MAC Paint Pot Inspired Products: The 2 Drugstore Alternatives I Love

Hi friends! I’ve received over a dozen messages praising Lano’s Face Base Vitamin E Day Cream after publishing my last beauty article , and I’m so glad to hear you’re loving this miracle cream! Today I’m sharing my favorite drugstore alternatives for another beauty product staple: the beloved MAC Paint Pot. I’ve had a paint pot in my makeup bag since early high school (I’m a MAC lover through and through!), but after a few weeks of trial and error I’m excited to share two drugstore alternatives that truly give the original product a run for its money. Looking for a product similar to the MAC Paint Pot? Keep reading for my two top picks!

FIRST: WHY I LOVE THE ORIGINAL

Mac’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow (available in nearly all shades on Ulta.com) is a long-wear eye primer and cream shadow in one. The highly pigmented shades can be worn alone or under products for a flawless, creaseless look. Toting an impressive 24 hour wear claim, this product goes on smoothly and dries to the perfect consistency for beautiful, buildable coverage.

While Painterly (a gorgeous nude/beige) is the brand’s hero shade, I’m a big fan of Layin Low for its matte, creamy beige finish. I wear as a standalone shadow for daily makeup looks, or as an eyeshadow primer for heavier glam days. I personally love that it covers any eyelid imperfections (for me – small veins, discoloration, etc.) while providing the perfect dose of natural color. The 0.17oz pots retail at $23.

“You could die wearing M.A.C. Paint Pot pigment, and two years later, there would still be remnants of the product on your lids.”

-Kristofer Buckle, Mariah Carey’s makeup artist who used the product for her “I’ll Be Lovin’ You Long Time” video shoot. Source:Allure

MAC PAINT POT DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVE #1: MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOO

Overview – Mac Paint Pot Inspired Product #1

Dubbed Best Makeup Steal of 2020 in the Allure Best of Beauty Awards, this first product is seriously incredible. Mirroring MAC’s Paint Pot, Maybelline’s Color Tattoo boasts crease-resistant, fade-resistant, and waterproof claims — and matches MAC’s 24-hour wear promise. The Color Tattoo comes in a variety of shades – both matte and shimmer – and has acquired quite the cult following since its initial 2019 launch.

My Thoughts

I decided on the shade V.I.P in an effort to replicate the beige, matte look of MAC’s Layin Low, and I was thrilled by how similar the products were.The colors appeared nearly identical on my skin tone, although I did find that Maybelline’s version appeared slightly pinker as the day went on. Some reviewers claim this product dries out quickly, but I kept it fresh with a spritz of setting powder and have not noticed a change in consistency since purchasing several weeks ago. Overall: gorgeous color, great all-day finish, and a price that doesn’t break the bank. This is definitely a product worth adding to your makeup bag.

MAC PAINT POT DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVE #2: COLOURPOP CREAM EYESHADOW

Overview – Mac Paint Pot Inspired Product #2

I’ve always been a fan of Colourpop’s solid eyeshadow trays and their incredible lip stains (fun fact – they share an interesting link with Kylie Cosmetics/Lip Kits!). Their products are high quality and incredibly affordable, with everything priced under $10. After seeing a Tik Tok featuring their cream eyeshadow as a MAC’s Paint Pot inspired alternative, I ran (or scrolled) to Ulta.com as fast as I could. Boasting similar claims to the previous two – with exception of the 24 hour wear specification – the primer and shadow in one is crease proof, long-wearing, and water resistant.

My Thoughts

After reading several reviews, I decided on the shade Laurel – a soft, pinky nude that mimics MAC’s Painterly. The products are nearly identical in texture, and both applied seamlessly while staying true to their all-day claims. Laurel is a bit pinker in tone than Painterly, but both worked incredibly well as eyeshadow primers and standalone shadows. I specifically loved the consistency of the Colourpop version — a little silkier than MAC and a little slower to dry. This product is incredible and receives 5 stars from me!

Final Thoughts

After several weeks of experimenting with these two products (among 5 other potential products that I didn’t like enough to share), I can honestly say I’ll be keeping both products in my kit for years to come. From a texture and overall comparison standpoint, Colourpop absolutely nailed it, but I find myself wearing Maybelline’s V.I.P as a standalone product more frequently. Both look fabulous under my daily eyeshadow, and after a few weeks both have kept their consistency without cracking or drying. I love the all-day wear claims, and with the matching $8 price tags I’m excited to experiment with more shades!

Looking for more beauty-related content? You can view all past articles here, or if there’s something specific you’d like to see, please send me an inquiry! Thank you so much for stopping by — I hope this article was helpful, and I hope you’ll give these two heavy-hitting drugstore products a try.

Until next time,

This post contains affiliate links.  If you click on an affiliate link and later make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Read my full disclosure statement {here}