Pat McGrath Bronze Borealis Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad Review & Swatches
Bronze Borealis
Pat McGrath Bronze Borealis Celestial Odyssey Luxe Quad ($54.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition warm-toned neutral quad that included three metallic eyeshadows and one matte eyeshadow. The metallics were superb–creamy, smooth, pigmented–while the matte was easy to work with but more medium in coverage (though buildable).
Bronze Borealis
$54.00.
Lunar Legend
Lunar Legend is a light, peachy gold with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, almost cream-like consistency that was soft and yielding to the touch while having substance to it, which kept it from being prone to fallout. It stayed on nicely for 10 hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Sassy Bun (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Velvet Cuffs (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Pulsing (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Honey (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Topaz #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Too Faced Golden Light (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Candlelight (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Happy Glow (Enhance) (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Queen of Glow #1 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Atelier Honey Brown #2 (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Lunar Legend
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Sienna Rose
Sienna Rose is a darker brown with moderate, warm undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. The texture was incredibly smooth and creamy to the touch, which gave it a great “melted” look on my lid that was seamless. It had opaque color coverage in a single pass, which stayed on well for 10 hours before showing signs of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Lucky Penny (DC, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Sense (384M) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Raw (PiP, $8.04) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Chocolate Brown #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #6 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop West Star (P, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty O Yeah (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Chocolate Brown #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Idolized (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Dreamy Beams (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Sienna Rose
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Mink Dusk
Mink Dusk is a muted, reddish-plum with a matte finish. It had medium to semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that seemed slightly thinner than most of the brand’s matte eyeshadows, though it applied evenly, blended out well, and would be very suitable for someone who needs their matte eyeshadows to build more than be boom! pigmented in one go. It lasted well for nine hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #10 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Untouched (PiP, $7.30) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop T-Cup (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Tease (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Lavish (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Stone (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Willow (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NYX Skinny Dip (P, $4.50) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Of a Feather (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Full Potential (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Mink Dusk
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Cyber Bronze
Cyber Bronze is a rich, molten brown with warm, golden copper glow and a metallic finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer to the point where a little went a long way, so using a lighter-hand might be desired for those who can be more heavy-handed! The texture was incredibly smooth, almost cream-like, and dense without being thick or difficult to pick up with a dry brush. It stayed on well for 10 hours before creasing faintly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Hot Stuff (P, $6.25) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Making Mischief (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Influence (Lightbeam) (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Varis (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Struck (LE, $25.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lap of Lux (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Girls Bite (PiP, $4.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Vibrant (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Dose of Colors Sunglow (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Caramelized (PiP, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Very nice but very easily duped. I don’t like Mink Dusk but I’ve got dupes aplenty for the other 3.
Nothing quite compares to some really good molten, melted looking metallic eyeshadows! The quality of these just looks utterly perfect. It’s just made it’s way on to my list!
Just as Mariella said above – really nice, good quality, but easily duped. And I wouldn’t use the Mink Rose shade at all – too pink and matte. Like the other quad, it has both the gold and bronze shades that are so popular at the moment.
Can we talk about how much smaller the pans are this year!? And with barely a price drop! No special formulas, a dupable color story… I kind of feel ripped off.
I was thinking the exact same thing! Such a shame. And off putting of the brand in general. Her products, even though most are of great qulity, is extremely expensive.
I’m surprised I’m in love with this one, but I think I am! Basic but beautiful colors means I’ll wear it all the time and get my money’s worth. But I can’t figure out if this and the other holiday quad are exclusive to the Pat McGrath site? Anyone else able to find that info?
It seems like they are, but I haven’t seen anything specifically about it that I can recall!
I’m always sad when there’s a new quad and I have the single from Pat already or good enough lol!