MAC Rose Lens Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Rose Lens
MAC Rose Lens Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a new, permanent six-pan palette that included two matte shades and four shimmers. I was not impressed by the formula used for the new Connect in Colour palettes as the shimmers were dry, thin, dusty, and/or powdery with sheer coverage and poor longevity, while the mattes were better, they weren’t as blendable as they could (or should!) have been. The new formula is supposed to have “one-swipe” pigmentation and they are being sold as VERY pigmented eyeshadows, yet three shimmers were very, very weak eyeshadows… period.
The only thing that kept this palette from dropping into the D-rating range is that MAC only made an eight-hour wear time claim (whereas most brands aren’t specific, so 8 hours of wear typically garners 8.5/10 rating, and here 8-hour wear would be 10/10).
Ingredients
DM Me
DM Me is a medium, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted sheen.
- Semi-opaque pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, harder to pick up evenly
- Applied somewhat evenly, light fallout, prone to sheering out
- Poor longevity (6 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Cozyyy (LE, $4.50).
- Natasha Denona Azalea (PiP, $29.00).
- Huda Beauty Nude Rich #4 (PiP, ).
- NYX Clementine Fine (P, $10.50).
- ColourPop Shawty (LE, $4.50).
- NABLA Cosmetics Amarcord (PiP, ).
- ColourPop My Prince (LE, $4.50).
- Makeup by Mario Master Metallics #2 (PiP, ).
- Moira Fantasy (P, $7.50).
- Coloured Raine Revenge (LE, $6.99).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
DM Me
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Strong Connection
Strong Connection is a darker, reddish-plum with moderate, warm undertones and a pearly sheen.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, somewhat thin but not powdery or dry
- Applied evenly and blended out fairly well
- Average-longevity (7 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- MAC Cranberry (P, $17.00).
- ColourPop Jackpot (LE, $4.50).
- Too Faced Temper Temper (LE, $16.00).
- Anastasia Sangria (P, $12.00).
- NABLA Cosmetics Inception (PiP, ).
- Pat McGrath Hedonistic (PiP, $25.00).
- ColourPop Gotta Fly (LE, $4.50).
- ColourPop Burner (DC, $4.50).
- Dior Mitzah #3 (PiP, ).
- ColourPop Big Vibes (PiP, $4.50).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Grain
Grain is a light, yellowed beige with moderate, warm undertones and a satin sheen.
- Sheer pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
- Prone to sheering out, fallout
- Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Ladybird (LE, $6.00).
- ColourPop The Cancer (P, $4.50).
- Tarte Posse (LE, ).
- Too Faced Silk Teddy (PiP, $16.00).
- Viseart Rendezvous (PiP, ).
- Chanel Rose Lamé (826) (LE, $36.00).
- Ciate Blaze (PiP, ).
- KVD Beauty Glitz (DC, $21.00).
- The Estee Edit Riff (LE, ).
- ColourPop Crushed Oats (PiP, $4.50).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Grain
PiPPermanent in Palette.
Pink Net
Pink Net is a bright, medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Semi-opaque, buildable coverage
- Moderately powdery, slightly dry with light fallout
- Applied fairly evenly but could have been more blendable
- Average longevity (7 hours before fading visibly; brand only claimed 8-hour wear)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Angel Eyes (PiP, $4.50).
- Anastasia E1 (Norvina Vol. 4) (LE, ).
- Sugarpill Melody (PiP, ).
- ColourPop Pillow Mint (LE, $4.50).
- Urban Decay Scrunchie (LE, $19.00).
- Huda Beauty Amethyst #7 (LE, ).
- ColourPop Lovecraft (LE, $4.50).
- ColourPop Haute Holidays (LE, $4.50).
- Huda Beauty Neon Pink #1 (LE, ).
- Anastasia B3 (Norvina Mini Vol. 3) (LE, ).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
In Living Pink
In Living Pink is a light, peachy-pink with warmer undertones and a pearly sheen.
- Semi-sheer, somewhat buildable pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
- Prone to sheering out, fallout
- Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Never More (LE, $4.50).
- Morphe Sissy (LE, ).
- Stila Dollish (LE, $24.00).
- Kevyn Aucoin Laser (LE, ).
- ColourPop Sing-a-Song (LE, $4.50).
- NABLA Cosmetics I Got You (PiP, ).
- Fenty Beauty Meteor Crush (LE, ).
- ColourPop Estrella (She’s Got Solstice) (LE, $4.50).
- Dior Fusion (764) (P, $29.50).
- Coloured Raine Pinkleberry (LE, $6.99).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
Cute on Mute
Cute on Mute is a light, pinky-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted sheen.
- Semi-sheer pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, quite powdery
- Prone to sheering out, fallout
- Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- Pat McGrath Smuggler’s Spice (LE, $32.00).
- Pat McGrath Pink Mystique (LE, $25.00).
- ColourPop Beggin’ U (LE, $4.50).
- ColourPop Cheers Babe (P, $4.50).
- ColourPop Blossom Up (PiP, $4.50).
- Huda Beauty Angelic (PiP, ).
- Terra Moons Wicked Rose (P, $6.25).
- Natasha Denona Golden Rose (60M) (P, $29.00).
- Sydney Grace Blushing Peach (P, $6.25).
- Clionadh Prophecy (P, $5.25).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
