What struck me first was the packaging. The black against the gold. It pulled me in like a tractor beam. Classic and edgy at the same time, a la Blade Runner, which is a style I aspire to achieve, on occasion.
The black cases are different than usual for MAC and have this rubbery texture, so they’re kind of NARS-y, and that coupled with the makeup — the nude eyes, cheeks and bright red lips — add up to a recipe for instant makeup lust.
There are definitely things here I’ll wear, and actually, a lot of them are pieces I already wear. The new quad has two of my long-time favorite MAC eyeshadows, Sable and All That Glitters, and the Cream Colour Base is a re-promoted shade called Hush, which I absolutely love.
A couple of the lipsticks also look like classic MAC shades I wear all the time, like True Red, which looks a little like Lady Danger but has an Amplified finish instead of a Matte, so it has that shine. And Ruby is kind of like Russian Red, but with the Amplified finish instead of the Matte.
So, I don’t really think the release shatters new ground. The edgiest pieces here are probably the Lipglasses, which are these sort of weird metallic colors like Gold Mirror, a neutral gold, and Mirror, a neutral silver, both of which, I think, seem very indicative of Pedro’s sometimes sci-fi style, from what I’ve seen of his work.
I tell you what, though — if I were a robot, I’d be all over those Lipglasses in two ticks of an animatronic heartbeat, beep-beep!
I was so stoked about the Corol Blush Duo before seeing it in person. It’s the big compact with the black matte packaging and Pedro’s name across the front. But then I tried it on, and it really wasn’t working for me. The powder’s extremely hard and difficult to pick up with a brush or finger. When I did these swatches, I actually had to chip away at the powder with a fingernail to free up some product.
But other than the Duo, I like the collection. I think there’s something cooly futuristic and classic about it at the same time, like something you’d see in a sci-fi movie starring Milla Jovovich as the main character, and her eyes would be shining with the sparkling nude and bronze and rosy tones.
I can see it now… She’s walking down a dusty, decaying urban alley between tall, grimy buildings holding an oversized plasma gun. Her cheeks are highlighted and glowing, and her lips are bright red. 🙂
Beautiful and accessible, with an edge — that’s how I see this collection. If you have a friend you’ve wanted to convert into a MAC fan, this is the collection where you hold her hand and guide her into the light.
Let me know what you think.
Available online May 29 at maccosmetics.com, at select North American MAC locations June 5, 2014 through July 3, 2014, and internationally at select MAC locations in June.
The MAC Pedro Lourenco collection includes….
- Nude Quad, which includes Pink Sands (a matte light fleshy peach), All That Glitters (a veluxe pearl frosty champagne with golden pearl), Sable (a frosty cool bronze) and Rose Cloud (a matte soft golden beige), $44
- Amplified Lipstick in Peach Beige, a light pinkish nude, $17.50
- Amplified Lipstick in Ruby, a mid-tone blueish red, $17.50
- Amplified Lipstick in Roxo, a deep red, $17.50
- Amplified Lipstick in True Red, a vivid bright coral, $17.50
- Lipglass in Gold Mirror, a neutral gold, $16.50
- Lipglass in Mirror, a neutral silver, $16.50
- Cream Colour Base in Hush, a frosty soft peach with icy shimmer, $22
- Powder Blush Duo in Corol, a light coral pink and a mid-tone neutral plum, $26
- Nail Lacquer in Skin, a creamy light peach beige, $17.50
- Nail Lacquer in Flaming Rose, a creamy true red, $17.50
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I think I need those reds, all of them. So gorgeous! Can’t wait for them to come out.
Karen, did you get the lip swatches for Ruby and Roxo mixed up? I thought Ruby was the brighter red while Roxo was the deeper red… I could be mistaken of course!
Just fixed it. Thanks for letting me know!
MAC is gonna drain my wallet!! Ruby and True Red are so pretty. The Nude quad is pretty as well but I think they may be a little light for me… Everything looks wonderful on you, Karen!
I love the makeup look! The lipsticks look so classy! The best seriously “out there” packaging MAC has done in a long time!
Blade Runner is my fav SF movie 🙂 I love this collection, it’s so classy. But I fear it won’t be available here so I will have to call a ” select store “, what a pity MAC won’t launch such great collections at my local MAC store !
true red looks good on you
Ruby & True Blood are calling my name. What calls out to me is the finish. I can’t deal with the matte finishes of MAC lippies but the fact that these resemble some of the permanent shades I’ve been wanting to try, like Lady Danger & Russian Red, really gets my attention 🙂
So many launches one right after another from MAC, it’s hard to keep up! Although I don’t need it, I really like the nude quad! And I love the packaging. Just beautiful
I like the lip glasses. I think they would be pretty layered over lipsticks or on their own.Pretty look you did with the shadows but probably too light for me.
Hi Denise! I plan to try a few Lipglass/lipstick experiments. Maybe the gold on top of one of the reds?
Anywho, how has your Weds going?
Oh my.. Everything looks gorgeous! I especially like how the quad, the lipglasses, and Ruby lisptick looks.
I love the look you came up with! I’ve been hauling a lot of reds lately and I think I want these too! I just got my hands on Lady Danger a few weeks ago so I know I don’t need True Red but I want it anyway! Ruby looks like a really hot shade of red so I know I want that too. I don’t wear gloss too often but Gold Mirror is looking mighty nice too!
You could layer it on top of Lady Danger. I bet that would be super pretty.
Are the two lipglasses labeled in reverse?
I think I will be “needing” the gold one…ZOMG
Hi R,
Just fixed it. Thank you for letting me know! 🙂 And if you do get the gold shade send me a pic of you wearing it! Would love to see it on ya!
I like the Nude quad.
Me too! 🙂
The packaging is so beautiful. I would definitely get the quad and the blush for the packaging alone. Great pictures and review as always.
Thank you, Eva! I hope you like the quad. Sable and All That Glitters are great neutrals to have around. Do you ever wear Teddy Eye Kohl? They work with that shade wonderfully!
I love the True Red! Warm, coraly reds are my favorite reds! Granted, I almost never wear red, but I love them.
I’m really wanting the quad…are the eyeshadows in it the same quality as the regular MAC ones? I’ve been wanting to start getting some eyeshadows and figured I’d start with this one since I love the colors!
Hi Shana,
Yes, Sable and All That Glitters are just as soft and easy to blend as the regular MAC shadows. The other two in the quad are lovely too.
The lipstick packaging is absolutely stunning and I really like the look of gold mirror!
love this new look to the packaging.. gold looks fab with velvety black touch.. 😉 …
True red is my pick here.. <3
This packaging is absolutely gorgeous. It’s so classy. I need the quad and lipstick. Red isn’t something I feel like I’d reach for much, but they are pretty. It’s a shame the blush is crud. It looks so pretty in the compact.
I’m impressed, a MAC collection that has actually caught my eye and has some pieces I’m seriously considering buying!
The lipsticks look beautiful, although the shades aren’t exactly new or unique. Also, the packaging looks really classy and luxurious. But as for the blush…why does MAC release blushes that aren’t that pigmented and that you have to scrape at to get any color pay-off? They can be so hit-and-miss sometimes with certain products they release…Instead of coming up with something great to match the packaging, they release products that are average at best sometimes.
Oh my! MAC’s got me chasing after all these collections! >.<
Also Karen, the caption under the 'Nude Quad' picture says that the price of the quad is $17.50, did you mean to state $44 as mentioned in the description underneath?
Thanks for your reviews and posts! They're super helpful!! 🙂
This collection is great for you (for the exception of the light color lips); Everything else look absolutely fabulous!
Since I have downsized my Osbournes list (thanks to your review) I will get some of these.
I love the quad so I am definitely getting that. I have neutral palettes already but none are quite as neutral and easy to wear as these shades look. I also like the shade ruby but I don’t wear reds often enough to make it worthwhile. It’s a shame the blush fell short because I really liked the look of it…oh well saves me money! 🙂
The lipglosses are so cool! The rest is very dupable though!
You could sell me absolutely anything with the phrase “Blade Runner” (which makes me wonder why I don’t have the NARS Blade Runner duo yet). My favorite is Roxo–I’ve been loving the idea of deep red lips for summer.
This may be a dumb question, but who is Pedro?
Hey Karen,
So excited for this collection, especially for the eyeshadow quad! But a question- do the eyeshadows pop out of the little palette! Thanks so much!
Hi, Karen
I absolutely love your blog! I mean I am on here just about everyday! I am also subscribed to your youtube! I think this collection is far better that Alluring Aquatic, I just feel like MAC put all there effort into the packaging and little into the products. I will most definately get some items from this collection though…it’s gorgeous!
Hi Nikia,
Thank you for this nice comment!
Which items from this collection are you thinking about getting?
The Nude Quad reminds me of Urban Decay’s Naked 3. What do you think, Karen? Also, these gold lipglasses make me long for the long discontinued MAC Gold Charm. Do you think any of these new ones (this gold one and Pussywillow) are dupes? It was my favorite!
hmmmm…. Roxo….
Love your posts and how the make up looks on complexion like mine. It makes it so much easier to identify products that will work!!
In the Pedro Lourenco MAC eyeshadow quad what will be a good substitute for Pink Sands (a matte light fleshy peach)and Rose Cloud (a matte soft golden beige)out of MAC permanent colors. I already have sable and all that glitters and although packaging is nice wouldnt want to overspend.
Thanks,
BGE
Hi!!! Is it similar to the Naked Palette?
It’s closest to the newest one, Naked 3. 🙂
Hi Karen, may i ask what foundation/base products you are wearing in these photos- your skin looks incredible!
Hi! I’m from Brasil and i love your blog! I so happy because this is the first brazilian collection from mac! I already bought the nude lipstick and the silver lipglass after check here! Hope that works for me =) (sorry if my write looks strange…i never leave a comment in english)