Hi, guys! Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog, and my molar back here is feeling a little achy because I’ve got a sweet tooth! (badum-tish!)
Yes, I’m sure you know how much I like puns by now. 🙂
I’m sweet on the Eyeshadow X 9: Semi-Sweet Times Nine Palette from the new MAC Eyes on MAC collection, which is a little awkward to say out loud, yeah?
OK, so this one’s coming out on March 2nd, which is in just a few days, and will be online and in stores until April 13th.
It’s all about the six X 9 Eye Shadow Palettes, four of which are new, and two are re-promotes from the permanent line. They’re $32 each.
I wouldn’t normally get too excited about these palette because…I dunno…in the past, I just haven’t been too crazy about them. They aren’t… The shadows in them just aren’t of the same quality as the full-size MAC pans. I have to push a little harder to get them on my brush or layer a little more than I’m used to with the regular MAC shadows… Oh, and clean up more fallout, too!
But this one, Semi-Sweet, is really friggin’ good! I’m kind of shocked. First of all, let’s just call this Karen makeup crack, alright? Nine shadows. All neutral. All matte. HALLELUJAH! ‘Tis glorious and totally my thing.
And these are super soft, with the exception of two of the shades — Bamboo and Carbon, which are a little stiff and need some elbow grease to pick up. The other shadows are very soft. I’m able to easily pick them up with my brush, and they blend beautifully. No issues with them at all! And very little fallout.
Here’s the thing, though:
Yes, there’s a caveat to this palette.
I notice that when I layer the shadows on top of thicker bases — Paint Pots, cream shadow sticks, even pencil liner — the powders look heavy, meaning that they look like they’re sitting on top of my skin, so if you’ve got any fine line action happening, your fine lines will look more obvious than they will with some other matte shadows like the ones in the Dolce & Gabbana’s Desert Quad.
With thinner bases, though — basically anything non-creamy, like NARS Pro Prime or any of the Urban Decay Primer Potions — the shadows don’t look heavy. They look great.
Bottom line is that as long as you don’t plan to do a lot of layering on top of thicker bases, you’re golden.
I really dig this palette. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a good little palette for $32. The colors are truly neutral, too, not too warm nor cool, so if you plan to get other shadows up in the mix, these shades should work with lot of colors.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Looks like we made it! How was your Monday, babe? I hope it was wonderful. 🙂
I feel the same wqy about MAC palettes, but if you say this one is different I would be willing to give them a go. Them as in the shadows. Or should it be it like the palette? I was home sick yesterday, so it is basically Monday for me right now and my brain isn’t really working properly.
Happy Tuesday! I’m not very shadowy (maybe a little shady – HAHA!) but these look great on you. Short week for me, work wise, so this is kind of like my Thursday – which is nice. 🙂
How is El Hub liking the new job? I hope he’s settling in well and things are going swimmingly.
Happy Tuesday to you too! Thanks for asking about El Hub’s new gig. He’s settling in and finding his groove. Connor and I sure do miss him, though, because we don’t get to see him as much as we used to. Hopefully in a few months things will get more into a steady pattern. 🙂
When do you guys leave for the State Championships?
I’m so glad to hear that! And you’re 100% right. Once the newness wears off a bit, I’m sure he’ll be able to spend less time there. 🙂
We’re heading out tomorrow. The boys aren’t thrilled that I want to leave at 9AM but the drive is over 6 hours. The Hubs is already there (he has had training all week and was able to stay at the same hotel we’d booked). It was quite convenient for him! So, fingers crossed for the fellas. The team came in 2nd place two years ago and it’s really their last chance to win. My boys are first year players but all the talent is with the 2nd years and they’ll be too old to play next year. I hope they’ll be able to do it because it means so much to some of them. 🙂
You did a great look here, Karen!
That is a very pretty palette!!
Yeees… I can notice this fact by scrolling down to the swatched Carbon, in fact it looks so weak. By the way, Everyone’s Darling looks great both on the an and the swatch! What an interesting shade!
Hi Karen, love the blog! I’m a total makeup newbie, and I was just gifted this exact palette. I love, love, love your makeup in this post, any tips on how to recreate it? Cheers!