Hi, beauties! A few months ago I swatched my MAC Neutral Eyeshadow Palette. In that post I mentioned that I wouldn't be replacing my old palettes with the new Pro Palettes because it would be too expensive. However, I recently ran out of space in my old MAC Palettes and decided to give the new one a try. I will be comparing the old vs. new MAC palettes and include swatches of the eyeshadows inside.
Quality
I found the old palettes to be of considerable good quality, but the new palette is definitely sturdier. The old palette has a snap closure. I own 3 of the old palettes and the closure broke on one of them. The new palette has a magnetic closure. Both are sturdy and travel-friendly but the new palettes feel sturdier.
Cleanliness
The lid of the old palette gets dirty quickly because it's made of rough (porous) plastic. The new palettes have a clear plastic lid that I thought would stay cleaner. The plastic lid scratches easily, especially if you travel a lot so both palettes tend to look dirty or "ugly" after a while. It's not something that bothers me too much though.
Practicality
The clear lid lets you see exactly what's inside. With the old palettes, you had to either open each one or label them on the outside.
Price/Value
The new palette is more expensive. The old palette comes with the insert and costs $16. The new palette costs $18 and doesn't include the insert. The new insert costs $9. Since I don't use the insert, the price difference is only $2. For those that do, the increase is $11! That's a lot!
All in all, I prefer the new palette. It's prettier and sturdier. The reason I don't like using inserts is because more eyeshadows fit inside without it. Plus, I'm not fussy about them being perfectly aligned. Also, without an insert I can place different sized eyeshadows from other brands. I have never had problems with eyeshadows moving around or shattering without the insert.
Below are swatches of all the eyeshadows inside my new MAC Pro Palette. There's also a quick description of each shade.
01. Make Up For Ever 04: Matte black. It swatches patchy but looks great on the eyes.
02. Make Up For Ever 162: Beautiful red-toned matte brown. I love this eyeshadow.
03. MAC Espresso (Matte): I adore this eyeshadow. It's a neutral matte brown. Looks great on the crease. It used to be my brow color.
04. MAC Charcoal Brown (Matte): Cool-toned matte brown. It's buildable. It's my current brow color.
05. Swiss Chocolate (Matte): Red-toned matte brown. It's a more subtle version of MUFE #162. Great for warming up the eyes.
06. MAC Embark (Matte): Warm toned matte brown. It's dry and needs to be built up. I don't recommend it!
07. MAC Club (Satin): Brown base with green duochrome. It's hard to capture in pictures, but it really is a beautiful eyeshadow.
08. MAC Greensmoke (Lustre): I love this color but it's a little gritty and needs building up.
09. MAC Sumptuous Olive (Veluxe Pearl): I would call this a golden green. It's gorgeous.
10. Make Up For Ever 47: Matte olive green. Great pigmentation and texture.
11. MAC Steamy (Frost): I won this in a giveaway (hosted by Natalie from Persian Beauty) but haven't been able to use it yet. It swatches beautifully.
12. MAC Patina (Frost): This is a color I think everyone should own. It can be dressed up or down, although I mostly wear it during the daytime.
13. MAC Vex (Frost): I accidentally asked for Vex instead of Trax when I was at a MAC store. I didn't realize until I got home but decided to keep it because it's very pretty. It has a subtle lilac/grey opalessence.
14. Cranberry (Frost): Another must have. It's a metallic cranberry color (of course). If you're intimidated by red on the eyes this is a great color to try.
Any must-haves?
Every shade, basically! Except Embark and Greensmoke which are not up to par quality-wise.
Humid and Trax are the next MAC eyeshadows I'm planning to purchase. I want to fill up my palette so please tell me what your favorite eyeshadow shades are. They don't have to be from MAC, they just have to come in a pan form. Thank you for reading!
woow indeed it looks much better this way. indeed
ReplyDeleteI much prefer the new MAC palettes though it's silly because I don't own any MAC shadows haha. Someday maybe I'll invest!! :)
ReplyDeleteCassie
thriftthick.blogspot.com
you've got some really nice colours there. I love cranberry! been wanting that for a while!amber lights is also one that I want :)
ReplyDeletehareem x
My favorite MAC shadows are Woodwinked and Satin Taupe. I like to keep them in a 4pan palette with All That Glitters and Cranberry.
ReplyDeleteLovely suggestions. Thank you xxx
DeleteLove love love this post. I definitely need to invest in a few of these palettes, but I doubt I will buy the insert like yourself. Cranberry is my fave shade, there are a few I don't have so I have made note :)
ReplyDeletewww.zoenewlove.com xxx
If you like warm browns Mulch is a must have! xx
ReplyDeleteI like the look of Vex and Steamy! Great review x
ReplyDeletehttp://lucycole.blogspot.co.uk
Cranberry has to be my favourite MAC eyeshadow at the minute! I love the looks I can create with it!
ReplyDeletewww.fashionandbeautyrelated.com
x
Hmm this may sway me to buy the new palette however I have a Z palette that has gotten so battered...is that cardboard material comparable to this MAC one? If so I may stick with my old MAC palette...until I run out of room that is haha!
ReplyDeleteAlso if you were disappointed in Embark like I was, try Handwritten. Amazing pigmentation and very nice to work with xx
Thank you so much for the suggestion! I will look at Handwritten.
DeleteThe new MAC palette is made of hard plastic which means it resists dents really well and keeps its shape. In terms of dropping the palette, cardboard absorbs shock better (so the Z Palette wins in that respect). xx
All that glitters and Wedge! They're both really nice shades! Your palette is very pretty too! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Great suggestions xxx
DeleteBeautiful collection of colours! Cranberry looks so pretty xx
ReplyDeletehttp://belle-amiebeauty.blogspot.co.uk
I don't own any MAC products, but I do have Coastal Scents Hot Pots and they're really good considering how affordable they are. There are so many colours that I wouldn't know where to start to recommend any, but at the top of my head I'm thinking Edgy Eggplant, Thristle Lavender and Gypsy Gold would look amazing on you ^^ (here's the link to the hot pots page http://www.coastalscents.com/eyeshadow)
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to try the MUG eyeshadows but haven't had a chance yet, they look amazing, all of them!
Wow Cranberry and Patina look so pretty! No wonder Pixiwoo used those a lot! hehe xx
*use
DeleteI have MUG eyeshadows and they are nice! I keep them in my other palettes. Right now MUG has a $1 off each item promotion so it's a great time to buy.
DeleteI didn't know Coastal Scents had single pans. How awesome! I had a look and Edgy Eggplant look so pretty. Thank you for the link! :) xxx
You're welcome!!! haha
DeleteAw you're so lucky I saw that discount code but honestly, I shouldn't be looking at any more eyeshadows LOL I have plenty to last me an entire lifetime!!! hahahaha xx
Vex looks gorgeous! I love the way you've done this post too.
ReplyDeletehttp://emilylikessmakeup.blogspot.co.uk/
xx
I would love to see a look using "Steamy." I feel like it would look great with your eye color and that shade is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the suggestion :) I'll try to post a makeup look with Steamy xxx
DeleteI would wear Shale, Patina, and Greensmoke EVERY day. I keep holding off on buying MAC palettes because I don't really wear makeup very often. I have a few little high-end compacts with eyeshadows that I wear, but I'm finding myself lusting after MAC more and more.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for such a great review. I can see how the second palette is better.
Kate from Clear the Way
Woww I'm so jealous, I dont own any MAC eyeshadows yet, they are so so expensive here :/ you have yourself a good amount there :)
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to give myself a reason to get the new palettes. I've been putting some 'overflow' eyeshadows in the quad palettes so i think thats reason enough right? I like the clear lid to see everything but theres no win with keeping these things clean is there? Club looks like such an interesting color. It's on my to-try list next time I go to MAC.
ReplyDeleteAntiqued or Sable might be some good additions to your neutrals. I love them.
xx Christal xx
LipstickAndPonytails.com
I don't have a MAC palette, but your review was really good for the future if I decide to get one! X
ReplyDeletemademoiselle-lala.com
My MAC must haves: Phloof!,Dazzlelight, Omega, Patina, Satin Taupe, Sketch, Cranberry and Vex.
ReplyDeletewww.rebekasbeautyworld.blogspot.com
I'm still using my old palette but I'll have to buy a new one soon!My fave shadows are satin taupe, brule and era! xx
ReplyDeleteShimma Shimma from Makeup Geek is excellent and comes in pan form! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://eatinglipstick.blogspot.com/
Oh, I've seen Shimma Shimma while shopping at the MUG store before. Great suggestion, thank you xxxx
DeleteGreat review, I was on the fence about purchasing a palette, thank you!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous palette. I have a quad, but I was unsure of starting to put together a larger palette! You've convinced me, I won't be buying the 15 shadow insert, you get so much more space without it! Xx
ReplyDeletewww.thebeautyfiend13.blogspot.co.uk
Yes, I agree! You can fit a lot more than 15 depending on how you arrange them xx
DeleteOoh, they're all such gorgeous colours!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review! ^^
http://www.joyjoii.blogspot.com
I need to get Shale! Omg its so pretty!
ReplyDeleteCranberry and Patina are so pretty! I just found your blog and am now following.
ReplyDeleteI'd love if you'd check out my blog and follow back if you like :)
-Amber
As a makeup artist I think it will be more handy that it doesn't come with the insert so I can mix and match and I love that they are see through now!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com
Definitely, you can have a mix of eyeshadow brands in the same palette xxx
DeleteI caved and bought the insert cause I have an OCD where everything has to have a proper place, haha, they earn money playing on this fault of mine. you have a gorgeous selection of colors and steamy is so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, they do look very pretty aligned so I know the insert is a must for some people xxx
DeleteGreat review! Thanks for swatching your colors. I love Mac's Electric Eel and Red Brick.
ReplyDeleteI was looking to buy a Unii palette, but these are much prettier <3
ReplyDeletei like the look of the new mac palettes but prefer the inserts so the price difference is slightly annoying!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thelilywhiteenglishrose.blogspot.com
I love the look of the new MAC palettes. I think they look so much more professional, and cleaner.. <3 Greensmoke and Cranberry are on my wishlist, they are so gorgeous! I love the pigmentation of them all <3
ReplyDeleteGem xx | Miss Makeup Magpie
Too bad there's no pro store in Hong Kong! I will need to check this out though. I have two unii palettes coming in the mail :) EEEP! Can't wait for them! MUFE #4 is the blackest black shadow I own. And I do need to check out Cranberry - it looks divine :D x
ReplyDeleteSuch rich colors! I am trying to fill up my palette and this post really helped!
ReplyDelete- Andrea <- New follower!
frominsidemycloset.com
I love looking at other people's MAC palettes. I want to try the newer ones but am waiting to fill up my current palette first. I love steamy and Shale. My favourites are Cranberry, amber lights and mythology at the moment x
ReplyDeleteWow greensmoke is so much greener compared to sumptuous olive! I'm still not too sure what to think of the new palettes, they look more practical tho and I love the clear lid.
ReplyDeleteSome gorgeous colour, I really like the look of shale. x
ReplyDeleteI have been dying to get my hands on one of the new MAC Palettes, they seem loads better then the old version, I love the see through lid and the sleeker packaging. My all time favorite MAC shadow is Satin Taupe! Xx
ReplyDeletehttp://beauty.maybebabyxo.com/
amazing post! Love all the colours. Everytime I see Cranberry I fall in love with it again, so glad I have it xx
ReplyDeleteQuarry, All That Glitters, and Cork are my top 3 MAC shadows! They're all so versatile! -xx
ReplyDeletebeauty-twist.com
I spy Steamy :) Hope you love it! Great post by the way, i'm still unsure as to whether I should get this palette!
ReplyDeletexx