The MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots are one of MAC’s most famous and most popular products.
These little pots of color are both an eye primer and an eye shadow color in one. They come in a variety of different shades. Some shades have been discontinued over the years, having been released as part of limited edition collections.
Other shades, such as Painterly and Soft Ochre, have stood the test of time and remain part of MAC’s permanent shade range. These shades are as loved now as they were when first released many years ago.
However, being from MAC Cosmetics these cream eye shadows are quite a lot of money for only 5g of product. They currently retail for $25 USD (or £17.50 / €24.50).
People are often looking for a cheaper alternative for MAC’s Paint Pots as a result. Fortunately there are lots of MAC Paint Pot dupes available which are a fraction of the price.
Scroll down to see the full list of Paint Pot dupes and find an affordable alternative to this makeup staple.
What is MAC Paint Pot used for?
The Paint Pots are a cream eyeshadow and eye primer in one, and come in a little glass pot.
They can be worn on their own as a single shadow and can also be the base for any eye look, as they intensify the color payoff of other eye makeup applied over them.
You can apply them with your fingers or with a brush.
One of the great things about the Paint Pots is that as an eye base they cancel out redness in the skin. They also make your eye makeup last a long time without creasing, which is why so many people love this MAC product.
They work well if you have oily eyelids and, as well as looking good when worn alone, they also provide the perfect base for any eye makeup.
The MAC Paint Pot dupes
If it’s a Paint Pot dupe you’re looking for then you’re in the right place.
Below is an extensive list of dupes for some of the most popular permanent colors in the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot range, as well as some options for duping some of the discontinued shades.
Note that some of the Paint Pots listed below were limited edition and have been discontinued. In a similar way some of the dupes listed below are also discontinued but where possible it has been linked to where they can still be found online.
Some of the best dupes below are for the most popular MAC Paint Pot shades which are Painterly and Soft Ochre.
It may come as no surprise to you that the Maybelline Color Tattoos appear in the list a lot, and make up a vast majority of the dupe list. They have a very similar finish to the Paint Pots and many of the shades are an almost exact dupe of the MAC colors too. The added bonus is that these come at a much lower price than MAC.
The Nabla Cosmetics crème shadows feature as a great dupe too, along with some shades of the Elf Putty Eye Primer and the NYX Eyeshadow Base.
Here are the MAC Paint Pot dupes and where to find them. Scroll down to find your perfect dupe with a cheaper price tag.
MAC Painterly Paint Pot dupes
Colourpop Creme Shadow in Laurel (discontinued but sometimes available here)
Elf Putty Eye primer in Rose (now discontinued)
Maybelline Color Tattoo Limited Edition in 250 Nude Pink (now discontinued)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creme de Rose (available here)
Nabla Cosmetics Creme Eyeshadow in Morning Glory (available here)
Jordana Cosmetics Eye Primer 01 (now hard to find)
Revolution Pro Eye Elements in Central (available here)
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot dupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded (available here)
MAC Indianwood Paint Pot dupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold (available here)
MAC Fancy Frosting Paint Pot dupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Too Cool (sometimes available here)
MAC Layin Low Paint Pot dupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in VIP (available here)
MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot dupes
Colourpop Crème Eyeshadow in Bronco (discontinued but sometimes available here)
Nabla Cosmetics Creme Eyeshadow in Underpainting (available here)
Elf Smudge Pot in Gotta Glow (sadly discontinued)
NYX Professional Makeup Eye Shadow Base in Skin Tone (available here)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Just Beige (discontinued but sometimes available here)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creme de Nude (available here)
Elf Putty Eye Primer in Cream (discontinued)
Kara Beauty EP24 Eye Primer in Beige
Revolution Pro Elements in Core (available here)
MAC Groundwork Paint Pot dupes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige (available here)
Elf Putty Eye Primer in Clay (discontinued)
MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot dupes
Revlon Illuminance crème shadow quad #725 Va Va Va Bloom (third shadow in the palette – available here)
Benefit Sippin and Dippin (now discontinued)
MAC Fresco Rose Paint Pot dupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pink Gold (available here)
MAC Artifact Paint Pot dupes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk (available here)
Sigma Eye Shadow Base in Strike (discontinued)
More MAC Paint Pot dupes
If you’re searching for a similar formula to the Paint Pots for less money, and aren’t worried about duping any of the colors, check out these products which are similar.
They are all cream shadow products which come in either a pot or a tube, and many are a much cheaper option than the Paint Pots:
Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow (available here)
bareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow + Primer (hard to find)
SHANY EYE & LIP Primer Base (available here)
Jolie Neutralizing Eye & Lip Primer Base (available here)
Clinique Touch Base For Eyes Eyeshadow Primer (available here)
Ulta Matte Cream Eyeshadow (available here)
r.e.m. beauty Midnight Shadows Matte Liquid Eyeshadow (available here)
ArtDeco All-in-One Eye Primer (available here)
Love finding makeup dupes?
Check out this list of MAC Mehr dupes and the MAC Spice Lip Liner dupe list.
Also don’t miss the MAC Cork Lip Liner dupe list and these Chanel bronzer dupes, as well as the Glossier Skin Tint dupes.
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