Great packaging. Shame about the content. (MAC Eyeshadow)

Member Name: LRWade

Product:	MAC Eyeshadow
Date:	30/08/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice container.

Disadvantages: Many. Unblendable, patchy application, low pigment.

MAC are one of those make up companies that everyone knows and everyone wants to own if only they could afford the whole range! There are the make up artists who use nothing but MAC, the obsessive consumers who are so struck with "brand loyalty" that even a thought of enjoying another brand of make up feels like a betrayal to MAC, and the rest of us who dabble in the occasional product to complement the rest of our make up bags.

(To those who are hit hard with brand loyalty-did you know MAC is owned by Estee Lauder?)

While some of the MAC products are arguably the best (lipstick anyone?) there are some which fall far short of expectation. The eye shadows sadly fit in the latter category.

I have been (trying to) use two of the offending eye shadows for about a year now: blackberry and shadowy lady, both purple matt shadows I chose to complement each other.

*PACKAGING*
The packaging is very attractive, a small circular compact of matt black plastic with a clear window with MAC stamped across. The lid flips open and closed with a satisfying click, and when closed is very secure. The eye shadow pan is secure in place, and the powder in the pan is tightly pressed: even if it were to open it is unlikely that it would crumble in your bag unless something sharp and pointy was to dig at it.

*USE*
Unfortunately, the packaging is where the positive ends. The eye shadow, while a fine and silky powder, is a total disappointment. It pick up onto a brush or sponge easily, but when applied to the skin gives poor, blotchy, uneven coverage. This is regardless of whether it is applied to clear skin, foundation or primer, and regardless of type of sponge or brush used. Similarly, once on the skin it is unblendable. I intended to use the two shades to complement each other and it just isn't happening.

At £9 each they are not cheap, so I have persisted hoping to get something of my £10 worth. Since it has been about a year now, and I have had the same results with several other shades, I have decided to give up and go back to the body shop eye shadows which are everything these are not.

The only thing which could be considered a saving grace is the extensive range of shades available, but what use is a rainbow of useless eye shadow?

© L Wade 2009 - submitted only on dooyoo.

Summary: Without the MAC branding, these wouldn't never sell.