MAC Makeup

Face of the Day: MAC Smokey Brown and Purple Eye

April 30th, 2008 by Karen 32 Comments

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Mama always said, “When life hands you insomnia, hide your dark circles with concealer.”

Okay, my mom didn’t actually say that because she doesn’t wear makeup (I know! The apple fell so far from the tree!).

Anyhoo, I was inspecting the purplish nether regions under my eyes this morning and feeling pretty crappy because of the whole no sleep thing, so I decided to run with it and try a purplish-brown smokey eye. The result improved my sour mood and put a lil’ spring in my step, for sure!

The shadows I used from left to right:

MAC Showstopper (matte)
MAC Newly Minted (matte)
MAC Frisco (matte)
MAC Saddle (matte)
MAC Retrospeck (lustre)
MAC Star Violet (veluxe pearl)
MAC Sable (frost) – Whoops! I forgot to swatch this one. Click here to view a swatch.

I haven’t been a regular user of matte shadows in the past, but I went all out with them this time. Thanks to MAC Senior Makeup Artist Jennifer Karsten’s advice, I’ve decided I’m going to work diligently to couple them with shimmer shades to create more depth in my eye makeup looks.

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The color map below shows where I placed the different eyeshadows…

MAC Frisco – browbone
MAC Saddle – crease
MAC Star Violet – lid
MAC Sable – outer third of lid
MAC Showstopper – outer V
MAC Retrospeck – inner third of lid
MAC Newly Minted – upper lash line (I smudged this on top MAC Technakohl eyeliner in Graphblack)
MAC Saddle and Sable – lower lash line

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Trying to balance the look, I kept the lips neutral and the cheeks light.
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MAC Makeup Tips: MAC Does Makeup for Music, Too

April 29th, 2008 by Karen 41 Comments

You probably already knew that MAC provides makeup and makeup artists for fashion shows all over the world, but did you know that MAC does makeup for music tours, too? If you have tickets to rapper Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark North American tour (April-June, 2008), expect to see MAC in action. The MAC team is creating the looks for several of the dancers, backup singers and accompanying musicians on the tour.

And Glow in the Dark isn’t the first MAC/Kanye partnership. They’ve been at it for years, with MAC working on a number of Kanye’s tours, special performances and videos.

To find out more about how MAC works with performers on large concerts and events, I spoke with MAC Senior Makeup Artist Jennifer Karsten. Jennifer worked on Kanye’s Touch the Sky tour, his 2007 MTV Music Video Awards appearance and the Flashing Lights video.

Jennifer did the makeup for the girl in this video. Yo, shuttle the kids into the other room before you watch this because the end is kinda graphic.

Unlike the full-time singers, dancers and musicians who travel with an artist on tour, MAC artists are usually assigned at each stop along the way. How do all these different makeup artists in different cities maintain a consistent makeup look throughout a lengthy tour? “We all communicate through the senior artists and global communications,” Jennifer says, “so everyone knows what the look is and to keep the continuity going.”

MAC artists working on high-profile music events face challenges that makeup artists working fashion shows don’t often face. Large concerts are complex productions. “When you’re dealing with someone more high profile,” says Jennifer, “you have a lot more channels to go through.” It can be more difficult or challenging to really get the look correct because you’re filtering an idea through someone else.

For one of his performances at the 2007 MTV music video awards, Kanye wanted a futuristic, glamorous, high fashion makeup look. The MAC team envisioned a glossy, futuristic cat eye (ooh, me likey!). MAC artists created a “test look” on one of the orchestra performers. It then took six hours, several calls, and pictures taken with cell phones to get the test look approved. That left the team with only 20 minutes to replicate the look on the rest of the orchestra.

And, ultimately, fashion show makeup isn’t meant to overshadow the clothing. That’s not always the case in a concert, where the makeup often defines the look.

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MAC Makeup Tips – Concert Makeup

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Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow: Bonjour Credit Card Debt

April 25th, 2008 by Karen 28 Comments

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Chanel’s eyeshadow quads (aka instant credit card debt) are one of my weaknesses. For months, whenever I’d hit a Chanel counter I’d go straight for the quads, fiddling joyfully with them and looking for my next favorite palette.

But a while ago, while at Nordstrom peeping the summer collection, I decided to swatch all of the Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow singles. I loved them all! Hello, more credit card debt.

I’m glad I didn’t overlook the singles because the colors seem richer and more vibrant than those in the quad.

Unfortunately, as far as eyeshadows go, the singles ain’t cheap ($27.50, eep!), but if high-end makeup is your thing then these shadows belong in your collection. They’re available in matte, shimmer and satin finishes and come in a whopping 25 different shades.

On the Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus websites there are only 24 of them listed; Midnight, the elusive 25th shade, is only available online from Chanel.

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Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow Shades – All 25

Abricot (listed as “Apricot” on the Nieman Marcus website)
Amethyst
Bambou (“Bamboo” on Neiman Marcus)
Beige
Candide
Cinnamon
Ebony
Fizz
Gold
Island
Ivory
Jungle
Khaki
Lagoon
Lavande (“Lavender” on NM)
Lotus
Mahogany
Midnight (available on Chanel website)
Nomade (limited edition)
Quartz
Safari
Sand
Silvery
Starlight
Tigre (limited edition)

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I grabbed two of the shades, Safari (a shimmery gray-taupe) and the limited edition Nomade (a cool light pink with gold glitter sparkles), and this week they made their way into my workday makeup rotation.

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While you can mix and match the Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows, I prefer using the two shades I have all by their lonesome. Individually, they’ve been great for creating simple washes of color over the entire eyelid.

When I use them I apply a layer of eyeshadow primer first, like Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Then, I grab one of three brushes — the MAC 252, MAC 217 or the Sephora All Over Shadow brush from the Smokey Eye brush kit. Any one of the three can do the job.

I swipe the brush across the pan to load it up with color, but before applying I tap it against the side of the sink to unload any excess shadow.

Gently patting my eyelid with the brush has given me better results than when I swept the brush back and forth. I do it until I’ve got an even layer of color on each eye.

Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Price: $27.50
Use: Eyeshadows for a simple wash of color
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+/A-

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MAC Collections Due May 1: Naughty Nauticals, Dazzleglass and Skinsheen

April 23rd, 2008 by Karen 36 Comments

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MAC lovers, mark yo’ calendars! Three brand new MAC collections hit counters on May 1st — Naughty Nauticals, Dazzleglass and Skinsheen Leg Spray.

I like the sound of Naughty Nauticals and love the ocean, so I’m particularly excited about the pink, coral, red and blue colors prominent in the collection.

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MAC Naughty Nauticals Colors by Category…

Lipsticks ($14)
Buoy-o-Buoy (lustre) – Creamy neutral pink-brown
Port Red (frost) – Clean yellow-red with gold pearl
Party Mate (lustre) – Sheer mid-tone pink
Ahoy, there! (glaze)– Sheer, light dirty pink with multi-dimensional pearl

Lustreglass ($14)
Hey Sailor (lustre) – Blue plum-pink with flecks of white pearl
Love Knot (lustre) – Sheer pink with blue & white duo chrome
Bateaux (lustre) – Neutral brown-peach with white frost
Ensign (lustre) – Peachy pink with white and gold pearl

Eye shadow ($14)
Shore Leave (veluxe pearl) – Pale frosty cream
Illegal Cargo (frost) – Mid-tone frosty grayed plum
Meet the Fleet (matte) – Matte midnight blue
Pandamonium (lustre) – Frosty gunmental with white pearl
Submarine (frost) – Mid-tone frosty clear blue

Pigment ($19.50)
Lark About (frost) – Sheer frosty white-blue
Mutiny (frost) – Clean sky blue with gold pearl
Bell-Bottom Blue (frost) – Frosty blue with white pearl
Lovely Lily (frost) – Dirty lilac with red pearl

Technakohl ($13.50)
Smoothblue – Ocean blue with frost
Greyprint – Rich pewter grey with frost

Prolash ($11)
Coal Black – “Honest-to-goodness-black” (LOLOL)

Nail Lacquer ($10)
Naughty Nauticals (frost) – Dark royal blue
Shirelle (cream) – Classic “she’s a dame”

One of my favorite pictures!
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MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation: For the Lazy in You

April 21st, 2008 by Karen 38 Comments

My makeup laziness knows no bounds. I can be such a lazy beast. Lately, I’ve been reaching for MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation ($29). It’s easier to apply than liquid foundation yet still provides doable medium-to-heavy coverage. I’m not sure how I feel about the NASA-looking packaging (although the fluffy puff is cute) MAC chose to include with the product, but no problem — I’ll just use my trusty skunk brush (aka the MAC 187) with it instead!

Disco glitter queens, you’ll freak out when you see how sparkly it looks in a wrist swatch, but hold on a minute because the sparkle disappears (poof!) once the product has been applied to your face. The result: a dewy matte finish.

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Mineralize Loose feels good, too. It’s light, doesn’t cake and allows my skin to breathe. MAC blended moisturizers, conditioners and a mysterious “Mineral Complex” that MAC claims keeps skin healthy and nourished.

MAC has given us seven shades to choose from (I’m using Medium Dark).

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Because the jar is oddly shaped, you can’t exactly carry it in your sleek clutch purse, so bust out your big ole’ Marc Jacobs bag to carry it around for touch-ups throughout the day.

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation

Price: $29
Use: As a foundation
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
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MAC Fafi and Laura Mercier Gold Digger for a Warm Weather Face of the Day

April 14th, 2008 by Karen 66 Comments

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In typical Bay Area fashion, grey, overcast skies quickly replaced the sunny, warm weather we’d had for a few days, but I refuse to let go! I wasn’t up for this uber-red MAC look here, but I still wanted to try something bright and lively. So, this morning I gave this summery bronze and gold eye a try, featuring colors from the MAC Fafi and Laura Mercier Gold Digger collections. I first thought about going for broke with false eyelashes, too, but those will have to wait ’til next time.

Matte coral cheeks and shimmery coral lips complete the look. Now, all I need is a warm beach, a pair of flip flops and a large Jamba Juice (Orange Dream Machine, yum)!

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MAC Makeup – MAC Russian Red Lipglass Face of the Day

April 5th, 2008 by Karen 45 Comments

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Do you ever find yourself obsessed with makeup and style from a certain era? A few years ago I went through a 1940s phase, and I wore this Dita Von Teese inspired look every day for months!

Because MAC Russian Red Lipglass is so va-va-voom, I went with simple, neutral eyes using MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow, MAC Soba Eyeshadow and fatty black eyeliner, courtesy o’ MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack. I also like this same basic look with cheeks and lips in either plum or pink. Or, if you can pull it off, pale pink cheeks and beige lips look great, too (tres Angelina Jolie).

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MAC Lipglass in Russian Red: A Bold Lip Look

April 4th, 2008 by Karen 32 Comments

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Dang, that’s red…

And sheer?

No, not sheer.

Subtle?

No, not subtle.

Bold, bright and sexy?

Hell, yeah!

There are things in life that every girl should try at least once. Make one of those things MAC Russian Red Lipglass ($14). Nothing says “I kick booty” like entering a room with knock-out red lips does. Russian Red’s blue-based (blue undertones) lipgloss brings your lips to full attention, soldier! To work it well, you’ll also need…

Confidence. Russian Red’s shine and bold color aren’t for the faint of heart. People WILL stare. Revel in the attention!

Lipliner, and a healthy dose of patience to apply. Vivid colors like Russian Red make it easy to spot uneven lipliner and lipgloss application, so take your time. To achieve a crisp, defined red lip, I first line my lips with MAC Red Enriched Cremestick liner, taking special care to balance the left and right sides. With a crisp lip line in place, I slowly apply two coats of Russian Red inside the lines. Why two coats? Because if you’re gonna go red, you may as well go big.

Maintenance. I’ve found that Russian Red requires tender love and care. Wearing it, I have to check on my lips constantly because, seriously, it gets all over the place. One windy day, while wearing Russian Red gloss, some of my hair got stuck in the gloss. I haphazardly pulled free the strands of hair and tucked them behind my ear. I didn’t realize until half an hour later that it had left faint red streaks of gloss on my cheek. Lovely.

Another time, I accidentally dribbled a few drops of coffee down my chin. When I went to clean up with a napkin I momentarily forgot that I was wearing Russian Red. One quick swipe later … yup, crazy clown lips.

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