Written Reviews

There is a reason Satin Taupe is on many people's "must have" list when it comes to MAC eye shadows. It is a classic shade that is very wearable and works with so many different colours (it can look more purple, more grey or more brown depending on what it's paired with). Makes for a great "one eyeshadow" look - add some black liner and you look put-together and appropriate.

This is stunning. It works as a highlighter or as a blush on my NW 15/20 skin. The darker raspberry veining is pigmented and deep enough to work with the lighter shades to make a blush or if I pick up just the lighter pink and more metallic shades from the surface, I can make a flattering highlight that still harmonizes with my cool-toned skin. So glad I got this; so sad it's LE.

This product is aptly named. It gives the most beautiful, illuminated, candle-lit glow to the cheekbones, browbones or any places of the face and even shoulders/collarbone that you might want to highlight.

How gorgeous is Pistol??? A grey/taupe shade with the most flattering, brightening shimmer. It's a shade that always looks great and pairs with so many other shadows but also stands alone for a great quick look on the eyes.

I first got this in the BOSIII and used it in such a miserly fashion because if I used it up, that was it! Then when it came out in the Naked 2 palette (which I wanted in any case), I was so happy. This is a beautiful bronzed champagne shade that is a delight to wear and mix with other shadow. LOVE it.

I got the original Naked palette when it first came to Canada (I'd been on a waiting list at Sephora). This still stands as a bit of an icon as it really pointed the way showing other cosmetic companies just what it is that women are after - a great, wearable, travel-friendly collection of mostly neutral shadows that can be worn for day/work or night. While there are a few problematic shadows in here - Sidecar, while beautiful, always results in fallout for me - and some people wish there were more matte shades, this is still a fabulous palette that I enjoy using over and over again. My personal preference is for the cooler toned Naked 2, but the original is still a favourite!

I have this in both the "old formula" in BOSIII and in the new formula as a single shadow. This is SUCH a beautiful colour and totally unique but the fallout (the type that can't be brushed away and that "keeps on giving" in that it will continue to fall throughout the day or evening) made Maui Wowie pretty much unwearable. But because the colour is so lovely, I broke down in hopes that the newer version would not have the fallout issue. Sadly, while it's better than the "old" version, there is still plenty of fallout to deal with. But the stunning colour makes it worth struggling with. Looks amazing on my brown eyes and I think it would suit any eye colour!

Okay...trying again as my whole review just went "poof". I got this shadow in the Caviar Dreams quad from Champale (LE). I'd always put off buying it on its own as it's a Lustre finish and those can be disappointing, and this one is. It's rough textured with coarse glitter and a tendency to fallout. Hard to get it to show up and just not the nicest finished look, no matter where on the eye you use it. Just "harsh" - texture and finished look.

This has become my favourite highlighter of all time. I've set aside far more pricey products like Guerlain in favour of this. I applies beautifully and you can take it anywhere from very subtle to a far more "full on" look if you want (not my style at all but if you club a lot or go to a lot of "events", it's perfect). This also doubles as an eye shadow or eye brow highlighter. And the price is had to beat too. Great packaging, with a mirror - something you don't get with some higher end highlighters.

I purchased this shadow years ago (I think it's discontinued now) at the urging of the Benefit rep who was in-store during some event. I was reluctant to purchase it, thinking I had a few similar shades but I am so glad I did get this, especially since it was discontinued. It's a lovely taupe shadow and I have such a weakness for anything taupe. This is one of those shadows that works with just about any other shades you pair it with (blues, purples, cool or warmer browns - Where There's Smoke works well with any of them).

I bought this by accident. I thought this eye shadow was the more flesh toned shade (actually RSVP, which I bought later, when I realized my "mistake"). It was a very happy accident because Birthday Suit is a beautiful light taupe shade that I really love. As with all the Benefit CCE's, if you want to avoid creasing, it's wise to apply a thin layer first and let it set for 30 seconds and then apply a 2nd layer. Very easy colour to wear!

This was my 2nd Illusion d'ombre purchase (Illusoire was my first). This is a bit trickier for me to wear - the reddish brown can make my eyes look tired or irritated if I'm not careful to build up the colour. But this is a beautiful shadow if I apply it correctly or if I use it as a base under other browns/neutrals.

Yes, this is pricey and yes, it takes a bit of work to get the colour to build up and yes, the brush it comes with is pretty useless (fingers work better) but this is SUCH a beautiful eye shadow. The glitter in it is fine and "refined" looking. The purple/taupe/grey shade is just my sort of thing. And I find this shade wears really well. GORGEOUS and actually worth the price.

I love the Sheertone Shimmer finish from MAC and so had high hopes for this blush. It is powdery - when I pick up product with my brush, I can see bits of powder flying around - and it's not very pigmented but it can be built up easily if you want a more dense shade. The fact that it's not very pigmented helps it look natural but I find it doesn't last as long as most of my other MAC blushes; it fades much more quickly.

I fell in love with Craving years ago. It's an Amplified Cream so the wear-time is pretty good and I don't find this drying on my lips. Such a pretty deep berry rose shade.

One of my very favourite MAC lipsticks. While I could wish that it wore a bit longer than it does, the lasting power isn't all that bad and it wears off nicely and evenly. Such a pretty, flattering colour.

What I love about this palette is that it contains a good mix of neutral and brighter, more attention-getting shadows. I also like that there are no truly nightmarish glitter shadows. Some of the shadows are glittery but fallout is minimal. I would use this more, however, if it had come in a less awkward container. The package might be pretty if I ever finish the shadows and empty it but till then, it's just bulky and poorly designed for its purpose.

I put off buying Charcoal Brown for quite a while because it wasn't as "charcoal-y" as I thought it would be. Finally, I gave in and bought it and intially, I wasn't that thrilled with it because I really thought it would be a bit darker and bit more on the grey side and it seemed sort of "blah". But it's all a matter of what colours you pair it with, I've learned. I really like it in the crease with MAC Sweet Satisfaction on the lid for a polished daytime/work appropriate look that is quick and easy.

I have this shadow in the 15th Anniversary palette and I'm so glad to have it (in spite of the impractical packaging). This is such a beautiful shimmery brown with a gorgeous finish that just glows and doesn't have the annoying glitter-bomb fallout that far too many UD shadows have. The even pigmentation means this applies beautifully and easily - great colour payoff. It also blends easily, without loosing all its "oomph". This shade is perfect for autumn but feels right in summer too - that beachy, bronzey glow that is so flattering. I love this all over the lid or as an outer V shadow and smudged under my lower lashes, it is perfect too.

This is a beautiful golden bronze eye shadow but as is typical of many of MAC's Lustre finishes, it is very hard to get a "true to pan" result when applying this on the lids. But the colour is so beautiful, it is worth the effort. I have found that applying UDPP in the colour Sin beforehand really helps the beauty of Tempting to show up once it's applied.