What do we want? BAM-BOO!
When do we want it? NOW!
What do we want? BAM-BOO!
When do we want it? NOW!
Weirdo that I am, I’ve been chanting this to the windows and walls all morning long. FYI: This is what happens when you’re a stay-at-home professional pet assistant starved for human contact (no offense, Tabs).
I’ve also been marching up and down the halls, one fist raised in defiance, the other clutching a pan of MAC Eye Shadow in Bamboo ($14.50), to protest against the lack of love this often overlooked warm brown matte receives. RAGE AGAINST THE MAKEUP MACHINE, YOU UNSUNG MAKEUP HERO!
LOL! Seriously, though, MAC rock star browns like Soft Brown and Soba always get a lot of love, while Bamboo scoots under the radar.
I know it might sound strange to refer to matte browns as flashy, but for me, as far as staple shadows go, Soft Brown is a rock star. A lot of people, and I’m one of ’em, love it for contouring and as an anchor shade for more complicated eye looks.
Basically, Bamboo is like the light rock version of Soft Brown. Instead of those intense orange tones, I get more of a subdued apricot on my NC42 skin, which I think is just as pretty in its own quiet way.
And Bamboo fits a niche that Soft Brown sometimes fails to fill. On some skin tones, Soft Brown can look really…orange. If you feel too much like an Oompa Loompa in Soft Brown, take a swipe at Bamboo on your next trip to a MAC counter.
I love it in the crease for subtle contouring, and all over the lid when I want a really simple neutral eye; I think it looks great patted on the brow bone, too.
When I’m in the mood to wear warm brown but not in the mood for orange undertones, Bamboo is what I grab. 🙂
A quiet Monday, literally
It’s quiet outside today… Like freaky quiet. And that’s unusual, because I live on top of a hill, and the geography forms something of a wind tunnel. Sometimes, when the wind really kicks up like it did last weekend, the trees creaking and swaying, the wind howling and the leaves rustling can be deafening and downright scary, especially when I’m the only one home.
But you know what really freaks me out? — and I get scared just thinking about it! — the sound of the branches brushing up against the windows, gah! It’s like someone tapping at the window to be let inside…
Okay! No more of that! I’m freaking myself out!
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts… Like bread. I think I’ll visit the French bakery down the street to get a couple of rolls. Reading about Peeta and his bread making in The Hunger Games kicked up my carb cravings big time.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sandy B Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Club Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Red Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tempting Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Phloof Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Crème in Your Coffee Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Paramount Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mocha Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Oh Baby Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Mulch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Cremestick Liners
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sable Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Ochre Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ricepaper Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Cremesheen Glass Is a Veritable Deelight
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lipglass in Spite
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Impassioned Lipstick (and Watermelon)
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Lip Pencil Is In Synch
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soba Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bombshell Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sunbasque Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Clear Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Humid Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Blushbaby Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboo Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Speak Louder Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sweet Satisfaction Pro Longwear Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lady Danger Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ruby Woo Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retrospeck Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Twig Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Party Line Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Melon Pigment
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sumptuous Olive Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Chic Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fast Response Eye Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blot Powder/Pressed
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Woodwinked Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Powersurge Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: All That Glitters Eyeshadow Is Not Just Another Gold
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners
- MAC Unsung Hero: Groundwork Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Hero: Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V
- MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lychee Luxe Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow
Tracy says
March 19th, 2012 at 4:25 pmHahaha I agree-everytime the booked mentioned bread I wanted some!
Bamboo looks great on you!
Tracy recently posted … Using My Temptress Voice To Review Glamglow Mud Mask
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:55 pmHi Tracy,
RIGHT? I am still craving goat cheese, bread and berries.
Joyce says
March 19th, 2012 at 5:09 pmYour skin keeps looking better and better! Are you using a new skincare product? By the way, Bamboo looks plain and boring in the pot, but you wear it very well and it looks gorgeous on you. =)
Joyce recently posted … Review + Comparison: Sonia Kashuk Dense Blush Powder Brush
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:54 pmHi Joyce,
I’m trying a couple of new things (BHA and Benzoyl Peroxide). 🙂
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
March 19th, 2012 at 5:14 pmOh wow, Karen you’re amazing! I have really never heard anyone talk about this eyeshadow before, but it sure looks like a friendly and versatile one!
And hmm I could always always eat some bread. As a matter of fact, I’m feeling pretty hungry now :p
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted … Katy Perry + Eyelure False Eyelashes in Sweetie Pie, Oh, Honey!, Cool Kitty, Oh, My! & EOTD feauting Sweetie Pie & Cool Kitty
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:53 pmHi Sunny,
It’s easy to use, which is what I love about it. Plus, a girl can never have enough matte browns!
Chris25 says
March 19th, 2012 at 5:17 pmI like the way this looks on you, but I try not to rely on MAC too much for neutrals. My fave matte (ish) neutral e/s is Smashbox Nude.
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:52 pmHi Chris,
I think I might have that shade in my stash. Must investigate!
gabby says
March 19th, 2012 at 5:50 pmYou look great. Your skin is amazing! What are you wearing on your cheeks?
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:51 pmHi Gabby!
I’m wearing my latest blush crush, Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-beauty-cat/sunday-riley-blush/
Anita says
March 19th, 2012 at 6:10 pmHi, long time lurker but never commented before! Just wondering what lip gloss or lipstick you’re wearing, looks just the thing for the tentative British spring we’re having here 🙂 (might not be available here come to think of it, but never hurts to ask anyway!)
Anita
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:51 pmHi Anita,
I’m wearing MAC Lychee Luxe Lipglass. Here’s a link:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/mac-unsung-heroes-lychee-luxe-lipglass/
Anita says
March 20th, 2012 at 1:45 amThanks!
Paris B says
March 19th, 2012 at 6:37 pmWow Karen, you know what? You look like a Korean spokesperson for a skincare brand in this pics – gorgeous! 😀 (p/s I don’t know why I said Korean – it was the vibe that popped up at me 😀 )
Paris B recently posted … Your Say: Are Beauty Bloggers supposed to be all young and/or beautiful?
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:50 pmThanks, Paris! That’s a first for me. 🙂
Kajal Couture says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:05 pmI like bamboo as a blending color. I must say though, I used to rely solely on Texture but you got me hooked on Soft Brown…the warm tones just work so well for me.
Karen says
March 19th, 2012 at 8:49 pmTexture’s a good color. I haven’t taken it out to play in a while. Thanks for reminding me!
Gauri says
March 20th, 2012 at 1:57 amHey Karen..I think for the price its a beautiful color. I’ve just 1 eyeshadow from MAC. Beautiful Iris & I’m happy with the texture coz it’s not a shimmery or glittery eyeshadow & gives good wear time!!
Thanks for sharing…
Gauri recently posted … Know Your Fashion Designers: 8 Facts About Rina Dhaka
Becca says
March 20th, 2012 at 2:21 amOoh Karen, I’m surprised no ones mentioned this yet-but where did you get the sweater? Love the knit detailing in the back and the color! So cute!!
Kali says
March 20th, 2012 at 8:43 amI agree! I love the sweater!
Nina says
March 20th, 2012 at 6:39 amits raining buckets here today and whenever i look out my window here at work, i get the shivers — its dark and windy!
i <3 bamboo and often use it as a transition color, esp when the eyeshadow im rocking is really bright. it mutes it down the tiniest bit and blends out any harsh edges … love it!
Michelle says
March 20th, 2012 at 7:05 amHi Karen
You look gorgeous in these pics! I would love a full breakdown of all products and how you applied them!
I just love easy neutral looks 🙂
corallista says
March 26th, 2012 at 5:46 amYou look so chic here! Love kohl rimmed eyes on you. I do find Soft Brown too orange for me, will check this out!
corallista recently posted … Face of the day : Green and Coral makeup look
Neli says
February 5th, 2016 at 4:27 pmI agree with you about Mac Bamboo as an alternative to Mac Soft Brown as a transition color. In fact, I prefer Bamboo. I use it more than I use Soft Brown. Looks so unassuming in the pan, but it’s really the shadow you might need if you are medium to tan, NC40 or so, as I am. Try it. You won’t be disappointed.
Sarah says
June 9th, 2016 at 9:49 amI have been using Mac Bamboo for years. I just went on their website to re-order and it appears that they have discontinued the color! 🙁 Do you have an alternative MAC color that you have been using that is similar to the bamboo? I feel lost without my Mac Bamboo!!