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). 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). Stila Nude Shimmer (LE, $18.00) 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). 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). Charlotte Tilbury Love Eyes (Smoke) (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% 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). Inglot #341 (P, $6.00) is lighter (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 (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Like Butter (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar). Pat McGrath Throwing Shade (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar). Buxom Filthy Rich (P, $12.00) is darker (90% 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). ColourPop Crenshaw (LE, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Girl's Night (LE, $16.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% 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). 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). YSL Saharienne #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (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.
Halcyon Nights
LELimited Edition. $44.00.
This Love
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Starry Eyed
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
You My Everything
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
Saddle
PPermanent. $17.00.
Hanging On
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
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)<
Well, thank goodness they didn’t include a face powder in this one. This kit screams summer to me, not holiday-ish at all. The colors are dupe-able but pretty, especially the cream color base, love that tint and shimmer! I like to use the bases under powdered blushes to boost their wear and give a shimmer.
LOL! Are you sure you didn’t want Studio Fix Powder in one random shade that probably wouldn’t match you? 😉
Pass. I like the colors, but there’s that cream wouldn’t use and a shadow with a D grade. It’s too expensive to have that going on.
I wish they had just done quads! Or maybe those 6-pans that they do.
A six pan would have been nice!
I feel like they should have done one compact with all the CCB and the other with all the powders…
Pretty much!
I must be crazy because I already own Saddle, already have the ABH Self-Made Palette which possibly (?) has all the right shades to do a fairly similar look, but I still really REALLY want this palette! Yesterday, I did attempt this look using Saddle and some ABH shades, but no, it didn’t look this warm and coral-y. Oh well, here goes $44! And my mind! LoL ?
Like others have mentioned; that eyeliner is EVERYTHING! Possibly the prettiest teal liner I’ve ever seen. Looks fantastic on you, Christine!?
Haha! Well, if it is something you’d use all the time, it’s all good 🙂
I really liked both kits but this is the one I had my eye on. If it doesn’t sell out in a day I may try to snag it! I’ll be traveling to the Philippines next month and have been on the look out for some multipurpose palettes. This probably doesn’t really qualify but it’s so pretty! Any recommendations are most welcome though!
I’m guessing it will not sell out as quickly as some collabs, just because it is more dupable and not quite as travel-friendly since is double-decker! What’s your budget? Neutrals, colors, mattes, shimmers?
Up to $80 for a truly all purpose palette, minus lips. I’d like to keep it lower but I’m looking for more face products since I don’t think I’ll be wearing much eyeshadow in the heat and humidity. I thought the CCB in this palette could work as a lip gloss and inner corner highlight for eyes as well. And perhaps with Starry Eyed patted on top for a cheek bone highlight at night. Neutrals and matte! Thank you for your help!
With apologies to anyone who likes this, it’s just so blah to me.
It is dupable!
Nope – I don’t like this one – far too warm and the shadows are so dupable.
It is a very warm-toned set of neutrals for sure!
Thank you for the review. I will be passing on this, too expensive for something that is so easily duped. I appreciate your reviews, they save me a lot of money!
My pleasure, Donna! 🙂
Am I the only one wondering why they didn’t do an all cream quad and an all powder quad? I hate that they are like swapped on the two. I don’t use cream anything so I’ll probably pass on both for that reason alone.
You’re definitely not, Shauna! I think they wanted to present more options, but it really does seem like it would have been better to make one powder, one cream.
Sorry MAC, even though I quite like the cream base, the eyeshadows doesn’t excite me at all. Easy pass for me.
The eyeliner is gorgeous!
Ehh…this entire collection just looks so plain and boring!
Shame about Starry Eyed. Otherwise it looks good.
Yeah, certainly not for pale cool toned folks like me. Sad about Starry Eyed… that would have been stunning if done well.
I agree with the ladies here, it can look pretty meh…Unless you do your morning makeup while commuting to work…Which i do! So i actually find these a great idea for my morning makeup bag. BUT i agree with you about being baffled with mixing cream colour base with powders. I don’t own ccb (but swear by paint pots) and i really can’t make up my mind about which one of two to buy. And by the way for the life of me i don’t know why they call this one “Night” – this is too light for the evening. …eh, MAC!