Pat McGrath Bronze Ecstasy Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Bronze Ecstasy
Pat McGrath Bronze Ecstasy 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palette ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a new, limited edition neutral-leaning color story that included two semi-matte shades paired with three very shimmery shades. The formula was creamier across the board with the mattes having a smoother, more velvety texture (less like a traditional matte), and the shimmers being very cream-like and a touch thicker, though I had great wear, pigmentation, and experienced good application with all the shades.
Ingredients
Bronze Ecstasy
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Starlit Champagne
Starlit Champagne is a very light and bright, peachy copper with an intense, sparkling metallic finish.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, emollient consistency, almost cream-like
- Picked up well dry or dampened brush; applied evenly without fallout
- Long-wearing (10 hours before fading visibly)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Starlit Champagne
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Merlot Mystique
Merlot Mystique is a darker plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, velvety texture; finely-milled without being powdery
- Applied evenly and blended out with little effort
- Long-wearing (10 hours before fading visibly)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Viseart Fleur (PiP, ).
- LORAC Violet Gray (LE, $19.00).
- Ciate Flirt (LE, ).
- Melt Cosmetics Last Caress (PiP, ).
- Zoeva MT100 (PiP, ).
- KVD Beauty Silk (LE, ).
- MAC Ribbon Realness (LE, $17.00).
- MAC Shady Santa (P, $17.00).
- ColourPop Tang (P, $6.00).
- Huda Beauty Amethyst #4 (LE, ).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Merlot Mystique
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Honey Nectar
Honey Nectar is a light copper with moderate, warm orange-leaning undertones paired with a highly-reflective, metallic finish.
- Nearly opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, emollient consistency, almost cream-like
- Picked up well dry or dampened brush; applied evenly without fallout
- Long-wearing (10 hours before fading visibly)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Star Struck (P, $8.00).
- Dominique Cosmetics Crème Brulee (PiP, ).
- Sydney Grace Versailles (LE, $6.25).
- MAC Café Tinto (LE, $17.00).
- LORAC Rose Gold (LE, $19.00).
- Charlotte Tilbury Smokey Eyes are Forever Love Eyes Enhance (LE, ).
- Laura Mercier Intense Rosegold (LE, $29.00).
- NARS Delirium (LE, $19.00).
- ColourPop Coco Crush (LE, $4.50).
- MAC Beam Time (P, $22.00).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Honey Nectar
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Twilight Taupe
Twilight Taupe is a medium-dark taupe-brown with neutral-to-warm undertones paired with a matte finish.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, velvety texture; finely-milled without being powdery
- Applied evenly and blended out with little effort
- Long-wearing (10 hours before fading visibly)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Mercury (DC, $12.00).
- Persona Maverick (PiP, ).
- ColourPop Stoned (PiP, $4.50).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty O Snap (610) (LE, $29.00).
- MAC Concrete (P, $17.00).
- NARS Belladonna (DC, $25.00).
- MAC Mystery (DC, $17.00).
- Too Faced Sexspresso (PiP, $16.00).
- Too Faced Smoked Sea Salt (LE, $16.00).
- MAC Drama in the Snow (LE, $17.00).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Twilight Taupe
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Enchanted Bronze
Enchanted Bronze is a cooler-toned, blackened-brown base with flecks of warmer, bronze sparkle throughout.
- Opaque pigmentation
- Smooth, emollient consistency, almost cream-like
- Picked up well dry or dampened brush; applied evenly without fallout
- Long-wearing (10 hours before fading visibly)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$25.00/0.04 oz. - $625.00 Per Ounce
Pat McGrath's eyeshadows are, generally, supposed to be "super-saturated" with "creamy, soft textures" and "extreme blendability and adherence without creasing." A lot of how well they perform (and to some degree, how they are supposed to be applied and marketed) depends on the type of shades, but by and large, the eyeshadows perform very much as they are described.
The brand released single eyeshadows in March 2019, and the shades have been consistent in quality, look, and feel. They are not removable, unfortunately, so one would have to depot like any other single eyeshadow--I tried using tweezers and lifting on several shades to no avail. The lids are held closed by a weak magnet, so I'm not sure they're as secure as most single eyeshadow compacts in my stash--I wish it really locked in, but there's definitely a magnet that pulls the lid down if it's within 2mm of the base.
The mattes are velvety, blendable, and dense without being thick or too heavy, and they have semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation where a little can go a long way with some of the deeper and richer hues. The satin and pearl finishes are smooth, lightly creamy, and firmer but not dense or thick with good pigmentation, blendability, and easy application. The more metallic finishes tend to be softer, creamy, and smooth with a bit more denseness and no powderiness. The sparkly/glittery shades are often designed to be applied wet for richer coverage or intensity, which has largely been my experience. Most of the shades last between eight and nine hours.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath EYEdols Eyeshadow swatches.
Wow, I like and would use EVERY shade in this palette – not something that is often the case with me and Pat McGrath! I hope this is available in-store at Sephora near me.
Drat – right how, this appears to be “online only” where I live and it’s out of stock in any case. I am really reluctant to order it because of how badly these shadows seem to “travel” when shipped so I really hope it becomes available in store at some point…. If it does restock, I might run the risk of ordering it online, and that’s really saying something!
If it’s any help, I ordered two of this kind of palettes from PMG last year to be shipped to Switzerland and they arrived perfectly!
(One of the bigger holiday ones however had three broken shades)
I really love this palette, apart from the matte shade, it is gorgeous. I love Pat’s bronze palettes and it’s great that the quality is evident.
This is REALLY gorgeous! But having just received Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge palette today, I know that much of these tones are covered.
It’s funny, after seeing promo pictures I would have ranked this palette 3rd out of the four quints, but after seeing swatches it’s the only one I still really want.
This was the mini palette that I had planned on getting my daughter. She politely informed me at the Sephora in Denver that she has enough eye shadow to last her until she dies and she is only 29. She said she cannot possibly accept another palette. Who is this girl and what did she do with my daughter!! She does want to go through my shadow palettes the next time she is home before I declutter a bunch of them. I will either then sterilize and sell them or sterilize and donate. Not sure which yet. I will see what I have once she decides what she wants. I really doubt she will want much as most of “her” type shades are in palettes that I purchased two of and the ones I purchased for myself tend to lean softer and more cool toned, at least as cool tones go! I couldn’t check out the PMGL holiday release in Denver as none of the Sephora’s carry the brand in store. So, I will wait for the one I am interested in to be reviewed and then pick it up. I am sure I could order it now and be fine as the holiday releases seem to be in line with her usual stellar quality but I am in no hurry so will wait for the review. I will go over my holiday buying on Friday. I am still on the road going home. I thought about driving it straight through but if I did that I would need someone to wedge me out of my car when I get there and there isn’t anyone. So, I am spending tonight on the road and home late tomorrow night. I was also really tired this morning as we didn’t get in from the concert until the wee hours and then had to be up early to get my daughter to the airport. After her plane left I headed out and made good time as there is literally nothing between Denver and home but sparse towns and no scenery. The good news is that the speed limit is 80 and the roads are good for it!