Officially, MAC’s moniker for today’s Unsung Hero is “Phloof!” ($15, exclamation mark included), but because of this eyeshadow’s uncanny ability to brighten tired eyes, I think it looks more like a “POOF!” instead.
As for how we met, credit for that goes to my pal, Amara (thanks, girl!).
It was an early morning last spring after Amara and I had gone out to a late dinner the night before. While I looked like a zombie extra on the set of The Walking Dead, she, on the other hand, looked wide awake, glowing and totally refreshed. I couldn’t believe my eyes!
But as tired as I was that day, at least I had the good sense to ask Amara what she was wearing.
Her answer: “PHLOOF! And it’s magic.”
Swatch of Phloof! with MAC Shroom (center) and MAC Vex eyeshadows (far right) for comparison
If Red Bull gives you wings, then frosty, off-white Phloof! gives you a private jet! It packs some serious morning mojo and pigment like KA-POW! A single buttery, blendable layer on my lids does as much for my eyes as two extra hours of sleep.
Wearing Phloof! I look alert, awake and energized — like I’m ready to swoop in after dawn, cook a huge breakfast for 12, write three chapters of a bestselling novel, and then perform an emergency root canal, all before brunch (SIDE NOTE: Have I ever told you about my fear of having my dentist doze off in the middle of a procedure?).
Better yet, Phloof! is also easy to use. I just pat, pat and blend (harried college students and busy moms, you’ll love this shade).
When I’m feeling ambitious, I might add some black liquid liner, or perhaps a sassier purple or blue, but most of the time I just curl my lashes, add a couple of coats of mascara, and line like I did for these pics.
BONUS: I think it also works fab as a highlighter for the brows and at the inner corners of the eyes.
And Phloof! looks fab on lighter lovelies and darker divas alike. Because it’s neither too cool nor warm, it’s a little unlike many other highlighting MAC eyeshadow hits like Shroom and Vex; I think it works well on a wide range of skin tones.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. This is totally not MAC-related, but it’s news I had to share. Benefit just kicked off their online Friends & Family sale!
Might be the perfect time to stock up on Sugar Cookie lipstick or Bella Bamba blush.
I’m just sayin’. 🙂
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- 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: 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
Elli Le says
November 7th, 2011 at 5:11 pmThis looks lovely! 😀 But how similar is it to Urban Decay’s Sin or Virgin, from the Naked Palette? From the swatches, it looks like the UD shadows are more glittery?
Tiffany says
November 7th, 2011 at 5:14 pmI have a list of all your Unsung Heroes saved in my phone for the next time I go to the MAC counter. *adds Phloof! to list* 😀
PinkGlitter says
November 7th, 2011 at 5:17 pmThese eyeshadow looks great on you! It really does do a good job of brightening. Might have to add this my makeup wishlist.
PinkGlitter recently posted … Wedding Weekend
PinkGlitter says
November 7th, 2011 at 5:19 pmI just re-read what I wrote.. so many typos.
Meant to say…
This eyeshadow looks great on you! Does a great job of brightening. Might have to add this to my makeup wishlist. 🙂
PinkGlitter recently posted … Wedding Weekend
Joyce says
November 7th, 2011 at 5:24 pmI already have Shroom and I love wearing it on my tear duct, so I don’t think I need Phloof. I swatched Phloof many times at MAC before, but it always seem too frosty and white. Shroom seems more subtle, but still acts as a great highlight for the inner corner of the eye and makes me look more awake. It also brightens my eye look. =)
Joyce recently posted … Comment With A Link To Your Newest Blog Post
Cassy says
November 7th, 2011 at 6:01 pmLove Phloof! It pulls quite pink (whiteish pink) on me. It’s my right hand to Seedy Pearl which is like the same thing but with a purple lean. If I could cuddle them both right now, I would.
Gina says
November 7th, 2011 at 6:50 pmI LOVE your unsung hero posts! It’s so hard to find good pictures and swatches of MAC’s permanent products online, and I think that’s due to all of the limited edition releases. But your pictures are always fantastic, so I’m so grateful for these posts.
AnnA says
November 7th, 2011 at 8:43 pmI totally agree. I’m a stay at home mom and I love this for a bright wash. I also love Bare Study paint pot for the same reason (maybe even more because of the staying power and because like someone else stated, phloof can pull pink on me). They are perfect for a quick, rested look.
I just want to say thanks for the amazing blog. I can’t even fathom the energy it takes to load so much relevant and entertaining content. The beautiful photos and witty banter is appreciated. You brighten my day (just like Phloof!)!
Vonvon says
November 8th, 2011 at 4:23 amI used to use Stila Kitten eyeshadow for the effect. Then on to Korres gold 24S.
Another MAC to my wish list!
Vonvon recently posted … Photo: Makeup Academy Pro Eyeshadow Palettes
Nina says
November 8th, 2011 at 6:52 ami LOVE Phloof …. its one of those shades that makes me look like i had 12 hours of sleep even when i didnt!
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 7:50 amYES! Do you wear it on its own, or do you pair it with other colors?
Nina says
November 8th, 2011 at 11:14 amwhen im lazy, ill wear it on its own with brown or gray liner. otherwise, ill use it all over the lids w/ espresso on the crease. love it!
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 2:27 pmI’ll have to try it with Espresso. I know I have it around here somewhere. Yay, new makeup looks!
Kim says
November 8th, 2011 at 8:29 amI love the name. Phloof. It just sounds awesome! My cup brimmeth over with white shadows but think I might get a little touch of pink from this one (if it’s anything like it looks in the pan).
Oh, and I forgot to tell you my makeup moment from the party. I had a dark pink clinique shadow in my crease (darker in the outer corners and blended across my lid) with a pearly pink shadow as a highlighter under my brows. My friend said my eye makeup looked great and she can never wear shadow because she looks like a hooker. I instinctively said “oh, no, you just have to blend”. That was probably my only Karen moment for this lifetime. I was so proud. 🙂 I did pull out the stops with the high beam and smashbox photo op brightener, though. I even had a light dusting of Bare Minerals powder on my forehead, nose and chin. Of course, the obligatory faux cils, orgasm blush, chocolate lustre liner and honey brow keeper… all over Smooth Operator. And Clinique’s Just Gorgeous lipstick. That’s a LOT of makeup for me. 🙂
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 10:50 amOOH, YAY!!!! You are spreading the makeup gospel! 😀
Your look sounds beautiful. Now, for the next big blowout — FALSE LASHES. Yes, you can.
Kim says
November 9th, 2011 at 6:03 amHAHA! I’m definitely going to do it. I’m sure I’ll have some holiday thing or other to attend, and I’ll be giving the lashes a try. You and I are on the same page with the drag lashes. I just haven’t taken the time to get any… yet! 🙂
Advah says
November 8th, 2011 at 9:22 amOh great post, I’d been wondering about that eyeshadow for a while! Straight to my MAC wish list.
I recently got MAC’s Vapour to even out the eyelid, and whilst I love it I expected it to look closer to Phloof. Damn that store lighting that makes things look different! It also seems to have that slight lavender-ish tone I was after.
Can I ask how it compares to Vanilla? They look kind of similar to me, except Phloof seems a bit more pigmented?
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 10:44 amHi Advah,
I still have Vapour on my list. 🙂
As for Vanilla, I think it has the tendency to pull less pink than Phloof.
Advah says
November 8th, 2011 at 1:18 pmThanks! Sounds like I should have a closer look at both 😛
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 2:19 pmIt’s a good color. Let me know which one you end up with! 🙂
Iram says
November 8th, 2011 at 10:31 amI just got one of the Fabulously Festive face kits from one of MAC’s new winter collections and that eyeshadow is in it. I’M IN LOVE! It’s really quite amazing 🙂
xo
Iram recently posted … MAC Sparkles My World!
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 10:39 amYay! I’m glad you like it.
Kristen says
November 8th, 2011 at 10:42 amThis is one of my all-time fave MAC staples! I’m wearing it today because I looked a little more tired than usual this morning. Great choice!
Kristen recently posted … Rx for Sparse Brows
Carrie Ann says
November 8th, 2011 at 11:52 amI love Phloof!, Shroom and Vapour for making my eyes look brighter. They’re three of my favorite permanent MAC shadows. Vex is awesome, too. Phloof! is such a great name, isn’t it? 🙂
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 2:26 pmVex has been rocking my world forever. LOVE that color.
You’re the second person here to mention Vapour. I guess I really need to get it, huh?
Nancy says
November 8th, 2011 at 12:01 pmI absolutely love this eyeshadow!! I wear it as a highlighter on my brows and on the inner corner of my eyes with Satin Taupe on the lid and Sketch in the crease!! This is my go-to eyeshadow look!
Karen says
November 8th, 2011 at 2:25 pmOh, it’s so good with Satin Taupe. The colors play off each other nicely! What lippie/blush do you usually wear with it?
Nancy says
November 10th, 2011 at 12:13 pmRight now I am wearing Plum Foolery blush with it 🙂
Bea says
November 12th, 2011 at 6:52 amHey!
Is this similar to any of the urban decay shades?
Leslie says
November 13th, 2011 at 6:58 amI love this color. I wear it to highlight under my eye brow. I always get compliments when I wear it!
Leslie recently posted … Eye Shadow for Hazel Eyes