Look ma, no…brushes!
Yes, girl. Put down that 217 and 224 ’cause you’re not going to need ’em with the MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows ($21 US, $25 CAD).
Aptly named, these cream eyeshadows are, in fact, super cool — in a figurative sense. I don’t detect a cooling sensation on my lids when I wear them, but their marshmallowy formula is easy to apply and blend.
And that’s pretty cool. (*Does lazy girl makeup dance that bares a striking resemblance to the snake.*)
The Electric Cools are kinda like Chanel’s $36 Illusion D’Ombres at a lower price point ($21). Eight limited edition shades are on their way with the MAC A Novel Romance collection.
Not so much about precision, these shadows live for lived-in, (perhaps even) slightly messy eye looks, and they’re great if you want to create a quick, high-impact eye with a single product.
I think of these eight as two sides of the same family. On one side, there are what I like to call the glitter top coats — champagne Pure Flash, soft rose Love Power, light taupe Superwatt, gold Gilded Thrill, coppery bronze Coil and black Blacklit.
Dramatic on their own, they’re more about glittery bling than pigment intensity. Sometimes, I’ll just pat and blend them on my lids with a finger and add liner and mascara. Maybe also falsies, when I’m feeling it.
Other times, I’ll layer them on top of a powder shadow to add extra sparkle.
The other side of the family is smaller, just two shadows — Switch to Blue, and purple Highly Charge. They’re like the rocker chicks/smokey eye cousins. They derive their drama from major shimmer and pigment (but not from glitter).
Wear them on their own or atop a black base like MAC Blackground Paint Pot. Just pat them on with a finger for an instant cool girl smokey eye.
Of course, you could use also brushes to apply these shadows, and if you do, I recommend flat, dense brushes like the 239, both application and blending (for these, I’d skip the domed and tapered brushes).
It’s just that whenever I touch them with a 217 or 224, glitter goes flying everywhere! — up into brows, my lashes, my cat’s fur, my nextdoor neighbor’s garden…
I dunno… For some reason, the fluffier brushes don’t get along well with this cream shadow formula (when I use them).
As for wear time, WHOA. With these, I can absolutely skip the primer. Bare lids are fine. I get from 8-10 hours of wear with very little creasing or movement (as long as I don’t pile it on).
PRICE: $21 US, $25 CAD
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition; available August 14 online at maccosmetics.com; August 21 – October 2 in North American stores and counters; internationally this September
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Agata says
August 5th, 2014 at 7:11 pmPretty lady! I love your outfit with this necklace and I absolutely love your lip color combo! Gorgeous!
Agata recently posted … Lorac Pro2 Palette- review and look.
Ellabeaute says
August 5th, 2014 at 7:11 pm“It’s just that whenever I touch them with a 217 or 224, glitter goes flying everywhere! — up into brows, my lashes, my cat’s fur, my nextdoor neighbor’s garden…” LOL @thevisual. I saw it. In my mind. Glitter in the air. Just like Pink.
Anyway, I think Coil and Superwatt may be coming home with me (and my dog and my neighbors…).
Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup says
August 5th, 2014 at 10:16 pmYou look especially gorgeous and radiant here, Karen! I really like the look you did with these shadows. I had come across other reviews that weren’t as promising for these, but now I want to give these a second look…
Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup recently posted … Dior Pandore #754 Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer Review & Photos
Fieran says
August 6th, 2014 at 12:05 amI’ve been eyeing Coil to wear with smudged black liner. You look really good with that necklace!
Lancy says
August 6th, 2014 at 1:27 amThese shades look really really vibrant! They definitely won’t scream for a primer.. as you mentioned.. I love how long staying they are! Switch to blue is my favorite 🙂
Lancy recently posted … Colorbar Nail Polish Remover Review
Ankita@corallista says
August 6th, 2014 at 1:43 amCoil is on my list! Can’t get enough of bronze/copper shades!
Ankita@corallista recently posted … NEW! Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum
Kiss & Make-up says
August 6th, 2014 at 3:54 amAnd there’s the necklace again 😀 Your swatches look nice, I’m more impressed this time than I was when I saw them on another blog.
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Crazy about coral: a full coral make-up look
Sara@ColorMeLoud says
August 6th, 2014 at 5:26 amThanks for this very detailed review. I am happy to learn that if my neighbour decides to get them and a fluffy brush, I can get my make-up done while taking a sun bath at the garden 😉
Sara@ColorMeLoud recently posted … Nars Dual Intensity Eye Shadows in Callisto and Desdemona, Review, Swatch & FOTD
Kim says
August 6th, 2014 at 7:46 amThey look and sound fab but I thought your lip color was really stand-out as well. Not to mention the new necklace – what a great all-around look! 🙂
PS Sorry for all the hyphens; not sure what’s up with that.
Karen says
August 6th, 2014 at 4:53 pmHaha! 🙂 You know me. I loves me some hyphens.
And ellipses…
fancie says
August 6th, 2014 at 12:25 pmCoil and Highly Charged look beautiful!
fancie recently posted … MAC Blunt Blush Review
Lisa C says
August 6th, 2014 at 8:19 pmSome of these were released in a prev collection. Cant remember the name right off hand, but I know Coil and Superwatt were in them.
Sylirael says
August 7th, 2014 at 4:12 amI wish the blue was more pigmented, buecause it’s SUCH a lovely colour!
Sylirael recently posted … The Nocturnal Rogue: Adventuring with Tarte’s Rainforest After Dark Eye and Cheek Palette!
Ashley says
October 19th, 2015 at 8:51 amAny of these a good dupe for Chanel’s Mirage?