This review is for the Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quads in Natural Smokes & Amethyst Smokes. I don't particularly care for Amethyst Smokes (even though my favorite colors are shades of purple/violet), however, I find myself using the Natural Smokes quad regularly. I particularly like the shade labeled "lid" since it's a nice neutral taupe/brown color with a satin finish. I also prefer satin finishes over matte and sparkly/glittery finishes. I usually use the "crease" shade for evening outings to add a little something more to my regular look. I haven't really found a use for the "brow" (in the older version; in the new version, the "brow" shade is called "base" I believe) or the "outer corner" shades. I have rather small eyes so I have a rather small canvas to work with. An all-over lid shade and maybe a crease shade are all I need.

In regards to the packaging: it's pretty cheap, but I have yet to break any of mine, and I am prone to dropping things. If you're not a fan of sponge applicators, then I would suggest throwing away the applicator that comes with the product and invest in a good eye shadow brush. However, I have found that the sponge applicators are convenient when I am getting ready for work at 4 am and I don't have my glasses on. I assume that they would also come in handy for on-the-go touch ups. The quads are the perfect size for traveling too.

Overall, the pigmentation and staying power in comparison the price of the product makes these quads a great value. So I would definitely recommend this product to others, especially to those who want to try new shades or experiment with new looks without spending a ton of money.

You can get this relatively cheap roughly between $4-$6 USD at Walmart/CVS/Walgreens etc. If you go to CVS there is always a sale on maybeline such as their bucks back or buy one get on 50% off. Sometimes you can also find this at Dollar Tree OR Dollar General for dirt cheap.

I've gone through probably 3 or 4 of these. So I believe I know a little bite about this particular item.

Packaging is average, I am only giving it a 3 because only because the clear plastic thing ALWAYS break off on me, but what can you expect from something that is so cheap.

Color pay off is great, sometimes, (as long as you don't get a dud) the pigmentation is good even without primer. Natural Smokes is my go-to. If its a day look I usually don't use a primer to look more natural, but with a primer I can turn it into a dark neutral smokey eye. I've never had a problem with fading, creasing, smudges, etc.

The blendable is easy as long as you use dry, I had a GF that recommend doing it wet and it was horrible, and ruined a quad.

Love the fact that its so small I can carry in my purse, or travel bag....


If they fix the packaging I would rebuy in a heart beat, I will always rebuy it. however I think I might venture out somewhere else, only because it always breaks on me, and I do not find that sanitary at all.

I have this in "Chic Naturals", which I totally picked up...for my brows. These colors range from white, light grayish brown to a medium grayish brown. They all have a small hint of shimmer, but it's not overpowering. Perfect amount if you ask me!

I used to dye my hair an auburn color, so I could get away with most browns to fill my brows. Once I grew my hair out, my natural, medium ashy brunette hair took its place. I bought everything and anything to fill my brows and ALL were too red, orange, or had some weird, yellowish tinge. This quad is PERFECT!

I also regularly wear this on my eyes too. Like I said, not super shimmery. I've never had problems with pigmentation or anything. Other than the packaging, I really like everything about this quad. I will repurchase!

I really don't like that the pans are unequal sizes now. I tried to even contact Maybelline about this, but their site wouldn't give me their email. Also, these shadows irritate my skin. They need to take out the talc, or get rid of whatever is causing this. I do like the shadows; however, I must put them over a heavy layer of base to minimize the irritation. I like that the shades are wearable, and they have many pretty colors that work well together in the quads. Some companies just seem to throw colors together that would look bad when all of them are used at once.

I am really impressed with my "charcoal smokes" quad! It was an absolute bargain at $15AU and it is such great quality in terms of it's pigmentation. This product turns the user into the make-up artist by showing you what colours to use where and on the back it even recommends what to use when you want different looks. I have tried all the looks Maybelline describes on the back and they all look lovely.

When used following the instructions, the look you get is a dramatic, contoured smoky eye. If you left out the "outer corner" colour, it would look softer, yet still beautiful if you don't want to look over the top.

The colours chosen in the quad are as follows:
Lid - shimmery charcoal grey
Crease - slightly matte charcoal
Brow bone - silver
Outer corner - a very matte, highly pigmented black with a bit of glitter in it (interesting, very different to the other colours in texture, totally opaque, perfect for lining)

As you can see I love the black, I actually sometimes use this as an eyeliner with other products.

This product is great, you'll get heaps of use out of it mixing and matching colours with other eye shadows you own. The colours by the way are beautiful and well chosen for a cheaper brand, often the lower end brands don't chose the nicest colours for palettes but these are stunning. They compliment my brown eyes well and I think this set would be fantastic at bringing out blue eyes as well.

When I wore this eye shadow quad last, I got told I had "smouldering" eyes, if that isn't good enough reason to buy it again, i don't know what is!

i love this product sooo much! this one im going to talk about is the natural smokes quad. i have worn this to school, on weekends, and evening and its amazing! you can wear so many looks with it!
pros:
its great for school, everyday, weekends, out with the girls, evening, dates, anything! with there wide range of different colors to suit everyone! they are very pigmented and if your just starting out with wearing makeup then this is a great product. becuase it ranges from about $5-$7 each and you can get it from many drugstores, target, ulta, and walmart. now drugstore is more money than target, ulta, and walmart. but this product will very in your location. so i recommend getting it from target or walmart. but the and the best part for you starting out, there are directions on the back! now this is on everyone of them. an don the shadow has the place the shadow. this quad comes with sponge applicators and i personally i throw them away or keep them for cream glitter products. now sadly, maybelline test on animals:( im very sorry for all thoses cute little animals and for you that dont use products that test on animals.
now the colors:
lid color (top left) in the quad is a frosty silver taupe(dupe for mac satin taupe). it is BEAUTIFUL! the only issue with this shadow is that its hard it pick up with a brush. so i normally use my finger or use an sponge applicator.

crease color (top right) in the quad is not as frosty as the lid color but still pretty shimmery. its a brown with some reddish under tones.

brow bone color (bottom left) in the quad is not matte but not shimmery. thats how most of the shadows in these quad look. they look matte but there not. its a satin finish but it normal ends up being matte on the skin. the color is a creamy white.

outer corner (bottom right) in the quad in again is a satin finish. this is a amazing cool toned deep brown.

over all i am every impressed. good price, pigmented, easy to find, and wearable:)
thanks:)

e/s quad in "Sunlit Bronze" - got this to put in my makeup bag for a quick everyday look when I am on the go. shimmering colors in shades of brown. very subtle shimmer. This quad is of average quality. the color is not very vibrant which is okay for a natural look or at pool side. I do love the packaging though, I think it looks very cute with a slight curve.

I bought this quad in Velvet Crush at the insistence of my husband. He goes shopping with me for makeup and actually has a great eye for different looks for me and colors I would not usually buy.
I got this home and tried it on, and was very surprised at how much it brightened up my eyes and face! The color payoff is not HUGE, and it does need to be touched up a little more often than I would like, but the colors are very well put together in this quad, and do not look cheap or garish despite having some degree of shimmer. I would definitely repurchase this!

I bought a Maybelline Quad in the limited edition Passion Flower. It has a shimmer grey colour for the lid, soft pink for the brow bone, and 2 purple shades for crease and outer corner. The colours look great in the case, but when applied to the eye the colour is really washed out and doesn't have good colour payoff. I like the grey tone but that's about it. It's an average product, nothing great.

This product is pretty good for a drugstore eye shadow. My favourite colours are the matte ones because they have more pigment, but the shimmery ones have a good amount of pigment also. I tend to use these wet because they are more vibrant that way, but I also like them dry. The pigment is pretty good if you're looking for something very natural. I'm not sure what colour I have but one is a light shimmery cream colour, a matte taupe, a very shimmery bronze/gold and a matte chocolate brown. I think I have Chai Latté. My favourites are of course the two matte ones but I also love the light cream colour. They are easy to blend and are very soft. I like these quads, especially because they are cheap. You have to put a base with any shadow, because almost every shadow will crease without a base, so this doesn't crease as long as I put a base. Great product Maybelline!