Maybelline • Stylish Smokes in Natural Smokes • Eye Shadow

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* blog_antagonist on 11/7/2010 8:21:00 PM more reviews by blog_antagonist

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I am a Maybelline Skeptic. I've rarely tried a Maybelline product that I didn't find to be cheap, both in appearance and quality. I bought the Amethyst Smokes quad and was so disgusted with the hard, dry, chalky consistency and poor pigmentation that I threw it in the trash after one use.


But, after reading the reviews I decided to take a leap of faith and give Maybelline one more try with this quad.


I have to admit, the quality is pretty darn good. The shadows are smooth, deeply pigmented and easy to blend. Can it compare to high end shadows? Frankly, no. But this is a drugstore product that delivers good quality at a very affordable price.


However...I will caution warm skinned gals that although this quad appears to be neutral/warm, all the colors apply as some variation of silver/gray. At least they do on me. The crease color, which I thought would be a very, very deep bronze, applied as just a darker variation of the lid color. Now, I have very fair skin and I am definitely warm complected, so maybe on a cool complection, they would apply as warm as they appear in the pan. But on me, they really applied too silvery/cool for my warm complection, and too dark for my fairness.


Still, beautiful colors, good quality and unbeatable price for the right person. Just not me.

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andrea34 on 11/7/2010 8:11:00 PM more reviews by andrea34

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

After hearing great reviews for this quad and seeing it in the stores, I finally decided to get it. The color scheme is great, however I didn't like the quality of the shadows. The colors were kind of hard to blend, and were not smooth or long lasting like, say, mac shadows. It took twice as much product to get the color payoff. But it's true you get what you pay for, and this is decent for a drug store palette, but I would rather spend more for better quality.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tsaraya29 on 11/7/2010 8:01:00 PM more reviews by tsaraya29

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Very nice, especially for the price. I love to wear the crease color on the lid as a standalone shade, I wish I could find this in a single shade. I would think this quad would work for many different skin tones. For ref: NC50.

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skinobsessed1 on 11/7/2010 7:23:00 PM more reviews by skinobsessed1

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

Yeah I have to agree, this particular palette from maybelline is BANGIN'! The quality and pigmentation are excellent. Sooo wish I could say the same for their new 'color plush' shadows. These shades are beautiful browns and very silky. They last, and last even more with some primer. If you are looking for some high quality natural shade shadows at the DS then these are for you!.

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sesame57 on 11/7/2010 6:55:00 PM more reviews by sesame57

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

I bought this product in Natural Smokes after rave reviews from various makeup gurus on YouTube. I thought I would give it a try since I always tend to gravitate toward browns and neutral shades for eyeshadow. The color pigments in the quad palette are pretty good and tend to last throughout the day. Although I noticed that the colors have a tendency to blend into one color by the end of the day. I use the brow, lid, and crease colors for above the eyes, and then the outer color as an liner on the outer corner of my eyes. I am debating whether to buy other quads in this Stylish Smokes product line, but am refraining myself since my eyeshadow collection is getting too large for what I really need. Plus, out of habit, I tend to use my Revlon Colorstay quads in Coffee Bean and Copper Spice and NYX Trio Eyeshadow in Aloha-Mink Brown-Deep Bronze as daily defaults. All in all this quad is great for day and night time looks. If you plan to wear this look from day into the night, you may need to reapply as the colors do blend. You may need a touch-up before heading out for the evening.

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lgbnaf on 11/6/2010 5:17:00 PM more reviews by lgbnaf

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This isn't the best quality e/s and the packaging lacks but I have already purchased a back-up. Needs primer for best lasting power..UDPP.
The red undertones really make my blue eyes pop. I'm actually only rating this as a 5 because it works so well on my complexion. I am solidly a Colorstay oily/combo 180 Sand Beige, AL 2YL. Med Auburn hair and blue eyes.
I don't use it as instructed though. I have deepset eyes and the brow 'hides' my big eyelid. (I have hooded eyes but my eyelid is huge). If I apply the colors as instructed I just end up with a flat looking eye...hoping this makes sense to ya'll...lol.
I use the lightest brow/hilite on my entire eye area, concentrated on the lid/lash line and blended up above the crease as a base. The lid color goes into the crease and the crease color is my "V". The color labeled outer corner I use as a smudged liner during the day but for a more dramatic or smokey look I use MAC black tied over liquid black liner.
This method along with a nude/pink lipgloss can be a soft, neutral daytime or a smokin' hot, sexy look for night.
I like how I can start out the day with these colors at work and then just amp it up in the evening.
I am really looking to dupe these with a higher quality/pigmented brand now.

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Kfunk on 11/2/2010 11:10:00 AM more reviews by Kfunk

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I questioned if these colors would be too dark on my very fair complexion but I love them! And you can't beat the price.

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beccalee79 on 11/2/2010 3:29:00 AM more reviews by beccalee79

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I love love love this eyshadow quad! I cant believe Maybeline has finally made some decent eyeshadows! I own Satin Taupe which is a dupe for the crease colour in this quad, but for some reason ST looks kind of greyish on me.. does anyone know of a MAC shadow that is similar to ST or the crease colour in this quad..minus the grey?

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*TOP REVIEWER* lucdiaz on 11/1/2010 8:44:00 PM more reviews by lucdiaz

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

As everyone has mentioned the packaging is subpar. It's really fragile. I broke the one on my Chai Latte quad upon first use, and I'm careful. So they need to improve on that, but the actual shadows and their suggestion for how to use them is fantastic. So fantastic, in fact, that I'm overlooking the poor packaging. The colors are: A great shimmery almost metallic taupe for the lid, a satiny deep warm brown for the crease, a matte deep neutral brown for the outer corner, and a very mattish pale ivory for highlight. Some may call the ivory is the loser among the four because of it's less than stellar pigmentation. However, if you compare it to a lighter type highlight like MAC's Vapour, or Nylon it's very comparable and not a loser at all, just misunderstood. The color payoff is meant to be sheer or the entire eye would be overwhelming. This way, the focus is on the lid and that shimmery gorgeous taupe. Anyway, I'm getting carried away, I love this quad, and it's cheap too. A total win from Maybelline.

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mochi123 on 11/1/2010 8:01:00 PM more reviews by mochi123

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

The only thing I have to complain about this product is the packaging. the lid snapped off the first week I was using it, but i couldn't ask for better quality eyeshadows with the price i was paying. Amazing pigmentation and barely any fallouts. I use this as my everyday quad and is the only quad i take with me when i travel. I end up using the matte brown as my brow color. So i couldn't ask for a more convenient product! ;)

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miztres on 11/1/2010 5:17:00 PM more reviews by miztres

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I generally don't like buying drugstore eyeshadows but this got so many positive reviews and the colors were different from what I had. I decided to get it and it was not expensive ($5 at walmart). Obviously it isn't MAC but for what it is (affordable and pretty colors) its amazing! I personally have to use a primer and sometimes a base to get the perfect color pay off, but I really like it. My boyfriend even complemented my eyes the day I wore it. I find it a little hard to blend it out with a brush, so I use my fingers. Totally worth getting if you don't have the colors, they are very pretty! I will get one for my sister who isn't very makeup capable because it is so easy to use and great for most skin tones.

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zee81 on 11/1/2010 2:43:00 PM more reviews by zee81

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

I have been using this on and off now that fall weather is here and I love what it does for my eyes. I have dark brown eyes and really light skin and I think the colors make my eyes pop without washing my skin out. It stays on for a long time, and the color is buildable. I just wish that the packaging wasn't so flimsy.

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LizzieLiz on 11/1/2010 10:07:00 AM more reviews by LizzieLiz

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

This is a good, cheap smokey quad. The packaging is obviously not great, but for the price it's what you would expect.
The colours are pretty...the nice thing about them is that you can work with them for day or night. I've definitely worn this quad out at night (using a heavier hand), and I am currently wearing it during the day at work. I get lots of compliments on the lid shade in particular, which is a really pretty silvery-taupe.
The colour pigmentation is decent. The brow colour isn't very good-I would recommend using a different shade for a highlight.
Overall, it is a pretty versatile quad with decent colours.

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teago on 11/1/2010 6:31:00 AM more reviews by teago

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

First Maybelline product Ive purchased (that I can remember) that I can say without a doubt I LOVE this and will purchase again.
I just used the sponge applicators to apply where they said and Im super impressed. The most impressed Ive ever been with drugstore shadows to date Id say.
My mother even commented that she liked my makeup and wanted to learn how to do it. She has NEVER worn eyeshadow more than maybe 5 times in her life so for her to like it says a lot.
The only thing is the packaging, the clear plastic lid is flimsy and mines already broken, but for $13 AUD I dont really mind.

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*TOP REVIEWER* akn8v on 10/31/2010 1:54:00 AM more reviews by akn8v

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

I was never a fan of Maybelline eyeshadow until I tried this one. This is really nice. Love the color combo, love the color pay off and lasting power, and I love the price. I believe these are dupes for several of MAC eyeshadow for a fraction of the price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* angelixia07 on 10/24/2010 3:27:00 AM more reviews by angelixia07

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I definitely now get why people love this quad so much. These are really great neutral colors that everyone should have. The four shades are (from upper left to lower right):

Lid Color: silvery shimmery taupe similar to Mac Satin Taupe but with chunkier shimmers

Crease: shimmery reddish brown/bronze similar to Mac Cut to Fit

Brow: matte creamy, off white similar to Mac Brule

Outer Corner: matte rich chocolate brown similar to Mac Handwritten

Overall, pigmentation is great, easy to blend and decent stay power. All four colors are decent Mac dupes and although you are only getting 4.8g of product whereas if you got four Mac shadows you would have 6g or product, the price difference really offsets that. I got mine for about five bucks so even if I got two of them, that is still less than the price of one Mac shadow. I really recommend this especially if you do not own some basic neutral browns in different textures. If you already have a decent collection of Mac neutrals, this is perhaps unnecessary although it would still be great to travel with.

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courtinkerbell on 10/24/2010 1:52:00 AM more reviews by courtinkerbell

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

I effing love this palette, omg. It's just... great. The colors, the pigmentation, the lasting power are all wonderful. I've been wearing it EVERYDAY since I bought it about a week and a half ago. No joke, I wore this WITHOUT primer, to an amusement park and went on roller coasters where my eyes were running and i would wipe them after the ride and I thought, "Great my makeup probably looks like sh*t" but the eyeshadow still looked perfect. I was shocked. Definitely pick up this quad, it's worth a try. I seriously loooove it

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neverender on 10/24/2010 12:30:00 AM more reviews by neverender

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I have this in Charcoal and Natural smokes. Maybelline shadows used to suck so much in the past--they were hardly pigmented and chalky. The new formulas are so much better, but not great. I love the dark smokey eye look and these shadows are perfect for it. Make sure to blend well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Christinaann5 on 10/23/2010 8:29:00 PM more reviews by Christinaann5

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Yes by far maybellines best quad ever! I have to say i love every single shadow and use them all. This is def a must have in everyones collection.
~~PRICE/AVAILABILITY~~
The Maybelline Stylish Smoke Quad collection can be found widely as most drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid as well as mass stores like Kmart, Target & Walmart. The price is also great. These normally run around $4-6 depending on your location as well as sales/discounts/coupons. I always try to score a deal when i buy my makeup being as broke as i am.
~~FORMULA/PERFORMANCE/SHADE~~
The formula is soft hardly any fallout, applies with amazing pigmentation with all shades and blends easily. As the pictures show the pigmentation of every shadow is awesome. I does make smoky eyes easy. I will put mac dupes with description of shades, may not be exact but feel free to correct me.
BROW- matte off white great highlight no shimmer applies great (mac vanilla or brule)
LID- shimmery taupey brown gray my fav! Gorgeous shade its not to shimmery (mac satin taupe)
CREASE- a dark bronzy red/maroon semi frost almost a dark cranberry (mac tempting)
OUTER CORNER- a matte dark espresso brown almost black very pigmented blends well great for outer v definition (mac espresso, style warriors, or brun)
Im telling u this is the best quad ive ever tried for a great smoky eye or i use this quad alot with other shadows since each shadow is great. I love it, bought a backup. Use it alot. Its hard to find great e/s for a low price. I paid around $4, i had coupon but wait 4 sales too. This is def a rebuy when or if i get thru two, its so good. I have pale skin and it works well 4 me, not to harsh and will work on any skintone. I hope maybelline continues putting out e/s like these. I def will buy. Wish they had these shades individually, id def get them all. Im tellin u its def one of the best from the drugstore. Try it! Its so pretty! And u get 4 mac dupes for $1 a shade, wow!
~~PACKAGING~~
The Maybelline Stylish Smokes Quads come in the standard drugstore hard plastic compact. The lid snaps open/shut easily. The lid is see thru plastic which is nice if you have more than a few of these quads so you can see which is which. The backing has a sticker w/ labeling info as well as a little picture tutorial on the back to show you where you can place these shadows which is nice if you arent exactly sure. I know they have recently changed the shadows sizes since before you got 4 square pans of shadow all the same size but now theyre all different sizes which id rather have it the old way. But they have also stamped which shadow is what & where to place it. Its nice for beginners or anyone since you can wear these however you want. The compact is slim & can be placed in your makeup bag on the go. I havent had any problems with this particular quad but some of my Maybelline quad lids have broke off which is a pain so i suggests not to beat these up. Its simple packaging, not the best but i dont mind- its whats on the inside that counts for me.
Overall, i def recommend to everyone. esp if you like daytime smoky eyes & want something you can wear daily but can also be smoked out for nite time looks. This quad has four beautiful shadows that i will def repurchase over & over!

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xogingerox on 10/23/2010 4:35:00 PM more reviews by xogingerox

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great eyeshadow quad for, what it says on the label, smoky eyes. I love how very blendable, buildable and down-right gorgeous the colors were. Its definitely my go-to quad when im in a rush and dont have time to think about what kind of look to go out in. Its simple and you'll always look quite put together.

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