I’ve been belting tunes and chair dancing to a lot of old-school Whitney lately (RIP, Whit), and I’ve also been thinking back to when I Wanna Dance With Somebody took the pop music world by storm. Do you remember that? Whenever my friends and I would hear those first few notes start playing on MTV, we’d all drop whatever we were doing and tear into the living room, turn up the volume and start dancing.
Those were good times… 🙂
This was back before I was allowed to wear makeup, but it didn’t stop me from admiring Whitney’s bold ’80s eye looks.
I bet the new MAC Eye Shadow X 4 quad in Shop & Drop ($38), one of three quads in the new Shop MAC collection, would have been a big hit back then with its smokey purples, pinks and grays.
The first time I saw these four eyeshadows in Sugar Snack (a light pink matte), Hypnotizing (a frosty grayish mauve), Power Boosted (a pearly violet) and Shop & Drop (a deep blue satin), I thought, “Better for cool-toned babes,” but after getting to know ’em better, I think they’re also neutral enough for gals with warmer skin tones like mine.
Swatches from the left: Sugar Snack, Hypnotizing, Power Boosted and Shop & Drop
With shades like these, bold eyes don’t have to be hard or complicated. In fact, they can be downright easy. By layering Hypnotizing, the frosty grayish mauve, with any of the other colors from the quad, you get a simple high shine look that’ll catch anyone’s attention. Or, try layering Hypnotizing on top of a rich, creamy black pencil liner like MAC Smolder or Feline for a quick, smokier look.
Lately, I’ve been using the darkest shade in the quad, deep blue satin Shop & Drop, in a lot of smokey eyes. Because it’s less stark than black and gray, I think it’s just a breeze to work with and makes creating smokey transitions from dark to light on my lids a whole lot easier. If your attempts at smokey eyes often leave you looking worse for wear, as opposed to sultry, this shade could be a great reason to splurge on the quad.
Of the three Shop MAC quads, I feel like this one’s the most dramatic, and it gets my vote for colors to wear for a night on the town. Add a fitted black dress, a pair of pumps, and you’re sure to turn some heads. 🙂
And speaking of pumps…how about these?
French Connection Banded Mini Dress ($188) on the left Sam Edelman Scarlett Pump ($132) on the right
When it comes to how these colors perform, how about very good. I do detect some minor fallout from Hypnotizing, but I think the quad’s strengths more than make up for it. All four of these shades also resist creasing and fading on me and last from breakfast till dinner.
Shop & Drop makes quick work of bold eye makeup, especially evening looks, and the next time I head to Vegas, it’s totally coming with me.
PRICE: $38
AVAILABILITY: Available now at MAC counters, in stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Pip-pip, cheerio!
So…you know you’ve been watching a little too much Downton Abbey when you live on this side of the pond and your inner voice develops an accent.
Yeah, because lately, whenever I read to myself, the voice in my head sounds like Mrs. Patmore, the head cook at Downton (am I the only one out there this is happening to…?).
Don’t get me wrong. She’s got a great voice. It’s just not mine. 🙂
But enough about that. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to make it to September without new episodes of Downton in my life.
Oh, cruel world!
I’m counting down the days till the season premiere…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love your hair!! It looks really great like that!
Thanks, CrystalCandy! I’m having an 80s moment. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE how you wore the shades. I wish MAC will release Hypnotizing as a single eyeshadow. I know they had it in the Love Lace collection, but I didn’t get a chance to get it. =(
That would be rad! I would definitely get a pan to put in my pro palette!
I love smokey eye looks on you. And I love blue shadows on you. I think an angel smiled in my direction today, because I got what I wanted. 🙂
You are so sweet, Chris. 🙂
How are my favorite east coast kitties doing today?
Those shoes, I want want want want want. The eyeshadow is nice but the SHOES.
So pretty, right? I don’t think I could walk in ’em, though!
Wow, what a gorgeous, smokey look!! I love the way you used the palette!
Thank you, Sonya!
U too, me too jamming me some Whitney, & yes we did the same thing, drop anything & dance when her song came on MTV or radio. I gotta hand it to u Karen u rock these colors, but where did u get those lovely earrings?
Hi Rozae,
YES! Especially the upbeat dance songs: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and “How Will I Know” were our faves. 🙂
As for the earrings… hmm, I got them a while back at Forever 21, I think.
I really like this quad compared to the other two as I’m a big fan of dark, smoky shades like these. Will definitely be swatching it when I see it at the stores.
Hypnotizing looks like it will go with literally anything. I’m hoping it turns out to be a workhorse shade 🙂
Hi Fieran,
I think if you wear a lot of grayish mauves that it easily could be an everyday workhorse color. When you swatch it, you must try it layered on top of a creamy, black liner. It really is gorgeous.
How are things going for you this week? My Monday and Tuesday were busy, but now things are sorta slowing down a bit so I can breathe. (YAY!)
I don’t have many mauves but I have a lot of grays. Gray is my go to color for day-to-day smoky looks. I’ll definitely swatch over a black base. Thanks for the tips 🙂
The week is alright. I have a performance review that I’m a bit nervous about this Friday. I’m sure I’ll be alright but it’s not my favorite part about work. Glad to hear things are slowing down at your end. Happy Hump Day and take care.
You’re welcome! 🙂 Since you love grays so much I feel it’s my duty to tell you about one of my fave gray pencils, Laura Mercier’s Stormy Grey. I seriously can’t live without it. It’s a shimmery gunmetal with a hint of green. Here’s a swatch from a while back:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/cosmetics/if-you-need-me-ill-be-on-the-laura-mercier-silk-road-the-silk-road-collection-for-spring-2011/
Good luck on your performance review on Friday! When I worked in the corporate world, I wasn’t too fond of those either. Maybe you should make a plan to treat yourself when it’s done?
OK, just saw Stormy Grey. You’re right! It’s gorgeous. You’ve done your duty very well 🙂
I’m treating myself to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday at London (more to renew my passport than anything else). But I’m really itching to get a Tom Ford eyeshadow quad..so maybe if I get a good review, I’ll be convinced enough to actually buy it. *Fingers crossed*
I LOVE this look, it really suits you!! And being cool toned, I think I should check out the quad. Heheheh..
Hi Advah,
Yes, you should! I bet these shades would really pop on your skin. How’s your day going so far? Good, I hope. I just finished working out and now it’s time to write… yay!
It was a long day! I’m off dairy and gluten, and the afternoon draaaags if I don’t have my brownie slice and cup of tea! 😉
Hope your week is going well, the weekend is almost there..!
I love those colors on you and the ponytail is very cute 🙂
Thanks, Martha! 🙂
I REALLY WANT THIS QUAD (and the dress and the shoes, though there’s no way in hell I can ever walk in them)!!! Easy gorgeous smokey eye. You look FAAAAB!
Hi Sunny,
I love the shoes in theory, but not so much in practice. I do love the dress, though… looks stretchy!
i love this make-up look on you! the colors suit you very well <3 smokey eyes are the best 😀
Thanks, Artemis! I love smokey eyes… so fun!
Have a good day!
Hypnotizing is one of mhy fave-est eyeshadows ever … this quad is just super awesome!
Hi Nina,
It’s super pretty! I love it by itself too.
Wait… did you end up picking up all three quads?
shhhh!!! but yes. i did pick up all three quads. i havent hauled MAC in such a big way since … omg i cant even remember.
id get an item or none when collections launched … but this one just blew me away!
I agree that your smokey eye would do Whitney proud. 🙂 I feel like my ankle snapped in half just looking at those shoes, though. I know there are people who can walk in heels that are the width of toothpicks, but I’m definitely not one of them!
Hi Kim,
I’m comfortable in high heels, but I don’t think I could handle those either. Give me a chunky platform heel any day of the week…
Anywho, please tell me you’re wearing a crazy bright eye look today!
Oh, I’m with you on the platforms (or a chunky heel). Those are definitely my favorite. It’s not the height so much as the ankle wobble. hee hee!
I’m wearing a crazy bright eye look today! I’m sorry. That was a lie. 🙂 I’m wearing my regular chocolate lustre liner and faux cils. I’ve been wearing my UD primer, though. I think that’s a step in the right direction. It might lead to shadows! I’ll need a surgical intervention on my droopy eyelids first. 🙂
Ahh! I love, love, love this smokey eye, Karen – you make it sound so easy, and that blending is amaze. <3!
Thanks, Rae! <3
I am REALLY loving your look in this post! You can seriously rock those colors!
YES! I love Downton Abbey! And it’s not just the voice in my head that takes on the accent. =)You may want to try looking online for Season 3. (there are several websites that put them up before they come to American TV)
My sister & I had a Downton Abbey party. We watched the season opener & served British food. It was FUN!
How fun! I wish I was your neighbor… I would’ve totally come to your party. What foods did you serve?
Oh, and thanks for the info on Season 3. I’m currently going through withdrawal so hopefully I can find a new ep soon.
I’m not a big fan of blue eye shadows but I LOVE what you’ve done with these here!
I really like what you did with this look. The shadows don’t look very pigmented, but that could be good for people like me that suck at doing dark looks and don’t want to get too bold too fast! 😀