Oh, gawd! So I have another bad TV addiction, and they call it Dancing with the Stars. Why they call it that I’ll never know, since said “stars” include third string reality TV-ers like The Situation from MTV’s Jersey Shore and Audrina from The Hills, but I digress…
I was just channel surfing one night a few weeks ago when I randomly stopped to watch. I swear it was like when Britney had her breakdown and shaved her head. I desperately wanted to look away but couldn’t. The show had me by the eyeballs and would not let go!
Maybe it was the sparkly costumes or the pyrotechnic displays (seriously, on stage fire is like the oldest trick in the “you gotta watch this!” book), but now I’m hooked. And who knew that Jennifer Grey would still be such a kick @ss dancer after all these years, or that 6’8″ Rick Fox would have to work on pointing his toes?
Last night’s episode had a rock n’ roll theme, which means flames, a weird appearance by Bret Michels and his blonder than blond weave, and an awkward pasodoble danced by former NFL champ Kurt Warner (El Hub is totally rooting for him!).
None of it really rocked and rolled to me, but the Make Up For Ever Rock For Ever Eye Palette ($45), on the other hand — that’s another story. Now THAT to me is ROCK. N. FRICKIN’. ROLL!
This limited edition studded eyeshadow palette from the Rock For Ever Holiday 2010 Collection could probably pass for jewelry, yet it’s so much more! It comes with four shadows designed for sultry, sexy smokey eyes.
The soft, pigmented shadows blend together seamlessly and remind me of the Stila shadows in the Backstage Eye Palette in how fluffy they are. I think these, however, perform better. They aren’t as apt to migrate, last throughout the day and don’t look as heavy on the lids.
- 307: Make Up For Ever didn’t skimp on the glitter in this smokey black shadow. It’s filled to the brim! And they didn’t hold back on pigment, either — a welcome change after all of the sheer glittery shadows that’ve popped up over the last year from Urban Decay and Bobbi Brown. Yet despite the glitter and pigment, there’s very little fallout with this; it’s absolutely my favorite color in the quad.
- 306: Including this shimmery peachy tan was a smart move because I think it brings some warmth to the quad that was lacking among many of the smokey eye palettes out there now. Wear it in the crease to enhance contrast and depth.
- 82: I think my skin brings out the blue tones in silver shades, so this shimmery silver/gray may not look as blue on lighter lovelies.
- 07: Wearing this shimmery white at the inner corners of the eyes is like a double shot of espresso (makes me look wide awake)!
Oh! A couple of you ladies wondered if Rock For Ever could be a possible dupe for the MAC Leopard Luxe palette from Fabulous Felines, so I took a closer look.
The peachy shades in both could definitely pass for cousins, but I think the one in Rock For Ever looks peachier than the more golden Leopard Luxe. Beyond that, though, I think the rest of the shades stand on their own, and the ones in Leopard Luxe seem warmer to me, with a lot of brown, than Rock For Ever’s cooler colors (with the exception of 306).
MAC Leopard Luxe Quad (left) and Rock For Ever (right)
MAC Leopard Luxe swatches
Rock For Ever Swatches from left: 307, 306, 82, 07
With Rock For Ever, I think you get a beautiful smokey eye palette with some of the most cooperative shadows I’ve seen in a long time (easy to blend, long lasting). The $45 price roughly breaks down to $11 per 0.08-oz. pan (which compares favorably to a 0.05-oz. MAC shadow single for $14.50). And here you get the studly (ha ha) limited packaging, too!
Can you tell I’m in love?
A few products mentioned in this post…
PRICE: $45
AVAILABILITY: At Sephora stores and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Phyrra says
That’s a beautiful look on you! It definitely looks like it’s got good pigmentation in that palette, too.
Karen says
Thanks, Phyrra. The pigment is fab in these shadows. Love ’em!
How’s your Tuesday going so far?
steph b says
This gives you a similar look to one you did recently where you warmed up a smoky, silver eye. I immediately gave that a shot and love it. This palette looks like the pans are removable — are they? That is one of my pet peeves about the MAC palettes. It would be such a great bonus to get a reusable palette or be able to swap out one of the shades if it wasn’t quite what you wanted.
Karen says
Oh yah, that was the Dior one. So glad to hear that the mix of warm/cool shades worked for you!
As for the pans, yes, they’re removable. It’s totally easy to do, too.
steph b says
Yep, the Dior was what I was thinking of.
Love that you can swap pans. Think I’ll check this out when I’m at the mall later this week.
I was sucked into DWTS last night too. Was sorta like having to watch a high speed car chase until it ended. Some of the stars just looked so stiff. And I remember watching Rick Fox play ball when he was at Carolina and we always made fun of his big butt so it was awesome to see him make fun of boxing people out with it.
Karen says
That guy is like a lumbering giant! I swear when I see him dancing it looks like he’s moving in half speed. He did rock that guyliner though, LOL.
Nina says
i was eyeballing that … maybe i should cave in and lift the eyeshadow ban. its soooo pretty! 🙂
Karen says
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! You won’t regret it!
Nina says
its uhmmm .. in my sephora shopping cart at the moment. 😛
Karen says
Ooh, you could also just pick up the 307 on it’s own (Gina in the comment below says it’s available as a single), and then use that along with something like MAC Soft Brown in the crease and Rice Paper on the brow bone/inner corner (I can recall you telling me you have these shades?).
Nina says
i do have those shades (im wearing soft brown over french quarter today) …. but the palette is SOOOOOO pretty! 😀
Gina says
I have the 307 shade in a single, and it’s such an amazing black! I recognized it right away when I saw that bucket o’ silver glitter staring back at me on the screen. It really does make for a lovely smokey eye.
Karen says
Hi Gina,
I’m glad to know they sell this shade as a single because I can easily see myself hitting the pan. 🙂 It’s a beautiful color!
knownever says
that packaging looks really cool. Is that a little drawer that slides out with the second set of shadows?
Karen says
Hi Knownever,
Naw, that’s just the latch for the packaging.
Etsy Breslin says
Gorgeous look! I wish I could be makeup shopping right now..it’s Tuesday and I’m already counting down the hours until the weekend 🙁
Karen says
Hi Etsy,
I hear ya. Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
Evelyn says
Hmm, I was thinking of getting the MAC Twists of Tartan palette, but maybe I’ll scrounge up 9 more bucks and get this one instead. Thanks for the review!
Karen says
Hi Evelyn,
You’re welcome. 🙂 I think you’ll like this one a lot — the colors are so pigmented and fun.
Amber says
I’m skipping this, but you definitely look ready to rock!
Karen says
Thanks, Amber! 🙂
How was your Tuesday? Good, I hope.
MG says
how funny, i’ve been lemming 306 es for awhile!!
BTW – what lg are you wearing? LOVE it!!
Karen says
Heya MG,
That’s NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm!
Tiffany H. says
OMG! So gorgeous! And you totally rocked it!
Karen says
Hi Tiffany H.,
Glad you like this look! What do you think of the packaging?
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews) says
no other words but you are GORGEOUS! not just the makeup and MUFE but your hair too!
Karen says
Thanks, Jojoba!
How have you been? It’s been a while.
Nikki says
Karen!! Love the look! I’m dying to know what lipcolor you have on in this pic. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I must have it!! Lol!!!
Karen says
Hi Nikki!
That’s NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm.
makeup morsels says
ooh this really is a lovely smokey eye palette, I love that they threw that peach in there too. It balances the cool colors nicely, and yay for nonfail, glittery, black eyeshadows. 🙂
Karen says
The peach totally takes it to the next level!
Michelle says
That looks gorgeous on you!! And I am with you on DWTS. I love it! Although it doesn’t bring out the best in me — I find myself criticizing people like The Situation who name their abs or people who have had way too much plastic surgery. But hellur, it some good TV viewing lol
Karen says
It’s pretty darn amusing. Did you see the episode where Mrs. Brady did that naughty dance where she was all shaking her money maker? Oh my heavens… NOT APPROPRIATE!
snoopysteph says
I love it! The glittery black shade is awesome!
Karen says
I love, LOVE that color. Seriously. If you do smokey eyes a lot you might want to get it…
Carolina says
Wow, your skin looks so flawless!!! What foundation are you wearing??
Karen says
Hi Carolina,
That’s Laura Mercier Oil-Free liquid foundation with MAC Blot on top.
Jen says
I had talked myself out of this palette, but I think this review just talked me back into putting it on the top of my holiday wish list… Sigh.
You look great!
Karen says
Thanks, Jen!
If the Sephora sale’s still going on you could get it for 20% off.
Alison S says
ohh I love the cover of the palette. And I love that it has a mirror inside so you can take it on the go. That smokey eye looks really good on you! how did you do your hair? I love the curls!
Karen says
Hi Alison,
I wish I could say there was a method to the madness, but I honestly just let my hair go nuts. I washed it the night before, and then went to bed with it a kinda damp and let it air dry over night. The next day I had it in a loose ponytail for an hour or so, then I spritzed it with some water and put in some Got2B Fatastic Mousse that I’m testing out. And that craziness is what I ended up with, LOL!
inaya says
what lipgloss are you wearing Karen? simply stunning shade on you
Karen says
Hi Inaya,
That’s NARS Orgasm gloss! 🙂 It’s a peachy golden pink.
Nika says
Wow I can totally see what you’re talking about. Those colors really make your eyes pop! They look beautiful on you! Maybe I can convince my parents to buy this for me since I can’t exactly afford it with a student’s allowance. 😀
Karen says
Hi Nika,
It might be a nice stocking stuffer! 🙂
mela says
karen this palette is gorgeous on you! thanks for the stellar review, as always 😉
also i just found out that MUFE pro members can use their discount at the boutiques inside the sephora in soho which is great for those little sephora-only products like this palette and the rock liner set
xoxo
Karen says
Hi Mela,
Thank you for letting us know! Yay, DISCOUNT!
How are you doing? Are you having a good week so far?
Give Hero a belly scratch for me!
pia says
Karen, you rocked this look! I just wondered if the black shadow is similar to the black/silver duo from L’oreal. I have that and use it perhaps 3 times (or less) since I bought it a couple of years ago.
And yeah, I envy your lips 😀
Karen says
Hi Pia,
Hmm… I’m not sure if I’m familiar with that shade. If your shadow is 1) very pigmented and 2) very glittery (but with fine glitter, not chunky), then it sounds like the MUFE color could be a possible dupe.
justjillian says
oooh, this is a fantastic quad!!! looks fab on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Jillian!
Kim says
I’m definitely with you on the packaging, but colors that equal sultry, sexy smokey eyes on you translate to terrifying, homeless raccoon on me. 🙂
I haven’t seen this season of DWTS but have watched a couple in the past and, like El Hub, I’m always cheering for the football players (Jerry Rice rocks!). And speaking of Brett Michaels, if it’s wrong to still love Talk Dirty to Me, I don’t want to be right. 🙂
lexi says
This quad looks like a perfect introduction for me to MUFE shadows. I might just get #307 on it’s own since you speak so highly about it!
Bella says
I love your blog and reviews!! What are you wearing on your lips and cheeks? Thanks!
Karen says
Hi Bella,
That’s MAC A Tartan Tale Blush in My Highland Honey (see swatches here) and NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm.
Lauren says
So happy to hear the black shade doesn’t have fall out, this one’s definitely going on the wish list! 🙂
Instant Karma (formerly L) says
Oooh, looks pretty! I especially like the peachy color.
LOL, DWTS is my guilty pleasure, too! I started watching it last season because Evan Lysacek was on it, and I figured I’d check it out this season because I was pretty amused by it. I kind of love Tom Bergeron’s sarcastic comments about, well, everything, lol. I have to say that I’m rooting for Brandy to take the whole thing, although Jennifer is clearly still a great dancer as well. Rick Fox is super adorable when he dances, and also has aged SPECTACULARLY. Good God, he’s handsome. Also, wow, yeah, Bret Michaels was weird, but I had to laugh when he was all “ANNA, YOU’RE THE BEST…IN CLEVELAND.”
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Yay! I was hoping for this–good pigmentation, easily blendable, etc. I love the cute packaging and it looks fab on you! I think this would make a really nice gift too!
Tasha says
hey doesn’t this look scarily like one of The Body Shop’s new eye palettes from the Winter Trend 2010 line?