MAC • Arena • Eye Shadow

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* Annushka on 8/12/2011 2:04:00 AM more reviews by Annushka

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

love this. i actually have bought 2.
this colour goes great in the crease of my eye with painterly paint over my whole eyelid. i like the really neutral brown it is. the finish is great too- not too shimmery as its a satin. It would also be great on the waterduct and then a darker brown towards the V. its just a great colour for my skintone NC40-42. its replaced my 'all that glitters' as i reach for this more :)

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

jay4jazz on 7/14/2011 5:42:00 PM more reviews by jay4jazz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Arena is my go-to lid color for natural makeup. Applied as a wash, it perks up my eyelids with some soft peach tones and gives then a beautiful sheen. I like to pair it with Wedge and Brown Down. It's satin texture is really silky but sometimes it seems like a fragile shadow as touching my brush to it results in product coming loose, not a big issue as I don't throw my makeup into my hand bag. I also like it on my cheeks as a peachy highlight.

Definitely recommend to anyone with blue eyes or warm skin (NC25-30 for reference).

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Tygerlilee84 on 5/6/2011 8:18:00 PM more reviews by Tygerlilee84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

Wow. How did I never try this eyeshadow before? My tastes in eyeshadow have been trending towards more natural colors. This is a great, non boring natural color. It's like a peachy/orangey/subtle sheen. One of those that's difficult to describe. It a very subtle eyeshadow, and subtle does not me "not pigmented" because it is. It's not a flat matte color, but it's not shimmery or sparkly, more of a sheen. I think people with darker skin use it as a highlight. For me its an excellent lid color. I wore it with swiss chocolate and gesso the other day and it was gorgeous. It's also great with Fig1 or Deep Damson, any brown, or a dark blue. It is very warm, so stay away if you look bad in warm colors.
It's less orange than samoa silk, more subtle/natural than pollinator but still gives a little kick to your look. And it should work fine on mature skin because it's just got a sheen.
Edit: probably swapping this color. I finally decided it's too similar to all that glitters and I like that color more. I have a hard time getting this to show up and last on my lids. Still very pretty, I just don't think it works on me after all.

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

niecie007 on 4/12/2011 8:54:00 AM more reviews by niecie007

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other, Dark   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product. It is a great subtle higherlighter for dark skin it use it with no eye shadow. Pairing it with eyeshadow, it becomes more apparent and it excellent with any color eyeshadow. A must have!!!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

BrownEyesPaleSkin on 3/15/2011 3:13:00 PM more reviews by BrownEyesPaleSkin

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I *love* this eyeshadow!


As others have described, Arena is a light, peachy color with a satiny finish, perfect on my older lids. Right now I am using it this way: First I apply Malt or Bisque all over my lids; then Kid or Era in the crease; then, a tiny bit of Arena right on and above the crease. Finally, Blanc Type on the browbone and RetroSpeck in the inner corner. It's all very subtle, but Arena gives the look a perfect pop of light, bright color. I've also tried it w/ darker crease colors like Mulch, and it's still gorgeous.


For color reference, I am fair w/ dark brown hair and eyes, and have rosacea and natural red tints in my hair. Reddish shades tend not to look good on me. Ricepaper and RetroSpeck work well for me as highlights, and Shroom does not.


I could imagine Arena looking great on both lighter and darker skin tones. However, my best friend has very dark hair, light skin, and looks great in purples, and I would be surprised if Arena worked as well for her, though I will try to remember to ask.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Lelowi on 2/12/2011 4:43:00 AM more reviews by Lelowi

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

My very first mac eyeshadow!! I asked the MUA for an overall coral-ly peachy colour for the lid and she chose 4 or 5 for me to choose from and as soon as she put this one down, I was enticed. Arena is a gorgeous peachy orange in the pan yet on the lids doesn't look as orange-y, just a gorgeous peach colour with hints of orange that looks really flattering on the lid and brings out my dark forest green/sea blue eyes. Also it's not matte but not shimmery or glittery but quite satin-y (as it is a satin finish). I was really surprised when I researched this eyeshadow after I got it, as it's completely under rated and I think it would suit so many skin tones. I usually pair this with bare study paint pot and a gosh champagne-y eyeshadow (similar to MAC's Naked Lunch) and it brightens up my complexion really well. For reference, I would say that I'm too pale for any MAC foundations (I would approximate that i'm around NC10 maybe, so I prefer to stick to Dainty doll products when it comes to concealer and powder), but I know that people with darker skin tones use it as a highlight which means Arena must be a universal eyeshadow.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

katharineb on 1/31/2011 12:26:00 AM more reviews by katharineb

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This shade is very beautiful on my blue eyes - smooth powder, easy to blend. Highly recommend.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

polita on 1/25/2011 7:20:00 AM more reviews by polita

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I wish this colour would work for me, its such a pretty peachy golden pink, but on me ( nw 25 ) its just doesn´t show, I really have to pack it on the lid and then its looks all chalky. I use it over UDPP . M y advice is to try it first at Mac before buying it.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Missmb on 11/28/2010 5:53:00 PM more reviews by Missmb

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I'm not quite sure why "Arena" is such a revered eyeshadow. The color looks rather nice in the pan, but the color payoff is severely lacking. I really have to get a lot on my eyeshadow brush to get some good pigmentation on my lid. It can't be my skin tone- I have very fair skin that almost every color shows up on- so it's probs the shadow itself. There are so many other MAC browns that have better payoff than Arena and are similar colors. Soft brown is a better alternative. Amber Lights is also similar.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

SareenaS on 11/16/2010 3:19:00 PM more reviews by SareenaS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I absolutely love this eyeshadow! It goes on so smooth and is perfect for an all over lid colour. I like wearing this to work or when I want a neutral look. It really brightens up my eye area and looks great with black mascara. Really makes my lashes stand out! Its fool proof and perfect for those days when I am running late and dont have time to do my make up.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

adamsboo on 11/15/2010 10:09:00 PM more reviews by adamsboo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Love this color --- a soft, shimmery peach! Looks great on ladies w/blue eyes.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Chester99 on 11/11/2010 4:23:00 PM more reviews by Chester99

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

As other reviewers have already said, this is a peachy color that works fantastically as a lid color. It's very work-appropriate, blends nicely and works well with neutral and warm browns, bronzes and golds. A universal color and a staple in my neutral palette.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ARainbowChild on 9/5/2010 6:50:00 AM more reviews by ARainbowChild

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This was the first MAC shadow I ever purchased, and being a general make-up newbie, I went to the counter at MAC to find an eye shadow which will bring out my very blue eyes. I have quite pale skin and she suggested Arena as it was a nice peachy colour which would make the blue pop. When I first started wearing it i was a bit scared as it seemed quite peachy/orangey and left it for months. I then rediscovered my love for it, and found with Arena on the lid, and Shroom on the brow bone just makes my lids glow, and also my eyes stand out beautifully. This is an extremely underrated MAC shadow!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* loveableqtpie212 on 8/20/2010 3:08:00 PM more reviews by loveableqtpie212

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I'm going to start off by saying that my skin tone can range from nc40-45 in the summer. I just re-discovered arena, and I can say it's my HG everyday e/s for when I want a polished, but not made up look. Like the reviewer below me, all that glitters is my favorite neutral e/s, but it can be a little to shimmery for daytime. For a while I was using era e/s as a my lid but better look, but it didn't have enough oomph. Then I remembered I had arena and gave it another try. It is the perfect everyday e/s imo. It has a soft, buttery texture, and a nice satin finish, that makes my lids glow. What I love most about arena though is how it evens out my eyelids, creating a nice bright eyed, well rested effect. My lids are naturally a little darker than the rest of my skin tone, since arena is a peachy shade, it cancels out the dark tone (similar to the way BB corrector works for my under eye circles). Even though it looks really peachy at first, after I blend the the e/s out, it looks like my skin but better. My lids look bright, fresh, with a nice soft glow, and my brown eye color pops. It's also one of macs best colors b/c it can last all day on my semi-oily lids without primer. I will continue to repurchase arena as long as they make it. I just love how such a simple e/s can achieve such a polished look in only a few seconds, just one swipe, and I'm good to go :)

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ingyfish on 8/15/2010 5:26:00 PM more reviews by ingyfish

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

this is my everyday eyeshadow colour, i love it!!! i had all that glitters as my favourite first but i find this more natural. LOVE!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

dayana on 8/5/2010 2:16:00 PM more reviews by dayana

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

Ladies I have to confess that I have been wearing arena for almost a year because after reading the reviews I was hoping that it would be popping the green in my hazel-olive eyes; but always looked chalky and cheap, no matter if I paired with my beloved Lancome's ones. But today, I decided to gave it the last chance....tried it with a sample of NARS base eyeshadow.....and oh my God!!!! What a difference! my eyes looked awesome even without eyeliner or mascara, now imagine when I finished my makeup!!! Holy Grail for sure!!!! I decided also that my Urban Decay primer will go right to the trash can, oh yeah!!!!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

dianaec on 8/3/2010 6:58:00 PM more reviews by dianaec

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

It's definitely not exciting, but I use this almost every day as a neutral base and either leave it on it's own or add to it. It IS a neutral but it's got a bit of peach in it and it brightens up the eye area nicely. I believe it's a satin finish which is also perfect for everyday.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Daantje3 on 7/17/2010 1:33:00 PM more reviews by Daantje3

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy   Eyes: Green    

I use this colour as a lid colour and i really like it for a neutral daytime looks. Looks lovely with my blonde hair and green eyes!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

dapich on 6/8/2010 4:16:00 PM more reviews by dapich

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love arena and will forever have this color in my palette. I use this as an all over wash when I just want to brighjten my lid area without too much makeup. It also serves well as highlight for my tanned skintone, NC44 for referenced. I can also use arena as a lid color paired with browns for a professional day look. The texture of this eyeshadow is creamy and blends beautifully.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* lygophilia on 6/6/2010 3:26:00 AM more reviews by lygophilia

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I was searching for a peachy shade to add to my e/s collection. I purchased Arena based on the great reviews from other green eyed fair complexion ladies and I wasn't disappointed. This is a fantastic colour, a beautiful golden peach with shimmer, that is neither too pink nor orange! The texture is like butter and blends with ease and it nicely pigmented. Very happy with my new purchase and love experimenting with it, particularly in neutral and soft daytime looks for work. Thanks MUA for this fantastic recommendation!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No