Posts Tagged ‘mac cosmetics’
MAC…
The final frontier
These are the voyages of the Heavenly Creature, Collection
Its mission
To explore bold new looks
To seek out new shades and familiar textures
To boldly go where no makeup maven has gone before
Okay, so its no Starship Enterprise but the new MAC Heavenly Creature collection boasts a galaxy of gorgeous shadows, lipsticks, blushes, and glosses all orbited by (my favorite) Mineralize Skin Finishes!
Each year, MAC dares to take us on a glamorous color expedition with their mineralize collection and each year the collection is met with a 50/50 response – you either love them or you choose to leave them.
I am especially partial to MAC’s mineralize formulation although the shadows are my least favorite. Well, it’s not that they’re my least favorite as much as I haven’t been introduced to a unique marbling of shades in a long time.
But, that didn’t stop me from picking up a couple of intergalactic gems.
Mineralize Eyeshadow in Magnetic Attraction and Water, $20/ea. There is one more I may pick up – a dreamy neutral called Earthly. Do you own that one? How do you like it?
Left to Right: Magnetic Attraction (dry and wet) and Water (dry and wet). I like how versatile the mineralize shadows are because applied dry, the color is subtle (but buildable) and applied wet, pow! Both shades apply well, have good pigmentation and no fall out. I’m quite happy with them.
Left to Right: Pleasureseeker (glaze), Venus (lustre), Cut a Caper (lustre), $14.50/ea
Left to Right: Pleasureseeker (glaze), Cut a Caper (lustre), Venus (lustre. I find all three shades look better applied on lips versus swatched. Each shade is right up my alley too! (photos taken in daylight on bare, NC20 skin)
Cremesheen Glass in Meteoric and Strictly Plutonic, $19.50/ea
Left to Right: Meteoric and Strictly Plutonic. I’m a big fan of the Cremesheen Glass formulation because it’s not sticky, feels smooth on the lips and doesn’t leave a funky residue trail. The wear is a couple of hours on me but since it’s not a sticky gloss, I expect to reapply with some frequency. Of the two shades, Meteoric is my favorite – a lovely watermelon pink. Strictly Plutonic has a slight orange-brown base that doesn’t suit my skin tone but paired with a lipstick or lip pencil, it works. I’m also picking up Galaxy Rose - I meant to first time around but it somehow didn’t make it into my bag.
Mineralize Blush in Supernova, $23.50
Supernova. In the pan, this shade looks super bright but as you can see from the swatch (one swipe), it is quite wearable and not too frosty. I couldn’t be happier with my best of the blush bunch pick.
Mineralize Skin Finish in Center of the Universe and Star Wonder, $29/ea
Center of the Universe and Star Wonder. I expected a higher frost finish but I’m delighted that it leaves only a very slight sheen on the skin. Both feel smooth to the touch, are nicely pigmented, blend easily and aren’t grainy. I couldn’t decide which I like best as they are equally beautiful and on my NC 20 skin, they make terrific blushes - I layered a bit of each as blush the other day and loved the look.
Availability: MAC stores, counters and maccosmetics.com (limited edition)
4/5 Smooches: Each item I chose gets a big round of applause smooches!
So are you a mineralize lover or leaver? What’s your favorite way of using mineral products? I like to apply them dry but find I can get a high sheen and glossy effect if I use water, MAC Fix+ or a little makeup artist trick, Visine. It does more than just get the red out. 
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. Your support of my Beauty Black Book is always appreciated so please do feel free to share a link back to this post. However, no part of this post (including any photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced, tweeted or posted without my okay…okay?
To do something against the rules. To be disruptive. A woman who is bold, has a sense of history, is a little irreverent, a good girl whose gone a little bit bad. This, according to New York designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais, describes the Ruffian woman.
With a definition like that, you can bet I was all over the MAC Ruffian lipsticks recently launch exclusively on maccosmetics.com.
The small collection consists of three lipsticks (Ruffian Red, Ruffian Gold and Ruffian Naked) and three nail design sets that, although they looked spectacular, I passed on knowing I’d never use them.
There’s a bit of history behind Ruffian Red lipstick. Back in 2009, Ruffian and MAC created a classic shade of red lipstick for their, then, runway show. Something like 500 tubes were made and handed out to fashion and beauty industry insiders – plus friends of friends I’m sure.
After receiving countless emails and phone calls from mere mortals (lol), they decided to bring back Ruffian Red along with a couple of other shades. The nail designs were originally custom made for their runway models and it’s said those sneaky models took the one-of-a-kind designs home with them! Who could blame them…I mean, really.
Anyway, take a peek at the lipsticks I picked up:
Ruffian lipsticks.
The Ruffian team designed the outer sleeve to reflect their love of history, specifically renaissance collars (ruffles)
Ruffian Gold (sheer frost finish). Best as a topper, Gold will get lots of wear this fall and winter.
Ruffian Red (smooth matte finish). It took three years to bring it back and I have to admit, it was worth the wait…
Ruffian Naked (smooth matte finish). Although Ruffian Red is the most coveted of the collection, Naked is the winner in my beauty black book!
Left to Right: Ruffian Gold, Ruffian Red, Ruffian Naked (swatched on bare skin in daylight)
Availability: maccosmetics.com (exclusive and limited edition)
Price: $14.50/US
I thought you might enjoy a short video featuring the Ruffian design duo talking about their inspiration behind the MAC collection. They are so charming…
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. Your support of my Beauty Black Book is always appreciated so please do feel free to share a link back to this post. However, no part of this post (including any photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced, tweeted or posted without my okay…okay?
How was your 4th of July celebration? It was quiet over at Casa de Patet…just the way I like it.
I’ve had an exciting week with new opportunities knocking at my door and a few new design projects underway (you do know I have a slight home decór obsession, right?).
Here’s a peek at my week in beauty and please, do share how your week in beauty has been!
1. Beauty Barometer
All systems go!
2. Nails?
Have you checked out Essie Bikini So Teeny? It’s summer perfection.
3. Eyes?
Estée Lauder Pure Color Smoky Ember shadow and Mally Volumizing Mascara – my lashes look vava voom with one quick coat!
4. Most anticipating?
The release of MAC Marilyn Monroe. Can you stand it?! And, I got some insider information about the packaging. Let’s just say, we’re going to really love it.
5. Fragrance?
CLEAN Warm Cotton Mmmmm good.
6. Cheeks?
MAC Beth Ditto Powder to the People (I avoid the brown dots and get the prettiest rosy shade) and MAC Fleet Fast from the Hey Sailor collection.
7. Lips?
Maybelline lipsticks are my new love. Nude Nuances is the perfect (sexy) nude that I sometimes top with MAC Suntint in Au Rosé (from Hey Sailor).
8. Bronzer?
Tis the season, right? I’ve been reaching for MAC Nude on Board this week and can’t get enough of the Pro Longwear formulation.
9. Music?
Hubby and I saw Cirque du Soliel Totem last year and I haven’t stopped listening to the CD – tribal and energizing all at the same time.
10. Feel Good Moment?
Getting clarity on an issue once heavy with fog. When your inner light starts to flicker, you can’t help but feel good.
FGF Playlist (cut, paste & reply below)
1. Beauty Barometer?
2. Nails?
3. Eyes?
4. Most anticipating?
5. Fragrance?
6. Cheeks?
7. Lips?
8. Bronzer?
9. Music?
10. Feel good moment?
Happy feel good friday!
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. Your support of my Beauty Black Book is always appreciated so please do feel free to share a link back to this post. However, no part of this post (including any photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced, tweeted or posted without my okay…okay?
I sported this courtroom combo the other day and had to share a quick photo with you. MAC recently launched a collection called Fashion Sets in which they paired a lipstick, matching Lipglass and nail polish all with the same name – some lipstick shades are new but most are permanent with Lipglass and polish as new (and limited edition – of course) additions!
MAC Angel. Left to Right: Lipstick (frost), Lipglass. I expected Angel to be a cool pink but on me, it reads as a soft neutral pink.
Each “set” is categorized by region (shades most popular to that region) of the world and Angel fell into the Asia Pacific region. I’ve never worn Angel before and absolutely adore it! I’m only sad I wasn’t able to grab a backup of the matching Angel Lipglass before she sold out but hopefully, she’ll sweep back into my life again in the future.
Availability: MAC counters, stores and online*
Price: $14.50 ea./US
*Angel is a permanent lipstick. Angel Lipglass is limited edition.
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. Your support of my Beauty Black Book is always appreciated so please do feel free to share a link back to this post. However, no part of this post (including any photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced, tweeted or posted without my okay…okay?
Something’s changed over at Casa de MAC… It used to be their mineralize eyeshadows left shadow lovers disappointed with their gritty texture and less than vibrant color boost. But with the Chenman Love and Water collection, they’ve made their formulation better, stronger, faster – they’re not of bionic quality but they perform with more oomph than before!
Today, I’m feeling some funk on me that only a tasty treat can cure. The kitchen cupboards are bare with nothing to satisfy my craving for something sweet…where are the peanut M&M’s when you need them. Hmph!
Thankfully, there are plenty of sweet treats on my vanity and lo and behold a MAC mineralize eyeshadow named Supersweet is super neat (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).
.10 oz, $20/US
Supersweet swatched dry on Left and wet on the Right. They apply even smoother with a little water or Fix+ on your brush. I find the wear is quite good and I don’t get any creasing – even without a primer – or fall out (photo taken indoors).
A combination of soft pink-rose and warm bronze-brown have me rubbing my belly in sweet calorie free satisfaction.
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. Your support of my Beauty Black Book is always appreciated so please do feel free to share a link back to this post. However, no part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced, or posted without my okay…okay?
With the plethora of red lipstick shades running rampant this fall (and winter), I wanted to share a video featuring MAC artist Caroline D. showing us how she rocks her signature red lip. Her lip lining tips alone are worth watching!
Be sure to also check out my two favorite things about this video (in addition to the tips and techniques Caroline shares):
1. The studio decor…the tufted white furniture is divine! I really want to add a piece like this in my makeup studio.
2. Her rock n’ roll shoes…love, love, love.
My two favorite red lipsticks (at least so far) are:
1. Giorgio Armani Rouge d’ Armani in #406 – a red with fuchsia undertones
2. MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Prolong – a gorgeous neutral red
What are your favorite red lipsticks this year? I’m open to adding a few more to my vanity.
Enjoy your Saturday!
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. No part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced without my okay…okay?
Before I run my laundry list of errands for the day – the ones I should have done over the weekend but skipped entirely…shoulda, woulda, coulda, right – I wanted to post a few photos and swatches of a couple of the MAC Glitter and Ice lipsticks.
This is for you Pam!
I’ll tell you, I have nothing but appreciation for those bloggers that can photograph the heck out of a clear gloss because this blogger is still photographically miffed by the whole process!
That being said, here are my shots of:
•Whirls & Twirls (glaze) – a soft sheer pink with hints of gold pearl which leaves the prettiest sheen on lips. This is not a must-have by any means but it is a nice-to-have lipstick. I consider this a good hanging around the house lipstick (and yes, I wear lipstick to hang around the house!).
•Double Spin (cremesheen) – I nearly passed on this opaque mauve lipstick but I’m glad I have it because a) there’s a very pretty soft 60’s vibe to this shade and b) topped with almost any pink or rosy gloss it makes a gorgeous base. Not a must-have but I’m not disappointed I picked this one up.
Left to Right: Double Spin, Whirls & Twirls.
I fudged with the lighting (indoors) so you could see the shades. They’re both light in color but you can get a feel for what they look like …
Left to Right: Double Spin, Whirls & Twirls. Here are the shades in more direct light…you can really see the sheen of Whirls & Twirls in this shot
I own too many MAC lipsticks to mention and can say I’ve never been disappointed with either Cremesheen or Glaze formulations. They wear well, and feel good on my lips. The only decision I ever need to make is, what color will I choose today?
In general, the lipsticks in the Glitter and Ice collection are easy to find elsewhere but if you’re a lipstick hound like me, you can’t help but grab at least one…if not for the white packaging alone! 
So, do you have any spooky plans tonight? Do you dress up when you give out halloween candy? As what? I’d love to know!
Availability: MAC counters, MAC stores, maccosmetics.com (limited edition)
Price: $15.50US/.1oz
3/5 Smooches: Not must-haves but nice-to-have. The white packaging alone makes these smooch worthy.
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. No part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced without my okay…okay?
Makeup and art have collided at MAC. The Art of Powder collection brings us three unique and stunning palettes for eyes, bronzing and highlighting.
In this post, I’ll be discussing the street smart graffiti inspired Street Art eyeshadow palette.
Visually, this is a stunner! If I could hang this palette on my wall I would (I’d also break out my leg warmers, track suit, and do some poppin n lockin). The colors are vibrant and feel buttery smooth.
Six eyeshadows are included and each have nice pigmentation. Of the six shadows, there was only one (the vanilla shade) that require kid gloves to work with as the consistency is quite soft.
Swatched outdoors on bare NC20-25 skin. The texture of these shadows are very nice. They blend easily and wear well. Only one shade, the vanilla on the far right, required gentle handling due to the super soft consistency. My favorites are the far left (copper/rust) and Seafoam green.
Otherwise, the shadows are lovely but hard to get at (due to the intricate design) even with a fine tip sponge applicator or small brush.
Sigh…
I’m finding more and more companies are working hard to impress us with artistically beautiful palettes that aren’t necessarily practical in terms of use. The MAC Street Art eyeshadow is such a palette.
Do I recommend it? If you’re a MAC lover and/or a collector of beautiful makeup, yes. If you’re counting your pennies and only wish to invest in items you can use again and again, then you might find your dollars better spent elsewhere.
Availability: MAC counters, MAC stores, maccosmetics.com (limited edition)
Price: $38US/.31 oz
3/5 Smooches: Stunning design, beautiful colors, difficult to dip your brush into.
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. No part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced without my okay…okay?
It’s just like MAC to hit us with a one-two collection punch! Although it hurts my walllet, I do like to pick up pieces from MAC that I know I’ll use and am sure to love.
From the MAC Fall Colour 2011 collection (formerly known as the Cindy Sherman collaboration) I couldn’t resist these few goodies.
Additional (and updated) photos, swatches and a full review to come…
MAC Angel Flame Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Parlor Smoke Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Ash Violet Fluidline (loving!)
MAC Orange Tempera (if you like the idea of a milky, peach gloss run don’t walk – I’m getting a backup!)
Clockwise: MAC Blue Storm pigment, Emerald Dusk pigment, Starless Night pigment, Golden Olive pigment
MAC Porcelain Pink MSF (sigh)
MAC Lightscapade MSF (wowy gazowy!)
MAC Three Ring Yellow eyeshadow…look at that color…agh!
Are you planning on picking anything up from MAC this time around? I hear many things are selling out fast (particularly the MSF’s) so you won’t want to wait too long to make your decision. I’ll have swatches up for you no later than Monday. In the meantime, I hope these images help you!
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. No part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced without my okay…okay?
MAC just released a new trio of beautiful palettes in their Art of Powder collection.
It’s been said each palette was inspired by well known works of art but there’s been no “official” word on who the modern artists are or what pieces are being interpreted.
Here’s a quick gander at the collection. I’ll have swatches, more photos and a review in the coming days – I need a little play time with them first.
MAC Optical Bronzer
MAC Abstract Highlighter
MAC Street Art Eyeshadow (I almost hate to swatch this!)
Any guesses as to what works of art each palette was inspired by?
❤Liz
©MyBeautyBlackBook.com All rights reserved. No part of this post (including the photos which I obsess over in a most ridiculous way) may be reproduced without my okay…okay?