I’ve received a LOT of requests for looks with the MakeupGeek eyeshadows, and I must admit I was anxious myself to start creating looks with them for the site!
If you missed my initial review and swatches of the eyeshadows, you’re welcome to view that post here. I have since received 18 more colors and I am just as equally impressed as I was with the first 18. I’m finding a lot of these shades are not as dupeable as I originally thought (an example is Country Girl in look #4). It reminds me of Cranberry, but it’s a MUCH lighter version. It goes without saying that this is just the first of many combo posts with these awesome eyeshadows (but I just HAD to say it – HA!)!
Look #1
MUG eyeshadows used:
- Prom Night (inner 2/3 of lid)
- Corrupt (outer 1/3 of lid)
- Unexpected (crease)
- Vanilla Bean (blend)
Look #2 – click here for the MAC equivalent of this look (see #8)!
MUG eyeshadows used:
- Fuji (inner half of lid)
- Poolside (outer half of lid)
- Peach Smoothie and Creme Brulee (crease)
- Vanilla Bean (blend)
DeniseMichelle
These all look beautiful and highly pigmented. I know Marlena strives for perfection. How do you think they compare to MAC?
Zabrena
Hi Denise!
VERY comparable to MAC, if not better! They are the same size pan and are surprisingly harder to dupe with some of MAC’s shades. There are some dupes, but not a whole lot. I was most impressed by the lack of fall out and no added glitter like some of MAC’s Lustre shades.
Didn’t run into that with ANY of the MUG eyeshadows. They’re definitely worth checking out! 😉
Saira
Gorgeous! I especially like look #2 – so stunning.
And yes,how do you think the MUG eyeshadows compare to MAC? I have MUG Unicorn and I think it’s a great dupe for MAC Parfait Amour. MUG Dirty Martini is a great shade too and no dupes that I can see in MAC.
Zabrena
I LOVE #2, too!
Very comparable to MAC in terms of quality, pigmentation, lasting power and I think Marlena offers much more unique shades compared to MAC.
Like you say with Dirty Martini – I have nothing like it!
Karah
Hi,
MAC’s Velvet Moss LE is a dupe to MUG’s Dirty Martini, but it’s a LE shade.
Mariella
I’m coming really close to placing an order for MUG shadows but I know what will be the outcome…I’ll end up with the same sorts of shades I always buy (a good thing in that I’m consistent; a not so good thing in that I have SO many of the same colours). I’m wild for Look #1 so went to check out the shadows used. Prom Night seems dupe-able with Nars Lhasa or MAC Shale or about 3 other shadows I have. The black shadow – got lots of them. Unexpected – I think I’ve got a similar shade in my Guerlain quad (not a shade I’d buy on its own, though). Marlena has so many gorgeous shadows, though, and the prices seem unbeatable. I just wish I could see them “in the flesh”.
Zabrena
I know what you mean! That was my biggest hang-up with the Inglot shades I just purchased, and I HAD to do it in store. Just couldn’t purchase them online!
I can’t speak for the Prom Night dupe you mentioned but MAC Quarry or UD Tease are excellent subs for Unexpected. Unexpected is just slightly more pigmented and powdery (easier to work with, in my opinion). Stay strong, woman! 😀
Kelly Gibson
There is a list of Mac dupes on the Makeup geek site, though it needs to be updated. I don’t agree with all of their assessments of the dupes either. Most of the MUG browns are comparable to some Mac browns and I think a lot of the MUG neutrals are better than Mac. Better pigmentation and more blendable. This is my own list of dupes based on the MUG and Mac shadows I have:
shimma shimma (shroom)
moondust (patina)
corrupt (carbon)
mocha (ground brown)
cocoa bear (brown script)
latte (saddle)
frappe (texture)
creme brûlée (soft brown)
brown sugar (mulch)
Chickadee (rule) – rule is more orange
Kimberli Sarsfield
I am so excited to see your review and looks on Makeup Geek eyeshadows. I have been wanting to try them for awhile now and you’ve convinced me:) Thank you so much for spotlighting this brand:)
Zabrena
You’re so very welcome, Kimberli! I know you’d enjoy them. I have been most impressed with the quality!
I’ve got lots more posts planned for MUG eyeshadows, too! 😉
Hot Strawberry
90% of the shadows on her site are out of stock
:-/
Faith Piveral
Could you do a video or review that shows dupes of MAC shadows with MUG shadows? Also, I would LOVE it if you did a look including MUG Cosmopolitan.
Shannon Gibson
I tried look #3 today. It came out nothing like yours. While it was pretty, I was disappointed. What base did you use? Perhaps that was my problem.
Zabrena
Hi Shannon!
I’m sorry to hear that 🙁
I only used my NARS eyeshadow primer in the looks you’re seeing above. Depending on your unique skintone, eyeshadows can show differently, too. If you want to bring out more of the blue on the lid, you can also try layering them over a blue paint pot or one of the NYX Jumbo pencils. 🙂 Hope that helps a little bit more!