Unpigmented and doesn't last much. Never thought a MAC product could be so disappointing. Notice I've applied it over MAC-foundation, MAC-allround primer, and using a MAC brush (having bought everything in Europe). Even over black eyeliner it doesn't get better. Wish I could try more of their eyeshadows but in Brazil, MAC products cost 2,5 times more than in France, for instance. Plus, the Brazilian MAC shop will not accept returns, so, I am not trying their eyeshadows again. (It says CARBON MATTE EYE SHADOW, and comes in a round black pot).
Editing: on the brighter side: nice, typical MAC no frills-packaging. Easy to blend if layered and if using a good blending brush

This eyeshadow is OK but to be honest I was slightly disappointed as I'd read so many good reviews. It's black obviously but it's not as black as I would like. Even after layering and building several times it still doesn't deepen the colour. I find UDs Blackout to be much darker. They are equal in terms of everything else but I find UDs to be much darker. I probably would buy again as I layer with this and them finish with UDs blackout on top.

Chalky and unpigmented.. Have bought multiple times and it's always a fail for me. It is nearly impossible to blend. There is also tons of fallout with this eyeshadow, even when used with a primer. Even though I haven't found it yet, there HAS to be a cheaper and better basic matte black eyeshadow out there for less than $15. Meh.

This is an intense black.It is a really matte black. One of my favourite mac shadows because when I go for a smokey look this always comes in handy and I would lightly put it on my lid or crease.

Carbon is a matte black eyeshadow. I've had it for some time now and I haven't hit the pan yet. I mostly use it for a smokey eye or eyeliner. I find the color a bit on the harder side when it comes to blending but it's doable. Nothing spectacular about this eyeshadow. I'm sure you can find much cheaper versions of a simple black matte eyeshadow.

MAC Carbon is just a good staple matte black eyeshadow. It is smooth and soft, easy to work with and has little fallout under my eyes. I have to say that it is not the blackest black, it reflects some light, turning it into a slightly ashy charcoal black.


I find this eyeshadow very wearable, even during the day. I use it as a soft black liner, or to add depth to any look. It is buildable and can be worn quite sheer, turning it into more of a very dark grey than black. Worn this way, it allows shadows underneath to show through, so it can look like a dark blue, green, pink and so on.


I find this eyeshadow very useful and easy to work with. I would definitely repurchase it. One lippie off because it's not the best true black eyeshadow on the market.

I bought this cause of the hype and was so disappointed ! It's not nearly as black as urban decay perversion blackout or black dog ! I found it dry and not as pigmented as inglot or urban decay, even drugstore brands! I also dropped marks for packaging as my pan fell out! It's still workable but there's much better out there!

Favorite black eyeshadow ever.
Always blackest black
but remember its Matte
its easy to blend
its stays in one spot
i never need primer for any mac eyeshadow anyway
my HG black eyeshadow
....now for the other colors...I wish I could find my favorites for others welp at least I got one!

I do love this shadow as its my first 'black' mac shadow, but I do find that its not quite as black as I feel it should be. I also find that it fades during the day, but then I use it more as an eyeliner than a shadow (looks fab with Blackberry). I have recently bought black tied, and although black tied had glitter in it, I found it to be darker than carbon. Trouble is its a bit too twinkly for day use! I am thinking about getting Typographic next as I love the texture of Matte2 shadows.

Carbon, since it's inception as it took over for a small black eyeshadow MAC had for years called "Black Gold" (though it wasn't as BLACK as Carbon, but it didn't move either) has suffered from fallout if you were not used to working w/it. It's just the blackest, matte, powdered eyeshadow out there anywhere. It is a makeup artists "staple." I don't see how anyone, makeup artist or not, can be w/out it. Once ur used to it's necessary and special application methods it's quite easy to use. It's a Large shadow and soooo concentrated you use very little of it. It lasts forever before you have to repurchase. I've had mine for many years and it works and is as black as it was when I took it out of it's box and used it for the 1st time. A definite MAC "Classic" w/a "cult" following. There isn't a black pressed powdered eyeshadow as black as it anywhere, PERIOD! A MUST HAVE if ever there was one! Not even Dior or MUFE has anything near this black in pressed powder form. It is simply the RICHEST black you will ever find.( and that, as they say ,is that!)