a frost finish].” Though it has pink tones, it translated to more like a neutral-cool pale beige with a warmer, golden sheen. It had so-so color payoff. NARS Mississippi Mermaid (LE, $24.00) is similar. Disney by Sephora Scuttle (LE) is warmer. MAC Dew (LE, $15.00) is similar. Dior Fairy Golds #1 (LE) is also similar. See comparison swatches.

After Dusk is described as a “mid-tone rosy pink with pearl [with a Veluxe Pearl finish].” It’s a rosy plum with a frosted, metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation, and the texture was soft and smooth. theBalm Just This Once Jamie (P, $16.00) is browner. MAC Performance Art (LE, $15.00) is lighter. MAC Universal Appeal (LE, $21.00) is less warm-toned. MAC Trax (P, $15.00) is purpler. MAC Star Violet (P, $15.00) is darker. Chanel Harmonie du Soir #3 (LE) is less metallic. See comparison swatches.

Showstopper is described as a “deep blackened brown [with a Matte finish].” It’s a cool-toned, deep dark brown with a matte finish. The only problem is it doesn’t look like much applied, because it had such poor color payoff and a really stiff, dry texture that made it difficult to apply and blend. Too Faced Dark Chocolate (LE) is warmer. Tom Ford Beauty She Wolf #1 (LE) is similar. bareMinerals Boardroom (LE) is similar. MAC Set to Dance (LE, $15.00) is darker. MAC Midnight Flurry (LE, $15.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Diamond Dove (LE, $15.00) is similar. Inglot #329 (P, $6.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches.

Coffee is described as an “intense bronze.” It’s a chocolate brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, but the texture was a bit dry. It was uncomfortable to apply to the lash line, as it tended to skip and tug. The color wore well for almost eight hours with minimal fading. Bobbi Brown Chocolate (LE, $24.00) is similar. Urban Decay Demolition (P, $19.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Rich Experience (P, $20.00) is more neutral-toned. See comparison swatches.

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette

MAC Stroke of Midnight/Warm Face Palette

MAC Golden Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Bronzing Powder

MAC Golden Bronzing Powder

MAC Myself Lipstick

MAC Myself Lipstick

MAC Myself Lipstick

MAC Myself Lipstick

MAC Myself Lipstick

MAC Love Talk Lipstick

MAC Love Talk Lipstick

MAC Love Talk Lipstick

MAC Love Talk Lipstick

MAC Love Talk Lipstick

MAC Tenderly Eyeshadow

MAC Tenderly Eyeshadow

MAC After Dusk Eyeshadow

MAC After Dusk Eyeshadow

MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow

MAC Showstopper Eyeshadow

MAC Coffee Eye Kohl

MAC Coffee Eye Kohl