I mean – we could all get sentimental right now and talk about the good old days when MAC was somehow exciting and so on… but no. In 2019, MAC actually revamped their whole powder eyeshadow line and changed formulas. I loved the new formula, got a few shadows, and recently had a very ugly surprise when I pulled out the ones I bought back in 2019.

What I thought back then

what happened to MAC eyeshadows

LES Artiste and Nude Model are frosts, and Royal Rendezvous is a matte. I was particularly over the moon about the new matte formula. MAC’s old one often was a hot mess, and this – was not. It has a softer texture, with maybe some kickback, and applies and blends easily.

I was rather torn with both frosts: LES Artiste had larger glitter particles that ended up all over my face, but Nude Model was a pleasure to use: beautifully sparkly, but not glittery, and super easy to apply – buttery and pigmented.

What I think now

eyeshadows expire
From best to worst: Nude Model still works well, but I’m slightly wary because the swatch shows how the pigments don’t properly adhere to the skin. LES Artiste is basically just a layer of glitter, and Royal Rendezvous is a sorry sight indeed.

After not having used my MAC shadows for a long, long time, I recently pulled out those three because I was inspired to do a simple, burgundy eye look with some sparkles.

BUT: From my original three shadows, two were completely unusable.

What happened?

MAC eyeshadows quality
My oldest MAC palette: Color Forms from 2010.

Both LES Artiste and Royal Rendezvous have completely dried out. LES Artiste is just a brick of hard glitter, and Royal Rendezvous has not only developed hard pan – it’s completely hard, through and through. They are, in fact, only good for the trash right now. (I REALLY dug in there for the swatches above.)

Now, I have MUCH, much older MAC shadows that are completely fine. (I think my oldest MAC palette is from 2010, and still not only usable, but still great to work with.)

Expiry dates on makeup products

eyeshadow expiration date

Usually brands disclose the expiry date on most makeup products:

“The Period After Opening symbol, which resembles a tuna fish can and has a number with an “M” representing “months after opening”. For example, (24M) means that you should replace this product within (24 months) after first opening, provided the product has been stored under normal conditions.”

MAC Customer Service chat

MAC doesn’t do that on eyeshadows. They rather declare that there’s no rule about that, and advise to clean eyeshadows every once and again, because “there really is no set date when it comes to eyeshadow”. (MAC CS chat)

But other brands do. For just a random sampling, I pulled out some of my eyeshadow palettes:

  • Pat McGrath, 18 months.
  • Huda Beauty, 12 months.
  • Natasha Denona, 24 months.
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills, 6 months.
  • Even Catrice, on their little cheapie palettes tells me they’re good for at least 24 months.

MAC? Does not.

Conclusion

Well, there can only be one, right? From three eyeshadows that were released with their new formula, two are completely unusable after three years. These odds are rather dismal, and I can only say: stay away from their new formula. 

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.