MAC The Shining Hour Dazzleshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
The Shining Hour
MAC The Shinnig Hour Dazzleshadow Quad ($32.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes four sparkling eyeshadows in shades of white, gold, peach, and brown. The Dazzleshadow formula is supposed to be very sparkly with a “3D effect” with “stay-true” adhesion that has “minimal fallout.” They’re fun and sparkly, but they perform best as sheer washes of sparkle, patted over a more pigmented product, or applied over a glitter adhesive. They are pretty dismal on their own–sheerer, drier, fallout-prone, and short wearing–and are improved when applied damp–better pigmentation, smoother coverage, less fallout–but still have their share of problems without more help (tacky base, layered over a more pigmented eyeshadow, etc.). I noticed that the eyeshadows in the quad seemed to be drier and looser in the pan compared to the singles I’ve tried in the past.
The Shining Hour
LELimited Edition. $32.00.
Letty Lynton
Letty Lynton is a sparkling white with subtle, warm undertones. It had sheer coverage applied dry and semi-opaque coverage applied damp. The consistency was slightly dry, loose, and prone to sheering out/falling out during application. It seemed to get a bit clumpy and uneven when I used it damp, even though it was more intense and yielded less initial fallout. It wore well for six hours with moderate fallout (dry), seven and a half hours with some fallout (damp), and nine hours with minimal fallout (adhesive primer).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Kevyn Aucoin Light (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever ME122 Snow (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Jazz #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Luna Llena (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain Cygne Blanc #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Hologram (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Tassel (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Burberry Optic White (000) (P, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Blanc (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Letty Lynton
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
Heaven Loves You
Heaven Loves You is a medium, yellow gold with warm undertones and a sparkling finish. The texture was drier and looser, which made it hard to apply to the lid, as it just didn’t seem to adhere much at all. I felt like a damp brush had to be almost sopping wet to get the color to go onto the lid evenly and smoothly. It had sheer coverage dry and semi-opaque coverage damp. On me, it lasted for four and a half hours with tons of fallout (dry), seven hours with moderate fallout (damp), and nine hours with minimal fallout (adhesive primer).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Rose Blend #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Gold Bar (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Burberry Gold Shimmer #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Goldmine (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Legend (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Captivating #1 (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Brass Knuckles (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay 1987 (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- theBalm #40 (P, $6.50) (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Standing O (P, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Heaven Loves You
LELimited Edition. $18.00.
Last Dance
Last Dance is a light-medium peach with warm undertones and lots of sparkle and micro-glitter. It had semi-sheer coverage dry and mostly opaque coverage damp, and it applied more smoothly than the other shades. It still seemed drier and looser to me with less base product/color compared to the single version I have of this shade (this one is a repromote). It lasted for six hours with moderate fallout (dry), eight hours with some fallout (damp), and ten hours with minimal fallout (adhesive primer).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Singapore #1 (PiP, $19.00) is more muted, warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty In the Pink #3 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Mint #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Supernova (P, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kaleidos Cold Brew (Radiate) (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Double Orgasm (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Blondie (P, $6.25) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I520 Pinky Sand (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Kaja Sandy Peach (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Future (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Last Dance
PPermanent. $18.00.
Humoresque
Humoresque is a reddish plum-brown with warm undertones and iridescent bluish-teal sparkle. It had semi-opaque coverage dry and opaque coverage damp. The consistency was drier but the glitter/sparkle seemed finer, so the product smoothed out more on the lid and did not sheer out or clump up on the lid. It wore well for six hours with moderate fallout (dry), eight hours with some fallout (damp), and ten hours with minimal fallout (adhesive primer).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Boom Boom Room (LE, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath VR Sextasy (PiP, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Touch in Sol Holo Mulberry (5) (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Solstice (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Mr. Sandman (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Solstice (DC, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Gneiss Guy (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Absinthe (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Terra Moons Dark Matter (P, $6.25) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Kindness (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.05 oz. - $360.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, stay-true pigments" that have a "twinkling sheen" with "minimal fallout." I didn't see it state that the formula could be used wet, but my experience is that it definitely can and often is preferable to apply the shades with a dampened brush to get richer coverage and smoother application. Some shades, however, work well on their own (pigmented, blendable, fairly long-wearing), and they have minimal to light fallout depending on the shades--the chunkier the sparkle, the more likely there is of greater fallout. The texture is soft, sometimes a little drier to the touch, but most shades are blendable.
Browse all of our MAC Dazzleshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Oh wow! This palette really really did not live up to the MAC name! I love MAC’s LE collections – their blushes and lipsticks are typically a hit but it’s really too bad that the eyeshadow quads then to be a miss!
The formula can be finicky to begin with, but these just seemed drier than usual!
Christine, thank you so much for your honest review. I was really looking forward to this product and it was going to pick it up. Your review saved me some $$$.
Thanks once again and all of your work is greatly appreciated!
No problem, Huma! 🙂
What a letdown this quad is. I was seriously contemplating getting this, but not anymore. A hard skip because I love Last Dance and Humoresque, but still a total pass on this for me. ?
I’ll finally get UD Solstice instead, though! ?
There you go! 🙂 Solstice has more of a creaminess to it that gives it better adhesion, IMO!
Ok, this is seriously becoming amusing! I LOVE my Dazzleshadow palette. It’s superb. I wore it over the weekend over regular primer (didn’t bother to use glitter primer as I should have) and there was almost no fallout whatsoever; just a tiny bit and that was after a full day. The shadows were all gorgeous and buildable in intensity. The applied as in my swatching: fully pigmented and creamy. I wore the shades (I used 2 of the 4) as stand alones and not over any other shadow. What in the world is going on with these brands?!
I’m glad you like yours!
QC issues, f’sure.
Very cute colors, but it’s a shame that they aren’t more opaque when applied.
I wish they were more buildable!
Soooo disappointing! I really wanted to like this one and I was amped about a dazzleshadow palette, but not only do these not perform well, the colors aren’t even interesting! I can dupe the top 2 colors for days, and the bottom 2 aren’t worth shelling out for. This could have been so much better.
So glad you have good dupes for them, Julia! 🙂
Oh dear…..it’s even worse than I thought it would be. When you first showed this, I commented that it reminded me a fair bit of the Caviar Dreams quad (one I bought despite your low ratings and once I got it, I understood why!). Not gonna make THAT mistake again!
So much fallout with this one 🙁 It’s only workable if you use glitter primer, IMO!
I’ve been reading mixed reviews on these. The best way to use seems to be as shadow toppers, patted on top of shadows, and with primer or glitter glue. I already have some nice metallic shadow toppers, so will be skipping.
Yeah, a few are better than others, but these have largely not worked on their own for me.
Bummer! This was first MAC palette I was actually interested in in a long time!
Oh no! 🙁
I thought the shadows looked great, but l am so surprised that they weren’t up to Mac’s usually outstanding product formulation.
They are fairly similar to the standalone shades, but they did seem drier, so that made them worse.
At least my favorite was the best 🙁
Aww!
This was the one thing I was interested in in this collection. Why MAC?
Oh no! 🙁
How on earth can MAC screw up a gold? Pretty shades, but worthless in quality. This will make your disappointing list at the end of the year.
I wish it was smoother!
I really liked the colors, what a shame!
So disappointing!
This palette looks fabulous! Great Review!
Thanks!
Dang. I’m really bummed that this quad is a miss. It’s such a nice color combination. 🙁
Me too, Lauren!
Ok so when I saw the promo pics of this I really wanted it…but…now not so much. LOL
Aww, sorry!! 🙁
What a disappointment! Come on, MAC…
Agreed!
I almost ordered this, I’m glad now that I didn’t. It sure looked beautiful on the MAC site! I do know though you cannot trust what they say about their quads…. just because they want it to be true, doesn’t mean it is!!! Thanks for the honest review!!! That quartz pink tho!!!!! Gets ya right in the gut!!!!!
Thanks Hon!!!
No problem, Gina!
Tried this in store yesterday. Crumbly dry pigments are the best way to describe these. Nothing particularly amazing about these is this is the formula they are going with.
I think UD’s Moondusts do it better, as they feel wetter to me overall – even compared to the Dazzleshadow singles – and then these were just drier than the regular formula, which just didn’t work!
I like my two Moondusts singles, I just wish the UD palette wasn’t so expensive. lol
Well, I’m glad these aren’t colors that I especially want! It seems like the only way I could use them that would be acceptable to me (minimal fallout during wear) is with an adhesive primer, which is a fussy way to wear eyeshadow. I much prefer to use shadows like these as toppers to brighten up darker shades.
Phew! 🙂
This little palette did not get a very good report card. It will be sent to its room to look for dupes.
LOL!
I wonder if maybe there were just some overall dud palettes and some really good palettes made, because mine I absolutely love I’ve used every shade as a stand alone lid color with too faced glitter glue as a base and applied with my 219 mac pencil brush in more of a dabbing way. Mine are super creamy and do have fallout apon first application but after I dust my face off with a fan brush I get no more fallout or creasing what so ever, I own all the stand alone dazzle shadows and they are just the same in formula as these. Could it be possible that some duds were just put out?
If you use the cream shadow palette released with the collection as a base then these shades would look so pretty on the lids. I like the fact the cream shadow palette is tacky it’s unlike anything I’ve got in my collection. I think if these are used together the reviews would be much better. Everyone is different so for me this was a great edition to my collection…gives you that wet look effect great for spring. Some people may not want to use them this way, so I can understand why it would be fail used alone on eyes. Thank you for the review, and I hope maybe someone who bought both quads would give this a try….