MAC Eye Shadows To Begin With

While I am no expert at eye makeup and definitely not a regular eye shadow wearer, there is something about MAC eye shadows that makes me want to (sometimes) get them out and make an effort. Could be the colors, or the blendability or may be just the brushes that I use! The other day I realized that for an eye makeup novice, I have a pretty decent stash of MAC eye shadows. So if you are like me, and love a good neutral and not sure where to begin, let me help you (read enable a purchase) with a few good options that MAC has to offer.

My four favorites first! and of course they are some shade of brown, bronze, gold or their cousin. I have brown eyes and although the color theory may or may not suggest a different color scheme, I always pick the safe option! And who’s complaining? I absolutely love the effect of a nicely done brown smokey eye and have pretty much figured out how to do a simple one on myself!

Back to the favorites, in no order :

Arena (satin) : gold, with peach undertones and slightly shimmery finish which MAC labels as Satin. Great for someone with my coloring as an all over lid color or just as a highlighter. Its gorgeous, fail-safe and neutral. easy to blend and not chalky at all

Moleskin (matte) LE : This is a gorgeous neutral matte brown with slight pink undertone which deepens my crease, smokes my eye liner and neutralizes my eye lids when I have had less sleep. This is my “sexy” “no-makeup makeup” eye shadow which looks amazing in real! Sadly this was limited edition and I picked up by chance but so glad I did!

Patina (satin) : When I bought this which was a long time ago this was relatively less known but had somehow caught my fancy. When I swatched it at the store I bought it instantly! This is my most worn eye shadow ever! Its duo chrome with slight green/grey/bronze/gold everything mixed in. I LOVE this one! Its an amazing shade for a variety of skin-tones! MUST HAVE

Mulch (satin) : Another gorgeous bronze from MAC which is very popular from what I know. This to me is MAC Teddy in eye shadow form. Similar effect, I sometimes use it to smudge a black eye liner and the effect is beautiful. Again a “one shade suit all” kind of color.

I have one single MAC eye shadow 4-pan palette, and I keep rotating my eye shadow pans on this one. I have a couple of Z palettes which hold the rest of the shades which are not in use.

I got Tempting, after I saw it on Kelly. She in fact has enabled a LOT of my early purchases! I use it to smudge out a black or dark brown eye liner and its STUNNING. This is a glittery eye shadow, but fortunately the glitter is not as much and its a lot more pigmented than others in this category. Its a bronze/gold and is beautiful even on its own.

MAC Soba, is a neutral brown with slight sheen, another Moleskin kind of one wash shade which I used a lot last month. Its a lot lighter than it looks and might not show up on skintones darker than mine.

All That Glitters! This is another favorite which I have worn a LOT! A gorgeous gold with peachy, pinky undertones it brightens up the eyes and make me look brighter. I sometimes wear it just in the inner corners and it makes for a great highlight. This is a universal favorite!

MAC Espresso is my MAC Coffee eyeliner in powder form. It leans slightly warm and I use it to smudge that eye liner for a quick and sultry eye look! Beautiful for people with light brown eyes!

Currently, Humid, Texture, Rice paper and Club are hibernating. I have them in my Z palette stashed away in some corner. Texture is a great crease color. Its a warm brown with orange undertones so it counteracts any blue veins on the lids.

Christine has a comprehensive roundup of all MAC eye shadows, with swatches and dupes which I always go back to when I need details on a shade. Definitely recommend checking it out for swatches and possible detailed reviews!