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MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 3 Things to Know About the Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 Quad in Desert Dusk

March 8th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

mac desert dusk
The MAC Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 in Desert Dusk ($33)

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.

mac desert dusk
I’m also wearing the MAC Padma Powder Blush Duo in Moon & Shine, and the Lipsticks in Mittati Pink mixed with Sunset Rose

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!

mac desert dusk swatches
Indian Moon, Shell Peach, Hopper Blue and Natural Brown

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.

mac desert dusk eye closeup
Eye see you!

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

MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 3 Things to Know About the Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 Quad in Desert Dusk / Originally published March 8th, 2018

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Palettes Keywords: mac, mac padma lakshmi

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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Comments

  1. Kim says

    March 8th, 2018 at 9:34 am

    It’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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:31 am

      Hi 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!

      Reply
  2. Metta says

    March 8th, 2018 at 10:41 am

    I 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:27 am

      Hi 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.

      Reply
      • Metta says

        March 9th, 2018 at 4:01 pm

        OMG 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.

        Reply
  3. LindaLibraLoca says

    March 8th, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    I 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

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:22 am

      Thank you! That bright inner corner highlight is a little early 2000s but I loooove it!

      Reply
  4. Ana Samuel says

    March 8th, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    You look so pretty.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:22 am

      Thank 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.

      Reply
  5. Michelle Shaver says

    March 8th, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Beautiful look!!! You do an amazing job at staying on top of all of these releases! ?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:19 am

      Hi 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.

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        March 9th, 2018 at 7:55 am

        Nooooo!!! Oh my heavens, sad day!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!

        Reply
        • Karen says

          March 9th, 2018 at 11:28 am

          It’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.

          Reply
          • Michelle says

            March 11th, 2018 at 2:34 pm

            Oh my word that’s horrible!! I hope the rest of your weekend has gone much better!!

  6. Suz B. says

    March 8th, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    Ooo, that soft, spring-y eye look is absolutely lovely, but girl, your HAIR! those glossy waves are swoon-worthy!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:17 am

      Thanks 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?

      Reply
  7. Mylinda says

    March 9th, 2018 at 5:58 am

    Love the look you’ve done here. I didn’t think to even browse this collection but now I think I will.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:15 am

      Hi 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 (!).

      Reply
      • Mylinda says

        March 9th, 2018 at 1:02 pm

        I 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 🙂

        Reply
  8. Kelly says

    March 9th, 2018 at 7:02 am

    As 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.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 9th, 2018 at 7:13 am

      Hi 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!

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        March 9th, 2018 at 8:26 am

        And 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!

        Reply
        • Karen says

          March 9th, 2018 at 11:25 am

          LOL, 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?

          Reply
          • Kelly says

            March 9th, 2018 at 9:54 pm

            It 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!

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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, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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