Hey there beauty lovers! Today we’re diving deep into one of the most iconic eyeshadow formulas out there – the M∙A∙C Eye Shadow available as Pro Palette Refill Pans. As a self-professed eyeshadow junkie, I’ve personally tried dozens of M∙A∙C shades over the years. But for this article, I wanted to go beyond just my own experience.
I scoured over 60 customer reviews to get a comprehensive look at what real people think about these shadows. From holy grail shades to polarizing picks, there was a lot to unpack! So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s get into it.
Crowd Favorites
: Top Rated M∙A∙C Shades
Let’s kick things off with the shades that earned rave reviews across the board:
Brule
This matte cream shade was a hit for its versatility. Reviewers love using it as an eye brightening base shade or to soften and blend out edges. Katherine says it “glides on smoothly and stays put all day” while CB88 notes it blends beautifully despite having hooded eyes. If you’re looking for a solid neutral base, Brule is a great pick.
Satin Taupe
This one is a classic for a reason! The shimmery taupe shade flattered a wide range of skin tones. Reviewers complimented its pigmentation, blendability, and ability to add dimension to looks. Anon819 summed it up perfectly, saying “The perfect taupe. Hints of purple in some lights, hints of copper in others. Everyone needs this in their collection.”
Woodwinked
Another stunner in the shimmer category, this golden bronze shade was a winner. Reviewers loved its buttery texture and bold color payoff. Anon819 gushed “Woodwinked is the perfect golden bronzy brown. I thought it’d be too yellow for my skin, but it somehow looks perfect.” Sounds like this one has that special magic to flatter a variety of complexions!
Omega
On the matte side, Omega earned top marks as a versatile neutral. Reviewers enjoyed its pigmentation and ability to create a smooth base for other shades. Allyson says it “Creates a beautifully matte canvas for layering.” If you’re looking to invest in some core mattes, add this one to your list.
So those are some of the best-loved shades, but of course beauty is subjective! Let’s talk about a few that had more mixed reviews.
Polarizing Picks
Passionate
This vibrant magenta shade sparked a lot of chatter. Some reviewers absolutely adored the bold color, like Catherine who said “It’s giving Christmas so right in time.” Others struggled with it being too bright or not flattering on their skin tone. The lesson? Definitely swatch this one in person if you can! It’s not for the color shy.
Naval
This deep navy blue was another one that divided opinion. Some reviewers struggled with the color payoff, like NP who said “the payoff could be better but love how it looks with lighter greens and blues.” Others found it unique and worth the work to build up, like Anon819 who said “Cobalt takes a bit of work to build up, but the shade is so unique, it’s worth the work.”
With bold shades like these, a lot comes down to personal preference and your willingness to play with application techniques. They may not be everyday staples, but they can add a fun pop to your collection.
The Discontinued Dismay
One thing that stood out was the passion reviewers had for discontinued shades. Poor Don E. was devastated that his beloved Gesso was retired, saying “it’s enough to make me boycott Mac and forget the company altogether.” Harriet said she was “heartbroken” that Patina, her “absolute favourite eyeshadow,” got the chop.
It’s a good reminder that even the most iconic brands retire products sometimes. If you fall in love with a limited edition or less popular shade, it might be wise to grab a backup!
The Pros Weigh In
Something I love about M∙A∙C is how many professional makeup artists swear by their products. That definitely showed in the reviews, with several self-identified pros chiming in.
Makeup artist Allyson gave glowing reviews to her go-to shades like Brule, Omega and Shroom. She especially complimented the mattes, saying Omega “Creates a clean canvas” and that Embark was perfect for dramatic looks since “a little goes a long way.”
As a blogger, I always perk up when the pros speak. If something works for the most demanding and experienced makeup lovers, that’s a great sign for the rest of us!
The Shade Range Lowdown
One thing that sets M∙A∙C eyeshadows apart is the absolutely enormous shade range. With so many options, there really is something for everyone. The reviews covered a nice mix of neutrals and brights, mattes and shimmers.
Neutrals
Trusty neutral shades definitely got a lot of love. Reviewers complimented picks like Soft Brown, Wedge, Omega, Brule, and Era for their blendability and ability to play well with other shades. If you’re building your first custom palette, you can’t go wrong starting with some of these tried and true picks.
Shimmers & Metallics
The reviews confirm M∙A∙C knows how to do shimmer right. Picks like Woodwinked, Sumptuous Olive, Amber Lights, Satin Taupe, and Honey Lust all earned raves for their high-impact glow. Phrases like “buttery”, “rich color payoff”, “a little goes a long way” popped up over and over.
If you’re a shimmer lover, definitely give these a look. Just be warned – you may get hooked on the luxe formula!
Brights
Of course, it wouldn’t be a M∙A∙C roundup without some bold pops. Shades like Passionate, Cranberry, and Naval all deliver a serious color punch. Reviewers loved the uniqueness of these shades while cautioning they take some work to apply.
The bottom line? If you’re willing to play around with brushes and build up the color, you can achieve some really impressive bold looks with these. Just maybe not the thing to attempt in a rushed morning!
The Texture Tribunal
Another thing I wanted to investigate was what people thought about the different eyeshadow finishes. M∙A∙C offers several options, and it seems like each has its pros and cons.
Mattes
The matte shades earned praise for their smooth, blendable texture and ability to work as base shades or crease colors. Reviewers found them buildable and long-wearing, with minimal fallout. Seems like a great choice if you’re going for a more understated or professional look.
Shimmers/Frosts
On the shimmer side, reviewers were impressed with the color payoff and buttery feel. Many noted that using these shades with a dampened brush amplified the effect even more. The only downside noted was that a few shades had chunky glitter that could lead to fallout. If you’re a glitter lover, you may want to do your eyes before your complexion products, just in case!
Veluxe Pearls
This finish seemed to be a favorite, with several reviewers calling out its luxurious, almost creamy texture. Anon819 said “I love the texture of the veluxe pearl shadows the most.” Definitely one to check out if you can!
Of course, a lot comes down to preference. But based on the reviews, I’d say M∙A∙C has options that can cater to a wide range of texture preferences.
The Application Analysis
Let’s talk technique! How you apply your eyeshadow can make a big difference in the end result. Here are some tips and tricks I picked up from the reviews:
Use the Right Brushes
Several reviewers noted that the right tools made all the difference, especially for the bolder shades. Mack had great success using Nehru “on a wet angled brush to create a lived-in smudgey liner look.” Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brush shapes and densities to find your perfect combo.
Amp Up the Payoff
If you’re looking for a more intense look, try using your shimmers with a dampened brush. Makeup Girl reported this gave Honey Lust “such a great shine.” You can use a setting spray or just plain water to transform the powder into a luxe metallic finish.
Blend, Blend, Blend
The key to a seamless eye look? Blending of course! Reviewers praised the shadows’ blendability, with KellyAnne saying they “blend like a dream.” Take the time to really buff out the edges for a polished result.
Experiment with Combos
Half the fun of eyeshadow is mixing and matching! Reviewers loved pairing these shades together. Catherine said she loved using Passionate “over a base of Ripened, with It’s Vintage in the crease (both Power Kiss) and Ready to Party (Extra Dimension) in the 3rd corner.” Don’t be afraid to play around and find your own favorite combo.
The reviews make it clear – with the right tools and techniques, you can really maximize these shadows. Time to get creative and have fun with it!
The Staying Power Scoop
Of course, no eyeshadow is worth the hype if it’s gone by lunchtime. So I dug into the reviews to see what people thought about the longevity of these shadows.
The verdict? Pretty darn good! Phrases like “lasts all day”, “great staying power”, “crease resistant”, and “long-wearing” came up again and again. Reviewers were impressed with how well the shadows held up, even on oily eyelids or watery eyes.
One reviewer, Jae, even said her look “lasts all day and night even stays on swimming underwater”! While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend cannonballing in a full eye look, it’s great to know these shadows can go the distance.
The only minor complaints were about a bit of fallout with the more glittery shades. But overall, it seems like you can rely on these to last through work, play, and everything in between.
Price and Value
Let’s talk money. We all know M∙A∙C isn’t the cheapest brand out there. But do the eyeshadows earn their keep?
Reviewers seemed to think so, with many saying the shadows were worth the price for the quality. Phrases like “a little goes a long way”, “rich color payoff”, and “don’t need to use much” paint a picture of shadows that aren’t just expensive for the sake of it.
However, some reviewers did note that M∙A∙C is a bit of a splurge, especially if you’re building a whole custom palette. The refill pans are cheaper than the individual pots, but it can still add up.
My take? These aren’t the shadows to buy if you’re just looking for a cheap thrill. But if you’re willing to invest in high-quality staples that will last ages, they’re a great choice. You can always start with a few core shades and build your collection slowly.
Packaging and Presentation
Finally, I want to talk about the X factor – packaging! There’s no denying M∙A∙C products look lovely on the vanity. The sleek black compacts and classic bullet logo scream understated luxury.
The Pro Palette system earned particular raves for its customizable nature and “palette-friendly” approach. Rachel gushed “I have the large palette with several eyeshadows and one blush. What would be awesome is if you made some of the other products palette-friendly – powder foundation, corrector, etc – traveling would be a breeze with everything in place.
As someone who’s perpetually doing her makeup on the go, I have to agree! The ability to mix and match your own shades in a sleek travel-friendly palette is a major plus.
The only tiny quibble was that a few reviewers found the shadow pans could be a bit fiddly to get in and out of the palettes. But overall, people loved the chic, customizable vibes.
The Final Verdict
Phew, we covered a lot of ground! With over 60 reviews in the mix, I feel like we got a comprehensive look at what the M∙A∙C Eye Shadow Pans have to offer.
The TLDR? These shadows are a staple for a reason. With buttery mattes, rich shimmers, and an unbeatable shade selection, there really is something for everyone. The pigmentation, blendability, and staying power all earned top marks from everyday consumers and professional makeup artists alike.
While they’re not the cheapest option out there, reviewers seem to agree that the quality is worth the price. And with the customizable Pro Palette system, you can curate your dream selection.
Of course, no product is perfect. There were some gripes about discontinued shades, glittery fallout, and the occasional tricky-to-work-with bold color. But overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
So what’s my take? If you’re looking to invest in some high-quality, reliable eyeshadows, give M∙A∙C a try. Start with a few neutral must-haves like Brule, Satin Taupe or Woodwinked, then spice it up with a fun pop of color like Cranberry or Sumptuous Olive. Take the time to experiment with different brushes and techniques, and I think you’ll be very happy with the results.
And above all – have fun! Makeup is about creativity, self-expression, and feeling amazing in your own skin. So go forth and play with all the shimmery, matte, bold goodness M∙A∙C has to offer. I have a feeling you’ll love it as much as these reviewers did!
Until next time, beauty lovers. Stay gorgeous!
Xoxo, Your Friendly Neighborhood Beauty Blogger
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