Hey there, beauty lovers! It’s your girl coming at you with another exciting review. Today, we’re diving deep into MAC’s Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in the shade Embedded in Burgundy. As a self-proclaimed eyeshadow junkie, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this palette and see if it lives up to the MAC hype. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s embark on this burgundy beauty journey together!
First Impressions: Packaging that Pops
Before we even get to the shadows themselves, can we take a moment to appreciate the packaging? MAC has seriously outdone themselves this time. The compact feels luxurious and has a nice weight to it, giving off those high-end vibes we all crave. The 3D effect on the top of the palette is a showstopper – it’s the kind of packaging that makes you want to display it proudly on your vanity.
One reviewer, Maria, perfectly captured my thoughts: “This product astounded me, the packaging is so nice. I love the 3D effect on the top of the palette.” It’s not just pretty to look at; it’s also practical. The sturdy construction means you can toss this in your makeup bag without worrying about it breaking or the shadows crumbling.
Another huge plus? The mirror! It’s a decent size and perfect quality, making this palette ideal for on-the-go touch-ups or travel. As Aelvgal mentioned, “The mirror in the palette is my new favorite for doing eyebrows and eyeshadow.” I couldn’t agree more!
Color Story: A Burgundy Dream
Now, let’s talk about what really matters – the shadows themselves. The Embedded in Burgundy palette features six pans of eyeshadow goodness. We’re looking at a mix of three mattes and three shimmers, all in a cohesive burgundy-inspired color story.
The shade range includes:
- A light champagne shimmer
- A yellow-toned gold shimmer
- A white-toned gold shimmer
- A taupe matte
- A dark brown matte
- A deep burgundy matte
This color combination is versatile enough for both everyday wear and more glamorous evening looks. As Emily, one of the reviewers, pointed out, “The colors in this palette are perfect for brown eyes. They are my go-to for everything from work, day-to-day, and even an evening out.”
What I love about this palette is how well-curated it is. You can create a complete eye look without reaching for any other shadows. The light shimmers are perfect for the inner corner and browbone, while the darker mattes work beautifully in the crease and outer V. And that burgundy shade? It’s the star of the show, perfect for adding depth and drama to any look.
Texture and Application: Smooth Operator
One of the first things I noticed when swatching these shadows was their incredibly smooth texture. They feel almost creamy to the touch, despite being powder shadows. This translates beautifully to application – they glide onto the lids like a dream.
Many reviewers echoed this sentiment. Nora9851 said, “The eyeshadows are a little dry but they do go on the eyelid so smoothly which I was not expecting.” Another reviewer, Stub, mentioned, “The shades are super pigmented & easy to blend!!”
Speaking of blending, that’s where these shadows really shine. Whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, you’ll appreciate how effortlessly these shadows blend. There’s no patchiness or harsh lines – just smooth, seamless color.
The only slight downside I noticed, which was also mentioned by a few reviewers, is that there can be a bit of kickup in the pan when you dip your brush in. However, this doesn’t translate to fallout on the face if you remember to tap off your brush before applying. A small price to pay for such buttery-smooth shadows, in my opinion!
Pigmentation: Color That Pops
MAC is known for their pigmented products, and this palette doesn’t disappoint. The color payoff is impressive across all six shades. With just one swipe, you get true-to-pan color that doesn’t require much building up.
The matte shades, in particular, are standout performers. They’re richly pigmented and apply evenly without any patchiness. The shimmer shades are also beautifully pigmented, though a few reviewers noted they wished they packed a bit more punch. Personally, I find them to be the perfect balance – shimmery enough to catch the light beautifully, but not so intense that they’re unwearable for daytime.
One reviewer, Jen, summed it up perfectly: “Usually MAC palettes don’t have the same pigment quality as the eyeshadow singles but I was impressed by this one. The pigment of the mattes and the shimmer ones were on point and the color payoff was great.”
Longevity: Staying Power That Impresses
When it comes to eyeshadow, longevity is key. After all, who wants to spend time creating a beautiful eye look only to have it fade or crease halfway through the day? I’m happy to report that the Connect In Colour palette passes the longevity test with flying colors.
Many reviewers reported that these shadows lasted all day without creasing, even on oily lids. One reviewer, Tye, mentioned, “I have really oily skin but this eyeshadow left an amazing look.” Another reviewer, Michelle, shared that the shadows “lasted allll day even with running around a kids birthday party with my toddler.”
I put these shadows through their paces, wearing them for a full 12-hour day that included a workout and running errands. I’m pleased to say that by the end of the day, my eye look was still intact. There was minimal fading and no creasing whatsoever.
It’s worth noting that while many reviewers achieved this longevity without primer, I always recommend using an eyeshadow primer to get the most out of your shadows, especially if you have oily lids.
Versatility: From Day to Night
One of the things I appreciate most about this palette is its versatility. The shade range allows for a variety of looks, from subtle daytime makeup to bold evening glam.
For a quick and easy daytime look, I like to sweep the light champagne shimmer all over the lid, deepen the crease with the taupe matte, and add a pop of the yellow-gold shimmer to the center of the lid. It’s a simple three-shadow look that’s perfect for the office or running errands.
When it’s time to amp things up for evening, that’s where the deeper shades come into play. The dark brown and burgundy mattes are perfect for creating a sultry smokey eye, while the shimmers add that extra touch of glamour.
As reviewer KeylaSG put it, “Absolutely beautiful, I love these rosy colors for any occasion!” The versatility of this palette means you’re getting great value for your money – it’s like having multiple looks in one compact package.
Skin Tone Friendliness
One concern I always have with eyeshadow palettes is how well they perform across different skin tones. I’m happy to report that based on the reviews, this palette seems to work well for a wide range of skin tones.
Reviewers of various skin tones, from fair to deep, reported loving how the colors looked on them. One reviewer with a deeper skin tone mentioned, “When swatching the colors I found the shimmery colors to look amazing and the pink or browns become a bit darker with my complexion, but they still look very beautiful.”
This versatility is a huge plus in my book. It’s always disappointing when a palette only works for a limited range of skin tones, so kudos to MAC for creating a palette that seems to be inclusive.
Comparison to Other MAC Products
As a long-time MAC fan, I couldn’t help but compare this palette to other MAC eyeshadows I’ve tried. Interestingly, several reviewers noted that they found the quality of these shadows to be superior to some of MAC’s other palette offerings.
One reviewer, Jen, mentioned, “Usually MAC palettes don’t have the same pigment quality as the eyeshadow singles but I was impressed by this one.” This sentiment was echoed by several other reviewers who felt that MAC really stepped up their game with this palette.
In my experience, I found the quality to be on par with MAC’s single shadows, which is high praise indeed. The pigmentation, blendability, and longevity are all what I’ve come to expect from MAC’s best products.
Value for Money
At first glance, the price point of this palette might seem a bit high for only six shadows. However, after using it and reading through the reviews, I believe it offers good value for money.
First, the quality of the shadows is top-notch. You’re getting MAC’s renowned formula in a well-curated, versatile color story. Second, the packaging is sturdy and travel-friendly, with a good-quality mirror included. This adds to the overall value of the product.
Lastly, the versatility of the palette means you’re getting multiple looks in one. As reviewer Ivonne G put it, “If you want a product that has a high-quality pigmented formula, is long-lasting, versatile, easy to blend and is cruelty-free, this is it!”
While it might be an investment, if you’re a fan of burgundy tones or looking for a palette that can take you from day to night effortlessly, I think this palette is worth the splurge.
Potential Downsides
In the interest of providing a balanced review, it’s important to note a few potential downsides that were mentioned in the reviews:
- Some reviewers found the shimmer shades to be less intense than they would have liked. If you prefer really foiled, metallic shimmers, you might find these a bit subtle.
- A few reviewers mentioned that there was some kickup in the pan when using a brush. While this didn’t translate to fallout on the face for most people, it’s something to be aware of.
- One reviewer mentioned that the deep red shade slightly stained their eyelids. While this wasn’t a common complaint, it’s worth noting if you have sensitive skin.
- A couple of reviewers felt that the color selection wasn’t versatile enough for everyday use. This will, of course, depend on your personal color preferences and makeup style.
These downsides were relatively minor and didn’t seem to significantly impact most reviewers’ overall positive experiences with the palette.
Final Thoughts
After thoroughly testing this palette and analyzing the customer reviews, I can confidently say that MAC’s Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Embedded in Burgundy is a winner in my book.
The packaging is beautiful and functional, making it perfect for both your vanity and your travel makeup bag. The color story is well-curated, allowing for a variety of looks from subtle to glam. The shadow quality is excellent, with impressive pigmentation, blendability, and longevity.
While there are a few minor drawbacks, such as potential kickup in the pan and shimmers that some might find too subtle, these are far outweighed by the positives. The palette seems to work well across a range of skin tones, adding to its appeal.
If you’re a fan of burgundy tones, looking for a versatile palette for day-to-night looks, or just want to try out a high-quality eyeshadow formula, I would definitely recommend giving this palette a try.
To sum it up in the words of reviewer 1994_MAC, “The soft, harmonious colors are easy to apply and complement medium, golden olive skin and green eyes. This is a wonderful palette to add to your MAC collection.
So, beauties, what do you think? Will you be adding the MAC Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette: Embedded in Burgundy to your makeup collection? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Remember, makeup is all about having fun and expressing yourself. Whether this palette speaks to you or not, always stay true to your unique beauty style. Until next time, stay gorgeous!
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