mac-alluring-aquatic

Fishing for Ideas With the New MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection: 7 Lip Pencil, Lipstick and Lipglass Combinations

May 15th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

Wearing the new MAC Alluring Aquatic collection on my eyes, cheeks and lips — Lip Pencil, Lipstick and Lipglass combinations with the new MAC Alluring Aquatic collection

I do this sometimes with MAC collections (for no particular reason other than random curiosity), where I try to see if I can come up with any lip combos I really like, and here’s what I came up with today — lip combos using the Lip Pencils, Lipsticks and Lipglasses from the MAC Alluring Aquatic collection.

Do any of these catch your eye? I’m always hoping to come up with the secret sauce to my next favorite lip look. You never know what you’re gonna get until you try.

1. Pet Me Please Lipstick + Water Deities Lipglass

MAC Pet Me Please Lipstick and Water Deities Lipglass — Pet Me Please Lipstick and Water Deities Lipglass

2. What Comes Naturally Lip Pencil + Half Red Lip Pencil + Siren Song Lipstick + Modern Lure Lipglass

MAC What Comes Naturally Lip Pencil, Half Red Lip Pencil, Siren Song Lipstick and Modern Lure Lipglass — What Comes Naturally Lip Pencil, Half Red Lip Pencil, Siren Song Lipstick and Modern Lure Lipglass

3. Half Red Lip Pencil + Mystical Lipstick

MAC Half Red Lip Pencil and Mystical Lipstick — Half Red Lip Pencil and Mystical Lipstick

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A Metallic Green and Warm Smokey Brown MAC Alluring Aquatic Face of the Day

May 15th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

Whenever I have mermaid dreams (yes, it’s a thing), they more or less go down something like this…

They’re usually in slow motion, lots of bubbles, tons of makeup…

Shoot, I can’t even fathom (Haha! Fathom…? Get it?) being a mermaid without makeup. That’s absurd.

The video is from MAC, timed for the release of their Alluring Aquatic collection, which launched online today (it’ll be in stores on May 22).

Not that I needed a reason to channel my inner mermaid (because every day is a good day to channel your inner mermaid), but I used it (the new collection) as such for my makeup today.

There are lots of things I like about this look. It’s slightly smokey, has warm browns in the crease, some color along the lash lines and leagues o’ lashes (thank goodness for falsies). Oh, and just the lightest dusting of glitter.

All good things. 🙂

I’m pretty comfortable with looks like this. I feel like this one’s a little flashy but stops short of full-on cray.

I might tone it down a tad if I were hanging out with the family or spending time with friends or going out to dinner with El Hub, and then just add the falsies for big events or fancy parties.

Today, though, I decided to put them on because, heck, it’s Thursday, and that seemed like a good enough reason for me, LOL!

Most of the products I’m wearing here are from MAC. On my eyes that’s…

MAC Legendary Lure Extra Dimension Eye Shadow: lids and lower lash lines
MAC Black Line Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner: as an eyeshadow base on my lids (it coaxes the green tones in Legendary Lure, and buffing it out brings out the small bits of golden glitter from the liner…super cool!)
MAC Delphic Extra Dimension Bronzer: crease and lower lash line
MAC Texture Eye Shadow: outer part of crease, to darken and add a slight lift to the eyes
MAC Black Swan Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner: upper and lower lash lines
Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil: water lines
MAC Mylar Eye Shadow layered on top of MAC Light Boost Prep + Prime Highlighter: on my brow bones
MAC Lorelei Extra Dimension Eye Shadow: inner corners
Ardell Demi 120 Lashes: upper lashes
Guerlain Cils D’Enfer Mascara: lower lashes
MAC Deep Dark Brunette Fluidline Gelcreme: brows

Cheeks and lips are all Alluring Aquatic. 🙂

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The MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Extra Dimension Bronzers and Blushes Are Making Waves With Me

May 2nd, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

Contrary to popular belief, mermaids aren’t always able to rely on sunshine and brisk sea breezes for bronzed skin and beautifully sun-kissed cheeks.

I mean, have you seen the beaches here in Nor Cal?

Holy crap, man! Most of the time they’re freezing cold and the skies are overcast.

But that’s where blush and bronzer come in, because even if you’re a mermaid, selkie or siren, you will find a way to get some color on your face and cheeks, high tides, cloudy skies and rough seas be damned!

The new MAC Alluring Aquatic collection, which crashes on shores this month, makes it easy to look like you’ve been lounging in a seaside sun-drenched seashell all day, thanks to its two Bronzing Powders ($27.50 each), two Extra Dimension Bronzers ($33 each) and two Extra Dimension Blushes ($27.50 each).

The release splashes ashore May 15 at maccosmetics.com and May 22 at North American MAC counters (internationally some time in May).

I’ve been wearing the Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic and Extra Dimension Blushes in Sea Me Hear Me and Seduced at Sea this week, and as a part-time mermaid (my regular job as Tabs the Cat’s personal assistant prohibits me from making the jump to full-time), I can say that all three have made a big splash with me.

MAC Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic — Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic

Starting with Delphic Extra Dimension Bronzer, I can’t recall ever seeing MAC release a bronzer version, so I’m beyond thrilled to see this soft brick tan with its touch of barely-there golden shimmer.

I’ve been using it to add all-over warmth to my skin by sweeping it beneath my cheekbones, around the edges of my face and across my forehead, where it deposits just the perfect amount of color to the skin without that heavy, obvious, powdery look that some powder bronzers leave behind.

The new-ish Extra Dimension formula, which is sort of a combination of a cream, liquid and powder in the same pan, feels soft to the touch — almost creamy — and I really, really love it, not only because it blends easily and looks natural (the bronzer doesn’t sit on my skin like some powder bronzers do), but it’s also long-wearing. I get from 8-10 hours.

Delphic has a finish that’s just about perfect, and I’m crushing hard on this one, big time. It looks matte at first, but when you look closely you can see a slight sheen. The fine shimmer also gives it even more depth.

And then there are the two blushes in beige pink Sea Me Hear Me and neutral plum Seduced at Sea.

MAC Extra Dimension Blushes in Sea Me, Hear Me (left) and Seduced at Sea (right) — Extra Dimension Blushes in Sea Me, Hear Me (left) and Seduced at Sea (right)

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The MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks, Lipglasses and Lip Pencils Are off the Port Bow

May 1st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Dear MAC Makeup Sirens of Alluring Aquatic…

Hey, ladies! I know y’all are busy reclining on the rocks and beguiling sailors with your songs and whatnot, but when you have a spare minute, ideally some time before your new 32-piece Alluring Aquatic summer collection arrives on May 15, can we schedule a quick conference call?

I’d like to discuss a major issue I have with the five Lipsticks, five Lipglasses and two Lip Pencils in the collection — specifically, I wish I could wear each and every one of them, like, all at the same time.

Four of the five MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks

Frankly, I am jealous of the hydra, your mythical multi-headed pal, because he doesn’t have to choose among the pearly nudes, neutral pinks, plummy bronzes and vibrant violets. It’s totally not fair!

I, being a mere human (sigh), am relegated to wearing a single lip look at a time. ‘Tis a Greek tragedy of epic proportions.

But it’s not my fault! I have a weakness for nude lips, particularly in smokey eye looks using eyeshadows in unexpected colors, like the shimmery blue, green and plum Extra Dimension Eye Shadows from the MAC Alluring Aquatic collection.

I love the femme fatale look of glistening eyes and glossy nude lips, and I can totally get that by lining my lips with light nude What Comes Naturally Lip Pencil before filling them in with Lustre Lipstick in Siren Song (a pale sheer beige) or Frost Lipstick in Pet Me, Please (a light shimmering mauve).

A layer of either the seductively sparkly Clear Water or creamy nude Peachstock Lipglasses on top, and I, too, feel like a magical creature of the sea.

Oh! — and the pinks in this collection? Both neutral pink Matte Lipstick in Enchanted One and creamy rose Cremesheen Lipstick in Mystical are neutral enough to work with both warm and cool skin tones and perfect for a day at the office, whether you spend said days on sea cliffs singing enchanting songs or pushing paper at your desk (damn those TPS reports!).

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lip Pencils in Half-Red (left) and What Comes Naturally (right) — Lip Pencils in Half-Red (left) and What Comes Naturally (right)

I like both of the lippies worn either by themselves or with a touch of light bronzy pink Water Deities Lipglass or plummy bronze Seducing Sound Lipglass on top, which makes them even more alluring.

And how about those big parties at the Parthenon? Well, when I need enough drama to party with Zeus and Athena, vibrant violet Cremsheen Lipstick in Goddess of the Sea, deep violet Lipglass in Modern Lure and soft burgundy Lip Pencil in Half-Red perfectly accompany shimmery statement eyeshadows.

Yes, MAC Makeup Sirens, I believe that you gals know where to find me, since I can hear you singing your songs of makeup seduction practically every single day. Have your people call my people, and let’s set up a time to talk.

Sooner than later, yeah?

MAC Siren Song Lustre Lipstick — Siren Song Lustre Lipstick

MAC Mystical Cremesheen Lipstick — Mystical Cremesheen Lipstick

MAC Pet Me PleaseFrost Lipstick — Pet Me Please Frost Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Matte Lipstick — Enchanted One Matte Lipstick

MAC Modern Lure Lipglass — Modern Lure Lipglass

MAC Clear Water Lipglass — Clear Water Lipglass

MAC Peachstock Lipglass — Peachstock Lipglass

MAC Water Deities Lipglass — Water Deities Lipglass

MAC Seducing Sound Lipglass — Seducing Sound Lipglass

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipstick swatches from the left: Siren Song, Mystical, Pet Me Please Me and Enchanted One — Lipstick swatches from the left: Siren Song, Mystical, Pet Me Please Me and Enchanted One

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The MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Extra Dimension Eye Shadows and Pearlglide Intense Eye Liners Are off the Starboard Bow

May 1st, 2014 by Karen 32 Comments

Wait.

Quiet, now.

Do you hear that?

That song…?

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.

Oh, my goodness! I think I know what it is. That’s the siren song of the new MAC Alluring Aquatic collection.

Gah! Lure me in, why don’t ya? — with your lustrous teal packaging, Neptunian theme and the inviting Extra Dimension formula that makes me want to dive into your shimmery waters without fear or hesitation.

Yeah…this stuff sings to me.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection — The MAC Alluring Aquatic collection

The release splashes ashore May 15 at maccosmetics.com and May 22 at North American MAC counters (internationally some time in May).

The packaging…I lurves it. Shimmery, shiny and teal, and the little water droplets make it unlike anything I’ve seen before, at least that I can remember.

The ship sets sail with 32 pieces — a good many of them lipsticks and lipglosses — with a couple of lip pencils and plenty of beautiful pieces with MAC’s Extra Dimension formula (eyeshadows, bronzers and blushes). There are also a couple of liners, nail polishes, regular powder brushes, a makeup bag and a few other tidbits (full list down below).

Soft, shimmery eyes, chrome nails and glistening skin characterize the collection. Think cheeks with a soft, satiny sheen. Harsh is not the operative word.

The lips vary widely from warm nudes to neutral pinks, deep violets, bronzes and plums, giving a MAC Alluring Aquatic siren a lot of lip choices.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Eye Shadows — Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Eye Shadows

I love it when MAC includes Extra Dimension products in their collections because of how well those blasted things blend, and how amazingly long they last.

Don’t be scurred of the shine and frost you see here, even if you’re afraid of shimmer, because in these looks I’m wearing the shadows rather intensely. Overall, I think they’re quite wearable.

I packed them on with the MAC 233 Split Fibre Eye Shadow Brush from the collection, but a MAC 217, with its fluffier domed shape, would deliver a lighter wash of soft, shimmery color.

I’ve been playing with four of the six Extra Dimension Eye Shadows this morning, and here some quick thoughts…

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Lorelei

MAC Lorelei Extra Dimension Eye Shadow, a golden beige — Lorelei Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

Lorelei is otherworldly! What a lovely golden beige and a great everyday color. I think it also has hints of peach in it…

I love it just buffed all over the lids. I know that it looks a little frosty in the swatch, but that’s partly due to the flash. It’s not quite as shiny in person (more of a subtle sheen), and I think it looks gorgeous with peaches and golds, like — ooh! — Indianwood Paint Pot or Woodwinked. You could do Woodwinked on the lid, Lorelei in the inner corners and lower lash lines and Soft Brown in the crease.

Yeah, awesome.

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Legendary Lure

MAC Legendary Lure Extra Dimension Eye Shadow — Legendary Lure Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

MAC calls Legendary Lure Extra Dimension Eye Shadow a deep cerulean…

I love that word — cerulean. 🙂

On my NC42 skin, it reminds me of a simpler MAC Club without Club’s flash of reddish brown, so basically a tantalizing teal-ish gray.

I love those peacock feather colors, ya know? I can’t wait to wear this one with a deeper green, maybe something like MAC Tarnished Eye Kohl.

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Fathoms Deep

MAC Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eye Shadow — Fathoms Deep Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

Fathoms Deep, which is technically a deep blue, interestingly enough looks more like a dark gunmetal periwinkle on me (Lots of blue shades often lean purple on my skin tone… Weird!).

Since I’m a sucka for smokey eyes, all I want to do with this one is smudge a black liner all over my lash lines and smoke it out on top.

I’m looking forward to trying it with the nude lip shades from the collection, like Peachstock Lipglass, for a summery smokey eye.

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Soul Serenade

MAC Soul Serenade Extra Dimension Eye Shadow — Soul Serenade Extra Dimension Eye Shadow

As for deep plummy brown Soul Serenade Extra Dimension Eye Shadow, it’s also sure to lure smokey eye fans.

With these shadows, because they are quite shiny, I like to add a matte shadow up in the mix. For me, whenever I wear shiny shades like these, I like to have something matte or satin to balance everything out, like I actually took one of the Extra Dimension Bronzers from the collection and put it in the crease.

That’s not a rule, mind you. If you like the full-on shine, girlfriend, go for it. Sometimes I do too.

Pearlglide Intense Eye Liners in Black LIne and Black Swan

MAC Alluring Aquatic Pearglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line (left) and Black Swan (right) — Pearglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line (left) and Black Swan (right)

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