MAC • Shadestick • Eye Shadow

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maggiejeanjones on 6/23/2011 10:33:00 AM more reviews by maggiejeanjones

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

A few years back when these first came out I got talked into buying two (Gentle Lentil and Sharkskin) like a huge sucker. The first few times I used them they were great: smooth application, good color payoff. After about a month or two, they shrivled up, dried out (and I made sure to close the cap tightly each time), and the product fell out of the packaging tube. They dry out sooo quickly, and once they do good luck with making this product work. I eventually just threw the Sharkskin packaging in my B2M empties bag and I occasionally can make Gentle Lentil work for a brow pencil. So glad MAC discontinued these, and it was definately not the quality I typically expect from MAC.

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amandable on 5/28/2011 2:02:00 PM more reviews by amandable

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Easily the worst product I've ever bought from MAC. I've been thinking that my application was wrong - but no, these just suck. I've tried every single way to apply these and every time I'm left with sore eyes, uneven color distribution, and shattered dreams. I've had two of these in my drawer for over a year. I pick them up every month or so to see if I can get them to work, but I'm always left frustrated and angry that I wasted my money in the first place. My eyes are red, sore, and angry with me as I type this because for some masochistic reason I just tried to use my shadesticks again. Took me forever to apply then another 30 minutes to fix using various Urban Decay 24/7 pencils (which, btw, are awesome).

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canaspam on 4/20/2011 6:51:00 PM more reviews by canaspam

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

I bought this thinking it would be a great cream-like shadow to work as a base. However, it's extremely hard in texture, which makes it almost impossible to put on. I have to rub it between my fingers to soften it each time I want to use it. Which has lead to me not using it much at all. I was pretty disappointed. Not worth the money at all.

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dakota2010 on 11/21/2010 8:40:00 PM more reviews by dakota2010

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I tried my very first shadestick I received in a swap a couple days ago. I applied it and it went on kind of blotchy and uneven. I applied more to those areas then applied 3 different shadows from my Sephora Color Play palette over it.
I have a bad habit of not taking my makeup off before bed and always wake up with my eye makeup smeared and gross looking. However, my eyes were almost the same as the previous night! My lower liner was gone (like it always does) but the shadows were perfect like I had just applied them :)
I was amazed but I am disappointed the shadesticks don't stay in the packaging like it should...mine was wobbly when I applied it and eventually came out when I dropped it...
I would buy again if there was a greater color range.

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littlegray on 7/29/2010 2:04:00 AM more reviews by littlegray

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I was disappointed by these. I purchased many and of these in neutral shades to wear as bases under eyeshadow. They look quite nice by themselves too. However, they don't apply very well, and they leave uneven deposits of color on my eyelids when I'm not careful. They dry out and crumble very quickly, and the stick breaks apart before you'll be able to use all of the product. This is not worth the money. Try the NYX Jumbo Eye Shadow Pencils.

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bunnywinks on 6/21/2010 9:14:00 PM more reviews by bunnywinks

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this product a while ago in a shimmery white colour and I was really disappointed with it. It wouldn't go on smoothly even after I warmed it up. It was always really dry and lumpy and I could not layer any shadow over top because of that reason. I had to tug at my eyelid to apply and I found it dried up quickly due to the packaging as well. I might purchase this product in sharkskin as Panacea81 always uses it and raves over it but I think I would most likely purchase a NYX Jumbo eye pencil or something instead as they are much more creamy and easier to apply. This is too bad as I do love MAC. ;) *wink*

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CMmakeup on 4/9/2009 6:58:00 PM more reviews by CMmakeup

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Tan   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

Shadesticks are my favorite to collect. They're the best for traveling. I love paint pots too, but I would never bring one with me on vacation. I never had a problem with them drying out, just make sure you fully close them. They come in all kinds of colors, and work great as a base. Now that they are being discontinued, I really regret not buying them all. My all time favorite shade is Lucky Jade.

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oakley1 on 3/27/2009 8:13:00 PM more reviews by oakley1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I just bought my first shadestick in red velvet. While the color is beautiful, and lasting, the product itself is hard to apply. I lamely tried to put on directly, w/o using an eyeshadow brush, and that may have been my problem as the product's tip broke off. I would definitely recommend swiping on a brush first. I wouldn't buy again, as I certainly prefer the paint pots, but this color is a lovely pink/red that can't be found in the paint pot collection.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Abrial on 3/21/2009 8:45:00 PM more reviews by Abrial

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I can't believe shadesticks have such a low rating, I have never found them to be dry and I have almost all of them.

For me they definitely go on my lids extremely creamy and give any look a definite zing.

I like shadesticks sooo much better than paint pots because they aren't messy at all.

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tweetylemon on 3/8/2009 9:18:00 AM more reviews by tweetylemon

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have this in Gentle Lentil. I love this shade! Beautiful for blue eyes, really brings them out. Long lasting too. Will definitely purchase over and over again.

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piyopiyo127 on 3/4/2009 2:12:00 PM more reviews by piyopiyo127

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

the worst product ever. on my hand it feels fine, but same as the other reveiwer said your hand is much harder than your delicate eye area. i have to really presh to get it on and while not to the point where my eye hurts i'm still pressing on my eyeball nonetheless. a lot of ppl are saying they're fine you just have to warm them up w/ a hair dryer but i think any make up you have to warm up w/ a flat iron or hair dryer can't be good for you (make up is essentially make mostly of chemicals anyway and drying it out like that can't be good for it or for you). awful, if you're looking for an eye shadow primer it's much easier to get Urban Decay's primer potion or Too Faced shadow insurance. they're also neutral and go with everything.

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*TOP REVIEWER* efrey14 on 1/19/2009 5:14:00 PM more reviews by efrey14

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I am not surprised at the low ratings for shadesticks. Nonetheless, I love them. I rely on Beijing, fresh cement, Lucky Jade, and the gold one (cannot remember name) on a regular basis after my UDPP...to help give a colored base to my looks. I love that it gives an extra level of stickiness to my shadows. I especially love using them w/o Mac shadows b/c it helps staying power. Yes, they are difficult to blend. Yes, the packaging sucks. But there is no other product out there that does what these do with color. NYX jumbo pencils are WAY to :soft: -- and Covergirl Gel Sticks are crap. Would always repurchase.

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xokerrybaybii on 12/15/2008 3:36:00 PM more reviews by xokerrybaybii

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I had seen shadesticks on the MAC website and had thought about buying one but i wasn't that sure about how versatile they would be. I then started watching some makeup tutorials on youtube just to get some tips and the same shades kept coming up, Sharkskin and Beig-ing and i saw all the different ways that you can use shadesticks so i decided to try one. I started with Sharkskin and then got Beig-ing and i am very impressed with them.
The packaging is quite poor though as you have to make sure that you click the cap down twice or the lid doesn't stay on properly and you can end up with a dried out shadestick. I think shadesticks are pretty pricey but i don't mind as they are really great quality products and overall i would deffinatly recomend it!

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sanayhs on 12/10/2008 8:19:00 PM more reviews by sanayhs

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely adore the shadesticks, and have nearly every shade. The colours are gorgeous on their own, and as a base to powder eyeshadows they really add depth, punch up sheer colours and allow bright shadows to pop even more. They remind me of crayons, which makes me happy. I have no creasing problems and they last well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* sll74 on 10/22/2008 5:33:00 PM more reviews by sll74

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

i LOVE the shadesticks. i have two...lucky jade and penny. they are wonderful!! my shadows pop and look great! i never thought i could wear a frost because with my oily skin they fade but with my e/s primer (i use lumene) and a shadestick my e/s stays ALL DAY! even through sweating at the gym. that's great for me. i think for those mentioning having to tug it is probably best to warm it with a blow dryer or warm hands or something. i don't keep my house very cool so mine are room temp and they just glide on. i usually only use mine on the bottom of my upper lid to really make my eyes pop! the shadesticks are pretty versatile but i do wish they came in a few more colors. i can't imagine how i would use the blue one but i need to think of a way so i can justify getting it ;-) i like these more than the paints in the tub or the pots by far!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* mzxtine on 9/20/2008 2:38:00 PM more reviews by mzxtine

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

I received this as part of my swap and I'm so glad that I was able to try this product out!

IMHO, it works just as well as the UDPP and I've had to work 12 hour days and it still looks just as gorgeous and blends well with the colors that I use. Mine is some sort of a light pink color called Fard a Paupiere.

It is great to use as a base if you love using the Pandamonium quad! I watched some girl on youtube that suggested it over UDPP, but in my case, I found the UDPP unnecessary.

I gave the packaging quality a 1 because the inside fell out and isn't as stable as other pens I've used.

Highly recommended for those who have oily lids and just want to apply makeup once per day with no touch-ups!

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jamee on 8/22/2008 6:05:00 PM more reviews by jamee

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Other, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have really oily eyes and nothing seems to stay on them for any length of time.
but I put this on over my primer and under my other shadows and my eyeshadow
does not budge ALL DAY.

I am used to my eyeshadow being non-existent after only a couple hours of wear and have been looking for something to make it stay on for YEARS.
MAC shadesticks are the key!

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tennismnky93 on 8/6/2008 10:54:00 PM more reviews by tennismnky93

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love the colors that the MAC shadesticks come in. That's why I swapped for 2 of the minis: taupographic and royal hue. I'm swapping both again because I just don't use them. I see why everyone dislikes the packaging. The rounded tip makes it hard to get the inner corner and into the crease. They pull and tug also. The stick of color often slid out of the tube, or slid into the tube making me frustrated. Finally, I gave up. Later I was looking through my makeup and saw them. I was determined to find a way to make them work. Finally, I realized I could use a MAC 252 to swipe the color off of the top. It defeats the packaging (hence why I put it as a three) but the color it great, as is the base!

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*TOP REVIEWER* laynesaidwattt on 6/20/2008 12:17:00 AM more reviews by laynesaidwattt

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

AMAZING eyeshadow primer. NO clumping, NO running, NOTHING. this is great alone or under a shadow. WORTH EVERY PENNY.

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scorpiyo on 4/22/2008 11:29:00 PM more reviews by scorpiyo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Shadesticks are my first MAC product. I thought I really liked the form it's in, but after they came out with paint pots, they totally took a back seat. Sometimes they tug on your eyelids, sometimes they break, and sometimes they just feel slimy. They are also pretty hard to close, which is probably the reason my first one broke. It's just much more nicer to use paint pots since they don't give me that greasy feel even after I apply eyeshadow over it. So yeah, no more shadesticks for me!

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