I know I did not just hear you say that you don’t have MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow ($14.50) yet because that, my love, would be a makeup travesty of epic proportions.
EPIC!
Okay, maybe not epic. But large. Let’s say, bigger than a breadbox? 🙂
Shoot, I can’t even remember when I first started wearing Ricepaper (I think it was around 1999), but I do remember that it changed my life (as only good makeup can).
This shimmery, pigmented peachy gold is one of those colors I find I’m able to wear every single day, and I almost do. I probably reach for it at least a few times a week and wear it most often as a wash over my lids, or along my brow bone as a highlighter (I think it lifts the arches), or at the inner corners of my eyes when I feel I look tired.
It’s quite the team player, too. It maintains an excellent working relationship with many MAC neutrals, like Soba, Saddle, Soft Brown, Brown Script, Cork and Smoke & Diamonds, and I think it also works well as an accent color for brights that go well with golds, like blues and teals. Freshwater and Aquadisiac are two of its biggest fans.
How do you feel about peachy golden Arena? Similar pigmentation and same soft, buttery texture, but I think Ricepaper looks lighter and peachier to me. Both colors work together really well.
In fact, my favorite way to wear Ricepaper actually includes Arena. It’s a Megan Fox-ish look with some subtle contouring in the crease and lots of black liner and mascara. I start with a bit of matte, yellowy beige MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre ($16.50) applied as a base. Then, I add Ricepaper, sweep a mix of Arena and Soft Brown into the crease, line my eyes with MAC Feline Eye Kohl and finish with mascara.
It’s a pretty easy, neutral look that I can usually knock out in about 10 minutes, and because it is so neutral, it’s one of my fallback looks when I haven’t figured out which direction I want to go with my lips and cheeks.
Ricepaper may not look flashy in its pan, but consider giving it a chance. You two might just hit it off.
They don’t call ’em sunflowers for nothin’
Nothing says “What a beautiful day!” like a small vase of flowers on my desk. This week it’s these sunflowers from Trader Joe’s. I’m almost incapable of frowning around them. 🙂
Here’s to hoping that Tabs doesn’t knock ’em over… It could happen. He obviously has no respect for the “No Tabbies on the Desk” rule, even though it’s been in effect for years.
How’s your Monday treating you? I’m just finishing a late lunch of toasted pugliese with warm cannellini bean, kale and garlic spread and a small side salad. Hope you’re having a great day so far.
Nom!
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- 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: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- 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
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
steph b says
July 18th, 2011 at 4:48 pmHave you tried baking kale chips? Seriously good.
I don’t have Ricepaper. I’ve always thought that on my pale skin it might not be different enough from Naked Lunch. But I’m going to check it out. I need some more everyday peachy goodness.
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:13 pmI haven’t! Do you spray them with an olive oil mister or something and then pop them in the oven?
As for Ricepaper, if you already have Naked Lunch you might not need it, but it’s still worth a swatch next time you’re at the counter just so you can feel the texture. It’s amazing — one of MAC’s best.
steph b says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:37 pmYep. Olive oil, salt, pepper, maybe some chili flakes or chipotle powder for kick. You can play around with spices. Bake a single layer at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Crunch away.
Vonvon says
July 18th, 2011 at 4:52 pmOk, another MAC eyeshadow to my ever- growing wish list.
My Monday’s been pretty good. Heading to bed now, but developed an allergy. *sigh…..blocked nose, teary eyes!
Vonvon recently posted … A Light Box – The Simplest Version
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:12 pmFeel better soon, Vonvon. I know how it is to have bad allergies… ACHOO!
Jessi says
July 18th, 2011 at 4:55 pmThis may be slightly blasphemous, but I’m not a huge fan of MAC shadows. I know their neutrals are pretty good, but I rarely wear neutral shadows. And I have my Naked palette for that! And those bread thingies look super delicious! I’m too hungry to call them anything but “bread thingies”.
Jessi recently posted … Wet n Wild’s Blue Had Me At Hello Swatches and Review
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:11 pmThe bread thingies were SO GOOD. If you want the recipe let me know. It’s super easy to make and very filling.
Laura Amaya says
July 19th, 2011 at 6:56 amPlease send me the recipe!!!!! It looks sooooo yummmy!!!!
Ricepaper! What can I say! I did the miss teen canada world Pageant this wknd and can honestly say I used it on just about every contestant that sat in my chair! most amzing colour!
Nina says
July 18th, 2011 at 4:56 pmyour lunch looks yummy!
i use and abuse and love Ricepaper, almost everyday. its my fave brow and inner corner highlight, and i also love it as an all over wash of color w/ a bright liner!
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:11 pmIt was really delicious. I’m already craving it again. 🙂
Do you ever wear Ricepaper with teal liner? I love, LOVE that combo.
BooBooNinja says
July 18th, 2011 at 8:19 pmPlease share your recipe.
Which teal eyeliner do you recommend?
Nina says
July 19th, 2011 at 6:28 amyes i do! that is my go to look on the weekends. 🙂
of course, you know i love ud 24×7 in flipside – thats what i wear w/ ricepaper then. undercurrent pearglide liner works too!
BooBooNinja says
July 21st, 2011 at 1:17 amthanks for the tips! I’ll check them out this/next weekend. 🙂
Radhika says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:20 pmI will skip the first part..pretend I didn’t read it… 😐 😐 ….I do have a similar colour from Inglot…not really the same…is similar 😀 Your lunch looks yummmm
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:10 pmIt’s a great shadow! You should try it. 🙂
Misato-san says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:41 pmI don’t have it… because I’m too pale to wear a light gold, it looks awful on me…
Misato-san recently posted … Saldi cosmetici
Tiffany says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:46 pmRice paper is amazing! Its got a quality thats perfect because its not completely matte but also doesn’t have too much shimmer. Very Unsung Heros worthy 🙂
Sandy says
July 18th, 2011 at 6:24 pmThat’s so true, I love that it’s not too shimmery and it’s so buttery soft!
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:09 pmAgreed. The texture is one of the best things about it.
Do you ever layer it on top of the Paint Pots? It does a bang up job of sticking to them.
haydyn says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:46 pmWow! I think my ricepaper is defective. It looks nothing like how beautiful yours does. And all this time I’ve felt let down and affronted by my little pan of pigmentless beige
BooBooNinja says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:52 pmWhat do you think of Rose Blanc?
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:08 pmHi BooBooNinja,
Hmm, that one’s limited edition right? I’m afraid I don’t have that one… I think it’s from Strange Hybrid, and I didn’t get anything from the release.
BooBooNinja says
July 18th, 2011 at 8:17 pmRight 🙂 You know your MAC shadows!
I wanted to get MAC Ricepaper as a highlight because I’ve heard such good things about it. I heard that the yellow undertones in Rose Blanc might be better for my NC 20/25 skin… so I ordered the NYX dupe (Highlight). I hope I didn’t make a mistake by not going with MAC Ricepaper!
Iris says
July 18th, 2011 at 5:55 pmI’ve heard so many good things about Ricepaper! I already have Shroom, though, for my highlighting needs. How do you think those two compare?
aradhana says
July 18th, 2011 at 6:41 pmricepaper was one of my first mac shadows, so it has a special place in my heart….
i got ricepaper, saddle and the 239 at the same time, and i wore just those two shadows together (ricepaper all over upper lid, saddle on outer third) for….months on end….lol now i can barely imagine wearing the same two shades everyday!
Karen says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:06 pmOh, that’s a great combo. I do something similar with Soft Brown. I could easily wear it for months on end!
What are your go-tos these days?
aradhana says
July 18th, 2011 at 8:16 pmthe go to’s are constantly changing….these days it’s sparkle, neely, sparkle!
shiny says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:12 pmBetter than a browlift job, I say! As you said about another Unsung Hero (Lychee Luxe, perhaps?), ‘It has great magical powers’.
Maybe that’s exaggeration, but Ilove Ricepaper since I have brows that arch like steep hills and thick glasses. This shadow is like a xenon bulb: it lights up my peepers!
Emi says
July 18th, 2011 at 7:34 pmLove ricepaper! It does a great job covering up the reddish tinge to my eyelid skin (scary stuff to see in the morning). And it has a bit of shimmer that’s totally not overdone. Here’s hoping that they don’t reformulate it lol
Eesha says
July 18th, 2011 at 9:24 pmIt never looks so pretty on my lids, though it’s my favorite highlight e/s and i love to wear it in the inner corners. I pick it up more than couple of times in week to highlight under the brows. It lifts my brows and give the look a nice glow.
Eesha recently posted … Make-up over the weekend!!
Mia says
July 19th, 2011 at 12:50 amI read your post this morning and ended up getting this eyeshadow (along with a few other things) this afternoon! Hah 🙂 So much love, it’s such a pretty shade! ♥
Courtney says
July 19th, 2011 at 6:30 amLet me start off by saying that I am very much a high end product junkie, but my all-time favorite shadow shade is Champagne from Covergirl (been wearing it since the 90’s). It looks really similar to your swatch of ricepaper so I may have to buy it to see how similar they are (ricepaper looks like it may be a bit more peachy). I’d love to be able to replace it with a MAC shadow b/c I just recently found out that CG tests on animals so ethically i can’t justify buying anything from them anymore.
Kayla K says
July 19th, 2011 at 12:15 pmI’m the same way! I wear Champagne every single day, no matter what else my look consists of, as an inner corner highlight. It looks absolutely perfect with everything, I LOVE it. People always look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them my favorite shadow is a Covergirl shadow. I picked it up one day on a whim and haven’t looked back.
Kajal Couture says
July 19th, 2011 at 6:44 amKaren can you share your recipe for that toasted deliciousness?
jenny says
July 19th, 2011 at 7:08 amomg girl ur makeup has been on point lately! i adore the cheek and lips. is that the montego bay / evo revo combo again?? ok so truthfully i’m an urban decay eyeshadow snob but ricepaper and woodwinked are now on my list of must haves for suuuure.
elwoods says
July 19th, 2011 at 7:38 amKaren, what lippie and blush do you have on in your MAC ricepaper pic? GORGEOUS!
Kim says
July 19th, 2011 at 8:11 amIt looks really pretty on you. Gold tones are usually not so great on me, though. I think I’m more of a white/silver girl. Maybe in the summer?
Your lunch looks delish! And you really can’t go wrong with beans and kale, from a health standpoint! 🙂
Svetlana says
July 19th, 2011 at 8:19 amI have Ricepaper but i don’t use it often. I think that I have way too many neutral eyeshadows and I will need 5 life times to use them all up. 🙁
Yuri says
July 19th, 2011 at 8:32 amI have a similar color from lancome And the colors are beautiful for a natural look
Alina says
July 19th, 2011 at 8:57 amI love Ricepaper! It is a great inner corner color. Works great for perking up my tired eyes 🙂
Laurel McFatridge says
July 19th, 2011 at 6:05 pmRICEPAPER….along with Suede, Club, the now retired Mango were my very first MAC purchases! Still use them to this day, although I have never been able to replace Mango.
Alka says
July 20th, 2011 at 8:16 pmLove, love, love ricepaper….sad that I dropped it and have all but given up on trying to make use of the last few tidbits in the pan. Must remember to pick up a replacement.
Rachael says
July 24th, 2011 at 12:50 pmI LOVE Ricepaper! I actually had a Ricepaper tragedy this week — my 15 shadow palette fell and 3 of my shadows broke, including Ricepaper! Need to pick up a replacement soon 🙁
Ugochi says
July 24th, 2011 at 1:05 pmThis shadow looks so nice on you!
Adria says
July 25th, 2011 at 9:37 amRicepaper is the EXACT color of my skin. I use it to give just a little sheen to my brow bone, especially when I want the attention all on my brighter lid colors. Love it!!
Melody says
July 28th, 2011 at 5:37 pmI own and love the MAC shadow Phloof ……how would you say it compares to ricepaper….show i pick up ricepaper too or are they too similar
thank you
melody
norajeans says
August 18th, 2011 at 6:58 pmOmigod! I have those same speakers! I got them as a present in high school and I still have them (even though high school was apparently over 10 years ago ;_;)