MAC Semi-Precious

You may have noticed that I don't post about all (or many) MAC collections. Call me crazy but I don't fall all over myself to get the latest and "greatest" from the brand. I could live without their shadows, much preferring Urban Decay. It usually gets me a lot of flack but come on, I'll take it. What I do love most about this company is showcased in one collection, Semi Precious. I am in love with their Mineralized Shadows, Cremesheen Glasses, Mineralized Blush and Mineralized Skinfinishes. Let's start with the eyes.
Clarity, Golden Gaze, Faux Gold, Quartz Fusion
Mineral Mode, Jade's Fortune, Unsurpassable, Hint of Sapphire
Rare Find, Blue Sheen, Dark Indulgence, Smoked Ruby
A while back MAC seemed to be lacking in the ability to make mineral shadows but I loved them anyway because layered over UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion) I could layer these up to create a really pretty look. Now, I don't need to do that. Lately these have been remarkably pigmented, even better, in my opinion, than their regular line. I love how shimmery these are without being overly glittery. My one major gripe with a lot of Urban Decay shadows is the glitter fallout, you don't get that with the re-done Mineralized Shadows. I'm completely lusting over dark emerald Dark Indulgence and golden green Golden Gaze but any of the lighter shades seem easily wearable. These are $20, a little higher than MAC's normal price but totally worth it.

While there are new lipsticks in the line I've never been too wholly impressed with MACs lipsticks. I find them to be too pigmented and therefore hard to wear (at least for me who likes to wear lots of lippie). I do however have a love affair going on with $18.50 Cremesheen Glasses. These are colors that have an odd combination of light/sheer and opaque. I love it! The colors are very easy to wear and I love that the formula has a milky appearance without leaving a white or frosty cast on the lips. I'm completely lusting over Geo Pink. It should be noted that these have a brush applicator instead of the doe's foot as you can see by the promo picture. I haven't had too much trouble with splayed applicators from MAC but I know it can be an issue with other brands.
Pressed Amber, Warmth of Coral, Feeling Flush
Mineralized Blushes are another favorite of mine, slightly darker and more pigmented than their Mineralized Skinfinish cousins, these are perfect for all skintones. I'm leaning towards slightly purpl-y Feeling Flush just because I don't have anything like it in my collection. I would highly recommend trying any of these out. For just $23 they bring a light to the skin that I'm hard pressed to say you could find elsewhere. They are that awesome!
Semi Precious Rose Quartz, Semi Precious Goldstone
Semi Precious Pearl, Semi Precious Crystal Pink
Now for the stars of the collection, the Mineralized Skinfinishes. God, do I love these. As you know I'm a sparkle/shimmer addict and these never disappoint. All four of these colors are simply a must have for me. I have quite the collection and each color, although similar to others I already have, is complex enough to be needed in my stash. For lighter complexions like mine these make absolutely perfect blushes, seriously! If you have medium to dark skin these are perfect as highlighter according to your undertones, pink for cool, peach for warm. At $28 you may think they're a little steep but trust me the product itself is huge and even with frequent use I haven't even leveled off the dome on top. Truly, whatever you use these for they are a delight!

Mac Surf, Baby!

It's not very often that a MAC collection comes along and I have to have something. You may have noticed that I'm not a MAC devotee and not every collection is going to get a mention from me. I don't know what it is, I just can take it or leave it. Unless something sparkly for the cheeks is involved that is. It's my one MAC downfall and Surf, Baby's Cheek Powder in My Paradise had me at hello! Wow gorgeousness. It sold out pretty quickly online and I have to tell you if you see it at your local counter or in stores, snap it up quickly. It's too gorgeous to pass up. The coral matte powder with sparkly gold overspray (it doesn't go to the bottom of the pan) is perfect for every complexion plus, as many bloggers have pointed out, the overspray means you can control how sparkly you want to go with this. Knowing me I'd run through the spray in a couple weeks time. (Second from left, top row)


There are many exciting items in this collection for MAC lovers out there. Surf USA, a teal eyeshadow and Blue Moon, a bluer teal powerpoint eyeliner, both caught my eye for the obvious reason that they are bright, cool toned colors. I guess not having a type of guy is fine, as long as I make up for it in type of makeup. Seriously, you couldn't pinpoint a type of guy that I have, not in a million years. Makeup? That's easy, cool tones, bright eyes, pink glossy lips and sparkly cheeks. Of course I mix it up pretty well but what girl doesn't love a little variety?

Also in my "damn, I wish I didn't miss these pile" Crushed Metallic pigment stacks in Surf the Ocean. These are these stacked jars of pigments you've seen in some previous collections. I have to say, again (!), I'm such a mess with these, I'll spill them all over the place in a heartbeat, still the gorgeous silver, light seafoam green, bronze and darkened blue green are so versatile that I could see using these all up before I spill them all over the place. (Top left of picture)

Plus, if you missed out on Strange Potion Lipglass from Venomous Villains, a gorgeous peachy-coral-pink,(last lipglass on right) you can pick it up now in the cute Surf, baby! packaging. How great is that? That's one of the things I love most about MAC. Although they lure you in with the limited edition stuff, if you missed it once you can probably check for it in upcoming collections, I just wish their was more logic to the process, instead of the hunting we have to do now.

Then there are the so gorgeous nail laquers. I have had ZERO success with MAC polishes, they chip on me within hours but these colors are too sexy to ignore. A bright blue Ocean Dip (just my type) and perfect for me nude, Hanging Loose, really call my name but I'm kinda happy I missed these because I'd inevitably be frustrated as hell a couple of hours after application.

What do you think? Can you resist a packaging as cute as this? Didn't think so! Scoop 'em up if you see 'em 'cause they're going fast!

MAC Fashionflower

The Mayflower has landed! Not really, this time it's actually the Fashionflower but I keep thinking that anyway.

I've never been one for pastel (overly pastel) shadows, especially not those that are matte. I find them very hard to pull off and it conjures up images of those girls in high school who spent hours in the tanning beds and then wore chalky white eyeshadow up to their eyebrows. Not a good look. This collection is full of them, the only remotely intriguing shade is Lucky Green, a lime green veluxe pearl finish, though I can't ever see using it enough to finish the pan.

Beauty powders are to add shimmer to an otherwise matte face but for those that are very fair they can work as blush. Neither of these are really pigmented enough to work for me, I'd rather stick with the msfs instead.

If you missed it in Liberty of London, and that gorgeous LoL packaging, pick up Ever Hip lipstick, a peachy pink Cremesheen lipstick. Cremesheen is easily my favorite MAC lipstick finish, a slightly glossy finish that glides on and doesn't look too matte. I'm so not a fan of MAC lipsticks, I find them to be too pigmented for someone like me who has to slather on a ton to quench my dry lips. Of course, that's just user error and personal preference. If I do it over lipbalm I get absolutely no color, a no win.

What about this collection speaks to you? Anything? I can't say I need anything which is kind of a relief at this point.

MAC Supreme Sheen and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

My collection of lipglosses has gotten out of control, I have over 200, I literally counted them out one day and came up with 180-something. That was before a huge Victoria's Secret haul (my favorite) and not counting the glosses in my purses around the house. It's pretty safe to say that I'll never have to buy another one as long as I live and if they'd stay fresh for the rest of my life I probably wouldn't.

That brings me to MAC's Supreme Sheen Lipsticks and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipsticks. What? I never said I wouldn't cheat on my collection with a lipstick. Truth be told I'm not much of a lipstick girl, short of my wedding day (and that was under gloss) I haven't really worn it too much. That's what makes these lippies so great, the slippery texture and glossy finish. Seriously, with more color than my normally sheer gloss I can have a grown up lipstick in my bag and a great feeling product on my lips. It always looks more chic to pull out a lipstick than a gloss, right? Just remember not to keep these skinny lipsticks in your car this summer. I made that mistake once and it wasn't pretty. What lipstick I didn't wear on my clothes I ended up burning my lips with when I tried to slick on a fresh coat.

Let's start with MAC shall we? I've seen swatches and they're gorgeous, just sheer enough to be wearable in spring and summer and still look substantial enough to carry you through into fall and (UGH!) winter. Peachy Gotta Dash! and warm pink Full Speed call to me in particular. Which ones are you going to pick up?

Then there's Chanel, the only Chanel I'll ever be able to afford unfortunately. Glossimers are great glosses and if it weren't for their price tag I'd probably own more. If you're looking for something extra sheer and sweet look no further just don't expect long wear out of these, the glossy texture disappears at the same speed as a regular gloss but you'll be left with a stain like effect on your lips.

If you try either of these let me know how you like them. I'm jealous just looking at all of the swatches out there, I need one of both of these but alas, the funds are not going to work in my favor for that one.

MAC Quite Cute

I haven't been this excited for a MAC collection in a long time, and that's saying a lot. I'll admit I'm not a MACaholic like most girls, I can take it or leave it. The only product I could not live without (as in use pretty much daily) are their Mineralize Skin Finishes. Since I'm so fair these babies work wonders as a shimmery blush to make my skin look alive and glowly, otherwise I'd be a dull, dry, pale mess.

How cute are these? I mean, I know that's the point but come on, they're almost too cute to use. I know I'm not cool enough to rock pale purple on my lips or mint green shimmer on my cheeks but everything else I'm on board with. I've seen swatches all over the blogosphere and I'm just dying to buy it all. Too bad MAC prices are way out of my budget right now, of course, so is everything else. I'm on a strict no-buy until I can find another job and even then most of my cash has to go to paying down my debt, even less fun when MAC tempts me like this.

I can't wait for spring, full on SPRING. I'm not one of those girls that adheres to the seasons and decides on makeup and hair choices based on that but I'm dying to rock an Easter egg color on my nails, perhaps some baby pink lipgloss. It's about damn time.

MAC Viva Glam Lady Gaga

You know what I love? Buying a product I love and having actual proceeds go to Charity, not some measley 5%, not only in October (although I go crazy for Breast Cancer Awareness Month) but every damn day. That's why I love MAC's Viva Glam Campaign. Every Cent from the proceeds goes to HIV and AIDS charities.

Know what I don't love? The new Lady Gaga shades. To me they looks like baby poo, not that I've been up close and personal with baby poo too much. Who would look good with light brown lipstick? It's too brown to be nude and too pale to be brown. The ad looks amazing, Gaga looks gorgeous and I completely dig the eye makeup used as well as her pretty normal looking hair.

What do you think? Does anyone have this color? I'd love to see pictures or swatches on a range of skincolors.

MAC Me Over

Calling all MAC girls! The cosmetics giant is giving you (yes, you) a chance to be the face of a Fall 2011 line. You can submit a video or a picture at the website macmeover.com. The contest runs from now until December 20th and what better way to get in the holiday spirit than brushing up on your makeup skills and entering a once in a lifetime contest?

All you have to do is head over to the website, submit your video or picture and complete the sentence "MAC me over because...." It's that easy. MAC Pro Artists will make you over and you'll be shot by celebrity photographers in what's sure to be a glamorous NYC setting. Round trip ticket to New York anyone?

This contest is open to U.S. Residents 18 years old or older as of date of entry. All ages, all races, all sexes will be included just like MAC proclaims as their slogan.

Let me know if you enter. Can't wait to see the winners in Fall 2011.