Truth: when I take out the new MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows ($20; available now in 10 shades), I hum the Twilight Zone theme song to myself, because these new cream/powder/liquid hybrids take me on a journey through space and time. A journey to another dimension. One filled with blinding shine. And pigment for days! And blending that even lazy people can handle, LOL!
MAC says they used a new technology on this new line of shadows that combines the best of three worlds — cream, liquid and powder. The shadows are designed to deliver the smoothness of a cream, the blend-ability of a liquid and the wear and ease of a powder.
I like ’em. They’re really pigmented and super shimmery, and best of all, so easy to blend.
If you’ve been wanting to try more complicated eye looks with multiple shades but get tripped up by blending, the Extra Dimensions can make creating those transitions in colors a whole lot easier. There’s almost a wetness to the colors, and for me, they seem much quicker and easier to blend than traditional eyeshadows.
The other day I wore Modern Pewter all over my lids, Young Venus in the inner corners and Dark Dare along my upper lash lines, and I hardly had to exert any effort at all! — just a few swipes to blend the colors together seamlessly. Plus, because the shadows latch on to lids (well, initially at least, but more on that in a few), I didn’t observe any fallout.
If I were starring on some weird reality TV show with a challenge in which I had to wake up at 3 in the morning and execute a perfectly blended, vibrant eye with six eyeshadows in less than 10 minutes, I’d grab the Extra Dimension Eye Shadows (my only hope of escaping elimination!). If after that they asked me to operate heavy machinery, THEN I’d be screwed. Because who doesn’t belong behind the wheel at the witching hour?
This girl. 🙂
Wearing Young Venus, Modern Pewter and Dark Dare
Extra Dimension Eye Shadows
Wearing Lunar and Blue Orbit
Extra Dimension Eye Shadow swatches from the left: Lunar, Dark Dare, Blue Orbit, Modern Pewter and Young Venus
The next time I have to be somewhere obscenely early in the morning, I’m wearing olive Modern Pewter, my favorite shade from the launch. I feel like it turns on a light behind my eyes.
Of course, unlike Cee-Lo’s cat, these aren’t Purr-fect (what is?). They have a pretty limited wear time on my combination dry/oily skin.
I tested the Extra Dimensions with and without my favorite NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, and without the primer, they disappear in about four hours — like straight-up gone into eyeshadow heaven. Other than a little left in my fine lines and creases, they’re gone.
When I wear them with primer, however, I do get better wear time of about six hours.
I’d thought these would perform a lot like the Metal-Xs, a batch of cream shadows that MAC released a few months ago. The Metal-Xs seem to benefit from the use of a primer and a powder shadow, but in a lot of ways I think the Extra Dimension Eye Shadows are an improvement, particularly when it comes to wear time.
In a perfect world, I’d be able to apply them on top of a primer, and they’d stay put without fading for a solid eight hours.
Almost, but not quite. I love the colors, shine, lack of fallout and how easy they are to blend, but they’d be even more amazing if they lasted a little longer.
PRICE: $20 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at MAC counters, stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Just chugging along out here in Nor Cal! It’s a beautiful sunny day today, and Tabs is begging to go for a walk. I hope you’re having a good one so far.
That combo of Lunar and Blue Orbit is AMAZING. Sigh, do I really need them though?
Girlfriend, please tell me that you aren’t on eyeshadow lockdown, too!
Whoa – only 6 hours with primer???? I’m heart broken. I love the look of Modern Pewter, but not if it won’t last through the day. So sad. Pretty colors deserve so much better!
Yeah. I know. And NARS holds onto EVERYTHING.
I know. NARS is the best! I just picked up another tube during the Sephora sale. It might be the only product besides Maybelline Full N Soft that I’ve used up and bought more of.
Haha, so did I! Now that I think about it, I wish I picked up two. Did you get anything else from the sale? I got a Caudalie serum and stocked up on some Bumble & Bumble staples.
These lasted all day on me. I used a paint pot though so maybe the tackiness from that helped?
I bet it did. I’ll have to try that.
OMG Karen I got the Skinfinish in Superb and Havana e/s. That early 80s glow – I HAD to have it! I remember being a wee, tiny one and thinking how glamourous and beautiful the models looked. I’ll need something to make Havana stand out more (darker eyelids). I was thinking a warm, contrasting grey. Any suggestions?
Hi Shiny,
Hmm, do you do purples? I’m thinking Havana in the crease and a purple on the lid would look pretty darn beautiful.
You look HAWT in Lunar and Blue Orbit!
Thanks, Marian!
I’m kind of glad I only bought two. I thought the texture would be much more like true cream eye shadows, but instead was really dry and hard. I couldn’t pick up any colour using a brush and had to use fingers instead. It’s weird…
Hi Shusheshe,
Interesting. What brush did you use? I used a flat eyeshadow brush and it worked really well.
I got Superb Skinfinish today. I can’t wait to wear it.
Hi Tiffany,
That is my fave shade out of the Skinfinishes. You will love it!
I didn’t get any eyeshadows, but I got Superb and Whisper of Gilt from this collection. I’m still waiting for MACY’S to ship it. =) I’m sooo excited. I’ve been on a highlighter craze lately even though I already found my holy grail (Dior Amber Diamond).
Superb is cool! It’s my fave from the bunch. You will love it!
Ooohh I’m really lusting over the Pewter shade! Don’t know if I can justify buying ANOTHER neutral shadow though.. but I’m sure I’ll find some way to convince myself of how much I need it when I visit the MAC counter 😉
Haha, that happens to me all the time, Louise. Just when I think I don’t need another coral gloss/brown eyeshadow/pink blush another comes along and seduces me! What else are you thinking about checking from this launch?
I picked up modern pewter today! Can’t wait to try it out
Hi Suzi,
Ahh, love that color! 🙂
Lunar looks amazing!
Oh no!!! I was REALLY looking forward to these, but I don’t want to buy something that won’t hold onto my lids for like 10 hours (usually eyeshadows hold up for 10+ hours on me with UDPP)!
*weeps some miserable tears* You look SO gorgeous with both looks I feel really bad that these suckers don’t hold up 🙁 So disappointed aargh!
So ive been saying I wanted more of these, right? But now im having a quick rethink. I love the 2 I have, dont get me wrong. But I can also go try other brands of similar formulation, is what im thinking now. Decisions decisions. LOL!
Confession: I clicked on this article but didn’t allow myself to read the entire review. I am too afraid that Karen’s stellar review and beautiful pictures will persuade me to buy the new eye shadows.
I’m going back to school in the fall so trying to save as best as I can. Wanted to drop by to give Karen some accolades on the power of her post.
I am wrestling with myself…I really want Modern Pewter, but do I really need it??? Hahaha.
I love your second look with Lunar and Blue Orbit! So pretty! I only got Modern Pewter so far but I might take a look at Lunar. 🙂
The wear time is a little disappointing though I love the pattern on the surface, the blue shade looks gorgeous!