MAC Makeup

The MAC Fluidlines Were Great Before, But Now There’s Added Goodness

February 17th, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

mac added goodness (1)

As much as I and use the MAC Fluildine gel liners, I don’t think I’ve ever reached the bottom of one of them — not even my beloved pot of Blacktrack.

“Ultra-smooth, Fluidline’s gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish. Goes on ‘foolproof’ with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof. Lines up in a rich array of colours and finishes.”

–maccosmetics.com

Maybe that’s why I don’t get the urge to squirrel away multiple pots of the Fluidline colors, because each one lasts me so wondrously long.

Ah, but I did feel that urge today for the first time in ages — the urge to stock up on one (or two) spare pots of a new Fluidline — and the dang thing has such a perfect name!

They call it Added Goodness ($15), and for very good reason. MAC introduced this shimmery blackened mauve and two other limited edition Fluidlines, soft black Midnight Snack and blackened brown Wholesome, with the recently released Cook MAC collection.

Hark! — dost thou loins tremble? Don’t worry if they do. 🙂 Some products have that effect on people. I felt joy wash over me the first time I swept Added Goodness on my lids. Then, when I read the words, “coming soon,” on the MAC website, code for “temporarily out of stock,” I felt a tinge of sadness…

But it lifted the instant I spotted Added Goodness over at nordstrom.com.

It’s just such an interesting color (and it even shimmers!), that mix of mauve and black — rich enough for darker skin tones but not so intense that it appears harsh on lighter lasses.

mac added goodness (2)
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MAC Cooked Up Something Special for These Four Tendertone Lip Balms

February 16th, 2012 by Karen 36 Comments

MAC hot n saucy
Wearing MAC Tendertone Lip Balm in Hot ‘N’ Saucy

Life is filled with difficult decisions, like trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, or choosing between the hella cute but crazy uncomfortable shoes and the not-so-cute ones you can actually walk in…

Thankfully, some decisions are easy, like, if you’re wondering whether you should add a MAC Tendertone Lip Balm in your life, the short answer is “yes!” 🙂

Like makeup angels, these moisturizing lip balms float in and out of MAC’s limited edition lines every once in a while, bringing with them the benefits of SPF 12, and whenever they do, MAC mavens eagerly snatch them up.

This time, with the Cook MAC collection, there are four Tendertones on the menu — Tread Gently (a soft lime green with yellow pearl), Purring (a sheer tangerine with pearl), Hush Hush (a sheer gold golden pearl) and Hot â€˜n’ Saucy (a soft cherry red) — and each costs $15.

At the time of this writing, they’re shown as “sold out” on MAC’s website, but I do see three of the four shades online at nordstrom.com. They should also be available at local MAC stores and counters.

Now, my love affair with these lip balms runs deep. All the way back to a tropical paradise in 2007…

I was on a trip to Hawaii visiting family and brought a bunch of different lip balms with me, but the only one I wore the entire time was a mid-tone pink Tendertone named Take a Hint.

The new colors in Cook MAC represent everything I love about this line of moisturizing lip conditioners. They’re non-sticky, heroically hydrating and carry a faint strawberry flavor and fragrance I like (for the record, both fade fairly fast). The addition of SPF 12 is another nice touch.

And since they aren’t incredibly pigmented, I can apply them without needing the help of a mirror.

Tendertone Lip Balms clockwise from the orange shade on the left: Purring, Hot ‘n’ Saucy, Hush, Hush and Tread Gently, $15 each

Tendertones swatches from the left: Tread Gently, Purring, Hot ‘n’ Saucy and Hush Hush

MAC purring
Purring
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MAC Eye Shadow X 4 in Call Me Bubbles: These Effervescent Corals Can Cure a Neutral Rut

February 16th, 2012 by Karen 28 Comments

MAC Call Me Bubbles

“Okay, can I just say that I’m in love with your eyeshadow?”

“Oh, this? Thanks! It’s from a limited edition quad over at MAC.”

“LOVE the satiny tan and frosty orange… They look like great alternatives to brown and beige.”

“They are! And I think the other two shades — there’s a matte coral and a frosty reddish copper — are just as fun and wearable as these.”

“OOH! I’ve been in a rut lately with neutrals and could use a little makeup inspiration. What’s it called?”

“Call Me Bubbles.”

“I’m sorry…?”

“Call Me Bubbles.”

“Okay… Bubbles, what’s the name of the quad?”

Haha! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 🙂 The MAC Call Me Bubbles Eye Shadow X 4 quad ($38) specializes in breaking makeup lovers out of ruts. One of three quads in the new limited edition Shop MAC collection, it hosts four powder shadows in Call Me Bubbles (a light satiny tan), Fresh Daily (a frosty orange), Full of Flavour (a matte coral) and Brash (a frosty reddish copper).

At first glance, I thought these shades might not be very wearable, but I’ve totally changed my tune.

The colors have character and seem interesting to me — sort of conservative with an edge, like jeans and a t-shirt worn with a pair of crazy shoes.

Swatches from the left: Call Me Bubbles, Fresh Daily, Full of Flavour and Brash

Lately, they’ve been replacing my standby neutrals in a couple of different looks…

For an everyday eye look, I’ve been wearing Call Me Bubbles (the tan) applied from lash line to brow bone, Fresh Daily (the orange) swept in the crease, and thick cat eye liner along the lash line (here, I’m wearing Paul & Joe Waterproof Gel Liner in Black). I think the combination of tan and orange puts a neat twist on regular cat eyes.

mac call me bubbles (3)
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14 Pink Lips for Valentine’s Day: Which Is Your Favorite One?

February 14th, 2012 by Karen 62 Comments

Pink lips get a lot of from me 365 days a year, but on Valentine’s Day I usually pay them extra attention.

And that’s because I usually spend more time than I’d care to admit trying to figure out which particular pink to wear out to dinner with El Hub.

What do you think? Which of the following 14 pink lipsticks, balms and glosses do you like best? These are some of the shades that frequently catch my eye.

Yes, I busted a Tabs this morning and tried on every single one…

There’s a pretty wide range represented here, from splurge-worthy brands like Chanel and YSL, to budget-friendlier brands like Soap & Glory and L’Oreal.

Oh, and if your favorite pink lip isn’t listed here, let me know what it is in the comments. Inquiring minds want to know. 🙂

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in Fuchsia Dore, $32

Soap and Glory A Great Kisser in Chocolate Cherry, about $8

MAC Kissable Lipcolour in Woo Me, $18

MAC Lipsticks from the left in Quick Sizzle, Innocence Beware and Naughty Saute, $14.50 each
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Sometimes, Swipe-and-Go MAC Mineralize Concealer Is the Way to Go for Me

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 37 Comments

Even when I’m just running a quick errand out to Target for dish soap or to Petco for takeout (Tabs usually orders the Fancy Feast Tuna or Turkey in gravy), I always try to remember to apply at least a smidgen of concealer before I leave the house.

Because you just never know… That friendly person in line at the Starbucks might hold the keys to your dream job; you might even cross paths with that dumb@ss turd-monkey who broke your heart in high school (FYI: you were always way too cute for him).

Because “you never know” is a mantra of mine, I like to keep a couple of different swipe-and-go concealers close. Lately, one of them has been MAC’s new liquid Mineralize Concealer ($19).

It’s perfect whenever I don’t have a lot of time to deal with brushes and buffing, like when I’m in a rush to make it to yoga class or to Starbucks for emergency tea/coffee — basically, times when all I really need/want is a little makeup to take the edge off, so to speak.

And MAC Mineralize is like concealer stretchy pants, and by that I mean it’s comfy. 🙂 It might not last as long, look as formal, or provide as much coverage as MAC Pro Longwear, so it’s not something I wear often to take pics, but I think it’s comfortable, lightweight and brightening, and there are times when those really hit the spot.

If you like MAC Select Moisturecover, that might be another reason to give Mineralize a try. I find them both to have similar formulas — moisturizing, with semi-opaque coverage — but Mineralize seems a tad more concentrated and pigmented to me. Because of that I think it offers a little more coverage and seems to latch on to my skin a bit better.

Just as another point of difference, Mineralize has a brush tip applicator, versus the doe foot that comes with Select Moisturecover.

A few other observations about MAC Mineralize Concealer…

I like that it steers clear of my fine lines and doesn’t stand out or appear heavy on my skin
I find that I have reapply about halfway through the day, but a little does goes a long way, so this particular tube should last me a few months (more or less)
Available in the following 15 shades: NW15, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50, NC15, NC20, NC30, NC35, NC42, NC45 and NC5

MAC Mineralize Concealer swatches from the elft: NC20, NW25, NC35 and NC42
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The MAC Vera Collection Plushglasses Are Making Me Smile

February 12th, 2012 by Karen 10 Comments

Wearing MAC Plushglass in Pretty Plush on my lips

I’m alive…ALIVE!!

The tingle from my MAC Plushglass reminds me that I’m alive. 🙂

I’ve always been more of a MAC Lipglass kinda girl, but I have been quite enjoying the Plushglasses from the new MAC Vera collection this week.

Like the Lipglasses, they have MAC’s signature vanilla flavor and scent, but in a thinner, less sticky formula.

They also have a little bite to ’em — a slight bee-sting sensation that’s supposed to plump your pout. Of course, I can’t see a difference in the size of my lips with them on, but when it comes to lip plumping products in general, I almost never can. Gimmick or not, the effect appears to be subtle, though, and the slight sting subsides on me after about 10 minutes.

I was a little busier than usual this week and felt like I was always running behind. But three of the five MAC Vera Plushglasses — Pretty Plush (a soft pink with white pearl), Fashion Fanatic (a creamy pale pink) and Confetti (an orange coral with pearl) — helped me get through it and were never far from my side. At least one of the three was either in my purse or a jacket pocket at all times.

MAC Plushglass in Fashion Fanatic

MAC Plushglass in Confetti

Plushglasses from the left: Confetti, Fashion Fanatic and Pretty Plush
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When Basic Just Won’t Do, There’s MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line

February 11th, 2012 by Karen 30 Comments

That’s it! I’m drawing a line in the sand!

Oh…did I say sand? I meant, “on my lids and lash lines,” and I’m using MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line ($15) to do it. 🙂

OBSESSED!

That’s how I am about Black Line. It’s one of seven Pearlglide Intense Eye Liners in the new MAC Vera collection, and it’s my undisputed runaway favorite of the bunch.

Vera marks an encore performance for the Pearlglide clan. Their look-at-me-shimmer and rich, intense colors have played limited engagements in previous MAC collections before, but, much to my delight and the delight of many MAC fans, rumor has it they’re being added to the permanent line this time around.

Described as a deep black with golden pearl, I think Black Line is much more interesting and lively than that. Sometimes, when I catch myself in the mirror with it on, I see a blackened khaki with greenish golden glimmer and think, “Is that still Black Line on my eyes?”

Last night I wore it out to dinner with the girls in what I thought turned out to be a nice spin on a clean, classic eye. First, I applied a wash of neutral shadow all over my lids with MAC Soba, then a bronze liner along my lower lash and water lines with MAC Powersurge, and then used Black Line to line my upper lash lines.

Pearlglide Intense Eye Liners Industrial, Petrol Blue, Black Swan and Black Line
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Go From Rushing to Ready in 10 Minutes Or Less With MAC Vera’s New Pearlmatte Powders

February 10th, 2012 by Karen 17 Comments

mac flower fantasy
Wearing MAC Pearlmatte Powder in Flower Fantasy on my cheeks

MAC Vera Pearlmatte Powders Maybe it’s a lunar phase or astrological anomaly — the unfortunate kind, like two planets in simultaneous retrograde (wait, is that even possible?) — but whatever the reason, I’ve been running behind every morning this week.

I haven’t had more than 10 minutes to put on my makeup before I’ve had to rush out the door to make it to one place or another on time…

I haven’t taken it lying down, though! In my push not to be tardy, I’ve been grabbing a handful of products over and over again, including the new MAC Vera Pearlmatte Powders ($28 each), of which there are two, both of them limited edition and available now as part of the MAC Vera collection.

Each one contains three powders in matte and pearl finishes. The colors can be worn separately, or swirled together and used as a sheer highlighter/blush with a slight sheen.

Since they’re both fairly sheer, I don’t have to worry about blending out the edges (not much, at least), and I love the whisper of color they lend to my cheeks.

Makes them great for no-makeup makeup looks. 🙂

Pearlmatte Face Powder in Flower Fantasy, $28

Pearlmatte Face Powder in Sunday Afternoon, $28
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