MAC x Ellie Goulding Halcyon Nights Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit ($44.00 for 0.36 oz.) includes four powder eyeshadows and one Cream Colour Base (cream product), with the cream product housed underneath the powders, so you shouldn’t get too much cross-contamination from the powders. I liked it overall, though it is, of course, more dupable given it is a set of neutral shades. I think it would be an easier to sell if it was a quad of powder eyeshadows (it would also be more streamlined, as it wouldn’t have a second level to it) with the Cream Colour Base sold separately. It is priced pretty similarly to most limited edition, specially-packaged eyeshadow quads (which contain the same amount of powder product), so it’s almost like getting the CCB for free.

This Love is described as a “pinky orange-pearl.” It’s a light-medium, peachy copper with warm undertones and a pearly shimmer-sheen finish. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque, buildable coverage with a thin, lightly emollient consistency (I want to say greasy, but it’s not truly greasy!) that glides over the skin well and gives it a dewy finish. As a highlighter, it lasted for seven and a half hours (marketed for eight-hour wear, so not bad). ColourPop Highly Waisted (P, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Forward March (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Smashbox Shimmer (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Ombre de Lune #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Becca Opal (P, $41.00) is lighter (90% similar). bareMinerals The Brilliant Sunset (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Highlighter (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Sephora Secretive (19) (P, $14.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Summer Opal (LE, $22.00) is darker (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson (LE, $32.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Nude Awakening #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Becca Rose Gold (P, $41.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Tribulation (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar). Stila Sending My Love Highlighter (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). NARS Nepal (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Laura Geller Ballerina (P, $26.00) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Parasol (LE, $10.00) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Starry Eyed is described as a “cream high pearl [with a Frost finish].” It’s a sparkling, light white with warm undertones and a glittery finish. It appears darker and more peach-like in the pan, but it is much lighter and whiter when I swatched it, which may have been due to the drier, flakier texture where little powder came off but lots of sparkle did. It was a messy one to apply, and I think it would be best over a tacky base. I actually thought it was a Lustre when I tested it, and I was surprised to see it was a Frost. Stila Snowflake (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Polyester Bride (DC, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Jingle All the Way Eyeshadow #2 (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Stila Nude Shimmer (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Diamond Butterfly (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Shimma Shimma (DC, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D716 Crystalline Papaya (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tarte Crystal Spark (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Alchemy (LE, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Lancome My French #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D716 Crystalline Papaya (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury The Uptown Girl #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). Dior Soft Cashmere #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Light Touch (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Cle de Peau Marmalade Sky #2 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Angelfire (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Just Gleaming (PiP, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Full Moon (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). LORAC Peony (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Vanilla Diamond (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

You My Everything is described as a “mid-tone peachy brown [with a Matte finish].” It’s a muted, medium coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was smooth and finely-milled with decent to good pigmentation, but I had some issues with it sticking to bare skin, though it should be fine over a primer–it’s probably a wee bit too dry to get along with bare skin (which is normal-to-dry). It lasted for seven hours on me. Too Faced A La Mode (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Middle Karma (PiP, $8.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Old Growth (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Love Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Tuscan Sun (DC, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Kaja Smoky Sepia (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Labyrinth (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Juliet (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Nip Slip (LE, ) is brighter (90% similar). Clarins Fairy Tale #4 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). KVD Beauty Sacred Heart (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Zen (PiP, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Huda Beauty Hypnotic (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). LORAC Nectar (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). LORAC Hot Toddy (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tarte Oh Deer (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Huda Beauty Purple Haze #7 (PiP, ) is warmer (85% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Lantana (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Viseart Peony (Rosé Edit) (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Charge It (P, $4.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Saddle is described as a “golden orange brown [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark brown with warm, yellow-orange undertones and a matte finish. It had an incredibly smooth, finely-milled, and silky consistency that applied well and blended out beautifully. This shade is part of MAC’s permanent range, so if it’s the only shade that catches your eye, you can purchase it individually. It wore well for eight hours on me. ColourPop Lagoon (PiP, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Like Butter (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). Buxom Filthy Rich (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). Pat McGrath Throwing Shade (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Chocolate Cookie (PiP, $16.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Tarte Seaside (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Date Eyes (Enhance) (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Wet 'n' Wild To Muse and Carouse #2 (DC, $2.29) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Tan Lines (DC, $6.00) is brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Fun Factory (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Zoeva Substitute for Love (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Diggin' U (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar). Becca Cognac (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop That Sax (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar). Viseart Minx #2 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Kaja Coconut Shell (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace All Mine (Deep) (PiP, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Riff (DC, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dose of Colors Cheens (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Crenshaw (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Hanging On is described as a “muted plum-brown [with a Satin finish].” It’s a dark, taupe brown with subtle, warmer undertones but a more pronounced gray tone on top paired with a satiny sheen. It had good pigmentation with a slightly firmer consistency, but it was blendable and easy enough to apply onto the lid. This shade wore for eight hours before fading. LORAC Black #5 (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Lancome Audacious (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Fairfax (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). YSL Saharienne #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). LORAC Dark Sienna (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Tisse Vendome #4 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Pat McGrath Substance (PiP, $25.00) is darker (90% similar). theBalm #8 (P, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). NYX Betrayal (P, $4.50) is less shimmery (90% similar). Viseart Ghiradelli (Cool Mattes 2 #9) (P, ) is lighter (85% similar). Natasha Denona Seed (224CM) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). MAC Aromatic (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bad Habit Altered State (PiP, ) is more shimmery (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty For Your Life (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar). Urban Decay Nevermind (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit

MAC This Love Cream Colour Base

MAC This Love Cream Colour Base

MAC This Love Cream Colour Base

MAC Starry Eyed Eyeshadow

MAC Starry Eyed Eyeshadow

MAC You My Everything Eyeshadow

MAC You My Everything Eyeshadow

MAC Saddle Eyeshadow

MAC Saddle Eyeshadow

MAC Hanging On Eyeshadow

MAC Hanging On Eyeshadow

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit (with Lancome Paradis Eyeliner)

MAC Halcyon Nights Face Kit (with Lancome Paradis Eyeliner)<