Seeing Double: MAC Club vs Makeup Geek Havoc

Hi Loves!

With all of the makeup options available to us on the market, we are bound to run into color dupes. Unless we have both products right there in front of us, it can be hard to tell if an eyeshadow or lipstick you're thinking about buying is the same color as one you already own. I've run into this problem most often when shopping online, and it's so frustrating! I've decided to start this new series, Seeing Double, to swatch and compare the most recent products I've had this issue with (many of them are Makeup Geek and MAC products - so many possible dupes between the two!). I hope it helps make some of your future buying decisions a little easier :)

Is Makeup Geek Havoc a dupe for MAC Club?

Makeup Geek Havoc

MAC Club

With the launch of the new Makeup Geek Duochrome Collection * , I saw what I believed to be a dupe for the infamous MAC Club eye shadow. I couldn't be sure from looking at swatches online, so I decided to order it to find out. I was secretly hoping that they were just different enough that I wouldn't have two of the same shadow colors in my makeup arsenal. I'm sure that there are many of you out there that are wondering the same thing - is Makup Geek's Havoc a dupe for MAC's Club? Let's take a look:



MAC Club Eye Shadow

MAC describes this shade as "red-brown with green pearl". It is a satin formula duochrome shadow (multi-hued, reflective pigment) that applies smoothly and blends out easily. It can be worn a multitude of ways: all over the lid for a wash of color, in the crease or outer-v to add depth, or as a one-shadow look layered over a colored base and feathered up into the crease (this gives it the appearance of being two different shadows, with the simplicity of applying one). It's truly a gorgeous color that I find to be fairly unique. You can purchase this shadow online or in MAC stores in either pan form ($10 for a 1.5 gram / .05 oz pan), or in a compact ($16).

MAC Club

MAC Club

MAC Club

MAC Club

                                       

MAC Club 

Makeup Geek Havoc Eye Shadow

Makeup Geek refers to this shade as a "warm red-brown with teal reflects"; sounds familiar, doesn't it?  When looking at this shade in the pan, it closely resembles Club, and like Club it is a duochrome , so you can use it in all the same ways. The pigmentation is fabulous, as is its application and blendability. As of now, you can only purchase this product on the Makeup Geek website, and it is only available in pan form ($6 for a 1.8 g/ .064 oz pan).

MUG Havoc

MUG Havoc

MUG Havoc

MUG Havoc

MUG Havoc

And now it's time for the side by side comparison -
MUG Havoc on left, MAC Club on right

Mug Havoc (L), MAC Club (R)

Mug Havoc (L), MAC Club (R)

Mug Havoc (L), MAC Club (R)

Mug Havoc (L), MAC Club (R)

MUG Havoc on top, MAC Club on Bottom

MUG Havoc on top, MAC Club on Bottom

 As you can clearly see, the shades are completely different when swiped side by side. MUG's Havoc comes off much more red, and the green reflect is more dramatic than in MAC's Club, which appears more of a muddy brown when used on its own. Havoc is undoubtedly the warmer of the two shades, with the red base in club leaning on the cooler side.  As for pigmentation, both shadows are smooth and buttery, with amazing color density.

Just for fun, let's see what happens when you add a black base to the mix:

MUG Havoc (L) and MAC Club (R) over NYX Jumbo eye Pencil in  Black Bean

MUG Havoc (L) and MAC Club (R) over NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in  Black Bean 

 Now, this is where the dupe is apparent! When layered over a dark base, they are nearly identical;  the only difference you can really see is around the edges, where the swatch goes off the base. Both Havoc and Club come off as a dark, shimmery teal-green, and they are equally beautiful!

Which one should you get?

As shown above, Havoc and Club are not identical dupes on their own. While you  can create similar looks with either shadow, especially if you are using a dark base, Havoc is going to create a warmer look than Club, and the duochrome effect is much more intense in Havoc.

If you are looking to purchase just one of the two, it comes down to two things: cost and color. If you would like to get the most affordable option, Makeup Geek's Havoc would be the better buy because it is 60% less than the cost of the MAC pan ($6 vs $10). If you don't mind spending the extra $4, and you just want the shade that will work best for your skin tone, choose MUG Havoc if you have a warm complexion, and MAC Club if you are cool-toned.  Now, if you already have Club, you really don't need  Havoc...however, if you're a MUG collector like me, this is a must have for your collection, IMO.

Do you own Havoc and/or Club? What are your thoughts on the two? Do you have a favorite?

Thank you so much for checking out this comparison. Live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

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