I call this terrific tiny taupe my “Speed Racer shadow,” because it dries f-a-s-t, and because I can never remember what it’s actually called, haha.
But seriously, it’s Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Color Paint Shadow in L-54, a $25 cream shadow (0.16-oz tube) in MUFE’s Aqua XL Color Paint Shadow line.
In a nutshell, I 
it, despite the fact that it dries very quickly, which I normally wouldn’t be into because I like having time to play and blend and move stuff around, but it depends on my mood. Lately I’ve been into doing super fast eye makeup, which these are great for.
I dunno, it’s weird… I feel like I finally found my calling, like THIS was the reason I was put on this earth, to figure out every available path to putting on makeup in 10 or 15 minutes, and then spilling the beans about it.
Anyway, random tangent, LOL! What was I saying again…?
What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
Oh, yeah, Speed Racer, a.k.a L-54, dries extremely quickly, but there’s something about that luster, which is sort of halfway between a shimmer and a matte, that still gives you enough time to move it around and blend it without any brouhaha, even though in real time it sets in less than a minute. Literally, 60 seconds is all you get before it sets, but you don’t need more time than that, because this thing is genius.
The slanted tip looks a little like a lip balm, so don’t go fumbling around for it in the dark and try to apply it when you can’t see what you’re doing, because you might actually put it on your lips.
For defined, yet natural-looking lids that glow, I’ll gently squeeze the tube and dab it directly on my lids (no primer) as close to my lash line as possible. Then I smooth out the edges with a finger, concentrating the color by my lashes, but then I also pull a little bit out and up at the corners for a slight lift.
Then I’ll tight line, apply some mascara, and that’s it. Eyes DONE in two minutes!
Obvs, you can use this as a base for powder eyeshadows, too, and it plays well with lots of MAC classics, like Woodwinked, Satin Taupe and Club. And Mulch looks really pretty on top of it. Those are my faves to use it with, but any sort of brown, bronze or taupe works well.
Try it one of these days. There are many other colors and finishes in the same MUFE formula, but L-54 is the one I love and use the most.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This is gorgeous on you! I’m all about a 2-minute eye now that I have a 4 month old and basically don’t even brush my hair anymore. If you did a compilation of products called ‘looks < 10 minutes' or something wittier in addition to unsung heroes, it would blow my mind. I'd buy them all. This looks a lot like MAC paint pot in constructivist tho, what do you think? Same-same or different?
It really looks lovely on you, and I am all about these barely there glistening eyes lately They are amazing paired with either a bold lip or a gloss like you showed here for a more natural look.
Karen, can I just say you look so gorgeous! Over the last few months, I am so digging this kind of natural and minimalistic makeup involving less time and effort. You always look so effortlessly gorgeous.
Now I need a similar taupe in my life.
Haha, I love the name Speed Racer! This shadow is right up my alley. It looks great on you! I’ve lately been into speedy makeup looks too and this is perfect!
I love this shade too (although it’s a bit lighter on me)! I have four of these and I reach for L-54 most often! I am also here for the quickie makeup!
Yes, Indya! I’m all about the quickie makeup these days. Do you have any tried-and-true faves that help save you time? I wanna know!
I have been reaching for the Armani Eye Tints recently! I’m a big fan of one-shade shadows for work and these are fast for me.
I love it how the color “hugs” your skin. Oh and Happy New Year!
That’s one of my fave things about it too, Nataya. Happy New Year to you as well!
Lovely color. I’m all about the one color eye look. Need to go check this one out.
Hi Tatiana,
I hope you do! It’s perfect for a single shade look.
So I went to HIIT class last night and did about a million lunges, LOL! I’m sore today.
I recently heard from a girl at their counter that they’ll be discontinuing the whole line – shimmers and mattes. I’ll be sad if that’s true!
I love these shadows! I currently own 4 (matte brown, pink and purple and I-54). They are great ion their own or as a base. I really love the matte bown on it’s own. It is such a nice warm brown. It looks great on my deep skin. I have also used it on the lips and for contour. Now that I think about it I have used the uink and purple on the lips too!
Hi Nyxx,
I have a matte brown too and I like it. It does seem to take more work blending, so I take it out when I have more than 10 minutes to do my makeup. Cool idea to use it as contour for lips! Never thought of doing that.
Ooooh man, might need to snag this!
SHANNON! Thank you so much for stopping by the store and picking up a couple things. Your stuff is in the way. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
OMG I’m so excited to get it!! And of course! I’ve wanted that pillow for ages, just finally had the extra cash floating around while I was thinking about it. *fist pump* can’t wait to get my order, and to sport the tabby T on stage, too. My “performance uniform” recently has been jeans + tshirt, and it’s the most wonderful idea I’ve ever had lol.
Jeans and a tee is my performance uniform for every day life. LOL! It’s true though. I have the pillow in my office right now and use it every day in my work chair. I hope you like it as well as tee shirt. 🙂
Please do a tour and visit SF so I can finally see you live!
So this shade has been discontinued and it was my daily go-to shade. I’m heartbroken. Any dupes you know of?