MAC • Paint Pot - Groundwork • Eye Shadow

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dianaish on 5/26/2013 4:33:00 PM more reviews by dianaish

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Other    

Love it! When I wear this alone, for a low maintenance look, it evens out my eye skin tone with just a hit of a glow. There is no shimmer! It is not too light or dark, and it is not bronzy. Perfect for me! I figure I will get two years out of it as I did with painterly before the lovely creamy consistency dries out a bit. Nc40 girl here!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Menolikepolos on 5/14/2013 11:55:00 PM more reviews by Menolikepolos

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

About me: NW13 (neutral-cool toned, very fair), blue eyes, Color season is True Summer, Baumann Skin Type is OSPW.

This is a beautiful paint pot shade, a soft yellow-toned brown. This is not taupe, but a greenish, yellowish brown. It looks great as a soft subtle crease color, and unlike many MAC Paint Pots I have tried, DOES NOT crease on me : )

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sinthuja19 on 4/23/2013 12:46:00 PM more reviews by sinthuja19

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am an NW45 and I like the way this conceals the darkness on my lid but also gives me a highlighted colour. I usually wear this alone. I have supper oily lids and I find that after 6 hours I notice a little bit of creasing. I still love this product and would definitely repurchase when I run out of the one I have.

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*TOP REVIEWER* amyfarrahfowler on 4/21/2013 7:45:00 PM more reviews by amyfarrahfowler

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

For reference I'm NC40 and this is the perfect natural lid color for me. Just a quick swipe is all it takes. It blends super easily and never creases. Sometimes I find myself wondering if I put lid color on because when applied sheerly this matches the color of my own eye lids so perfectly. Evens everything out and works as a great base for other colors. I have no complaints about this at all and the packaging makes me happy. I hate the small size of the Bobbi Brown cream shadow pots - total pain to get my finger in it - but I have zero issues with MAC Paint Pots. I have several different colors but this is my mainstay, my staple, my most-reached-for. Would repurchase for sure!

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laylaperdomo on 3/31/2013 11:10:00 PM more reviews by laylaperdomo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

My favorite Paint Pot for my go to no makeup look everyday shadow.

Lovely satin fish, non crease cream shadow.

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bimini156 on 3/23/2013 6:37:00 AM more reviews by bimini156

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Grey, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Agree with a lot of the comments already posted. This is a nice light to medium neutral brown..(I'm surprised the Mac website refers to this as a taupe--which I don't see at all.) When I am in a hurry to get out the door, I hurry up and swipe this on my lids, add a highlight color and some mascara and I am good to go. It gives the eye some definition for a good everyday look. It also is a good base for any brown, neutral look. This is a very useful eyeshadow in my collection.

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aibreanx on 2/12/2013 11:52:00 PM more reviews by aibreanx

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is an absolute HG for me. It looks like nothing in the pot but it's truly a special product. On the eye, it's a neutral light brown with a very pretty understated sheen. It also has that great long wearing and blendable formula that is typical of most paint pots.

I use a 217 to apply Groundwork all over the lid ensuring that the edges are well blended. Add some well blended brown liner on the lash line and you've got a quick and easy look that is very polished and professional.

My favourite soft smoky eye is Groundwork as a base, Patina over top, Teddy eye kohl, and black mascara. Easy, not too bold, and lasts all day and night.

Fantastic product. I highly, highly recommend it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* browneyessmiles on 2/10/2013 3:20:00 PM more reviews by browneyessmiles

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm surprised how much a staple this has become for me. Just looking at the pan, it looks very boring. But on the lid, it just looks so effortlessly "done" and is a great base for other shadows. If i'm in a rush, I feel confident just reaching for this and wearing this on its own. Its not shimmery at all, which I love as so many paint pots are frosted and shimmery.

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IrynaHarpy on 1/28/2013 12:01:00 AM more reviews by IrynaHarpy

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

WARNING TO GENUINE REDHEADS: I adore MAC cosmetics (other than their mascaras & foundations) & have all of the basic colours/tones in paint pots.

Both Groundwork & Soft Ocre were a serious mistake on my behalf. I've only knocked off the lippie because this is a genuine taupe with strong yellow tones which aren't visible until you put it on.

Most of us gingers are mistaken for having very cool toned to porcelain skin, even by professional MUA's. The fact is that we have a sallow tinge which isn't apparent unless we're freckly. The temptation to go for overtly warm tones to counter the cool tones has to be handled with subtlety.

This warm taupe WILL make you look jaundiced. Forget about trying to salvage it by using it as a base as the ocre will wear its way through as the day progresses & turn anything you've put on over it into a murky mess.

I've given mine away to an olive-skinned girlfriend & it looks glorious on her, along with the Soft Ocre which she uses as a base & brow highlighter.

Quite Natural & Indianwood are in the same league for me, but they are more a matter of taste (I don't seem to look quite as desperately ill with Indianwood because I only use it as a liner peeking out from under a dark, matte eyeliner) & I can still get away with Quite Natural because it's a matte, I suppose (but I won't be repurchasing).

Incidentally, Groundwork has a fundamental flaw I haven't noticed with the other paint pots which stay fairly true to their initial application throughout the day: the ochre stays dominant while the initial pearle shimmer ends up sitting on top as a pale grey sheen. Again, this isn't a significant problem for other complexions, but is the ultimate colour disaster for gingers (possibly even if you only dye your hair auburn). Don't go to an appointment with your doctor wearing this unless you want to be pronounced dead before he/she even takes your pulse.

Paint pots come in great colours, but they just don't all work on everyone. Sigh.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Rin13 on 12/19/2012 7:19:00 PM more reviews by Rin13

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

Paint pots are my HG eye primer. Nothing else works as well as these do. I use this color for my darker/smokier looks. It's a light brown w/ a greyish undertone. I could see this being close to skin color on darker complexions... but I am like NW15.

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spissy on 12/1/2012 12:45:00 PM more reviews by spissy

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this paintpot a year ago, I am using it a lot, but still have quite a bit left. Would describe it as creamy, slightly ashy warm beigebrown colour, and I usually pair it with a blue or bluegrey eyeliner and this combination is great for blue eyes. I swipe a little bit of vanilla or blanc type eyeshadow as a highlighter and some mascara, and that really freshens up my morning eyes. My skintype is combination and my eyelids are quite oily ,so I sometimes use my too faced shadow insurance underneath, but without it it stays on pretty good too. I would definitely recommend it, and I would run to get another when I run out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mellypmakeup on 10/4/2012 11:26:00 AM more reviews by mellypmakeup

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This PP is a pretty medium brown. I like using this one for brown smokey looks. On me they do crease when it's warmer out. during cooler months they do not. Shadows go on smoothly and stay put.

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Neneh13 on 9/18/2012 8:30:00 AM more reviews by Neneh13

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this to use in the mornings because I am always in a rush. It's perfect. It's very quick and easy to apply and blend and suits my NC30/medium complexion perfectly as a light wash of colour on my lids. It looks very natural on me as if I have nicely contoured eyes with a hint of colour. It also lasts all day - today I even had a nap in it and I woke up with no smudging at all.
I also think it's perfect to take camping, on vacations and trips because you don't need to worry about using make up brushes and having to clean them, or worry about your eye-make up fading throughout the day.
I initially saw this in a Lisa Eldrige tutorial which sparked my interest in it and after reading reviews, decided to go into my local MAC store to test out colours. I'm glad I did because I always find it's better to see colours in real life and make a decision then, rather than off swatches (I was going to get Painterly, but decided on Groundwork instead and I'm glad).
It's not described as matte, but it almost is - the sheen on it is very subtle. This works for my slightly dry skin and I love that the colour doesn't look entirely flat on my lids.
I will buy this again but won't have to for awhile - it's looking like it will last me for a long time.
I'd be interested in purchasing other colours knowing how well this product works, but having said that I am so content with this colour that I don't mind if I never try a different one, ever!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ahuang300 on 8/9/2012 3:52:00 PM more reviews by ahuang300

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I love this paint pot. It is my first and only paint pot from MAC. I wanted a cream shadow that I could use as a base for my shadows and wear by itself. It is a beautiful nutty gray-brown color that is really flattering on my olive NC-30 skin tone. It does not crease if I wear it alone and I find that it makes my shadows stay on my lids without fail as well. Great product.
The only reason I wouldn't repurchase this product is because I want to try out a few of the other paint pots in different colors.

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suripopje on 7/28/2012 5:04:00 PM more reviews by suripopje

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Underwhelmed with this product and quite frankly a bit pissed of with MAC. I thought I finally found a good neutral base for WOC but due to the grey and pink undertones in this paintpot it grays me out. I'm a bit annoyed that as a WOC I have ro bend over backwards to find the most basic items in my skintone. I just want a neutral non shimmery paintpot to even out and brighten my eyes, a WOC's version of say a painterly or a soft ochre, that shouldn't be too much to ask. Could this be worn as an eyeshadow, yes and if you want a dark grayish taupe it will do. As a neutral brightening eyeshadow base for WOC this fails. Two tumbs down.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ChaseSpearing on 6/10/2012 11:35:00 PM more reviews by ChaseSpearing

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This was my very first MAC purchase ever. The woman at the MAC counter was very helpful.

Being a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows, I was definitely expecting this to be as good, if not better.

I am impressed.

Groundwork is an almost matte shade, which is what I was looking for. This is a very warm light brown, I don't know if I'm totally in love with it yet an update will be up soon!. But I do really like the finish and simplicity of both the color and the application.


Overall I do like it on lazy days when I can put a bit of this, some black eyeliner, and a bit of mascara and be out the door. A good purchase if you want a simple cream eyeshadow :)

UPDATE: I prefer to wear darker looks in the fall because my skin is so pale and I find the contrast really interesting. This has become my go-to color for all over my lid for fall. I work it from lashline to my crease, blend a bit, add some smokey liner and I'm out the door! It also stays put really well on my oily lids so that is a HUGE plus! The satin finish is completely unnoticeable on the eyes, but it does contrast very well with my green eyes :3

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*TOP REVIEWER* stls on 5/31/2012 2:50:00 PM more reviews by stls

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I like Groundwork, it's a light/ medium neutral brown, pretty universal shade. For medium skintones can be used as a base for every look but I am quite pale so I prefer painterly for this purpose...
Well, back to Groundwork. I like the consistency very much, it's smooth, creamy lasts all day without creasing over TFSI.
I mostly use it for a a soft daytime smoky with a bit smudged brown eyeliner. For nights out I replace the brown eyeliner with black (Lisa Eldridge has a great tutorial using Groundwork)

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*TOP REVIEWER* dawndie23 on 5/31/2012 11:30:00 AM more reviews by dawndie23

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Meh...

Groundwork was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was hoping for a color that was a match for my skintone but this one is a little chalky on me. Overall, I do like the Paint Pots, you really only need a tiny bit and they last a long time. However, I prefer the new 24-hour color tatoo's from Maybelline. I'm probably going to give my Groundwork to a friend and stick with my Color Tatoo's.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Emma32 on 5/8/2012 12:30:00 PM more reviews by Emma32

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

This really is a fantastic product.
It is a really natural brown colour that you can 'bung on' in a hurry to look really natural and define your eyes, or take a bit more time with and build up for a sexy darker eye.
The amount you get of the product is fantastic - you get so much! It really is value for money. I use this nearly every day and I have barely touched the surface of the product.
Can really recommend! I've given it a 5 for price, although it is expensive you get so much product.

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tyisha19 on 5/4/2012 7:11:00 PM more reviews by tyisha19

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Dark   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

the first PP i owned was painterly and i always liked it, not as an eyeshadow but as a base for my powder shadows. its a little drying but i make it work. Groundwork is not as light and blends a lil smoother i would say. plus it works great under my gold shadows. not to mention i dont think ill ever need to buy another one, there's so much in the jar it is worth the money. you only need a little for each eyelid. so i would definitely purchase if i run out and recommend to others.

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