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Spotlight On: MAC Steamy

in MAC Eyeshadow Combinations

Finish: Frost / Bluish-green with gold pearl

Known Dupes: Shimmermoss, UD Shattered

Steamy is a teal-green shade with high pigmentation due to the Frost formula. To get the most out of this color, I highly recommend using a primer on the lid before application (I use Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance); otherwise, the full effect of this color will not appear. When I did the swatch on my hand for this post, I couldn’t get it to show up on its own. Once I dabbed a little bit of primer onto my hand as the base, the color instantly came alive. MAC’s arsenal of shades has a twin of Steamy in Shimmermoss, although Steamy is more for warm complexions and has more green than blue from what I can see. I love this color, and even though blues and greens are a little frightening, I can honestly say Steamy is one of the best eyeshadows I own!

Look #1

MAC eyeshadows used:

  • Steamy (on lid, below crease)
  • Wedge (crease)
  • Blanc Type (blend)

 

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23 thoughts on “Spotlight On: MAC Steamy”

  1. Tanya

    Reply

    I’m getting ready to place an order with mac and I was wondering if you think Sketch ,nocturnelle,plum dressing and trax are to similar of colors. If so what colors would you pick. I will also be purchasing vex, star violet,humid, satellite dreams, shimmer moss,tilt,shroom,silver ring and sumptuous olive. Any suggestions? Thanks for your time

    1. macshadowcombos

      Reply

      Hi Tanya!
      Out of the purples you listed, it would depend a lot on your eye color and skin tone (warm or cool) as to which ones are right for you. If you have a warm skin tone, Plum Dressing is amazing (and will make blue or green eyes come alive due to its red base). Trax and Sketch are okay (Sketch being the darkest of the two), but I tend not to reach for them simply because I find the formula hard to work with. Nocturnelle is the most versatile of all the purples you named and works well both with cool and warm skintones and ANY eye color.

      The other eyeshadows you mentioned are all great as far as formulation goes and ease of use – if you haven’t seen my post already about how to pick your eyeshadow color based on your eye color, I recommend it for making your color decisions. You may see it here: http://macshadowcombos.com/2011/02/21/how-to-pick-the-perfect-eyeshadow-color-for-your-eyecolor/

      Hope this helped answer some of your questions!
      Happy MAC shopping! 🙂

  2. Mariella

    Reply

    I love Steamy! I got it to dupe a LE Too Faced shadow I was afraid of using up and I actually like it MORE than the original I was trying to dupe. I love the looks you’ve done. I’ve done a few similar (using Wedge instead of Cork) but will certainly try some of the others you’ve done. Simply gorgeous work, Zabrena!

    1. macshadowcombos

      Reply

      Thanks, Mariella! 🙂 When I first started the blog, a lady in the UK asked for some combinations with Steamy and I was SO hesistant to purchase it. After I did though, I found it wasn’t that scary when paired with the right colors – it’s partly why I enjoy doing this blog so much – I learn many NEW things when I wander outside my comfort zone! 😀

    1. macshadowcombos

      Reply

      Yes! That is a beautiful combo! I did one similar to that in the Aquadisiac posting, which is why a combo like that wasn’t included here. However, blues and browns are awesome together! 🙂

  4. Samantha

    Reply

    Thank you SO much for this post; I am looking into purchasing MAC’s Steamy and needed a nice, wearable eyeshadow combination. All of these looks are superb and would work perfectly for an everyday look. I’m no longer afraid to rock the teal shadow. Once again, thanks! 🙂

  5. Melissa Raymond

    Reply

    Yeah, very pretty but for some reason it looks kind of boring on me. I wanted more teal to pop through. I also used nyx milk and it helped but I’m still not wowed by the color. Swap anyone!haha!!!!!

  6. Eda Ozogan

    Reply

    I just bought Steamy a few hours ago and tried it. Well, I literally rape the eyeshadow with brush but still I can’t get the color as intense as you. I use a primer too. The same thing with patina, too. All of the colors actually 🙁 Which brush and eye primer do you use?

    1. My Eyeshadow Consultant

      Reply

      Hi Eda!
      I’m sorry to hear you’re having issues with it! 🙁
      I use Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance and typically apply it with a brush like the MAC #239.
      If you’ve tried that and want to try something different, it might help to scrape a little bit off of Steamy and mix it in separately with an eyeshadow transformer. And then apply it wet, which will really help to intensify the color.

      If you’ve never heard of an eyeshadow transformer, I did do a video on them a little while back with a good comparative example of what it looks like when you use it and when you don’t use it. I used a blue pigment in the video similar to Steamy, so you can see how vibrant it becomes with an eyeshadow transformer; that might be your answer.

      If you’re interested, the video is here:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fBcfOXVtZE

      Hope this helps! 🙂 Don’t give up on it!

      1. Eda Ozogan

        Reply

        I finally found a way to work with Steamy! I bought 239 brush (I had MAC 213 brush and comparing it to the 239, it sucks). I put steamy on very inner half of the lid, and satin taupe on the rest. And something on the crease. It looks beautiful. I will try look #2 it looks lovely!

  7. Ellen Morris

    Reply

    I’m obsessed with look 4 with steamy and pink freeze. Bought steamy literally just so I could do that look. Thanks so much Zabrena!

  8. Zabrena

    Reply

    Haha! 😉
    Hrrrmmm, I’m imagining Steamy against hazel eyes; I actually would recommend Shimmermoss over Steamy, but it’s no longer available (it is more green compared to Steamy). Aquadisiac is a great one to consider! I only hesitate on recommending Steamy to you because I feel like it’s a touch and go type of shade – takes a lot of building to get it to show on the lid and depending on your skin tone, you may or may not get the vibrancy from it. I have trouble with it, even being pale!

      1. beautywithin

        Reply

        I got my order today. I saw the labeled package and was sooo excited! I was like a kid on Christmas morning, lol!!!

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