Bronze Influence
MAC Bronze Influence Connect in Colour 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($34.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a new, permanent six-pan palette that included two matte shades and four shimmers in a neutral color story. I was not impressed by the formula used for the new Connect in Colour palettes as the shimmers were dry, thin, dusty, and/or powdery with sheer coverage and poor longevity, while the mattes were better, they weren’t as blendable as they could (or should!) have been. The new formula is supposed to have “one-swipe” pigmentation and they are being sold as VERY pigmented eyeshadows, yet three shimmers were very, very weak eyeshadows… period.
The only thing that kept this palette from dropping into the D-rating range is that MAC only made an eight-hour wear time claim (whereas most brands aren’t specific, so 8 hours of wear typically garners 8.5/10 rating, and here 8-hour wear would be 10/10).
Ingredients
6.5
Product
7.5
Pigmentation
6.5
Texture
6.5
Longevity
3.5
Application
Retrospeck
Retrospeck is a light-medium gold with moderate, warm undertones and a frosted finish.
- Semi-sheer pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, harder to pick up evenly
- Applied unevenly, had fallout, prone to sheering out
- Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- Tarte Paradise Found (P, $22.00).
- ColourPop Cattitude (LE, $6.00).
- NARS Let It Whip (LE, $19.00).
- Sydney Grace Morning Star (P, $6.25).
- ColourPop Okay (LE, $6.00).
- NABLA Cosmetics Ray of Light (PiP, ).
- Tarte Moonlit (LE, ).
- Juvia’s Place Zuri (P, ).
- Dose of Colors Suz (LE, ).
- Anastasia Peach Sorbet (P, $12.00).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
4.5
Pigmentation
5.5
Longevity
2
Application
Data Mine
Data Mine is a medium copper with warm, orange undertones and a frosted finish.
- Semi-opaque pigmentation
- Thin, crumbly, dry, harder to pick up evenly
- Applied somewhat evenly, moderate fallout, prone to sheering out
- Poor longevity (6 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Here for It (PiP, $4.50).
- Natasha Denona Alloy (312DC) (PiP, $29.00).
- Dior Bayadere #3 (LE, ).
- ColourPop Dream On (PiP, $4.50).
- Huda Beauty Toffee Brown #8 (PiP, ).
- Charlotte Tilbury Celestial Eyes (Pop) (LE, ).
- Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Ara (LE, ).
- NABLA Cosmetics Creation Crown (PiP, ).
- MAC Gold Metalist (LE, $21.00).
- Urban Decay Sinful (LE, $19.00).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
8
Pigmentation
6.5
Longevity
3
Application
Olive Twist
Olive Twist is a light-medium, golden brown with subtle, gold micro-sparkle over a satin finish.
- Semi-sheer pigmentation
- Thin, somewhat dry, harder to pick up evenly
- Applied unevenly, had fallout, prone to sheering out
- Poor longevity (5 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- LORAC Firefly (LE, ).
- LORAC Rendezvous (PiP, ).
- Glaminatrix Divine (P, $8.04).
- Natasha Denona Raw Gold (13M) (PiP, $29.00).
- Too Faced Dear Diary (LE, $16.00).
- KKW Beauty Glam (LE, ).
- Tom Ford Beauty Noir Fume #2 (PiP, ).
- Sydney Grace Vibrant Madness (DC, $8.00).
- Tarte Starfish (LE, ).
- Isamaya Belt (PiP, ).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
4
Pigmentation
5.5
Longevity
2
Application
Overnight Influencer
Overnight Influencer is a muted, dark, forest green with cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Mostly opaque, buildable coverage
- Lightly powdery and slightly thin
- Applied fairly evenly but could have been more blendable
- Average longevity (7 hours before fading visibly; brand only claimed 8-hour wear)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
9.5
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
7.5
Longevity
4.5
Application
Bronze
Bronze
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, not too firmly nor too loosely pressed
- Applied and blended out evenly
- Average longevity (7 hours before fading noticeably)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- Milani Foxy Lady (PiP, $5.99).
- Bad Habit D’Orsay (PiP, ).
- Anastasia Teak (LE, $12.00).
- ColourPop Come On (LE, $4.50).
- Urban Decay Smog (DC, $19.00).
- Anastasia Paris (LE, $12.00).
- Guerlain Coque d’Or #4 (DC, ).
- MAC Golden Brown (LE, $17.00).
- Sydney Grace Mascot (LE, $6.25).
- Pat McGrath Sable Bronze (LE, $25.00).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
8.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
8.5
Texture
7.5
Longevity
5
Application
Logged Out
Logged Out is a light beige with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Semi-opaque, buildable coverage
- Moderately powdery, slightly dry with light fallout
- Applied fairly evenly and blended out decently
- Average longevity (7 hours before fading visibly; brand only claimed 8-hour wear)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
These are the dupes the editor has pulled but not yet rated and officially entered.
- ColourPop Salted Caramel (PiP, $4.50).
- Tom Ford Beauty Sous Le Sable #1 (PiP, ).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty At the Office (PiP, ).
- MAC Elemental (LE, $17.00).
- Clinique Nude Rose (PiP, $15.00).
- MAC Cozy Grey (P, $17.00).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Flesh (LE, ).
- Pretty Vulgar Rise (PiP, ).
- Sephora Latte (LE, ).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty About Last Night No. 09 (LE, ).
Formula Overview
–
MAC describes their latest formula as “one-swipe, pure pigment payoff” with a “lightweight, silky-smooth texture” that has eight-hour wear (well, at least they’re realistic!). They actually state that the formula has “up to 25% higher pigment load.” Can’t say that seemed true in practice, though.
The new formula is thinner, more powdery or drier, and less pigmented than prior MAC formulas, which have been inconsistent at best in the last few years. The matte shades were semi-opaque to opaque, typically buildable, and fairly blendable, while the shimmers were drier with poor adhesion, fallout, and were particularly prone to fading.
In the past, sometimes MAC’s formula didn’t swatch as well as it performed, often being a particularly buildable and blendable formula without being powdery, but I did not find performance to be better than swatches and it was often a little worse. In a time when so many brands are pushing metallics to the next level in terms of intensity, it is interesting to see MAC’s shimmers worsen over time — and they don’t seem like they’re actually trying to go for a more satin-like sheen, they’re just… weak metallics.
Some of the mattes lasted as long as eight hours on me, while some were closer to six to seven hours. Most of the shimmers lasted six hours on me with a couple lasting longer and shorter.
Browse all of our MAC Connect in Colour Eyeshadow swatches.
9
Pigmentation
7.5
Longevity
5
Application
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