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Make Up For Ever Diamond Artist Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a light-medium silver with cool undertones and a frosted finish. It had good color payoff, though it wasn’t fully opaque, paired with a smooth, blendable texture that adhered well to bare lids and lasted for eight and a half hours. MAC Tree Topper (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Nimbus Cloude (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Dior Parisian Sky #3 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty In Doubt (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Cle de Peau Silver Eclipse #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Viseart Sterling (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Ooh and Ahh (Right) (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Viseart Boheme Dream #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Clarins Midnight #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Midnight Snow (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Morning Ticket (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Dior Volcanic #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Flask (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Dior Smoky Canvas #2 (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Guise (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Starry Night #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). NARS Banquise (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Free Folk (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Chrome Angel (DC, $23.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). LORAC Glacier (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, shimmering white with a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and buttery texture that applied and blended out nicely. The color wore well for eight hours. MAC Smoky Black Friday #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I120 Snow Gray (DC, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever ME122 Snow (DC, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). Viseart Sterling (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Holy, Holy (LE, $22.00) is more muted (95% similar). Chanel Tisse Smoky #2 (PiP, ) is more muted, cooler (95% similar). Dior Blue Garden #2 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). Clarins Garden Escape #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Letty Lynton (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC White (PiP, $21.00) is more muted (95% similar). MAC Iced (LE, $22.00) is more muted (95% similar). Guerlain Cygne Blanc #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Guerlain Les Nuees #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted (95% similar). theBalm Sassy (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar). MAC Lapisluxe #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Vapor (LE, $19.00) is more muted (95% similar). Burberry Optic White (000) (P, $29.00) is brighter (95% similar). Too Faced Frost (LE, $16.00) is more muted (95% similar). NARS Mortal (DC, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark navy blue with a pearly sheen and fine silver micro-sparkle. It had intense pigmentation with a cream-like, smooth, and dense texture that applied well to bare skin. This shade wore well for eight and a half hours on me. JD Glow Sapphire (P, $7.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Chanel Swing (116) (P, $29.50) is more muted, lower quality (95% similar). LORAC Cobalt (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I218 Indigo Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Etiquette (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Gamma Ray (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Clionadh Ursa (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Glaminatrix Sandra (P, $8.04) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Just One Kiss (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Stila Vivid Sapphire (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Moon is Blue (LE, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Quantum Sleep (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Lucid Dream (LE, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Estrella (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). bareMinerals Climax (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). bareMinerals Nightfall (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). ColourPop Illusional (LE, $6.00)(90% similar). Guerlain Mystic Peacock #1 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Cressida (P, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Rendezvous (DC, $8.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark teal with subtle, green leanings and a pearly sheen that had a light amount of micro-sparkle. It was richly pigmented with a creamy, smooth, and dense texture that was easy to work with. On me, the color lasted for nine hours. Urban Decay Arctic (LE, $19.00) is lighter, more muted (95% similar). JD Glow Peacock (P, $7.50) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Natasha Denona Flip (367M) (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Sugarpill Skyrise (PiP, $13.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Gridlock (P, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). ColourPop Ibiza (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop On Set (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Amp (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, more muted (90% similar). Sydney Grace Anew (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Evil Genie (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more muted, less pigmented (90% similar). Give Me Glow Pool Party (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Fyrinnae Gender Bent (P, $6.75) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Cielo (LE, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop LOL I'm Crying (LE, $4.50) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Touch the Sky (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Rare Beauty Elevate (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Sydney Grace Galactic Muse (PiP, $6.25) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Tiny Tangerines (P, $4.50) is more muted (90% similar). Sydney Grace Cane Fields (PiP, $6.25) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a blackened olive green with fine bluish-teal micro-sparkle. The pigmentation was fantastic with full coverage easily achieved as the consistency was soft, smooth, and blendable. It wore well for nine hours on me before creasing slightly. Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). Chanel Affresco #9 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Chanel Codes Subtils #4 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I328 Bronze (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Vert Lamé (906) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Veruschka (DC, $34.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Dior Jardin #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Hot Box (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Dior Bonne Etoile (384) #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Smoky Emerald (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop Midnight (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Les Precieux #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Fyrinnae Boot Season (P, $6.75) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Vintage Coin (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). NARS Gabon (LE, $25.00) is darker (85% similar). KVD Beauty Covenant (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Vortex (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Hourglass Color Field #5 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Stash (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). Stila Seaweed (LE, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright, light-medium chartreuse green with strong, yellow tones and a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a dense, smooth, and blendable texture. The texture is a bit firmer compared to other Diamond shades, but it didn’t pose any issues when applying for me. It wore well for eight and a half hours for me. Dior Rose Garden #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Huda Beauty Emerald #9 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Cardamom (LE, $17.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). ColourPop I'm Thumpin' (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I318 Linen Khaki (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Acid Rain (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Cleopatra (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). ColourPop La Playa (P, $4.50) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Lit Vibes (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Pixie Dust (LE, $16.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Need Receipts (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Dominique Cosmetics Cucumber (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar). Viseart Absinthe #4 (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Zoe (P, $8.00) is cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Seashells (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Huda Beauty Emerald #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Makeup Geek Showgirl (Formerly Bubbly) (LE, $9.99) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Aurum (P, $8.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Anastasia C2 (Norvina Mini Vol. 2) (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Sage (PiP, ) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow ($21.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a powder eyeshadow available in five distinct finishes: Diamond, Iridescent, Matte, Metallic, and Satin. The texture of all finishes, except the Matte finish, are much denser and more like a cream-powder hybrid. I’ve used traditional eyeshadow brushes (like MAC’s 239, a go-to for me) with these and have hadn’t any issues, but for those who have, I would recommend a firmer, flatter synthetic brush (like MAC 242) to maximize payoff and application. The Diamond and Iridescent finishes have sparkle or micro-glitter, and I have found that the majority of shades have little to no fall out over time for me. The Metallic is the richest, smoothest formula out of the five finishes. The Mattes are soft and silky–much smoother and more finely-milled than the brand’s last formula–but these are sometimes sheerer, though buildable, and can be a little dusty or powdery to work with. The Mattes typically apply well and blend out without issue. The Satin finish feels the firmest of the five finishes but is the most blendable and pigmented; some are closer to metallic and others are more like a natural matte on. I get seven to ten hour wear, depending on the shade, across the range. The eyeshadows are larger than standard (0.08 oz. per the packaging). For the most bang for your buck, consider purchasing two ($32.00) or three at once ($46.00) or watch for seasonal releases of palettes (just be careful if you’ve already bought a few–the brand repeats very often).

Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D118 Platinum Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D124 Crystalline White Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D236 Lagoon Blue Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D308 Aquatic Khaki Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow
Make Up For Ever D316 Crystalline Pinky Green Artist Shadow

Make Up For Ever Artist Look
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: S102, D308, ME224, ME202, D124, Sephora Sailor Suit Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever Artist Look
Make Up For Ever Artist Look: S102, D308, ME224, ME202, D124, Sephora Sailor Suit Eyeliner

52 Comments

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Marlee S. Avatar

I love the artist shadows but with the diamond finishes I really struggle with the glitter falling out and ending up all over my cheeks and under eye area, which I can’t stand! But I do think they are really beautiful shadows. I’ve tried all kinds of primers too.

Claire L Avatar

I adore the quality of MUFE shadows, I have the Artist 15 palette (as per one of your recommendations) and it blew me away. Maybe one day I’ll make my own palette of MUFE shadows and it’ll be thanks to your reviews! Love the Lagoon Blue which is in that as well ?.

Kate Avatar

Here’s a weird question: have you had any instances of MUFE shadows applying worse over a primer than on bare skin? I have Lagoon Blue in their Holiday 15-shadow palette and the colour on me is nowhere close to opaque, no matter how much I layer it (and once I start layering, I get fallout). My eyelids are quite oily, so I always use primer. Since I know you base your reviews on how the product fares without “extras” like primer, I’m wondering if that could be the difference between your results and mine. 🙁

Katherine T. Avatar

My wallet just dodged the Natasha Denona budget busters, since the shades I wanted were sold out, but….. here comes MUFE Artist with A ratings (eeek!!). Ok, so I like all the blues, teals, and greens here, so we have a new problem!

Christine Avatar

I figured that if I could review Natasha Denona’s 66 eyeshadows, surely I can get through MUFE’s. How we have things set up presently does make me more efficient now for some of these types of reviews, so I’m going to try and review the MUFE eyeshadows I haven’t yet reviewed when time allows (between more pressing LE/seasonal launches).

Nicole Avatar

WOW. You really did a fantastic job with that eye look Christine!

I don’t own any MUFE eyeshadows and I’ve been waffling back and forth about buying some for ages. The thing that keeps me from picking MUFE shadows up is because looking at swatches online they remind me of Urban Decay shadows (I don’t think I’ve ever swatched them in store). I like Urban Decay in theory but every palette I’ve ever picked up from them I’ve either given away or sold because the formula feels very thick and heavy on my eyelids. I don’t know if it’s just me and I’m being weird, but it gives me the same kind of feeling that you’d get if it was really hot and muggy out and you were wearing heavy foundation and your skin just felt suffocated and gross, except on my eyelids (same issue I had with ColourPop eyeshadows). Are MUFE shadows kind of the same consistency? If they are, I know I wouldn’t like them regardless of how pretty they are. I’m sorry this question is so weird, by the way.

canadianjammy Avatar

What brush/tool do you use for the swatches, Christine? 🙂 I have some of these shadows but for some reason, I don’t get as much pigment as your swatches show.

Gillian Avatar

I’m in love with Lagoon Blue! It’s absolutely gorgeous! Also, on that note, in case anyone hadn’t noticed Make Up For Ever is now available at Debenhams for those of us in the UK. It’s online only I think but that’s way better than having to order from outside the UK! ?

Nancy T Avatar

Oooh, that smoky eye look is bangin’! Very flattering to your eye color ?

Because I have less visible mobile lid space, I always have to do different placement of shades to get something with a similar effect. Mainly, my having to drag everything up higher, and doing a little halo effect on the center of my lid to give it some dimension.
Love the two green shades most of all out of this set! Aquatic Khaki may have dupes, but nowhere near as complex as it is.

Fran Avatar

I have, and love, D222 Night Blue and D316 Crystalline Pinky Green. I’ve got D236 Lagoon Blue, too, and it’s a fantastic eyeshadow, but teal is not the most flattering eyeshadow color for me (I’m pretty sure I got this one as part of a set). D118 Platinum and D306 Aquatic Khaki are going on my wish list — both gorgeous! Not sure I need another bright white… Love the look you did here 🙂

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