Expert-Approved Eyeshadow Shades

Eyes in focus

From subtle, wearable shades like taupe to more vibrant – pardon the pun – eye-catching hues such as orange, eyeshadow is an easy way to give your everyday beauty look an update. Whether you prefer to apply your eyeshadow as a slick of eyeliner, a wash of colour, or to create a sultry, smoky finish, check out the pro-approved shades below that the M·A·C team swear by.

Eyeshadow in Carbon
“Eyeshadow in Carbon is the most jet-black matte eyeshadow I’ve ever used,” says Turner. “You get an instant opaque colour, and I love that it stays black and doesn’t appear grey or blue. There are so many different looks you can create, too – I use it to add intensity to the lash line, or use the 263 Synthetic Small Angle Brush to create a soft, smoky eyeliner; it’s much less intimidating than using a liquid liner!”
Chloe Turner, Education Manager

Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe
“One of my favourite eyeshadows would have to be Satin Taupe. It’s a really soft, satin brown with a hint of mauve that suits so many different eye colours and skin tones. On deeper skin, it acts as the perfect highlight shade and can be used wet to add gleam through the centre of the lid. On fairer skin tones, it can be soft and subtle or deepened with a pencil to create a soft brown smoky eye. From the office, to party, to bridal – it’s a really versatile shade!”
Carol Mackie, Global Senior Artist

Eyeshadow in Woodwinked
“Woodwinked launched 16 years ago, and to this day it is still one of my favourite eyeshadows to use on myself and my clients. It’s a beautiful metallic gold that has a wet-look finish, and is my go-to for a golden-bronzed smoky eye. I apply over the lid with the 217S Blending Brush and use Technakohl Liner in Brownborder along the waterline, gently smudged out. I apply lashings of mascara to finish.”
Jo Roughan, Education Manager

Eyeshadow in Rule
“Eyeshadow in Rule is a beautiful, natural orange shade with an easy-to-blend matte texture,” says Burt. “I love to use it on its own as a wash of colour, or as a crease colour blended through a bronzed smoky eye; it makes light-coloured eyes really pop, and also helps to warm up the complexion. It’s best applied with a fluffy blending blush like the 217s Blending Brush to create a diffused, effortless finish.”
Belinda Burt, Education Manager

Eyeshadow in #Humblebrag
“Eyeshadow in #Humblebrag has a soft, lilac shimmer with a hint of pearl; it’s very subtle but so pretty and I love that it can add glam to your look in just one swipe,” says Tomic. “I pat this shadow on with a small flat brush, and wear it applied across the eyelid or as a pop of colour on the inner corner of my eye paired with a smoky eyeliner. For some extra sheen, you can mist a little Fix+ onto the brush before applying.”
Teya Tomic, Education Manager

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