Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving deep into the new MAC Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in the shade Encrypted Kryptonite. As a long-time MAC makeup fan, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this palette and put it to the test.
Let’s start with the packaging, because we all know presentation is everything when it comes to makeup! The compact itself is absolutely stunning. It has this futuristic, space-age vibe with holographic accents that make it look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Very on-brand for a palette called “Encrypted Kryptonite”! The compact is sleek and sturdy, perfect for tossing in your bag for touch-ups on the go. And of course, it has that signature MAC black packaging that always feels luxe.
Inside, you get six eyeshadow shades nestled in a nice big mirror. I love when palettes include a decent mirror – it makes them so much more functional and travel-friendly. No more trying to do your eyeshadow in a tiny compact mirror! The shade names are printed right on the palette too, which is always appreciated.
Now, let’s talk about what really matters – the shadows themselves! This palette contains a mix of matte, satin, and shimmer finishes in a range of cool-toned neutral shades. You’ve got your standard highlight, transition, and deepening shades, plus a couple mid-tone options to play with. It’s a nice tight color story that gives you everything you need to create a complete look.
The standout of the palette is definitely “Satin Taupe”, a gorgeous shimmery taupe that would look stunning on any eye color. It has a smooth, almost creamy texture and epic pigmentation. Like, one swipe and you’re good to go pigmentation. “Satin Taupe” is the shade I’ve been reaching for the most because it’s just so easy to throw on the lid for a pretty, put-together eye look.
“Power Mode” is another winner in my book. It’s a deep matte gray that blends like a dream and really helps add some dimension and drama to any look. I’ve been loving it to deepen the outer corner and smoke things out a bit. It’s one of those shades that looks intimidating in the pan but is actually quite easy to work with.
The other matte shades, “Smoky Room” and “Clear History”, are nice versatile mid-tone browns that work well as transition shades. They’re smooth, blendable, and buildable, basically everything you want in a good crease color. “Smoky Room” is a bit warmer and more red-toned, while “Clear History” is a cooler taupe brown. Both pair well with the shimmers.
Speaking of the shimmers, “On The Cloud” is a pretty champagne with a frosty finish. It works well as an inner corner or brow bone highlight, but I’ve also been enjoying it swiped onto the center of the lid for a little pop of brightness. The texture is smooth and it has nice opacity without a ton of fallout which I appreciate.
The shade that seems to be dividing people is “Hi-Tea”, a very pale iridescent pink. In the pan, it has a cool purple reflect that drew me in. But on the lid, it can come off quite sheer and takes some building up to get a noticeable impact. The texture also feels slightly different than the other shimmers, a bit more dry and crumbly. It’s not bad per se, just not as immediately impressive as the other shades. I do think it makes a pretty whimsical accent color though!
Formula-wise, I’m happy to report that these shadows perform beautifully, especially for MAC. In the past, I’ve found MAC shadows to be a bit hit or miss in terms of texture and pigmentation. But the mattes in Encrypted Kryptonite are smooth, pigmented, and easy to blend, while the shimmers have a nice creamy feel and opaque shine. The wear time is solid too – over primer I can get a good 8 hours before any significant fading or creasing.
The only real downside of this palette is that the color story, while pretty, isn’t the most exciting or groundbreaking. As you can tell from the shade descriptions, they’re mostly variations on standard smoky neutrals. If you have a lot of neutral palettes in your collection, you might not find this one to be a must-have. That said, I do think the quality is there and the taupey color story is very on-trend right now. These sorts of wearable cool tones seem to be having a moment!
I’ve really been enjoying testing out different looks with this palette. For a quick and easy smoky eye, I’ll buff “Smoky Room” into the crease, tap “Satin Taupe” all over the lid, and run “Power Mode” along the lashline, finished off with the “On The Cloud” brow bone. It creates a nice sculpted eye that’s daytime appropriate but can also be amped up with a black liner for night.
When I want something a bit more fun, I’ve been playing with using “Clear History” as a transition and popping “Hi-Tea” onto the center of the lid surrounded by “Satin Taupe.” The little flash of iridescent pink is so pretty and really brightens up the look. Overall, while the color combinations aren’t revolutionary, I’ve had a lot of fun playing with different placements and pairings.
So, do you need the MAC Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Encrypted Kryptonite? If you’re a die-hard MAC collector or just love a good taupey neutral, I think it’s definitely worth checking out. The quality is there and the shades are flattering on a range of skin tones. Plus, the packaging is seriously stunning and durable.
However, if you already have a ton of neutral palettes or like to play with bolder, brighter colors, this might be an easy pass. Some of the shades like “Satin Taupe” and “Power Mode” are standouts, but overall the color story isn’t the most unique. It’s a pretty, wearable palette but not an absolute must-have in my opinion.
One thing I do appreciate about this launch is that MAC seems to have put some serious thought into curating the shade selections for each palette. Along with Encrypted Kryptonite, there are several different 6-pan color stories in the Connect In Colour collection. While I haven’t tried them yet, the other palettes seem to cover different color families and aesthetics, which I think is smart. It means there’s likely an option that will appeal to you whether you like smoky taupes, rosy mauves, or warm bronzes.
The other thing I want to applaud MAC for with this launch is the packaging. While I know we’re all here for the makeup itself, I’m a huge sucker for cute, collectible packaging. And MAC really nailed it with these compacts in my opinion! The holographic detailing and futuristic font are such a vibe and feel very unique to the brand. It’s the kind of outer packaging that makes you want to display the palette rather than tuck it away in a drawer. And anything that sparks joy in my makeup collection is a win!
All in all, I’ve enjoyed my time testing out the MAC Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Encrypted Kryptonite. The quality is there, the shade range is cohesive and flattering, and the packaging is top notch. It’s a solid palette for everyday neutral looks with a touch of shimmer and smoke. Not the most groundbreaking color story on the market, but a really nice option from MAC with improved shadow quality from previous releases. If any of the shades or the aesthetic is calling your name, I say go for it! Just don’t expect it to revolutionize your eyeshadow game.
I hope you found this review helpful and let me know in the comments if you’ve tried anything from the MAC Connect In Colour collection! I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if there are any other new eyeshadow launches you’d like me to review, definitely let me know. Until next time!
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