MAC x Jeremy Scott Lo-Fi Eyeshadow x 29 Palette Review, Photos, Swatches
Lo-Fi
MAC Lo-Fi Jeremy Scott Eyeshadow x29 Palette ($75.00 for 0.51 oz.) is an example where there’s a lot of attention paid to the packaging but not enough toward the actual product inside. I like the concept, and one thought to solve the “wasted space” aspect of the palette would have been to made a hinged lid (that was black) that hid additional shades, so you could get the visual effect while providing more shades (perhaps making each pan a little bigger).
Unfortunately, the formula used throughout the palette is weak, even compared to past misses by MAC. Most of the shimmers are bordering on atrocious–dry, loosely packed, almost sandy–and many of the mattes are sheer, dry, firm, or chalky. The quality was bad enough that it was difficult to put together any semblance of a cohesive look without primer, as there was so much patchiness, sheerness, and unevenness that it looked like I wasn’t even trying. So, I tested the palette with and without primer, and while it did improve over primer, it was still a difficult palette to use–it took between two to three times longer to get decent results (that were still not where I’d want them to be) compared to other, better performing “bright” style palettes.
The palette contains quite a bit of eyeshadow spread over a lot of shades, and MAC lists the total weight as 0.51 oz., which would work out to be 0.0175 oz. per shade. Depending on whether you’d compare it to single pans or smaller palettes or single eyeshadows, you might get a different total value; I’d say that using the smaller palettes (like the pre-made 9-pan palettes) might be the most one-to-one methodology – that would yield a value of $90.67. The highest value would be using single eyeshadows, which would yield a value of $163.20.
If you normally use larger brushes, the pans may seem too small, and if you have very rounded, fluffy crease brushes, those may also not fit as comfortably in each pan. I didn’t have trouble using brushes with the palette myself, but I do tend to use small and medium-sized brushes normally.
Lo-Fi
Lo-Fi is a light yellow with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a moderately dusty consistency that had a tendency to sheer out too easily on the lid (even with primer, though it wasn’t as bad). The eyeshadow stayed on well for six and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- MAC Glamour Light (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Inglot J335 Pearl (LE, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Free Spirit (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Entomology (DC, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Night Star (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Divergent Altruistic Almond (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tarte Breakfast in Bed (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Milani Bare It All (PiP, $5.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Whitewashed (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Juvia's Place Kesi (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
Creative Copper
Creative Copper is a light-medium, golden copper with warm undertones and a sparkling finish. It is listed as a Lustre finish, which is supposed to be a sheerer, more glittery finish, and it is, in fact, pretty much what most Lustres are, though it was considerably drier and grittier compared to the last time I came across this shade. It had sheer coverage, was loosely packed and dry, so it did not function as a usable eyeshadow without applying it with a dampened brush or over a tacky primer. There was little wear out of it since it all fell off my lid shortly after applying it.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Honey Honey (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Louder (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Penny Lane (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Limelight (LE, $19.00) is more muted, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Up the Ante (LE, $16.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- theBalm Manic Maribel (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Half Baked (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Brownluxe #3 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Petit Pro #6 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Exquisite Ego #2 (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Bite the Beat
Bite the Beat is a soft, light brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation due to the very powdery consistency that kicked up a lot of excess product in the pan and had some fallout during application when I attempted to build it up. It was better over primer but a weak neutral even so. It lasted for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Cashmere Bunny (PiP, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Buxom Gimme Gorgeous (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Fawned of You (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Statuesque (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- NYX Tryst (P, $4.50) is brighter (95% similar).
- theBalm Score (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Tan-gled Up in You (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Cookie Swap (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Noble (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Lancome Trenchcoat (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
Endless Frequency
Endless Frequency is a light-medium, peachy coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation, which did not build up, and it had a tendency to dust away a bit more on the lid. The consistency was rather powdery, so it was difficult to get it to adhere well to bare skin. It was somewhat better over primer but not something I could use as an opaque color. It wore well for six hours.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Siren #1 (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Georgia (PiP, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Shell Peach (LE, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- KKW Beauty Chi (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Desert Rose (90) (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Peach Poppy (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Reflection (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Nudist (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Fringe (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Ciate Flame (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Disco Therapy
Disco Therapy is a brighter, medium orange with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation with a soft, lightly dusty consistency that was thinner but not too powdery to work with. The eyeshadow blended out easily and lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Thic (LE, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Early Bird (P, $6.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Dynamite (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Horizon (127CM) (PiP, ) is more muted (90% similar).
- LORAC Tangerine (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Viseart Dark Matte #7 (PiP, ) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #3 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Too Faced Bunny Fu-Fu (LE, $16.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Analogue (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Juvia's Place Morocco (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
Superior Sound
Superior Sound is a light, peachy pink with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It had nice color payoff with a soft, lightly dusty consistency that applied well over bare skin as well as over primer. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading on me.
Top Dupes
- Dior Trafalgar #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Enchanted Beauty (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC A Party of Pastels #2 (PiP, $21.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 17 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Dior House of Pinks #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Instaglam (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #8 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Good Fortune (LE, $16.50) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil d'Ambre #1 (Eye Color) (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Disney by Sephora Treasures Untold (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Happy Song
Happy Song is a light-medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was quite good, but the texture was moderately powdery, so it had some fallout and seemed to darken as it came into contact with my skin over time. It stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Buxom Feather Boa (P, $12.00) (100% similar).
- Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #3 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Enigma #5 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Lancome My French #3 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #17 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Wood Pink #2 (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Ciate Be Sassy (LE, ) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 18 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Lucky You (DC, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Zoeva Quite Realistic (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Bird's Eye View
Bird’s Eye View is a medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a soft, lightly dusty consistency that was a bit thinner, but it blended out fairly well and applied evenly over bare skin. The eyesahdow wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Fair Play (P, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Eliza D (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Dior Bow (887) (P, $29.00) is more muted (95% similar).
- MAC Fuchsia Fury (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Seas the Day (P, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Ruby #9 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Unleashed (P, $9.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #15 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Domination (P, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Swoon (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
Walking Heartbeats
Walking Heartbeats is a bright, medium red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color payoff in a single layer with a soft, lightly dusty consistency. The eyeshadow applied nicely to bare skin as well as over primed lids, and I had no trouble blending out the edges or working with it. The color stayed on well for eight and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Fatale (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Hop On (P, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Fling (P, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Strike While Haute (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Sakura (191CP) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Razzleberry (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Coral #2 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Bright Editorial #9 (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Destroyer (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Sauce (PiP, $6.99) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Vacation Speed Zone
Vacation Speed Zone is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had decent color payoff, though the texture was drier and dustier in the pan. I found it applied better in practice than it felt or seemed initially, which was good, and it was much improved over primer. On its own, it lasted for eight hours.
Top Dupes
- Chanel Harmonie du Soir #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Ciate Morello Cherry (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Vegas (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sleek MakeUP A Vow in Venice (LE, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Chameleon (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Empress (LE, $5.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Aristocat (LE, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Desdemona (P, $29.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Cranberry (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Ruby #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
Ghost Story
Ghost Story is a very light lavender with cool undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-sheer pigmentation with a slightly drier, looser consistency that had some excess product kicked up in the pan. It wore well for six and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Mind Game (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Beverly Hills #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Smashbox Techno (P, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Chameleon (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Kat Von D Gravitron (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Smashbox Spectacle (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Mo'rockin Ice (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Cake Walk (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Fresh Ice (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Digit (DC, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Morning Ticket
Morning Ticket is a light silver with a sparkling finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation that did not build up. The texture was drier, loosely packed, and prone to sheering out and yielding fallout both during application as well as later on during wear. It was somewhat workable over primer, though for a shimmery silver, which many brands do well, I can’t imagine reaching for one that’s “somewhat workable.”
Top Dupes
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Nimbus Cloude (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Platinum Shadow (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Cle de Peau Pewter Veil #4 (LE, ) is brighter (95% similar).
- MAC Electric Illumination (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC In the Meadow #1 (LE, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Silver Coin (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Filament (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Lancome Tower Bridge (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Ciate Platinum (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
US Dance Remix
US Dance Remix is a light-medium, golden brown with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation with a drier, looser consistency that was prone to sheering out and had some fallout during application. The eyeshadow stayed on for five hours and had some fallout without primer. It was better applied with a dampened brush or over primer.
Top Dupes
- NARS Dione (P, $29.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Permanent Press #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Tarina Tarantino Agate (DC, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Doe (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Gitte (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Eternal Optimist (LE, ) is darker (85% similar).
- Too Faced Y'all (PiP, $16.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Omigaud (LE, $17.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I538 Pearly Gray Beige (DC, $21.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Too Faced Tickle Me (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Subtly Elegant
Subtly Elegant is a medium taupe with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a slightly powdery texture, but it applied decently to bare skin and blended out without any issues. The color stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Shade II (2015) (LE, $25.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Cashmere Coat (DC, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Bali (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- theBalm #25 (P, $6.50) is darker (95% similar).
- bareMinerals Suspense (P, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S556 Taupe Gray (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Smoked Cocoa #2 (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- theBalm Dig It (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Persona Maverick (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
Bonus Track
Bonus Track is a medium-dark brown with warm, olive undertones and a golden shimmer. It was loosely packed, dry, and almost sandy as a result, which meant sheer coverage, tons of fallout, and little that was workable without damping the brush (primer was insufficient). On its own, it lasted for two hours or less and had a lot of fallout; dampened, it lasted for almost seven hours and had minimal fallout (the latter is for your knowledge but is not reflected in the rating).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty African Violet #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Lithium (PiP, $20.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Tempting (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Far Side (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Dior Fire (584) (P, $29.50) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Golden Petals Scattering (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Dior Infinity (751) (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Permanent Press #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Copper (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Crushed Clove (PiP, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
Beautifully Charred
Beautifully Charred is a medium-dark brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a pearly sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff, but it was extremely dry and dusty in the pan, which resulted in sheerer coverage that did not build up and a lot of fallout. The color lasted for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Bastille in the Night (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Nude Dip #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Burberry Gold #1 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Too Faced Jackpot (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced SaveThemAll (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Embellish (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Chocolate (Titanium) (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Petrouchka #5 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Witch (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Raven Eyed
Raven Eyed is a dark black-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was dry, stiff, and extremely difficult to pick up and blend out on the skin, with or without primer. It had medium coverage that was buildable, but the result was rather splotchy and ragged along the edges. The patchy mess did last for a solid eight hours (and I’ve found MAC’s eyeshadow formula to wear rather well on bare skin, despite being a thinner formula).
Top Dupes
- MAC Night Whisper (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Smashbox Ebony (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia LBD (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Cool Companions #3 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Navy #7 (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild The Night's Quad #3 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Pied de Poule #3 (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Blackjack (PiP, $19.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Blackboard (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Coal (LE, $16.00) (90% similar).
Video Emotions
Video Emotions is a blackened purple with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, and it was buildable, though the drier, stiffer texture made it difficult to blend and diffuse along the edges without getting a ragged edge. It lasted for eight hours on me before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Colour Pop Chopper (LE, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Beverly Hills #4 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Evening Affair (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Spellcaster (LE, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Round Trip (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Center Stage (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Jungle Love (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Lover In Me (LE, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Dynamic Duo 4 #2 (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Demon Lover #2 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Memories of Space
Memories of Space is a light-medium yellow with soft, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had medium pigmentation, which wasn’t buildable on its own; with primer, I was able to get almost semi-opaque coverage out of it. The consistency was drier, thin, and dusty. It wore well for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Reborn (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M405 Straw Yellow (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Bolt (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S404 Straw Yellow (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Feather (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Royal Woo (LE, $17.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Goldfinger (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Bright-Sided (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Star (LE, ) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Chrome Yellow (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
Remixology
Remixology is a light-medium chartreuse with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer pigmentation paired with a thin, dusty texture that was hard to apply evenly to bare skin. It applied a bit more evenly over primer but was still under-pigmented. It stayed on well for seven hours.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Thrash (DC, ) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Lime (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Bowlarama (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Lisa's Spikes (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Savant (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Bitter (DC, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Sour Lemon (DC, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Sapphire #7 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sephora Jeffery (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Viseart Bright Editorial #2 (P, ) is darker (90% similar).
Beatallica
Beatallica is a deep, forest green with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which was buildable both over bare skin as well as over primer. Applied to bare skin, it was a nightmare trying to blend out the edges as the color darkened in places, looked patchy, and did not diffuse well. Over primer, it was somewhat more blendable but needed cheating by layering other shades over it to minimize the harsh lines. It lasted for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Viseart Absinthe #5 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Sage (Define) (PiP, ) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Showtime (LE, $6.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Viseart Dark Matte #11 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Modern Era #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Untamed (DC, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Viseart Beryl (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Moss (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sydney Grace Siren Call (P, $5.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Rhino (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Syntheseyes
Syntheseyes is a very light aqua with subtle, warm undertones and semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a soft, lightly powdery texture, but there was more substance to the consistency that enabled it to apply better to bare skin without sheering out to nothingness. The color stayed on well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Honeydew (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Atomic Blush (LE, $17.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- Kat Von D Archangel (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Flux (LE, $5.00) is darker (85% similar).
Oldie but Goodie
Oldie but Goodie is a light-medium, greenish aqua with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation, and while it was soft with some powderiness in the pan, it had more substance to it and applied rather well to bare skin. It wore well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Inglot #345 (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Archangel (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Emerald #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Shore Thing (P, $6.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- NYX The Next Morning (P, $4.50) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Flux (LE, $5.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- LORAC Avocado Toast (LE, $19.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Atomic Blush (LE, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Chances Are (PiP, $5.00) is darker (80% similar).
Powerful Performance
Powerful Performance is a medium blue with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had medium pigmentation, but the powdery texture made it hard to build up coverage if desired. It was better over a primer, but it still had a faded, sheered out appearance and never looked true-to-pan. It stayed on well for six and a half hours.
Top Dupes
- Disney by Sephora Blue Oasis (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Pale Pipa (LE, $17.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- Zoeva Childhood Adaption (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Cascade (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Muscle Beach (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Dior Dulcinee #5 (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Sephora Helen P (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Belladonna Lilly (LE, $5.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar).
- LORAC Avocado Toast (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- MAC Aqua (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
At the Turntable
At the Turntable is a bright, light-medium sky blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a drier, chalkier consistency that was prone to sheering out and apply unevenly. It tended to look less blue and more white within 10 minutes of application. It was marginally improved over primer but was did not build up much, so it always looked a bit washed out. It lasted for seven hours on its own.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever M208 Baby Blue (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Narcotic (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Baby Jane (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Beauty Call (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Hi-Def Cyan (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S208 Baby Blue (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Kat Von D Waters (LE, ) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Taco (LE, $5.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Sapphire #4 (LE, ) is lighter, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild A Regular at the Factory #2 (DC, $2.29) is darker (85% similar).
Electric Eel
Electric Eel is a medium blue with cool undertones and a matte finish. This shade is a lot worse than it was compared to the last single I have of it–much dustier and thinner with less pigmentation. It had a tendency to fade to a more muted blue after a few minutes in practice. It wore well for seven and a half hours on me.
Top Dupes
- NARS Mad Mad World #1 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild A Regular at the Factory #2 (DC, $2.29) is lighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Zoomship (P, $5.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Gonzo (DC, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Drip Drop (P, $6.99) is darker (90% similar).
- Disney by Sephora Blue Lagoon (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Oasis (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Blindsided (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tenacious (P, $9.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Kat Von D Synth (LE, ) is lighter (85% similar).
She's a Machine
She’s a Machine is a light-medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a satin shimmer. It had sheer pigmentation, did not build up, and only managed to get to semi-sheer coverage over primer. The texture was thin, powdery, and almost grainy. It lasted for five hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever I916 Frosted Mauve (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Style & Influence (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Great Beyond #3 (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Pulp Fiction #3 (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Freakshow (LE, $17.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- Fyrinnae Unicorn (P, $9.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Dior Rosee (141) (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery (85% similar).
- Smashbox Techno (P, ) is lighter (85% similar).
- Colour Pop Eye Candy (P, $5.00) is more shimmery (85% similar).
- Coloured Raine Chameleon (P, $6.99) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Jam Session
Jam Session is a medium purple with subtle, cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had sheer pigmentation that applied dismally to my bare skin and only marginally less disappointing over primer. The texture was powdery, thin, and drier–not a recipe for eyeshadow perfection. It wore well for six hours on me.
Top Dupes
- MAC Purple Haze (DC, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Regal (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Daydream #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Violet Blend #2 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Zena (LE, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Kat Von D Dope (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Electric Violet (28V) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Your 15 Minutes Aren't Up #2 (DC, $2.29) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Anastasia Soul (LE, $12.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #8 (PiP, ) is more muted (85% similar).
Club New Wave Mix
Club New Wave Mix is a deep purple with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had medium coverage, which was hard to build up as the texture was quite stiff and difficult to pickup, blend out, and work with regardless of whether I used a primer underneath it or not. I had to use the lighter shades in the palette to help cheat the edges on this one. It lasted for seven hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Natasha Denona Electric Violet (28V) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Outrageously (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Viseart Cool Mattes 2 #12 (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- Juvia's Place Ife (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M924 Purple (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I922 Electric Purple (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Juvia's Place Zulu #9 (LE, ) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Viseart Grande Pro (Vol. 1) #20 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever S924 Purple (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 15 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Wow, this is bad. I love the eye looks you got out of it but I definitely don’t want to work that hard to get a decent eye look and I definitely do not have your skill. Sad to see MAC put forth such a terrible palette.
This is truly awful – what a waste of money to purchase this one – it is just like some really bad DS eyeshadow palettes. How can MAC do this?
I knew there was going to be some F’s in this one, but oh boy….. 🙁
F this and F that pretty much sums up my feelings about this particular product and MAC in general, unfortunately.
🙁
Well said! lol
Wow, I was so close to pulling the trigger on this, but I’m glad I waited. I don’t understand what MAC is doing anymore. They’re having their crown snatched by people selling shadows for a fraction of what they’re charging. It’s baffling that the company that everybody looked to is now the one no one even looks at anymore.
It’s hilarious that this is terrible. Even if it was the best palette in the world, I’d still refuse to buy it due to the incredibly wasteful packaging.
This breaks my heart ! I felt like last year, Mac made gains with the quality of their pre-made palettes. Additionally, the packaging and color selection could have made this a real gem.
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Wow – but not too surprising from what we’ve seen in recent years from MAC special collections. Definitely not interested in buying this one.
This palette makes me sad. Like really, really sad, morose, depressed, you get the general idea. How any famous designer could *allow* his name and image to be attached to this woeful travesty of an 80’s nostalgia themed eyeshadow palette thoroughly perplexes me! That MAC suddenly dropped the ball (again!) after having quite a lovely stretch of well thought out, high quality collections *shouldn’t* surprise me, it does this time around. And it stings a bit, as I was so looking forward to this collection. Christine, I do want to thank you so much for saving me $75 that almost got spent on utter trash. This is why I always try to wait for your review on things, because you give it to us straight and honest!
Totally bummed here too! I too was really looking forward to this. i truly wish we could send this back with a printout of this review and make them reformulate it, so it would actually be worth buying. I absolutely loved this palette and really wanted it, but just can’t with such poor quality.
Rachael, we could copy and paste the link to their Facebook page and IG account, though! I’ve been thinking about doing exactly that, because accountability.
On point! Totally agree! I often read your opinion. Big hugs from Greece.
What a shame it’s so cute!!
I would have bought this hands down, no questions asked if the quality was there. This is everything that I look for in a palette – Beautiful colors, arranged in a rainbow and a fun packaging. I don’t mind the ‘negative space’. I do understand why some perceive this to be wasteful but I get the visual effect that MAC was going for and I think it’s a cool idea!
I’m truly baffled by the quality of this palette, or should I say, lack there of. I know every company has their ‘misses’ when it comes to certain colors / textures but I always held MAC in such high regard. I know there have been bumps in the road with them in recent years but this palette seems to be a real dud and it makes me so sad. I really wanted to add this to my collection but I can’t overlook a palette that has this many problematic shadows. Thankfully, I have plenty of dupes for all of the shades.
Thank you so much Christine, as always for your un- biased and honest reviews and amazing swatches. Your blog has been my go – to for everything beauty related for almost a decade!
Wow, $75 for a product that gets a “D.” WTH, Mac?! What a waste of cool packaging.
AGREE
i bought this as i was SO EXCITED for the collection and wanted Lunar New Year and it sold out in five minutes so i expected the same of this. i admit from vague press photos, i had a FEELING it would be poor quality. Milani and Morphe are outdoing MAC in terms of quality at this point and that is pathetic. My palette just arrived in the mail today…..and i am going to return it (thank gosh we still have that option in the US) because there is no way i am spending $75 for a palette that is unusable.
Looked like a good palette, what a shame.
This makes me so sad!!!!! The packaging is just so amazing and the colors are beautiful but for them not to perform well at all is just hurtful! And for $75?!!!! Seriously?! I love Jeremy Scott but to collab with mac and have it flop is so disappointing!
I was waiting this collab with Jeremy Scott but as mush as I love the packaging I’m so dissapointed to see that much poor grades :/
Oh, MAC, you are so funny, expecting me to pay $98 for CRAP just because it has “clever” (but ridiculously oversized) packaging! I guess this is what you get when a company and its collaborator put more thought into image that into quality. I didn’t like this from first sight because of the proliferation of colour I personally don’t like and the wasted space in the packaging but now, seeing the really dreadful quality, I just feel really sad.
I don’t understand how the shimmer shades can be so BAD! There’s just not any excuse anymore for crappy metallics, especially when you have brands like City Color, BH Cosmetics, Juvia’s Place and even Morphe putting out rich, opaque shimmers at a fraction of the cost of these. Did anyone at MAC actually swatch this before approving the formula???
I was particularly surprised by the shimmers being so dry!
Other brands have really perfected their eyeshadow formulas and here’s MAC still putting out garbage because they know people will buy it.
I really wanted this palette to be good; the whole idea of this collection and the packaging is so amazing–even the boxes are well-designed and feel authentically 90’s (I get a more 90’s vibe since that’s the time frame when I grew up with cassettes, CDs, and boomboxes). I did purchase the whole collection when it launched and while I am going to hang onto my items, I am really disappointed with the performance of these shadows. I’m also torn; I know most of the money and time with this collection was spent on the packaging and paying for the collab and that’s exactly what I bought this collection for. If Mac had released the same exact colors in a normal palette but with a phenomenal formula, I probably would not have purchased it since I already own quite a few excellent bright-themed palettes. Makeup has such an interesting intersection of form and function in the consumer market; do we want products that are amazing function-wise but that will either get used up or go bad or are we more interested in an amazing presentation that might not be usable but will last much longer? What does it take to get both?
“it did not function as a usable eyeshadow without applying it with a dampened brush or over a tacky primer. There was little wear out of it since it all fell off my lid shortly after applying it.”
These two lines on the review for Creative Copper made me laugh – it doesn’t get much worse than “does not actually function as eyeshadow.” 🙂 Thanks for the reviews.
Yikes! I was never interested in this palette, but seeing the performance of the shadows made me sad. This is worst than the super cheap makeup from the dollar store. MAC needs to really invest and up the quality of their shadows b/c good packaging is not going to keep their business going.
Ditto on the MAC uping the quality fo their eyeshadows.
Thank you for your review and your quality work in general! It is sad to think except for the poor quality and waste of money, the environmental aspects of packaging. MAC does not know anything about rules and measures on the production, marketing and use? I always wait for your reviews, even when I have purchased products with a B or B- rating (that looks beautiful at your photos), I can totally see the difference between those and an A or A+ product. sorry for my english..
Wow, I’m sooooo shocked! This looked great on you and when I scrolled down and saw the rating my jaw dropped, seriously. And like you this looked so promising. Well, thanks God for me! It was a tempting one. I do like how God is answering my prayers! I so needed help to stop buying palettes, so I’m soooo glad another bites the dust.
When did MAC stop caring entirely?
I’m so glad I decided to pass on this. It’s hard to believe MAC would even release shadows that bad. What’s more concerning is they seemed to have included some of the F rated LE shades in Patric Starr’s new collab.