Best Mac Paint Pot

When it comes to high-performance eyeshadows that stay put all day, MAC Paint Pots are among the top choices for makeup enthusiasts and professionals alike. These versatile, creamy eyeshadows can be worn alone, as a primer, or as a base for powder eyeshadows, providing a smooth and seamless application with incredible staying power.

We’ll dive into the best MAC Paint Pot shades, how to use them, and why they should be a staple in your makeup collection. Whether you’re looking for an everyday neutral or a bold, dramatic look, MAC Paint Pots are sure to have a color and formula to meet your needs.

What are MAC Paint Pots?

MAC Paint Pots are highly-pigmented, long-wearing cream eyeshadows that deliver a smooth, velvety finish. Their formula is rich in color but lightweight, and the texture allows for easy blending, making them perfect for building and layering. These Paint Pots can be worn as a standalone eyeshadow or used as a base under powder eyeshadows for enhanced color payoff and longevity.

The best part? MAC Paint Pots are known for their impressive staying power. They are resistant to creasing and smudging, even in hot and humid conditions, and they typically last throughout the day without needing touch-ups.

Why Choose MAC Paint Pots?

Here are a few reasons why MAC Paint Pots stand out from other cream eyeshadows on the market:

Long-Lasting: MAC Paint Pots are renowned for their longevity. They stay in place all day, without fading or creasing, even without an eye primer.
Highly Pigmented: These cream eyeshadows are intensely pigmented, meaning a little goes a long way. They provide rich, vibrant color with each application.
Versatility: Paint Pots can be used in multiple ways. They can act as a standalone eyeshadow, a base for powder shadows, or even as an eyeliner or brow filler.
Smooth Application: The creamy formula glides on effortlessly, providing a seamless finish that blends easily with your other eyeshadow products.
Wide Range of Shades: MAC offers a broad selection of shades in its Paint Pot collection, ranging from neutrals to bold colors and metallics, so you can find a shade for every occasion.

Best MAC Paint Pot Shades

MAC offers several iconic shades of Paint Pots, each serving a different purpose and giving a unique look. Here are some of the most popular and best MAC Paint Pot shades:

1. Bare Study

Best For: Everyday wear, highlighting.

Bare Study is a soft, shimmery champagne color with subtle golden undertones. It’s one of the most popular Paint Pot shades due to its versatility. You can wear it alone for a quick, natural eye look or use it as a base to enhance other eyeshadows.

Finish: Frosty shimmer.
Why We Love It: Bare Study works perfectly as a highlighter on the brow bone or inner corners of the eyes. It can also be used as an all-over lid color for a glowing, fresh look.

2. Painterly

Best For: Neutral base, everyday look.

Painterly is a matte beige nude with peachy undertones, making it an excellent choice for a neutral eyeshadow base. This shade helps to neutralize any discoloration or veins on the eyelids and creates a perfect canvas for powder eyeshadows.

Finish: Matte.
Why We Love It: It’s a must-have in any makeup kit, as it works well as a base for any eyeshadow look. It also evens out the skin tone on the eyelids and prevents powder eyeshadows from creasing.

3. Groundwork

Best For: Subtle definition and blending.

Groundwork is a cool-toned taupe with a satin finish. This Paint Pot offers a natural, soft definition to the eyes, making it an ideal choice for creating a subtle, smokey eye or a more defined crease. It’s great for those who want a neutral but slightly deeper shade compared to Painterly.

Finish: Satin.
Why We Love It: Groundwork is perfect for creating a natural look with a bit of definition. You can build it up to intensify the color or blend it out for a soft wash of taupe.

4. Soft Ochre

Best For: Warm undertones, eyeshadow base.

Soft Ochre is a warm, yellow-toned beige that is often considered a dupe for Painterly, but with more of a golden undertone. This Paint Pot is excellent for those with warm undertones in their skin, as it cancels out any redness or discoloration on the eyelids.

Finish: Matte.
Why We Love It: Soft Ochre is great for creating a flawless base, especially for those with medium to deep skin tones. It neutralizes redness and provides a smooth surface for powder eyeshadow.

5. Constructivist

Best For: Smokey eyes, rich depth.

Constructivist is a deep, reddish-brown with golden shimmer. This Paint Pot is perfect for creating dramatic, smokey eyes or for adding depth to the outer corners of the eyes. It can be worn alone or layered with similar shades for an intensified effect.

Finish: Shimmer.
Why We Love It: Constructivist offers a warm, rich color that works beautifully with deep, neutral tones. It’s great for creating bold looks with a bit of shimmer or for adding dimension to any eye look.

6. Indianwood

Best For: Bold, metallic eye looks.

Indianwood is a warm, metallic bronze with golden shimmer. This Paint Pot can be worn alone as a bold metallic eyeshadow or as a base for deeper, more intense shades. The reflective finish adds a pop of metallic shine that is perfect for evening looks.

Finish: Metallic shimmer.
Why We Love It: The unique golden bronze hue of Indianwood creates a stunning metallic look on the eyelids, giving a warm, glowing effect that’s perfect for special occasions.

7. Rubenesque

Best For: Warm, soft glam.

Rubenesque is a warm, peachy gold with a soft shimmer. This Paint Pot offers a delicate, soft shine and is great for creating a light, luminous look or for layering underneath other eyeshadows to add dimension and warmth.

Finish: Frosty shimmer.
Why We Love It: Rubenesque is a beautiful, soft color that works well for an everyday, easy-to-wear glam. It’s the perfect shade for a light wash of color with a touch of shimmer.

8. Vintage Selection

Best For: Elegant, sophisticated shimmer.

Vintage Selection is a pale gold with a hint of rose undertones, offering a sophisticated metallic finish. It’s an elegant shade that’s perfect for bridal makeup, evening events, or when you want a subtle but elegant shimmer.

Finish: Frosty shimmer.
Why We Love It: Vintage Selection is the perfect balance between gold and pink, giving a refined, shimmery effect that can be worn day or night.

How to Use MAC Paint Pots

MAC Paint Pots can be applied in a variety of ways to suit different makeup looks. Here’s how to use them effectively:

As a Base: Apply MAC Paint Pot to your eyelids as a base to help other eyeshadows adhere better and last longer. Use your fingers or a flat brush to apply a thin layer, covering the entire lid.
Alone: For a quick, natural look, wear the Paint Pot alone on your eyelids. Use a finger or brush to blend it out evenly. It’s perfect for minimal makeup days or a simple wash of color.
For Bold Looks: Layer Paint Pots for added dimension and boldness. Start with a neutral base and then layer darker or metallic shades in the crease or outer corners of your eyes.
As Eyeliner: You can also use Paint Pots as a creamy eyeliner. Use an angled brush to line your upper or lower lash line for a soft, smudged look.

Tips for Applying MAC Paint Pots

Use your fingers: MAC Paint Pots are best applied with your fingers for a seamless blend and better warmth, which helps the product spread smoothly.
Use a flat brush: If you prefer not to use your fingers, a flat synthetic brush can help you apply the Paint Pot precisely to your lids.
Blend quickly: These Paint Pots set quickly, so blend them out fast before they dry down completely.
Layering: Paint Pots can be layered with other cream or powder eyeshadows. Just make sure to let the base layer dry before applying the second layer.

Conclusion

MAC Paint Pots are a must-have for anyone looking for high-performance, long-lasting cream eyeshadows. Whether you’re using them as a base for other eyeshadows, a standalone lid color, or even as eyeliner, these versatile pots offer intense pigmentation and unbeatable staying power. With a wide range of shades available, there’s a perfect MAC Paint Pot for every skin tone and makeup look.

From the soft shimmer of Bare Study to the bold metallic of Indianwood, MAC Paint Pots can be incorporated into any makeup routine for flawless results. So, whether you’re a makeup novice or a pro, these Paint Pots are a fantastic addition to your makeup collection.