Product Reviews Rated 4.58 out of 5 stars
945 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Highly Versatile! Originally I purchased this in Constructavist to be a strong base colour for my darker shadows and it worked beautifully. It wasn't till I tried the shade Painterly, however, that the product's full potential was revealed. I now use that shade as my only eyelid primer. It creates a smooth base that hides any unwanted pigmentation or imperfections and helps all eyeshadow stick and be more vibrant. It works better than other eyelid primers and even has a third effect as a under-eye concealer (not it's best function mind you, but in a pinch it gets the job done).
Most Helpful Critical Review Colors, texture coverage vary I purchased three of these a couple of weeks ago after having previously tried some colors. Overall here is the review of each color I have:
Painterly- Good basic eye base or for those days when you want bare but not red eyelids. It has no sparkle but doesn't give a matte dry look. Works well under other powder eyeshadow as it is a true neutral.
Constructivist- Great brown color that goes on beautifully with a finger tip and less so with a brush. This is the color that caused me to experiment with these things instead of powder eyeshadow. Good Brown, not red, not muddy. With sheen but not annoyingly sparkly
Vintage Selection- Kind of reminds me of All that Glitters; this paint pot has a sheer finish with gleam, not sparkles. I use this on its own, or as the base with a layer of anything else. I like this, the color is more Champagne, but not too pink or yellow- once again right in the middle.
Frozen Violet- While I like the color is is so sparkly someone that sees me everyday commented on it. The color is a medium, sheer plum, but once again, it has those sparkles that you cannot seem to get off your face everywhere you touch.
I ordered all of these (except the Constructivist- which I guess was limited series) off the MAC Pro website. So I did take a risk, but oh well. I would say NONE of the colors have a coverage that is like a matte- say Blanc Type, but if you are a natural girl they should work okay for you and of course you can layer. Just beware these do set fairly quickly. I find a fingertip application gives the nicest result. The synthetic brushes I have for some reason I hold on to the color and it applies unevenly.
Good Luck!
Also, I want to say I have been purchasing MAC since they first came to the US with Nordstrom (1989).
Reviewed by 945 customers Great as primer 5
berelinde from NJ
A lot of primers make my eyes water, but not this. I have oily, profoundly hooded lids and this prevents creasing, and, to some extent, transfer. It would prevent transfer entirely on someone whose eyelids don't constantly rub against themselves all day, but we deal with the face we have. I do wish there was a cooler toned shade lighter than painterly tho...
my go to! 4
sadie :) from AL
i'm fairly new to the makeup world, but i heard all good thing about this and gave it a shot. i personally love it! the only thing is it's kinda hard to blend eyeshadows unless you set it with a light layer of translucent powder.
Best primer ever 5
LissaC from SC
Ive been using this since it came out..its the hest primer hands down. Not only does it works as a primer, but its good on your nose..absorbs oil..good for concealor also.
Loce this stuff..a pot lasts me almost a year..what a bargain.
So expensive... 2
Bea from SD
I heard great things about this... and I ended up not using it for 6 months. It's so pricey and concealer will probably do the trick. I've heard elf's is a great dupe but I haven't tried it myself.
Wish I could give 0. 1
Kahle from Maryland
I hate this product and It doesn't live up to the hype. It is so so dry and does not blend whatsoever. It balls up on my eyes and even it I can finagle it to sort of work that all goes down the drain when I try to put eyeshadow on top. Even my best, most pigmented and bendable shadows literally just stick to it and won't blend even though I set it with a skin color shade or translucent powder. I even did one eye with concealer and one with this and you can probably tell which one worked, not even the best, but at all. I love MAC but this was a huge miss. So I do not recommend this at all and you can get the job done with another primer/base or simply concealer.
Definitely not what I expected! 1
K from Maryland
So this, obviously, has had so much hype for years and I figured I'd give it a try and I was extremely disappointed. It was so dry and incredibly difficult to blend out by itself or the shadows on top. I tried a brush and even my finger to warm it up some to help with blending and still nothing but a mess. Don't recommend.
Sucks 1
Jg from Wyoming
This sucks
The BEST eyeshadow primer ever 5
Melll from Phoenix, Arizona
I have been using MAC paint pots forever and they are amazing for eye shadow bases. They go on smooth, blend well, and do not crease! Painterly is a great neutral to add to your makeup collection!
Makes eyeshadow last forever! 5
Karol H from Florida
Love this product.
Works better than any I've tried!! 5
Carissa from Wilmington, NC
So I was skeptical, it's expensive for an eye primer to me, but I always see everyone rave about it. It was on sale and decided to give it a try. An I am loving it. I have dry, but hooded eyelids, so it makes my eyeshadow crease bad. With this I've noticed that I can go a full work day and my eyeshadow will stay the way it looked when I first applied my eyeshadow. It doesn't dry my eyelids out. An a little goes a long way. I am a light/cool undertone and painterly looks like my skin. Bomb! Will repurchase!
Easy 5
mature lady from San Antonio
Great product! Very creamy, goes on easily with suggested MAC brush. Doesn't settle in creases. Great for mature eyes. Definitely will purchase again, and again...
I am disappointed in this product. 2
Nisi from Monterey Park, CA
I have purchased this product in the past directly from MAC counter. I lived the product. Not sure if this one is old or expired but it is very dry & did not go on smooth.
Finally gave in, and I'm not mad! 5
T-dog from Berlin,WI
I've been hearing about this for years. I finally decided to try it because it was 20 percent off and I love it!
I love it 5
Jojo from Arizona
I needed to create a Smokey eye and I applied this on my eyelids as a primer. Not only did my eyeshadow stay in place for 9 hours in extreme heat and humidity from my mask ,but the color was still vibrant and beautiful. Will be using this again and I wish I found it sooner!
Dryyyy 3
Bex from Sacramento
For the price point, nothing spectacular. Noy worth the hype in my opinion. It was very dry. Must use finger to apply. Difficult to blend out with a brush. Overall, it worked just as good as my concealer. Was hoping for better results.
Vintage Selection - silver glitter and oil based 2
SophieF from South Florida
I purchased this paint pot after reading glowing reviews. I have normal skin and applied with a brush. It was like smearing oily thin lacquer on you eyelids. It had zero staying power or color. Also, no reviews mentioned it was full of silver glitter. Once the color faded, you are left with a smear of silver glitter. If you have sensitive eyes or wear contacts, this isn't the best choice. I found the revlon colorstay eyeshadow pots to have more color and a slight shimmer and nice staying power...for a fraction of the price.
AMAZING 5
Roxy from Los Angeles
I have been using this product since I was 16 (I'm 25 now) and I can't live without it. It is a cream eyeshadow but I use it as a primer. It has never in my life disappointed me once. Like it says it is easy to use. It also has a matte finish so it's great if you have greasy eye lids like me. And if you have dry eyelids but you still love this product just make sure your moisturize your eyelids before applying it. I hope it never gets discontinued cause I don't know what I would do then.
A Fave! 5
Kay from California
Mac's Paint Pots are great products. Alone as eyeshadow or as a primer (Soft Ochre is so good as a primer) they stay put all day with no creasing. They are also so easy to apply. I own 1 of every shade, and I use them all! This mature woman is very happy with her Mac Paint Pots. Please don't ever discontinue.
Love it 5
Jocoro from Alabama
I wrote a much bigger review on the color painterly. All I said there applies to this. In short these shadows are amazing. One thing I did not address in the other review is how great this does as a primer. Works better than any brands I've used so far (tons) and clean and natural looking on its own.
I am an official huge fan!! 5
Jocoro from Alabama
I have been burned by the hype on many products and read reviews with skepticism. Please believe me this product is exactly as they say- awesome!!! I purchased Painterly and Soft Ochre and could not wait to get home and try them on. I have never worn cream shadow and in my mind doubted the no crease/ stays all day claim. This stuff delivers that and more. I am over 40 and this shadow looks amazing on- is super easy to work with- and I love how natural and clean this color looks. It does not make my lids look dry and crepey which is huge. You can apply using a brush or your fingertips both ways are super easy. I even tried a little as concealer as many have spoken of and yes it works. My only disappointment is that the they were out of some of the colors. Older women listen- you need to try this- it does not disappoint.
Cant live w/o this! Best eyeshadow primer ever!!! 5
Lindsey C. from Trussville Al
If you need a good eyeshadow primer this is it! Its by far the best! My shadow lasts all day w/this! If your eyelids are oily, they want be with the paint pot! I would give 100 stars for this product if I could!!!
Holy Grail 5
nicatnite99 from GA
Of course I use this as primer for my eyeshadow, but it also works great at concealing on my very pale skin. I use the 'Painterly' shade on my lids to cover veins, and around my nose to cover broken blood vessels. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I'll even use it on my T-zone where my pores are large and it somewhat blurs them and helps foundation to stick better. For me this is a multi-use product I will forever repurchase.
Great color 5
Natnat from Ga
Like the color very much. Last all day. Don't wear much make up only eye shadow mascara and brow color. And like how I can wear it with no foundation.
I would this product again. 4
Lucy from Las Vegas
It works but it was not easy to apply
amazing! 5
lolalulu from SC
Absolutely worth the hype as a eyeshadow primer! I am pretty pale and use the shade soft ochre and it just gives a beautiful blank canvas before applying eyeshadow and it helps it to last
