Makeup trends move fast. One second we're all doing "clean girl" aesthetics and the next it's "mob wife" glam with heavy liners and dark shadows. But if you look at the kits of the most famous working makeup artists in the world, there is a constant. They always have a row of brown and beige pans that look absolutely trashed from use.
That’s the niche Mario Dedivanovic—the man who basically sculpted Kim Kardashian’s face into the cultural zeitgeist—is playing in. When the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals dropped, it wasn't just another palette. It was a sequel. A follow-up to his original Master Mattes that focused on "pro" tones.
People expected more of the same. They were wrong.
The Nuance of "The Neutrals"
Usually, when a brand says "neutrals," they mean gold, bronze, and maybe a champagne shimmer. Not here. Mario stripped it back to the literal basics of skin and shadow.
The Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals is entirely matte. No glitter. No "satin" that’s secretly a shimmer. Just twelve pans of flat, velvety pigment.
What makes it weirdly brilliant is the undertone. Most palettes lean heavily warm (oranges and reds) or icy cool (blues and purples). This one sits in that awkward, realistic middle ground. It’s the color of a shadow under your cheekbone. It’s the color of the vein on your eyelid.
The palette is inspired by the human body. Specifically, the varying tones of skin from the lightest porcelain to the deepest espresso, but filtered through a lens of 90s supermodel nostalgia. It feels like something Kevin Aucoin would have used in a black-and-white photoshoot.
Honestly, it’s a bit intimidating at first. There is no "fun" color to distract you. You’re looking at a gradient of taupes, greys, and muted browns. But for anyone who has ever struggled with a transition shade looking too "orange" on their skin, this is basically a religious experience.
Why Formulations Actually Matter (Beyond the Hype)
We’ve all bought palettes that swatched like butter on the arm but performed like chalk on the eye. It’s frustrating. Mario’s "Grip-to-Matte" technology is actually a thing, though it sounds like marketing jargon.
The powder isn't super fly-away. If you tap your brush into it, you don't get a cloud of dust hitting your vanity. It clings.
When you apply the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals, you’ll notice the pigment isn't at 100% opacity immediately. This is intentional. Mario designs for "builders." You want to be able to layer shadow without it looking muddy.
If you’re a beginner, this is your safety net. You won't end up with a giant black smudge that you can't blend out. If you're a pro, you appreciate that you can control the depth of a smoky eye without it "skipping" across the lid.
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Think about the shade "MN 1" (the lightest cream). In many palettes, this is just a filler shade. Here, it’s dense enough to actually brighten the inner corner or clean up the edge of a wing. Then you have "MN 12," the deep charcoal black. It’s not a blue-black or a brown-black. It’s a true, soot-colored matte.
Comparisons to the Original Master Mattes
A lot of people ask if they need both.
The original Master Mattes (the one in the white and black packaging) is very warm. It’s full of ochres, burnt siennas, and warm tans. It’s the "sunset" palette of mattes.
The Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals is its moody, sophisticated sibling. It’s much cooler. It has those "greige" tones that define the current 90s revival. If the original is for a beachy bronze look, The Neutrals is for a sharp, editorial, "I’m an architect in Milan" vibe.
The Reality of Wearability
Let’s talk about the "muddy" problem.
One of the biggest complaints with cool-toned palettes is that after three hours of wear, everything blends into a single greyish-brown blob on the eye. This usually happens because the pigments aren't distinct enough in their base tones.
Mario solved this by diversifying the "neutral" spectrum.
- Cool Mauves: There are shades here that have just enough purple to make green and hazel eyes pop.
- True Greys: Perfect for those who find "brown" too warm for their complexion.
- Deep Espresso: A brown so dark it acts as a soft alternative to black.
I’ve seen people use this for more than just eyes. Because the formula is so matte and skin-mimicking, the lighter shades work as a brow bone highlight, and the mid-tones are shockingly good for contouring the nose or the crease of the eye to create a "no-makeup" lift.
It’s versatile. Kinda.
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The limitation is obvious: if you love shimmer, you're going to have to reach for another product. This palette does not stand alone for a "glam" night out unless you’re strictly into the matte-glam look. It’s a foundation. It’s the "bra and underwear" of your makeup routine—the essential pieces you build everything else on top of.
Application Tips from the Pros
You don't just slap this on. To get the most out of the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals, you need the right tools.
Don't use those tiny sponge applicators. Please.
- The Fluffy Blender: Use this for your transition. Pick a shade two clicks darker than your skin tone. Blow it out in the crease. Because these are cool tones, they will naturally mimic a shadow, giving your eye more depth instantly.
- The Pencil Brush: This is for the lower lash line. Use the cool greys here to get that "sultry" look without looking like you have a black eye.
- The Flat Shader: Use this to pack the pigment on the moving part of the lid.
If you have oily lids, you must use a primer. Matte shadows are notorious for grabbing onto oil and turning patchy. Mario’s own Master Eye Prep & Set is a natural partner, but any decent primer will do. Just make sure you set the primer with a light dusting of the "MN 1" shade first so the other shadows glide over it.
Is It Worth the $50 Price Tag?
Price is always the sticking point. You can get a matte palette at the drugstore for twelve bucks. Why pay fifty?
It comes down to the refinement of the pigment.
Cheaper mattes often use more talc or fillers. This makes them look "white" or "ashy" on deeper skin tones. The Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals was clearly tested across the Fitzpatrick scale. The deep shades stay deep. They don't turn into a chalky mess on dark skin.
Also, the packaging is sleek. It’s compact. It doesn't have a bunch of wasted space. It’s built for travel, for a pro kit, or for a cluttered bathroom vanity. It feels like a tool, not a toy.
Addressing the "Boring" Allegations
Social media loves a "viral" palette with neon greens and duochrome shifters. In that context, The Neutrals looks boring. It looks like a row of concrete slabs.
But "boring" is what you actually use every day.
Most people don't go to work in a duochrome purple eye. They go to work in a soft brown wash. They go to dinner in a classic smoky eye. This palette is the workhorse. It’s the white T-shirt of the beauty world. It’s not meant to be the star of your collection; it’s meant to be the backbone.
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Actionable Steps for Your Routine
If you’re considering picking up the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette The Neutrals, here is how to actually integrate it into your life:
- Check your undertone first. If you are extremely warm-toned (yellow/golden), some of these shades might look a bit "bruised" on you. Counteract this by mixing in a tiny bit of a warmer bronzer as a transition.
- Use it for brows. The darker cool browns in this palette are often better than actual brow powders because they lack the "red" tint that many brow products have.
- The "Lift" Technique. Take the lightest shade and apply it in an upward flick from the outer corner of your eye toward your temple. It acts like an invisible thread pulling your eye up.
- Layering with Shimmer. If you own "topper" shadows or liquid glitters (like the Urban Decay Space Cowboy or Moondust shadows), use this palette to create the shape and depth of the eye first, then just tap the shimmer in the center. It makes the shimmer look expensive.
The reality is that Mario Dedivanovic didn't make this to be a trend. He made it to be a staple. Whether you're doing a 90s grunge look or just trying to look more awake before a 9:00 AM Zoom call, the utility of these twelve pans is hard to argue with. It's a masterclass in the colors that actually exist in the world, rather than the ones we see in a crayon box.
Invest in quality brushes, keep your lids primed, and don't be afraid of the grey shades—they are the secret to the most sophisticated eye looks you’ll ever wear.