MAC Me Over Overall & Recommendations

MAC Me Over hits counters on August 25th in North America, following September for international locations (I’m not given exact dates, sorry!).  It seems like a major launch for MAC, so they appear to be doing a gradual reveal of products online – some products are available for purchases, others say coming soon.

The highlight of the collection is how wearable the majority of the pieces are across skin tones.  When I went to break out products by what would work best for each skin tone, I found that smoky, dark, and vampy tones and shades will be flattering on pale skin tones as well as deeper complexions.  Even traditionally cool-toned colors when they reach a certain level of darkness still work well on warmer complexions, when more medium-in-hue shades might not.

In regards to quality, the fluidlines don’t disappoint and is a matter of what shades/colors you gravitate towards, but all four shades were nicely pigmented, creamy, and easy to work with.  I do think that while they all have some shimmer to them, much of it gets lost unless you are doing a thicker line or using it as a base.  The lipsticks–overall–are also nice, and classic shades like Rebel get a chance at the spotlight.  I did have issues with Smoked Purple, which is a PRO shade, as I do find it rather dry.

Downloadable MAC Me Over Printable Cheat Sheet

The individual eyeshadows are also worth taking a peek at, especially if you are a neutral fiend (though, MAC has an excellent permanent range of neutrals).  They may be more or less unique depending on what your stash already looks like.  I do expect Moleskin to do well, since it is similar to Urban Decay’s Naked.  Both Equilibrium and Stunner blushes were nice, but Stunner is clearly a shade more readers are interested in.

There are several brushes in this launch, but by far the most anticipated brush is the 226.  Thus far, it is not even listed on MAC’s website, but it is available for purchase Nordstrom.  I do not know why it is not listed.  The 211 is a great addition, and I think those who frequently line their eyes with liquid or gel eyeliners will find it useful.

From past reader reactions, both Cream Colour Bases are nice and work as they should, but they can be a more difficult product to work for–and a lot of their appeal is dependent on how you see yourself using them.  If you’re looking for a quick wash of cream eyeshadow, the formula is not ideal, as they do crease when worn alone.  You are better off looking at the Shadesticks for that purpose.  Shadesticks swatch decently, but I still find they tug a bit on the eyes–enough that is uncomfortable–and they tend to dry out a bit (but not completely) compared to when you initially use them.

Neither eyeshadow quad really grabbed me, though Lady Grey is infinitely better than Evil Eye, which I could not recommend at all.  I am honestly appalled that it was produced and left quality control as it did.  The fact that Palace Pedigreed is significantly less pigmented with a drier texture than its original launch in last year’s Fabulous Felines makes it all the more disappointing–as many brands let quality slide when it comes to palettes and value kits.

I wasn’t impressed with the consistencies of the formula on Fatigues or Quiet Time, but Deep Sea and Purple Majesty were nice.  There is just something about MAC’s polishes at $15 a pop and only 0.34 fl. oz. that seems hard to believe but it is so.  Perhaps Deep Sea is unique enough to warrant the price tag, but I don’t think the latter three are.  I had similar issues with the consistency of the lipglasses–a lot of milky, creamy shades that tended to apply unevenly and, as milky shades are wont to do, a tendency to settle into lip lines.  I did revise the overall score of the lipglasses up by a third, because the addition of Curvaceous and Plum Fun moved the average scores up.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts — what are you most interested in? What are you hoping to snag?  Are you passing?

Photos, Reviews, Swatches

• 211 Pointed Liner Brush
• 226 Small Tapered Blending Brush
• Blushes: Equilibrium, Stunner
• Cream Colour Bases: Seaside, Take Root
• Eyeshadows
• Evil Eye Eyeshadow Quad
• Fluidlines
• Lady Grey Eyeshadow Quad
• Lipglasses
• Lipsticks
• Nail Lacquers
• Shadesticks

Check out recommendations, what to check for, what to skip, and more! 

Temptalia’s Recommendations

must-haves: Carbonized Eyeshadow; Stunner Blush; 211 and 226 Brushes

nice-to-haves: Oh, Oh, Oh Lipstick; Creamy Bisque, Moleskin Eyeshadows; Fluidlines; Deep Sea Nail Lacquer; Equilibrium Blush; Seaside Cream Colour Base

skip: Evil Eye Eyeshadow Quad; Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

Check your stash for

PEACHSTOCK (permanent at PRO), REBEL (permanent), SMOKED PURPLE (permanent at PRO), ILLICIT (repromote), SPITE (permanent), PALACE PEDIGREED (repromote), ALL RACES (repromote), SATIN TAUPE (permanent), BUTTERNUTTY (repromote), CAKESHOP (repromote), DARK DIVERSION (repromote), 214 (permanent), and 226 (repromote).

Skip if you have…

• Skip OFFSHOOT if you have MAYBELLINE BIT OF BERRY; it’s only slightly more muted.
• Skip SMOKED PURPLE if you have MAKE UP FOR EVER #48; it’s a touch less purple than MAC’s.
• Skip MOODY if you have HINT OF SAPPHIRE; the quality of Moody is slightly better, but the colors are very similar.
• Skip CARBONIZED if you have CENTRE STAGE; the latter is more shimmery.
• Skip OUTRE if you have DOUBLE FEATURE 4; the two are fairly similar.
• Skip PURPLE MAJESTY if you have CHINA GLAZE URBAN NIGHT; the two are very close.
• Skip QUIET TIME if you have ESSIE SAND TROPEZ; the latter is slightly darker.

Recommendations by Skin Tone

Please note that this section is merely suggesting shades that would complement a particular skin tone better than other shades, but these lists are meant to be rather exhaustive of the entire collection; it’s not reflective of must-haves for your skin tone. When it comes to cooler/warmer skin tones, these are products that lean noticeably cool/warm and therefore complement the corresponding skin tone better (but it does not mean you can’t wear a warmer product if you’re cooler!).

• universally flattering shades: Secret Lover, Oh Oh Oh, Offshoot, Rebel, Prince Noir, Runaway Red, Smoked Purple Lipsticks; Plum Fun, Spite Lipglasses; All Fluidlines; All Nail Lacquers; All Shadesticks; Take Root Cream Colour Base; Stunner Blush; Carbonized, Creamy Bisque, Moleskin, Satin Taupe Eyeshadows; Curvaceous, Plum Fun, Social Light Lipglasses
• light skin tones: Evil Eye/Lady Grey Eyeshadow Quads; Equilibrium Blush; The Wee Coquette Lipglass
• medium skin tones: Equilibrium Blush
• dark skin tones: Stunner Blush
• cool undertones: Evil Eye/Lady Grey Eyeshadow Quads; Outre Eyeshadow; Good Times Lipglass
• warm undertones: Equilibrium & Stunner Blushes; Seaside Cream Colour Base; Peachstock Lipstick; Mythical Eyeshadow; Illicit Lipglass;

As you can see from the above listing, the majority of this collection’s shades should work across skin tones, and this is primarily because the collection is dominated by smoky, dark, and vampy shades.

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush ($18.00) is a precision synthetic brush with an extra-fine point.  It is much more pointed at the end compared to the 209, which is long and skinny but doesn’t taper much at the end.  The 211 is also firmer and denser, so it has less bend and give compared to the 209, so it should work better for lining.  It is wider at the base than the 209, which means how thick or thin your line is will depend also on your application and technique.

It is definitely one of the smallest brushes from MAC, as it is shorter than the 208 and a little taller than the 231.  It’s just over 6mm in height and 3mm at its widest point (the base), while the narrowest point is about 1mm.  I can’t speak on how well it holds up, as I have only had it a day or so.  It seems sturdy from touching and feeling it – the ferrule is tightly crimped around the handle.  The 211 does not have a country printed on its handle, but the sleeve it comes in when you purchase it states it was “Assembled in U.S.A.” (The 226 from this collection is “Made in France” in comparison.)

See more photos!

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

MAC 211 Pointed Liner Brush

MAC Me Over: Nail Lacquers

MAC Me Over Nail Lacquer ($15.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) comes in four limited edition shades: Deep Sea (deep teal), Fatigues (army green), Purple Majesty (deep purple), and Quiet Time (beige nude).

• Deep Sea is a deep, dark blue-based teal with a cream finish. I used two coats to achieve opaque color. It is greener compared to Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal. This one worked the best for me. I do see this shade having the potential to stain a bit.
• Fatigues is a muted army green with a cream finish. I needed three coats to achieve opaque color. It is grayer than China Glaze Westside Warrior and Zoya Dree. It is darker compared to Zoya Gemma and Chanel Khaki Vert.
• Purple Majesty is a burgundy berry with a cream finish. I used two coats for opaque color coverage. It is just a bit darker than China Glaze Urban Night. Zoya Anja and Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter are more red-based.
• Quiet Time is a gray-beige cream. I used three coats for more opaque color, but the formula makes it a pain to get opaque. It is grayer and more beige compared to Essie Topless & Barefoot. It is most similar but a touch lighter compared to Essie Sand Tropez.

The formula on Deep Sea and Purple Majesty were good overall–they weren’t too thick or thin, and I was able to get opaque color in two coats and had no streaking or bubbling. Both Fatigues and Quiet Time have thicker, almost gloppy, formulas, but both need more than two coats for opaque color–and a thick formula like the one here makes three coats more frustrating. Quiet Time had streaking issues, and the additional layers did not seem to minimize them at all. Given that I just received these, I did not conduct a wear test with these particular shades, but generally, MAC’s nail lacquer formula lasts around a week on me with minor tip wear but no chipping.

The Glossover

	MAC Me Over Nail Lacquers Reviews, Photos, Swatches B-
	Deep Sea and Purple Majesty are worth checking out, though the latter is more dupeable by a wide variety of brands. Fatigues is less problematic compared to Quiet Time, but both have thicker formulas and less pigmentation than expected.
	Product 8/10 Pigmentation 8/10 Texture 7.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 3.5/5
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MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Deep Sea Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Fatigues Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Purple Majesty Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Quiet Time Nail Lacquer

MAC Me Over: Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base ($17.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “soft peach rose.” It has a very warm, slightly bronzed look to it with a hint of peach–the rose is very, very subtle. I can see some using this as a highlighter, and I think it will work particularly well on darker skin tones as such. It has more of a sheen than shimmer to its finish, and it can easily be blended out for a glowy sheen on cheeks. It’s rosier than MAC Peachtwist but has a lot more shimmer than Burberry Russet.

Cream Colour Bases tend to wear poorly when worn alone, because they have a lot of slip and take awhile to dry down, especially if you use them opaque–if you sheer them out to a wash, they will cooperate better when worn alone. I recommend setting with powder if you wear it over the lid. The creaminess of the formula, however, enables it to glide on like butter and easily blended across wherever you might apply it.

The Glossover

	MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base Review, Photos, Swatches A-
	It could act as a shimmery bronzer on lighter skin tones as a glowy highlight on darker skin tones. It seems like a rather versatile shade, though it distinctly warm, so it will complement warmer complexions better.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9.5/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 4.5/5
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MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Seaside Cream Colour Base

MAC Me Over: Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush ($19.50 for 0.21 oz.) is described a “light coral pink” with a satin finish. It has more pink than coral–I would describe as a pale, strawberry pink with a hint of peach. It has a champagne-beige sheen, which gives it a less-than-perfectly-pink color. It is pinker than the softer side of MAC Mighty Aphrodite. It is a little lighter than Benefit Bella Bamba.

What’s nice about this shade is that despite its lightness, there is no chalky look or feel, and the pigmentation is there–but as a lighter color, it’s just light. I expect this shade to do well and be one of the more popular items from the launch; I think it will flatter cool and warm complexions. I do think it might be too light for deeper skin tones, but it might make a nice rosy highlighter.

The Glossover

LE	Stunner A-
	It seems unusual for a fall collection, and it's almost too warm to work with a lot of the vampy lip colors in the launch as well, but it should complement plummier shades like Offshoot.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9.5/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
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MAC Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush

MAC Stunner Blush (on left cheek only–your right!) with Offshoot Lipstick on lips

MAC Me Over: Eyeshadows

There are six shades of MAC Eyeshadow ($15.00 for 0.05 oz.) launched with MAC Me Over. They include: Carbonized (frosty dark brown), Creamy Bisque (mid-tone ivory with pearlized pigments), Moleskin (nude brown), Mythical (frosty copper red), Outre (mid-tone mustard), and Satin Taupe (taupe with silver shimmer).

• Carbonized is a rich chocolate brown with bronze shimmer. The color payoff is lovely with a really soft and smooth texture. This shade has a veluxe pearl finish (so it is only 0.04 oz.). Urban Decay Lost is a bit similar, but it has a more reflective sheen and appears lighter, which is the same reason why Inglot #422 is not a dupe.  It’s similar to MAC Centre Stage but with less shimmer. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone is less brown.
• Creamy Bisque is a soft, creamy ivory with a pink tint. The finish has a pearly sheen. The pigmentation is pretty good, and I can see this being a go-to highlighter for some. This shade has a frost finish. MAC Blanc Type is more beige. It’s more like a less frosted Phloof!
• Moleskin is a softened, medium brown with a subtle, caramel warmth. This shade has a matte finish. It feels more like a satin to me, though–it has the same texture and, to some degree, the finish. It has good color payoff. It is a touch warmer than Urban Decay Naked but similar, though Naked has a softer formula. Inglot #337 is similar but has a redder base.
• Mythical is a coppery brown with a metallic shimmer-sheen. This shade has a veluxe pearl finish (so it is only 0.04 oz.). The pigmentation is good, but the color itself has a faded quality to it, and the texture is smooth and soft. It is lighter than theBalm Racy Kacy, less brown and red-tinted compared to MAC Faux Gold. It’s also a muted version of Coppering.
• Outre is a mustard-y brown–it has this mustard yellow tinge to it. This shade has a matte finish. It has a soft, smooth texture with lovely color payoff. It is reminiscent of MAC Ochre Style, which had shimmer in it. Double Feature 4 is muddier–it is grayer and browner. It’s darker and more yellowed than MAC Bamboo.
• Satin Taupe is a dark taupe with a hint of burgundy and a frosted finish. This shade has a frost finish, and it is part of the permanent range. It is similar to Bare Escentuals Meteorite.

The four I’ve tested so far are good.  The texture of both Mythical and Satin Taupe are excellent, but the color payoff is good across the board.  I think Moleskin, despite its demure manner, will be one that many will look to grab when it launches, because of its similarity to the famous Urban Decay Naked–consider it a sleeper hit.  I know Outre will look awful on me, but it has that so-ugly-it’s-pretty kind of appeal.

MAC Me Over is a 51-piece collection for fall, which will launch in North America on August 25th, 2011 and internationally in September 2011. It will launch online approximately August 23rd but there is no concrete online launch date. All products–unless otherwise noted–are limited edition.

The Glossover

	MAC Me Over Eyeshadows Swatches, Photos, Reviews A-
	The single eyeshadows definitely have a theme: neutral. They are more universally wearable, subtler, and generally more versatile as a whole. They will work well together or paired with existing shades in your stash.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 4/5
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MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Moleskin Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Mythical Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Outre Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Carbonized Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow

MAC Creamy Bisque Eyeshadow