MAC Makeup

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour Video Review & Swatches

December 16th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

Swatching all of these new MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour lipsticks yesterday was an adventure because they’re CRAZY pigmented. They’re liquid mattes, which means they can be a little drying (purr usual), or SUPER drying when it comes to my super sensitive lips, especially after applying and removing 15 of them, but with good lip prep beforehand, you should be fine.

After all, only crazy people put on 15 liquid lipsticks one after another.

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

$20 US each/$24 CAD
Available January 7, 2016 at all MAC locations (permanent line)

Fashion Legacy – an intense fire truck red

Feels So Good – a deep true red

High Drama – a deep, dark plum

Dance with Me – a deep cranberry red

Lady-Be-Good – a warm mid-ton nude

Tailored to Tease – a bright fuchsia

Oh, Lady – a deep wine

Recollection – an intense bright violet

Quite the Standout – a bright orange-red

To Matte With Love – a bright raspberry

Personal Statement – a shocking pink

Divine-Divine – a light creamy pink

Mademoiselle – a bright creamy coral

Back in Vogue – a peachy nude

Rich & Restless – a mid-tone pinky salmon

As always, thank you for watching! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Velvetease Lip Pencils: Video Review & Swatches

December 15th, 2015 by Karen 22 Comments

Just a quick video review and swatches of the new MAC Velvetease Lip Pencils. They’re available now online ($20 each, 12 shades) and coming to stores and counters December 17 into the permanent line.

The MAC Velvetease Lip Pencils

Anything Goes, a matte rosy fuchsia

Temper Tantrum, a matte bright orange coral

Lover’s Lane, a matte deep orange

Frolic, a matte mid-tone peachy pink

Oh Honey, a matte warm chocolate

Aim to Please, a matte dirty mauvey brown

Just My Type, a matte clean blue fuchsia

Just Add Romance, a matte deep red

Tease Me, a matte light pink

Promise Me, a matte soft beige nude

Velvet Teen, a matte deep blackened plum

Reddy to Go, a matte deep brick red

Have you gotten your lips on these yet? What do you think?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Faerie Whispers Collection: First Look

December 8th, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

mac faerie whispers collection foiled eyeshadows 1 — MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled Shadows from the left: In Your Eyes, Feminine Wiles and Sweet Illusion ($20 each)

What do fairy (or faerie) whispers sound like?

I think it’s safe to assume they aren’t incredibly loud. Because of the whispering. Obvs… And I imagine they’re also high pitched and chipper, kind of like a piccolo.

A well-played piccolo, because a badly played piccolo is… NUH-UH. Trust me, as a former flautist, I know this.

I think that if a MAC Faerie were to flitter along — and this isn’t the first (or second or tenth) time I’ve fantasized about MAC fairies before, LOL! — she’d likely land on your shoulder and softly say into your ear, “Hello! Ooh, I love eyeshadow! Would you like to talk about it?”

Clearly, I spent too much of my childhood in an imaginary world…

Actually, I’ve also spent most of my adulthood in an imaginary world, LOL!

mac faerie whispers collection foiled eyeshadows 2 — MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled Shadows in Fairy Land (left) and Enchanted Forest (right), $20 each

mac faerie whispers beauty powder — MAC Faerie Whispers Collection Beauty Powders in Pearl Sunshine (left) and Sparkling Rose (right), $22 each

MAC regularly releases a collection shortly after Christmas each year, and this year, that collection is the very spring-like, glowing, ethereal MAC Faerie Whispers.

Most of the time, their post-Christmas collections lean sort of cool in terms of color temps, but this one has a lot of warm tones in it. It arrives December 23 on the MAC website and flutters into stores and counters December 26, where it remains through February 6 next year.

MAC Faerie Whispers Collection Powder Blushes in Cheek Pollen (left) and Spellbinder (right), $22 each — MAC Faerie Whispers collection Powder Blushes in Cheek Pollen (left) and Spellbinder (right), $22 each

mac faerie whispers lipsticks — MAC Faerie Whispers collection Lipsticks from the left: Lustre Lipstick in Gossamer Wing, Frost Lipstick in A Sprinkle of Magic, Cremesheen Lipstick in Midsummer Night and Cremesheen Lipstick in Among the Fireflies ($17 each)

This is just a quick overview while I continue testing the products, and I’ll have a more detailed review in a few days.

But my first impressions? Shine. Various degrees of it, from subtle sheen to lustrous metallic.

As for the big news, it’s probably the new Foiled Shadows, a completely new formulation. I popped a couple of them on my eyes this morning… Incidentally, I’m wearing two different eye looks right now! One eye is completely purple, and the other one is golden brown, and so today will probably be the day when at least 10 different people knock on my door and I have to answer it this way.

But I digress…

mac faerie whispers cremesheen glass — MAC Faerie Whispers collection Cremesheen Glasses from the left: Softly Lit, Calypso Beat, Just Superb and Enchanter ($20 each)

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The MAC Ellie Goulding Collection Is Polished Pop Star Power

December 4th, 2015 by Karen 22 Comments

There’s also a video review in this post. If it’s not appearing, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

Wearing a sexy scuba outfit while rocking big blonde hair that looks like it’s being whipped back by 12 Beyoncé fans doesn’t mean you have to go OTT with your makeup.

The first time I saw the sexy scuba promo pic for the MAC Ellie Goulding collection on Instagram a while back, I thought, “OOH! LOVE! Now this is makeup I would want to wear.” It looks so approachable and fresh, but there’s still some drama to it, like the black-winged liner and falsies. I think Ellie just looks really beautiful.

Then I saw the promo pics for the products and fell head over heels.

I’m not sure, but I might be in the minority when it comes to how much I love these colors, specifically the warm browns and neutral browns, but I’m sorry. I’m not 22 years old and about to rock an emerald green eyeshadow to Costco anymore.

I mean…I’ll do it on occasion, 🙂 but when I think of makeup that I know I can wear over and over and over again, it’s things like this: warm browns on the eyes; beautiful bronzy cheeks with a peachy glow and juicy, glossy coral lips.

In that promo pic, Ellie looks like she’s either about to belt out a song, or make out with somebody, LOL!

mac ellie goulding ill hold my brush — MAC Ellie Goulding Powder Blush Duo in I’ll Hold My Breath ($28)

mac ellie goulding halcyon days — MAC Ellie Goulding Halcyon Days ($44)

MAC releases so many collections, but for me, this one stands out. The brand does stuff with singers all the time, but sometimes their collaborations seem a little half-@ssed, ya know? Like the Mariah Carey one? Come on… One lipstick and no special packaging? Like, that’s it? But this got the full red carpet treatment.

Lots and lots more info in the video at the top, and here are some swatches and pictures. Have a look, and let me know what you think.

mac ellie goulding halcyon nights — MAC Ellie Goulding Halcyon Nights ($44)

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MAC Unsung Heroes: High Tea Lipstick

December 4th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

There ain’t no party like a high tea party ’cause a high tea party don’t stop!

This occurs to me not only because I’m currently craving tea and those tiny sandwiches from The Rotunda again (OH, MAH GOSH! So good…), but also because of the recently launched frosty beige MAC Mariah Carey Lipstick.

Even though I can totally picture Mimi rocking a frosty beige lipstick, it’s the kind of color that isn’t always easy to wear, which got me wondering about other MAC lipsticks with a kinda-sorta similar vibe.

After combing my mental MAC files, I remembered High Tea. It’s a $17 pearly beige pink in the MAC Lustre Lipstick line, and it has just enough frostiness to hit those high notes without being so frosty that it becomes difficult to wear.

mac high tea closeup — Wearing MAC High Tea on my lips

There was a time when I was regularly wearing tubes of High Tea down to the nub (you know I love me some nude lips). It’s one of those “it goes with everything” nude lipsticks, and I think it looks great by itself for a quickie nude lip.

Maybe because of the subtle frosty, shiny finish, it also makes my lips look a little fuller (I think). Yup, being a MAC Lustre, High Tea has a glossy, holiday-hoppin’ finish, but it isn’t sticky like a gloss, which means that I can wear it without worrying about my hair whipping around when it’s windy and getting stuck to my pout.
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MAC Unsung Heroes: Blooz Eye Kohl

December 2nd, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

MAC COSTA RICHE: And there she goes! She’s grabbing Blooz, YET AGAIN.

MAC TEDDY: Seriously!? What’s up with that? She was using us every day, and now it’s like she doesn’t even know we exist. All she cares about is Blooz.

MAC COSTA RICHE: Yeah, and it’s giving me a case of the blues.

MAC TEDDY: Haha.

MAC COSTA RICHE: I’m not kidding! I miss being on her water lines…

MAC TEDDY: Me too. 🙁

MAC COSTA RICHE: You know what I want right now?

MAC TEDDY: What?

MAC COSTA RICHE: Brownies.

MAC TEDDY: Ooh!

MAC COSTA RICHE: Let’s make some brownies.

MAC TEDDY: YASSS! 🙂

If eyeliners could talk… I bet if Costa Riche and Teddy could talk, they’d be talking mad sh*t about MAC Blooz ($16.50). It’s one of MAC’s sassiest, sexiest dark navy liners, and it’s the only MAC Eye Kohl I’ve been wanting to wear lately.

But let’s back up a little… Cue the falling leaves and jingle bells! *jingle, jingle, jingle*

Every December, like clockwork, my eyes freak out, and the only liners I’m able to comfortably wear are the old-school MAC Eye Kohls. The dry, crisp air outside coupled with the dry, warm air inside from the heater, which runs nonstop this time of year, wreaks havoc on my lash and water lines. They practically cry out for moisture and won’t tolerate long-wearing eye products like gel liners that are just too drying.

I wouldn’t say that MAC’s old-school Kohls are moisturizing, but for whatever reason, they don’t bother my eyes in fall and winter when so many other things do. I was all about Teddy and Costa Riche for the past few winters, but now I’ve got the Blooz.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush

November 25th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

‘Tis the season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

But there isn’t just one season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

Every season is a good season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

OK now I’m gonna stop singing this dumb song, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

Seriously, though, fall and winter are the BEST seasons for wearing smoky eyes. That’s when they feel extra super duper *right* to me, along with wearing boots and sweaters and chunky knit scarves.

Even just generally, because of the cooler weather and no risk of sweating everything off, this is my favorite time to wear a little more makeup.

Good times, peeps. Good times. 🙂

And you know what can take your smoky eyes to the next level? — or, at least help you look more awake?

Blush. You gotta get some blush up in there, too.

At least I do; otherwise, I feel like I look asleep, which may be due to the fact that I’m really, really pregnant at the moment, and when it comes to sleep I’m like, “Huh? What’s that?”

Today, it’s all about MAC Fleur Power Blush ($22), homie. Wear it with smoky eyes — any smoky eyes — and you’ll be set. It’s a mid-temp pink with a kiss of coral, so it goes great with warm- or cool-toned smoky eye looks.

If you love a natural-looking pink cheek flush, like where you look like you just came in from the cold and your cheeks look all cherub-y, Fleur Power kicks butt.

It’s an excellent everyday blush with all-day staying power, and I’d even go so far as to call it universally flattering.

And since it’s part of the MAC permanent line, you can always get your paws on it. No need to worry about it disappearing into limited edition makeup oblivion.

Technically a MAC Satin Blush, Fleur Power looks more like a matte on my cheeks. I hardly see anything satin or shimmery about it, but that also makes it treat my pores and fine lines well.

I usually wear Fleur Power with either brown or gray smoky eyes, by the way, because I like how the pink injects some color into the look without taking over. Then I couple that with either a pale or bright pink lip.

You could also rock it with a brighter eye look, like a purple or blue smoky eye, but in that case, I’d probably go with a nude lip instead of pink, lest you end up with a whole lotta color on your face… Unless that’s what you want, and if you do, hey, that’s cool too.

mac fleur power swatch — MAC Fleur Power Blush swatched on my NC42 skin

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MAC Mariah Carey Frost Lipstick in All I Want

November 18th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

There should be a video in this post, but if you can’t see it, you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

mac mariah carey all i want lipstick — MAC Mariah Carey Frost Lipstick in All I Want ($17, coming exclusively to the MAC website Dec. 3)

I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a frosty pale lipstick since the late ’90s. Seriously, all I need now is a plummy black lip liner, and then it’s “Hello, 1997!”

Say “seasons greetings” to new MAC Mariah Carey Frost Lipstick in All I Want ($17).

I have to admit that Mimi was the main reason I took an early interest in this color.

Did I mention I’m a fan?? I think I may have mentioned it once or twice… 🙂 I’ve been a fan of hers since the very beginning, and by “very beginning,” I’m talking about the Vision of Love days.

I mean, I don’t bid on locks of her hair on eBay or anything, but I did take my mom to a Mariah Carey concert once (I think she enjoyed it), and I did make my brother watch Glitter with me on opening day (I know FOR SURE that he did not enjoy it, haha!).

And I know almost all of the words to all of Mariah Carey’s songs…

mac mariah carey all i want closeup — MAC Mariah Carey Frost Lipstick in All I Want ($17)

So, yeah. Needless to say, I was pretty psyched when I heard about MAC All I Want Lipstick (it’s an online exclusive coming Dec. 3 to the MAC website).

On my lips, it’s a frosty, shimmery champagne with little bits of silver glitter in it for an extra element of cuteness, and coverage-wise, I can still see a bit of my natural lip color peeking through when I wear it.

Now, I’ve seen Mariah wear colors like this before, so it makes complete sense to me that it’s the product of a MAC/Mariah collaboration.

mac mariah carey all i want swatch — Wearing MAC Mariah Carey All I Want Frost Lipstick

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