What can you do with the new MAC Shiny Pretty Holiday 2018 collection, and why should you be interested? That’s the $64,000 question. This week I’m trying to figure it out by wearing the collection in different looks. Yesterday was my first one, and here’s the look I did today, this one with glittery eyeshadow.
Day #2 of “Getting to Know the MAC Shiny Pretty Things Holiday 2018 Collection.”
Wait — let me rephrase that. It’s day #2 of “Glitter-Palooza 2018!” because there’s a lot of glitter in this release, and there are five Shiny Pretty Shadows for $21 each.
The focal point of this look is shimmery olive Make a Wish.
MAC Make a Wish Shiny Pretty Shadow
I’ve been loving on MAC since roughly the Cretaceous Period, and I’m pretty sure these Shiny Pretty Shadows are a new formula, as in not seen before (at least not in my recollection).
The first thing I notice when I touch Make a Wish with my finger is how much it feels like the MAC Pressed Pigments from Heirloom Mix 2014 Holiday and Summer 2013. It’s almost as soft as a cream, but it’s still a dry powder, and it feels ever-so gritty (but it’s so not annoying), probably from the glitter.
The flecks come in different shapes and sizes, and because they aren’t uniform, it’s like looking at shattered glass. I think it’s VERY cool and NOT subtle. You can definitely see this glitter from across a small room, and it looks purposeful, like a fashionable fairy floated by and sprinkled magic dust on your face. Also, you can’t really see it in these pics, but there are a few random pieces of glitter sitting on top of my lids and my cheeks. It’s more obvious when I turn my head side to side. I can see how some folks might not like this effect, but I do. It’s not loud, and the glitter bits aren’t so big that they veer into tacky territory.
Regarding the uneven-ness of the pieces, a.k.a. the grit, the glitter doesn’t hurt or bother my sensitive eyes in any way. My eyes don’t water at all, which is something because normally EVERYTHING makes me tear up.
It’s enough to do a look with just the shadow alone, or you could layer it on top of other eyeshadows, which is what I did here.
I’m wearing Make A Wish on top of shimmery olive MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Silver Dawn, which is a shimmery olive. I tapped it directly on top with a flat eyeshadow brush. Then, I loaded the brush up with more eyeshadow, wet it with MAC Fix+, and dabbed it in the center to intensify the glitter and the shine effect.
Make a Wish is definitely worth a look, especially if you wear greens, khakis and olives.
There are lots of pressed glittery eyeshadows out there that are mostly glitter suspended in a sheer powder base (good for pressing on top of an existing base of eyeshadow to add more dimension and complexity to an eye look, like Urban Decay Moondust Shadow in Diamond Dog), but this isn’t like that.
Make a Wish has an opalescent base (although it isn’t shiny like a frost), and it’s pigmented, but it’s definitely not opaque. It has an edge to it, but it still looks approachable, I think. It’s surprisingly wearable. If it were a full-on, frosty opaque shadow, I probably wouldn’t like it as much. It would be too much for my 40-something-year-old @ss. LOL! Whereas this seems like juuuuust the right amount of shine and pigment for a slightly special occasion…so like dinner and a movie or a shopping date with your BFF.
As for the rest of what I’m wearing, everything in this look is MAC. There’s Studio Fix Foundation in NC42 mixed with Strobe Cream (worn as a base and under my eyes), Saddle Eye Shadow, Fleur Power Blush and Babetown Lipstick (also from the Shiny Pretty Things Collection) on top of Spice Lip Liner.
I’ll have swatches up soon, but the other shadows look and feel similar.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Marina says
October 25th, 2018 at 6:18 amOh green smoky eyes, it’s been too long. You’re the queen of smoke! I can’t believe I haven’t worn green on my lids in a minute. Time to rectify that I think! Is Make a Wish really olive? I saw it somewhere else and it looked yellowy copper.
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 7:03 amThat’s how it’s described in the official PR. To me it’s olive with hints of green and gold. I think it depends on the person’s skin tone and the light!
Linda Libra Loca says
October 25th, 2018 at 7:39 amI am always afraid of the chunky glitter getting into my eyes and under my contacts when there are stray glitter particles.
Linda Libra Loca recently posted … pixi Retinol Tonic – Honesty
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 9:37 amHi! The glitter isn’t chunky, it’s on the smaller side and has different shapes. 🙂
Kristen says
October 25th, 2018 at 8:54 amI normally prefer subtle shimmer or metallic finishes to glitter, but during the holidays I love me some glitter!
Have you ever tried the Super Shock shadows from Colourpop? They’re a similar texture to what you described for the Mac ones but they’re only like $6!
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 9:38 amI have, waaaay back in the day. I thought they were OK. 🙂
Tatiana says
October 25th, 2018 at 11:15 amOooh, I like Make A Wish. For some reason I’m drawn to olive/sage greens, even though I never wear them. It reminds me of Chanel’s Titane that silvery, olive green look. Or Chanel Vert Lamé, a bronzy, gold green, which is about as shimmery/glittery as I’m comfortable wearing.
Just tossed a whole bunch of MAC shadows. Realized I’ve had them for about 15 years and they were looking, um… a bit grungy.
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 1:11 pmYeah, Vert Lamé is cool. I’m a fan!
I may or may not have MAC eyeshadow singles from 1998. LOL! I never use them, I just keep them for the vintage packaging.
Tatiana says
October 25th, 2018 at 3:19 pmWell these MAC shadows were depotted from their single packaging. Not very well I might add. I’m hoping the newer versions of these colors are just as good. I’ll probably buy them from a pro store and get them put in a custom palette this time. I had a hard time throwing them out because they were a Christmas gift from Dear Daughter when she was 9 or 10. She picked the colors out and Dear Husband paid for most of them. Satin Taupe, Patina, Shroom, Brulé and Orb. Kiddo has always had an eye for stuff.
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 3:41 pmAll those colors are classics! I can see them all in my head fitting together so nicely. They’re still around, too. The formula has changed a bit since those days so you’ll have to tell me what you think of it.
kellly says
October 25th, 2018 at 11:25 ami LOVE sparkle and shine. I find that if I’m using a soft brush, shadow goes on sheer so it looks shiny rather than opaque and that makes it easier to wear. I’ll be wearing sparkle and shine when I’m 100!!! Actually I don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking but matte shadow seems to accentuate any flaws on my eye lids more than shine does. And even if it didn’t, I’ll STILL be wearing it when I’m 100!!!
Karen says
October 25th, 2018 at 1:11 pmI totally get that. When a soft brush is in the mix and you buff it down a little the look is super approachable. GIMME ALL THE SHINE!