MAC Studio Eye Gloss Review & Swatches

I have a new product from MAC to share with you today! I was all over the “glassy sheen” eye look that MAC kept posting on their instagram during PFW and NYFW. So much so that I decided to order this product to try to recreate the look myself. Has my experience so far been fun or disastrous? A little bit of both I must say! ^_^

MAC Studio Eye Gloss (limited edition) has just been released as part of the Trend Forecast Spring 2015 Collection. There aren’t many reviews and swatches that I am aware of so I had no idea what to expect at the time of purchase. It is housed in a simple clear plastic jar with a black lid, much like their Tinted Lip Conditioner (which I love by the way!). Probably not the most hygienic packaging but considering the thick consistency of the product, I don’t think there’s any better way.

There are 4 color options to choose from — Pearl Varnish (reviewing today), Lightly Tauped, Médoc, and Noticeably Noir. I ordered Pearl Varnish because I just wanted to replicate the clear glossy lid look and something that I can wear alone or layer on top of my favorite eyeshadows if I wish to.

Pearl Varnish may look like a “white wax” in the jar with multicolored iridescent shimmer but once applied, it is actually a clear gloss product with plentiful specks of shimmer. The shimmer, when look up-close, is super sparkly especially when the light hits! But from afar, it looks just like a clear “wet” base. :)

Consistency-wise, Studio Eye Gloss is one extremely sticky product! Think of your stickiest lip gloss and multiply it by 10! No, seriously! This leads me to believe that the product was designed to be used in a more editorial than practical sense — like for photo shoots or at Fashion Week.

The gloss is also quite thick in texture and trying to spread it across the lid can prove a challenging task. I find the best way to apply is by using a flat shader brush such as MAC’s own 242 or 252 (natural hair) or a 195 concealer brush (synthetic hair). Avoid using fingertips at all cost because it will just make things too messy (because sticky skin sticks to skin, you know?). When using a brush, lightly apply and/or layer the product in short strokes rather than sweep it across your lids to avoid pulling of the sensitive eye area (and even then, it still pulls…).

It’s a pain to apply no doubt but the effect is rather high-impact and almost worth it! I don’t think I’ve ever seen my eyes look this slick from any of the products before. And the sheen stays on the entire wear until you remove it. No fading whatsoever!

But the deal-breaker is this, the sticky feeling also stays the entire time as well, unfortunately! >.<

Obviously, this type of sheen is not for everyday wear. Especially if you have hooded lids, because when you blink, your upper eyelids will stick together! After a while, it tends to gather in the creases/lines, too. I suppose unless you are planning to walk with your eyes closed at all time or don’t plan to blink then it might work. ;D

To make it somewhat more wearable, I just line it along my lash line, or over my eye liner for a long-lasting sparkly effect. :)

You’d think it would make a great eyeshadow base due to its sticky quality. But sadly it will only make your shadows crease. :( So this is a product best applied on bare lids, not under, or over, eyeshadows. When it comes to taking it off, you will need an oil-based remover; regular makeup wipes will not cut it.

A little too high maintenance (or you could say impractical) but you can’t deny that this is one of the more interesting products out there. As mentioned before, it’s probably not something you would reach for on a regular basis but perhaps for photo shoots or editorial purposes. I’m still trying to figure out more ways to make this product usable so if you have any suggestion at all, please leave your comment down below! :)

Purchase