1. Their classic neutral brown and beige shades
Before the Urban Decay Naked palette took the makeup world by storm, there were old-school MAC brown and beige neutrals like Brule, Mylar, Ricepaper, Shroom, Soba, Samoa Silk, Kid, Bamboo, Omega, Cork, Wedge, Brun, Soft Brown and Saddle, among other shades. I could write sonnets and dissertations on their awesome sauce.
MAC has a well-deserved rep for crazy colorful shades and brights, but that’s just part of what they do. Some of my friends who are less enthusiastic about makeup than I am say things like, “They’re the ones that do the crazy bright green drag show eyeshadow, right?” and I’m like, um…yeah, they do some of that, but there are also so many great neutrals in the line.
Some of their permanent collection neutrals are timeless classics that women (and men) of all ages can wear.
Shoot, I hope I’m still rocking Soba when I’m 80. That’s the plan. 🙂
2. The MAC Rick Baker Monsters Bride Palette
I never expected to like this LE palette as much as I do, but it quickly became one of my most trusted companions this year. It always goes with me on trips, where it gets a coveted spot in my everyday essentials makeup bag.
There is one eyeshadow in it called Bitter, a crazy green, that I never use, but all of the other shades are ones I use and love, like Brun, Mylar, Omega, Club and Carbon.
My default neutral look with this palette is something soft and defined that I do all the time with Mylar all over the lid from lash line to brow bone, Omega in the crease, Brun in the outer corner and Carbon smudged along my upper lash line…
Then, if I’m feeling sassy, I’ll add Club on my lid on top of Mylar.
3. Woodwinked Eye Shadow
Woodwinked is one of all-time greatest two-for-one shadows. Pat it on with a flat 239 Eye Shader Brush for a warm and shimmery golden brown, or buff it out with a 217 for a warm orangey brown with a satin finish. Either way: beautiful!
4. The 217 blending brush
I use the 217 every. Single. Day. It’s not just a brush for me; it’s an investment.
I have multiple 217s. That’s how serious I am about it, and I use them for so many things, like for applying and blending eyeshadow and under-eye concealer, applying highlighter and spot application of face powders. Those are just a few of the things I use the awesome 217 for.
5. Fix+
Another MAC ride-or-die product I never knowingly leave the house without (I always bring a tiny bottle with me when I travel). I use it for many different things, but mostly for blending out full-coverage foundations and under-eye concealers to make them look more natural.
6. Their crazy release schedule!
Because they release a new collection every five seconds, I always have something to look forward to. 🙂 Plus, all the weird collaborations! (Remember Dame Edna?)
7. Fabulous Felines
Cat lady says what, meow? An entire collection devoted to the fabulousness of kitties? YES!
8. EvRev!
One of the best, not-just MAC experiences of my life, but makeup experiences overall.
Funny story, but yesterday at the mall, as I was getting out of my car, I happened to glance through the window of the car parked next to me, and right there in the space beside the driver’s seat was a tube of MAC Lipglass that looked exactly like EvRev.
I wanted to take a picture with my phone right then and there…but I didn’t want to look like a creeper taking pics of other people’s cars, LOL!
9. Barbie Loves MAC
The very first post I ever wrote on MBB (OMG!), and my gateway MAC collection.
10. Soft Ochre Paint Pot
This one’s been on my mind again lately because I recently re-fell in love with it again after a short hiatus. Soft Ochre is a beautiful cream base for neutral shadows, especially for gals with warmer skin tones.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty MAC addict,
Karen
These eye shadows look SO pretty on you. The one and only time I tried Mac shadows, my eyes swelled shut. So… as you can imagine, I am a little more than wary of trying them again. I am jealous of people who can wear them, because I think they look the nicest ^_^ I have been MIA from my computer for a bit and I sure did miss reading your blog, Karen! Happy holidays to you ^_^
Thank you for this end of the year retrospective that certainly took me down Memory Mac Lane!
The Barbie Collection was my introduction not to just MAC but to modern makeup. I bought the darker pink lipstick (cannot recall the name!). I then moved on to Raquel Welch’s collection.
Purposely missed the Fabulous Felines as I’d just adopted my 2 kitties and feared the gateway!
I think 60% of MAC is basic-plus (neutrals and non-neon with that extra sheen or touch of glam). Even the “loud” collections tough have a whisper or two of chic.
I do recall your Evolution Revolution wonderment because I was hip-deep in writing my life!
Gonna have to check out Fix soon!
Happy happy into the new year too!
This was so much fun! That Barbie collection is soo cute! I love the 217 as well the best thing that happened to eye-shadows! 🙂
I love Mac and I have been discovering more and more products from their permanent collection recently. I just bought my first bottle of Mac pro concealer. I need the 217 brush I think!
I feel heartbroken that I missed fabulous felines.
I love your list!! My gateway into Mac was the Hello Kitty collection. I’m still sad to this day I missed out on Barbie. EvRev is a favorite during summer. I can’t believe I don’t own Woodwinked.
A collection centered around cats? Why wasn’t I into makeup when that came out?!
Cool post 🙂
I’m shocked you didn’t mention Face and Body foundation!
Love this article!! And…Groundworks paint pot!! Teddy and Powersurge Eye Kohl! The 187 brush! and the lipsticks!! The lipsticks!!!
I just love me some MAC! I’ve been a little bored with the collections this year but there’s still a million reasons why I love them. I really wish I was into MAC for all the good collections like Barbie, Hello Kitty, Heatherette, etc. Seems like the collections back then were very fun and creative
Thanks for this amazing list of Mac favorites. I hat to admit that I am yetvto try Mac eye shadows bit I will surely be starting with neutral browns like woodwinked.. :-).
I love their limited edition launches and collaborations . 🙂
I love the neutral eye look you did! I’m a sucker for neutral shadows, so I really need to add some of those MAC ones to my stash. Also, I still have some EvRev gloss left in the tube. Love the color!
This is how I feel about NARS! I love hearing other people’s stories of falling in love with makeup (and blogging). I might be more eager to hear those stories than how a girl met her S.O. Ha! Thanks for the sidebar love this week, it was such a nice surprise in an otherwise tough couple of days <3
I still remember back about 10 years ago when a gf of mine used MAC and introduced me to the line, I thought spending $15(CA) on 1 eyeshadow was for the insane. But my inner girly girl tried a shade out and WHAM! I was hooked. I got my 3 sisters hooked. I have almost eyeshadow everyshade, 1/2 of them in the pots. I wonder if I should get one of their displays somedays.. lol. The other half is the pans in the collections. Their eyeliners are perfect, as is the blushes. My only nemesis is their foundation lines, my skin breaks out into fine bumps when I use it. But I still always return to my old faithful when I stray into other, non named, makeup stores.. 🙂
As someone else has said, I too would add Face and Body.
Major throwback with the Barbie collection! I’ve actually never purchased anything from MAC before (yeah, I know) but I always love their awesome campaigns!
I am a MAC girl by heart, they were my first and still greatest makeup love, they make almost two-thirds of my collection and had me waiting at the break of dawn (well, 8 am) in front of stores to get the desired LE items.
And even if I don’t run out buying every single thing any more, I at least check out their collections.
I used to love MAC. I love their duochromes still. Occasionally something in a collection still catches my eye almost enough to buy it. Mostly lippies and eye shadows 🙂
I love their Studio Fix Fluid but I cannot wear it more than one day in a row, as I’ll break out like a teenage girl going through puberty 🙁 I’m a huge fan of their lipsticks, with Ruby Woo being one of my all time favorites! I have yet to try any of their shadows, as I don’t wear much eye makeup (I actually just contour with bronzer with my 224)
Love this post and as always, you’re too funny, I loooove reading your posts so so much!
I can only agree with about 99,9% of what you said 🙂 I also have to add MAC’s pro longwear concealer to this list ’cause it’s amazeballs!! <3
Love, Stefi
Great picks Karen! I would have added the Face&body foundation to this list. Love Mac dearly!!
Oooh thats one fine palette…too bad I missed it:( Love the pop of colour in there too. True true..I love most of these things about Mac too. Sep the Soft Ochre paint pot:) However i have to say Karen, their crazy release schedule? is just that…crazy!! I hate how they put out way too many collections in a year with many of them being misses. I really feel they need to tone it down and just do one or 2 ..maybe 3 a year and put out fantastic ones in those!! hehe
I am sincerely envious over your MAC Barbie goodies!!! I’ve never owned any MAC products, it’s on my wish list!
I was intimidated by MAC for the longest time and just started getting into it about a year ago, and now I collect it like it’s my job! And now I’m soooo mad at myself for not picking up the Rick Baker palette – the green color threw me off and I didn’t even think about the convenience of having those great neutrals in a small palette!