Probably the best dark brown shade for me because it's warm. I love that it's very pigmented and blendable because I often rely on a shadow's blendability to fix my application mistakes.

When I bought this, I was at the MAC counter, looking for the right dark brown shade... So, I swatched ... ehrr... Embark I think? Just a dark brown. Then I swatched Handwritten... It was sooo much smoother and nicer!
It blended way better, had a better colour pay-off.

I love it.

This is my favorite dark matte brown eyeshadow. I use it all the time to deepen my outer corners and smudge on my lower lash line for a smoky effect. It's my favorite brown b/c it is neither too warm nor cool but neutral. My go-to look is MAC Amber Lights all over the lid, Tete-A-Tint in the crease, and Handwritten in the outer corners and smudged on my lower lash line. I just love this look sooo much on my light brown eyes. I have hit pan on this one and I will definitely be repurchasing!!!

Handwritten looks like brown with a hint of reddish tones in the pan. On my eyes Handwritten looks like it does in the pan but with a tinge of purple in addition to the reddish brown.


The texture of this shadow is super fine like other reviewers have mentioned, blends easily and lasts all day. For reference, I use UDPP and Soft Ochre under just about everything. The pigmentation is great so you won't need to pick a lot up on the brush. My favorite way to wear this is as a crease color and to line under my lashes.


Would re-purchase again, I think this is a staple color.

On the fence with this. It is a chocolate brown but I feel there are hints of red undertones in it just b/c my eyes look kind of tired or weird if I use it smudged underneath or as an eyeliner. I used this on the brows of one of my red/burgundy-haired friends and she looked AMAZING so that makes me think there must be some red in this brown. I stick to using it in the crease ...too close to the eye and it might leave you just a tad zombie. I'm nc37 fyi and olive toned (my undertones might make a difference on how this reads too).

This is my favorite MAC e/s. I use it to smoke out my outer v or as an eyeliner. It's extremely pigmented so be sure to use a light hand and build up from there. It's not chalky at all and very easy to blend. My favorite combo for easy, smokey eyes when I don't have loads of time to do my m/u is bronze on the lid, handwritten on the outer v and brule as a highlight.

A beautiful dark brown eyeshadow. Texture amazing, easy to blend. Great for crease.

A lovely deep chocolate brown with no shimmer. This is very neutral and has a wonderful soft matte texture. Not at all chalky, and very versatile.

Handwritten is great, with a light hand it is a beautiful every-day-wear shade! And you can also create a really sexy night-time smokey eye with it. It's slightly softer to use to create a smokey eye than somthing such as carbon (which is also great for smoking out the eyes!). A little goes a long way! So you won't need to repurchase Handwritten lovers that it's not a LE MAC colour :-)

the most flattering and gorgeous dark brown from mac. The most buttery easily blendable texture. A little goes a long way, a tad bit of handwritten on your brush can draw you the most flattering neutral crease, a little bit more and you can achieve the most gorgeous dark chocolate smokey eye. This gem is not at all chalky or muddy because of its warm undertone. LOVE IT !!!