Power That Builds

MAC Glamour Daze Kohl Powers ($16.50 for 0.04 oz.) are available in four shades: Feline (intense black with black pearl), Mystery (intense black with green pearl), Orpheus (intense black with gold pearl), and Raven (intense black with red pearl).

Feline has been reviewed previously here. As of the last one I purchased (back in 2010), it was still a lovely rich, intensely pigmented black eyeliner with a smooth, creamy texture that stayed put.

I purchased the recently released versions of the other three eyeliners, even though all of them are repromotes. The colors are all exactly the same, but the texture seemed a little drier with the new versions. Not a lot drier, just somewhat, and they’re not as creamy as Feline (so if you hated how creamy Feline was, you may prefer these). It is interesting to see your own evolution, because I remember loving the Kohl Power formula in general (being particularly taken with Feline), but I’m not really into these. They require a lot more building to yield good color payoff. They also have a tendency to look uneven if you don’t, because it’s like the color isn’t actually mixed–it’s black and then pearl, and it mixes as you move the pencil back and forth.

• Mystery is a blackened teal. I couldn’t think of a possible dupe for this one. I imagine you could try to apply a black eyeliner and then apply a brighter teal eyeliner over it to yield something similar.
• Orpheus is a dirty gray-brown with antique gold. MAC Uniform is a bit greener–more olive than brown/gray. MAC Black Line is blacker.
• Raven is a dark burgundy-brown. Urban Decay Rockstar has more purple, less red in it.

Mystery was the least impressive; it was a bit drier than the other two, and it required some pressure and several passes to build up the color. It’s definitely possible, but after being exposed to a number of more impressive formulas, it could use greater intensity in a single go.  The formula remains smudgeable for a few minutes after applying, but set down and on me, they wear good to great.  They make it to eight hours, though with Mystery I could see some had disappeared after eight hours.  Raven and Orpheus lasted a full eight hours.

The Glossover

	MAC Glamour Daze Kohl Powers Reviews, Photos, Swatches B
	The best part of these is the colors themselves, which have a sultry, smoky edge to them because they are all black-based with colored pearl to bring out a hint of color. I liked that they're not too dark--you can see that each one is different when applied.
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 8/10 Texture 8.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Kohl Powers

MAC Mystery Kohl Power

MAC Mystery Kohl Power

MAC Orpheus Kohl Power

MAC Orpheus Kohl Power

MAC Raven Kohl Power

MAC Raven Kohl Power

MAC Cham-Pale: Feline Kohl Power

MAC Feline Kohl Power ($14.50 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “rich black,” and though it is limited edition (yet again!), it has been out several times previously–so you may already have it (or perhaps you simply want a backup). I think the last time it came out, I purchased two or three backups myself!

Feline is such a rich, deep dark black with a smooth, slightly creamy consistency that glides on effortlessly and intensely, because the pigmentation is excellent, too. It’s smudge-able if you so desire, but it wears for three to four hours on my waterline (impressive for me) and all day on my lash line or lid.

I would compare it to Urban Decay’s Perversion (which is not yet available by itself) in terms of the richness in blackness.

MAC Cham-Pale Collection is a limited edition launch (official information and photos here) that is set to launch in-stores on December 26th in North American, January 2011 for international MAC locations. The approximate launch date for online is December 24th. It features color products as well as a few skincare items.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 29/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 5/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: For an ultra black eyeliner, I think Feline is one of the best I’ve come across (and one of the blackest, if not the blackest!).

AVAILABILITY: MAC Cosmetics on December 26th (U.S. stores), January 2011 (International)

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MAC Feline Kohl Power

MAC Feline Kohl Power

NC15/NW20, NW25/NC30, Feline Kohl Power, I Get No Kick Eye Kohl

Black Eyeliner Comparisons

Are there shades of black? Indeed there are! Not every black eyeliner is the same. There are soft blacks, medium blacks, and deep blacks (and of course, variations within those categories). To try and make some sense of it all, I’m going to assign numerical ratings based on how black each liner is, with 10 being deep, dark black, 1 meaning so light that it’s almost no longer black, and 5 meaning a medium black.

• Shiseido Black Noir (BK 901) Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil has an amazing creaminess to it, and it is almost a true, deep black. (Review) 9
• MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil some creaminess but has some hardness (but not in a bad way–it’s not rough on eyes at all), and it is a true dark black — leans on the warm side. (Review) 10
• MAC Feline Kohl Power is a rich, deep dark black that’s easy to smudge. It is a limited edition product, so it’s not currently available but is often repromoted. (Review) 10
• Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner is a rich, deep dark black–creamy without being runny. (Review) 10
• Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner is a softened, medium black. It is a slightly warmer black on me. (Review) 4
• MAC Engraved Powerpoint Eye Pencil is a darkened medium black. 6
• MAC Smolder Eye Kohl is a dark black with cool leanings. 8
• MAC Graphblack Technakohl is a medium black. 5
• Milani Black Liquif’Eye Liner is a dark black with a cool pull. (Review) 8
• Stila Stingray Smudge Stick is a dark black with neutral to cool undertones. (Review) 8
• YSL #1 Eye Pencil is a rich black, almost ultra black, with a very matte finish.  (Review) 9
• Bobbi Brown Black Kohl Eye Liner is a rich, glossy black. The glossiness makes it look less inky, though. (Review) 8
• Benefit BADgal Liner is a creamy, dark black with warm leanings. (Review) 8

I included review links when I had them to share, but I had some wear issues with YSL’s #1 Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown’s Black Kohl Eyeliner, and Benefit’s BADgal.

The darkest: MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil, MAC Feline Kohl Power, Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner

Dark: Shiseido Black Noir Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil, YSL #1 Eye Pencil

Medium-dark: MAC Smolder Eye Kohl, Milani Black Liquif’Eye Liner, Stila Stingray Smudge Stick, Bobbi Brown Black Kohl Eye Liner, Benefit BADgal Liner

Medium: MAC Engraved Powerpoint Eye Pencil, MAC Graphblack Technakohl

The lightest: Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Liner

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Row 1: Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion, Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved
Row 2: MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black, Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion,
Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved, MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black,
Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

Shiseido Black Noir, MAC Black Black, MAC Feline, Urban Decay Perversion, Urban Decay Zero, MAC Engraved

MAC Engraved, MAC Smolder, MAC Graphblack, Milani Black, Stila Stingray

Milani Black, Stila Stingray, YSL #1, Bobbi Brown Black, Benefit BADgal

Look: Warmed-up, Smoked-out Greens

I was in a green mood, so I opted to go for yellow-based greens with a smoky edge!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Golden Olive Pigment (olive green), MAC Goldmine Eyeshadow (true gold), MAC Juxt Eyeshadow (light yellow-green), MAC Humid Eyeshadow (forest green), MAC Femme-Noir Eyeshadow (matte dark green), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (matte dark green), neutral highlighter), Make Up For Ever #17L Aqua Eye Liner (light green), MAC Feline Kohl Power (black), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Korres Tinted Moisturizer (#2)
• Cheeks: Dolce & Gabbana Nude Blush (soft beige-pink)
• Lips: MAC Fresh Salmon Lipstick (pinky coral), MAC Gold Dust Lipglass (sheer orange-gold)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes:  Femme Noir = Humid + Carbon; Fresh Salmon = See Sheer (lightly); Feline = Graphblack; Gold Dust = Instant Gold

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Next, apply a secondary base of Golden Olive pigment on the lid only with water-based mixing medium. Using the 239, apply Goldmine eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Juxt eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Humid eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Apply Femme Noir eyeshadow into the outer crease with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Nylon eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying #20L eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Nude blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Fresh Salmon lipstick first, and then layer Gold Dust lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Dark Neutrals: Smoky Brown Eyes

This is probably my last look dedicated to MAC’s Warm & Cozy Collection. I’m pretty sure my next look is going to use some *color* as the past few have all been fairly neutral, given the theme of Warm & Cozy. I’ve never been a huge fan of using super dark bases overall, just because I’ve always found they have a tendency to eat color and not enhance it as much as lighter bases can do. Relaxed seemed to work best when layered with shimmery eyeshadows, rather than softer, more satiny shades.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Relaxed Shadestick (shimmery chocolate brown), MAC Modelette Eyeshadow (soft medium brown), MAC Mulled Cider Eyeshadow (dark red-toned brown), MAC Coppering Eyeshadow (dark orange-red), MAC Antiqued Eyeshadow (coppery brown), MAC Embark Eyeshadow (dark matte red-brown), MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (matte beige), MAC Feline Kohl Power (black), MAC Goldmine Eyeshadow (gold), Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Chanel Imprevu Blush (dirty copper), Chanel Empreinte de Chanel (gold highlighter)
• Lips: MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick (pinked coral), MAC Feelin’ Dreamy Lipglass (milky pink)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Relaxed = Constructivist; Modelette = Era; Mulled Cider = Folie; Chamomile = Blanc Type; Feline = Graphblack; Warm Me Up = Cosmo; Feelin’ Dreamy = Dreamy

Directions: Start by applying Relaxed shadestick as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Modelette eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Mulled Cider eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Coppering eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Antiqued eyeshadow with the 226. To add more depth, tap and lightly blend in Embark eyeshadow in the crease with the 219. Lightly tap and brush Modelette eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Chamomile eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Feline kohl power on the lower waterline and Goldmine eyeshadow on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with DiorShow Extase mascara.

For cheeks, apply Imprevu blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. To highlight, apply Empreinte de Chanel lightly over the cheekbones with the 165.

For lips, apply Warm Me Up lipstick first, and then layer Feelin’ Dreamy lipglass for a lighter lip.

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MAC Love Lace Collection: Eyes

Today, MAC released Love Lace–a week early (it was originally slated for release on the 26th–but my freestanding store confirmed that Warm & Cozy was still launching the 26th). It’s a short ‘n sweet launch, with just two lipsticks, two lipglasses, four eyeshadows, three kohl powers, one nail lacquer, and then a few repromotes of permanent items. It reminds me a bit of last year’s Chill Collection.

I’m going to focus on reviewing the four eyeshadows and three kohl powers in this post, with a follow-up post on the lipsticks and lipglasses, and a final post on the nail lacquer–so stay tuned!

Eyeshadow

• Love Lace is a dusty darkened blue with a slightly shimmered finish (it is a veluxe pearl, after all) with a very smooth, soft feel. It’s decently pigmented. This reminded me of a more muted Deep Truth kind of shade.
• Suave Intentions is an icy cool-toned medium blue with icy silver shimmer and sheen. If you had to, you might consider duping this with Tilt (which is a little more teal). This was the most pigmented shade of the four.
• Pincurl is a mauvey-gray with icy pink shimmer and sheen. It’s a repromote from Blonde, Brunette, and Redhead. It has a sort of dusty look to it.
• Hypnotizing is a darkened, smoked out mauve-plum with a touch of brown.

Kohl Power

• Feline is an intense black.
• Raven is a deep burgundy with black pearl.
• Sense of Style is a darkened blue-teal with blue and teal shimmer. It’s much bluer than Mystery kohl power.

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MAC Love Lace Eyeshadow

MAC Suave Intentions Eyeshadow

MAC Pincurl Eyeshadow

MAC Hypnotizing Eyeshadow

Feline, Raven, Sense of Style

Love Lace, Suave Intentions

Pincurl, Hypnotizing

Feline, Raven, Sense of Style