Years from now, in the distant future, when historical beauty buffs/artistic archeologists look back on MAC’s 2015 limited edition releases, the award for Best Dressed Collection could easily go to MAC Guo Pei.
This one is a beauty! — and the packaging is also unusual for MAC. The compacts, lipsticks, brushes and glosses are all wearing fabric accents with floral flourishes (there’s even a cute little lady bug on the print) and have details like real stitching on the fabric sides.
Unfortunately, the designer treatment also results in one of the more expensive MAC collections around. The two eyeshadow quads are — brace yourself for it — $70 each (!).
Yes, that’s crazypants.
Thankfully, the shadows are up to par for MAC. Unlike the shadows in some of MAC’s other limited edition quads and palettes, which for me are sometimes hit or miss (some feel harder than usual and aren’t as pigmented as their permanent collection counterparts), these are of comparable quality to the shadows in the permanent line.
Thank goodness for that.
All of the shadows in the two quads swatch beautifully, and I haven’t had any problems with blending, skipping, fallout or patchy/uneven application.
The collection is a collaboration with Chinese designer Guo Pei, famous in China for her elaborate hand-sewn creations, some of which take years to complete. Earlier this summer she made waves on the international scene with a magnificent gold and canary yellow gown worn by Rihanna to the Met Ball.
I’ve read that the gown, with its voluminous train and intricate embroidery, took two years to complete.
TWO YEARS!
I can definitely see the fashion influence in the design of these products.
Ironically, despite the springy garden vibe I get from the packaging, the colors inside the products seem like fall — but they aren’t predictible. The lovely jewel-toned blues are spiced up with warm coppers and golds, touches of red, coral and pink on cheeks and lips, and charcoal grays for the eyes.
All told, it’s a pricey, pretty collection with jaw-dropping packaging.
I think the quads are great. I just wish they weren’t so expensive…
MAC x Guo Pei Collection
Limited edition; coming September 24 to the MAC website and October 1 through November 1 to select MAC counters and stores
- Eye Shadow X 4 in Night Sky with Matte Eyeshadow in Nehru (a matte black gray), Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Bright Moon (a warm white), Frost Eyeshadow in Blue Horizon (a mid-tone vibrant blue) and Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Celestial Peak, $70
- Eye Shadow X 4 in Morning Light with Pearl Lustre Eyeshadow in Sweet Vapours (a soft beige with pink duochrome), Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Walking Dawn (a light medium gold), Frost Eyeshadow in Amber lights (a peachy brown with shimmer) and Veluxe Pearl Eyeshadow in Earthy Scent (a blackened brown), $70
- Fluidline in Blue Fountain, a creamy dark greenish blue, $17.50
- Fluidline in Darkness of Calm, a frosty dark espresso, $17.50
- Fluidline in Palm Tree, a creamy charcoal with pearl, $17.50
- Cremesheen Lipstick in Brave Red, a bright yellowish red, $30
- Lustre Lipstick in Zenith, a light nude, $30
- Lustre Lipstick in Ethreal Orchid, a mid-tone dirty coral, $30
- Cremesheen Glass in Pale Moon, a mid tone pinkish nude, $28
- Cremesheen Glass in Love of Roses, a true red, $28
- Cremesheen Glass in Bright Pink Bouquet, a nude coral, $28
- Matte Powder Blush in Lotus Blossom, a light bluish pink, $40
- Satin Powder Blush in Red Water Lily, a light coral pink, $40
- Beauty Powder in Moonlight, a translucent powder with small sized fine pearls, $70
- 213 Fluff Brush, $32
- 128 Powder Blush, $46
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I like Bright Pink Bouquet lip gloss.
As much as I adore the packaging, I can’t justify buying shades that I own so many dupes of. (Incidentally I was showing my hubby this collection and drooling over it, and all he had to say way “why don’t you just add flower stickers to what you have, then?” The man might have a point…)
I like the look of Palm Tree and might get that.
wow, sticker huh, that’s a fantastic idea. with the current state of the US$, i might just do that.
Rihanna’s Met Gala red carpet look is to die for, one of my favorites of all time. Since then, I’ve been following Guo Pei on Instagram (@guopeiofficial) and her couture pieces are incredible. Sadly, I think I’ll be sitting this collection out but it really is so pretty!
Thanks for the heads up on her instagram handle. I’m going to follow her!
Pretty packaging and pretty blues! <3
Just watched your YT presentation of this collection. The packaging is to. Die. FOR! None of the pieces really appeal to my sensibilities, except for maybe the blue eye shadows (which happens to be my fave color) but the pieces would make stunning vanity decor. On the one hand, the kinda have a timeless vintage flair to me. But on the other hand, they seem kinda ethereal, kinda whimsical. At least in the photos. If the price tag weren’t so hefty, I’d get one or two of these just to say I own something by the designer (sorta). I’m so impressed by her killer skill & talent. Definitely screams couture.
Yes, expensive ~ but so beautiful! I’d be tempted to buy just for the packaging 🙂
Monica.
No way I’d be getting any pieces from this collection but the packaging is gorgeous indeed! These blushes appeal to me in particular.
I hope you show us some pictures from that bright liner/red lip combo!
Super pretty packaging, for sure! I can believe that gown took 2 years to complete. It looks like it would take me 2 years to walk a foot in it. It must weigh 100 lbs! HAHA!
I have a feeling you’ll be loving Palm Tree but I can’t look at it without thinking “but palm trees aren’t blue…”. OK, maybe some are. And yes, I had to google it. 🙂
I’m wondering how she sat in it. I would not want to stand all night long in heels for the sake of fashion! I don’t have it in me (anymore at least).
I know, right?! Oh, gosh, I’ve never had it in me but I can definitely appreciate people who do. I remember a Sex and the City ep with Carrie running down the sidewalk in heels that I literally couldn’t have stood in. I couldn’t get over it (and obviously still can’t!). 🙂
I was thinking about the Lotus Blossom blush but the swatch isn’t quite what I wanted, so we’ll see. I do love the packaging.
Hi Breyerchic04,
It’s one of those blushes that looks better on the cheeks than they do in a swatch. I wore it last weekend and was surprised with how much more pigmented it goes on with a blush brush.
Gorgeous packaging, but non of the product colors speak to me. Trying hard to save my pennies for the things that really make my heart sing.
AGH… I am tempted to buy Night Sky quad just for that mid-tone blue! But $70 is too much for that. Too bad the other colors are so dupeable. Meh. Blue Fountain fluidline will be mine though 🙂
Obsessed with everything g about this collection…except the $70 tag for a quad. The colors and packaging are to die for. This will be sold out in less than a second! The lippies are gorgeous on you!
WOW this collection is stunning. The packaging is gorgeous and the shades are so wearable. <3
Wow Karen you are the first person I’ve seem to have swatches on this collection! You go girl!! I was anxiously waiting for the Guo Pei collection to come out. I love the packaging and colors in the blue quad. Looks like I’ll finally get to use my MAC gift card that I got for christmas.Was saving it for something unique.
Oooh, dayum that Brave Red lipstick!! I don’t really use MAC products, but I might need to jump on this one haha
I totally agree that is a transitional coral! Sunny recently swatched this and I thought the same thing. I don’t think it’s one I can pull off since it’s more brown based than pink. BOO.
I’ve been lemming for the lipsticks for months. MONTHS. And then I find out that it won’t be released in the Philippines!!! WHYYYYYY MAC GODS, WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Stunning collection, but I can’t bring myself to pay this much. I realize it’s designer fabric and branding, and that’s why it’s expensive. Just too rich for my blood.
What a Beautiful Collection !!!! Love all the colors <3
I love the packaging but the price is to high for Mac. I’ll just get a lipstick and a blush. Zenith or Ethereal Orchid and Red Water Lily.
So far I have my eyes on Ethereal Orchid and the Morning Light quad.
To be honest I am not a fan of the packaging, it looks like my grandmas cushions…
The Night Sky reminds me a little of Illamasqua’s Spirit palette…and it’s about twice the price!
I was having a buyer’s remorse of Ethereal Orchid… until I watched your video. Now I know why I was so drawn to the color! Thanks Karen 🙂