¡Finalmente! The MAC Selena collection!
Fans of beloved Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, whose life was tragically cut short in 1995 at 23 years old, made this collection happen, and MAC heeded the call.
While I was testing and reviewing, I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about Selena, like how her favorite colors were purple and black and her favorite flower was a white rose.
I’m sorry to say that I didn’t know much about her before this release, but I did know that she rocked bold red lips and sang a couple of songs that were very popular when I was in college.
Her artistic legacy and spirit inspired the 13-piece MAC Selena collection, which Selena’s sister Suzette helped create. It includes three new shades of lipstick ($18 each), including a dupe for a red taken from the makeup case Selena took with her when she went on the road; five new eyeshadows ($17 each); a new blush duo ($29); a new gloss ($17); and three re-promoted items from the MAC permanent line ($18 Opulash Mascara, $21 Boot Black Liquid Eye Liner and the $35 129SH Powder/Blush Brush).
MAC Select Obsessed & Devoted Members (MAC’s version of Sephora VIB) get early access to the collection in an exclusive pre-sale September 28. For everyone else, it arrives October 1 on the MAC website and in stores October 6 through November 17, 2016.
Everything about this collection feels intimate and personal to me, from the names of the products, several of which are named after Selena songs, to the purple and black packaging.
Mad about the mattes
Please forgive me for my accent when I say, “Aye, Dios Mio!” (I have THE WORST Spanish accent ever) over the matte eyeshadows.
They’re absolutely fantastic! I was freakin’ going nuts when I swatched them for the first time because it was like dipping a finger into soft whipped cream…
They’re feathery and lush like the Urban Decay matte eyeshadows (but with considerably less fallout), and when I blend them, I can’t really tell where one shade ends and the next shade begins.
All of the three mattes are also neutrals — a warm brown, a light beige with pink undertones and a deep blackened navy — which is totally on point for the ’90s revival happening now.
The two shimmer shadows — a warm pink and a pearly violet — blend just as well, and I think they’re fine for adding some color, but really, I think the stars of the show are the mattes.
Selena’s signature bold lips
Selena rocked bold lip colors, and two of the three lipsticks in the collection reflect that. I don’t think you can go wrong with either of the bolder colors.
I thought I was going to need a liner to pull off deep wine Dreaming of You (MAC’s Matte finish) and muted cherry Como La Flor (Amplified finish), but I’m able to use both colors straight from the tubes. Plus, one layer is enough.
Both shades feel reasonably thick, which helps to keep them in place, and that’s key.
Trust me — it’s so NOT fun when a slippery red or wine lippie ends up beyond your lip line. I’ve done it before (running around town unintentionally looking like the Joker), and it ain’t cute.
And, of course, being the totally predictable nude lipstick fiend that I am, I totally and completely love the nude shade, Amor Prohibido. It’s a pinkish mid-toned brown with MAC’s Glaze finish.
I know it looks sheer in the swatch, but oh, baby! — when you get it on…
Closing thoughts…
The silver glitter flecks in bubblegum pink Bidi Bidi Bom Bom Lipglass are on the bigger side, so it’s VERY sparkly.
But it’s also slightly gritty, and I’m not too crazy about that…
I also have mixed feelings about the matte blushes in the Techno Cumbio Blush Duo…
Yes, the brown side is super soft (just as soft as the eyeshadows), but the pink side isn’t. It’s harder and super sheer.
The colors are also a little difficult for me to wear (I’m an NC42), so I dunno… The brown almost looks like a taupe-ish pink on my skin, so it might be better for contouring, which I’m not really into at the moment.
For sure, I think the matte eyeshadows and all three of the lipsticks are totes worth your time. Consider the pink and purple shimmer eyeshadows, too, if you’re a fiend for colorful eye looks.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I’ve been so excited about this collection. Being a white girl, I didn’t really know who she was until she passed but living in San Antonio it was a REALLY BIG DEAL when that happened. There’s even a restaurant in downtown SA that has a Selena shrine in it! https://goo.gl/images/4OTJZn
I also remember when they were filming the movie with Jennifer Lopez around town, since Selena spent a lot of time in SA. I also met Suzette once a few years back and was within a few feet of Mr. Quintanilla another time (he’s so intimidating in person).
I can’t wait to snag a few pieces of this, I heard that the colors are based on actual makeup from her personal things.
Not sure how being a white girl matters if you knew about her or not.
I will pass on this collection. It is nice, but doesn’t have anything I can’t live without, or that I don’t already have. Love you though, Karen!
I’m really excited for this release! Haven’t been able to say that for awhile…
Oh wow this is such a beautiful collection
Beauty Candy Loves
*fangirl screams* Girl when Buzzfeed showed the collection earlier I knew my affair with Amor prohibido won’t be prohibited (this was a word game I hope you understood), but also that lipglass look pretty but they didn’t mention it felt gritty so I’m on the fence but just because of the name I’d buy it. It was one of the most famous songs she had, if you can look for “El Chico del apartamento 512” it’s my favorite song.
When I saw Temptalia swatches of the blush duo I was in doubt but now that you say it will work better for contour, I’ll pass; by the way do you think Fotos y recuerdos will work as a blush?
Those shadows look wonderful on you! I love Bidi bidi bom bom on you too, but I don’t like sparkly lip gloss for myself. Also really loving the two red lipsticks a lot more than I thought I would. Selena was really big growing up; she was the first mainstream latin artist of my time. I mean everybody knew her songs, although I couldn’t understand anything. I’m sure these will sell out too. Will be keeping my eyes open and hopefully I get my damn Taraji Glow before these come out!
I love your reviews!! I am very excited about this collection. I love Selena!!! Definitely getting the 3 lipsticks and brush. Not sure about the blush(NC 45).
Such a beautiful collection! Thanks for the review! I’ll probably get a eyeshadow and a lipstick.
wow beautiful!
i kinda want the eyeshadows and bidibidiboom gloss!
I didn’t know anything about Selena but this is the best Mac collection to me in years. I want six things!
That look with the Amor Prohibido!!! Sooooooo pretty, Karen!
For some reason I totally thought it was Selena Gomez collection! Silly me!
The eyeshadows look beautiful in this collection. Would you be able to tell me how you applied the eyeshadows?
The collection looks beautiful! I really like the packaging and the fact that MAC kept everything true to her style and personality. The lipsticks and shadows look very pretty but I’m probably going to pass. I may end up ordering the lip gloss if it doesn’t sell out too quickly. Or the compact. I hate that the blush is so sheer but the bronzer looks pretty nice
I definitely want Dreaming of You. I don’t think I need another brown eyeshadow, but I want to get at least one thing from this collection. Thinking about Selena makes me sad. 🙁
Um, I think YOU are the star of the show. Dreaming of You looks fantastic on you. 🙂 I really like that look because it combines 2 of my fave things – Fall and 90s makeup. HAHA! Have a fab weekend, filled with successful outings. 🙂
Now that the ’90s are back (OMG, did I just write that sentence?), I think we should all bust out our old velvet chokers…
You have a wonderful weekend too! Connor will be going to her first party tomorrow so wish us luck!
I love love love all the eyeshadows.
I’m anxiously awaiting to buy most of this collection, thanks for the great review.
Thank you for going the extra step and including Selena videos on this page!
Apparently the brown color in the compact is Blunt (blush) that a lot of people do indeed use for contouring. I got all lip products and Selena shadow.