Do you ever want to pull out all of your makeup and do an eye look that you would otherwise never wear? This grownup “play time” — I constantly crave it. Constantly. And lately I’ve been toying with the idea of a 100% black smoky eye.
This neutral-loving girl has almost always approached smoke safely, rarely venturing out into the deeper end of her Urban Decay Naked palettes…
Aaand then the MAC Studio Eye Glosses happened, and I could no longer resist my desire to experiment.
I mean, indulging in makeup play time is a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it, right? 🙂 In the interest of makeup experimentation, I think I’m up to the task.
I can’t help but notice that the MAC Studio Eye Glosses don’t always get the best reviews…but I think they’re a runway makeup artist’s dream. They’re also temperamental and require some patience, just like an expensive sports car. The eye gloss trend definitely falls more into the editorial/runway makeup category than the everyday makeup lover category that most makeup lovers are comfortable with.
They come in a carefully curated range of colors ($22 each) intended to really amplify your eye looks with a new texture, rather than a new shadow finish.
I couldn’t wait to get my greedy little paws into these beautiful, shimmering gel pots, and the first thing I noticed when I did was their texture. I expected something more along the lines of a gritty lip balm…but they have a smooth consistency, more along the lines of an emollient glue stick.
Don’t let that description fool you, though. I was concerned that once I applied these, my lids would feel “stuck” when I tried to open my eyes, but that didn’t happen. My lids looked glossy and felt surprisingly comfortable.
Lightly Tauped, a light beige gloss with pearl, is exactly the kind of shade that I like to wear in lip glosses to top off other more matte shades.
And guess what? These also work the same way on top of lipsticks, just like a gloss. I may even wear this beauty on my lips all on its own!
Honey Money, a true yellow gold metallic glitter, looks absolutely gorgeous when layered over foiled gold eye shadow for a blindingly bright, incredibly reflective metallic eye.
Seductively gorgeous Medoc is a deep blackened burgundy that reflects ruby (ooh!). I think it’s beautiful on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with Noticeably Noir, a black with multicolored glitter.
To say that I’ve had fun playing with these would be an understatement. For this look, I started with my trusty MAC Painterly Paint Pot, topped it with my favorite matte black shadow, created the shape I wanted with a blending brush and a neutral brown shadow, and then piled on MAC Studio Eye Gloss with my fingertips. Then, to keep the look dark, I patted Noticeably Noir up to and just slightly above my crease and tapped Medoc toward the center of my eye for added dimension.
Did this wear well? No…not in the traditional sense. You can see in the photographs that the Eye Gloss creates a lived-in editorial look that creases and shines.
And guess what? It’s supposed to look that way. You won’t see a negative review from this gal because MAC Studio Eye Gloss delivers on its promises and looks glossy and grunge chic. I see myself wearing it for nights on the town but, truth be told, I could easily be persuaded to wear it grocery shopping.
This experimental makeup lover wants to know: would you try a lived-in, glossy, grunge-inspired eye? And where do you stand on the eye gloss trend?
Ha, way too far outside my comfort zone, but you can definitely pull it off!
Thank you Susan! I sort of wish I could go to work this way daily … 🙂
Jessica
I can dig it! Editorial, runway makeup looks always look stellar in print & on the runway. Personally, it’s not a look I’d wear, but I wish I could. Back in the day-day, I did some lite modeling & the look you created would’ve gone perfectly with a gown I once wore in a fashion show. Every time I see a print ad featuring a similar look in a magazine, I always think the models look bad-@$$ 🙂
So awesome! I wish I could get a gander at this lace dress. 🙂
I agree that this isn’t likely something you’d just wear to go to Target. That said, it could be fun for a night on the town.
Jessica
This is beyond my comfort zone! The colors are gorgeous though! There are a couple of colors I’d live to see in a non-gloss version.
I think I need to protest MAC to have them bring us Medoc in standard, powder shadow form … don’t you? It’s so stunning!
Jessica
I used to have Lightly Tauped and I just HATED how gooey and sticky it felt on my lids. Creased like no one’s business as well… I actually used it as a lip gloss for a while, hehe.
That’s totally how I’ve been wearing Lightly Tauped! They may have reformulated because these don’t feel sticky on my lids at all.
Jessica
Medoc looks like my kind of colour. But, no. While I love the glossy effects, no creasing for me please.
I deeply wish Medoc was available in shadow form. It’s stunning!
Jessica
First off – damn, girl. That smoky eye is off the chain. Great job!! I think these are probably a makeup artist’s dream!
Thank you, Becky! I had a lot of fun with this as it’s definitely not something I’d wear every day. 🙂
Jessica
Damn gurl, you’re HOT! Seriously, you look amazing!!!
I’ve always been attracted to the MAC eye glosses and after this post I really feel like I need them in my life.
Ha! Thank you Carolina! I had so much fun creating this look.
I seriously adore them, but to be honest with you I can’t think of a time I’d wear them. Perhaps date night?
Jessica
Awesome review!! Love your pictures and honest opinion. I’m always intrigued by these but haven’t boughy one bc I’m not sure I could pull off “edgy” lol. I tried it once and it was a fail! But you look so badass in these pictures!!
Thank you, Adia! Somehow it came together (despite the tattoos I’m not too edgy myself so it felt a little silly putting on that much black eye makeup). If all else fails, some of these make nice lip glosses. 🙂
Jessica
This is a look I would love to feel confident enough to rock. But I feel like glasses would get in the way! This looks amazing on you, btw.
Thank you lady! I normally wear glasses myself and I don’t let them hold me back much. You could totally pull off a smoky eye with your cute frames. 🙂
Jessica
I LOVE glossy eyes but when the eye glosses first came out, the reviews were bad – it was sticky, it bled all over, it creased. . . so I was scared to even try. After looking at your finished look and thinking about that Lightly Tauped color that I had swatched a couple of times, I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I LOVE IT. Maybe they changed the formula or something, but it doesn’t feel sticky on my eyes at all, it stayed in place, it SHINES, it’s gorgeous! Thanks for giving me the nerve to try it. I’m definitely glad I got it!
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that! I’m thinking they did reforumlae because the product I used doesn’t resemble the early reviews!
Jessica
I loved your review!! I’ve wanted the eye gloss for a long time. You’ve sold me. It makes me sad that it has such negative reviews. I think that people unfortunately aren’t skilled enough or aren’t comfortable enough to wear it. Or don’t stick with it long enough to work with it.
You NAILED that Smokey eye. I can’t wait to try something like that with medoc.