MAC That's Showbiz Baby, LES Artiste, Glitch in the Matrix, Starry Night, Darkroom Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
That's Showbiz Baby
MAC That’s Showbiz Baby Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark emerald green with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of emerald green and gold sparkle. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly to bare skin and blended out well but had a bit of fallout during application.
The texture wasn’t too soft nor too firmly-pressed in the pan, which made it easy to pick up with a brush but controllable. It wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Frog and Wife (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain Electric Look #8 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bungalow (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Big Sky (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP Hocus Pocus (LE, $9.99) is more shimmery, cooler, lower quality (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Scrooge (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- City Color Tide Pool (P, $6.99) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Huda Beauty Emerald #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop Neverland (LE, $4.50) is lighter (80% similar).
- Sugarpill Clickbait (P, $13.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% 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.
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
That's Showbiz Baby
PPermanent. $17.00.
LES Artiste
MAC LES Artiste Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium, dirty beige with warmer, more golden undertones and lighter, platinum shimmer running through it. It was a lot smoother, almost cream-like, with superior adhesion and minimal fallout compared to the last version I tried of this shade.
It had good color coverage that was buildable to opaque coverage with less than a second layer. It stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Ice (LE, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Smokey #4 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Juno (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop I Heart This (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Sidewalks (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Ash (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Screech (LE, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Melancholia (DC, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Bijoux Royal #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Stila Rose Pewter (LE, $18.00) is 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.
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
LES Artiste
PPermanent. $17.00.
Glitch in the Matrix
MAC Glitch in the Matrix Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a dark gray with cooler undertones and a frosted finish. The texture was soft, more loosely-pressed in the pan so there was some dustiness in the pan and a bit of fallout during application so you’ll want to tap off excess and pat/press into place. It had opaque pigmentation that lasted well for eight hours before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Bold Generation (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Falcon Noir (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Bad Habit Siren (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Gunmetal (DC, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #18 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Gucci Beauty Cosmic Deco #3 (DC, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty White Suede #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Gunmetal (LE, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Lovely #3 (DC, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Titania (LE, $29.00) is lighter (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.
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Glitch in the Matrix
PPermanent. $17.00.
Starry Night
MAC Starry Night Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark, plummy brown with moderate, warm undertones and cooler, blue-to-green shifting shimmer. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, lightly creamy texture that had moderate slip but wasn’t overly emollient when applied to bare skin.
The eyeshadow adhered evenly and blended out nicely along the edges. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Boom Boom Room (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Cosmic Ray (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Solstice (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Bougie (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Humoresque (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Alien Moon (LE, $25.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Touch in Sol Holo Mulberry (5) (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Viseart Space Dust (GPV2 #24) (P, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Late Bloomer (P, $9.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Insomnia (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, 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.
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Looks Using this Product
Starry Night
PPermanent. $17.00.
Darkroom
MAC Darkroom Eyeshadow ($17.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a light-medium purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-sheer to medium coverage, which did not build up well. The texture was overly emollient, so it slid around the skin and couldn’t build up on itself, and it also resulted in a more even layer of coverage to begin with. In a bit of a surprise move, it was clumpy–not quite powdery as there was some weight to it–and had fallout. There were signs of fading present after seven hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Violet Impact (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Rogue (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Recently Deceased (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC X-Punk (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Try Me (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Sultan (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Meditation (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Promiscuous (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Crème de Violet (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Daydream #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% 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.
Ingredients
Talc, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Silica, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I like all of these except that last one (which got an abysmal rating anyway). I’ve dupes of the shades I like but that doesn’t stop me and the dupe I have for the green one (UD’s Big Sky) isn’t all that close so, in spite of rarely wearing green shadow, I think I will get at least that one and LES Artiste.
Les Artiste is a MUST for my collection to use as a lid shade! Stunning platinum e/s!
Starry Night looks like Club on steroids! Another one on my list. ?♀️
I’m always in the mood for a staple grey or taupe, so I’m excited by the good reviews for Glitch in the Matrix and Starry Night.
Les Artiste looks poor quality in the swatch to me (maybe it’s because I’m not a fan of the color / finish)… that’s why you always have to read the full review. 🙂
My kingdom for a metallic emerald green eyeshadow without chromium hydroxide green…
What happened to Darkroom? All the other shades had pretty good ratings, then there is this F….
Anyway, I loved the first three shades and That’s Showbiz is a gorgeous shade of green.
MAC seems to make 95% god-awful purples. But when they do a good one, it’s usually fabulous. So strange.