This weekend I had a little time to do some browsing in between running errands around town at the same time. I popped into the W7 Store to have a little look and 1. I spotted a whole discounted Stila counter (I walked away empty handed – pat on the back for me) and 2. I spotted this and I just had to take it home.
Straight up I knew this W7 The Naughty Nine palette was pretty close to my MAC Amber Times Nine palette which I reviewed back in March, a palette which was nice, but far from perfect with iffy pigmentation on half the shades. This W7 Palette was only £3.49 and I couldn’t help but see how they compared at almost a tenth of the price of the MAC version at £30.
This is a blatent rip off of the MAC times 9 collection they’ve not even really bothered to change the packaging from one one another, they looked virtually the same side by side, the size of the palette, the pans – the only noteable difference was the hinge at the back. Onto what you want to see, shade comparison.
Left: MAC Georgia Peach – The W7 Shade has better pigmentation but the MAC one is better for a transition shade
Winner – Depends on use, I’d still say W7
Middle: MAC Kitties – The W7 Shade is slightly warmer more golden toned than MAC’s Kitties, but they are still definitely similar.
Winner: Tough choice, I think I prefer MACs
Right: Mac Cosy Grey This is probably the most noticeable shade difference in the palette, W7 is lighter and more grey toned, MAC is more browny pink toned and slightly darker. The pigment is easily more buildable in the W7 Versionm the MAC here took 2/3 swipes to get it that opaque, W7’s was just one.
Winner: Formula of W7’s is better
Left: MAC Cork – Much better pigmentation on W7’s version of Cork and looks much more like the full size original rather than the weak pigmented version they put in the Times 9 Palette.
Winner: W7
Middle: MAC Creative Copper – The shimmer in MAC’s version seems to catch the light a little nicer than W7’s if I’m being hyper critical, but you can barely distinguish one from the other
Winner: MAC If i’m being picky
Right: MAC Ricepaper – MAC’s Ricepaper is a lot more a subtle wash of colour where as W7’s packs a bigger punch of pigment but is a little chalkier. Depends what you prefer as to which wins but I think W7 Wins this for me as it’s more easily built up to pack a punch or blended out to a more subtle look
Winner: W7
Left: MAC Pepper Please – In my MAC version post Pepper Please and Aromatic swatched much better than they are here something just seems to have not agreed with them and they wouldn’t come off better no matter how much I tried. The glitter in MAC’s Pepper please (whilst you can’t see it here) but you can in the original post is much more noticeable, but the base pigment of W7 is better. I have little call for a glittery matte shade that I would use in my crease… so W7 hands down is the better of the two
Winner: W7
Middle: Aromatic – This was always the most disappointing from the MAC palette for it, it’s hard to work with and when you’re working with it . I’d say W7’s comes off warmer toned, but it’s quite hard to tell with W7 having decent pigment and MAC’s not – if it had the same intensity they might be more similar as they look closer in tone in the pan.
Winner: W7
Right: Don’t Tell – This is my favourite shade from the original palette, they are quite similar and it’s only really on close inspection you can see the difference. The metallic sheen on W7’s pure gold, MAC is much denser with Gold, Silver, Bronze and the odd speck of blue as well.
Winner: I prefer the denser colour in MAC and the different flecks of glitter
Results: MAC 3 Wins, W7 6 Wins
The pigmentation of the W7 Polishes as a whole are a lot better than the MAC ones, the formulation is a little chalkier and has a more fallout, but I’d take better pigmentation for the cost of fall out as you’re applying, it’s important to note they don’t fall out on me with primer during the day.
I’m now actually considering selling my MAC palette, but I’m torn whether to or not as it was bought with a gift voucher from my old work so holds some sentimental value… but equally I can see me reaching for the other over this. The only shade here that I think I will truly miss is Don’t Tell which annoyingly is one of the colours which are exclusive to this palette, not available in the full line up from MAC.
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Great post, thanks for sharing!
Wow! I can’t believe how similar these palettes are. I definitely need to try W7 x
I haven’t tried much from W7 but after seeing how they compared to MAC, I need to check out more! xx
This is INSANE! I’m so annoyed that I bought this MAC palette at Christmas haha. I’ve been disappointed by the pigment and formula of W7 before but these look great. Xx
I know right, that palette was a bit of a flop, this one is loads better – I’m annoyed too! xx
Amazing dupe! The w7 looks so similar. And at that price, it is definitely a bargain compared to the mac.
xo Anne –
They had other versions of this too, presumably in the other ‘times nine’ palette colour ways – going to have to have a look at those aswell! xx
What an interesting comparison, a little bit surprised W7 had more wins than MAC but I can understand why after your review. Just shows you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a good product 🙂 xx
That MAC has had a fair bit of criticism – It has some of their permanent shades in their such as Cork which has no where near the pigmentation of a full size pan. At £30 it’s certainly cheaper at buying 9 Full size MAC shades here, but equally with the likes of Urban Decay Naked palettes at £36 with more colours and bigger pans it doesn’t provide great value for money – the only thing it is good for is travel because of it’s size. Add to that a £3.49 version of the palette does a much better job adds insult to injury!
The only thing I’ve tried from MAC is their lipsticks tbh, I know they’re good quality but I wouldn’t have a clue about their other products haha!
Wow I was eyeing up what I think was this palette a few weeks ago and admiring how pretty it looked. Now I know its not worth the $$$!
Can’t believe how similar the two are – what a great dupe you’ve found!
Definitely grab this W7 one instead if you see it/get your hands on it online! Fab little palette which does everything the MAC one should have!
Waow!! The similarity is unbelievable!! Great find!! Thanks for sharing! X
What an AMAZING dupe!!! WOW.
I can’t believe how much better the pigmentation is on the W7 version of some of the shades too. I often find the colours MAC includes in palettes are a pale imitation of the single pans – really insulting to the customers. W7 is my new favourite brand that I need to try to get my hands on. Why are all the good drugstore brands from the UK!!!
I say keep the MAC palette – there ARE times where a less pigmented colour comes in handy. I personally much prefer a less pigmented highlight colour.
We definitely have some good drugstore brands here, but so do you! W7 isn’t actually that accessible here, we can’t get it in Boots or Superdrug – and I just happen to live near a W7 outlet store so I’m lucky, but I wouldn’t know where there’s another outlet in the entire country! This was my first MAC palette and it’s a big let down. I had been eyeing the preset 15 palettes but now I don’t want to feel the same disappointment that I had with this on a larger scale!
I think Sleek is also a good dupe for MAC’s single eye shadows. They have such high pay off and CRAZY pigment. Their version of MAC’s ‘bronze’ is really good (looks more like the earlier generation of bronze than the new ones).
Sleek is also another UK brand! I can’t get that here. 🙁 I’ve had a shopping list of items I’ve wanted to buy for ages. I’m waiting for a sale or a free shipping event on their site. Right now it’s a minimum of $85.
Ops… er… well, I am sure there’re some CA/USA ones. All Sleek products are made in China. Maybe that will cheer you up? How about NYX? You get that in CA, right? They’re pretty decent. I have swatched their concealers and contour cream stick.
Yes we do have NYX here – a store opened downtown but I haven’t bought anything yet. I will eventually!
Lucky you. For us in UK, can only buy online via Boots 🙁 only Selfridges stocks have them in store, not full range though
Some boots now have the ranges Joyce, there’s atleast counters boots in London ( can’t remember which), brighton, Manchesger and I think Edinburgh. There’s also a counter in Leicester now too which I went to a few weeks ago
Really?!?! Thanks for letting me know!!!!
Enjoy exploring 😉
Also don’t forget covergirl, milani and physicians formula are all brands we can’t get here!
Exactly! Neutrogena too, I really want to try their legendary healthy skin foundation
Well if it doesn’t come you know when I am for a swap 😉 currently collecting items for one with Chris!
I have one sleek palette and for some reason I never use it! I do agree their palettes are great though 🙂
Whoa, great comparison post. That W7 looks amazing! I bought a small W7 eyeshadow palette a while back for like, CAD$5…looking forward to giving it a try, now.
First eyeshadow from them and I already want all the others they make haha! They’re polishes are pretty nice too if you can get your hands on them!
Well now I need to hope our Winners gets W7 nail polish! 😀
I found some Quo by Orly in my TK maxx this week! Bought the one and only thing that hadn’t been opened and smudged everywhere!
Great price! We don’t have the W7 in the states. Do they sell online?
I think you might be able to catch the odd product in TJ Maxx (or at least my Canadian friends can in Winners) – this store sells W7 online at really good discount prices too and seem to ship internationally 🙂 http://www.thebeautystore.co.uk/search/w7
thank you so much! Going to TJ Maxx today so will dig around!
Fragrance Direct store also has the exact palettes for £2.50 (about $4)
Yep, this is going to be a shopping day. lol!
Omg they’re so alike! Definitely gettinf,great post x
It’s worth every penny! xx
So good to know!!
Amazing post, I didn’t realise that they would be so similar, yet such a massive price difference. Thanks for sharing!x
I’ve actually wanted this mac palette for quite some time but never actually got round to buying it. After reading your post I may just get the W7 and save myself some money aswell!!!x
I’m my review of the original Mac palette I said it was okay, but I wouldn’t be sad if I lost it… This cures the flaws of the original palette and it’s way cheaper. I’ve
Found it on fragrance direct for £2.50 today… Well worth a look 🙂 xxx
Wow! This was a great post and great find, I love w7 aswell! I gotta pick this up ASAP next time I see it haha
Kathy x
wow what a fab dupe! definitely need to get my hands on this!!
Thanks for sharing!! 🙂 xx
Yep, save your pennies on the real thing for something worth splurging for! x
Definitely! I may have just ordered it already 🙈🙈😊 x
I won’t tell! 🙊
Hehe I can’t wait now 😁
Wow its amazing how close they are. I mean they aren’t even trying to hide it lol.
No they didn’t! Office Meeting: Shall we pretend this isn’t a blatent rip off…. nah!
haven’t seen these before, but definitely going to get them- so so pretty! Great review (:
This was a really good post! You can tell a lot of time and effort has gone into writing this so thank you! I’ve heard a lot of negative posts about the Times Nine palettes so i’ve always avoided them but the w7 one looks great! By the way, i have the full size of MAC Cork and that has really off pigmentation too so maybe it’s just that shadow in general! xxx
Wow! It looks exactly alike! So good to know 🙂 I have the Burgundy times nine palette by Mac, wonder if there is a dupe out there for that one as well!
I’m 99% sure I bought one today in the same line today don’t have the original Mac one to compare like this one though
Wow thanks for sharing!
Oh, those are really nice palettes 😍
So glad I have seen this as i was considering buying this pallet from Mac, so definitely going to get the W7 one now. Thankyou, you have saved me so much money 🙂
No problem, save your pennies for something worth the splurge!
Exactly!!
Great post and great dupe!
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Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve really been unsure whether or not it’s worth buying the W7 one or taking the plunge on the MAC one – I think I’m going with W7 after reading this! xx
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This is now 3 months later after me getting both and I literally never reach for the MAC one, the more I used it comparatively the worse the pigmentation, blendability and wear time was! Honestly don’t waste your money, you won’t be disappointed with the £3 spend from w7 instead! xxx
Wow, I can’t get over just how similar these are! W7 absolutely slayed it in the dupes department. I will always love my high end beauty (unashamedly a bit of a beauty snob) but this is an absolute no brainer! I’ll be picking this up when I spot it on a shelf. Great post gorgeous xx