In a typical move for MAC when they finally started to revamp its core eyeshadow line-up, they were all over the place: Europe got something called ‘Visual Arts’ collection in December 2019 including 24 shades, while the US got the ‘More than meets the eye’ collection that had 36 shadows this March. MAC revamps eyeshadows?! Let’s have a look!
I got three shades available both in Europe AND the US at the beginning of the year and have had ample time to test them. Here’s what I think.
WHAT?!
All eyeshadows in the collection have been apparently reformulated. They’re mostly re-releases of some previously launched and limited edition shades. Especially shades from palettes are now released as singles. Sadly, the reformulated shades come only in three formulas: Satin, Frost and Matte. Where’s my beloved Veluxe Pearl, MAC?!
All shades come in pro pans ($7/€15,50) or pots ($17/€19,50), and I’ve successfully B2MAC’ed for them.
Revamped formula & texture
Mattes
If you love the texture of Huda Beauty or Anastasia Beverly Hills, this formula is for you. The shadows are looser, more ‘buttery’, especially mattes – on the one hand, they’re easy and quick to apply without having to carefully build up and layer. On the other hand: maybe powdery, and there may be kickback. Especially with darker shades, you need a light hand when blending them.
Frosts
Frost, for MAC, now means obvious glitter particles that have the tendency for fallout, although that differs from shade to shade. Some remind me of pressed glitters, some are more ‘frosty’. None have the super creamy glitter formula that for example Huda does.
All that I tried and swatched sit between the ‘old’ MAC formula and those more ‘modern’ ones that newer brands use.
New shades review
LES Artiste: Warm pewter with sparkle
Let’s start with my biggest disappointment. LES Artiste seems like my dream shade come true: complex, yet easy to wear all over the lid as a one-and-done shadow, with a hint of taupe. It has been released in the Art Library – Nude Model palette from 2019. The light pewter though loses its appeal for me due to the silver glitter particles that can’t be tamed.
I can barely make them work with a tacky base and applying it either with a fingertip or a silicone applicator. And even then: Fallout after a few hours, and nowhere as stunning as I had hoped.
She Sparkles (Dazzleshadow) is a better alternative, and with its pink glitters also a bit more visually interesting.
Nude Model: Warm plum with sparkle
Although having the same formula, Nude Model is much easier to apply. It, as LES Artiste, has made an appearance in 2019’s Art Library – Nude Model palette. The glitter is much better incorporated into its base and prevents the warm, bronze-plum base colour to appear as overly warm. It’s not.
It’s a great eyeshadow for all eye colours. Big love. Also easy to apply with a nice synthetic paddle brush over a base with minimal fallout.
It leans a bit more purple than Sable.
Royal Rendezvous: Muted Light Brown
A very easy to apply matte, Royal Rendesvouz works very well for me as a transition shade when doing warm brown and burgundy eye looks. It has been released before in 2014’s (!) Natural Face Palette from the Holiday collection.
I used a simple blending brush and had no problems with blending whatsoever.
Malt is a similar shade, but a bit rosier leaning, while Quarry is greyer and a bit darker.
A word on the swatches and pics: all are unfiltered and unedited to show you the colours in real life conditions. Swatches were done over MAC Prep & Prime 24h Extend Eye Base with a MAC 242 and a MAC 239 brush.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
Thank you for this review, Dorit! I would like to ask you something, do you think it is worth to have Malt and Royal Rendezvous? I already have Royal rendezvous. Thank you!!
Hi Rosario, sadly I don’t own Malt right now. From my (former) online swatches (and memory) I’d say Malt is lighter both in colour and texture – I always found MAC’s older mattes a bit ‘thin’ if you know what I mean? It’s always hard to decide if you need a somewhat similar shade to the one you own already, but I’d ask myself if Malt would perform a different role than Royal Rendesvouz in your looks or if the difference between both on the eye would be minimal. HTH!
Thank you very much for answering me!! I think the difference in my looks will be minimal, yes ahaha. Thank you!