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The MAC Dark Desires Collection: Well, Well, Well! These Shadows Are Rocking My Winged Liner World

November 9th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

There should be a YouTube video above this blurb. If you can’t see it, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

mac well eye shadow
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadows clockwise from the brown pan in the upper left: Midnight Tryst, Beg For It, Think Kink, Switch Me On, Dark Desires and What’s Your Fantasy ($20 each)

Oh, heavens! Look at those naughty names… Spank Me, Beg For It and Think Kink? And those are just the tip of the S&M iceberg, haha. I think it’s safe to say that the new MAC Dark Desires collection was inspired by some sort of 50 Shades of Grey type situation.

But I’m thinking that this collection is going to make a different kind of fantasy come true — one of my makeup fantasies — which is to be able to draw winged liner and not have it take half a day!

OK…so maybe half a day is exaggerating (barely), but you know what though?! It feels that way sometimes, especially when I’m deep in it, and I’ve been sitting there futzing with the angles for 20 minutes.

I know you feel my pain!

There’s a reason for that saying about winged liner being the reason why everyone’s always late (why can’t I remember that saying??).

MAC Dark Desires promises to upgrade your winged liner life with a new product line called The Well Eye Shadows ($20).

mac well eyeshadow beg for it
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in Beg For It ($20)
mac well eye shadow switch me on
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in Switch Me On ($20)
mac well eye shadow midnight tryst
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in Midnight Tryst ($20)

They aren’t ringing any bells for me, so I think these are brand-spankin’ new.

Designed from the start to be applied wet or dry, these super soft, pigmented powder products are dual-purpose. You can use them as eyeshadows and/or eyeliners.

The little packages are slimmer than MAC’s regular eyeshadows, and check this out: each one has a divot, or “a well,” right in the middle of the pan.

The idea is that you’re supposed to wet your brush, then swirl it around in the divot, then apply the wet powder to your lids.

mac well eye shadow whats your fantasy
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in What’s Your Fantasy ($20)


mac well eye shadow think kink
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in Think Kink ($20)

mac well eye shadow dark desires
MAC Dark Desires The Well Eye Shadow in Dark Desires ($20)
mac dark desires lipstick
MAC Dark Desires Lipsticks from the left in Black Night, Boyfriend Stealer, Heavy Petting and Ring My Bell ($17 each)
mac dark desires kohl power pencil
MAC Dark Desires Kohl Powder Eye Pencils in Orpheus, Mystery and Raven ($16.50 each)
mac dark desires eye gloss
MAC Dark Desires Studio Eye Gloss from the upper left in Erogenous Zone, Spank Me and Pearl Varnish ($22)
mac dark desires studo nail lacquer
MAC Dark Desires Studio Nail Lacquers in 6-Inch Stilettos (left) and Unzipped (right)
mac blitz glitz
MAC Dark Desires Kohl Fluidline Eye Liner in Blitz & Glitz ($16.50)
mac black night
MAC Dark Desires Cremesheen Lipstick in Black Night ($17)
mac boyfriend stealer
MAC Dark Desires Cremesheen Lipstick in Boyfriend Stealer ($17)
mac heavy petting
MAC Dark Desires Cremesheen Lipstick in Heavy Petting ($17)
mac ring my bell
MAC Dark Desires Glaze Lipstick in Ring My Bell ($17)
mac spank me
MAC Dark Desires Studio Eye Gloss in Spank Me ($22)
mac pearl varnish
MAC Dark Desires Studio Eye Gloss in Pearl Varnish ($22)
mac erogenous zone
MAC Dark Desires Studio Eye Gloss in Erogenous Zone ($22)

So The Well Eye Shadows? For winged liner, big paws up from me. Compared to gel or liquid liner, I think these are easier to control when wet, and when I use them I spend way less time fixing my mistakes.

I dunno… I just feel like I have more leeway with them than I do with gel or liquid liner.

Liquid liners are usually runny and very pigmented, so you have to be absolutely on point with your placement; otherwise, you get liner in your crease (boo!).

Gel liners are also usually very pigmented, and usually more forgiving than liquids because of their thicker formula, but they can still be tricky and easy to over-apply. Sometimes they’ll end up looking really thick and start flaking.

But I can build out my lines more slowly with these wet powder liners, much like gel liners, except that The Well shadows don’t look as heavy if you accidentally over-apply them, and they don’t lift off or flake.

They also set pretty quickly, and so therefore don’t transfer up into my crease, which is one of my BIGGEST liner pet peeves.

Basically, as liner, I think these rock (I go into how I feel about them as eyeshadows in the video at the top).

mac into the well eye shadow swatches dry
Dry swatches of MAC The Well Eye Shadows from the left in Beg For It, Switch Me On, Midnight Tryst, What’s Your Fantasy, Think Kind and Dark Desires
mac into the well eye shadow swatches dry
Wet swatches of MAC The Well Eye Shadows from the left in Beg For It, Switch Me On, Midnight Tryst, What’s Your Fantasy, Think Kind and Dark Desires
mac dark desires studio eye gloss
MAC Dark Desires Studio Eye Gloss in Spank Me, Pearl Varnish and Erogenous Zone
mac dark desires swatches kohl power
MAC Dark Desires Kohl Power Eye Pencils from the left in Orpheus, Mystery and Rave
mac dark desires swatches blitz glitz
MAC Dark Desires Fluidling in Blitz & Glitz
mac dark desires swatches lipsticks
MAC Dark Desires Lipstick swatches from the left in Cremesheen in Black Night, Cremesheen in Boyfriend Stealer, Cremesheen in Heavy Petting and Glaze in Ring My Bell

The 22-piece collection, which is mostly eye products, also includes four lipsticks and two nail lacquers, but yeah, this one’s crazy for eyes. You’ll find it making dark makeup fantasies come true at MAC counters, stores and online December 3, 2015, through January 14, 2016.

Befitting a name like Dark Desires, the colors are super saturated and dark, and black plays a big part. Most of the pieces have either a figurative or literal reference to black in them.

The MAC Dark Desires collection

  • Cremesheen Lipstick in Black Night, a black with red and gold pearl ($17)
  • Cremesheen Lipstick in Boyfriend Stealer, a blackened plum ($17)
  • Cremesheen Lipstick in Heavy Petting, a burgundy ($17)
  • Glaze Lipstick in Ring My Bell, a pale cool neutral ($17)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in Beg For It, a matte black ($20)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in Switch Me on, a matte dark navy ($20)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in Midnight Tryst, a matte chocolate brown ($20)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in What’s Your Fantasy, a black with heavy multi-colored pearl ($20)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in Think Kink, a grayish silvery white ($20)
  • The Well Eye Shadow in Dark Desires, a matte blackened eggplant ($20)
  • Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline, a black ($16.50)
  • Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Orpheus, an intense black with golden pearl ($16.50)
  • Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Mystery, an intense black with green pearl ($16.50)
  • Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Raven, an intense black with red pearl ($16.50)
  • Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash ($22)
  • Haute & Naughty Black Lash ($22)
  • Fluidline Eye Liner in Blitz & Glitz, a black with golden pearl ($16.50)
  • MAC Studio Eye Gloss in Spank Me, a black with multi color glitter ($22)
  • MAC Studio Eye Gloss in Pearl Varnish, a white gloss with pearl ($22)
  • MAC Studio Eye Gloss in Erogenous Zone, a violet with multi color glitter ($22)
  • MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in 6-Inch Stilettos, a blackened blue ($12)
  • MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Unzipped, a blackened green ($12)

There’s a lot more info in the video. Thank you as always for watching. ๐Ÿ™‚

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Dark Desires Collection: Well, Well, Well! These Shadows Are Rocking My Winged Liner World / Originally published November 9th, 2015

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel R. says

    November 9th, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    It’s a beautiful collection. The well shadow is very design is really clever. I’d be more likely to wear the eye glosses on my lips. I spend most of my time fighting greasy lids and creasing.

    Does the pearl come through on Black Night? It looks like it gets lost in the swatch. I totally got that late 90s vibe from Ring My Bell, as well. I used to love those icy taupey lavender shades in the 90s for lips and eyes. I never did the unblended dark lipliner thing, though, but I remember it being very popular.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 10th, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Hi Rachel R.,

      Yes, I can see it the pearl when it’s on the lips. It’s subtle but it’s there. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Rachel R. says

        November 11th, 2015 at 10:49 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
  2. Rae // theNotice says

    November 9th, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    Um. Those “well” shadow/liners, though. ? Midnight Tryst and Whatโ€™s Your Fantasy are rocking my WORLD! They look absolutely gorgeous swatched wet, and that glitter, mmmph!
    Rae // theNotice recently posted … Estee Lauder New Dimension reviews: Expert Liquid Tape; Shape + Sculpt Face Kit; FW15 previews

    Reply
  3. Savannah says

    November 10th, 2015 at 1:27 am

    LOL to the aggressive cat petting! You’re so funny! I’m a bit bummed that the shadows aren’t great shadows ha ha, I was hoping to get dark desires to kind of replace sketch because although I lov bathe color, it’s sooo hard to blend and it’s the only Mac shadow that visibly fades away as I wear it ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
  4. LindaLibraLoca says

    November 10th, 2015 at 1:32 am

    The colors don’t wow me (maybe I have to reconnect to my whip-cracking side?), but I am tempted to get one of the Studio Glosses, most likely “Spank me”. Just because I have nothing similar in my kit.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Inspired by… Chanel Rouge Noir Absolument 2015

    Reply
  5. Kiss & Make-up says

    November 10th, 2015 at 2:21 am

    There are some really nice colors in this collection it seems, going to check out the video right away!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Personal | Brig and Zermatt travel recap (picture heavy)

    Reply
  6. Emmy says

    November 10th, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Shades are so good! love the well eyeshadows! xx
    Emmy recently posted … MOTD: Hello! It’s an Adele one!

    Reply
  7. Debra says

    November 10th, 2015 at 4:50 am

    This was a fabulous review, Karen. I think there is something for everyone in this collection. And, I am glad that I am not the only one who had some strange makeup ideas (like the dark lip liner around the pale lipstick) back in the day. I could tell you stories! Thank you so much for you. I hope your pregnant self is felling well. You look great. Love you!

    Reply
  8. Agata says

    November 10th, 2015 at 5:34 am

    It’s definitely an interesting collection! The well shadows look really cool. Of course, I love the purple eye gloss but I would probably never use it…The names though!!!
    Agata recently posted … Beauty Influencerโ€™s Sunday Column Vo.19: Do you find yourself spending more money on beauty products since youโ€™ve become a beauty blogger?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 10th, 2015 at 9:01 am

      LOL, they’re so naughty! ๐Ÿ™‚

      “What are you wearing?”

      “Spank Me.”

      “What?!”

      Reply
  9. Kalli says

    November 10th, 2015 at 6:44 am

    I really love the colors in this collection! Sadly, I don’t need any smoky eyeshadows, but the liners and lipsticks (especially that black and purple) are calling my name! I don’t know when or where I would wear black lipstick but I’ll figure something out haha
    Kalli recently posted … Warm-Toned Fall Look

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 10th, 2015 at 9:00 am

      You should try it! I think it can look very cool if you’ve got the outfit and hair to match.

      Reply
  10. auxiliary beauty says

    November 10th, 2015 at 7:23 am

    I’ve never been interested in black lipsticks before, but Black Night is CALLING MY NAME. It’s so rare to find a black shade with any kind of shimmer!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 10th, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Hi Auxiliary Beauty,

      Yeah, I like it too! So opaque and you can actually see the shimmer. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Ashleigh says

    November 10th, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Eye gloss? Very curious about that product! I’m sure it would work more for a nightclub look or a perfume editorial photoshoot but maybe I could find somewhere to wear it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Lulle says

    November 10th, 2015 at 10:56 am

    When I saw the first promo pics I was wondering why these shadows had this strange central circle pattern, it all makes sense now! I’m actually pretty impressed by their pigmentation, and I LURV to you shadows as liners. So much easier to get a clean line than with any liquid or gel liner for me.
    Lulle recently posted … Giveaway alert: win a NeoStrata Skin Active Antioxidant Defense Serum

    Reply
  13. Alexis says

    November 10th, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Um…is it crazy that I wanna rock that black sparkly eye gloss? My inner goth girl is dying to try it! I’m actually looking forward to this launch. I’m eyeing a few of those
    “well” shadows, too.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 10th, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      Totally not crazy! I feel the same way. You have to pair it with the dark lipstick, though. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  14. Rochelle O'Brien says

    November 10th, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    “Never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she’s late”.

    ?

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    November 10th, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    I already love using eyeshadows wet as eyeliner! I find that it makes a softer, smokier, more flattering effect than liquid or gels. Those are fun sometimes, but I generally find using wet shadows more flattering and smokier, and makes the eye look more open (always a good thing for my close set eyes). I’ll definitely check out the well shadows!

    Reply
  16. A says

    November 11th, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Hmm, Ring My Bell reminds me of a MAC product I bought around 15 years ago and still miss lol… It was this SUPER thick, opaque pearlescent gloss in a squeeze tube that was very warm, almost beige-y gold. I look forward to when we invent make-up time machines ๐Ÿ™‚ I might have to pick up Ring My Bell in the meantime.

    Reply
  17. Fancie says

    November 11th, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Okay your swatches look REALLY nice! Much nicer than the ones I just saw. They totally turned me off lol. Your swatches makes me want the navy and What’s Your Fantasy like right now though. I have to check these out in stores to be sure but if they’re as good as you say, I’m gonna need one lol
    Fancie recently posted … On Wednesdays We Wear Pink!

    Reply
  18. Kellie says

    November 11th, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    Love the product names and the colors! Why do I want a black sparkly eye gloss?!?! I have no where to wear such a thing. Ugh, the pain if being a beauty addict not in the beauty industry.

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my two-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my cat (Tabs).

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