MAC Makeup

MAC Wonder Woman: Saving the World One Lipglass at a Time

January 13th, 2011 by Karen 42 Comments

Any woman who can fight crime in a bustier, booty shorts and knee-high red boots totally deserves to be honored with a makeup collection.

Yes, I’m talking about the new MAC Wonder Woman collection! 🙂 Buzz has been building for a while…and it’s only getting louder every minute.

The following pics, even if they turn out to be authentic, are fairly low res. The color of everything from the packaging to the products themselves will probably differ significantly from what we’re seeing here, but still — it’s food for thought until we actually see more.

Image via UrCosme

By the look of these promo pics, fearless reader, it looks like MAC is taking a vintage comic book approach to the packaging design, and I’m really feeling the red, gold and blue (no indestructible bracelets, though, boo!).

Some are calling it tacky, and I guess that depends on your outlook. I get bored easily, and I find MAC’s willingness to try things like this refreshingly interesting.

Image via UrCosme

It brings back memories…

I used to watch WW work her Amazonian wiles every day in the Super Friends cartoon, and when the neighborhood kids would gather after school, all the girls would lobby to play Wonder Woman in our pretend version of The Justice League, LOL!

Whoever won got to wear a chunky, faux gold bracelet that one of the girls “borrowed” from her mom. I think there was a time when we had a rope, too (our Lasso of Truth), until one of the dads found out and took it away (killjoy). And we also tried unsuccessfully to secure a tiara and hot pants.

We didn’t only like how WW accessorized. We also loved how she always kicked @ss. Smart, strong and dressed to thrill.

Image via Superherostuff

I plan to relive my childhood comic book dreams with this release. Who’s with me? There’s plenty of room in my invisible jet. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. To see A LOT more on the collection, check out Are You a MAC Wonder Woman?

5 Fantastic Makeup and Beauty Products to Help with Oily Skin

January 13th, 2011 by Karen 34 Comments

Is your skin slicker than a used car salesman? Do your pores ooze oil all day and night? If you suffer from oily skin, you’re not the only one. I did for years (and still do at times).

Rule No. 1: Don’t despair. There’s hope. 🙂

“Hi, Karen. You’ve said before that you have oily skin, as do I, so I was wondering what you do (what products you use/have used) to combat it?

I have literally tried EVERYTHING, but my skin is still an oil slick!

HELP!”
— Ashley

Hi Ashley,

I feel your pain! I was constantly struggling with oily skin throughout my 20s. I know it’s all natural, but I’m still a little grossed out by it, that greasy feeling and the relentless shine. I remember back in college when I’d fall asleep in my books. I’d wake up, peel my face away and see oily patches on the page. Awesome!

Now that I’m in my 30s, my skin’s a combination of oily and dry. Some spots are dry, but others are oily, like my forehead and cheeks. I use (and love) several products to keep the oil slicks at bay.

1. Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash, $5 for a 6.7-oz tube

This citrus-scented cleanser for normal-to-oily skin removes everything — oil, makeup, dirt, you name it. Yet it doesn’t feel harsh or leave my skin feeling tight or dry, thanks to botanicals like aloe vera, rosemary and spearmint. I loved it so much that I stockpile it when it’s sale. Plus, it’s only five bucks and carried in most drugstores.

2. DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew, $38 for a 1.7-oz tube

Okay, it’s totally expensive, but DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew is both oil- and fragrance-free, feels light as air, sinks into my skin quickly and packs just enough moisture for my skin. Even oily skin likes moisture, and a good moisturizer slows the evaporation of water from the skin (see: Moisturizer For Oily Skin). It also never, ever gives me breakouts.

3. Olay Facial Lotion Oil Free SPF 15, $12 for a 6-oz bottle

When I was in college I went through an awful bout of acne, and a dermatologist recommended Olay Facial Lotion Oil Free. I used it for years and still love it to this day. It feels light on my skin, can be worn beneath makeup and, like DDF Ultra-Light, doesn’t give me breakouts. I don’t use it anymore because I don’t think it’s moisturizing enough for my dry parts.

4. MAC Blot, $22 for a 0.42-oz compact

If MAC ever discontinued this oil-absorbing pressed powder I’d cry a thousand tears. It comes in five shades (Light, Medium, Medium Dark, Deep and Deep Dark) and works overtime to absorb oil, reduce shine and set makeup.
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MAC Jeanius: The Names That Could Have Been

January 11th, 2011 by Karen 49 Comments

mac jenius collection for spring 2011

MAC wasn’t the first to don denim for a makeup collection, but they are the first to take the idea this far.

I’m still kicking myself for missing the Jeans de Chanel quad from Coco’s spring 2007 collection, but it looks like I’ll get another chance to exorcise my blue and gray denim demons on March 3, when the new MAC Jeanius Collection saunters onto MAC counters and into MAC stores.

The 16-piece limited edition collection showcases both new and repromoted makeup for eyes, lips and nails, and I’m totally down with idea of a collection filled with blue, pink, purple, white, gray and white, especially one with pans that look like the ones at the top (how cute are those buttons?).

But the more I think about it, the more I wish MAC would have taken the idea even further. Take the product names, for instance. Painted On and Acid Washed are great, but why stop there? Why not go all the way, right? Picture this: a MAC Lipstick in Pajama Jeans. 🙂

While I was standing in line at the post office yesterday, I got to thinking about all of the other jean-themed products MAC could have included in the collection. I don’t know, maybe it was the scent of freshly licked envelopes or the air of desperation in the room (seriously, that line was hella long), but I jotted some down in a list…
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Is MAC Delft a Dupe for Siahi Fluidline from the MAC Mickey Contractor Collection?

January 4th, 2011 by Karen 64 Comments

mac siahi fluidline

With just a couple of days remaining until the big premiere, the new MAC Mickey Contractor Collection (opens Jan. 6 in North America; internationally shortly after that) has a lot of us singing Hooray for Bollywood.

Reader Megan had a question about a product that promises to be one of the stars of the show…

“Do you think Siahi Fluidline is similar to Delft Paint Pot?â€¨ Thanks!”
— Megan

Hi Megan,

Oh, Delft is one of my all-time favorite MAC Paint Pots! I picked it up a few years ago when it was part of the permanent collection, but it seems to have gone MIA since then (at least online).

It’s a shimmery teal with a hint of gold, and it, like the rest of the Paint Pots, feels softer and slightly fluffier than the Fluidlines do to me.

I usually wear the Paint Pots as cream shadows and/or eyeshadow bases, although they’ll double as liners, too.

About Delft, it’s like Siahi’s lighter, greener cousin; however, they both have very different shimmers. Siahi’s looks rather teal to me, while Delft’s is more of a straight up gold.

While I was rutting around in my stash for Delft, I also noticed that teal blue Korres Eyeliner Pencil in Blue Petrol looks a little like Siahi as well, except that it’s darker, with a matte finish.

mac delft paintpot on left and mac siahi fluidline on right
MAC Paintpot in Delft (left) and MAC Fluidline in Siahi (right)
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MAC Mickey Contractor Collection: Your Questions Answered

December 30th, 2010 by Karen 41 Comments

mac flesh lipglass mickey contractor

Yesterday you asked some great questions about the upcoming MAC Mickey Contractor Collection, which shakes, rattles and rolls onto counters next week, and made some interesting observations in the swatch post.

I’d like to highlight some of your questions and coments here and post a few more swatches to help the lighter lasses among us see what the products might look like on paler Bollywood beauties.

How do the Mickey Contractor products look on pale skin with cooler undertones (pinks, as opposed to warmer yellows)?

“Karen, thank you for posting these swatches and pictures! If you have a chance, I’d appreciate your answering this question: do you think the Oomph eyeshadow and the Fluidlines would work on someone who is ridiculously pale and cool-toned? Most of the other stuff looks like it’s not for my skin tone, but the shadow and Fluidlines did catch my fancy. Unfortunately it’s not going to be at my local MAC, so I’d have to order it online and would rather not do that if I know ahead of time they won’t work for me. Thanks!”
–Faye

Hi Faye,

It looks like Oomph appears as a blackened green on cool-toned lighter skin. If you’re looking for a color to create, say, a dark greenish smokey eye, Oomph should do the trick.

As for the Fluidlines, I’m guessing you’ll be able to easily pull both of them off (Siahi and Ivy). 🙂

Here are a few swatches of Oomph, the Fluidlines and most of the collection on NW20 skin.

mac mickey contractor swatches on nw25 skin
Eyeshadows from left: Oomph, Saffron, Marvel and Rani

mac mickey contractor swatches on nw25 skin
Fluidline in Siahi (left) and Ivy (right)

mac mickey contractor swatches on nw25 skin
Swatches from left Eye Shadow X 4 Quad in Athma: Jaan, Folie, Vivah and Carbon

Blushes in Gana (left) and Sur (right)
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MAC Mickey Contractor Collection: Swatches and Pictures

December 29th, 2010 by Karen 90 Comments

mac mickey contractor swatches

Heya, ladies. Here are swatches and photos of 15 pieces from the new MAC Mickey Contractor Collection. I’ll have face and lip shots coming soon, but for now, take a look at the colors and let me know if there’s anything that strikes your fancy. 🙂

mac mickey contractor all

mac mickey contractor quad
Eyeshadow X 4 in Athma clockwise from shimmery gold bottom pan at the bottom: Vivha, Jaan, Folie and Carbon

mac mickey contractor eyeshadows
Eyeshadows from green pan on lower left: Oomph, Saffron, Marvel and Rani

mac mickey contractor fluidline
Fluidline in Siahi (left) and Ivy (right)
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Making It Big in Bollywood with the MAC Mickey Contractor Collection

December 29th, 2010 by Karen 20 Comments

mac mickey contractor

You might not know this, but Tabs and I are BIG Bollywood stars. Yeah, I don’t know how he got into it, but my obsession with B-wood developed over countless hours spent watching music videos on Namaste America back in the ’90s, usually after I’d get home late from dancing. I couldn’t understand what the singers were saying, but that didn’t matter to me. I was too busy drooling over the colorful costumes, exotic makeup and dizzying choreography.

Needless to say, I’m pretty stoked about the upcoming MAC Mickey Contractor collection, which scoots across North American dance floors and makeup counters January 6 (and internationally some time the same month). The 27-piece release for face, eyes, lips and cheeks, handpicked by MAC Director of Makeup Artistry for India Mickey Contractor, includes limited edition products, as well as repromoted items from MAC’s permanent line.

Thematically the collection is based on Bollywood cinema. It’s a look characterized by performance products — which I’m taking to mean products able to withstand hours of dancing under bright stage lights — natural skin tones and little accents of exotic color. These are products that should then, by that definition, be able to last through a full day of dancing on the set, AND the afterparty.
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The New MAC Kissable Lipcolour Glosses Sure Are Great Kissers

December 27th, 2010 by Karen 45 Comments

mac kissable lipcolour woo me swatch

Like silk. That’s how the 12 glosses in the new MAC Kissable Lipcolours line feel on my lips.

Coming in for a landing with the MAC Peacocky collection on January 6, these brash beauties take their cues from peacock feathers — bold but lightweight (like a feather) pink, coral, red, fuchsia, blue (!), brown and mauve — with a thin, non-sticky texture like that of a liquid lipstick, but the crazy shiny finish of a gloss.

What can we expect from the MAC Peacocky Collection? Brace yourself for intense lip and eye colors with dramatic finishes. The new Kissable Lipcolours are joined by a new line of pigmented metallic shadows. The Mega Metal Shadows ($19.50 each) will make eyes shine like the edge of a vorpal sword in shades of white, champagne, mauve, gold, violet, teal burgundy, copper, green, purple, navy and black.

The way these Kissable Lipcolours feel reminds me of how smooth and comfy the MAC Cremesheens feel, but they don’t look anything alike. These pack much more pigment. Where the Cremesheens whisper sweet nothings of light lip color, the Kissable Lipcolours SCREAM AND SHOUT! These colors are bold and cover lips with completely.

The two I’ve tried, Woo Me (a light pink) and Temper Tantra (a midtone reddish brown that must have been inspired by MAC Paramount Lipstick), set down a crazy amount of color.

mac kissable lipcolour woo me temper tantra