MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows - Opalesse, Triple Impact, Smoky Mauve

I have quite a few of the gelée-textured eyeshadows from MAC from the previous two outings, so I really wanted to be choosy with the current MAC Extra Dimension collection and buy only the shades that I felt were the most unique or interesting. Smoky Mauve just looked like an amazing alternative to taupe (and you know I love me some taupe!), while both Opalesse and Triple Impact seemed like they might have some duochrome happening.

Top: Smoky Mauve
Bottom: Opalesse and Triple Impact

Smoky Mauve is a silvered-taupe-mauve, and exactly what I've come to expect from this formulation - a metallic/frost finish, beautiful pigmentation both wet and dry, and that strangely dry texture that applies smoothly and blends like butter. It's the kind of shade that can be swept all over the eye for a natural wash of subtle color, or worked into the crease with a touch of taupe or brown for depth.

The other two shades are different altogether, and remind me a bit of some of the Estée Lauder Vivid Shine eyeshadows from a couple of seasons ago. They are sheerer in a way that seems intentional, as they also have a duochrome finish that works beautifully over a darker base. The finish also has more microglitter/shimmer than frost. The texture of both seems a little drier in some way, comparable to the way a mineralized eyeshadow feels, and they don't last quite as well as Smoky Mauve or the other Extra Dimension eyeshadows I've tried in the past - though if you're going to layer them over a cream base to highlight that duochrome effect, that's not really a concern.

The duochrome was really hard to capture, but in the picture below you can see a tiny bit of the effect.

Triple Impact and Opalesse

In the picture below, that effect is next to invisible. Triple Impact reads as a pale, pastel lilac, and Opalesse as a light gold. In reality, Triple Impact has an almost bluish iridescence, while Opalesse has a blush pink undertone.

 Smoky Mauve, Opalesse, Triple Impact

However, over a darker base (l'Oréal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant), the undertones are more visible.

Top to bottom: Opalesse and Triple Impact

I have to say that I'm really glad I got these. The sheerness surprised me, as did the sparklier finish, but they are beautiful and I love the layering potential.

Availability: Slim, as they are sold out on the MAC website, though the stores may still have some in stock. Price is 25$ CAD.

Pros: Smoky Mauve has that fabulous gelée mixture of strong pigmentation, smooth, blendable texture and high-impact metallic shimmer. Opalesse and Triple Impact have a sheerer finish that makes them wonderful for layering, and a lovely shifting iridescence.

Cons: The lighter shades are not as long-lasting, and have a drier texture that doesn't really impact application, but does make them more prone to flying away.

(I purchased these items from www.maccosmetics.com.)