I sure loves me some Autumn MAC. Well, I'm a MAC whore, so I kind of love it all. But Autumn is one of my favorite times in the cosmetics world, MAC being no exception. So let's take a look at the MAC that's available now (and I'll throw in the collection that's coming out next week).
- We've already discussed the sexy dusky shades of nail lacquer in the Jin Soon MAC collaboration. Have you tried these? How's the "new and improved formula"? I love MAC's shades, but have never been 100% sold on the formula, so I will be curious to hear feedback.
- Makeup Art Cosmetics is another collection out right now, and we've gone over it, too. Being an artist AND makeup artist, naturally I think this is a great idea! Collaborations with three working visual artists plus makeup? I'm all about it! This collection is divided into 3 sections, and has a range of products from shadow palettes to pigments and glitters to lippies to super bright shadows and liners.
- With the Fall emphasis on eye makeup (always some version of smoky, no!?), you've gotta have the lashes! Check out Flirt with Fall to upgrade your peepers. We tell you more here. By the way: MAC's lashes are super high quality and hand-knotted. Love 'em!
- Hi-def oriented makeup is a popular trend right now. I'll be honest: I think it's a stupid trend, because unless you're a makeup artist or on-screen personality you don't really need to look good in hi-def, do you? Besides, careful application of most makeup can work fine in HD from all reports, but let's table that and talk about this collection! MAC has a collection of makeup in this vein, called (what else?) MAC in High Def. Whoops! Looks like MAC agrees with me: these are mostly repromotes of products that already work great, and added a few lipstick to flesh-out the collection. Let's take a look:
The collection features:
Four lipsticks, in camera ready shades: Resolutely Red (deepened claret - L ), Close to Real (light neutral peach pink - L), High Def (midtone neutral coral - A), and Sharp Focus (deep brown plum - L).
A repromote of makeup-artist-must Face & Body Foundation
A repromote of BSB fave Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals
Repromoted brushes in cult favorites #187 and #188
Three of the 4 lipsticks are Lustre formulas - a sheer and shiny formulation that lets some of the lip shine through; High Def is going to be a neutralizer of sorts, because it's an Amplified Creme and more opaque like a "traditional lipstick".
The brushes are must-haves in my book. Both are duo-fibre brushes ("skunk brushes"), perfect for liquids, creams and powders, and are to be used in a circular, buffing motion for the most part. The #187 is larger, and great for foundation, bronzer and larger-area applications. I adore the #188, the smaller of the two, and use it for foundation on petite faces and applying highlighter and cheek color.
The Face & Body Foundation has a different numbering system - just a heads-up to you who have memorized your NC/NW shade. It's a great sheer foundation with lots of gleam--- maybe not what you want on your face every day, but lovely on the high planes of the face, or tempered with a less shimmery foundation in places. This makeup is water- and sweat-proof, and was designed to hold-up in fashion show lighting, so it's not gonna budge. It's one of the gentlest on the skin, though - I don't hear as many "MAC makes me break out" stories about this foundation. GREAT for legs, arms, chest, too (as designed)!
Everyone is likely tired of hearing me wax poetic about Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals, but I'm going to do it again: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I use it as a foundation, but it's also a great finishing powder, too. Since it's a MSF, you know you can use it wet or dry (if you use it wet, leave it open on your vanity to dry before closing it up to reduce bacteria build-up), right? And it's great paired with foundations that have a bit of shimmer, since this powder isn't completely matte. Build it up for more coverage (buff it in) or dust a bit on for a light glow. I love it. Did I mention that?
- MAC Upstarts - a collection that nearly slid by me. It's clever, from a marketing standpoint: put together a few products that have a theme, stick 'em in a bag, and dare people not to want them all! The goal: you'll find products that you're insanely loyal to and buy over and over. Bonus: fairly travel-friendly!
Here's the rundown:
Upstarts Flawless ($56.50) includes full size Mineralize SatinFinish SPF 15 Foundation in your choice of shade, full size Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft & Gentle, travel size Cleanse Off Oil Tranquil, and travel size Charged Water in Revitalizing Energy in a zip-around clear-with-black trim makeup bag.
Upstarts Lined & Lashed ($27) includes full size Zoomlash, full size Prep + Prime Lash, travel size Pro Eye Makeup Remover, and a mini Nightsky Softsparkle Pencil in a zip-around clear-with-black plastic trim makeup bag.
Upstarts Well Prepared ($47) includes full size Prep + Prime Skin, full size Prep + Prime Translucent Powder, travel size Cleanse Off Oil, and travel size Fix+ in a zip-around clear-with-black plastic trim makeup bag.
Upstarts Brightfully Light (S$134) An Asia-exclusive Lightful kit for UV-protected and radiant skin. Includes regular sizes of Ultracharge SPF25/PA+++ Foundation, Active Softening Lotion, Hydro-Charged SPF 30/PA++ Moisturizer and a promotional size of Foaming Creme Cleanser.
- MAC Trend FW '09 is exactly what it sounds like: a collection based on the trends of the season, Fall and Winter '09.Here are the fine points:
Lipsticks: Faultlessly F/W (blackened blue violet / A); Hipster (burgundy frost / F); Red Full Stop (bright neon coral / L); Our Pick (cement taupey grey / S)
Lipglass: Runway Fave (grey toned neutral light pearl / F); New Berry (deep plum / C); So This Season (deep blue violet / C)
Eyeshadow Quad: Tone:Grey [A Warmer White (pale green grey /S), Tone:Grey (mid-tone grey - S), Waft (dark blue grey / F); The Right Smoke (rich blue with white pearl / F)
Fragrance (in roller ball form): Asphalt Flower (viplet and iris petals with a sheen of vanilla and patchouli)
- Next Thursday welcomes a collection a lot of folk have been really anticipating: Style Black. It's a two-parter. Check it out:
Color products -
Lipsticks: Black Knight (creamy true black - C)
Mattenes: Midnight Media (dense matte black) and Night Violet (deep purple grape)
Glimmerglass (a new formula!): Bling Black (sheer black with gold pearl), Blackfire (sheer black with pink purple pearl); Blackware (creamy true black)
Mineralize Eye Shadows: Cinderfella (black with silver pearl), Young Punk (black with pink purple pearl); Gilt by Association (black with gold bronze pearl); Blue Flame (black with blue pearl)
Grease Paintstick (new- water and smudge-resistant): Intense Black (black base with purple shimmer)
Penultimate Liner: Rapidblack (true black)
Eye Kohl: Smolder (intense black)
Nail Lacquer: Nocturnelle (true black / creme); Seriously Hip (black with gold particle pearl / F); Baby Goth Girl (black with pink and purple pearl / F)
Brush: #214 Short Shader Brush (Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids.)
Face-
Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (!) For all skin types. Volcanic ash (in the form of mineral-rich clay), sugar crystals and natural enzymes combine to exfoliate and remove excess oils from the skin. It's in a new tube rather than a pot.
Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask VATM contains natural volcanic ash to cleanse and treat the skin. The mineral-rich ash works with oat kernel flour to help absorb excess oil from the skin's surface. A combo of natural oils (lavendar, sunflower, safflower seed and evening primrose) help lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. It helps to even out the skin's texture and leaves the skin feeling smooth and perfected for makeup application. The unique formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, allowing ample playtime. The mask heats up on the skin when used with water and removes impurities from the surface, leaving skin looking radiant and fresh. Use 1-3 times a week. Derm-tested, non-acnegenic and for all skins.
Cream Color Base: Black (creamy true black); Bat Black (burgundy black with pink pearl)