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MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour Review + Swatches

March 10, 2017

By popular request I’m continuing my series on liquid lipsticks and many of you have asked about my thoughts about the MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours ($21 each). This formula has been out for a while but I never tried it until MAC repromoted the formula with their recent Retro Matte Collection. I have a mix of colors I received as press samples along with a few colors I ordered myself. As a neutral lip lover I gravitated towards the more conservative shades versus the greys, teals or purples. My experience with liquid lip colors in general is that what I see in the tube or swatch on the hands often times looks different on my lips. The colors shift when they dry down and for some reason my complexion and lip color make the liquids pull differently.

Colors I have swatched for you include:

Lady Be Good is a peachy nude, I thought this would be more pink, but it turned out to be more peach
Cafe Au Chic is as grey/beige as I’ll go, it’s a neutral greyish nude beige
Sweet Thing is a limited-edition from the MAC Make-Up Art Cosmetics collection from James Kaliardos, it’s the best neutral pink I’ve ever tried for a liquid lip – it’s sold out online but if you can find it in stores I recommend you do
Fallen Angel is also from the MAC Make-Up Art Cosmetics collection and this is the only shade I did not like, I would go so far as to call it a fail, I may have gotten a dud, but this one was streaky, even when I tried layering it was a total mess
Burnt Spice is my favorite neutral, it’s similar to Lady Be Good, but Burnt Spice is a bit deeper
So Me is a greyed plum, it looks so good on the arm swatch, on my lips it pulls a bit dusty looking
Preferentially Yours is a MAC So Select color which means you can only buy it if you’re a So Select member (just sign up online at the MAC website and it will track purchases and give you points), I love love LOVE this one, it’s what I wanted Kat Von D Lolita to be on me
Topped With Brandy is a deeper dirty rose, I really like this one too, but prefer the Preferentially Yours color

Swatches:

Lip swatches on bare lips:

Formula-wise I was relieved to find they did not dry out my lips nor did they make my lips peel the next day. As with most liquid lipsticks they dry to a matte finish and can make the lips look a bit wrinkly. I swatched these on bare lips but for everyday wear I either prep with the MAC Prep and Prime Lip or any lip balm like the Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade. They add a bit of moisture underneath and make the lips look a bit less textured. They really do last all day – once they dry they stay put and don’t budge. I didn’t get any color transfer to cups once they fully dried. I think the formula is great for the colors I tried (with the exception of Fallen Angel). Still I’m more of a glossy lip person at heart, but for a liquid lip formula I give these a thumbs up. My top three favorite colors are Sweet Thing, Burnt Spice and Preferentially Yours.

You can find the MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colors at all MAC counters now. I purchased some colors online at Nordstrom and MAC. Do note that the MAC So Select colors and MAC Make-Up Art Cosmetics Collection colors are exclusive to MAC online and MAC stores.

Have you tried these? What did you think? Any favorite colors?

Preferentially Yours, Lady Be Good, Topped With Brandy purchased by me, all others sent as press samples for review.

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Lips MAC

MAC Viva Glam x Taraji P Henson Lipstick and Lipglass

February 3, 2017

The latest MAC Viva Glam launch is a collaboration with Taraji P. Henson with coordinating shades of Lipstick and Lipglass ($17 each). I always get excited when I see a new MAC Viva Glam launch. Sometimes the colors aren’t really my cup of tea but I look forward to their new creations and it’s fun to see who they collaborate with to promote their Viva Glam campaigns. For those who love a good classy fuchsia, bright colors or something fun this launch is definitely for you. I gravitate towards more subtle neutrals but the Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson shades include stunning fuchsia raspberry in a lipstick that has a matte shimmer pearl and a matching lipglass that has the prettiest shimmer. Both have really good coverage and pigment. Layering one of the other just intensifies the color. Can we also take a moment to oooh and ahh at the pretty packaging? I think the special-edition colors MAC has launched with colorful shades is so fun. The Shadescents lipsticks included.

Bottom line gorgeous. These aren’t my everyday kind of colors but I still find them really beautiful. If you watch the film online at MAC’s site you’ll see how it looks on darker skin tones – it appears more plum and cool-toned on Taraji (love the mini film!) but it looks absolutely gorgeous on her. You can find the MAC Viva Glam Taraji P Henson shades at all MAC stores and counters now. Online at MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Have you checked these out yet? If not what are your go-to raspberry fuchsia lip shades?

Lipstick and lipglass provided courtesy of MAC for review.

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MAC

MAC Caitlyn Jenner Collection Spring 2017

January 16, 2017

This spring MAC partnered with Caitlyn Jenner for a second beauty collaboration featuring some lovely color creations that are easy to wear for everyday. The collection has a mix of new limited-edition shades and classic repromoted colors. I have some press samples and purchased items to feature for you. Overall I think the collection is worth a look as there are some great colors that are very wearable. Nude lip lovers will rejoice as there’s a new nude neutral lipstick called Rockit! that is simply stunning. Items I have swatched for you today include:

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($33) in Compassion (c/o)
Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow ($16) in Glowing Gold (c/o)
Cremesheen Lipstick in Rockit!
Cremesheen Glass ($21) in Kindness (c/o), Beautifully Bare and Tolerance
Lip Pencil ($17.50) in Soar (c/o)

Up first includes the Glowing Gold Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow and Compassion Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. Both are rich in pigment with a smooth easy to blend texture. Glowing Gold is a stunning shimmery warm yellow gold. The color is just gorgeous. Compassion is described as a cool brown but on me it pulls more neutral warm. Right now I’m a bit too light to pull this one off (I would say I’m in between MAC NC25 and NC30 for the Studio Fix Fluid, colors swatched here) but I think they would look amazing on those darker than me. I can use these with a light hand blended and layered with other shades but alone Compassion is a bit too deep for my complexion right now. The quality, pigment and texture for both the shadow and MSF these are excellent.

For the lips, Soar Lip Pencil has been repromoted with special-edition packaging. It’s a deep rose which I find to be a classic kind of color. For lipsticks I bought RockIt! Cremesheen Lipstick as it looked like the perfect neutral nude rose and it is. I have too many neutrals for lips to count but this one is one of the best ones I think MAC has released. Even though there is a high chance that I could dupe it, I think it’s just perfect. It doesn’t wash me out, has full smooth creamy coverage and a natural sheen.

I swatched a few comparisons for reference:

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shanghai Spice
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Bradley (on lips here)
MAC Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy (on lips here and here)
MAC Liptensity in Smoked Almond and Doe (on lips in this post)
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Touch
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Hug Me

Soar Lipliner comparisons:

For the Cremesheen Glass, there are three options. Kindness is a shimmering gold but on the lips it’s pretty much clear. It has a smooth cushiony texture that gives the lips a pretty sheen, but if you have sheer glosses or balms I would say you could skip this one. Beautifully Bare is a neutral nude pink. It’s semi-sheer and has a creamy finish. On the lips my natural lip shows underneath just the slightest bit, but it still looks good and for me it’s not a deal breaker. Tolerance is a shimmery soft plum I find to be on the sheerer side. It gives the lips a healthy plum glow. I would have liked this one to be more opaque or in lipstick form because the color is SO PERFECT in the tube. I do like the way it looks even though it’s semi-sheer. All three are easy to wear everyday for a natural but polished look. I’ve swatched comparisons in case you have a lot of MAC and want to shop your stash. I have no regrets buying the nude and plum ones.

Comparison swatches to:

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 (on the lips here)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Kristen, Vintage (here), Liquid Lipstick Crush
MAC Vamplify Tuned In and Anything But Demure
NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Bound (review here)
MAC Lipglass in Lovechild (on lips here)

Swatches of my MAC Caitlyn Jenner Lip picks, all on bare lips, foundation worn is NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Groenland:

For those who crave more color there are two bright reds for lipsticks in Understanding and Authentic Red. In addition there are two bold eyeshadows in Malibu Bronze and Worthy. I was seriously tempted to order the other eyeshadows as they look perfect to add some color and depth to the eyes but still neutral enough to wear. I resisted though as it’s only the middle of January and new beauty launches are just getting started.

You can find the MAC x Caitlyn Jenner Collection online at maccosmetics.com or at MAC stores. Have you checked anything out yet? What did you think?

Press samples include Glowing Gold, Compassion MSF Natural, Kindness Cremesheen Glass and Soar Lip Pencil. Other items purchased by me.

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Fragrance Lips MAC

MAC Shadescents Review and Swatches

January 5, 2017

Over the holiday season MAC launched a Shadescents Collection with six perfumes inspired by six of their most iconic lip colors. They re-launched the lipsticks with special limited-edition packaging in tinted caps to match the lipsticks themselves along with color-coordinated fragrances. The concept is just genius and as soon as I opened up the package I just couldn’t wait to see what Crème d’ Nude or Velvet Teddy would smell like in perfume form. The scents are all Eau de Parfums and run at $57 each for 50 ml/1.7 fl oz. The Lipsticks are $17 each for 3 g / 0.1 oz with special edition packaging.

The six options include Heroine (purple, matte), Ruby Woo (deep red, retro matte), Lady Danger (bright coral red, matte), Candy Yum-Yum (bright neon pink,matte), Velvet Teddy (neutral nude, matte) and Crème d’Nude (pale beige, cremesheen).

Crème d’Nude Lipstick is one I could never wear alone and still can’t. It’s more of a layering color for me whether I mix it with another deeper lipstick, gloss or liner. The Crème d’Nude Scent is described as an amber velvet musk which I find accurate. This one is my favorite and the only one I can see myself wearing on a regular basis. It’s almost like a daytime version of Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black. The throw is extremely strong and lasts all day from morning to late afternoon without fading.

Velvet Teddy is a classic nude lip color. I was interested to see what it would smell like in perfume form. The scent is described as oriental amber with wild honey and creamy musk. This is definitely a sweet honey like scent with a bit of spice. If you like honey scents this will be right up your alley. The spice notes are prominent giving it a velvety feel. On my skin it pulls very strong and very rich. This is my second favorite.

Candy Yum-Yum is a neon pink in color, bright and vibrant. The scent is extremely sweet described as fruity floral gourmand with pink guava. It’s distinctly sweet and when I spritzed it I was 100% sure I would not be able to wear it. Surprisingly on my skin it works for a fun and pretty scent. I still don’t think it’s really my cup of tea due to the sweetness but the times I wore it I was pleasantly surprised.

Lady Danger is a bright coral red. The scent is described as a woody oriental floral with patchouli. It’s very spicy and masculine with a strong incense kind of vibe. It’s too dramatic and rich for my taste. The scent is definitely a head-turner as described.

Ruby Woo is described as a woody floral. This has leather notes that makes it even deeper and more dramatic than Lady Danger. It’s rich, dark and deep – not something I would wear although I do think it could make an interesting home scent in candle form.

Left is Ruby Woo (darker shade), right is Lady Danger:

Lady Danger Lipstick worn below on a full look, foundation shade worn is Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 which is just the slighted bit too dark on my skin as it pulls really olive but many of you have asked to see my MAC shade on my face. On the cheeks is Global Glow Mineralize Skinfinish, on the eyes is Honeylust Eyeshadow. You can see swatches and comparisons of NC25, 30, 35 and 37 to other foundation brands for reference in this Tom Ford Face Collection post here:

Heroine is a purple cream lipstick. It’s not one I had ever looked at before as it’s more dramatic and purples really aren’t my thing. The scent is described as woody leather with a primal feel. It’s the most masculine scent out of the lineup, definitely not something I would wear. Although after spritzing it in our house as a room spray in a small area the dry down is interesting and actually pleasant.

Overall a really interesting concept. I do think the creators of this collection managed to capture the lipstick in a scent that made sense. Scents are so personal and everyone has different tastes so I do not think these will be everyone’s cup of tea. My favorite is Crème d’Nude but my husband is not a fan of it on me. If you’re near a MAC Store I’d recommend you definitely give these a look. They’re worth checking out and it’s always fun to play at the freestanding stores. If anything I love the special edition packaging of the lip colors – I’m tempted to buy another Velvet Teddy although I will probably resist because the lipsticks usually last a very long time. The color-coordinated caps and black base are so sleek and pretty!

The collection is available at MAC Cosmetics. Have you checked it out yet? What did you think?

Many thanks to MAC for sending these for review!

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Highlighters MAC

MAC In the Spotlight Strobe Creams and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes

November 19, 2016

MAC recently launched new Strobe Creams ($33 each) and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes ($33 each) in their In The Spotlight Collection. I’ve been such a huge fan of the original Strobe Cream (now called Pinklite) and the scent is something that calms me. It has a soft opalescent pink tint to it that I find suitable to use all over the face over moisturizer and under foundation to give the skin a smooth natural glow. MAC describes it as a moisturizer and it does hydrate the skin although I find I still need to use my regular moisturizer. I’m thrilled they launched more shades as it really does give the skin a nice but subtle brightening effect.

A look at the five new shades which include different undertones in the shimmer:

Silverlite has a cool-toned silver sheen
Goldlite has a warm yellow gold undertone
Peachlite has a soft flesh peach tone
Redlite has a pink red flash
Pinklight is the original with an opal iridescent color

Swatches below straight out of the tube and then blended for you to see how the sheen looks on the skin. Note if you blend all the way it almost disappears into the skin for a very natural non-frosted sheen.

My favorite is Peachlite with Goldlite in close second. I still really like the original one Pinklite, but I’ve forever been searching for highlighters like this with a warm beige or warm peach undertone that I can wear all over the face. The Peachlite color is similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow but I prefer the MAC for all over the face while I prefer the Charlotte Tilbury for mixing into foundations.

Up next are the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes. I love this formula and have collected most of the shades in previous launches. This launch has highlighters that are significantly more strobe like with a duochrome like shimmer. Upon first swipe I was almost 100% sure that these would be too shimmery or sparkly for my skin.

A look at the four colors, my favorites are Show Gold and Double Gleam:

Show Gold looks like it has a gold base but it pulls more pink when swatched
Soft Frost is a cool violet blue white shimmer
Beaming Blush is a pink gold sparkle
Double Gleam is a beige in the pan but pulls more champagne like

As you can see from the Extra Dimension Skinfinish swatches this collection as shades that are more trendy and sparkly. I really like the finish of Double Gleam on the skin, especially as a soft highlight on the cheeks or on the eyes. But I do suspect they will be a bit too sparkly for some.

Overall I love that MAC added new Strobe Cream Shades. I usually apply just with my fingers or palms of my hands but you can also use a cream product brush if you prefer. If you haven’t tried it before I highly recommend you do! For the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes I’ve found the best way to apply is with any skunk brush – the MAC 187 is my favorite because of the size and it also holds up well with regular washing.

You can find the MAC In the Spotlight Collection out now, also online at MAC and Nordstrom.

Press samples provided for Strobe Cream and two Extra Dimension Skinfinishes. Beaming Blush and Double Gleam purchased by me.

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MAC

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection, Brush Kits, Mini Kits, Bag Sets and Palettes for Holiday 2016

October 26, 2016

This year MAC Nutcracker Sweet collection is one of the most whimsical and fun collections for the holiday season. Everything is packaged in this eye-catching bright pink/gold/purple casing which is just so pretty. There are a lot of products in this launch – it’s massive! I have a mix of press samples and purchased items that I’m reviewing today. MAC has pretty much covered everything with this launch so there literally is something for everyone. Items are split into the following categories:

Nutcracker Sweet Collection

Nutcracker Sweet Brush Kits
Nutcracker Sweet Palettes

Nutcracker Sweet Lip and Eye Bags
Nutcracker Sweet Retro Matte and Mineralize Kits
Nutcracker Sweet Mini Kits
Nutcracker Viva Glam Sets

I have a peek at something from five of the categories. Up first is the Nutcracker Sweet Collection consists of individual full-sized items that come in the pink, gold and purple packaging. Most of the items are new/limited-edition colors but there are a few repromotes in eyeliner and pigments. My picks:

Magic Dust Powder in Yum Yum Yum (c/o) is a soft sheer pink that gives the cheeks the prettiest hint of pink, it is on the sheer to medium side and the shimmer is very very fine so on the cheeks it’s more of a satin finish
Magic Dust Powder in Sweet Vision is a more pigmented shimmering peach gold powder
Magic Dust Eyeshadow in Forward March is a soft warm gold shimmer with excellent texture and pigment, it’s smooth and easy to blend
Magic Dust Eyeshadow in Pretty Dainty (c/o) is a warm shimmering pinky peach color, also smooth and medium in pigment but buildable
Eye Kohl in Prunella (c/o) is a repromote, it’s a classic shimmering deep plum
Matte Lipstick in So Good For You (c/o) looks red in the tube but is actually a pink fuchsia, with dark mattes I have a hard time applying evenly straight from the tube so I often need a brush with colors like this, as a matte formula it has a super opaque texture that hugs the lips

Everything performs really well and the quality is on point. I love the Magic Dust powders – they come with the prettiest embossed star patterns and I think both of the colors are very wearable.

Face Compacts are probably my favorite of the item and have sold out online just restocked at MAC. They have a unique hybrid cream/powder texture which is stiffer and harder than a normal powder but they meld in with the skin nicely, don’t emphasize pores and last a long time on the skin. I can’t pick a favorite – they are both really good, but if I had to pick one, the Copper Face Compact is just incredibly beautiful. I use a regular blush brush like MAC 129 to apply.

Peach Face Compact has Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Tutu and Extra Dimension Blush in At Dusk is a light cool champagne shimmer and soft pink shimmer
Copper Face Compact (c/o) has Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt and Extra Dimension Blush in Pleasure Model is a shimmering gold and warm coppery peach

Note these are applied with a very heavy hand in the swatch but they are easy to blend for a softer look. The shimmer blends out to a very soft glow without the garish frost.

MAC Nutcracker Sweet - Peach and Copper Face Compacts

Eye Compacts are mirrored compacts with 9 eyeshadows and a dual-ended brush. I found the names odd as they didn’t really match the color theme of shadows inside. The pigment and colors performed well like individual shadows for the most part with the exception of a few shades in the Warm Eye Compact. Texture in the Warm Palette seemed a bit stiffer and harder in general.

Warm Eye Compact (c/o) left to right includes:
- Filament (lustre) is a pale ivory pigmented lustre
- Whirling is a (lustre) is a pigmented silvery taupe frost
- Era (satin) is usually a great soft matte neutral in the full size, this one is a bit chalky and stiff to apply
- Woodwinked (veluxe pearl) is a medium warm brown shimmer
- Unwind (veluxe pearl) is an olive-gold shimmer
- Lady Fingers (matte) is a matte yellow with medium pigment
- Twelve Chimes (lustre) a sheer stiff taupe grey brown with a bit of shimmer, finish is also sheer unless you apply with a dense brush over a base
- Showstopper (matte) is a matte sheer stiff matte cool brown, pigment is horrible on this one – I had to swatch with a very heavy hand
- Beyond Gorgeous (veluxe pearl) is a stiff sheer black with gold flecks which is odd for a veluxe pearl formula, it’s good when applied with a tiny detail or liner brush, but if you use a larger brush finish is sheer and patchy
Smoky Eye Compact was one I had my eye on so I ordered it online sight unseen, for me this works better for my coloring and also has fewer lustre eyeshadows which I’m not a fan of. The colors inside include:
- Too-dle-oo (frost) is a soft champagne shimmer
- Deception (frost) is a medium cool taupe bronze shimmer
- Sweet Dreams (matte) is a soft latte brown
- Kid (veluxe) is a warm brown matte
- Dewdrop (lustre) is a shimmering peachy pink
- Cake and Biscuits (matte) is a warm brown
- Swiss Chocolate (matte) is a warm matte deep brown
- Dance in the Dark (matte) is a dusty cool matte brown
- Licorice Lane (matte) is a warmer deep brown

In general the Smoky Eye Compact shades performed better than the Warm Eye Compact colors for me. The brushes in both compacts are well made and shaped.

MAC Nutcracker Sweet - Warm and Smoky Eye Compacts

Lip Bags come in several variations. I have the Nude Lip Bag (c/o) which includes all neutrals and they are all just perfect:

Prolongwear Lip Pencil in In Control is a warm pinky brown neutral
Vamplify in Tuned In is a medium pink nude with a hint of shimmer it has full coverage, long lasting power and a very nice shine
Cremesheen Lipstick in Magic Spell is a cool pink neutral with a lovely sheen

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Bag - Magic Spell Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Bag - Vamplify Tuned In

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Bag - Prolongwear Lip Pencil In Control

The Sweet Plum Eye Bag (c/o) has four color-coordinated soft plum colors in a zipped bag, the colors are really pretty for the plums:

Teckhnakohl in Purple Dash is a soft shimmering light plum color
Paint Pot in Stormy Pink is a mauve pink matte – these make great eyeshadow bases
Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Smoky Mauve is a frosted soft mauve color
False Lashes Mascara in False Black is a black mascara, it doesn’t smudge or flake, but for me it doesn’t hold the curl as much as other formulas do

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Plum Eye Bag - The Beauty Look Book

There are a number of mini sets for lips and eyes. I received the Nude Patentpolish Mini Set (c/o). As I already own all but one of the colors I didn’t re-swatch this one to review as it’s going to be re-gifted.

Pleasure’s All Mine (review here)
Revved Up is a shimmering peachy color
It’s Really Me (review here)
French Kiss (on lips here)

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Patentpolish Minis - The Beauty Look Book

Last but not least is the Brush Set in the Basic option (c/o) which includes mini short handled versions of 190SE Foundation Brush, 129SE Powder/Blush Brush, 213SE Fluff Brush, 209SE Eye Liner Brush and 316SE Lip Brush. As I already own a number of short handled brushes I did not test this one out but to the touch, they are soft and cut evenly. This is going to be gifted to a friend.

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Basic Brush Set - The Beauty Look Book

Overall lots of great options for holiday gifting. Everything is covered from lips, cheeks, eyes and brushes. The highlights for me are all the cheek items including the Magic Dust Powders and Face Compact Duos. The Nude Lip Bag falls close behind and even though I already own one of the colors, I think the lipstick is just perfect. Two more items I am ordering for gifts are the Sweet Nude Lipstick Kit and Sweet Nude Lip Gloss Kit as both are $35 each and great little sets.

All the items are limited-edition so I would recommend gathering your list sooner than later and order because a few items have already sold out. You can find the collection in stores this week. Online at MAC, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s.

Did you check out anything yet? What were your picks? If not what’s on your wishlist?

Press samples included with c/o listed next to the names. Other items purchased by me.

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Lips MAC

MAC Liptensity Lipsticks

September 23, 2016

MAC’s latest is the Liptensity Lipstick ($21 each for 3.6 g/0.12 oz) which is an intensely pigmented lipstick with a satin finish. The pigment in these lipsticks is so good they are what I’d consider one-swipe wonders. If you’re like me and love the rich pigment and saturated color of matte lipsticks or liquid lipsticks but hate that dried out matte look, the Liptensity lip colors will give you that full coverage without looking fake or dry. There are 24 shades total, all with a satin finish and no shimmer. The range is quite impressive and they seem to have covered a large number of colors from neutrals, corals, plums, reds, pinks and some bold edgy colors. I lip swatched the ones I could see myself wearing and every single color performs well.Texture is smooth and creamy. They have a full coverage without feeling thick although they aren’t necessarily weightless. There’s no hydrating feel but they did not dry out my lips and feel comfortable once on. Lasting power is among the best I’ve tried and they stay put for a long time without fading as long as you don’t touch your lips.

I split the colors by color group for swatches. All except the last category have also been lip swatched (I just couldn’t bring myself to put on blue lipstick lol). In the photos I’m wearing the Prolongwear Foundation in NC35. (Still testing the formula to see if my skin can handle it.)

Neutrals include:

Driftwood which is a pale mauve nude pink
Doe is a light medium neutral beige brown
Toast & Butter is a medium brown
Medium Rare is a soft creamy pink
Smoked Almond is a medium peachy rose

By request I’ve brought back larger lip swatches but will also have side by sides at the bottom. Not sure that I will keep doing the individual lip swatch photos as they take up the entire page! I also feel self conscious that enlarging the photos allows you to see every imperfection on my skin 🙁

Next up are the reds and oranges. They’re similar with slight variations in undertone:

Lobster is an orange red
Habanero is an orange
Fireworks is a bright red
Life’s Blood is a blue-based red
Mulling Spices is a a deeper red

Next up are the browns and plums. These surprised me the most because they go on the lips different from what you see in the tube. These have a vamp feel.

Dionysus is a plum red
Cordovan is a reddish plum
Double Fudge is an intense brown
Burnt Violet is a deep vamp plum

Up next are the pinks and mauves. Even though I’m a neutral lip lover at heart I really have a soft spot for Claretcast and Marsala.

Gumball is a bubblegum pink
Eros is a cool-toned bright pink
Post Modern is a warm bright pink
Claretcast is a fuchsia mauve
Marsala is a mauve plum

Last but not least are the bold edgy colors. These are shades I could never feel comfortable wearing but arm swatched for reference.

Ambrosial is a vibrant fuchsia plum pink
Galaxy Grey is a grey lilac
Hellebore is a purple
Blue Beat is a navy
Stallion is a deep black

One last roundup and lip swatches side by side:

An impressive lipstick launch. The formula performs well and I love the sleek colorful packaging. The caps match the lipstick color and the lip product is one that fills the entire tube. I love that the tips are beveled which makes application easier than the flat top ones you see from some other brands. Most MAC lipsticks make my lips peel by the next day as they are a bit drying. I lip swatched all the colors in a single day and by the next day my lips were fully in tact without any peeling or dry patches. So while they aren’t necessarily moisturizing I do think they have a non-drying formula. If you have dry lips with patches you might want to consider using the MAC Prep + Prime Lip or Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade as a base first. Both will smooth out the lip without making them too emollient where the lipstick will slide off.

Out of the ones I lip swatched I’m really hard pressed to pick a favorite because they are all good. If I had to narrow down my picks to 5 it would be: Doe, Postmodern, Claretcast, Smoked Almond and Burnt Violet.

Bottom line definitely worth checking out. You can find them now online at MAC and Nordstrom. (I spotted them yesterday at my local Nordstrom counter.) At this time I do believe they are limited-edition.

Have you checked these out yet? What colors did you end up getting if you bought these?

Many thanks to MAC for sending me all the shades to play with!

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