There are two quads in the upcoming MAC Padma collection (coming March 15), and this one is the one with the unmistakable pop of blue.
I never would’ve guessed that Padma would be into pastel powder shadows, but I’m usually staring at the food, rather than Padma’s makeup, when I’m watching Top Chef.
I do remember that she likes a bright inner corner highlight, and I guess that makes sense with the light green in the purple quad and the baby blue in this one.
1. A good beginner’s quad
I think Desert Dusk is the better beginner’s quad of the two quads in the collection, just because you get three lighter lid colors (a shimmery gold, a matte peach and that beautiful shimmery baby blue), and you also get a deep, delicious dark chocolate matte brown, which looks a little like MAC Brun, by the way, one of my favorite MAC browns of all time. If you blend any one of the three lighter colors on your lids, or a combination of them, then line your lash lines with the dark brown? You’re set. Easy-peasy!
2. For more complicated looks, though, you’ll need a separate transition shade.
If you’re farther along with your eyeshadow skills and you’d like to add more depth and do more complicated gradients, this quad could use a mid-toned brown, something like MAC Cork or MAC Soba, or any sort of mid-toned neutral- or cooler-toned brown. I think it would make this quad more flexible for more varied looks.
Now, if you asked me to choose between this and the other quad in the collection, I’d choose the purple one because I think you can do more with it. I think it’s better as a standalone palette because it does have a mid-toned transition shade. Plus, the color combination just seems more unusual to me and off the beaten path. There’s also something very high end and almost Chanel-esque and Tom Ford-y about it. I can do so many more looks with it by itself.
3. Shimmers are shinier in this palette
The two shimmers in this palette are definitely frostier than the shimmers in the purple one, which is something to think about if you have fine lines like I do…
Still, overall, I don’t think you can wrong with either quad. Both have soft powders and very little fallout. MAC’s LE eyeshadows vary wildly in quality, but these are on the good side –comparable to the shadows in the Girls Palette series. If you’re feeling the colors and think you could use either one often, I say go for it!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kim says
March 8th, 2018 at 9:34 amIt’s pretty and the pop of color in the corner looks great, again. You’re making that a thing for me, and I like it. 🙂
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:31 amHi Kim,
With the pop of color in the inner corner, you can do it in a much subtler way, too, with a satiny beige or gold or silver! The pastels are fun but the others are much more subtle. Still effective though!
Metta says
March 8th, 2018 at 10:41 amI am hoping to grab one of the purple quads hopefully, but lately with MAC you never know if the limited edition stuff is going to sell super fast and you need to be at the counter as soon as the store opens or on the computer at midnight on release day,or if you can just linger and chill a day or two after it’s release and still be able to buy. The thought makes my heart race
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:27 amHi Metta,
LOL, it’s true though! I hope you’re able to get the purple one because it’s beautiful! This was a surprisingly beautiful collection. I seem to like the ones that come outta nowhere, like this one and Jade Jagger.
I asked someone earlier in the comments this question and thought it might be fun to ask you too — do you remember the first MAC collection you fell in love with? Mine was Barbie Loves MAC from spring 2007.
Metta says
March 9th, 2018 at 4:01 pmOMG definitely the Catherine Deneuve collection. Which I think was back in like ‘05 Lol. I fell in love with the Elegant peach lipglass, and there was this gorgeous eyeshadow quad with this eggplant color and olive color in it. I mean after that I was at that counter everyday. You know I never got my hands on any of the Barbie Loves MAC stuff, still sad about that. I really wish every now and then they would bring back some of the exact same LE collections just for fun.
LindaLibraLoca says
March 8th, 2018 at 12:57 pmI wouldn’t have thought to use it as a inner corner highlight, but it looks amazing placed there.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Eye Treatment
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:22 amThank you! That bright inner corner highlight is a little early 2000s but I loooove it!
Ana Samuel says
March 8th, 2018 at 12:59 pmYou look so pretty.
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:22 amThank you, Ana! It’s been a while, how are you doing?
I remember a while back that you mentioned you are Portuguese. Well, this is kinda random but I’m looking for a recipe for Portuguese bean soup and was wondering if you have one that you like?
Hope everything is great on your end! Things here are good. Connor just turned 2 (!) and is just as bubbly as ever.
Michelle Shaver says
March 8th, 2018 at 2:49 pmBeautiful look!!! You do an amazing job at staying on top of all of these releases! ?
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:19 amHi Michelle,
Thanks lady! I know you will feel my heartbreak with this… I’ve temporarily misplaced my last stick of MAC Coffee Eyeliner. I have NO IDEA where I put it! GAHHHHH!
I’m just keeping my fingers and hoping it turns up sooner than later.
Michelle says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:55 amNooooo!!! Oh my heavens, sad day!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 11:28 amIt’s gotta be around here somewhere (at least that’s what I keep telling myself, wah!). My usual approach when it comes to lost things (including lost pieces of makeup) is to let it turn up in its own time. It works for me but sometimes it backfires; I once had a pan of MAC Trax disappear for five years. LOL
Happy Friday to you! I hope you’re having a good one so far. I’m a little shaken because there’s a crew cleaning the gutters in our complex right now and I looked out my window and saw one of the dudes urinating in my front yard behind some bushes! Needless to say I’ve left several crabby voicemails for people.
Michelle says
March 11th, 2018 at 2:34 pmOh my word that’s horrible!! I hope the rest of your weekend has gone much better!!
Suz B. says
March 8th, 2018 at 5:38 pmOoo, that soft, spring-y eye look is absolutely lovely, but girl, your HAIR! those glossy waves are swoon-worthy!
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:17 amThanks Suz! I used a combination of products — R+Co Death Valley for some texture and then a few spritzes of Trophy for shine. I also used a large barrel curling iron from GHD to add some loose curls. I wish I woke up with my hair looking like this, but ya know… That’s what technology is for.
Happy Friday to you. 🙂 What are you up to this weekend, by the way?
Mylinda says
March 9th, 2018 at 5:58 amLove the look you’ve done here. I didn’t think to even browse this collection but now I think I will.
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:15 amHi Mylinda,
Thank you! It’s a beautiful collection and I hope you find something in it that you love!
P.S. Are you a MAC person? What was the first MAC collection you fell in love with? Mine was Barbie Loves MAC from 2007 (!).
Mylinda says
March 9th, 2018 at 1:02 pmI wasn’t always keeping track of collections (and MAC releases an insane number of collections over the course of a year) but I do remember that the first MAC items that I bought were the Viva Glam V and VI lipsticks. I have a fuchsia Hello Kitty lipstick that I’ve held on to all this time. Do you remember that collection? Was it maybe 2009? I don’t wear it anymore but I keep it for the packaging. You’re the reason I look at MAC more than I ever did! I guess you’ve made me a MAC person now 🙂
Kelly says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:02 amAs always, I love what you did with the quad. Gorgeous eye look. The colors are a little pale for me but I could see how this would work for someone who doesn’t already own a few pallettes.
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 7:13 amHi Kelly,
Thanks lady! Happiest of Fridays to you. What’s on the agenda for the weekend? I’m still recovering from Connor’s party last week!
Kelly says
March 9th, 2018 at 8:26 amAnd to you! My Friday is really my Thursday because of our annual company safety meeting on Saturday. It’s a long day but at least I get to see some people that I don’t get to see very often–the flip side being having to see people that I’d be okay not seeing. Alas, it’s once a year. Birthday parties are hard work–especially when you go all out like you did. Please tell me you didn’t make the cake–that’s been bothering me. You can’t be good at everything! It was so gorgeous. I hope it tasted fantastic too. Off to the salt mine now. Enjoy your weekend!
Karen says
March 9th, 2018 at 11:25 amLOL, I hope work goes by in a flash!
Ya know, I didn’t make the cake. I seriously considered it and really wanted to do it but I knew deep down that I was just not going to have enough time. I could’ve made it though if I had like an extra day or so or perhaps a clone of myself, haha!
Will you daughter be home for her birthday this year? Or will be in school?
Kelly says
March 9th, 2018 at 9:54 pmIt didnt go by fast enough! My older daughter has a July birthday just like me so we have a birthday week. My younger daughter’s birthday is in mid April and since she’s still in high school she’ll be home for her birthday too. We don’t really party up like we did when they were little—now it’s out to dinner (dressing up, of course.) me, I’m happy with good pizza and a beer (take out works.) Them, not so much! Enjoy your weekend and rest up!