Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving deep into a drugstore classic that’s been in my makeup collection for YEARS – the Maybelline New York Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quads in Natural Smokes. At just $12, this little palette promises a complete smokey eye look in one convenient package. But is it worth even that modest price tag? Let’s get into it!
First Impressions & Packaging
The quad comes in Maybelline’s standard plastic packaging – nothing fancy, but it’s compact enough to throw in your makeup bag without taking up much space. One thing I immediately noticed (and many reviewers mentioned too) is that the included applicator is TINY. Like, comically small. It’s so small that even someone with the tiniest hands would struggle to use it effectively without poking themselves in the eye! 😂
As one reviewer put it: “I can barely hold the applicator in my fingers to apply the eyeshadow. It’s so cheap that the tips seem about to fall off.”
If you’re planning to use this palette, definitely plan on using your own brushes. The included applicator is basically useless.
The Colors
Natural Smokes features four coordinating brown/neutral shades that are designed to create a natural smokey eye:
- A light cream highlight shade
- A medium tan/taupe for the lid
- A deeper brown for the crease
- A dark brown that can double as eyeliner
One thing I LOVE about Maybelline quads is that they actually stamp each shade with its intended use (lid, crease, etc.), which is super helpful if you’re a makeup beginner.
The colors themselves are exactly what you’d expect – neutral browns that work well for everyday looks. They lean more cool-toned than warm, which several reviewers with fair skin and blue undertones appreciated: “It’s hard to find natural tones of tan and brown that have more gray than orange undertones.
For those with darker complexions, one reviewer with an olive complexion noted: “I have dark brown hair & olive complexion so the colors are perfect & blend very nice.
Application & Pigmentation
Okay, here’s where opinions get REALLY divided. Some reviewers absolutely love the pigmentation, while others found it practically nonexistent.
From the positive side: “This eyeshadow quad has great variety of color for every area of the eye. It goes on really good and stays on most of the day.”
But the negative reviews were pretty harsh on the pigmentation: “There is 0 pigmentation in this product rendering it useless” and “The color matches what is shown pretty well but the pigmentation is not that great and barely shows up.
From my experience and analyzing the reviews, here’s the truth: these shadows are NOT intensely pigmented. They’re designed for a more subtle, buildable look. If you’re looking for bold, one-swipe color payoff, you’ll be disappointed.
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “Still trying to make this product ok. Honestly, it is very natural if you are looking for a bold smokey eye this would not be a good buy for you.”
Blendability & Texture
The texture is on the harder, drier side – not buttery or creamy like higher-end shadows. This can make them a bit challenging to blend for some people.
“The eyeshadow does not stay on and it isn’t easily blendable,” complained one reviewer.
Another noted they were “Hard packed, almost impossible to put on. I threw it in the trash.”
However, others found the texture workable: “The colors are great and apply smoothly” and “Good quality and colors blend well.”
My take? They’re not the easiest shadows to work with, but with the right techniques (and an eye primer!), you can make them work.
Staying Power
Again, mixed reviews here. Some users reported excellent longevity: “A favorite. Make sure to use eye primer as a base and you won’t need to touch it up at all, even after 14 hours!”
Others had the opposite experience: “Great colors but poorly pigmented. Hard to get to show up and doesn’t stay put at all… wears off and creases :(”
The consensus seems to be that with a good eye primer, these shadows can last all day. Without primer, expect fading and creasing, especially if you have oily lids.
One reviewer noted: “With this one, it’s one and done… it stays on until you clean it off,” while another appreciated: “Great color palette and gives you at least three different looks. Also…no creases!”
Shipping & Packaging Issues
This was a MAJOR point of frustration for many reviewers. A significant number received broken palettes:
“The eye shadow was broken and crumbled. I was unable to send it back for a refund.”
“Initially received broken but replacement arrive The Next Day!”
“Item come broke shadow was everywhere like it had been tossed around”
“I received the eyeshadow in just one day, BUT the shadows were broken and crumbled. It should have been packed better. What a waste.”
These shadows seem particularly fragile during shipping, possibly due to their harder texture that makes them prone to cracking. If you’re ordering online, be prepared for the possibility of receiving a damaged product.
Another concerning issue: some customers received products that appeared used or tampered with:
“This product was obviously returned by somebody. When it arrived you could see flex of the eyeshadow on the underside of the case. When I opened it there was a distinct smudge of shadow and the applicator had been used.”
Missing Applicators
A frequent complaint was missing applicators:
“I took off a star because it did not come with an applicator.” “Product arrived in good order. It was missing the foam applicator though.” “Purchased twice and applicator brush was missing both times.”
Given how useless the applicator is, this isn’t a huge loss, but it’s still annoying to receive an incomplete product!
Value for Money
At around $12, this quad is definitely affordable. Many reviewers felt they got their money’s worth:
“This eye shadow works very nicely and it’s so inexpensive that it’s definitely worth it!”
“Very cheap price, and stays on all day, I love it personally. And would recommend if you use cheap makeup.”
“As nice as the much more expensive shadows.”
The general consensus is that for the price point, it’s a decent product – just don’t expect high-end performance.
Best For…
This palette seems to work best for:
- Those wanting a subtle, natural eye look
- Makeup beginners (thanks to the labeled pans)
- Fair to olive skin tones
- People who prefer matte shadows (there’s minimal shimmer)
- Those on a tight budget
One reviewer called it their “go-to eye shadow palette” while another mentioned it’s perfect for creating a “light looking makeup that makes my eyes pop.”
Who Should Skip It
You might want to pass if:
- You want intense pigmentation
- You’re looking for a dramatic smokey eye
- You prefer creamy, buttery shadow textures
- You don’t want to use an eye primer
- You’re concerned about shipping damage
Long-Term Loyalty
Despite its flaws, many reviewers have been using this palette for YEARS:
“I have been buying this one for many years and pray that they never stop making it in this color combination.”
I’ve used this particular eyeshadow quad for many years
“Bought this several times. Hope they continue to sell it for a long time!!”
“I’ve been using this for years, and have enjoyed the neutral brown shades.”
There’s something to be said for a product that inspires this kind of loyalty!
The Final Verdict
If you’re looking for an affordable, subtle, everyday neutral eye palette and don’t mind working a bit harder for your results, the Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Natural Smokes might be worth trying. But prepare yourself for potential disappointment in terms of pigmentation and blendability.
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Good color selection for natural looks
- Helpful labeling on each shade
- Compact packaging
- Can create multiple looks from one palette
- Works well with primer
- Good for beginners and makeup minimalists
Cons:
- Inconsistent pigmentation (mostly on the lighter side)
- Can be hard to blend
- Poor quality applicator (if it’s even included!)
- High risk of receiving broken product when ordered online
- Not ideal for bold or dramatic looks
- May require primer to prevent creasing
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐½
Would I recommend it? If you’re new to makeup, on a budget, or just want something simple for everyday wear – YES! Just bring your own brushes and some patience.
For makeup enthusiasts used to higher-end products, you might find this frustrating to work with. The formula feels dated compared to newer drugstore formulations that offer better pigmentation and blendability.
Have you tried this quad? I’d love to hear your experiences with it! Drop a comment below and let me know if this palette worked for you or if you have a favorite drugstore eyeshadow I should try instead!
This review is based on personal experience and analysis of customer reviews. Your experience may vary.
Buy on Amazon: Here
