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MAC x Julia Petit Sagu Eyeshadow Duo Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) is one of three neutral duos in the upcoming Julia Petit collaboration collection. This duo’s downfall is just how poor the lighter shade is, which is owed a lot to the fact that it is a Lustre finish–one of MAC’s weakest finishes/formulas in their eyeshadow range. I wonder why MAC doesn’t make their “Lustre” finish their Pressed Pigments, since at least those have some adhesive quality. Most Lustres need to be used over a glitter adhesive or over a tacky, cream base (preferably something with a base color or is white). I think the idea of these two shades together could have been beautiful and easily a go-to for some, but the quality of the eyeshadows leaves something to be desired.

Druzy is described as a “dirty mauvy purple [with a Lustre finish].” It has a cool-toned, mauvy taupe base with copper and gold flecks of sparkle. This is an old school Lustre that’s a total pain to work with, because it’s a mess and rains sparkle/glitter all over your face and applies virtually no color. Since nothing adhered to the skin, I had to use it damp (even though it will cause the top layer to harden–Lustres, due to their dryness, seem very prone to hardening over time through oils on fingertips/brushes and are unforgiving if you use them with a damp brush) to even get anything to stick to the skin. The texture is dry, gritty, and there was no color or sparkle left after four hours. It had very sheer color payoff, and it was sheer by even Lustre standards (which is a sheerer finish with more sparkle). The color looks so promising in the pan–if only it was a Veluxe Pearl! It’s hard to “dupe” this since there’s little base color to replicate, but here are two possibilities that seemed like what you might have expected in a swatch. MAC Force of Nature #2 (LE, $21.00) is far more opaque. MAC Frozen Violet (P, $18.50) is a cream product that leans purpler. See comparison swatches / no Dupe List available, as I really don’t think these are dupes.

Black Plum is described as a “deep blackened plum [with a Matte finish].” It’s a blackened burgundy with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had so-so color payoff, which I think applies better with a fluffy brush, but it is drier and harder to blend on the skin. It lasted for eight hours once applied. Anastasia Deep Plum (P, $12.00) is warmer. Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #4 (P) is lighter. Too Faced Charming (LE, $16.00) is lighter. theBalm Presto (P, $16.00) is similar. MAC Shadowy Lady (P, $15.00) is slightly cooler-toned. bareMinerals Ensemble (LE) is a smidgen darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Druzy Eyeshadow
MAC Druzy Eyeshadow

MAC Druzy Eyeshadow
MAC Druzy Eyeshadow

MAC Black Plum Eyeshadow
MAC Black Plum Eyeshadow

MAC Black Plum Eyeshadow
MAC Black Plum Eyeshadow

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Druzy (inner lid), MAC Druzy (inner lid), Druzy (middle of lid), Black Plum (outer lid),
Black Plum (crease) Eyeshadows; Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (brow bone), L’Oreal True Teal Eyeliner

MAC Sagu Eyeshadow Duo
MAC Druzy (inner lid), MAC Druzy (inner lid), Druzy (middle of lid), Black Plum (outer lid),
Black Plum (crease) Eyeshadows; Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (brow bone), L’Oreal True Teal Eyeliner

56 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

I’m wondering if it was meant to look sort of like Cargo’s Yukon shadow (it looks somewhat like it in the pan and Yukon is a lovely shade). I can’t help but wonder why on earth they would release something SO BAD – I mean, surely someone must test this stuff. If I were Julia Petit and this had my name on it, I’d sure want to make certain it was a half-decent product. Of course, it often seems like MAC’s philosophy is “if it’s LE, the suckers will buy it and it will sell out in a mad frenzy before too many realize what a rubbish product it is.” And sadly, that often does seem to me, as a Mac customer, what they ARE thinking.

Christine Avatar

I get the whole “let’s do a sheer glittery eyeshadow,” but even things like MAC’s Pressed Pigments, UD Moondusts, etc. are accomplishing similar things with BETTER, more dazzling sparkle, better adhesion, and often some color payoff – and they can be used wet/dry, which at least gives it more versatility. They need to upgrade the Lustre formula. By no means are the Pressed Pigments perfect, but at least it would show some progression.

Wendy Avatar

So disappointing! Loove the packaging and it looks amazing in the pan 🙁 thanks for the review, I just ordered the Bao Bao Highlighter, surprisingly not sold out online (in France) xx

Katherine T. Avatar

There’s no price listed, but I wouldn’t pay $1 for this. Not sure why MAC even bothered releasing this kit, as it’s a big waste of time and money. I sound like a broken record, but MAC needs to release fewer but better quality collections

xamyx Avatar

I may still pick this one up, without going out of my way (of course!), if only for the darker shade. While it’s definitely not worth the extra effort of tracking it down, it’s still such a beautiful pairing that it’s worth the effort to use.

xamyx Avatar

Actually, I just looked at the swatch of Shadowy Lady immediately after I posted the previous comment, LOL! Yes, it is *definitely* close enough! In fact, at least on my screen, they look exactly the same, only SL just looks more opaque, and not as “dry”. I don’t see any difference in color/tone/undertone, and I’m quite certain once applied to the eye, any difference would be rendered even less noticeable.

Julie Avatar

So glad I’m not the only one who disliked the Druzy shade. I also was not a fan of the rough texture of the black sparkle on Moving Sand either. These had such potential!

Isabel Avatar

It looks so pretty In the pan 🙁 i really like Julia Petit as a person, but my hopes for this collection where higher!
I was thinking about buying this but now i will save my money, thanks.

Anna Avatar

Thanks for the review, Christine. I guess I won’t be picking this one up. I thought it looked OK from the pan, but after having read you describe your experience with the application made me frown! 🙁

Clio Avatar

I love the shade combo in the pans. Such a shame about the quality. I think it’s time I split up with MAC — just not into what they have to offer anymore.

gabis Avatar

I don’t know what to think. Julia has been testing and showing the products on her tutorials and all the eyshadows look absolutely beautiful and easy to apply on her videos. She even said that Druzy was one of her favorite shades.
It’s hard to believe this tested so bad. Is it possible that you’ve gotten a messed up batch, Christine?

Christine Avatar

It performed like the majority of MAC’s Lustres – which are pretty bad – so to me, this is “business as usual” as far as Lustres go! 🙁

Idol Eyes is one of the worst offenders, and Druzy is like Idol Eyes, just thinner – http://www.temptalia.com/product/mac-cosmetics-eyeshadow/idol-eyes. This is an eyeshadow that has been around for years in the permanent range and is still permanent.

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