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(* affiliate link) This is probably the last batch of the new MAC Paint Pots that I’m going to review recently! There are so many great shades in this new release, I couldn’t help but keep getting new ones..
I originally planned to write 2 separate reviews for these 4 new MAC paint pots: Contemplative State, It’s Fabstract, Clearwater and Born to Beam, as I got them like a month apart. However, I was too busy reviewing other new makeups and other works. So you’ll see them in different pictures instead of photographed together just because I took them in different dates.
Table of Contents
About the 2021 new MAC Paint Pots Contemplative State, It’s Fabstract, Clearwater, Born to Beam
Regardless of whether they are new or original in the line, MAC Paint Pot * is retailed for $23 USD. Each of them contains 5 g or 0.17 US oz of product in a glass pot.
I’ve already talked about the basic information of these MAC Paint Pots, which applies to all of these 4 new shades as well, so I’m not going to repeat myself. Please feel free to revisit my vol. 1 and vol. 2 MAC Paint Pot reviews!
Similarly for the ingredient list, they are also the same as other new MAC Paint Pots that I covered before.
Formulation of the 2021 new MAC Paint Pots Contemplative State, It’s Fabstract, Clearwater, Born to Beam
Although I haven’t found any of these new MAC Paint Pots performs badly, their textures and qualities in general do vary in my opinion.
In this batch, 3 of the new MAC Paint Pots I purchased are matte, which feel quite different when applied or just swatching. Let’s talk about them first.
Contemplative State is the smoothest and applied most evenly among these 3. I would say in my whole matte MAC Paint Pot collection, Groundwork is the best in terms of the texture and results on the lid. Groundwork is the most creamy and smoothest. Contemplative State is very comparable to Groundwork.
Then is Clearwater. The one I got feels a lot drier and it marginally glides on my lid with slight tugging (I always apply MAC Paint Pots with my fingers). It’s Fabstract is similar in texture to Clearwater, maybe because it’s a deeper color, it applies somewhat patchy on the lid. It requires more blending and layering of the shade to make it more even.
For the shimmery MAC Paint Pot Born to Beam. I would say it’s not nearly as impressive as MAC’s original shimmery Paint Pots like Bare Study or Vintage Selection. Although I do think the finish of them is intended to be different (Born to Beam gives a sparkly, almost glittery look on the lids, while Bare Study/Vintage Selection give a uniform or metallic sheen to the lids), it is harder to apply Born to Beam evenly so that it appears smooth and pigmented on the eye lids. However, I think it behaves much better than I expected.
Swatches of the 2021 new MAC Paint Pots Contemplative State, It’s Fabstract, Clearwater, Born to Beam
First up is the swatches for Contemplative State and It’s Fabstract. As you can see, Contemplative State is much smoother and evenly applied/swatched than It’s Fabstract. The former is also more creamy and does not feel dry.
Both of Clearwater and Born to Beam were swatched pretty nicely. Although I wish they were as creamy as other shades in the line, they are not bad at all. Born to Beam is a bit sheer but I like that I can apply a thin layer (1-2 swipes onto the lid) to just give a subtle spark to the look. It is buildable to a certain degree.
Comparing It’s Fabstract, Contemplative State and Born to Beam to other shadow pots (MAC, KVD, Tarte)
Here I’m mainly comparing Contemplative State with some similar lighter MAC Paint Pots, Groundwork * and Soft Ochre *.
They are actually quite different!
Next up is to compare It’s Fabstract with the KVD Super brow * in Dark Brown.
The KVD Super Brow in Dark Brown is much more smooth and creamy than It’s Fabstact. However, I found inconsistence between different shades of the KVD Super Brow, although it may just be due to some pots have dried out while others are not.
From the swatch close-up above, you can probably also see It’s Fabstract is somewhat patchy.
I’m a big fan of golden champagne/yellow and golden brown/bronzy eyeshadows! I collect and love those shades in my Tarte Chrome Paint shadow pots * collection! They are so stunning! I wrote a review on my Tarte Chrome Paint Shadow pot collection a while ago (here) and I still highly recommend them!
I thought they would be similar but they are indeed completely different shades! Born to Beam is not as opaque and reflective as the Tarte Chrome Paint Shadow Pots.
The Tom Ford Eye Color quad in Suspicion * is another one of my favorite! The theme of this palette is also yellow gold and brown, so pretty!
Again, none of the shades are similar to Born to Beam. It is unique as I don’t have much straight yellow shimmer shadows in my collection.
Eye looks/swatches of the 2021 new MAC Paint Pots Contemplative State, It’s Fabstract, Clearwater, Born to Beam
Contemplative State is an excellent eyeshadow base that can be used to prolong the powder shadow for much longer wear. It’s Fabstract needs more blending (all used fingers) to appear even on the lid. It’s however a nice eye contour shade.
Since Clearwater is slightly drier, I had to apply couple layers and made sure to smooth them out. I don’t think I’ll wear Clearwater by itself. However, it is a nice eye base to allow the powder shadows on top to be more vibrant! In this photo, I used Clearwater as a base for the green shadows from the Colourpop x Animal Crossing in nook Inc. * (reviewed here). It actually helps the Colourpop shadows to last a longer time and be more opaque!
Finally it’s the eye look for Born to Beam:
In the look using Born to Beam above, the first 2 photos from the left were applied with a dry finger. The one on the far-right was applied wet with fix+. It is more sparkly and reflective when used wet.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think these 2021 new MAC Paint Pots are stunning! But not all new MAC Paint Pots are equal! Among the new releases, generally speaking, the mattes work better than shimmers or any other finish. It’s Fabstract is an exception in a negative sense. I won’t recommend it. Since it’s a universal brown shade, I’m sure you’ll easily be able to find a similar brown shade but with a much better formula.
Similarly, for Born to Beam, I don’t think it’s a rare shade. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something very comparable shade-wise with a better formula, especially if you prefer something more pigmented or not as subtle.
Clearwater is a very unique shade that I think it’s worth to have as a collector, but I don’t see myself using this shade too much as I don’t commonly wear green shadow.
I will rate these 2021 new MAC Paint Pots as:
- Texture: 8/10
- Color payoff: 7/10
- Longevity on eye lid: 8/10
- Quality consistency among shades: 5/10
- Shade range: 10/10
- Affordability: 4/10
