Yesterday we talked about MAC's new Mattene lipstick range, and today, I present to you Matte².

These 16 super-flat matte shadows have recently launched and, unlike the Mattene lipsticks, are now a part of MAC's permanent collection. The colors are intense and opaque, so they're perfect for creating a dramatic effect, although when applied with a light hand you can achieve something more natural as well.

I have such a soft spot for plum/eggplant/aubergine smokey eyes, and Fig. 1 is just so perfect for creating one. My other top pick? Deep sea blue Prussian. It reminds me of NARS Thunderball, another excellent shade for creating a modern smokey eye.

The dark neutrals in the bottom two rows are particularly wearable and versatile; the only one I think is pretty much unwearable for most complexions is bright pink Post-Haste, but hey, in every MAC collection there's at least one completely batty color. It adds to the fun!

The color swatches on MAC's site aren't really true to shade, but the photos I've posted here are quite accurate. Which ones are your favorites?

Top Row
Blanc Type (creamy beige)
Pen 'N' Pink (pastel pale pink)
Post-Haste (bright berry pink)
Newly Minted (rich sea green)

2nd Row
Clarity (rich aqua)
Prussian (deep sea blue)
Poison Pen (deep mid-tone purple with grey)
Fig. 1 (eggplant purple)

3rd Row
Brown Script (warm chestnut brown)
Tete-a-Tint (caramel brown)
Flourishing (rich moss green)
Copperplate (muted mid-tone grey)

Bottom Row
Handwritten (rich chocolate brown)
Graphology (dark black grey with a hint of purple)
Signed, Sealed (black maroon)
Typographic (asphalt black)