MAC Unsung Heroes: Sublime Nature Paint - Makeup and Beauty Blog

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Sublime Nature Paint

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mac sublime nature paint

I have a big crush on beige…

…MAC beige eyeshadows like Brule, Shroom, Bare Study, Soft Ochre and Sweet Satisfaction.

It’s a crush that borders on an obsession, coupled with symptoms of hoarding, LOL!

And I don’t expect to be breaking up with beige anytime soon, not with products like MAC Paint in Sublime Nature out there to tempt me.

More workhorse than thoroughbred, this mid-toned beige cream eyeshadow ($18.50) might not have the flash or pizzaz of a bright teal or purple, but given have the chance, it can do great things for your lids. 🙂

Before there were MAC Paint Pots, there were MAC Paints. Yup, they’re old school. Picture a Paint Pot in a tube, and you’ve got something like a MAC Paint, except softer and fluffier, which I think makes them easier to spread on lids. Coming in a tube makes them ideal for travel, and I’ve always liked how lightweight they feel (lighter than a Paint Pot, I think). For fast, easy eye looks, I usually apply them with fingers.

Sublime Nature is like a perfect pair of boots that goes with almost everything. Sometimes I’ll layer it beneath brights to crank up their intensity (try it with MAC Club sometime!), or wear it with neutrals when I want to look professional.

Lately, I’ve been wearing it as a base with MAC Sable Eyeshadow layered on my lids and MAC Prunella eyeliner on my lash and water lines. Simple, refined and easy. Yes, yes, yes.

mac sublime nature paint
I know it looks small in its tube, but a little goes a long way!

mac sublime nature paint and bare canvas swatches
Sublime Nature Paint on the left and Bare Canvas Paint Pot on the right

If fine lines worry you, Sublime Nature packs peace of mind. MAC spiked it with very soft pearl shimmer that bestows a whisper of shine — more of a soft candlelit glow than a full-on frost — and I think it really flatters mature skin.

No DSW for me today…

I didn’t make it out there after work. I was about to go, but I also wanted to sneak in a run, and I didn’t have time for both. I had enough time for either a run on the treadmill or a DSW run…and this time the treadmill won.

I know! I can hardly believe it myself. 🙂

I think I needed the endorphins a little more than new boots…

Wait — did I actually write that??

In furrier news, Tabs was unusually nice to me today. He climbed up on my lap for at least three snuggle sessions.

All things considered, after getting off to a rough start, my Monday turned out alright.

I hope yours went well, too.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. BooBooNinja says

    I’m glad you brought my attention to MAC Paints, Karen. I’ve heard of them before, but I thought they were something MAC made in the *past*. Do you still wear a primer under MAC Paints, or do they serve as a coloured primer of sorts? I like the tube packaging — I’ve never purchased a Paint Pot or a Fluid Line because I figured it’d dry out before I got through 1/8th of the product. I wonder why MAC Paints don’t get much love in the blogosphere?

    Reply

    • Karen says

      I usually wear them by themselves without a primer. If your lids are super oily you may want to do a colorless primer beneath it like Urban Decay Primer Potion or NARS Pro Prime.

      These probably don’t get a lot of love mostly because of timing, methinks. The Paint Pots were introduced around 2007, which is when beauty blogging really started to take off. Since the Paint Pots were new, they got a lot of attention. Shortly afterwards MAC started popping them more and more into limited edition collections. I think they keep the Paints around because a lot of people still love ’em. They’re great products and very much hidden gems in the MAC line.

      Reply

      • BooBooNinja says

        Excellent observation about beauty blogging + the timing of MAC Paint Pots. That makes a lot of sense, and makes me all the more thankful you blogged about the Paints. MAC should do a “Paint Box” collection (unless they’ve done one already!) and re-release the Paints + old much-loved colours.

        Do you have any application/blending tips for the Paints? Do they differ much from the Paint Pots in this area?

        …. I just reread your post — I’m also intrigued by “the softer and fluffier” nature of these. Anything that minimizes tugging on my sensitive lids is a pro.

        Reply

        • BooBooNinja says

          ps I approve of going for a run instead of going to DSW.
          I’m going to go for a run in a few minutes.
          After 1 week of sort of getting back on the exercise wagon, I fell off. There’s no time to start again, eh?

          Reply

  2. Beverly Johnson says

    I wish MAC would bring back the MAC Paints….I don’t like the pots as much…too dry….sometimes “newer” does not mean “better”…

    Reply

    • Karen says

      Hi Beverly,

      They still have a handful of shades available. They’re mostly basic colors, though. The darker ones like Artjam has been phased out, boo hoo!

      Reply

  3. Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says

    I like beige too! There’s something about it that’s so simple and instantly brightening on the eyes (at least on my eyes haha)! I’m still looking for a beige cream shadow, and I’ll definitely look into the MAC ones you’ve talked about 🙂

    Reply

  4. Nina says

    My boy Linus has been on an anti social streak lately. Hes being all emo. LOL has a cold. All is not too well in our kitty world.

    I dont own paints. I must correct that error STAT!

    Reply

    • Karen says

      Hmm, maybe they sense the change in weather. I know Tabs acts like a NUT when the seasons start changing.

      The Paints are super, super cool. Check out Bamboom next time you’re at the counter, too. It’s also an excellent base color.

      Reply

      • Nina says

        I def will check the paints out.

        I really am thinking that its a weather thing. Hes also very outraged that Mr Bean (our outdoor boy) has taken to bringing his little boy (or girl) kitty w/ him when he eats. We have dubbed our new outdoor kitty Bandit. Father and son/daughter have a black mask on their eye area).

        Reply

  5. Ruchita says

    I really enjoy your MAC Unsung Heroes series! As a MAC newbie, I’ve got a whole list of things I want to ry.

    As much as I love DSW, I would say that kitty cuddles take precedence. 🙂

    Reply

    • Karen says

      Thanks, Ruchita. 🙂 Glad that this series is helpful for you!

      Speaking of kitty cuddles…I haven’t gotten any this morning, boo hoo. I must’ve done something wrong, because Tabs has been ignoring me all morning. You know cats. One minute you’re in, the next, you’re out.

      Reply

  8. Suzi says

    I love this product! I use this as a base when I really need my shadow to last all day. It seems to make Mac shadows last better on my lids than paint pots.

    Reply

    • Karen says

      Hi Suzi,

      It’s good to meet another MAC Paint fan. 🙂 Are there any other Paint shades that you love? I can’t live without Bamboom.

      I also have a handful of old school colors (I think they’re from 2006 or 2007) that I’m not ready to let go of ’em: Artjam, Bare Canvas, Magrittes and Shimma.

      Reply

  10. Suzi says

    Hi Karen! I always overlooked these until my favorite Mac artist told me to try it out. I only have sublime nature, but definitely want to try a few more out! The Mac unsung hero posts are my favorite! I recently purchased sunbasque and blush baby because of your posts and absolutely love them!

    Reply

  11. Tricia says

    I stil have a half-tube of Bare Canvas left. I used it yesterday as a matter of fact. It was my primer before I knew what I eye primer was LOL. I’ll try Sublime next!

    Reply

  12. Bristol says

    I concur! Sublime Nature is my go-to eye shadow. Perfect for pairing with a little brown eye liner and a bold red lip. In fact I love all the paints!

    Reply

  13. Becca @ The Beauty Sample says

    I’ve never tried these or even looked twice at them really–for some reason they didn’t interest me. But I LOVE how Sublime Nature looks! It’s very subtle but still dark enough to add the perfect amount of definition–like a natural shadow would look on your eyes. NEED to check this out!

    Reply

  14. Amy says

    Sublime Nature is one of my all time favourite MAC Paints along with Bamboom. In fact, I prefer the MAC Paints over the Paint Pots because it is softer and easier to apply and more pigmented. I wear Sublime Nature and Bamboom alone during weekdays for work and as a primer when I want to wear brighter and more intense looks.

    Reply

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