FINALLY! After so many, many months of waiting, surfer girls, we’re going MAC To The Beach! — It’s a warm beach…and we’re walking along the shore, picking up sea shells, pretty pieces of coral, and starfishes like the ones that grace the limited edition packaging.
If I close my eyes and picture the delicious greens and corals in the collection, I feel relaxed and happy; if I listen hard enough and breath deeply, I can almost hear waves breaking and smell the salty air. 🙂
MAC To The Beach crashes onto North American counters May 27, but a handful of US and Canadian MAC stores will be hosting pre-release parties on May 18. To see if there’s a pre-release party in your area, give your local MAC store or counter a quick call.
Wrap it up!
Can I just take a second to marvel at the packaging? We’re talking ’70s, but in the best possible way.
The house I grew up in was built in the ’70s, and I remember some of these same colors (LOL!). Our kitchen walls were the exact same shade of pea green! Our countertops, the fridge, the dishes, and my mom’s treasured Pyrex mixing bowls were also in colors very much like the shades in To The Beach.
Well, they say everything old is new again, and I guess they’re right! 🙂 But coming across these shades in a West Elm or Pottery Barn would have been one thing; seeing them on a cosmetics counter is something else entirely. Way to go, MAC, for always pushing beauty forward, even when you’re looking back. Fusing the ’70s with an ocean theme? I mean, who does that?
MAC To The Beach: Reviews
I hope this look at 17 of the 31 pieces from the collection helps you figure out what to put on your wish list. 🙂
Face and body
MAC To The Beach Cream Bronzer in Weekend ($25): Weekend, a deep orangey brown with pink pearl, is one of two Cream Bronzers in the collection (the second, Beach Bronze, is a golden bronze). The texture reminds me of MAC’s cream blushes — thick, but creamy, and easily blendable.
Weekend may not exude sex in the pan, but that’s because it’s waiting for someone to love. I think the pink pearl really shows through on my NC35 skin. I like it, and I can’t remember seeing another bronzer quite like it before (most have more golden shimmer than pink). If you have a warm skin tone and feel you wear orangey browns well (like MAC Soft Brown Matte or Saddle Eyeshadows), then you might look forward to this Weekend.
MAC To The Beach Cream Bronzer in Weekend
Refined Golden Bronzing Powder ($22): Part of the permanent collection, Refined Golden is one of two bronzing powders in the collection, but MAC dressed it up here in special beach attire. Like Weekend, it’s also warm shade, in this case a buttery orange-toned brown, but I think it’s a little less orange, and has more of a golden shimmer than one a pinkish pearl.
I’ve played with Refined Golden before and think it’s great for contouring. It just looks so natural on the skin, despite how chunky it looks in the pan.
Refined Golden Bronzing Powder
Lustre Drops in Sun Rush ($18.50): The Lustre Drops remind me of Benefit’s liquid highlighters but have a thinner texture and give off a far quieter glow. Sun Rush, a peachy bronze with golden pearl, is one of two Lustre Drops in MAC To The Beach (the other being Pink Rebel, a blue pink with golden pearl). I really like the applicator… It’s thin and pointed, which makes it a cinch to control and cuts down on waste. OOH! I’m gonna try adding this to lotions and foundations and dabbing dots on specific places for a hint of subtle shimmer.
Lustre Drops in Sun Rush
MAC To the Beach Bronze Body Oil ($22): Talk about super pigmented glittery goodness! This is the body oil you’d get in the gift bag at a drag queen convention. WOW! I like how thin the oil is, too, because it doesn’t take much effort to rub in, nor does it feel greasy or heavy on my skin.
MAC To the Beach Bronze Body Oil
Cheeks
Powder Blush in Hipness and Get-Away Bronze ($18.50 each): Both Hipness, (a coral with soft white pearl) and Get Away Bronze (a frosty orangey bronze) have little starfishes on their compacts, aww! Get-Away Bronze has a frosty finish that seems to highlight large pores and imperfections on my skin. I probably won’t use it when my skin’s in less-than-great shape.
Now, Hipness, you may remember from MAC Fafi. It’s another repromote in the collection — a little frosty, but nowhere near as frosty as Get Away Bronze. I think it’s quite sheer and subtle, and consequently more wearable.
From left: Get-Away Bronze, Hipness
Swatches from left: Powder Blush in Hipness, Powder Blush in Get-Away Bronze, MAC To THe Beach Cream Bronzer in Weekend, Lustre Drops in Sun Rush
Eyes
Eyeshadow in Sand & Sun ($14.50): This sheer light peach matte doesn’t advertise itself well on my NC 35 skin. I can hardly see it at all, but I bet it’s really pretty on lighter skin tones.
Eyeshadow in Firecracker ($14.50): Firecracker’s a little bit more pigmented than Sand & Sun. MAC describes it as a reddish orange, but I think it looks straight up shimmery coral to me. I like the way this shimmer glows without screaming, “I’M IN YOUR FACE!”
Eyeshadow in Sweet & Punchy ($14.50): Umm… wow? Sweet & Punchy applies with super intense pigment, frosty shimmer and a soft texture.
Eyeshadow in Humid ($14.50): Another member of Team MAC (the permanent collection), Humid’s an intense, shimmery forest green with the same soft texture Sweet & Punchy has.
From left: Sweet & Punchy, Firecracker, Sand & Sun
Swatches from left: Sand & Sun, Firecracker, Sweet & Punchy, Humid
Eye Kohl in Float on By ($14.50): I think dark green turquoise Float on By is sooo gorgeous. The color shimmers and dances in the light, flashing from blue to green. LOVE THIS!
Eye Kohl in Rosemary & Thyme ($14.50): MAC describes it as a shimmery mid-tone golden olive. It may not pack as much pigment as Float on By, but it sure looks pretty on the skin. I can’t wait to see it paired with MAC Powersurge…
From left: Lip Pencil in Life’s A Breeze, Lip Pencil in Temperature Rising, Eye Khol in Float on By, Eye Kohl in Rosemary & Tyme
Lips
Lipstick in Beachbound ($14): This sheer frosted pale peach looks almost transparent and feels ultra-lightweight. It has “layering color” written all over it, perhaps popped on top of the lip pencils.
Beachbound
Wearing Beachbound
Lipstick in Funbathing ($14): Funbathing ramps up the the lip pigmenation a bit. It’s a mid-tone bronze plum with medium-to-full pigmentation and a slick, smooth texture. I think you get better coverage with this bad boy…and Funbathing? Great name. 🙂
Funbathing
Wearing Funbathing
From left: Lipsticks in Beachbound, Funbathing
Lipglass in Easy Lounger ($14): This light baby pink color with multi-dimensional pearl looks almost clear on my pigmented lips; it’s mostly just shimmer.
Easy Lounger
Wearing Easy Lounger
Lipglass in Easy Lounger
From left: Lipstick in Beachbound, Lipstick in Funbathing, Lipglass in Easy Lounger
Lip Pencil in Temperature Rising Lip Pencil ($13): Hard at first, but once you warm up this bright orange pencil, it feels nice and creamy.
Lip Pencil in Life’s a Breeze ($13): This neutral pink doesn’t as as pigmented to as Temperature Rising, and I really had to build it in layers for the color to show.
Nails
Nail Lacquer in Scorcher ($12): How fun is this? One of two nail lacquers in the collection, Scorcher’s a bright creamy coral red that feels kinda Mad Men to me (I like it a lot!). The first coat applies a little streaky, but two coats delivers nearly perfect opacity.
MAC describes the other polish, In the Buff, as a muted avocado, but to me it looks a little bit baby poo…
MAC To the Beach Bronzing Oil, Nail Lacquer in Scorcher
Your thoughts?
I dig that MAC went To The Beach this year. They took chances again on the packaging, and the greens, corals and pinks are definitely getting me in the mood for the summer. I still need to play with the shades to see how they work together, but so far the color story seems to make sense.
For more on MAC To The Beach…
What do you think? Shall we go MAC To The Beach?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Funbathing looks beautiful on you! Perfect dark summer color. :]
Wow, they look like so much fun! And the nail polish color seems amazing!
kiss
.-= diane’s last blog post… Pink and purple. The ultimate obsession =-.
Loved this line: “This is the body oil you’d get in the gift bag at a drag queen convention.” Haha!
But seriously, have you ever watched “RuPaul’s Drag Race”? Those ladies know their makeup! Their contouring skills are envy-inducing!
Thank you for the swatches :). I definitely want Hipness from this collection. Just had to have something b/c of the packaging, LOL.
Would the Temperature Rising l/p be too loud when you wear it on your lips? I’m of NC42-44 with very pigmented lips so lip swatches are usually the trickiest thing for me to figure out!
Also, does the eye khol has good staying power? I don’t want the prettiness of Float on By going all over my lower lid!
.-= astrid’s last blog post… Persistence, Writing, and Sports =-.
Thank you so much for the swatches! Your posts always makes me want to just go shopping right now and try the products for myself 😀 I am really loving those lutre drops though and am planning to purchase it as soon as it comes out, hopefully before it runs out! and that Eye Kohl in Float on By… wow 🙂 its super pretty! Reminds me of a mermaidish colour! 😀 Cant wait till this collection comes out officially so i can go get me some of these! thanks! 😀
.-= Agnes’s last blog post… DIY Jewelry (Necklace) Holder =-.
Hipness blush for me! I missed it with Fafi and didn’t have the chance to get my paws on it yet.
Sweet and punch and the kohl in Float on by complete my colourful look 🙂
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte =-.
That cream bronzer has me curious! I’ll have to check them out in person to see which one I like better. Weekend sounds divine though. 🙂
.-= Arianne’s last blog post… My Mineral Makeup Encounters with Annabelle. =-.
IThanks for the swatches. ‘m not really a MAC fan but I’m digging this collection. The eyeshadows and pencils look so colorful and fun! I’m also intrigued by the cream bronze. And the packaging is so pretty too!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Interview with Brittany from Clumps of Mascara =-.
‘Weekend may not exude sex in the pan, but that’s because it’s waiting for someone to love.’ – Karen, how brilliant are You?! (Very). 🙂
I’m thinking Sand and Sun might be just the non-frosty version of Naked Lunch I’ve been looking for. Funbathing also looks fab but I think Lazy Day is going to win my heart. I’ve been eyeing (ha!) Rosemary & Thyme but waiting to get it in this packaging. Need to call my local store and find out if they are doing a release party.
i wants the body oil! it looks cool.
So much I want, but just this morning I was feeling guilty for all the makeup I have and never wear. hmmmm, logic or impulse?? what to do?
Yes, yes, yes Karen, let us go to the beach! I love the packaging on this collection – its a bit cheesy but still so lovely. Plus all shades of green is my fave color too!
I have Humid, and I adore it and when I saw Firecracker and Sand & Sun – I immediately envisioned it going so well with Humid. I do have similar shades to those 2 in my stash but I think they are unique enough to be wanted.
I also want the Lustre Drops (hello glow!) and the blush in Hipness, and maybe the lippie in Funbathing. Oh my goodness – this collection is going to make me poor!
I can’t wait to see the other 2 lipglasses and the light pink lipstick swatch. I also want the pink lipliner — so cute!! I grew up in Florida — so I love the beach!! This collection calls my name!
The packaging is so adorable that I want to need it all, but I think I am on summer makeup overload. I might give Funbathing a second look — it looks super on you! Also, *sigh* to all these gorgeous teals that keep coming out. I love them but darnit, I just don’t think I can wear them.
I have been saving up for this collection. I hope BeachBound looks good on me cause I want it! I also want one of the eye kohls 🙂
hey karen could you do a swatch on your nails of the nail polish? i dont usually go for coral but im not sure, this looks gorge…..
I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed them all lol 🙂
this collection looks SOOOO good! i really want to get just about everything! i am a sucker for packaging lol!
Ok, so Hipness, Sweet and Punchy and Rosemary and Thyme are taking me to a happy place!
GORGEOUS!!! Love them ALL!! 🙂
Okay I already pre-ordered at Nordstrom last night. I only got the highlighting powder and Float on By pencil. Now I want that nail polish and Funbathing lipstick, despite the fact that MAC lipsticks are just moisture zappers on my lips!
Did you say baby poo? Then I need it! 😀
Love the packaging here it’s so pretty, but not a lot of colors I am dying for that I don’t have already.
.-= Kelly’s last blog post… Bloom Nail Polish Swatches & Review =-.
oooh the pink lipglass. me likey
.-= keegan’s last blog post… Vagazzle my Vajay? =-.
I need to see a lot of those in person, but I think I’m a shoo-in for Sand & Sun and Firecracker shadows! I’m interested in how Hipness compares with Coralista! I’m bummed that Easy Lounger is so sheer though, I really wanted that to be pigmented!
Update: I popped over to my local MAC today and ended up pre-ordering Sand & Sun, both Splashing and Flurry of Fun lipglasses and the 131 brush (the tapered duo-fiber… looks perfect for contouring or highlighting)! Sadly, I was two weeks before launch and the Marine Life highlight powder was ALREADY SOLD OUT! Grrrrrr…… Looking forward to the rest of it though!
Oh, and for the record, Firecracker pulled super orange-red on my pale skin, it was a complete no-go!
I’m in LURVE! It’s scaring me how much I’m attracted to in this collection…and my husband!
Just kidding, he has no clue. That’s the good thing about makeup-it’s very easy to sneak in the house, as apposed to say, shoes!
But seriously? This collection-I die!
.-= Stef’s last blog post… The Magnificent 7: Lip Balms =-.
Your hair is GORGEOUS! How do you do that?!
🙂
And yes, this collection is awesome! I’m most excited about that cream bronzer!
I need to be ‘bronzed goddess’!
.-= Mrs. Schwartz’s last blog post… Debbie Bliss Picot Booties – Booties, Blankets & Bears =-.
Do you think Firecracker e/s would work as a good blush?? haha 🙂
I am in love with Sweet & Punchy!! It is the perfect chartreuse and will POP on my pale face. I have always been drawn to this not-so-popular color and can’t wait til it hits stores.
I love the avocado green packaging. It reminds me of the old dishwasher in my old house. The house was over 80 years old but had several other owners before my family moved in. It went through several renovations and decoration trends through various eras from previous owners but I just love the avocado green dishwasher. It was oh so retro!
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Chanel Birds of Paradise Les Ombres À Paupières Quatuor Sheer and Natural Yellow, Green and Orange with MAC Pearlglide Intense Liner Black Line =-.
Great post, I can’t get enough of this collection. Can’t wait till May 27th!
.-= Ashwini’s last blog post… Olay Regenerist Makeup Wipes: A review =-.
this is out in the uk! it came out in my local mac today, i really wanted the seahorse highlighter but when i got there it was sold out! *sigh* i can’t really justify it though after having bought shell beauty powder and soft and gentle msf recently.. bought Hipness blush and lazy day lipstick. love the eye make up and bronzers in this collection but they are purchases that i couldn’t justify! i love the packaging for the collection 🙂
Thanks for the great swatches and mini reviews! I really want the two eye kohls – they look amazing!
Can I just say that this was serisously like watching makeup porn lol. After I got to the end of the post I realized I was hunched over with my face very close to the screen staring at every detail in awe with my mouth wide open. lol. ANYWAY…lol. I’m pretty excited for this collection and I’m beginning to get impatient. I’ve seriously called my local MAC store twice to confirm my pre-order and “double check” if they were or were not having the pre-release party (sadly they are not). *sigh* So instead I sit here and wait. lol. Thank you for these pics though! They’ve helped me narrow down what I want to get =)
.-= Jackie’s last blog post… NOTD: Essie Lapis of Luxury =-.
I was able to swatch some of the colors at my local Nordstroms. The collection is available for pre-order. So of course I scooped up the seahorse powder 🙂 The orangey lipglass is amazing! The sparkles are different colors almost. *drool*
.-= Rowan’s last blog post… NYX Sale =-.
Awww, if only the lipglass was more pigmented…it looked so pretty in the tube! 🙁
Totally digging the Funbathing. I am now binging on Coach bags so I might have to rein in on the MAC a little bit, but Funbathing I have to have.
Well, I have already gone to my MAC counter and told them to put aside the lustre drops in Pink Rebel, the Marine Life (seahorse) compact, and the Float on By eyeliner. After seeing the lipsticks and lipglass, I might have to add that to my list, as well as Hipness blush. So many cute things, so little money! LOL!
Thanks for sharing!
It’s funny, I was really, super craving this collection. But, now after seeing everything, it looks like the only things I want are the Marine Life compact and the Pink Rebel lustre drops. And, even then, I may skip the lustre drops. LOVE the packaging though, it really is very cute.
Great, the more swatches I see, the more I’m doubting the Marine Life compact. It’s SO CUTE though! Terrible fickleness.
My parents house had the same colors. They were called “harvest” shades. The oven, fridge, and even wallpaper was the same yellow, green, orange, and brown. I like Marine Life, Sweet & Punchy, and the lipliners.
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Lips like glass- Urban Decay =-.
Hi Karen,
First off, I’m new to your blog and completely in love with your ways. 1- you’re gorgeous and 2- we have a similar way of applying makeup and a similar way of choosing colors more flattering to our skin tone. I loved many of the new mac items you showcased. I am actually going to run out and get the hipness blush and the float on by and rosemary and thyme eye kohls. Good looking out!
Mel:)