MAC Botanic Panic Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches


Botanic Panic

MAC Botanic Panic Eyeshadow x 12 Palette ($50.00 for 0.6 oz.) is a new, limited edition summer palette that included six matte shades and six shimmer shades. I think that–overall–it was better than expected for brighter shades from the brand, though it would be ideal for someone who tends to use eyeshadow primer with their products and is willing to put in a bit of extra time to ensure everything is even and blended out well.

Ingredients

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Aqua

Aqua is a bright, bluish-aqua with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It was richly pigmented with a smooth, more substantial texture that was a little powdery in the pan but held together well on bare skin–much improved from its original iteration many years ago! It stayed on nicely for seven and a half hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Aqua

LELimited Edition. $17.00.

Marigold Digger

Marigold Digger is a medium, antique gold with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. The texture was smooth, moderately dense but not too firmly-pressed into the pan. It had opaque color payoff that lasted well for eight hours on me.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

We hope you’ll consider supporting Temptalia by shopping through our links below. Thanks!

Floral A Go Go

Floral A Go Go is a medium bronze with moderate, warm undertones and a pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented with a moderately dense, smooth texture that picked up well with a dry brush. It wore well for eight hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

All Thorns, No Rose

All Thorns, No Rose is a soft, peachy orange with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. The texture was incredibly soft and blendable, though a little powdery in the pan. It had opaque pigmentation that stayed on well for eight hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

We hope you’ll consider supporting Temptalia by shopping through our links below. Thanks!

Surf USA

Surf USA is a bright, medium blue-teal with cool undertones and subtle pearl throughout. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which adhered evenly to bare skin and blended out well, though some of the pearl diffused too readily. The texture was soft, slightly powdery but not too thin. It lasted well for eight hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Surf USA

LELimited Edition. $17.00.

Royal Woo

Royal Woo is a vivid, medium-dark yellow with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color payoff paired with a smooth, blendable texture that was lightly powdery but not prone to sheering out or having fallout. It showed signs of fading after eight hours of wear.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

We hope you’ll consider supporting Temptalia by shopping through our links below. Thanks!

Picnic Panic

Picnic Panic is a bright, yellowy chartreuse with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. The eyeshadow yielded full pigmentation in a single pass, which adhered fairly evenly to bare skin but darkened a little bit along the edges, which made it harder to get a really diffused and even blend at times. I’d recommend using it over an eyeshadow primer, which helped to combat that. It stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Botanic Panic

Botanic Panic is a rich, deep coral-red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation paired with a stiffer, thinner texture that was harder to pick up, though it blended out without too much effort. It lasted well for eight hours before fading noticeably.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Magnetic Field

Magnetic Field is a darker yellow with strong, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer to medium pigmentation, which did not build well unless applied over eyeshadow primer. The consistency was somewhat powdery and more prone to sheering out. This shade wore well for seven and a half hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Keep on Twinkling

Keep on Twinkling is a very pale pink with warmer undertones and a sparkling sheen. It had medium color coverage, which could be built up/more opaque when applied with a fingertip. The texture was slightly powdery and felt chunkier to the touch, so there was light fallout during application. It stayed on nicely for seven hours before fading a bit.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Look Using this Product

Jam Session

Jam Session is a light-medium purple with subtle, cool undertones and subtle pearl over a more matte finish. It had semi-sheer color coverage with a powdery, thin consistency that did not build up well and blended away to sheerer coverage–even over a primer. There were signs of fading present after six hours of wear.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.

Look Using this Product

Magic Mushroom

Magic Mushroom is a medium, purpled berry with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. The texture was stiffer, a little drier, and on the thinner side, so it was harder to pick up with a dry brush and to blend out evenly. It had mostly opaque, buildable pigmentation that stayed on decently for seven and a half hours.

FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$17.00/0.05 oz. – $340.00 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be a “highly pigmented powder” that goes on “evenly and blends well.” MAC eyeshadows run the gamut from total failures to long-time, cult-favorite staples. In general, the permanent line has been more consistent in performance–and higher performance at that–compared to limited edition launches, but it can really depend.

The Matte finish tends to have a firmer press and a bit of thinness compared to other matte formulas on the market, so MAC matte eyeshadows tend to build up better and have better wear-time without fallout as they’re not powdery at all. Some of the newer matte finish shades have had a more velvety quality to them that gives them a softer feel but aren’t powdery; these have been easier to blend and are often more pigmented in one layer.

The Lustre finish is designed to have sheerer pigmentation, and it often has more sheer to medium coverage with a drier, dustier consistency that can be hard to apply with a dry brush. Lustre finish shades can suffer from fallout during application, too. They are the old school version of an eyeshadow “topper.” I would recommend applying with a fingertip or applying with a dampened brush to get smoother, more even coverage and minimize fallout.

The Satin finish is few and far in-between, but it is softer and more yielding than the Matte finish but performs similarly. They tend to have very low sheen but are quite blendable with medium to opaque coverage. It can be easy to mix the finish up with the Velvet finish, which has more of a sparkle-over-matte effect but are more powdery than the true Matte finish.

The Frost finish is more firmly-pressed into the pan but doesn’t have fallout, is often pigmented, and blends out well enough. They can sometimes be a little drier to the touch depending on how much shimmer is in the shade. The Veluxe Pearl finish is one of the creamier takes within the range, and newer shades released in the finish tend to have more moderate, silicone-like slip. I’ve found that Veluxe Pearl finish shades tend to have more semi-opaque pigmentation and are more consistent in performance than some of the other finishes.

One thing I’ve found with MAC eyeshadows is that they tend to last longer without primer than the average brand (eight hours). While some eyeshadow shades don’t swatch well, they often apply better in practice–as in on the eyes!–than just swatched on the skin. They can be quite hit or miss, and they have inconsistencies between releases (see Carbon and its sordid review history!).

Browse all of our MAC Eyeshadow swatches.