MAC Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner Review & Swatches
For a brand that created cult favorites like the Shadestick and Greasepaint Sticks one has to question what the hell happened when MAC created their new MAC Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner Pencils.
Eh?
This formula ventures so out the norm of stick pencils I’ve tried from them in the past I really had to question whether it was from MAC at all.
This is another example of how MAC has been going downhill with their quality lately…!
The new MAC Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner Sticks are a limited edition launch (thank God) with the MAC & Beth Ditto Collection. These are $22 each and available in four shade duos which totals eight colors.
I think they are automatically an exciting launch for those who really love Shadesticks, Greasepaint Sticks, or just love cream shadow formulas in general.
The duo pencil includes a slanted tip liner shade and a rounded/domed shadow stick. I think the liner side should have been a more traditional pencil rather than a tapered tip liner as this makes for a thicker lining technique. I found myself testing the shades out as shadows rather than lining my eyes with them. The tapered end of the liner shade is best suited for inner corner detailing rather than actually lining your lash line but that’s just the way I felt they were best used. Of course, this collection was something inspired by Beth Ditto and Beth does go for a thicker line so if you like a thicker lined look you won’t be bothered by the larger liner size.
On the down side the formula is awful. Period. The end.
As I mentioned above, MAC has successfully created some fabulous cream shadow sticks in the past but something seriously went wrong with the Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner formula. The texture is hard and proves very difficult to apply because of this. There is some serious tugging going on here and I’m unsure how many people will appreciate being so harsh around such a delicate area of their eye. The formula is far from creamy and has a certain dryness to it that results in patchy application. Blending proves difficult as well since the formula is waterproof and therefore lacks unnecessary moisture in turn leaving the pencils with a less than creamy feel. Out of the two shades I tried some proved worst than others…I did find the Beth or Glory color variation proved a little easier to use, the brown side had a softer formula however the blue was completely hard and just felt like old makeup. They wear ok under primer and I didn’t see many problems with creasing however without primer I saw creasing within an hour of wear. I do suggest prepping well prior to application.
Beth Mask and Beth or Glory
Beth & Glory
Beth Mask
On top of the bad formula, I also thought some of the shade selections a tad odd…I’d personally never pair up a brown lid with navy blue eyeliner? Of course, there are NEVER set rules for the colors you love to use however, I felt they were a tad odd and might prove challenging for many to use.
Overall, MAC Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner is an interesting concept and definitely a refreshing release in terms of MAC creating something new and exciting. However, the exciting part does not branch out the formula which is very poor. It’s as if they didn’t bother testing these out before launching them to a market that surely will find plenty of fault with the formula.
Sorry MAC, these failed to impressed me.
The MAC Beth Ditto Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner is available on counter for a limited time or online at maccosmetics.com
Will you be indulging?
Tried them already?
What did you think?