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MAC Cosmetics

A Novel Way To View Fall Lip Color: The Five New MAC A Novel Romance Lipglasses Skip Fall and Fast-Forward to Late Winter

August 4th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

MAC Lipglass in Talk Sexy, a dark purple
Hey, baby, it’s dark purple MAC Lipglass in Talk Sexy

Winter is coming… Looking at the Lipglasses in MAC’s new A Novel Romance collection, I can almost feel the socks on my feet (toe oppression!), the leopard-print cat lady gloves on my hands, the chill in the air and the extra 10 pounds of holiday chocolate in my belly. These colors sure don’t seem like typical fall colors.

No wines, reds or berries here. Instead, they remind me of colors we’d see in an early winter collection released after the holidays.

Yeah, as in January.

MAC Lipglasses in Bared for You, Reckless Desires, Pure Fiction, Wanting More and Talk Sexy
Lipglasses in Bared for You, Reckless Desires, Pure Fiction, Wanting More and Talk Sexy

Perhaps MAC is playing with the notion of novel and looking at it as something other than a book. Like something new, a new way to think about fall lip colors.

These five new limited edition Lipglasses ($15 U.S., $18 CDN each) have the same super sticky texture, vanilla flavor and scent, and 3-5 hour wear time I’ve come to expect from MAC Lipglasses.

Three of the five are different takes on pale lavender, but don’t be scared! Surprisingly, they’re very flattering and wearable. They almost function as nude neutrals, and all three should look great with any of the collection’s three quads, particularly when worn with intense smokey eye looks.

MAC Lipglass in Wanting More
Lipglass in Wanting More
MAC Lipglass in Wanting More, a washed-out lavender
Lipglass in Wanting More, a washed-out lavender
MAC Lipglass in Pure Fiction
Lipglass in Pure Fiction
MAC Lipglass in Pure Fiction, a mid-tone violet pink
Lipglass in Pure Fiction, a mid-tone violet pink

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There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews

With the MAC A Passionate Quest Quad, Blue Is the New Purple

August 4th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

MAC A Passionate Quest Quad
Wearing the new A Passionate Quest Quad from the MAC A Novel Romance collection for fall 2014

MAC loves purple quads.

Purple quads

No, not those purple quads. 🙂

I’m referring to purple quads like these…

MAC A Passionate Quest Quad
The MAC A Passionate Quest Quad ($40 U.S., $48 CDN)

They’ve been a recurring theme over the years (see: MAC Kelly Osborne Bloody Brilliant Quad, Archie’s Girls Eye Shadow X 4 in Spoiled Rich and the Private Viewing Quad from Make-Up Art Cosmetics, among many others), and with the new MAC A Passionate Quest Quad, their purple passion lives on. I think it’s one of their most interesting purple eyeshadow productions to date.

Those two shadows on the right side of the quad may look like pretty unassuming purples, but they each contain a surprising amount of blue.

Serenade, the lighter shade, is a mid-tone purplish pink with blue duochrome, while Stay Sultry is a dark navy violet.

The blue in both shadows advertises itself more clearly on my skin than it does in swatches, and it’s weird — layered on top of a black base, both shades look almost more like blue eyeshadows than purple.

MAC A Passionate Quest Quad
See the blue on my lower lash lines? That’s Serenade layered on top of a black liner

A breakdown of the eyeshadows in this look: The Wrong Man (a light cool dusty pink) on my brow bones and in the inner corners), Serenade (a mid tone pinkish purple with blue duochrome pearl) on my lids and lower lash lines, Brazenly (a rich eggplant) in the crease and Stay Sultry (a deep violet navy) in the outer corners. Also, on my lash and water lines, I’m wearing MAC Fluidline Eye Pencil in Black Brilliance. Lashes are Ardell 105s.

It’s as if the quad has a split personality. If you were to split it right down the middle, you’d have a blue duo on the right, and a more traditional purplish pink duo on the left.

A Passionate Quest (limited edition) is one of three quads in the MAC A Novel Romance collection, and I’d say it’s probably the most dramatic — and that’s not just because of the blue surprise. MAC really swings for the fences with the darker shades in the bottom half of the palette.

MAC A Passionate Quest Quad
I’m wearing Powder Blush in Fun Ending (a soft neutral peach) and Lipglass in Bared for You (a soft rose bold), both from A Novel Romance

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There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Palettes, Product Reviews

The MAC A Novel Romance Collection Lipsticks: Yield to Love, Good Kisser!

July 31st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Myself, a soft shimmery nude beige
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Myself, a soft, shimmery nude beige

I’m kinda getting into this whole romance novel thing (maybe I’ll actually read the one I got the other day!), like, by lustily posing for pics and tussling my hair.

My pout likes it, too. It got to try the six lipsticks from the MAC A Novel Romance collection yesterday.

The four pink and rose shades, which look like something you might find in a MAC late winter/early spring launch (see: MAC A Rose Romance… So old school!), and two deeper, more traditional fall matte shades in plum and deep red, almost seem like they belong in different collections.

My first impression? They seemed worlds apart, like the protagonists in an epic love story.

Of course, one of them has to be from the wrong side of the tracks, and their relationship is forbidden (it always has to be forbidden), and just when it seems like they’ll never be together, BAM! — somehow things work out.

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Myself, Cremesheen Lipstick in A Novel Romance, Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser, Matte Lipstick in Hearts Aflame, Matte Lipstick in Lingering Kiss and Cremeshee Lipstick Yield to Love (online exclusive)
From the left, that’s Lustre Lipstick in Myself, Cremesheen Lipstick in A Novel Romance, Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser, Matte Lipstick in Hearts Aflame, Matte Lipstick in Lingering Kiss and Cremesheen Lipstick Yield to Love (the one online exclusive).

Like our intrepid lovers, something also brings these six lipsticks together, and that something is the quads.

Seriously, it’s actually kind of neat. I feel like you can wear any of the lipsticks from this collection with any of quads, and they’ll look great. They mix and match perfectly.

You already heard how I want to ride off into the sunset on a chestnut-colored mare with the rosy shade, Yield to Love, and the bright pink shade, Good Kisser, so let’s move on to the other characters in our story… 🙂

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick Yield to Love (online exclusive)
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Yield to Love (the online exclusive)
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick Yield to Love (online exclusive), a mid-tone rose
Cremesheen Lipstick in Yield to Love (the online exclusive), a mid-tone rose
MAC Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser
Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser
MAC Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser, a mid-tone fuchsia
Matte Lipstick in Good Kisser, a mid-tone fuchsia

Hearts Aflame and Lingering Kiss are the two rather traditional fall shades. Technically, both have a matte finish, but they don’t look flat, at least to my eye. I see them as flirty with a kiss of shine that makes them interesting and gives them dimension.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Hearts Aflame, a mid-tone brick red
Matte Lipstick in Hearts Aflame, a mid-tone brick red

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There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews

Brace Yourself for Bodice Ripping Beauty: The MAC A Novel Romance Collection Is a Page-Turner

July 31st, 2014 by Karen 60 Comments

MAC A Novel Romance Collection
The MAC A Novel Romance collection for fall 2014

Normally I wouldn’t have struggled to carry the bags of cat food, but I was wearing 5-inch stiletto heels that day. Not exactly farm-friendly footwear.

“Oh, fudge,” I said, to no one in particular. One of the bags of kibble slipped from my grasp. It spilled open on the ground, and cats came running from all over the farm.

“Need some help with that?”

I spun around. There was a man walking toward me from the barn. He was shirtless, in blue jeans, and had a wry smile. Sun and perspiration glistened on his bulging biceps and muscled body.

“Uh…” I said, preoccupied by his rippling abs, which looked like they had never seen a carb before.

“I’m Kyle,” he said, removing his leather work gloves. “And you must be Karen.”

“Uh…” I said again. I was still not completely lucid. I mean, those shoulders, though. They were huge!

“That’s a lot of cat food,” he said. “Are you one of those crazy cat ladies?” He winked, and I literally saw a twinkle in his eye.

“If you only knew,” I said. “Yeah, I come out here to feed the feral cats a few times a week. Mr. Hargrove likes to keep them around, you know, to catch the rats. Plus they’re cute.”

“I see,” he said. “Do the cats like it when you wear high heels?” He gestured toward my feet.

“Well, no,” I said. “But I was planning to go to a MAC store after this because they have a new collection out. It’s about romance novels. You know, heaving bosoms, long-haired naughty pirates, that kind of thing.”

“Naughty pirates?” he asked.

“Obviously,” I said, “you can’t have a romance novel without naughty pirates.”

“Interesting,” he said. “Fair enough.”

Cats swarmed around my ankles devouring the kibble. Kyle was the new farm hand I’d heard about. Mr. Hargrove mentioned hiring him, but I hadn’t seen him before today. He looked a little like Alcide from True Blood. Part of me hoped he wasn’t a werewolf. Part of me hoped he was.

“Well my work here is done,” I said, looking at the kibble. “I think these cats are sufficiently fed.”

Kyle took a step toward me, and the hairs on the back of my arms stood up. “Do you have to go?” he asked.

The MAC store was already open, and I wanted to get there soon, but Kyle sure looked good in those jeans. I decided that A Novel Romance would have to wait.

–THE END–

Or is it the beginning? 🙂

MAC A Novel Romance Collection: Wearing the Quad in An Amorous Adventure, Powder Blush in Fun Ending, Cremesheen Lipstick in Yield to Love and Fluidline Eye Pencil in Black Brilliance
Here I’m wearing the Quad in An Amorous Adventure, Powder Blush in Fun Ending, Cremesheen Lipstick in Yield to Love and Fluidline Eye Pencil in Black Brilliance

A Novel Romance has some the most memorable fall campaign art I’ve seen since MAC Fabulous Felines. First of all, homeboy in the pic below looks like Khal Drogo. I wonder if that was on purpose…

MAC A Novel Romance

Second, the whole idea just makes me smile. It’s cheesy, but still feminine and pretty. I mean, I get it, even though it’s been years since I’ve read a romance novel.

What we have here is very seductive makeup, but there’s also a softness to it that I like, especially around the eyes. There’s a lot of shimmer, and nothing too hard edged.

MAC Fluidline Eye Pencils (left to right) in Atomic Ore, Earth Sign, Deep Blue Sea, Metropolis, Water Willow, Evil Twin and Black Brilliance
Fluidline Eye Pencils (left to right) in Atomic Ore, Earth Sign, Deep Blue Sea, Metropolis, Water Willow, Evil Twin and Black Brilliance

I may or may not have breathed a lusty sigh when I saw the new Fluidline Eye Pencils. I’m never without my pot of Blacktrack, and I love me some Fluidline in the pots, so I ’twas intrigued.

I used one of the shades yesterday, Black Brilliance, the basic black. It’s a pencil gel liner, which a lot of brands have, but these pencils have a very fine point. Finer than usual for products like these, and I think it makes them great for getting liner down between each lash at the base…because it seems like I spend half my day trying to get eyeliner between the roots of my lashes.

MAC Fluidline Eye Pencils in Atomic Ore, Earth Sign, Deep Blue, Metropolis, Water Willow, Evil Twin and Black Brilliance
Fluidline Eye Pencils in Atomic Ore, Earth Sign, Deep Blue, Metropolis, Water Willow, Evil Twin and Black Brilliance

They’re highly pigmented and glide along the skin, but if you want to smudge them at all, you have to work quickly, because once they set, they don’t move. I wore Black Brilliance on my lash and water lines yesterday and had it on for about six hours before removing it, and it looked great the whole time…on my upper water lines and lash lines, that is.

It was a different story on my lower water lines. The color was still intense, but the coverage had broken up in places.

I will say that the formula didn’t irritate my eyes, though, which is something….

Regarding the Electric Cool Eyeshadows in the release, maybe it’s because I’m coming off a Chanel New Moon high, but I’m very excited about these. They have the same spongey, soft texture as the Chanel Illusion D’Ombres, which I love.

MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Pure Flash
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Pure Flash
MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Love Power
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Love Power
MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Superwatt
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Superwatt
MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Coil
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Coil
MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Gilded Thrill
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Gilded Thrill
MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Switch to Blue
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Switch to Blue

MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Highly Charged
Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Highly Charged

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There are 60 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup

Better Together: MAC Nail Lacquers in Quick Million and Erogenous

July 21st, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

MAC Nail Lacquers in Quick Million, Erogenous, Underlacquer and Overlacquer
MAC Nail Lacquers in Quick Million and Erogenous, next to MAC Underlacquer and Overlacquer base and top coat ($12 each)

Yeah, I made my first quick million by being erogenous.

Haha. No, not really. 🙂

But what if I could? I don’t know. I would not…say no to that. Perhaps. Maybe?

Anywho, I wanted to paint my nails last weekend with something summery but not all-out bright, and these two shiny, almost gel-like polishes from the recently relaunched MAC nail polish line ($12 each) fit the bill.

I’ve been inspired by pale rose and peachy golden tones lately, and they seemed like they’d go well together.

Creamy peach Erogenous just said “summer” to me, but I felt like it needed a dance partner…

Enter glittery yellowish gold Quick Million, with its little yellowish golden flecks of glitter and larger flecks of hexagonal peachy rose.

Great by itself, which is how I’m wearing it here (two coats), Quick Million can also work as a top coat.

You know, in case you’re interested.

I like these two together even more than I like them apart. The peach in Erogenous goes well with the hexagonal flecks in Quick Million.

Both are available now, along with the rest of the Studio Nail Lacquer line, for $12 each.

Incidentally, I’m also wearing them with MAC’s Underlacquer and Overlacquer base and top coats (also $12 each), and I have to say that despite it being only two days since I put these polishes on my paws, I’ve typed a lot and cleaned my office during that time, so my nails have already taken a beating, but the polishes have handled it with aplomb.

Because of how hard I am on my nails (especially the nails on my right hand, for some reason), I always — always — see chips within one or two days, but I barely see any signs of chipping now at all.

Good sign.

MAC Erogenous (peach shade) and Quick Million (glitter)
MAC Erogenous (peach shade) and Quick Million (glitter)
MAC Quick Million and Erogenous Nail Lacquers
Accent nail, yo!

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There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Nails

5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels You Might Want To Try

July 16th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels

Minimalism!

It’s not just for Smurfs anymore.

This time of year it also describes my appetite for makeup, as in not wanting to wear a ton of it on my face, and if your makeup cravings are also leaning toward the minimal side, here are five of my current favorite minimalist makeup products.

These are all in active minimalist makeup rotation right now.

1. The marvelous MAC Paints! ($20 each)

MAC Paints
The MAC Paints

These $20 cream shadows dry to a powder finish and come in five natural-looking neutral shades.

If you don’t blend them out perfectly, no worries, because the colors are all pretty low contrast, so you can’t really mess up — or, rather, if you do, you can’t really tell.

Perfect for people who are frequently running behind (she said, raising her hand in the air while saying, “Ooh! Ooh! Like me.”).

All five shades also have a hint of a sheen to ’em (it’s very subtle and nothing dramatic like a frost), which makes them quite forgiving of fine lines — something I greatly appreciate.

MAC Paint Swatches from the left: Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas
MAC Paint swatches from the left in Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas

Beyond all of that, they’re also just straight-up easy to use. Creamier and more viscous than many other cream shadows like the MAC Paint Pots, they’re a breeze to spread and blend.

Just squeeze a small amount from the tube, and pat and blend that on your lids with your fingers. You can even skip primer with them if you want. I usually do (saves time).

My favorite color? Golden beige Bamboom.

I also love that name (although Bare Canvas is also pretty cool).

2. The Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks ($28 each)

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks
Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks

No, these sticks do not contain caviar (as far as I can tell). If the MAC Paints are for work, then Laura’s Caviar Sticks are for fun. 🙂

These cream shadow sticks come in a wide range of colors and finishes, from mellow mattes to shimmering jewels.

Like the MAC Paints, brushes are totally optional. I usually just swipe one of the shades (Rosegold is my personal fave) directly on my lids, and then blend out the edges with a finger.

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks Swatches from the left: Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze
A handful of Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks from the left in Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze

Because they glide on the skin and contain oodles of pigment, one layer is usually enough. You can literally be done with your eyeshadow in less than a minute.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Kiss & Blush Volupte Lips & Cheek Color ($40 each)

YSL Kiss & Blush
YSL Kiss & Blush

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There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Eyes, Laura Mercier, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To, Yves Saint Laurent

A Wave of Color To Wash Over Nails

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers
MAC Studio Nail Lacquers
The new MAC Studio Nail Lacquers, $12 each

Now that’s a big wave!

Doesn’t this picture look kind of like a wave of rainbow colors? I’m thinking, “Starburst commercial.”

Mmm… Starburst. 🙂

These are 31 of 42 new MAC Studio Nail Lacquers ($12 each).

Each row from left to right, on the top row, that’s Black Glow, Nocturnelle, Rain of Flowers, Formidable, Anti Fashion, Rebel, Saint Germain and Snob.

The second row from the top, that’s Sour Cherry, Flamingo Rose, Shirelle, Impassioned, Instant Crush, Only in Florida, Erogenous and Delicate.

The third row, that’s Tropical, Quick Million, Soiree, Silver Dew, Screaming Bright, Girl Trouble, Coffee Break and Quiet Time.

And the bottom row, that’s Gold Pearl, Pink Pearl, Blue Pearl, Green Pearl, Leather, Underlacquer and Overlacquer.

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers in Soiree (left) and Quick Million (right), $12 each
MAC Studio Nail Lacquers in Soiree (left) and Quick Million (right), $12 each

Angry kitty

Well, Tabs, when you put it that way…

You do understand that "No" is not an option, correct?
You do understand that “no” is not an option, correct?

So, this afternoon your nephew/my employer sent me the above threatening text (his anger evident by the lack of punctuation) in reference to my current mani-pedi situation, which is, at the moment, pretty tragic.

He suggested that I pick my two favorites from the new MAC Studio Nail Lacquer collection ($12 a bottle), and get them on my claws ASAP.

Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Soiree Swatch
Two coats of Soiree

Among the 36 shades in the launch, my favorites right now are warm golden bronze Soiree (a metallic copper with hints of rose gold) and glittery pale gold Quick Million (has hexagonal flecks of coppery rose gold glitter in it and a very Deborah Lippmann-esque vibe).

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Quick Million Swatch
Quick Million (two coats)

Both shout “SUMMER!” to me and should go great with a tan, so they’re going on my tips and toes this week.

They also remind me of these Kate Spade watches I’m currently lusting over…

Kate Spade Watch Lust

I’m thinking about getting one with my Nordstrom birthday gift card — you know, ’cause I’m all about being on time…

HAHAHA! She has jokes today. 🙂

The MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection: The Formula, Finishes and Wear Time

Last weekend I tested creamy Rebel, a dark reddish plum shade, for wear time and durability, starting with a layer of MAC Underlacquer base coat, upon which I added two layers of Rebel on top.

At the time, I felt like I didn’t need a top coat because of how shiny, and almost gel-like, it looked, but I think I’ll use one next time I reach for one of the creams.

Because it needed it.

While these don’t seem to chip as easily or quickly as MAC’s O.G. nail polishes did, which would normally chip within a day or two for me, with Rebel, at least, I still saw chipping on day three.

Poo.

I applied it on Thursday evening, and by Sunday night, there were tiny cracks at the tips of all my fingers.

Next time I wear one of these, I’m adding a topcoat, just in case, and I’ll let you know if the formula fares any better.

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Categories: MAC Makeup, Nails

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