If You Have This, You Don’t Need That: PIGMENTS!

Whenever there’s a way I can save all of the eyeshadow lovers of the world money and time, you know I am ALL about that! Soon after doing the post about eyeshadow dupes that were in MAC’s permanent collection, several of you asked if I could do the same with pigments (I always get my best ideas from YOU!), and I thought this would be a unique and challenging post.

After sifting through ALL of my pigment samples and regularly-sized pigments, I’ve put together an extensive list of pigments that are either dupes of one another or pigments that are dupeable with other eyeshadows in MAC’s collection. Most of the eyeshadows shown within this list are limited edition, so if you have been lusting after a particularly limited edition shade (or I’ve used it in a look you’d like to recreate) any of the below pigments will work wonderfully in their place.

If you are interested in buying pigment samples, it’s a cheap way to try new colors and will help save you time hunting down some of the harder-to-find limited edition shades. I buy mine here: http://terribleterra.ecrater.com/

Apricot Pink vs. Da Bling

Apricot Pink is a light pale pink shade, very comparable to Da Bling. You will find a slightly more shimmery finish in Apricot Pink compared to Da Bling, but either is dupeable with another.

Bell Bottom Blue vs. Deep Truth

I swear these look identical in person, although the swatch is making me more a liar now. Ha! Bell Bottom Blue is a rich deep blue pigment that I feel can easily be duped with MAC’s permanent shade, Deep Truth. Whichever you choose to use in your look, the results will be very similar.

Chocolate Brown vs. Glamour Check!

When I first got Chocolate Brown, I knew it reminded me of an eyeshadow I already had. It wasn’t until I did the swatches for this post that I realized it is a dead ringer for limited edition shade, Glamour Check! While not an exact dupe for either of these, permanent shade Antiqued is also a very close match to either of these, only more red-toned.

Deckchair vs. Jest / Jete

Deckchair is plain and simple a more vibrant, shimmery version of Jest or Jete eyeshadow. If you’re looking for a pigment with a lot of color payoff and you weren’t too impressed by Jest or Jete, I highly recommend replacing either in your look with Deckchair.

Gift O’ Glamour vs. All That Glitters

Gift O’ Glamour is not unique to MAC’s pigment collection and it really is just a more vibrant dupe of All That Glitters. Generally pigments are well liked for their intense vibrancy, so if you haven’t been too thrilled by All That Glitters, give Gift O’ Glamour a shot.

Golden Lemon vs. Bright Future

Golden Lemon is not an exact dupe of Bright Future, but really, how many intensely yellow shades does one woman need?! I have a hard enough time with one! 🙂 As you can see in the comparison, Golden Lemon is shinier and a tad bit more subdued compared to Bright Future, but using either in place of the other would yield the same results.

Heritage Rouge vs. Reflects Blackened Red

I have ALWAYS loved Heritage Rouge, always! And it was because I have never seen anything like it anywhere, until I ran across Reflects Blackened Red. The two pigments are identical in terms of color, but I feel Reflects Blackened Red is more intense than Heritage Rouge, like it’s on steroids. Ultimately, you really only need one of these pigments (of course I needed both!).

Jardin Aires vs. Gold Mode

If you are looking for a beautiful gold pigment, look no further than Jardin Aires and Gold Mode pigments. Each of these is a beautiful gold color and they are dupeable for one another. However, I feel Jardin Aires is a less intense version of Gold Mode, so if you find Gold Mode to be too much, try Jardin Aires on for size.

Lovely Lily vs. Mancatcher / Beautiful Iris

Ah, Lovely Lily – a pale, light lilac shade but very dupeable with limited edition eyeshadow, Mancatcher. Each of these is highly pigmented compared to one another so I don’t feel you’re missing out on anything if you choose one over the other. I threw Beautiful Iris into this mix as well as I feel it is also a great dupe for Lovely Lily; not as close as Mancatcher, but a comparable dupe.

MegaRich vs. Amber Lights

Dupes, dupes, dupes! These two have got DUPE written all over one another. If you have one, you most definitely do not need the other as they are so similar it’s ridiculous. However, as strange as it sounds I actually prefer MegaRich pigment slightly over Amber Lights as it does something different to my blue eyes when applied. MegaRich is not as strong in shimmer factor as Amber Lights when applied, which I feel allows the color to speak louder, if that makes any sense.

Melon vs. Tweet Me

Back when MAC’s Peacocky/Mega Metals collection came on the scene, I was drawn to the eyeshadow ‘Tweet Me’. I had to have it! I couldn’t figure out why I needed it so badly . . . until I used it and realized it was an exact dupe for my beloved Melon pigment. Literal dupes of one another, I still like Melon more for its super shiny-ness (is that even a word?!) and vibrancy.

Pink Vivid vs. Passionate

Pink Vivid is not an exact dupe of Passionate eyeshadow, but I feel you can get away with using either shade in a look and still get the same results. Pink Vivid is just slightly lighter and less intense than Passionate, as you can see in the below swatch. So, if Passionate has been a bit too strong or intimidating in the past, try out Pink Vivid. It blends like a dream and is easier to work with compared to Passionate.

Rich Life vs. Espresso

Again, not exact dupes of one another but using either in a look that calls for one of these shades will give you very similar results. Rich Life is highly unique (and very loved by yours truly!) because it is a dark brown unlike anything else in MAC’s collection with gold sparkles added in. It blends amazingly well and is quite possibly one of the easiest browns I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Espresso is just so-so in my opinion, not as exciting as Rich Life, but will give you more of a matte finish if you’re looking to avoid the glitz and glitter of Rich Life.

Tan vs. Time & Space

Tan and Time & Space are interchangeable with one another; both beautiful shades of golden brown. If you’re looking for more shimmer and a lighter color, Tan is the lady for you. If you don’t mind something that’s been ramped up a bit more but will give you the same effect and coloring as Tan, than you’ll be very happy with Time & Space. I personally don’t have a preference between the two and love them both equally.

Teal vs. Surf U.S.A.

This one may be more controversial as each is not an exact dupe of one another. However, I feel you really only do need one of these colors in your collection (unless you just LOVE Teal and need to have all the teal shades MAC has ever made ). Teal is a more intense and darker color whereas Surf U.S.A. is lighter and doesn’t take on the same intensity as Teal. If I were given the option to keep only one, I could never part with Teal!