Every now and then, a product lands on my doorstep that is so stellar, it makes me wish that I was a fully trained MUA to reap the full benefits of it. I’m talking about MAC Cosmetics Spellbinder Shadows.
When I opened the packages, I just stared at the beautiful iridescent shades in wonder! Aphrodisiac in particular took my breath away. The deepest cobalt blue (I’m such a sucker for a blue smoky eye), the shadow looked like magnetized powders I used to screw around with in chemistry class. Dynamically Charged was the other shadow I received – a beautiful mix of taupe and mink that has such depth, I couldn’t wait to try it.
The Spellbinder line is based on black, ionized pigments that are indeed magnetically charged. The charge fuses the loose powder together for a “furry, velvet” effect. They feel like regular shadows when I dipped a finger in them (bad, I know – but I had to see), but look like loose powders, similar to MAC’s Pigments.
Spellbinder Shadows are HIGHLY pigmented, so use a light touch when applying because a minute amount goes a very long way. They applied really evenly and easily, and gave a beautiful velvet-like effect. I fell in love with the deeply blue Aphrodisiac and I’m just waiting for the chance to wear it out on the town. A tip? Apply a generous amount of loose powder under your eyes when using these shadows because they are a little looser than regular shadows and some colour may fall onto your cheeks. The loose powder makes it easy to brush away any fallen product without colouring your cheeks.
MAC suggests using the 283 Duo Fibre Small Eye Shadow Brush – a small, rounded paddle brush that is excellent for these types of shadows. This brush makes it easy to deposit the colour using a slow tapping motion on the eyelid. Since I do not have this particular brush, I opted for my trusty 217 brush (which is probably why some of the colour fell onto my cheeks). It worked in a pinch though.
The MAC Cosmetics Spellbinder Collection is available now online and in stores, so go check them out. I headed on over to the MAC Store recently to pick up Retrograde too, a fantastic metallic black that reminds me of the galaxy.
*Press samples sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Again, this stuff is amazing.
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Sweet jesus, woman, you’re gorgeous! That sultry blue Spellbinder shadow is exquisite on you.
Author
Awww Amy! Thank you! You MUST go check them out. I’m having so much fun with them. “Retrograde” – the galaxy-like black shadow is incredible.
The Aphrodisiac &Dynamically Charged are GORGEOUS shades! WoW! I need to get these. I can’t tell that they’ll iridescent shades but I LOVE how they look on you. Very very pretty.
Author
Hi Julie! I would say that the blue Aphrodisiac is iridescent, but the taupey Dynamically Charged is simply shimmery. I got Retrograde, a rich shimmering black that looks like the night sky and it’s incredible too!
That fist midnight navy blue color is so beautiful! I’d mix it with a little gold because I’m curious what that would look like!
Thanks for your review on these! I was reading all kinds of press releases on this new shadow and was curious to know if they really were cool or just gimmicky. The pigmentation is definitely stunning on you!
Author
Chelsie – I promise you…they are SUPER COOL!! I love them! They are very long-wearing, and the pigmentation is so rich, it’s crazy! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Oh wow that cobalt blue is gorgeous on your already gorgeous face! It almost makes me think I could pull of a blue. Beautiful!
Author
Hi Karen! I really think anyone can pull of blue eyeshadow – just use a light touch. With your fair skin and blond hair, this would look great on you…even as an eyeliner! Just wet your brush, dip in the shadow and line your top lid for a less dramatic look. xoxoxo
I really want to get one of these to play around with it!!! The blue colours looks amazing on you.
PS. I just realized that I’ve missed a bunch of your blog posts! For some reason your blog wasn’t showing up on my feed – odd.
Author
I’ve been hearing that. Not sure what’s going on! Thanks so much for checking out the post, Stashy. Yeah – I think you’d like the shadows! Some of the colours are seriously out there, but you can work with them. I think the taupe colour would be really pretty on you! xoxox
What a cute eyeshadow I really love the colors. I want to have one.
Author
Thank you!! Go to a a MAC counter and treat yourself. Check out Retrograde too – super pretty.
That blue looks stunning on you! Like it was made for you. 🙂 Your skin is gorgeous, too!
xoxo, erin | sandsunandmessybuns.com
Author
Hi Erin!
Thank you for your kind words!
Dom
Beautiful shadows Dominique! The cobalt blue looks amazing on you.
Have you by chance tried any eyeliner from Mac?
I’m interested in buying one and I need an honest opinion.
Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Have a nice weekend!
Cheers,
T.
https://tbymallano.com/
Author
Hi Tatjana!
As a matter of fact, yes! I do use several of their eyeliners. They are really nice. they go on smoothly and softly without pulling at the skin. Some of my favourites are Pro Longer Eye Liner in Night Trail ad Definably Black. They last a long time too!
Good luck!
Dom
I love how highly pigmented these eyeshadows are! So gorg <3
XO Amanda | http://www.glitterandspice.com
OMG, that is beautiful!