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MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow

May 27th, 2010 by Karen 56 Comments

mac soft brown

Oh, the buckets of glittery tears I’d shed if MAC ever discontinued Soft Brown Matte Eyeshadow ($14.50).

Don’t be fooled by how uninspiring it looks in the pan. Soft Brown’s like the sun and the rain, and it makes my life a foolish game. Okay, well, that may be going a little too far, but I do think I could probably wear it every day for the rest of my life (no joke).

Because it’s a color I reach for so often, I think of Soft Brown as an “anchor” shade — like the glue that holds many of my eye looks together.

Worn in the crease, Soft Brown’s warm orangey brown gives depth and dimension to smokey looks. In a matte finish, I think it also ups the contrast of any shimmery shades I wear with it in blue, green, peach, pink — you name it.

A few shots of Soft Brown in action…


With a shimmery green shadow in the Bobbi Brown Ivy League Look


With a teal eyeshadow in the Freida Pinto SAG look


With browns and beiges in this office-inspired makeup look using colors from the MAC Originals collection

But what I love about it most is how well it works on such a wide range of skin tones from light to dark.

Soft Brown Fun Fact: Fan of the show, Mad Men (I am!)? Soft Brown is one of the key shades MAC makeup artists use on characters Joan Holloway (the stunning redhead) and Betty Draper (a beautiful blonde).


Joan Holloway, played by actress Christina Hendricks


Elizabeth “Betty” Draper, played by actress January Jones

I’m sure I could live without this MAC Unsung Hero, but would I want to?? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection…

  • 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 Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
  • MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
  • MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow

MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow / Originally published May 27th, 2010

There are 56 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Unsung Heroes Keywords: mac, unsungheroes

Previous Post: 9 Things: Times You Took a Chance
Next Post: Makeup Organization Ideas: MAC Paint Pots, Pigments or Fluidlines

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    May 27th, 2010 at 9:16 am

    It is a great go-to shade. I use it with a 224 brush in the crease to blend out everything!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

      It’s a minor miracle in the crease, isn’t it? LOVE Soft Brown!

      Reply
  2. Lindsay says

    May 27th, 2010 at 9:25 am

    I use this shade with just about everything. I love it’s blendability. Thanks for the great review, as always!
    .-= Lindsay’s last blog post… Wet N Wild Lust FOTD =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

      Me too. It just melts into the skin!

      Reply
  3. Arianne says

    May 27th, 2010 at 9:42 am

    I wholeheartedly agree. Soft Brown is a great anchor shade, for both bold and neutral looks.
    .-= Arianne’s last blog post… Getting My Glow On Thanks to Genuine Health! =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

      Yay for Soft Brown!

      Reply
  4. Karen B says

    May 27th, 2010 at 9:49 am

    Yes, I remember it being featured on Joan in Mad Men. I do have Kid and Cork eyeshadow, how different is Soft Brown from those two?
    .-= Karen B’s last blog post… Shopaholic =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

      Soft Brown is warmer and has more peach/orange in it.

      Reply
      • Karen B says

        May 28th, 2010 at 6:29 am

        Hmm, don’t know if it’ll play nicely with my colouring. Will try on my next visit to the store 😉
        .-= Karen B’s last blog post… Shopaholic =-.

        Reply
      • Karen says

        May 29th, 2010 at 11:30 am

        Hmm, maybe check out Wedge and Soba. Those might look better on you!

        Reply
  5. Tiffany says

    May 27th, 2010 at 10:04 am

    I need a shade like this! I love me some neutral eyeshadows!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm

      I can’t believe you don’t have Soft Brown. You need it in your life, ASAP.

      Reply
      • Tiffany says

        May 28th, 2010 at 5:38 am

        I feel so overwhelmed looking through their huge rack o’ eyeshadows. and then I usually pick a few shades, look at the names and realize all the colors I’m drawn to I already own, and then I give up. LOL!

        Reply
      • Karen says

        May 29th, 2010 at 11:32 am

        Oh, I totally get that. I have to go in with a LIST, otherwise I get too overstimulated.

        What neutrals do you have? These are a few of my go-tos:

        Shroom
        Soba
        Saddle
        Soft Brown
        Cork
        Brule
        Ricepaper
        Arena
        All That Glitters
        Brownscript

        I’m sure there are a few more but I can’t think of ’em right now, oy!

        Reply
  6. Liza says

    May 27th, 2010 at 10:04 am

    Hey hey, I’m looking for a brown eyeshadow hero of my own. What do you think would be a cool-toned but still matte counterpart to this?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm

      Hi Liza,

      Check out Wedge, Omega or Charcoal Brown.

      Reply
  7. Chibu74 says

    May 27th, 2010 at 10:36 am

    I love ur pic in Black…ur skin looks so glowy….very pretty

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 10:45 am

      Thanks Chibu! 🙂 How’s your day going? We’re almost to Friday, wee!

      Reply
  8. Michelle (LipstickRules) says

    May 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am

    I bought this last year because of you! I love it to death as well.
    .-= Michelle (LipstickRules)’s last blog post… To Review or Not to Review – that is the Question =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:41 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad you like it and love it.

      Reply
  9. Vet says

    May 27th, 2010 at 11:40 am

    Thanks for posting this Karen, I’ve been looking for a soft brown color for everyday (work day) look. I’ll have to check it out!

    Reply
  10. Tania says

    May 27th, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    Karen,
    This is my fav Unsung Hero post thus far. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this color!!! My eyes are dark brown and this just oomph’s them up a bit. I like it on top of Painterly Paint Pot and it’s great if you’ve gone overboard with eyeshadow. My new fav way to wear it is with the blue eyeshadow from the Dame Edna eyeshadow palette. Great post!! Happy Thursday!!!

    -Tania

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:41 pm

      Sounds like a fabulous combo — soft Brown looks so great with blues!

      Happy Thursday to you, too. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Lydia W says

    May 27th, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    mmm, looks fab 🙂
    tempted to grab some of this next time I’m in town, but I’m kinda pale (NW15) and wondering if it might look a bit too orange?
    help! x

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

      Hi Lydia,

      Maybe look into more golden or beige-y browns like Soba, Cork, Era or Omega.

      Reply
  12. Holly G says

    May 27th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    I’m exceedingly pale and a MAC makeup artist advised me to use it on my wedding day, in conjunction with cork satin and a pinkish shade I can’t remember the name of, and it looked amazing!!! Now it’s one of my everyday staples! 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:34 pm

      Oh, your look sounds beautiful.

      Cork is another one of my faves, actually! Have you tried Soba? If you like Cork, you might like Soba, too.

      Reply
  13. Nina says

    May 27th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    I believe I need this eyeshadow in my life. Immediately! 😀

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:34 pm

      Yes you do! You can wear it with all the MAC neutral greats: All That Glitters, Arena, Naked Lunch, Woodwinked, Sable, Shroom, Ricepaper…

      Reply
  14. JamieJamez says

    May 27th, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Ugh!, I went to a sneak peek of Mac’s to the beach collection on the 18th and the only thing I really wanted was sand & sun E/S and after your review knew the color payoff wasn’t worth it but still wanted to see it for myself. The MUA did a quick eye demo with rubenesque paint pot as my base and over all lid with sand & sun and soft brown in my crease. The look was so pretty. I got the paint pot and sand & sun but left soft brown coz I thought is was an easy dupeable color, now I’m not so sure. =(

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:33 pm

      Hmmm. I’m always down for a drugstore alternative, but I have to say I still haven’t found anything quite like Soft Brown.

      Do you do smokey eyes often? It looks really great blended out in the crease.

      Reply
      • JamieJamez says

        May 28th, 2010 at 7:12 am

        I really don’t do smokey eyes often but that’s only coz I can never get the look right. No matter how many brushes (mac, sephora, ulta, drug store), makeup and tutorials I watch and read it just never looks good.

        Reply
        • Karen says

          May 28th, 2010 at 9:56 am

          Okay, I have two pretty easy smokey eye tutorials for you to try. The first one’s a little dramatic because I did it for Halloween a couple years ago, but you can always tone it down with more subtle colors:

          MAC Smokey Eye Tutorial

          This one’s waaay easy, and suitable for day:

          Smokey Eyes 101

          Reply
  15. Catherine says

    May 27th, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Karen, I have a whole list of MAC neutrals I want now because of you. =P
    .-= Catherine’s last blog post… MAC To The Beach Marine Life High-Light Powder pt. 1 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

      Trust me, you’ll be so happy when you finally get them in your stash. You’ll be able to get a lot of use out ’em.

      How are you feeling? I hope you aren’t sick anymore!

      Reply
  16. Christina says

    May 27th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    wow…soft brown looks nice…I love, love love the third look, with the orange/reddish lip…
    P.s: totally off-topic BUT your eyebrows look killer, I wish mine were in such great shape 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

      LOL, you should’ve seen them before I started plucking and filling them in when I was in college. They were a hot mess!

      Reply
  17. Maggie says

    May 27th, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    I’ve been wanting Soft Brown for the longest time…and Naked Lunch too! I really need to go out and by them now. Seriously.
    .-= Maggie’s last blog post… Let’s Rejoice! It’s a Mini CVS Haul =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm

      I just picked up Naked Lunch recently… it looks faboo with Soft Brown.

      Reply
  18. scarlettholly says

    May 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    I havent tried this one yet. I can feel a haul of mac permanent shades coming up!!
    .-= scarlettholly’s last blog post… Urban Decay Stardust Shadows: A Glittery Feast! =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:29 pm

      Yeaaaah!! I feel one coming on too… I need more purples in my life to wear with Soft Brown.

      Reply
  19. rachel says

    May 27th, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    best. eyeshadow. EVER.
    .-= rachel’s last blog post… Project 10 Pan – PRODUCT THE FIRST =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 27th, 2010 at 8:28 pm

      No kidding! It always comes with me on vacation.

      Reply
  20. Beauty Is Diverse says

    May 27th, 2010 at 5:58 pm

    This shade looks really good.
    .-= Beauty Is Diverse’s last blog post… Fashion Business: Victor Dzenk S/S 2011 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 29th, 2010 at 11:32 am

      It’s really great! Try it sometime.

      Reply
  21. Ewa Linsey says

    May 28th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Karen, You are so persuasive. I am totally sold on that shade. I LOVE how you look in that green/ brown smokey eye: so beautifull and classy. My unsung hero is more taupe: I really like Taupe Satin by MAC. Ewa@LoveSmokeyEyes

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 29th, 2010 at 11:33 am

      That’s a beautiful shade! I know many ladies that can’t live without it.

      Reply
  22. Vonvon says

    May 28th, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    Soft Brown has some red in it, no?

    My neutrals are usually from the champagne shade family. wonder if this brown would make my eyes look like I’ve rubbing my eyes…..as my eyes are quite puffy.
    .-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Photos: MAC To The Beach – Look, Outfit & Tote! =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 29th, 2010 at 11:33 am

      Hi Vonvon,

      Hmm… I’d say it’s more orange than red.

      Reply
  23. Anne says

    July 26th, 2010 at 9:19 am

    dear karen,

    you totally made my day (which has been an too-much-work&no-sunshine-only-rain monday so far). i have been forever looking for a neutral shade every day eye shadow & i wanted it to a mac one 😉 i’m more of a blush & lipgloss kinda girl, but this shade looks simply perfect.

    thanks again, have a sparkling week & greetings from a summer-rainy germany,
    anne

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 26th, 2010 at 9:23 am

      Hi Anne,

      So glad to hear that you ind this helpful! If you’re a makeup minimalist, you might also want to check out MAC Soba and MAC Woodwinked eyeshadows, too. 🙂

      Reply
  24. Savannah says

    November 19th, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    I’m definitely wanting some new shades for my collection, (not to say that I don’t have enough, I have three quads, and one 15 palette and they’re all almost full :S) I just want some new things, and some shades turned out to be duds or are too colorful and I can’t wear them everyday. I’m thinking of soft brown, espresso, grain, rice paper and brule? To spice things up 🙂

    Reply
  25. Arlene says

    March 5th, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    Is there any dupes for soft brown? It’s not sold at mac in Ireland and was wondering wud harmony blush be similar

    Reply
  26. Mz Nanee says

    April 9th, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    hi Karen…

    I love natural colour..!!
    my skin is NC40…can u suggest which colour of eyeshadow for my skin tone?

    Reply

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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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