Wearing MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim on my lips and Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium beneath my eyes
Stealth alert! If you’re currently undercover as a secret spy and/or must avoid leaving your fingerprints behind for classified reasons, you might want to handle the MAC & Marcel Wanders collection with kid gloves.
Literally.
Available now on MAC counters, in stores and also online, the 14-piece release, a partnership with Amsterdam-based industrial designer Marcel Wanders, is a feast for the eyes! — and the makeup, brushes and lone fragrance that comprise the collection, with their sleek, mirrored surfaces and mock chrome packaging (replete with striking angles and curves) would be tough to miss, even from across a crowded MAC store.
Seriously, these pieces could have a career in forensics. They pick up fingerprints quicker than you can say “Yes, Jason Bourne, you may dye my hair in the sink.” 🙂
Man, I love that scene…
Here’s a look at three of the pieces from the release, the details of which, like how the angular packaging of the Sheer Mystery Powder compact contrasts with the curves on the Lipstick cases, I was able to appreciate more fully once I’d buffed my fingerprints away.
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim, $22.50
With a smooth, non-sticky texture that feels less like a Lipglass and more like a Plushglass to me (but without the telltale tingling), Kim surprised me.
Before I tried it on, I was sure this shimmery plum would be too cool and dark for my warm NC42 skin, but I was wrong. I think it’s neutral enough for most gals to wear, and I like the way it brightens my face.
I also dig the faint vanilla flavor and scent, and the brush-tip applicator feels good against my lips. As for wear time, I get about two hours, which isn’t bad for a non-sticky gloss. That said, the $22.50 price tag still seems a little high.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
MAC & Marcel Wanders Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium, $60
I remember paying $45 for a Sheer Mystery Powder for Holiday 2006 and feeling like it killed me a little at the time, but compared to this, with its special edition $60 packaging, that was a steal!
For me, Light Medium is a touch too pale to wear all over, but I do like dusting it beneath my eyes to set my concealer and to brighten the center of my face.
Even though it’s mad pricey, the Sheer Mystery Powders are still among my MAC faves. Their silky texture always looks and feels lightweight, and their sheer coverage never lets me down. Plus, you get an extra refill pan.
The compact is a mighty magnet for fingerprints, though, and the price sure seems high. $60.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick in Annelie, $22.50
At first I was like, “Eh,” when I swatched this peachy beige on my arm. It just seemed so pale, frosty and difficult to wear, but I changed my tune when I saw it on my lips. Maybe it’s the rich peach tones, but something mellows out the frostiness and keep things from looking too harsh.
I really like how Annelie layers with other peachy pink lip products. Lately, for an easygoing neutral lip, I’ve been wearing it with Subculture liner and a dab of Evolution Revolution on top.
Beautiful color, but the fingerprint-attracting packaging remains a minor sticking point for me. $22.50. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick in Annelie, $22.50
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick in Annelie layered with MAC Subculture and MAC Evolution Revolution
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim, $22.50
Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium, $60
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim, $22.50
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick in Annelie, $22.50
Swatches from the left: Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium, MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim and MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick in Annelie
Speaking of spies…
Bond or Bourne?
Jason gets my vote. I like that he’s rougher around the edges. Plus, for some reason, I can see him really liking cats.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh, everything looks so sleek and luxurious!
You’re telling me you can’t see Daniel Craig’s Bond in a bathrobe with a split lip sitting on the couch with his cat?
Maybe with a Jack Russell Terrier…
That mental image defenitely made my night.
He’s a total cat person in Girl With The Dragon Tattoo!
I noticed that you said this collection is available at MAC counters and stores, but I called my Macy’s MAC counter and the SA told me that it’s only available in the MAC stores and maccosmetics.com. =(
According to official MAC PR it’s at all MAC locations in North America. 🙂
Its available @ Nordstrom
I love the packaging of the powder, the price is a turn off…
And I agree, Bourne > Bond. Bourne is fluent in many languages, can think quickly, and just knows how to kick some ass!
Yeah… and Bourne can do hair!
Another excellent reason to love him!
That lip gloss looks super pretty on you.
And yeah, that’s the downside to super glossy packaging. Fingerprints everywhere!
I have a confession to make. Im OCD About packaging, and even though the packaging is beautiful, I doubt anything can be so appealing with a bunch of fingerprints on it!! And + I bought the sheer mystery powder when it came with a refil so I didn’t consider it that expensive, but 60$ for 1??! Anyway end of rant and I hope you and Tabs are having a fantastic week!! Love from Cat and April
Online they list this as coming with a refill as well. I had to check before I went on a tirade about $60 for a Mac powder, lol
Oh thank god! I don’t think anyone in their right mind would justify paying 60$ on
a MAC product
It really bugs me that Mac ups the prices so much, just for different packaging, and it’s not like its any special material, it just looks like it. The packaging, at least on the lipstick or gloss, isn’t unique enough for me to justify paying more.
I think it’s a stubborn, cheap Greek thing, but stuf like this bugs me…
Hey MAC, you start packaging collections in gold or silver or some other cool material, or really pushing creative boundaries, then maybe I’ll accept a price jump. Until then, I ain’t buyin it (pun intended, hehe)
OOOOK, this is really not for me then. I freak out a little when I see fingerprints. Even though I think the packaging is way cool, the fact that it’s a fingerprint magnet really puts me off 🙁
I love how you work with Annelie! Now THAT’S a way of making a frosty nude work!
Bond all the way. Might have something to do with the fact that Bourne and my brother could be twins.. And the accent ofc 😀
the anelie lippie is so perfect for you!
Bourne all the way for me!
you know how OCD i am — i dont even like it when the packaging gets gummy … this might not be for me. 🙂
Wow, Marcel Wanders is one of my fav designers. I couldn’t afford his chairs, but I could spare for the lipglosses LOL. If only there are available in my country.
I’d really like to try the mystery powder!
The mystery powder is intriguing though it wouldn’t be a very sensible buy for my NC 40 skin. Love the gloss on u and lipstick looks great paired with Subculture and Evolution Revolution!
All spies are secretly cat lovers 🙂
Thank you for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly about Marcel Wanders. I think I’m going to pick up the lipglass. It’s a perfect tone for me.
A question about the compact. What is the weight like? Is is a substantial compact or just lightweight plastic chrome? If it’s the latter, I won’t waste my money.
Thanks again!