It’s hard to talk about something that’s isn’t quite inspiring, but also isn’t junk.
I mean, I’ve been sitting here for gosh knows how long trying to say that I like the Red Lip Bag more than the Nude Lip Bag, but I think they’re both good deals.
These two bags are from the MAC Nutcracker Sweet holiday collection, and in the plus column, they come with three full-size MAC products — a Vamplify gloss (LOVE the Vamplifies), a Pro Longwear Lip Pencil and a Lipstick — for $39.50, but I wish they also came with a MAC sharpener, because I have a bunch of Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, and I’ve tried sharpening them with other pencil sharpeners, like the Chanel one and the Urban Decay one, but the only sharpeners that work well with them (for me) are from MAC.
When I sharpen the Pro Longwears with other sharpeners, the tips get stubby and easily break. And the actual pencil part doesn’t sharpen correctly either. It’s weird. I ended up getting a MAC sharpener specifically to sharpen my Pro Longwears, so if you do get one of these bags (or one of the MAC Pro Longwears), seriously, get yourself a sharpener too. It’ll help.
As for the two bags themselves, honestly, maybe a little snooze-worthy…but it all depends on whether you already have the goodies. For $39.50, you get items worth $58, which could be a great deal.
M∙A∙C Nutcracker Sweet
Available online October 20, 2016
Available in stores on October 27, 2016 through December 8, 2016
#MACNutcrackerSweet
Both bags come with a Vamplify lipgloss, which is a major selling point, because I think the MAC Vamplifies are fantastic. Intensely pigmented like a lipstick, they feel good like a Cremesheen, and they’re easy to use because of the angled doe-foot. You can get really into the corners with it.
The MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Bag ($39.50)
Vamplify in Suggestive, an intense bluish red (permanent collection, regularly $20)
Lipstick in Candy Cane, an intense blue-red (LE, $17 value)
Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Trust In Red, a bright cool reddish cream (permanent collection, $21 value)
All three are full sizeThe MAC Nutcracker Sweet Nude Lip Bag ($39.50)
Vamplify in Tuned In, a mid-tone rosy nude (permanent collection, $20 value)
Lipstick in Magic Spell (LE, $17 value)
Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in In Control, a brown mauve (permanent collection, $21 value)
All three are full size
As far as kits go, if you don’t already have the products, or if you’re looking for gift ideas, these bags are great. Individually, I think the formulas and colors are fantastic.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I think I like the nude bag set better. The red set looks too blue for me.
I’m loving the nude!
And, maybe it’s just me as a fellow wordsmith, but “bag” should not be used in conjunction with anything a person puts on his/her face, no?
The nude one looks to be the one, we didn’t get Taraji’s but we always get Holiday so I should star saving. Speaking of nudes I bought MAC Selena’s Amor Prohibido, I arrived to the store half an hour before the opening hour and I got the turn 37, I was speechless by the time I got the opportunity to buy the blush and three eyeshadows were sold out (I couldn’t buy it online it sold like hot cakes).
I keep going back and forth on that nude bag. On one had, I like all the products and want to try the Vamplify, but on the other hand money is a bit tight right now and I also want one of the cheek duos. Guess I need to decide soon!
The nudes have my name written all over them! (boy that sounds weird)
I guess it can be hard to get excited about small collections of staple products, but when you write ‘Individually, I think the formulas and colors are fantastic’ I sit up and take notice, because that’s so often NOT true of at least one or two products in any holiday set. I like the look of those reds. And the nudes (shockingly!) might not wash me out (although I’ll probably be better off sticking to Stone — I’m better off with cooler-toned colors on my lips).
All the lip colors look good on you (of course, she says with jealousy – HAHA!) but Candy Cane is especially stunning!
Wow I actually want both of these! All of the colors are beautiful!
Hi Kristen,
I think you’ll love the Vamplify formula. They’re some of my favorite lip products in the MAC line.
I got the red, but after reading this, I´m thinking I may have to get the nude set as well!
Hi karen! Would you say magic spell is similar to the smoked almond liptensity? I want both ? But am not sure if they’d be too similar