MAC • Smoke and Mirrors palette • Eye Shadow

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* ArizonaAngel on 12/5/2009 2:59:00 PM more reviews by ArizonaAngel

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I would buy this again. That being said, I rarely wear heavier eye make-up and to me the pigmentation is just perfect for day looks and muted evening looks. They stay on great with a primer and I can create a myriad of different looks with these six shadows. I do agree that if you are looking for something more dramatic with excellent pigmentation you should probably look elsewhere. However if you want a simple palette that looks pretty inside and out, this may be for you. I think this would be an awesome holiday gift as well!

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laitae on 12/2/2009 4:22:00 PM more reviews by laitae

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Warm   Hair: Blond, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this palette online as I haven't got access to any MAC stores and I am not able to return it (I have already swatched it). I am very disappointed. I do love its packaging, the fact that it comes with a small brush, mirror and how compact it is. But I just don't like the pigmentation of the eyeshadows, especially lighter colors; you can hardly see them on the lid and I'm sure you will be able to find some drugstore colors with a better color pay off. Someone compared these shadows to the ones that can be found in Urban Decay's Book of Shadows II and I totally agree with them, UD's palette is definitely worth money you pay for it, whereas this palette - not!

Update after 6 months...

I changed my mind...This palette has become my go to palette. After a few uses, when the top layer disappeared, I found out that these shadows are actually quite pigmented. I am changing my rating from 2 to 4 lippies.

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joolz2u on 11/29/2009 12:40:00 AM more reviews by joolz2u

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

As my first MAC e/s palette, I am pleased with the colors I get.

I've had it now for about 2 months and I realize what others are saying about this palette: the colors aren't pigmented enough; the color scheme is ho-hum, etc. I suppose if I were much more experienced with make up, I would have chosen another palette or created my own.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying this one!

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reeseincharge on 11/26/2009 11:22:00 PM more reviews by reeseincharge

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I wish I had read the reviews before buying this-got it last night at Nordstrom's, (impulse buy) and today I already want to return it! The colors are gorgeous, but I was so disappointed at the lack of pigmentation in the entire palette. I wish I had just bought the shadows I went to get in the first place, instead of listening to the SA on what a great value it is for the price. True- 6 colors for $36.00 is a good deal, but not if you use them up quickly trying to get visible results. So....back it goes!

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*TOP REVIEWER* ianastar on 11/26/2009 8:59:00 PM more reviews by ianastar

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

The sets are good to give as gifts, but if you are going to buy shadows for yourself...find a MAC store and build your own palette. In the premade ones the shadows are not as pigmented and you get less than you would in a normal shadow pot.

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mmakeup22 on 11/26/2009 5:19:00 PM more reviews by mmakeup22

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love this palette. The colors are great though I do wish they were a little more pigmented. Its very wearable and can be played with to use for a subtle or an intense look.

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shopw8oomuch on 11/22/2009 12:55:00 AM more reviews by shopw8oomuch

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

This is a good palette to own if you are in need of toned down neutrals that would be suitable for work. A few of the colors reminded me of the smokey eye palette from last years holiday set that I already own. However, being the impulsive buyer that I am, I bought this anyway. On the downside, the packaging isn't that cute but it's definitely sturdy. If you're looking for bold and bright, this isn't for you. If you need something that's suitable to wear for a day job then this is the one to get. I'm sure you can pull off some night looks with this as well. It's a bit pricey but I think it's worth it for good quality shadows that blend like a dream.

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Ollyli on 11/17/2009 11:17:00 AM more reviews by Ollyli

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

This palette is so handy to travel with, its great with day time looks and can add intensity at night. Really like it :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* missred2u on 11/17/2009 7:20:00 AM more reviews by missred2u

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is my very first MAC e/s purchase. I had been holding out because of the number of unused shadows I already own. When I saw this yesterday at Nordstrom's, the colors caught my eye. They are in the neutral family, but not boring by any means. Being a fair-skinned redhead, it's hard for me to pull off a smokey eye without looking totally over the top. This palette took care of that! The colors are soft, very easily blendable, and can be used for a day or night look. I can see how these colors may not show up as well on darker skin, but for fair-skinned ladies, you MUST get this. I'll be doing a smokey eye look a lot more often now! Looks like I'll be checking out more MAC shadows.

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*TOP REVIEWER* TheHybred on 11/15/2009 1:37:00 AM more reviews by TheHybred

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is a pretty decent palette to have for everyday work/school-friendly eye makeup. These colors are very safe and inoffensive, as well as hard to mess up with. The shadows are less pigmented than I had expected, but still not horrible. What I really hate is the packaging.. it is heavy and hideous.

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*TOP REVIEWER* meganmomoney on 11/7/2009 1:55:00 PM more reviews by meganmomoney

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This is one of my favorite palettes I own from Mac. The colors look very neutral, but they are anything but plain. The smoke and mirrors palette is very versatile. It can be used to create a subtle, daytime look or a sexy, dramatic, smokey eye, depending on the look you're going for. All of the colors in this palette are gorgeous. I would definitely recommend getting this palette before it sells out.

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codyeve on 11/6/2009 9:38:00 AM more reviews by codyeve

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Other, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is a gr8 palette 2 have. First, I love the packaging (I hated last years red jeweled kit). It's nice & heavy. It has everything u need to do a smokey eye. U can wear it lighter for day or make it more dramatic 4 evening. I think it's a well rounded palette.

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*TOP REVIEWER* firework_girl on 11/5/2009 9:22:00 AM more reviews by firework_girl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I like this palette. Whilst it isn't as full-on smoky as some of MAC's previous smoky palettes, it can be used to create a more daytime friendly smoky eye. Where I think it excels is if you're after a pretty, neutral eye. Works great for a pin-up look.
The colours aren't too warm or too cool so it should suit a wide range of tones.
Love that the highlight colour isn't a full-on frost. I prefer a subtle shimmer or a matte highlight, so this is very wearable to me. Also means I don't have to pack an extra highlight if I go away.
As far as pigmentation goes, I have no complaints at all. It's on a par with previous palettes.
Love the packaging, very subtle but still pretty.
All in all, I can see me getting a lot of use out of this little palette & it quickly becoming a favourite for taking away & when I want a neutral or soft smoky eye.

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*TOP REVIEWER* venused on 11/4/2009 10:07:00 PM more reviews by venused

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

I was really pleased with this palette, opposed to previous years' smoky eye palettes. This one is a little more fitted to my tastes. It's on the slightly more understated side, almost more neutral than dramatic; creating more of a brown/taupe smoky eye than a true grey/black one.

I don't know why others are so disappointed with the pigmentation of the shadows, though. The only one that's been giving me some trouble is Deception (and even that is buildable). All the others are perfectly true to their colour in pan. I think perhaps the lighter colours in a 'smoky eye palette' are throwing everyone off..

I really like the packaging this year, too. It's sturdy feeling, and not nearly as tacky as the gaudy gemstones and faux snakeskin motif of last year. Easier to store, too, if you have as many palettes as I do.

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cpohrer on 10/28/2009 6:14:00 PM more reviews by cpohrer

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am really enjoying this versatile palette! I am able to create work, weekend, smokey, 1940s pin-up and 1960s sex kitten looks with these six shadows! I can create cool, warm and neutral looks as well! I use Deception and Smoke & Mirrors as shadows or liners. Mixed together, I use them in my brows. Black Magique looks great as a liner on top of Phone Number or Smolder. Spell #9 looks great as a liner over Teddy. The base look for my smokey eyes is Wide-Eyed Wonder in the crease, Fire in Her Eyes on the brow and inner V, Smoke & Mirrors in the outer crease and as liner for lower lashes and Deception at the outer V and as liner for the upper lashes. I use Constructivist paint pot and Spell #9 on the lid for a brown smokey eye. Any of the following can be used for lid shades: Black Magique, Shale, Sable, Satin Taupe, Bronze, Honeylust, Aquadisiac and Sumptous Olive. This is one of the most useable palettes MAC has created in a long time!

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Juliahk on 10/27/2009 6:28:00 PM more reviews by Juliahk

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

One of the best palettes by mac and for 35$ you get 6 gorgious shadows,Im HOOKED! The packaging is a little boring but very sturdy.
You can do a subtle everyday look or go dark for a smoky night look! I just am in love with it and will be buying a couple more as it is a limited edition item. Go out and get it! You wont regret it! Blendable smooth and amazing<3

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fahzybear on 10/26/2009 8:38:00 PM more reviews by fahzybear

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I went to the MAC store to check out the quality of the palette since my friend is looking for a neutral palette for her birthday. The colors are not very pigmented at all. I would not purchase this, especially with the ridiculous price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* valleychic on 10/24/2009 9:13:00 PM more reviews by valleychic

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Smoke And Mirrors Eye Shadow Palette-Magic, Mirth, Mischief Holiday 2009
fire in her eyes (f)
wide-eyed wonder(f)
black magique(v)
spell no. 9 (s)
deception (f)
smoke & mirrors (s)

I am surprised this one isn't getting more love. This palette is the neutral one from the 2009 Holiday Collection. The packaging is very pretty and quite sturdy. It came with a little brush but it is too small to do much of anything with it. All the colors complement each other well and you can create some great looks for every day. The shadows are nicely pigmented and you can certainly build up the color intensity if you want a smokier look. All the shadows go on smoothly; they blend beautifully. I would buy these shades again.

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ilve2sing on 10/24/2009 8:35:00 AM more reviews by ilve2sing

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

there nice colors to look at but the pigmentation is terrible. the packaging is so heavy it weighs more than my blackberry!

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*TOP REVIEWER* lola88 on 10/22/2009 3:22:00 PM more reviews by lola88

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I agree with the other reviewer that the shadows are not super pigmented.
I recently returned this palette. I really wanted to love it, but I just do not. The shadows just do not have enough pigmentation. I have to put on so many layers just to get the color to show up, and it is still not as pigmented as ONE swipe of my Urban Decay shadows. Also most of these colors are duped in the Urban Decay Book of Shadows II, which I already have:

MAC Fire in Her Eyes (beige highlighter) = UD Sellout
MAC Wide Eyed Wonder (taupe) = UD Mushroom
MAC Black Magique (black w gold pearl, gold pearl is not noticeable) = UD Pervasion (matte black)
Spell No. 9 (muted pink beige)--this is the worst color in the palette. there is not color payoff. It is just a waste.
MAC Deception (frosty golden brown) = UD YDK, YDK is far more pigmented and shimmery than MAC--it is just world's better
MAC Smoke & Mirrors (matte chocolate brown) = UD Twice Baked (matte chocolate brown with gold flecks)

In summary, don't waste your money on MAC's Smoke and Mirrors palette. The quality is not up to the standard of the single eye shadows. The MAC palette is $38 for 6 not great shadows. The UD palette is $48 for 16 richly pigmented shadows, plus a primer potion plus 2 UD eyeliners. This is a no brainer.

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