MAC Unsung Heroes: Constructivist Paint Pot

mac constructivist paint pot — MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist ($22)

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

When you’re on your second pot of MAC Constructivist — wait, I think this might be my third? — it’s probably time to put flowers in its hair, stick it on a float, and throw a parade for it (don’t forget the brass band). Or, you could give it the Unsung Heroes treatment. 🙂

Dude, what a snazzy little Paint Pot! This pearlescent reddish brown cream eyeshadow is a $22 member of the MAC permanent line, and we’ve been hanging out even more than usual lately.

If you love brown eyeshadows as much as I do (and I know my girls are out there; I can’t be the only one!), Constructivist is absolutely must-have, especially if you’re also a MAC fan and a lover of neutral shadows.

Flexibility is Constructivist’s super power. You can wear it by itself (which I do all the time), or use it as a base under other powder eyeshadows, and hello! — it looks lovely with so many different shades, but I’ll talk about that more in a second.

mac constructivist paint pot 2 — MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist ($22)

Highly recommended for hop-to-it mornings when you can’t dilly-dally. On days like that I’ll grab Constructivist and set my timer for 20 minutes (or sometimes 15…), and I know I’ll be able to finish an eye look with it because Constructivist is one of those products with a lot of leeway to improvise.

Because it’s creamy like soft serve, edges are easy to erase, and it lasts so long on its own that I can skip primer and just apply it on mah bare lids.

Sometimes I’ll pat it on with a MAC 239 brush, then buff out the edges with a MAC 217, repeating that process a few times. Then I’ll do a little Teddy, Costa Riche or Prunella eyeliner on my water lines, add some mascara, finish the rest of my face, and I’m done.

And when I have a little more time and somewhere special to go, I might add some black winged liner along my upper lash lines, because I think that elevates the whole ensemble.

Constructivist rocks those quickie eye looks! It’s also really beautiful when worn as a base for classic MAC shades like Sable and Mulch (particularly those two), but basically anything brown, reddish brown, golden brown, purply brown or bronze should work well with it too.

I use it all the time with the Nordstrom Naturals 15-pan palette. That one has several shades that look great on top of Constructivist. One combo I like to do involves Saddle in the crease, Mulch on my lids and a bit of Beauty Marked in the outer corner.

The MAC Warm Neutral Palette is another one. Even the Brooks Shields Gravitas palette… Remember that one?

mac constructivist paint pot swatch — MAC Constructivist swatched on my NC 42 skin

The thing about the Paint Pots is that they tend to dry out, but if you screw the cap on tightly, and store the Paint Pot upside down, it helps. It also makes it so you can see the name of the color right there on the bottom label. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Unsung Heroes series (a subset of my regular Unsung Makeup Heroes series) features some of my all-time favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection

Comments

Katie says

October 6th, 2015 at 3:18 pm

I think a lot of the Paint Pots, besides like Painterly and Soft Ochre which are so popular, are underrated! I have Indianwood and it’s a great richening base for coppers, bronzes, and browns, or just smoked out on its own!

CrystalCandy says

October 6th, 2015 at 4:47 pm

Ohhh that’s a gorgeous color!

Savannah says

October 6th, 2015 at 5:08 pm

Hmm… Maybe I should try this one out. I had Indianwood and I really wasn’t a fan, the chocolate color on my skin tone wasn’t flattering. I liked rubenesque, but I b2m’d it because it was getting old already and I keep on top of stuff like how long I’ve had eye products for.

Laarni says

October 6th, 2015 at 5:52 pm

This has been in my wishlist since the day I discovered Painterly! Gotta love these pots! Thank you for the reminder, Mommy Karen! Hihi

Kwmechelle says

October 6th, 2015 at 6:50 pm

*raises hand* I’m a neutral/brown eyeshadow lover! I have & love Mulch. And I’ve hit pan. Give me a moment, though, * insert tears here,* I didn’t get the Brooke Shields palette. Sad day when I went to purchase it & it was sold out. Cool of you to introduce this color. I need to go & make its acquaintance. Love MAC paint pots.

Kiss & Make-up says

October 7th, 2015 at 2:20 am

I just got a new Paint Pot, from the new MACnificent collection and uuuuugh it just reminded me of how GOOD the paint pots are!!! 🙂

LindaLibraLoca says

October 7th, 2015 at 2:57 am

I love my paintpots for everyday use, but I somehow never tried Constructivist. I stick to Groundwork If I do a brown shadow, but that one seems to have a little more oomph.

Amber says

October 7th, 2015 at 11:49 am

This is such a beautiful shade, and it’s been on my to-buy list for ages. I love deep browns like this. Thanks for the extra nudge Karen. I’ll pick it up stat! 😉

Erin says

October 7th, 2015 at 1:46 pm

Love the color in the swatch on your arm. Great for you skin tone. I don’t think I could pull it off.

Stephanie A. says

October 8th, 2015 at 8:10 am

I LOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE Constructivist! I’m wearing it now–hell, I’ve worn it almost daily for the last month. It’s so easy, and just does something pretty awesome for my dark brown eyes. I apply it with my fingers, and blend it up, then run a little on my lower lash line. To “fancy” it up, I will sometimes press a bit of Half Baked, from my Naked palette, on top of Constructivist in the center of my lid. If I were a poet, I would write freaking sonnets about my love of Constructivist!

Valerie C. says

October 11th, 2015 at 3:30 pm

I have this one and Painterly. I love using them both for a quick smoky look!