MAC Makeup

5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels You Might Want To Try

July 16th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

Minimalism!

It’s not just for Smurfs anymore.

This time of year it also describes my appetite for makeup, as in not wanting to wear a ton of it on my face, and if your makeup cravings are also leaning toward the minimal side, here are five of my current favorite minimalist makeup products.

These are all in active minimalist makeup rotation right now.

1. The marvelous MAC Paints! ($20 each)

These $20 cream shadows dry to a powder finish and come in five natural-looking neutral shades.

If you don’t blend them out perfectly, no worries, because the colors are all pretty low contrast, so you can’t really mess up — or, rather, if you do, you can’t really tell.

Perfect for people who are frequently running behind (she said, raising her hand in the air while saying, “Ooh! Ooh! Like me.”).

All five shades also have a hint of a sheen to ’em (it’s very subtle and nothing dramatic like a frost), which makes them quite forgiving of fine lines — something I greatly appreciate.

MAC Paint Swatches from the left: Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas — MAC Paint swatches from the left in Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas

Beyond all of that, they’re also just straight-up easy to use. Creamier and more viscous than many other cream shadows like the MAC Paint Pots, they’re a breeze to spread and blend.

Just squeeze a small amount from the tube, and pat and blend that on your lids with your fingers. You can even skip primer with them if you want. I usually do (saves time).

My favorite color? Golden beige Bamboom.

I also love that name (although Bare Canvas is also pretty cool).

2. The Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks ($28 each)

No, these sticks do not contain caviar (as far as I can tell). If the MAC Paints are for work, then Laura’s Caviar Sticks are for fun. 🙂

These cream shadow sticks come in a wide range of colors and finishes, from mellow mattes to shimmering jewels.

Like the MAC Paints, brushes are totally optional. I usually just swipe one of the shades (Rosegold is my personal fave) directly on my lids, and then blend out the edges with a finger.

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks Swatches from the left: Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze — A handful of Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks from the left in Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze

Because they glide on the skin and contain oodles of pigment, one layer is usually enough. You can literally be done with your eyeshadow in less than a minute.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Kiss & Blush Volupte Lips & Cheek Color ($40 each)

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Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers in Soiree (left) and Quick Million (right), $12 each

Well, Tabs, when you put it that way…

You do understand that "No" is not an option, correct? — You do understand that “no” is not an option, correct?

So, this afternoon your nephew/my employer sent me the above threatening text (his anger evident by the lack of punctuation) in reference to my current mani-pedi situation, which is, at the moment, pretty tragic.

He suggested that I pick my two favorites from the new MAC Studio Nail Lacquer collection ($12 a bottle), and get them on my claws ASAP.

Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Soiree Swatch — Two coats of Soiree

Among the 36 shades in the launch, my favorites right now are warm golden bronze Soiree (a metallic copper with hints of rose gold) and glittery pale gold Quick Million (has hexagonal flecks of coppery rose gold glitter in it and a very Deborah Lippmann-esque vibe).

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Quick Million Swatch — Quick Million (two coats)

Both shout “SUMMER!” to me and should go great with a tan, so they’re going on my tips and toes this week.

They also remind me of these Kate Spade watches I’m currently lusting over…

I’m thinking about getting one with my Nordstrom birthday gift card — you know, ’cause I’m all about being on time…

HAHAHA! She has jokes today. 🙂

The MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection: The Formula, Finishes and Wear Time

Last weekend I tested creamy Rebel, a dark reddish plum shade, for wear time and durability, starting with a layer of MAC Underlacquer base coat, upon which I added two layers of Rebel on top.

At the time, I felt like I didn’t need a top coat because of how shiny, and almost gel-like, it looked, but I think I’ll use one next time I reach for one of the creams.

Because it needed it.

While these don’t seem to chip as easily or quickly as MAC’s O.G. nail polishes did, which would normally chip within a day or two for me, with Rebel, at least, I still saw chipping on day three.

Poo.

I applied it on Thursday evening, and by Sunday night, there were tiny cracks at the tips of all my fingers.

Next time I wear one of these, I’m adding a topcoat, just in case, and I’ll let you know if the formula fares any better.

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What a Difference a Brush Makes! The Recently Reformulated MAC Studio Nail Lacquers: Part 1

June 26th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

I love many, many things about MAC, but I have to say — I haven’t always been the biggest fan of their nail polishes.

That’s mostly been because of the brush — it’s the old-fashioned style, where the bristles often spread out, which makes applying the polishes kind of a chore.

I dunno… I just prefer the flatter-style of brushes from brands like OPI, where it’s easy to get that nice crisp edge I like. I’ve always found those kinds of brushes easier to use.

And then there’s the MAC formula. Some of the shades just seem to chip sooner than I’d like, and I don’t think I’m the only person who notices it. Whenever I mention a MAC polish to my girlfriends, they’re like, “Yeah. MAC? Nope. The chipping.”

The New MAC Studio Nail Lacquers: Reformulated and Redesigned With a Brand New Brush

Fast forward to now. 🙂

The brand reworked their entire nail line. The new Studio Nail Lacquer line ($12 each) now includes 36 shades spread out among four finishes in cream, frost, pearl and glitter.

They also introduced new base and top coats called Underlacquer and Matte Overlacquer, respectively.

Joining the Studio Nail Lacquer line is a new family of six top coats called the Nail Transformations (also $12 each), designed to change the look and feel of nail polishes worn with them.

Deets on those soon, as I’m still testing, but if you can’t wait, they’re available now online…

With the reformulation, MAC added conditioning ingredients like Vitamins C, E and B5 to the formula, along with a bunch of new colors (although they did carry over many of the O.G. ones too), and then there’s the aforementioned new brush…

Now it has the flat shape! 🙂 Aaaah! [THE CLOUDS PART]

With it, I notice that I can cover a lot more surface area per swipe, and it’s easier to create nice sharp edges.

So, Where Are They?

They’re almost here! They’re en route, you could say. The Studio Nail Lacquers arrive July 3 on the MAC website (in stores July 10, 2014), and are headed for the permanent line.

The Nail Transformations, however, are available online now, and coming to stores July 3 (also to the permanent line).

Swatches, Yo! Part 1

This first batch features some of the summery colors (corals, peaches, pinks), reds and darker creams, for those already in fall mode.

So far, so good, in terms of application. Most of the shades I’ve tried go on smoothly and appear pigmented on my nails. In some cases, I’m even able to get away with a single coat.

I’m still testing these for wear time. Will they last longer than the O.G. MAC lacquers before chipping? Stay tuned. Only time will tell…

Let me know which of these catches your eye. Check back a little later for the glitters, frosts and more of the darker shades.

Peaches, Warm Pinks and Corals

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers in Erogenous, Only in Florida, Impassioned and Instant Crush — From the left: Erogenous, Only in Florida, Impassioned and Instant Crush

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Only in Florida Swatch — Only in Florida, a mid-tone orange coral cream

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Erogenous Swatch — Erogenous, a light milky peach cream (two coats)

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Instant Crush Swatch — Instant Crush, a bright coral cream (two coats)

MAC Nail Lacquer in Impassioned Swatch — Impassioned, a bright warm pink (two coats, but I could’ve used one)

Reds and Plums

MAC Shirelle, Flaming Rose, Sour Cherry and Rebel — From the left: Shirelle, Flaming Rose, Sour Cherry and Rebel

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Shirelle Swatch — Shirelle, a classic bright red cream (two coats, but one would’ve been fine)

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With Pen Packaging, These MAC Moody Blooms Collection Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints Do Some Things Write

June 12th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Blushing Berry, a mid-tone cool red — MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Blushing Berry, a cool mid-tone red

GURL, I’ve been Team MAC Lipglass since 1998! — ever since that first tube of Spite found its way into my purse.

That’s a lot of lipgloss lovin’. In fact, it’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had with a gloss.

And because we have all this history together, it’s easy for me to see the good points when it comes to the Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints ($20) from the Moody Blooms collection.

They have a few things in common with the O.G. Lipglasses, like a thick, non-drying formula and a mirror-like shine, but there are some differences. I’d say they’re more like cousins than sisters.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints from the lightest shade on the bottom to the top: Bubble Gum, Gwi-Yo-Mi, Blushing Berry, Glorious Intent and Simply Wow ($20 each)

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints Swatches from the left: Bubble Gum, Gwi-Yo-Mi, Blushing Berry, Glorious Intent and Simply Wow — Swatches from the left: Bubble Gum, Gwi-Yo-Mi, Blushing Berry, Glorious Intent and Simply Wow

First, there’s the packaging. The Sheen Supremes come in a pen with a brush tip (as opposed to a regular tube with a doe-foot)…

Fun to use! I feel like I’m in art class whenever I use these to paint my lips with gloss.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Simply Wow, a mid-tone cool mauve — Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Simply Wow, a mid-tone cool mauve

And then there’s the stickiness, and how these don’t feel quite as sticky as regular Lipglasses do to me. Perhaps as a result, they don’t last quite as long. I get about three hours of wear from them, which still isn’t bad.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Bubble Gum, a soft warm pink — Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Bubble Gum, a soft warm pink

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Beatiful Together and Apart: The MAC Moody Blooms Worldly Wealth and Bred For Beauty Blushes

June 11th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

MAC Worldly Wealth and Bred For Beauty Blush — Wearing the new MAC Moody Blooms collection Worldly Wealth and Bred For Beauty Powder Blushes together at the same time

Sometimes two is better than one. (NOTE: please don’t tell Tabs I said that. He insists that one plus-size tabby is more than enough.) 🙂

While you can certainly wear either of the hella pigmented Powder Blushes from the MAC Moody Blooms collection by themselves — I mean, Bred for Beauty and Worldly Wealth look stunning on their own (just don’t forget to blend, blend, blend) — layered together they create a downright bewitching combination blush!

I like to start with a layer of shimmery golden bronze Worldly Wealth first, and followup with pink Bred for Beauty dusted directly on top. Then I buff the two together with a clean powder brush.

Worldly Wealth’s shimmer peeks through bright pink Bred for Beauty, which has a flatter finish, creating a sweet sun-kissed and complement to warm coppery eye makeup like I’m wearing here.

Just add a pinkish coral lip, and you’re good to go! 🙂

MAC Powder Blush in Worldly Wealth, a shimmering peachy bronze — Powder Blush in Worldly Wealth, a shimmering peachy bronze ($21)

MAC Powder Blush in Bred for Beauty — Powder Blush in Bred for Beauty, a mid-tone bluish pink ($21)

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These Six MAC Moody Blooms Sheen Supreme Lipsticks Gleam Like a Dream

June 11th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

The six Sheen Supreme Lipsticks from the new MAC Moody Blooms collection ($17 each) — The six MAC Moody Blooms collection Sheen Supreme Lipsticks ($17 each)

Like deep green leaves bathed in the light of a full moon, these beautiful bulbs of tuberous terrific-ness gleam! — but not like high-shine metallics or frosts. Their sheen is more muted and shrewd than that…

I can really see it in the six Moody Blooms collection Sheen Supreme Lipsticks ($17 each).

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Moody Bloom, a bronze plum — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Moody Bloom, a bronzed plum

While bronzy plum Moody Bloom and pinkish coral Phosphorescent radiate a few watts of warmth, most of these lecherous lippies live on the cool- and neutral-toned sides of the garden, which makes sense to me. I think it balances well with the warm earthy copper, brown, and warm pinkish gold eye makeup in the release.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Phosphorescent, an electric pinkish coral — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Phosphorescent, an electric pinkish coral

As for the semi-opaque Sheen Supreme Lipstick formula, it still lets some of my natural lip color peek through, so these definitely aren’t sheer, and my lips like how they feel — plush, creamy and super soft, almost like a gloss.

As they fade on my lips over the course of about two hours, they leave behind a lovely stain — particularly the brighter colors, like pinkish coral Phosphorescent, my favorite of the bunch, and dark bluish pink Pheromonal.

Unfortunately, they aren’t the most moisturizing lip products in the glam garden, but I think they’ve improved over the original MAC Sheen Supremes released in 2011.

Those back then sucked all of the H₂O out of my lips, but I think this batch in Moody Blooms is a little better.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Pheromonal, a dark blueish pink — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Pheromonal, a dark blueish pink

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Lust Extract, an electric violet — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Lust Extract, an electric violet

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Quite the Thing!, a deep blueish plum — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Quite the Thing!, a deep blueish plum

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Venomous Violet, a deep berry available exclusively online at maccosmetics.com — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Venomous Violet, a deep berry (available exclusively online at maccosmetics.com)

They don’t completely dehydrate my lips, but if I lived in a desert, I think I’d probably apply a layer of lip balm first. I wore Phosphorescent a lot up in Napa last weekend, and it was hot and dry! By the end of the weekend trip, my pucker was starting to get a little parched.

MAC Moody Blooms Sheen Supreme Lipstick Swatches from the left: Moody Bloom, Phosphorescent, Pheromonal, Lust Extract, Quite the Thing and Venomous Violet — Swatches from the left: Moody Bloom, Phosphorescent, Pheromonal, Lust Extract, Quite the Thing and Venomous Violet

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Moody Bloom Swatch — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Moody Bloom

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Phosphorescent Swatch — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Phosphorescent

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Pheromonal Swatch — Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Pheromonal

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Worldly Wealth and Bred for Beauty, The Two New Blushes in the MAC Moody Blooms Collection, Plant Plenty of Pigment on Cheeks

June 10th, 2014 by Karen 6 Comments

Blueish pink Bred for Beauty and peachy bronze Worldly Wealth, the two powder blushes in the new MAC Moody Blooms collection, are making me a happy horticulturist/beauty botanist. 🙂

One word: pigment.

And lots of it.

Just as a random but potentially helpful warning, if you aren’t paying close attention while applying these blushes — like, if you happen to be watching Game of Thrones and dancing to I’m Every Woman while Daenerys Targaryen pets her dragons on screen — be advised that you may have to take the color down a notch or two or 12, so have an extra blush brush or foundation brush handy.

With these blushes, sh*t gets real, and it gets real in a hurry! It’s easy to go overboard with this much pigment, but you should be fine if you use a light touch (and don’t forget to blend out the edges!).

If you’re feeling creative, try layering a bit of bright pink Bred for Beauty on top of Worldly Wealth.

I’m a big fan. 🙂

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I Kudzu Not (Get It?): Make Room for the Eye Shadows From the MAC Moody Blooms Collection

June 10th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

What if stylish villainess du jour Maleficent had had a green thumb? I’ll tell you what — girlfriend would not have spent her days tending to tulips and tea roses. I know that much.

Like, if she called you up on her banana phone and invited you to afternoon tea, you’d be wise to brush up on your poisonous plant identification skills before heading over, and be careful not to touch anything with thorns on it; otherwise, you might not make it out of that garden party alive.

Five of the six MAC Moody Blooms Eye Shadows (not pictured: Green Room, a mid-tone teal), $15 each

Moody Blooms, MAC’s latest collection, is like an evil gardener’s dream come true — a dream about being lost in a dark, menacing forest filled with beautiful but deadly plants. As you enter the forest, every fiber of your being screams at you to “TURN BACK NOW!!!” but you don’t.

Because you can’t. 🙂

And before you know it, you’re surrounded by Moody Blooms…

MAC Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Artistic License, a pinkish gold — Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Artistic License, a pinkish gold

Eyes get special treatment in the collection, and there’s plenty of new stuff here. Of the six powder Eye Shadows, I don’t think any of them are permanent collection re-promotes. Same goes for the three Fluidline gel liners.

Among the eye products in the release, False Lashes Mascara in False Black, 211 Pointed Liner and 239 Shader Brushes are re-promotes plucked from the permanent line.

MAC Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Deep Fixation, a metallic brown — Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Deep Fixation, a metallic brown

At first the overall color palette — reddish copper, darkened plum, violet, golden pink, green and teal — sounded more like something from one of MAC’s straight-up artsy collections. I didn’t think I’d be able to figure it out. I just thought it didn’t make sense, but when I got the colors on my lids, the color story clicked.

MAC Frost Eye Shadow in Blooming Mad, a mid-tone ultra violet — Frost Eye Shadow in Blooming Mad, a mid-tone ultra violet

The five of six shadows shown here gleam with flattering finishes — Veluxe Pearl, Frost and Satin. There are no mattes, so if you like a flatter finish in your eye looks, you’ll have to incorporate other shades.

I’m thinking that some warm orangey and/or reddish brown mattes would contrast nicely with the copper, plum, green, brown, teal and golden pink shades, so consider incorporating MAC Soft Brown, Saddle or Texture when you sit down to play.

MAC Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Hidden Motive, a deep aubergine — Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Hidden Motive, a deep aubergine

But with the shadows in Moody Blooms, you have a lot of room to experiment and explore.

You could go the natural-looking route with the gorgeous, easy-to-blend neutral shades in pinkish gold Artistic License and warm metallic brown Deep Fixation, or turn up the volume by smoking out violet Blooming Mad or deep aubergine Hidden Motive.

Or, surprise! — line your lower lash lines with dark yellow Lucky Green or teal Green Room for a splash of unexpected color.

MAC Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Lucky Green, a dark yellow green — Veluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Lucky Green, a dark yellow green

The MAC Moody Blooms Eye Shadows: Some Thoughts on the Shades

Artistic License: This one reminds me of MAC Sushi Flower a little, but with golden shimmer, less coral and more pink. I think it’s super pretty and easy to blend.
Deep Fixation: Like a dream come true — a dream filmed in coppery warm brown. Pigmented and buttery, Deep Fixation buffs out like nobody’s business. Among the five of six shadows I’ve tried, I think it’s the must-have.
Blooming Mad: I bet Blooming Mad would make a very cool transition shade with copper Deep Fixation. Incidentally, this beauty is definitely channeling Stars N’ Rockets for me.
Hidden Motive: Take my breath away, why don’t you? This righteous reddish purple looks wicked lovely layered with Deep Fixation.
Lucky Green: More yellow than green to my eye, Lucky Green has an almost golden tone to it. I think it fits well with the warm reds and purples in the release — perhaps as a nice pop of bright color when worn on the inner part of the lower lash lines, as I’m doing here.

MAC Moody Blooms swatches Eye Shadows from the left: Artistic License, Deep Fixation, Blooming Mad, Hidden Motive and Lucky Green — Eye Shadows from the left: Artistic License, Deep Fixation, Blooming Mad, Hidden Motive and Lucky Green

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