MAC Makeup

Iridescent and Opalescent, MAC’s New Extra Dimension Eye Shadows Illuminate Lids Here in Our Dimension Too

April 9th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

“Warp drive on my mark, ensign. 3-2-1, mark! ETA to the MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Opalesse, Smoky Mauve and Triple Impact, t-minus 10 seconds…”

My favorite thing about this time of year? You mean, other than the beautiful flowers everywhere (allergies, be damned!) and the reemergence of my favorite pair of flip-flops and the liberation of my toes?

The sunnier days also seem like a good excuse to wear shimmery, glimmering eye shadows.

Whenever I’m wearing something luminescent on my lids — perhaps something like the new MAC’s Extra Dimension Eye Shadows ($21 per 0.07-ounce pan) — as Tabs and I soak up the sun on our afternoon walks, I feel an extra bounce in my step. 😀

The six new shades, each in MAC’s hybrid liquid-powder formula, beam down to the planet’s surface (and MAC counters and stores) April 11 with the rest of the In Extra Dimension collection. The shadows range from sheer, opalescent shades too full-on frosts.

Of course, if you don’t want to wait those two more days, they are available now online…

I’ve been working with three of them for a few days — Opalesse, Triple Impact and Smokey Mauve — and we’ve gotten pretty close. I haven’t had any issues with fallout, and as long as I layer them on top of a primer, they last me from 8-10 hours, with barely a hint of creasing or fading (they crease and fade more noticeably when I wear them without primer)

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Opalesse, a opalescent white with white pearl — MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Opalesse, an opalescent white with white pearl

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Opalesse: This sheer opalescent shadow reminds me of a MAC Vex stripped of its greenish blue flash. A very pretty pinkish peach opal. Absolutely gorgeous buffed onto lids with a 217. It just glows!
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Triple Impact, a opalescent lavender with violet pearl

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Triple Impact: Another opalescent shadow, except that this one’s lavender with violet pearl. On its own, it illuminates lids like a regular Thomas Edison, but I think its real strength is smokey eyes. I pat a little in the inner half or all over my lids atop a black creamy base, and the iridescent, shimmery purple adds a twinkle of sparkle that’s less intense than a trip on the glitter train.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Smoky Mauve, a mid-tone cool mauve — MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Smoky Mauve, a cool mid-toned mauve

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Straight From Strutting Down Catwalks in New York and Paris, the Limited Edition MAC Fall ’13 Forecast/Lips Palette Now Hopes to Sashay Along a Boulevard With You

April 8th, 2013 by Karen 43 Comments

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast/Lips — The forecast calls for lips! — MAC Fall 13 Forecast/Lips, that is ($40)

If any brand’s got their finger on the pulse of makeup lovers like me, it’s got to be MAC. Especially when it comes to [INSERT ANY MAKEUP CATEGORY HERE OR] lip palettes. They’re hands down one of my favorite lip palette lines…and I don’t even consider myself a big lip palette fan!

It’s the colors they choose to put together — they just have a knack for it — like does this one go with that? Why yes, MAC, it does, and I can’t even figure out how/why!

Take their new $40 Fall ’13 Forecast/Lips palette, for instance, and its six fashion-forward fall shades. None of the colors, all of which have MAC’s preternaturally pigmented Amplified lipstick finish, seem wasted or like they’re merely taking up space.

The colors that come with the chic limited edition set stalked New York and Paris fall fashion week catwalks, and now they’re looking for love on all of our faces. 🙂 From colors for work lunches (I’m thinking any of the neutral colors on the palette’s left would do well) to drinks at a stylish lounge (any of the shades, really), this palette has it covered.

MAC Fall 2013 Forecast Lipstick swatches from the left: Au Naturale, This Is Autumn, Style Apparent, Rich New Mood, Red Statement and Fashion Noise

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast Lips Au Naturale — Au Naturale, a light neutral flesh shade with an Amplified finish

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast Lips This Is Autumn — This Is Autumn, a warm midtone flesh shadw tih an Amplified finish

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Don’t Forget to Bring Your Blush Brush, Babe, Because We’re Heading to a MAC Extra Dimension: The MAC Extra Dimension Blushes in Blazing Haute and Flaming Chic

April 8th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

MAC In Extra Dimension Blush Pictures, Swatches, Review — Wow! — I didn’t know there was an extra dimension… Well, I guess it’s always nice to have a spare. Here I’m wearing MAC In Extra Dimension Blush in Flaming Chic, available now online (coming to North American MAC counters and stores April 11; internationally this May)

Buckle your makeup safety belt, and brace your cheeks, because we’re about to break through the blush barrier! On the other side, an Extra Dimension, where MAC’s liquid-powder blushes radiate light, and adhere to cheeks like second skin.

MAC’s new 16-piece In Extra Dimension collection of brushes and hybrid liquid-powder eye shadows, blushes and Skinfinishes touches down like a NASA lunar lander on counters April 11 (it’s already available online). Its destination? An exotic land of luminous skin, eyes and cheeks, and color that lasts up to six hours.

The Extra Dimension blushes ($25 for a 0.22-ounce pan) come in five shades that range from sheer satin to high-shine metallic.

I test piloted two of them last weekend, and based on that, if civilian inter-dimensional travel ever becomes a reality, I’d want my spacesuit to have a special pocket for Blazing Haute and Flaming Chic.

Both of ’em just look so darned natural on my skin (I think so) and actually last a full eight hours.

Here’s a closer look…

MAC In Extra Dimension Blush in Blazing Haute, a a dirty peach ($25) — MAC In Extra Dimension Blush in Blazing Haute, a dirty peach ($25)

Blazing Haute: Nothing thrills my 30-something cheeks more than a peach blush with a pinch of juicy color and a velvety finish. The delicate pigment means I can’t muck things up too badly when I’m in a hurry, so no clown stripes (WHOOP!). Plus, the luster finish seems to brighten my face and erase a few years without pointing out the fact that my pores are at Defcon 3 now. Even better, Blazing Haute should look smokin’ hot on gals of all ages, since it’s neither very shiny nor sheer. It’s just right. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC In Extra Dimension Blush in Flaming Chic, a bright bluish pink ($25)

Flaming Chic: So frightening in the pan! — but don’t let that scare you. This bright blush pink is surprisingly wearable. Like Blazing Haute, it’s probably more t-shirt and jeans than body-con dress and high heels, as it dusts cheeks with semi-transparent color, but it’s hot (picture the way your cheeks look when crush brushes your arm). 🙂 Lovely, natural and a perfect pairing for long, lush lashes and a lip stain. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Blazing Haute Flaming Chic Blush swatches — Blazing Haute (left) and Flaming Chic (right)

MAC Flaming Chic Blush In Extra Dimension — That’s MAC Flaming Chic Blush on my cheeks

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MAC Added a Pinch of Pastel, a Spoonful of Sparkle and a Dash of Cream to the MAC Baking Beauties Collection

April 5th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

Now where’d I put my KitchenAid…?

Don’t let me catch you dipping into the frosting again. 🙂 These products aren’t for tummies. They’re for eyes, lips, nails and cheeks.

The recipe calls for pastel colors and 24 cups of sugar. Definition: it’s sweet, sweet, sweet.

Step into the kitchen! Here’s a taste of 10 of the 24 pieces from the MAC Baking Beauties collection, which comes out of the oven April 18 in North American MAC kitchens, stores and online (and internationally this May).

Ya know, I’m lovin’ the idea of this release (because I’m a sugar fiend). Cupcakes and I — we roll deep! But I don’t know… From what I’ve seen so far, these pieces seem more Splenda than C&H.

I was expecting ecstasy with these — the same visceral, intense reaction I get when I bite into a real life red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting (yum!) — but I’m actually on the fence. A lot of these colors look similar on my NC42 skin.

MAC In For a Treat Pearlmatte Face Powder, a champagne base with a matte coral flower and mint leaves on the pan ($29)

Like In For a Treat Pearlmatte Face Powder and the pretty design (the white edges are an overspray, but I don’t think the design in the center of the pan is). It has all the makings of an award-winning dessert! Normally, I’d want seconds of something like this, but I find myself craving more oomph! Less frost and more coral.

MAC Pink Buttercream Pearlmatte Face Powder, a light silvery pink base with dark pink flowers and periwinkle leaves ($29)

MAC Pink Rebel Lustre Drops, a blueish pink with golden pearl ($21)

MAC Lavender Whip Lipstick, a light cool lavender with a Cremesheen finish ($15)

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Vibrant Orange and Coral Storm the Stage in the MAC Hayley Williams Collection

April 5th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

I can’t guarantee you’ll go completely American Idol on that @ss when you wear the new MAC Hayley Williams collection and blast Paramore’s The Only Exception…but I think the chances of it happening are quite high, especially if you like orange and coral on your lips, tips and lids.

MAC has long loved collaborating with musicians, and the new four-piece online exclusive with Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams is their latest duet.

It’s also the most wearable one I’ve seen in a while.

I mean, well…Nicki Minaj Viva Glam 2 doesn’t exactly epitomize wearable. I know, like, one person who can pull off pale violet lips without looking totally and completely cray.

This collection sure seems more like music for the masses, and I like it. It sings with rock-n-roll brights, but still manages to stay chic.

And that coral eye shadow? Beautiful! It really surprised me when I got it on my lids.

Today I took the stage — also known as the hallway outside my office — with a sparkly fake microphone to put three of the four pieces to the test.

MAC Daydreaming Eye Shadow, a frosted mid-toned coral with a veluxe pearl finish ($15)

Daydreaming Eye Shadow ($15): Man, I thought this bright reddish coral had “zombie girl!” written all over it, but the red relinquishes the spotlight on my NC42 skin. I get more of an orangey pinkish coral from it, and the veluxe pearl finish hits all the right notes to keep things interesting. I’m not usually into colors like this, but I’m feeling this one, especially with thick cat eye liner. No fallout or patchiness, and it only takes one or two layers. Daydreaming is my favorite piece from this release.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Sounds Like Noise Lipstick, a bright true orange with a matte finish

Sounds Like Noise Lipstick ($15): Like a songstress belting out the blues at a gin joint, this bright orange matte has a story to tell. It’s trickier than I expected, but there’s pigment there. I have a tough time getting it to put down smooth color — apply, blot, then reapply — but a liner should help with that. I like the color, but I’d probably like it more if MAC remixed it into an Amplified Creme… Now that would top the charts!
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish, a soft, candlelit beige with multidimensional shimmer ($29)

Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish ($34): A shimmering beige that whispers on my skin like a breathy intro to a naughty Maxwell slow jam. On me, I think its true potential gets kinda lost, but it should really sing on lighter and medium skin tones.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

MAC Hayley Williams swatches from the left: Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish, Daydreaming Eye Shadow and Sounds Like Noise Lipstick

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Sun Rush Lustre Drops

March 21st, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Why wait for summer to wear MAC’s $21 Sun Rush Lustre Drops? The petite 0.60-ounce bottle, which fits in the palm of my hand and snugly into my teeniest makeup bag, is ready to go places NOW (spring break girls’ trip, anyone?).

And with the sun beaming down on the Bay Area today on this, the first official day of spring (See ya, winter! It’s been real!), I was in the mood for warm-weather makeup — tinted moisturizer, lots o’ lashes, lip gloss and Sun Rush’s peachy golden bronze shimmer.

Sometimes referred to as a water-based liquid bronzer, other times as a pearly highlighter, I call Sun Rush a reason to fall to my knees and humbly pay tribute to the Makeup Goddess of Faux Tans…whom you may refer to in whispers as Bronzeta.

Whenever I dot a couple drops of Sun Rush on my upper cheekbones and swirl them in with a MAC 224 or 217 brush, usually on top of whatever tinted moisturizer or light foundation I may be wearing (and possibly blush tint if I’m feeling extra ambitious), I’m transformed into one of those impossibly chic beach gals who wears Pucci print caftans, calls strangers dahhling and resort hops between the poshest places in the South of France.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, Duuuuude, I look relaxed.
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Dive Into a Double Digit Dose of Moisturizing Minerals With the Plush Pigments in MAC’s New Luxurious, Lightweight Line of Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

March 19th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

MAC MIneralize Rich Lipstick in Style Surge — MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Style Surge, one of 12 new $22 shades in a new line of lipsticks available now at MAC counters, in stores and online)

Yup, it’s official. Anything’s possible now.

That’s how I feel today, babe, like the sky’s the limit! In a world with a line of full-coverage lipsticks that feel exactly like lip balms, anything’s possible. Pretty soon fashion-forward cats will start walking on their hind legs, venus fly traps will start crooning, and Keanu Reeves will win an Academy Award.

Um…have you heard about Splash? The new celebrity diving show?

Channing Tatum says what now?

Yes, celebrity diving show. Picture it: Greg Louganis coaching Kendra Wilkinson through her springboard tucks and twists (which reminds me, I dated a diver once for like two seconds; it did not go swimmingly, ba-dum-bum).

sp-ch — Umm… (from *Splash*, via Facebook)

Wait — where was I? Oh, yeah. The lipsticks.

MAC’s new $22 Mineralize Rich Lipsticks dove (haha) into the permanent line earlier this month, and from one dry-lipped girl to another (assuming you have dry lips, of course), one word: revelation.

According to MAC, the 77 minerals they added to the formula make these magnificent moisturizers, which leads me to wonder late at night (right after my 20-pound tabby wakes me up by walking across my left boob), why 77 minerals? Why not 76 or 78?

But I digress…

Ever since I started wearing six of the 12 shades, I haven’t seen a lip flake in sight.

The moisturizing formula takes the cake, but it’s not all these have going for ’em. They’re also comfy like a good pair of yoga pants. They could easily pass for a lightweight balm.

And they’re so easy to apply! — so put down that lip brush and liner. Even with the darker shades, like warm, deep red All Out Gorgeous, I can apply them directly from the oversized bullet (at 0.12 ounces per tube, these are slightly larger than regular 0.10-ounce MAC Lipsticks), and get 2-4 hours of full coverage from a single layer.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks from the left: All Out Gorgeous, Dreaminess, Elegant Accent, Lady at Play, Posh Tone and Style Surge

MAC MIneralize Rich Lipstick Swatches — MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick Swatches from the left: All Out Gorgeous, Dreaminess, Elegant Accent, Lady at Play, Posh Tone and Style Surge

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MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation Looks Like Real Skin, Feels Like Nothing and Garners Compliments From Complete Strangers

March 18th, 2013 by Karen 37 Comments

Um, you know when you find a pair of jeans that makes your bum look like it belongs in a naughty music video? Isn’t that one of the best things ever? 🙂

It’s like when you’re wearing a new foundation and a stranger tells you that your skin looks great.

Gurl, it happened to me yesterday at the mall wearing the new $33 MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation, and it was joy.

I was at the Blue Mercury at the Corte Madera mall chatting with one of the sales associates about skin care. She complimented me on my skin and seemed genuinely surprised when I credited MAC Mineralize Moisture, a completely new line of liquid foundations designed with dry skin and sheer-to-medium coverage in mind.

She assumed I wasn’t wearing any foundation at all, so I said to myself, “SCORE!” I gotta say, when a foundation fools a fellow beauty addict, there’s magic afoot…

What kind of magic?

Well, the kind that brings mannequins to life…by which I mean the satiny finish, which has just the faintest hint of a shine, keeps skin from looking flat or artificial.

It comes in a whopping 18 shades, too — NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC44, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW50.

I usually wear MAC foundations in NC42, but when MAC sent me a few shades to test, they left that one out, so I’ve been wearing a lighter shade, NC30, to sort of highlight the areas beneath my eyes, on my nose, between my brows and in the middle of my forehead, and a mix of NC30 and NC44 everywhere else.

Those two together seem like a pretty good match for me (note to self).

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation swatches — Four of the 18 shades of MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation from the left: NC30, NC44, NC45 and NW50

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