So many little pots to choose from! (MAC Eyeshadow)

Member Name: glitter_princess

Product:	MAC Eyeshadow
Date:	19/10/09 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Vibrant, intense colour, great range of colours

Disadvantages: Can crease on oily lids but corrected with primer

When it comes to eyeshadows I am what can only be described as a hoarder - I have a massive collection, ranging from your bog standard neutrals, through to hot pinks, peacock greens and striking purples. Unsurprisingly for anyone who knows their makeup, there is nothing I like better than a browse through the vast colour collection that is MAC. As well as the huge selection of colours, there is also a great choice of finishes - from frosted, to pearl, to matte, there's something for everyone, whether you're looking to recreate a classic 1940's matte look, or a sparkly 1980's effect. At £11 each they are on the pricey side, but in my experience the quality is well worth the high price tag.

Each shadow pot contains 1.5g of product and comes in a small black pot with a flip top lid which has a transparent circle through which you can see the colour of the shadow. The packaging like all MAC products is simple but classy looking and is functional and sturdy.

The colours are fantastic, not just in the range available but in the quality of the shadow - they are really highly pigmented and when applied the colour is vibrant, even, and has real depth to it. They are really blendable and it's possible to achieve some really stunning effects by blending a few of the colours together - I like to use a slightly damp brush to do this. I do feel that these are products that definitely benefit from brush application rather than fingers (not always the case!) so it is worth investing in a couple of good eyeshadow brushes as the pots do not come with an applicator. Although many people claim that these have great staying power when used alone, I find that on my lids, which have a tendency to be a little oily, I need to use a primer to give the shadow something to grip to (my current favourite are MAC Paint Pots which allow the shadow to really grab the lids and make the colour even more vibrant). Without a primer I find these crease by lunchtime and I need to reapply, however, with the aid of a good primer, they can last me all day and into the evening too!

The variety of finishes that MAC Shadows come in give a slightly different performance to each - my own favourites are Satins, and Mattes, but it's worth experimenting to find out what works for you.

Matte:

Matte shades have absolutely no shimmer to them and are perfect for creating a more 'period' look, or for those who dislike shimmer in their shadow. I find that these definitely need a good base or they can appear a little patchy in colour but once applied they don't budge. My favourite matte is Shadowy Lady - a deep plum that gives a really classic smokey look, very 1940's.

Frost:

Frosts have a slight shimmer effect to them that give your eyes a slight metallic effect to make them really pop. Like the mattes, I find that once applied these stick and I don't tend to experience any fallout and these are really lovely and easy to blend. A favourite Frost is Satin Taupe, a lovely neutral brown.

Satin:

The Satins are a halfway point between the Mattes and the Frosts. They have a smooth finish with a small amount of shimmer just to give a slight dewy effect. I love the Satins for an everyday natural look but I do find that they also need a primer to prevent any creasing. Like the Frosts, the Satins are really easy to blend. My favourite everyday shadow is Shale, a brownish purple that works perfectly for me to create a fairly natural but slightly smokey look. Another favourite Satin is Electric Eel - a bright turquoise blue with just the right amount of shimmer to make it pop but still manages to look fairly matte.

Lustre:

These are the glittery ones, with a really noticeable amount of glitter in. I'm not a huge fan of these as I don't tend to be a glitter girl, and I find that because of the high glitter level, they have a higher level of fallout which means I can't really achieve the polished look I aim for and I find that the depth of colour is not as great as the other textures.

Veluxe:

Similar in texture to the Mattes, but with a smidgen more shimmer, these are good for achieving a polished look with a little more wearability than mattes often have. A disappointing range of colours available in this finish though.

Veluxe Pearl:

Veluxe Pearls have a gorgeous smooth, soft, creamy, texture and feel lovely on the skin. Dazzlelight is one of my favourite shades and works brilliantly as a highlighter across the brow bone. Another new discovery for me is Wintersky - a lovely pinky/grey that really highlights the eyes beautifully. They have a slight shimmery metallic effect but are very wearable and one of the only textures that I don't require a primer with.

Velvet:

I'm not a huge fan of the Velvets as I find they feel a little chalky on my lids and have a tendency to crease. However, they have a high colour intensity and the Vanilla shade is a lovely peachy cream colour, perfect for those days when you need to look that little bit more awake!

Although initially I was disappointed that these creased on my oily lids, the performance I get out of them when used with a primer is fantastic and second to none. With so many textures and colours available, it's important to spend some time in working out which ones are best going to suit you. I would recommend purchasing 3 colours that work well together that you can use as staple products - a cream for highlighting, a brown neutral, and a grey/purple would make a good starting point. One note of caution - it's easy to end up building up quite a collection of these if you don't manage to restrain yourself!

Summary: A veritable rainbow of colour!