Hey there beauty lovers! Today we’re diving deep into the MAC Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in the Hi-Fi Colour variation. As a self-professed eyeshadow palette junkie, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this vibrant offering from MAC Cosmetics.
I scoured through over 50 customer reviews to bring you a comprehensive look at what real beauty enthusiasts think of this palette. We’ll cover everything from the packaging and color selection to the formula’s performance on different skin tones. By the end, you’ll know if this is the palette to add some Hi-Fi color to your makeup collection!
Packaging & Presentation
Let’s start with the superficial stuff – the packaging. MAC is known for their sleek, black compacts and this palette follows suit. However, they kicked it up a notch with this release.
Reviewer Cheymoon raved, “the packaging is really high quality. It’s heavy, the mirror is so clear and big.” Sandy agreed, noting “First of all the packaging is beautiful and such a great quality.”
It seems MAC put some extra effort into making this palette feel luxe and substantial. The sturdy plastic compact features a generous mirror that’s perfect for on-the-go application. And the outer design actually reflects the shade selection inside, giving you a preview of the vibrant hues that await.
The only downside a few reviewers noted was the lack of a brush included. But let’s be real, most of us have our favorite brushes already. The pans are a nice size, especially for a palette designed with portability in mind.
Color Story
Now onto the main event – the colors! The Hi-Fi Colour palette aims to deliver bold, playful hues to encourage creativity and self-expression. And based on the reviews, it delivers!
The palette contains 12 shades in a mix of matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic finishes:
- 5 vibrant mattes (bright yellow, red, blue, green, purple)
- 1 satiny pastel pink
- 1 satiny pastel lilac
- 1 white satin
- 1 deep matte black
- 3 metallic shimmers (gold, bronze, purple-blue duochrome)
Nessa J. summed it up, saying it’s “a palette with pops of color for any occasion. It’s definitely a palette that is perfect for festivals or going out with friends.”
Many applauded the versatility, noting you can go bold and creative or subtle and wearable. “You could use each color for either a natural look with a little bit of color, or a straight up bold look,” said Ash.
However, some wished for a neutral or two to help tie looks together. Cheymoon suggested “I would love if this palette also had a neutral or 2.”
And while most were impressed by the vibrant hues, a couple reviewers like Sanita felt some shades were more muted than expected. “I expected the pallet to make my eyes pop with color they were muted in hue.”
Overall though, the color story earned rave reviews for delivering on the promise of hi-fi color. Whether you’re a rainbow lover or just looking to occasionally incorporate some fun shades, this palette has you covered.
Pigmentation & Payoff
Alright, a palette can have a gorgeous color selection, but it means nothing if the quality isn’t there. Luckily, MAC is known for their rich, pigmented formulas, and this palette seems to uphold that reputation, with some caveats.
Let’s start with the good stuff. The standout across dozens of reviews was the intense color payoff, especially in the shimmers/metallics. “I love how pigmented they are as well as how beautiful they are with their shimmer and color shifting properties,” gushed Ali. Dinana said “just tapping my fingers on each color left a great amount of color on my fingers.”
The mattes earned solid praise as well. “The colors are indeed very nice, and the shadows go on smoothly without any patchiness,” reported Pinky21. LuvMakeup92 said even the pastel yellow shade built up nicely, which is often a struggle.
However, the mattes seemed to be where some inconsistency came in. A few reviewers said they had to build them up, especially on deeper skin. “Since I am black I need to pack on the shadow because it won’t show up then,” noted Nadia. This was especially true of the lighter pastel shades.
The other main gripe was fallout, which is a common problem with soft, pigmented shadows. “There is a little fall out but it’s to be expected with pigmented eyeshadow,” said Cheymoon.
For the most part though, users were impressed with the payoff and vibrancy of the colors. Even Sanita, who found some shades muted, said “The glitters are cute.” And many said a little goes a long way with this formula.
Staying Power & Performance
Bold colors are fun, but not if they fade away by noon. The Connect In Colour palette promises long-wearing shadow that resists creasing and stays vibrant all day. But does it live up to the hype?
In a word – yes! Long-wearing was one of the most frequently cited pros in the reviews. “The eyeshadow last all day with no crease,” according to Sjm2015. Brittany agreed, saying “Each shade has a lot of pigment, the colors are very vibrant and last a long time.”
Even on oily lids, the shadows held their own. “Usually with other brands I would have crease in my eyes for wearing eyeshadow all day. With this one, it stays on and it looks flawless,” raved Karla.
However, as with all shadow formulas, primer seems to make a difference. Nessa J. noted “They do have a matte/velvety feel to me which I loved and the wear was long-lasting for me due to the setting spray I used.
The other key factor was application. Those who had time to carefully build up the color and blend seemed to have the best results. Rushing it sometimes led to patchiness or fading, especially with the mattes.
But overall, the staying power was one of the most impressive qualities noted about this palette. Whether you’re rocking a subtle wash of color at the office or going full glam for a festival, these shadows are up for the challenge.
Blendability
Vibrant colors are all well and good, but if they’re patchy and impossible to diffuse, you’ll end up looking more clownish than chic. Luckily, blendability was another aspect that earned top marks in the reviews.
Shade after shade, reviewers commented on how effortless these shadows are to work with. “The blend ability is unbelievable,” according to Morgan. “Highly blendable, did not crease and the color payoff is beautiful!” agreed Breeze.
The MAC formula seems to strike a good balance between being soft and smooth but not overly powdery. “They are all silky, easy to blend and apply,” said Cheymoon. This allows you to achieve seamless looks, even when working with contrasting colors.
Of course, as with any shadows, a light hand and good brushes help. Some reviewers noted that packing on too much product can lead them to grab onto certain areas. But overall, the blendability makes this a user-friendly palette, even for relative eyeshadow newbies.
Versatility
At first glance, the Connect In Colour palette might seem like it’s only suited for bold, artistic looks. But reviewers were pleasantly surprised by how versatile it actually is!
Of course, it delivers on the anticipated vibrant looks. “If you’re a fellow makeup enthusiast like myself and love creating different looks with many different colors than you will love this pallet as much as I do,” said jaymay619.
But you can also use a light wash for a pop of color suitable for daytime. “These can be worn to a party, festival, a fun event, or as a more natural look. It’s versatile and amazing quality,” according to Cheymoon.
Many enjoyed the ability to incorporate just a hint of color into a neutral look for some spice. I was excited for the glitter eyeshadows but they have very low pigmentation (at least on my tan skin tone), I would recommend this palette for someone starting their makeup journey since colors are vibrant and easily removed,” said Lily.
The other key to versatility is being able to pair it with other palettes for a wider array of looks. This is where those who wanted a neutral shade had a point. You’ll probably want a supplementary neutral palette for transition shades and highlight. But then the Hi-Fi Colour palette can provide endless options for a pop of something special!
The X-Factor
In reading dozens of reviews, one thing became clear – this palette has that special something. Even those who had critiques seemed enchanted by the luxe packaging and bold color story.
There’s just something fun about opening up a palette filled with rainbows and possibilities! “The looks to create and possibilities are endless!” said Ruby. It invites you to play and experiment.
It also fills a hole that’s often lacking in palette collections – those super vibrant, notice-me shades that MAC does so well. “I definitely would recommend this palette for someone who is looking for a palette with pops of color for any occasion,” according to Nessa J.
The shimmer and duochrome shades earned special raves for their gorgeous finish on the eyes. “The shimmers hold up really well and are absolutely gorgeous and sparkly. I appreciated that the palette had so many different shimmery finishes,” noticed The Sapphic Siren.
At the end of the day, even if you have a million neutral palettes, there’s a good chance you’ll still reach for the MAC Connect In Colour Palette when you want to make a statement. It just has that special sauce!
Is It Worth The Hype?
So when it comes down to it, is this palette worth the purchase? As with all makeup, it depends on your personal preferences and needs. But based on the reviews, it seems to be a hit with both MAC devotees and those new to the brand.
The cons were fairly minor and expected with this kind of product – some fallout, the mattes requiring building up on deeper skin tones, and a lack of neutral transition shades. A few reviewers wanted the pastels to pack a bigger punch.
But the overwhelming majority of reviewers gave the palette glowing praise, awarding it 4 and 5 star ratings. They were impressed by the color payoff, blendability, staying power, and overall fun factor.
Here are the key pros, based on the dozens of reviews:
- Luxe, sturdy packaging with a generous mirror
- Vibrant color selection with a mix of finishes
- Intense pigmentation, especially in the shimmers/metallics
- Long-wearing formula that resists creasing
- Easy to blend, even for beginners
- Surprisingly versatile – bold looks to subtle pops of color
- Fills a gap in many collections – punchy brights done well
- An “x-factor” that makes it fun and entices creativity
If you’re someone who loves color and wants high-performing shadows, this is definitely a palette to consider. It delivers bold hues in an easy-to-use formula that lasts all day.
The $65 price tag reflects the quality you expect from MAC. It’s an investment, but one that will likely inspire you to play and create dynamic eye looks for any occasion.
The Final Verdict
After poring over pages of reviews, I’ve come to the conclusion that the MAC Connect In Colour Palette in Hi-Fi Colour is a winner. Is it the most groundbreaking, never-before-seen assortment of hues? No. But it delivers on its promise of hi-fi color in MAC’s reliably superb formula.
The packaging elevates the experience, the color payoff is intense, the performance is long-wearing, and the blendability makes it suitable for all skill levels. And then there’s that special something – that “x-factor” that makes it a palette you’ll reach for again and again, even if you have a drawer full of other options.
If you’re a color lover or just looking to branch out from your neutral comfort zone, I highly recommend giving it a shot! At the very least, swatch it in store and I bet you’ll be tempted to take it home.
I’ll leave you with the words of reviewer Morgan: “I can’t wait to take this baby out on rollercoaster trips and flights with me because it is a perfect traveling essential. I’m going to purchase one for my bestie because this is byy FARRR my favorite pallet ( and I have MANY , Mac ,annastasia bev, morphe , color pop and moree ).”
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