I received an email from a reader asking about the different finishes of MAC eyeshadows, so I thought I should write a post! Please keep in mind, like all things written in my blog, these are my opinions… Something I don’t like might be something you’d love and vice versa.
Let’s get started!
FROST
Frost finish eyeshadows have small shimmer particles that create a shining iridescent appearance. They can range from very metallic to minimally shiny. While frost finish eyeshadows are extremely popular, they can highlight flaws such as creases or wrinkles. They are shimmery, but not glittery. Overall I am a big fan of MAC’s Frosts!
(Pictured: Satin Taupe)
LUSTRE
Lustre finish eyeshadows are the outcasts… ask any MAC die hard what to avoid and they will probably tell you Lustre eyeshadows. Typically speaking they have a very dry but shimmery texture with chunky glitter and lots of fall out.
(Pictured: Greensmoke)
MATTE
Matte eyeshadows are those without any shimmer/sheen/glitter. They have flat color with varying degrees of opacity. MAC’s Mattes are known for their finicky nature. Most of the permanent Matte eyeshadows are good qualilty while a majority of the limited edition ones released are dry and not worth purchasing.
(Pictured: Omega)
MATTE²
Pronounced Matte squared — most people either love em or hate em. They are like regular Matte eyeshadows in that they have zero shimmer/sheen/glitter but they have a buttery texture with amazing payoff. The one downside is that I find them more difficult to blend.
(Pictured: Handwritten)
SATIN
MAC’s Satin eyeshadows vary in their finish. Some appear completely matte (Brun) while a few are super frosty (Shroom). The majority have a very subtle sheen or demi-matte appearance. Overall I like Satin finish eyeshadows a lot because they are in that happy middle ground — not too matte, not too frosty.
(Pictured: Era)
VELUXE
Veluxe is a finish unique to MAC. It applies matte but with a smoother less powdery appearance. They aren’t as pigmented as Matte eyeshadows… They were being discontinued earlier this year, but MAC brought them back. I’m not too sure how long they will be around.
(Pictured: Kid)
VELUXE PEARL
My favorite finish! Veluxe Pearls are like a Frost but with a more metallic, pearly shimmer. They are soooooo buttery and pigmented. As with any finish there are just a few that aren’t completely up to par, but overall I think they are beautiful and worth getting your hands on!
(Pictured: Woodwinked)
VELVET
Most Velvets appear matte or demi-matte — some with a hint of sparkle (Vanilla, Texture) and others with glitter that doesn’t translate to the eye (Beauty Marked, Mulch). I didn’t realize how many I own and love until I wrote this post! A few have a reputation of being patchy when applied, but I would repurchase all listed below, aside from Beauty Marked.
(Pictured: Smut)
Below are all of MAC’s permanent eyeshadows categorized below by finish… please let me know if I’ve left any out!
(*) denotes eyeshadows that I either currently own or have owned in the past and would be able to go into detail regarding their performance. Leave a comment below with any questions.
FROST
Amber Lights*
Bronze*
Cranberry*
Crystal
Electra
Goldmine
Jest*
Motif
Nylon*
Ricepaper*
Sable*
Satin Taupe*
Swish
Tilt*
Vex*
White Frost
Pink Freeze
Patina*
Humid*
Creme de Violet
Parfait Amour*
Steamy*
Paradisco
Seedy Pearl
Nocturnelle*
Phloof
Naked Lunch*
Deep Truth
Lucky Green*
LUSTRE
Greensmoke*
Retrospeck*
Honesty*
Mythology
Forgery
Sweet Lust
Swimming
Aquadisiac
Pink Venus
Idol Eyes
Filament
Gleam
Honey Lust
Tempting*
MATTE
Blackberry
Chrome Yellow
Corduroy
Espresso*
Malt*
Nehru
Omega*
Quarry
Rule
Saddle*
Swiss Chocolate*
Wedge*
Yogurt
Carbon*
Embark*
Bamboo
Charcoal Brown
Orange
Soft Brown*
Shadowy Lady
Plumage*
Gesso*
Free To Be
Passionate
MATTE2
Blanc Type*
Brown Script
Typographic
Handwritten*
Fig 1*
Copperplate*
SATIN
Arena
Brule*
Brun*
Concrete
Coquette
Cork*
Era*
Folie
Girlie
Haux
Mylar*
Mystery
Orb
Print*
Scene
Shale*
Club*
Shroom*
Soba*
Sushi Flower
Electric Eel*
Grain
VELUXE
Kid*
Brown Down*
Samoa Silk*
VELUXE PEARL
Crystal Avalanche*
Da Bling
Expensive Pink*
Plum Dressing*
Star Violet*
All That Glitters*
Dazzlelight*
Gorgeous Gold*
Sumptuous Olive*
Freshwater*
Moon’s Reflection
Blue Calm
Stars ‘N’ Rockets*
Satellite Dreams*
Beautiful Iris*
Woodwinked*
Coppering*
Antiqued*
Twinks*
Silver Ring
Knight Divine*
VELVET
Bitter
Contrast*
Sketch*
Vanilla*
Vapour
Trax*
Mulch*
Black Tied
Beauty Marked*
Smut*
Texture*
Whew, that was a long post! Hope it was helpful!
What is your favorite finish?