Video Review: MAC for Gareth Pugh Collection First Impression & Swatches

Still waiting for those freakin’ eyeshadows! Last time I called my local store, they were speculating that customs was holding it up, but I have no idea what’s going on. Nonetheless, here are all the other products minus the beauty powder, which I’ll be reviewing soon!

Did you snag anything from this launch? I’d love to know!

MAC for Gareth Pugh: Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer ($23.00 for 0.30 fl. oz.) is described as a “creamy mid-tone greyed nude” with a cream finish. It’s a neutral light-medium gray with a cream finish. It’s mostly opaque after two coats, but the consistency of the formula is on the thicker side. It’s not quite goopy or gloppy, but it’s just a few steps before it. China Glaze Pelican Grey is similar but a little grayer and has shimmer. Zoya’s Dove is also grayer but has a cream finish.

Just to reiterate, this comes in a square glass bottle compared to MAC’s rounded jar, and the cap is a glossy black rather than a rubberized black. These are slightly smaller (0.30 vs. 0.34 fl. oz.) and $8.00 more because of the “couture” aspect of the launch. Though I have not tested the polishes specifically from this collection, MAC’s nail lacquer formula generally wears for a week with minor tip wear but no chips.

The Glossover

	Inert A-
	The formula could be thinner--it's a bit too thick, so it is easy to apply too much product on each nail. It does have good pigmentation, though. It's not exactly the same as other shades I have seen, but it seems dupeable enough.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 8.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
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MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC Inert Nail Lacquer

MAC for Gareth Pugh: Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer ($23.00 for 0.30 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep blue with violet pearl” with a frost finish. It’s a really inky blue with fine blue shimmer and a violet edge. It flashes blue and violet, depending on the light. It’s a really cool shade, and it was the one that wowed me the most out of the three from this launch. China Glaze Blue Year’s Eve is a much lighter variation, but it’s more vibrant. It also reminded me of Orly Lunar Eclipse except a bluer variation with finer shimmer. It was opaque in two coats, and the formula had a good, fluid consistency that flowed evenly across the nail without bubbling or streaking.

Just to reiterate, this comes in a square glass bottle compared to MAC’s rounded jar, and the cap is a glossy black rather than a rubberized black. These are slightly smaller (0.30 vs. 0.34 fl. oz.) and $8.00 more because of the “couture” aspect of the launch. Though I have not tested the polishes specifically from this collection, MAC’s nail lacquer formula generally wears for a week with minor tip wear but no chips.

The Glossover

	MAC for Gareth Pugh: Hyper Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches A
	The color is gorgeous, and I don't have an exact dupe for it, but it definitely comes at a much steeper price. The formula has a good consistency, applies well, and gives opaque results in two coats, though!
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
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MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC Hyper Nail Lacquer

MAC for Gareth Pugh: Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer ($23.00 for 0.30 fl. oz.) is described as “grey with blue-violet reflective pearl.” It’s a murky grayish-green with a grayish-purple iridescence that comes together in a duochrome finish. The duochrome is definitely there, but I think some of the sheerness prevents it from really shining. When you look at the nails head-on, it is mostly a murky purple-gray, and then when you tilt and angle your nails, the murky green-gold comes through. It’s very, very similar to Wet ‘n’ Wild Grey’s Anatomy, which is a known dupe for the pricier Deborah Lippmann Wicked Game. MAC’s version is more pigmented than Grey’s Anatomy, where three coats was almost opaque, while there was still a lot of visible nail line at three coats with Grey’s Anatomy.

It’s only a smidgen less than regular MAC lacquers–0.34 oz. for $15.00 normally–although, I guess going from 10ml regularly to 9ml is a 10% decrease! The packaging is a heavy, square glass bottle with a glossy black cap. The bottle is rather large–larger than Deborah Lippmann–but the actual polish is just enclosed in a thicker glass surround.

I haven’t tested the Gareth Pugh polishes for wear, but I usually get a week of wear with minor tip wear with MAC’s nail lacquers. The formula wasn’t too thick or thin, and it flowed evenly across the nail. It does have a more metallic finish, so you will see some brush strokes.

The Glossover

	Ascension B
	It's a funky color overall, and even though there are other shades like it, I could see this being one of the more popular shades out of the three nail lacquers in the launch.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 7/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC Ascension Nail Lacquer

MAC for Gareth Pugh: Guise Pigment

MAC Guise Pigment ($32.00 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “frosty grey.” It’s more like a bright silver with a part-frost, part-metallic finish. What’s noteworthy about the color is that it doesn’t lean cool, it’s more of a neutral silver. It was fairly pigmented when used dry and more metallic and opaque when applied wet. The texture is much chunkier compared to Deceit, and I did experience some fall out when an hour after it was applied to the eyelid. MAC Misty is a bit darker and cooler-toned. It’s smoother and grayer than Bobbi Brown Tinsel. I didn’t find anything exactly like it.

Like the blush in this collection, MAC is again squeezing you on both ends: a full-size pigment contains 0.15 oz. and retails for $20.00 each (and they already reduced the amount of all full-size pigments across the board a year or two ago). The packaging looks sleek, but it’s a bit messy. Guise had loose pigment all over the exterior packaging and inner lip upon arrival–I hadn’t even opened it yet! These are entirely plastic, too; there’s no heft from the metal compact like there is with the blush. On the upside, most other high-end brands that have similar loose products typically give around this amount of product (e.g. Illamasqua Pure Pigment is $24.00/0.04 oz. and Make Up For Ever Star Powder is $19.00/0.09 oz.).

MAC actually describes the formula as having ingredients that help it adhere to the skin so it is long-lasting. Pigments are best when combined with other products, whether it’s simply water or more like MAC Mixing Medium, to adhere to skin. I get decent wear out of pigments without a base (six to eight hours, then there is minor fading and at times, subtle creasing), but I would recommend using a base or mixing them with an adhesive base product like Mixing Medium. Guise did have some fall out when applied dry, because of the chunkier texture and sparkle.

The Glossover

	Guise B-
	The texture is harder to work with and more prone to fall out; compared to the silky smooth feel of Deceit, it's a bit of a let down! I did like that it was more usable dry than Deceit, though.
	Product 8/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 8/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 4/5
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MAC Guise Pigment

MAC for Gareth Pugh Pigment

MAC for Gareth Pugh Pigment

MAC Guise Pigment

MAC Guise Pigment

MAC Guise Pigment

MAC for Gareth Pugh: Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment ($32.00 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “blackened plum with pink pearl.” When applied dry, it’s a burgundy brown with a satiny sheen that’s almost matte, but it’s on the sheer side. When applied damp, it comes together more better for a really rich color of burgundy tinted by purple with a pearly sheen. It’s opaque and smooth. It’s less frosted but similar in color to Illamasqua Queen of the Night. I think it’s also pretty close to MAC Deep Purple, which I don’t own so I can’t confirm 100%, which is permanent at PRO stores. Make Up For Ever #11 is redder. The dry swatch is a bit like MAC Shadowy Lady. The texture seemed very, very finely milled–it is probably one of the softest and most finely milled pigments I remember by MAC.

Like the blush in this collection, MAC is again squeezing you on both ends: a full-size pigment contains 0.15 oz. and retails for $20.00 each (and they already reduced the amount of all full-size pigments across the board a year or two ago). The packaging looks sleek, but it’s a bit messy. Guise had loose pigment all over the exterior packaging and inner lip upon arrival–I hadn’t even opened it yet! These are entirely plastic, too; there’s no heft from the metal compact like there is with the blush. On the upside, most other high-end brands that have similar loose products typically give around this amount of product (e.g. Illamasqua Pure Pigment is $24.00/0.04 oz. and Make Up For Ever Star Powder is $19.00/0.09 oz.).

MAC actually describes the formula as having ingredients that help it adhere to the skin so it is long-lasting. Pigments are best when combined with other products, whether it’s simply water or more like MAC Mixing Medium, to adhere to skin. I get decent wear out of pigments without a base (six to eight hours, then there is minor fading and at times, subtle creasing), but I would recommend using a base or mixing them with an adhesive base product like Mixing Medium.

The Glossover

	Deceit B+
	The color can be gorgeous when it's applied damp, and the texture is so, so soft--definitely one of the softest MAC pigments. It's also not frosty, which many MAC pigments are, so it's nice to see something different. It's just jarring to see half the size with a 30% price increase all in the name of packaging.
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 8.5/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment

MAC Deceit Pigment