I have several MAC 4-pan palettes but the sleek design of this new version (S$9) caught my eye when I visited the standalone MAC Pro store at Ngee Ann City yesterday.
A seemingly-improved version of the original, this palette has an insert that can be easily removed. The alternating cut-outs below the pan wells are rimmed with metal to attract the magnets beneath MAC eyeshadow pan refills, securing them in the round spaces. Although it has a clear lid like the original, this new palette is more aesthetically-pleasing with its clean lines and shiny black plastic material. I love its chic minimalist feel and the firm snap of the magnetic cover.
I do wish MAC had made the square base magnetic or metal-backed/magnet-friendly – the original quad has a metal base – so that I could use it for non-circular, smaller or larger pans. In addition, while MAC eyeshadow pans fit snugly in the wells, the compact cannot accommodate slightly wider pans from other brands. In contrast, my many I Nuovi pans fit nicely into the older custom palette because the circumference of its wells is a touch bigger than those in the new one – there is a sliver of space surrounding the MAC pans when they are fitted. In the photo above, the Liza PM quad on the left exemplifies this. Granted it is a pre-made MAC palette but the original custom compact also shares this characteristic.
Oh Mag, I had no idea that is a Pro Store & I just bought a whole lotta stuff last Sun there!!! That shows how long I have really stayed away. @_@
Hi Farah,
You’re hauling again; YAY!!! :D
BTW the new palettes are so sleek, I saw it on some site I was browsing earlier today.
Hey Farah,
They stack really well. ;)
More hauls when I hit duty free, if they hv stuff to buy that is! :P
Have a wonderful trip, Farah. Don’t forget to check out the MAC BB cream. ;)
Thanks Mag! I did check the BB cream @ DFS Scotts but it is way too light for me.
Aww, dear! :( I like it a lot because it seems to control the oilies very well. The finish is somewhat matte too.
Hi, I just recently bought this and I was just wondering, after I put the refill pans in, how do I get them out? I know it’s probably a stupid question, but I got this wanting to take it with me when I travel, and I want to change the shadows I take from time to time, is it not possible with this new design?
thank you so much for your help!!
Hi Alice,
Try something sharp (the edge of a penknife, for instance) to lift the edges out; that’s what I usually do. :)
Thanks so much for replying!!! It works now!!
Hello Alice,
You’re very welcome. I’m glad it works for you! :)
hi Meg! I suppose ripping out the plastic insert of the quad to fit more shadows is no longer possible with the new design right?
Hi Athena,
Unfortunately, this method doesn’t work for these palettes. You’re better off getting the 15-pan ones.