Review of MAC's Cult of Cherry Quad in Tempting

Being a habitual shopper at allcosmeticswholesale.com, I was super psyched to see they had three MAC quads from past collections at less than the original retail price. I immediately ordered all three and fell in love with all three. This is the first of a three-part review of discontinued MAC quads, featuring the Tempting quad from the September 2008 Cult of Cherry collection.

COLOR(S)

As the name of the quad would suggest, the Tempting Eyeshadow x4 Quad has four colors, one called Tempting. We start at the top left with the lightest color, Next to Nothing, which is a very pale, next-to-nothing beige shade. It is a satin finish, so it has very slight silver shimmer, but nothing so crazy that it is a turn-off. Next to that in the top right corner, we have Tempting. Tempting is a medium-toned copper-coco shade in the lustre family. Since it is a lustre, it is quite shimmery and metallic, but not overdone. I really love this color for all over the lid, or even the crease on a lighter eye. In the bottom left corner, we have Sharp, the reason I was intrigued by this quad. It is a bright pop of yellow-lime green and provides the perfect pop of color in an otherwise neutral eye. It is a satin finish, but easier to work with and creamier than your typical satin.

FORMULA(S)

Next to Nothing is the least pigmented in this quad, though understandable as it is a very light nude-highlight color. It is very soft and not chalky, which is great, and is a near perfect highlight for this eye look. However, I do find it hard to work with compared to most other frost eyeshadows. The next color, Tempting, is also very soft and easy to work with, but can be gritty at times. It is well pigmented and blends incredibly. A super great lid/crease color. Dark Edge, the last neutral, is a rich chocolate brown, and is as pigmented as the rest. For a satin, I find this one is also a dream to work with and glides/blends on the eye fabulously. The last and most interesting color, Sharp, is another great satin in this quad works just as beautifully as the rest. I think this is the best satin I have worked with, and the pigmentation is perfect: not washed out, but also not overdone ad this is a relatively neutral look. I think Sharp is the perfect pop of color with the perfect formula.

FUNCTIONALITY

Quads are great because they are a complete look. The Tempting quad is especially awesome because it is a subtle neutral, but has the option of great color. You can tone this down or play it up as much as you like, and it is great to have in the purse.

PACKAGING

The Tempting quad is in the classic MAC quad packaging, clear lid and black bottom with a clasping lid. These shadows can be depotted with a little bit of work, but honestly, these quads are extremely well-built and sturdy, perfect quad packaging. The one weakness is the lid. I have seen and heard of the lids cracking, but it has not happened to any of mine.

PRICE

This quad is no longer available in MAC stores, counters, or on maccsometics.com, but you can find this on allcosmeticswholesale.com sometimes (it is currently there) and it typically goes for $34.99. That is a great deal seeing as this quad has been discontinued for a year and a half. However, quads originally retail for $36.

FINAL OPINIONS

I think this is a great quad for pretty much anyone! If you have a rather conventional job, you can use the neutrals for the day. When you get off of work, add a touch of Sharp or smoke it out with Dark Edge and you've got a full eye wardrobe. I would definitely recommend you get one of these before they're gone- I love and cherish mine.