MAC • Eyeshadow in Mystery • Eye Shadow

Where To Buy?

enydonus on 5/13/2013 11:32:00 AM more reviews by enydonus

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

At first, I wasn't sure about this shadow, it's a great dark neutral brown but it's sheer and can be quite patchy. I have come to love it tho and use it almost every day. It doesn't kick up a lot of dust when used, isn't noticeably powdery, and doesn't fall down onto the face.

The sheerness of it means that I can use it to fill in my greyish dark brown eyebrows without it looking too warm, dark, or obvious. I also like to use it as a liner during the day since black looks way too harsh on my very pale complexion. The subtle plummy grey tones bring out the light green in my hazel eyes. On the eyelid, it pairs beautifully with Patina, subtly darkening the outer V. It is my HG unique dark brown.

The main downside is that, due to the patchiness, it doesn't work well on its own or even used with a pencil brush under the eye. It needs a good base to adhere to or to be applied wet for it to appear more consistent and opaque.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

hazelblackolive on 5/4/2013 10:33:00 AM more reviews by hazelblackolive

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

An absolute classic and the only MAC eyeshadow I have ever hit the pan with (twice). I'm going to another city to buy a new one this weekend and it's worth the drive because


1. It's a neutral colour and therefore works with EVERYTHING.


2. It's the most versatile shade I own because I can use it for my brows and as a shadow. It works brilliantly as an eyeliner too and can even be used to do detailed contouring.


3. It's beyond beautiful and a very flattering shade.

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

PianoGirl1985 on 4/19/2013 11:34:00 AM more reviews by PianoGirl1985

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I usually do not like to spend money on MAC eyeshadows since now days it is so easy to find cheeper dupes of practically any color they have. However, I decided to splurge on Mystery just because I was looking for a deep, cool toned brown. I have a few brown eyeshadows in my makeup collection but non of them seem to come even close in the shade as Mystery. It's a really lovely color if you're looking for a natural every day look. I use it in combination with MAC's Bloom On pro-stay eyeshadow and it creates such a beautiful dusty pink/smoky brown look.
I am a fan!

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

emilyhannelx3 on 4/14/2013 5:26:00 PM more reviews by emilyhannelx3

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Tan   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Love for my contour. :) I was recommended it by the makeup artist and was surprised since it was just an eyeshadow. But I love multi functional products, and this is definitely one. With a small angled contour brush (And lots of blending) it looks flawless. A gorgeous color on my eyes too and so velvety soft! It's tiny, but pigmented and easy to build, so I don't need a lot and I see it lasting a while!

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

KeepingItStepford on 3/24/2013 8:37:00 PM more reviews by KeepingItStepford

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

I love mystery its my go to everyday color. The color itself is more of a matte. It pairs nicely with satin taupe and vanilla pigment.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* Rin13 on 12/19/2012 7:29:00 PM more reviews by Rin13

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

Another one that looked nice in the pan and barely showed up on my skin. I am about as while as paper and this was barely noticable. Not a fan.

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

heroines on 10/16/2012 7:09:00 AM more reviews by heroines

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

Very neutral dark brown with a satin finish, I am in love with it.
It was my first MAC eyeshadow and it didn't dissapoint.
As a liner, for brows, all over my lid, just the outer V... you can do anything with it. I highly recommend it.

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

xtasteofimpact on 9/21/2012 3:15:00 AM more reviews by xtasteofimpact

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I used this daily for years. It was so versatile, I used it to fill my brows, as liner, as shadow.

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

SAA2 on 7/9/2012 5:22:00 PM more reviews by SAA2

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I love this product!!!!
I use it to fill my eyebrows.
I have a VERY DARK brown hair and this eyeshadow is PERFECT!

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

no_way_to_say on 6/19/2012 6:10:00 AM more reviews by no_way_to_say

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Other    

This is a great multi-purpose color. I use it as a lining color and crease color. I also use it a lot on the outer corner of my eyes to give more depth. The color is very versatile. Because it is not a warm brown, I can use it for both a warm look or cooler colors.
The only complaint I have with Mystery, is that it can be a little crumbly in the pan sometimes. Not as smooth as other MAC shadows, but I'm fine with it because it is quite easy to blend when it is on the lids.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* Euphoria93 on 6/11/2012 5:39:00 PM more reviews by Euphoria93

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I went into the mac store and told a pretty blonde girl with awesome eye makeup I wanted a cold, dark brown eyeshadow without the annoying red undertones in it. Her expertise mathed her flawless makeup application, because she soon showed mystery and swatched it on her hand for me, and it was love at first sight! I combine it with orb as a base colour and then just apply this on my lid and blend it into the crease to emphasize my eyes more. It's pigmented and doesn't fall out when I apply it, which is a huge plus. I hate it when eyeshadows Smulders and practically attacks my lower eyes and cheekbones. I don't know the staying power since I combine it with UDPP, which even holds onto the cheap stuff like superglue. But I guess it lasts longer than most eyeshadows without a primer too, judging from the views, but it would most likely crease and smudge on my super oily eyelids anyway, so I won't take the chance.


I also discovered that it was great for filling in patches on my eyebrows I'm growing out at the moment. The shade is a perfect match for my dark brown brows, but I can imagine it being a bit too much for a blonde or someone with naturally light brows.


This is definitely a basic must have for every mac eyeshadow palette no matter what kind of skin or haircolour you have.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

melimouse on 5/24/2012 11:11:00 PM more reviews by melimouse

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

I love using mystery for my eyebrows. It's the perfect shade. I have dark brown hair, nc25 skin. It goes well with mac spike eye brow pencil. I use to wear brun eyeshadow for my brows but mystery is lighter making it look more on the natural side compared to brun. It will last me a very long time since I only use it for my brows

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

Emma93 on 4/21/2012 5:32:00 PM more reviews by Emma93

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I like mystery. It's a nice eyeshadow, a darker brown, not warm, not really cool. The color payoff is not really good, which is the main reason I gave it only 3 lippies. If you swatch it, it looks like nothing. And I may have gotten a dud, because it does not look nearly as dark as it does on other people. I have seen it on multiple blogs and swatches and somehow mine doesn't even get close to be that dark. I usually use Cork as a crease color, but if I want something a bit more dramatic, a bit deeper, I use Mystery. Now I wish I had gotten Smut, because swatched next to each other they look quite similer but Smut has that reddish shimmer to it that gives it a special twist. Although I heard Smut's texture isn't that great either. Anyway, I'd probably go for another dark brown now.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* bernsie on 4/21/2012 3:52:00 PM more reviews by bernsie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other, Medium   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Hazel    

Aahhhhh, Mystery, it's not called this for nothing you know. This is probably one of my favorite "neutrals" as it's sooo unusual. This you will never find elsewhere. It is a must have staple/neutral like Carbon, Brun, Concrete, and Bark, but not as ash or cool. There have been arguments as to what color this brown/neutral is laced with around MAC counters/stores amoung MAC staff and customers. What is in it to make it look not so ashen/cool? Is it a hint of pink/red? maybe a bit of Mauve, a bit of purple, a bit of VIOLET even. Well I don't know. That's why they named it "Mystery" I guess...A MUST, MUST have, for sure!!!

9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

thathoneydip on 4/20/2012 11:36:00 AM more reviews by thathoneydip

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

i use this to fill my brows sometimes when im going out on the weekends and i want defined bold brows, i always grab for this. great multi purpose eyeshadow

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

blushmetweetme on 2/17/2012 7:47:00 AM more reviews by blushmetweetme

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Such a good multipurpose shadow. I use this for my brows, and in the outer crease, of for a great smokey eye! Really matte and pretty! The MAC eye shadows are also such good prices considering the quality.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Nancy371 on 2/10/2012 4:46:00 PM more reviews by Nancy371

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

I use it for almost everything: lining, smokey look, on the crease, and more rarely for filling my brows (only because it fits better on dark brows- mine are lighter). Great on top of eyeliner/pencil, either to set it and keep it from smudging, or to make the line look softer and more refined. Its matte, cool, not extremely dark colour makes it a basic product in my vanity case. Its greyish shade flatters brown eyes. When I travel, I take this and an eyebrush, and I don't even need any eyeliner with me. Also, the texture/quality is very good, and it stays well and long on oily lids, but I would say this about all MAC eyeshadows that I've tried. Very convenient for me.

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

dcabc on 1/14/2012 11:43:00 PM more reviews by dcabc

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

I'm kicking myself for not getting this sooner! I've been using Espresso as a brow filler for, oh, over 10 years now, and while it did the job fine, sometimes I felt it pulled too warm on my fair skin and very dark brows - almost unnaturally reddish in certain lighting or photos. And I never was able to use it as an eyeshadow since it's too warm (just like saddle and soft brown, which look horrid on me). Mystery is the dark hair/cool skin answer to Espresso - it's a perfect, dark, muted brown with absolutely zero warmth. It looks natural on my brows and also pairs well in the crease or outer corner with all of my beloved taupe shadows. Pigmentation and blendability are great. HG!

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

NK207 on 11/4/2011 7:26:00 PM more reviews by NK207

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

To start off, I have very pale skin with freckles, and dark hair and blue eyes. This color unlike any other brows I've come across, a sort of a mauvy cool-toned brown without any red in it - which I love.

I use this through my eyebrows every day and it's perfect for that and lasts really well. For most looks I put this in the crease to darken it, but I recently found a new way to use it and it has become my go-to make up look: Apply mystery with a regular application brush, preferably a bit softer than usual brushes, and apply it all along my top lashline as well as 2/3 on the lower lashline. Then I smudge this a bit to soften it, apply black eyeliner to my top waterline and finish off with mascara. Voila, an appropriate, super easy smokey eye suitable for daytime and with some more eyeliner for evening. Works great.

I think it might be a bit too ashy on people with warm undertones, but it is worth a shot. It's a perfect cool-toned dark brown, highly pigmented and super smooth to apply. However, I think MAC eyeshadows are a bit too expensive, luckily they last forever. The packaging is hideous and I really hope that MAC do something with that. But great color though :-)

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

girlygirl8705 on 11/3/2011 2:52:00 PM more reviews by girlygirl8705

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

BEAUTIFUL color! I think this may be a HG cool brown e/s. I was looking for a cool, brown, and neutral shadow that wouldn't be so light that it didn't show up nor something too too dark that I would be embarrassed to wear this during the day. It is on the darker end of the spectrum but w/o being harsh. It is a satin finish so it isn't shimmery or sparkly but sort of like a soft matte shade. All in all....love it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No