Sneak Peek: MAC Cosmetics In High Def Collection
Launching on September 10th, MAC’s In High Def Collection (see full collection details here) contains several hand-picked products from the existing line as well as some new products that are designed to work well in the high definition environment. There are four new shades of lipstick: Close to Real, High Def, Resolutely Red, and Sharp Focus.
Lipstick ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)
- Close to Real is a pale, frosty peach. Despite having a lustre finish, it doesn’t feel like one to me. It feels much more like a frost lipstick, and it definitely looks like it on the lips. I found this one to seem to grab onto every imperfection on your lips–even after I had exfoliated–it just didn’t look very flattering. The color is really pale, so I’d vote on using this more as a layering shade than standalone.
- High Def is a creamy, opaque pinky-coral color. It has a slight sheen, but it doesn’t contain any shimmer. On my lips, it doesn’t read very much coral (unfortunately, as MAC lacks corals!), but it’s still pretty. It looks more like my-lips-but-better with a bit more pinky-brown.
- Resolutely Red is a mostly opaque, lightly creamy shade of reddish-wine. It’s not super bold or bright, so it’s more of a wearable red. It’s not too cool or warm, either, which I definitely like. It has a glossy look to it when applied.
Of the three I tried, none of them really jumped out at me as must-haves. High Def and Resolutely Red are flattering shades, while Close to Real may be more difficult for some to pull off (it is for me, at least!).
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 7/10
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of lustre finishes but have always wanted a bit more color… you might like these, because they pack a lot more pigmentation than your average lustre!
Availability: MAC Cosmetics (August 27th)
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On Display Lipglass
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipstick & Lipglass Lip Swatches
As I promised, here are lip swatches for all of the lipsticks and lipglasses released with MAC’s latest collection. I have to say that I don’t like any of the lipsticks on me! I don’t think they’re suitable to my coloring, or else the shades are just too blah. Front Lit is like Bubbles lipstick – lots of shimmer, and it’s one of those shades you use more for layering than to wear alone or to add color (instead, it adds shimmer). The lipglasses were definitely better, but my favorites remain as On Display and New Spirit lipglasses.
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Front Lit, High Strung, Hold the Pose, Lovin’ It, Full Body Lipsticks
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipsticks
Five different lipstick shades are available with the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Front Lit, High Strung, Hold the Pose, Lovin’ It, and Full Body. None of the new lipsticks really called out to me–they were a bit too blah, I suppose. I actually found Front Lit the one that intrigued me most, just because it has a very pretty shimmer to it, but it’s certainly not a must-have. Lip swatches will be posted tomorrow 
Lipstick ($14.00)
- Front Lit is a sheer, frosty gold shimmer shade. It doesn’t add much color, but it does add a lot of shimmer.
- High Strung is a sheer brassy rose with golden shimmer with a frosty finish. This is a permanent shade.
- Hold the Pose is a sheer brown-plummy shade with soft golden shimmer and a bit of glossiness. It has a lustre finish, which is why I was expecting it to be sheer. It gives my lips a bit of a rosy plum look, but otherwise, it doesn’t add much to my lips.
- Lovin’ It is a neutral brownish-coral with a light frosty sheen. It’s a lustre finish, so it applies sheerly.
- Full Body is a semi-sheer, dark plummy shade with red tones. Also a lustre, this particular shade does pack a bit more color than the average lustre finish.
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 7/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: Muted, fall tones reign supreme in this collection–if you love the lustre finish, then definitely check these out!
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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On Display, Personal Taste, New Spirit, Young Thing Lipglasses
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipglass
Four shades of lipglass debuted from the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection today: On Display, Personal Taste, New Spirit, and Young Thing. Lipglass has a sticky/tacky texture and can be sheer to opaque, depending on the shade. Lip swatches will be posted tomorrow!
Lipglass ($14.00)
- On Display is a stunning deep burgundy-wine with gold shimmer. This one is absolutely stunning both swatched and on the lips. I haven’t been this pulled by a lip color by MAC in what feels like way too long. I like this one so much I’m considering a back up…
- Personal Taste is a purply-rosy pink with golden shimmer. It’s semi-sheer, providing just a smidgen of color on the lips, but mostly just brightening up the natural lip color and adding shimmer.
- New Spirit is a light orange-y coral with soft golden shimmer. I was reminded of a more orange version of Orangedescence lipglass (limited edition from quite awhilea go). I liked it, and I liked the way it gave my lips a brighter look and the shimmer was noticeable.
- Young Thing is a warmed up creamy beige with peachy-gold shimmer. It’s similar to C-Thru, but it has shimmer, and it’s not quite as cool/neutral toned.
- Product: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: I’ve always been a fan of MAC’s Lipglass, just because it’s available in so many fantastic shades, and the sticky-factor makes it long-wearing. I found On Display and New Spirit to be my new must-haves from the new glosses.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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Givenchy Velvet Purple, Glamorous Fuchsia, Lilac Confession, Capricious Pink
Givenchy’s Latest Lip Gloss Launch
Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect
($24.50 for 0.21 oz.) is a new product launch by Givenchy which features twelve shades of the new lip gloss. I tried out four of those twelve shades, and I gotta say, I like the new formula!
- Velvet Purple is a semi-sheer berry-burgundy shade with subtle shimmer and lots of glossy sheen.
- Glamorous Fuchsia is a semi-opaque, medium bubblegum pink that goes on more creamy in finish and look but still has lots of glossiness.
- Lilac Confession is a semi-opaque, medium pink laced with lightly cooled lilac with a frosty shimmer finish.
- Capricious Pink is semi-sheer, light shimmery pinky-beige shade that goes on more sheerly and more of a muted, light pink, which is a bit different compared to the swatch (which is more of a bright pinky-coral).
The gloss does lightly plump up lips, but there is no noticeable burn/tingle that is often associated with lip plumping products. (Trust me, I am no fan of that lip plumping tingle.) It’s a medium-thick, non-sticky gloss that can be semi-sheer to more opaque, depending on the shade chosen. Glamorous Fuchsia and Lilac Confession both had good pigmentation, while Velvet Purple was most certainly noticeable, it still appeared as more of a sheer gloss. Capricious Pink had the least color pay off of the four, but that is the nature of lighter lip glosses.
I find that these wear for four or five hours with minimal fading, and they don’t leave behind any residue when they do fade away after eating/drinking. They’re also moisturizing and feel really lovely on your lips–lightweight and not thick or tacky. They’re a bit pricey relative to other brands’ lipglosses, but the price is right in line with what I’d expect from Givenchy.
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 7/10
Recommendation: Lipgloss lovers will likely enjoy this new formula, and if you want some fuller lips… even better. The way the gloss looks helps to further amp up your natural lip shape, too. A wee bit pricey for some, but if it’s within your budget or you feel like splurging… not a bad choice!
Availability: Sephora
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Korres #52 Red Cherry Lipgloss
Real Lip Gloss Color & Shine with Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss
Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss
($16.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a richly pigmented, glossy lip gloss formula. It is available in thirteen shade varieties from light pinks to beiges to reds.
I tried #52 Red Pink, which is described as a sheer cherry red by Sephora, though I’d completely disagree! It’s more of a semi-opaque, glossy red doused with pink to tone it down and laced with just a smidgen of gold shimmer. The gloss formula is moisturizing, non-sticky, and it has a bit of a cherry scent to it. I wouldn’t call this a particularly long-wearing lipgloss, but I get around three to four hours of wear without the product fading or migrating.
Again, much like Korres’ Eyeshadow pricing, the lipgloss comes in as an affordable high-end brand. For comparison, MAC Lipglass goes for $14.00 for 0.17 oz.; Benefit Lip Gloss goes for $18.00 for 0.17 oz.; Guerlain KissKiss Gloss goes for $29.00 for 0.20 oz.; and Smashbox’s Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss goes for $21.00 for 0.10 oz. As far as I can tell, Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss comes in as a great budget-friendly way to buy high-end without breaking the bank.
- Product: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 7/10
Recommendation: If a small but varied range of lipgloss that’s moisturizing and non-sticky is up your alley, check out Korres’ Cherry Full Color Gloss. If you like them sheer, be sure to research the shade or check it out in store to be sure it’s not too pigmented.
Availability: Sephora
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