At the MAC Spring Colour Forecast release party last night, I stole a few minutes of a friendly MAC artist’s time to talk about the new Blush Ombres ($25) and Crush Metal Stacked Pigments ($32).
He (Jack) suggested a few ways to get more bang for your Colour Forecast-ing bucks.
Blush Ombre
Blush Ombre in Vintage Grape
What’s the deal with the newest members of the MAC blush family? What sets them apart? Well, each of the four moderately pigmented pressed powder blushes is really a combination of buildable colors in the same pan, a gradient that moves from light to dark tones, with a finish about halfway between shimmer and matte.
Tips and tricks
- To load a brush with a mix of tones from one of the pans, use a swirling action with a blush brush like the MAC 129.
- The lighter tones in each pan make great highlighters. For a look that glows, apply it with a blush brush like the MAC 116 along the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose and on your temples.
- The darker (ooh, scary!) side of each pan can be used for contouring. For definition, load an angled face brush like the MAC 168, and sweep beneath the apples of your cheeks. 🙂
Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach
Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom
Blush Ombre in Springshine
Crush Metal Pigments
Crush Metal Pigment in Stacked 2!
If a MAC Pigment and some MAC Solar Bits had a lovechild … it would be called Crush Metal Pigments. These stackable pots of loose shimmery shadow deliver rich shimmery color with high metallic shine. They’re also safe for use around lips and eyes.
Jack said the stackable containers have been staples at MAC Pro Stores for years, and the Crush Metal Pigments are MAC’s way of taking the packaging mainstream.
Tips and tricks
- For a fast and easy eye look, apply a wash of color with Crush Metal Pigments and a fluffy domed brush like the MAC 217 or 224.
- Want more KAPOW!? Use a flat shadow brush like the MAC 252 or 239 instead (the dense bristles will deposit more pigment).
- If you’re a stage performer (a dancer, cheerleader, singer, drag queen, LOL!) and like shiny lips but hate getting your hair stuck in your gloss, use a finger to apply and blend Crush Metal Pigments directly on top of your lipstick. TADA! Shiny lips without sticky gloss. (Update, 11:24 p.m.: I just got word from reader HC that the Stacked 1 set has a warning on the box indicating that the product shouldn’t be used in the lip area. It contradicts the info I received from the artist, so please use this technique at your own discretion.)
Top view of Stacked 2!
Swatches
Coral swatches: 1. Lipstick in Rose Maiden, 2. Lipstick in Victorian, 3. Lipstick in Fresh Salmon, 4. Lipstick in Colour Me Coral, 5. Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach, 6. Lipglass in Ember Glow, 7. Lipglass in Kumquat, 8. Lipglass in Cha Cha, 9. Eyeshadow in Hot Hot Hot, 10. Eyeshadow in Straw Harvest, 11. Eyeshadow in Perky, 12. Crushed Metal Pigment in Stacked 2!
Pink swatches: 1. Lipstick in Pink Burst, 2. Lipstick in Laugh a Lot, 3. Lipstick in Phlox, 4. Lipglass in Cultureclash, 5. Lipglass in Hush Hush Rose, 6. Eyeshadow in Very Violet, 7. Eyeshadow in Rosy Outlook, 8. Eyeshadow in Lala, 9. Eyeshadow in Da Bling, 10. Blush Ombre in Azalea Blossom, 11. Crush Metal Pigment in Stacked 1!
Plum swatches: 1. Lipglass in Purple Rage, 2. Lipglass in Lavender Wind, 3. Lipstick in Radicchio, 4. Blush Ombre in Vintage Grape, 5. Eyeshadow in Pink Mink, 6. Eyeshadow in Bruised Plum, 7. Eyeshadow in Black Tulip, 8. Eyeshadow in Jungle Moon
Amber swatches: 1. Lipglass in Almondine, 2. Lipglass in Gold Dust, 3. Lipstick in Beigeland, 4. Blush Ombre in Springshine, 5. Eyeshadow in Manila Paper, 6. Eyeshadow in Flip, 7. Eyeshadow in Aztec Brick, 8. Eyeshadow in Creole Beauty
See anything you like?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
evil evil evil!!! i’m itiching to order some stuff online because it’s another 2 weeks before the release date? i wonder if the pro store will release it early >.<
You know I live to enable your MAC habit. 😉
What do you have your eye on?
i’m still deciding. trying to pair down my list because i’m still deciding if i want to order the alice in wonderland palette and stila spring collections. no one at sephora or murale knows when we’re going to get them in canada. booo
Boo indeed! You should call them every week until you find out! The squeaky wheel gets the grease (or in this case, the makeup!).
ahh, those ombre blushes are soo pretty!! i love ombre!
Me too. I somehow managed to exert self control and only walked away with one. I’ll probably be back for the other three though, ha! 🙂
Which one do you like most?
Which one did you end up getting?? I only got Vintage Grape but I think I’m going to go back for the other 3.
AHHH!! Damn MAC. That’s $100 in blush!
Ripe Peach! 🙂
GAH! want fresh salmon & cha cha very badly. it’s orange but it would look great with a competition tan…
been away for a while due to training 6-7 hours a day for an upcoming competition… that’s next friday… wish me luck!
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… It’s Finally Here – New Red Latin Costume =-.
Good luck! I hope you win!
Oh dear. I was successfully resisting this one but I’ve now fallen into lust with the peach and beige blushes. Really interested since the finish sounds just right- not too shiny not too flat. $33 feels like a lot for a blush though 🙁
On the plus side, the pan is a good size. It’s about the same size as a pressed powder compact.
Holy Batman, those blush ombrés are beautiful. Some of the pink lipstick colors are nice and hello pigment in Stacked 1! I especially like the dark dark purple.
I wore that dark purple today layered over Groundwork Paint Pot! It’s <3!
Just reread your original post… $25 instead of $33. Still seems spendy, especially since I think i would want both.
Maybe when you go to the counter play with both of the colors and then go home and think about it for a while. Which ever one you’re still jonesing for in a few days … get it! This trick always works for me when I can’t decide. 🙂
need. bronze. quad!!!!!!! can’t help but imagine a rim of that copper around my blue eyes with the dark brown in the crease..mmm mmm MM!
Get it, girl!!
Karen, thanks for elaborating on the Ombre Blushes……I think that Ripe Peach is going to be coming home with me next week!
Hi Donna, that color ended up coming home with me! I’ll try to take a few pics of it tomorrow…
Hope you had a lovely Thursday!
The blush ombre in RIpe Beach is GORGEOUS! I was lucky and picked one up from my local MAC Pro, and went I called today to see if they had more, I was told that shade sold out at the launch party. Ladies, if you are honking that one, pick it up ASAP!
Other things I picked up: Nanogold shadow, the bronze quad, gold stack, and a couple of the pink shadows….I love me some gold and pink!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… =-.
Good to know about the blush!
I love my Ripe Peach blush. What did you think about the Azalea one? I thought it looked too cool and would look odd on my warm tan skin tone but idk its kinda growing on me. Same thing with the plum stacked pigments. I LOVE the dark purple but I’m kind iffy on the other colors, wish there were as deep and bright.
Is the MAC you went to big? The one in my mall is pretty small so we were all packed in there like sweaty makeup hungry hogs 😛 I wanted a cocktail to cool me down but meh they were checking I.D. Those canapes were pretty tasty though 😀
.-= Stephie’s last blog post… It’s a New Year =-.
I liked it… but I miraculously somehow managed to refrain. I’ll probably go back and get it though, LOL!
The MAC Pro store in SF is a decent size. It’s more long than wide, which is probably why it looked so massive in the pic above!
Ack! This post made my heart race! Must step away from computer to catch breath…okay I’m back. If I could, I would own every single piece in this collection! MAC has not come out with anything that has made me this excited in over a year. Realistically, since there is no way I could own all of this sunny, springy goodness, I will find a way to get my grubby little hands on: Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach, Lipglasses in Cha Cha, Hush Hush Rose, and Gold Dust, and Crushed Metal Pigment in Stacked 2! Yum!
A very solid list, my friend!
I used the Crush Metal Pigments in Stacked 1 today and liked it a lot. 🙂 Might have to go back and get Stacked 2, oy!
Went into MAC “just to have a peak” and Stacked 1! caught my eye..I ended up buying both and DO NOT REGRET IT! Especially since they are a limited edition, I know I made the right decision 🙂 love them!
I really like those pigments but even if I will not buy these I’m sure their will be new or repromoted pigments in their next collections. I don’t even have to wait long for it 🙂
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Update: ORLY Sweet Spring II 2010 Collection – Swatches + New Spring Lipgloss Swatches =-.
Yup, that’s seems to be the case with MAC, LOL!
I reaaaaally want Laugh A Lot — such a pretty spring pink. And Azalea Blossom. I’m going in next Friday — my MAC store is offering makeovers with the new collection. I went in to pick up a Copperplate refill and my fav MAC lady signed me up and made a point of saying there is absolutely no purchase required. As if I could leave without some little present to me.
Have fun at your makeover next Friday… and let me know what you end up getting! 🙂
I am most excited about the crush metal pigments, especially the pink/purple stack. I will check the MAC Pro store this week, sometimes they release collections early.
.-= amy’s last blog post… MAC Lillyland Cremeblend Blush Joie-de-Vivre Product Picture, Review and Swatch =-.
Those colors will look beautiful on you!
I got Stacked 1! at the launch party and on the back of the pkging, it states…
WARNING: NOT FOR USE IN THE LIP AREA
Was the MAC MUA mistaken? 🙁
Hmm, I guess so. I asked him if it was cool and he said yes, but hey, if the packaging says that then I guess it’s the official word.
Thanks for letting me know… I updated the post with the info!
There’s so much I like in this collection. I think it’s going to be a mix ‘n match fest for me 🙂 I really like the ombre blushes and the stacked pigments. But I think I’ll mostly invest in some lipglasses and lipsticks 🙂
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… L’Oreal Products =-.
Oh, which colors are you thinking of getting?
HAHAHAHA!
“If you’re a stage performer (a dancer, cheerleader, singer, drag queen, LOL!)”
I definitely read “singer” as “stripper.” Wow, that gave me a good laugh.
🙂 LOL!
oh my goodness – why did I come here? now I just WANT!
What are you thinking of getting? 🙂
Oh Man! I want almost everything in the Coral, Pink, and Amber collections especially the blushes and the pigments! I really hope we get the whole collection in Taiwan!!! Thanks for the swatches Karen!
You’re welcome!
ZOMG thanks for these swatches, Karen. I vicariously went to that event through you! Oddly enough, despite the tantalizing ombre blushes, I’m really just drooling over Purple Rage lipglass <3 What were the "suprises", was there swag?
Dude, if there was I didn’t get any, LOL!
There was grub though — cocktails, brownies and some random appetizers!
Thanks for the swatches Karen. It’s a pretty collection but the only thing I’m lemming is the lipstick in Pink Burst. That’s gorgeous!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Looks: Soft Icy Winter =-.
You’re welcome Gio!
This collection is going to put me in major debt. LOL. I especially want the blush ombre’s.
Love those!
Im loving the three blushes. OMG. Not a good thing!!!
LOL! Which ones are you thinking of getting?
I love the ripe peach blush, it’s gorgeous. I wish spring was here already 😛
Me too! I’m so over winter.
Anyone know if the mix of tones is just a overspray or like that in the entire pan ?
I’m lemming the Ripe Peach and Azalea Blossom 🙂 and maybe just maybe one of the stacks..but arent thet just pigment plonked into travel tubs ?!
Hi Anna, From swatching at the store it looked like it was in the entire pan. I brought Ripe Peach home with me… haven’t busted into it yet but I’ll take a closer look tomorrow.
lol the ripe peach blush really does look like a peach!! My favorite is Azalea blossom, so pretty!
.-= Makeupmorsels’s last blog post… Road Trip =-.
I think that one’s eventually coming home with me too… 🙂
I would love to try one of the ombres, but I’m not sure any of those would really work with my skin tone. I like the plum collection best – especially the purple rage lip glass!
Purple Rage ROCKS!
I am in looove with the blush ombres. So smooth, pigmented and apply like a dream!
.-= SoVeryFabulous’s last blog post… NOTD: China Glaze Grape Pop =-.
Which ones did you end up getting?
I love the Laugh A Lot and Radicchio lipsticks and the peach ombre blush. I must get myself to a MAC store to try these out, or risk ordering online (scary!). Colors never seem to look the same on me as on the screen, and I’ve yet to find a good doppelganger make-up blogger with reliable swatching for my skin tone. Sorry, Karen. I adore this blog, but your coloring is nothing like mine. *sigh*
I understand. I’m trying to think of ways to incorporate swatches for other skin tones… it’s kind of hard. I wish I could drag my girlfriends with me to the counter but none of them have the patience, LOL!
Karen, what are your favorites with this collection? I’m really liking the Rose Maiden and have added Purple Rage to my list. It’s a good thing this doesn’t come out until next week-more time to plan!
Hi Daya, I came home with a couple of things: the Stacked 1 Crush Metal Pigments, Ripe Peach Ombre Blush and the two plum Lipglasses. I chose those because I wanted pieces to create a certain look. I’ll probably be back for the rest of the blushes… LOVED THEM!
You have to get Purple Rage, seriously!
Karen,
Just a heads up, the caption underneath Stacked 2 says “Crush Mental Pigment”, not metal. Hahaha. Thanks for the smiles!
HA HA! I kinda wish that was the name!
Those g radiated blushes are stunning. I hope the pans are big enough that you could actually pick up each of the colors separately. Both of the stacked pigment sets have at least one awesome color each that I wish was available separately. The greenish gold in #2 is so unique and the dark purple of #1 is pretty. This collection is so big it’s hard to keep all the great products straight! I haven’t been to a store to see it yet, but I’m just wondering how they’re displaying the four color families.
.-= knownever’s last blog post… A Major Gripe =-.
They have four separate stations! I didn’t take any pics of them… it was way too crazy in there to do it on the ‘low, LOL!
I already ordered both eyeshadow palettes and Bubblegum l/s. I will also be attending a launch party at Nordstrom this Saturday so I will def be picking up more:) I have my eye on Vintage Grape but I want to see how it will look before I shell out cash on it:D
Sounds like fun, Tami! What do you plan on picking up at Nordie’s launch party?
I know I definitely want Purple Rage l/g and I also have my eye on Gold Dust. Almondine looks interesting, but I have visions of myself looking as if I made out with a powdered donut wearing it so I want to see how it looks first.
My hubby will be going with me, so I know he will be pointing out colors that he thinks will look good on me. It will be even better if he pays for it too:D
I am *loving* Crush Metal Pigment in Stacked 1. Seriously, I can’t wait to get my hands on that! It looks SO pigmented. And I’ve been looking for a red eyeshadow for quite some time now, weirdly enough, so I’m excited for Lala as well 😀
.-= Rebecca’s last blog post… Frederic Fekkai: making the world more brilliant, one hair at a time =-.
It’s very pigmented. I used the dark purple yesterday and was like WHOA!
thanks for the tips and the swatches! I still can’t decide which blush ombre to get! I’m thinking coral or pink…
You’ve got the BB Nectar Shimmer brick, right? Hmm, how ’bout the pink?
Happy Friday!!
That’s a whole lotta swatching…I like a couple of tid bits from each colour forecast…Coral has some really pretty overall shades, then I like some lippies from pink…the quad from amber…oh lord, I really have to save up! LOL
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Tutorial – Dark, Smoky Black Eyes =-.
Oh my. I definitely need a swatch for Azalea because I am in love with the color, but am pretty tan. I’m worried it won’t show up that well on my skin…meanwhile I’m definitely lemming Ripe Peach a lot more now.
Hmm.. so far you made lemming Ripe Peach!
I always wanted the eyeshadow 4 quad purple, but seeing your swatch I’m not too sure, the light color looks kind of chalky. What do you think of it? FYI, I’m around NC42-44
I’m thinking of getting Fresh Salmon l/s or Color Me Coral l/s, depending on how it shows up on me… I’m not so good in picking up lip colors… more of an e/s girl 😛
And while I’m at it, I want to try Vibrant Grape too. Never tried out purple blush, who knows how it’ll turned out ;).
.-= astrid’s last blog post… The Gift =-.
Do you think Ripe Peach would look good on darker woman?