Posts Tagged ‘mac makeup art cosmetics collection’
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Review & Round-up
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Review & Round-up
OVERALL, the collection has a good mix of the bright & bold and the subtle & muted. I feel like there is definitely something for everyone within this launch (particularly since there are over thirty products to choose from), which is always a good thing. My favorite items were the new shades of technakohl liner–bright and beautiful, that’s SO me. The technakohl formula is soft and creamy without being wet, easy to apply, and long-wearing, so I was pleased to *finally* see some new shades get released. The lipsticks gave me nothing to write home about, and I will admit I’m surprised none of them were super dark or opaque.
On Display is an absolutely stunning shade of lipglass, and I fervently hope you’ll consider it next time you’re at the counter! New Spirit was also on my radar, though not quite as impressive as On Display, which is just the right blend of dark and bold without venturing too much into vampy. I didn’t love any of the three eyeshadow quads, though I liked Photo Realism and Notoriety. I can’t say skip enough when it comes to the Private Viewing quad!
The eyeshadows, while bright, do offer a lot of repromotes, as only two are new (Off the Page and Maira’s Magic). I found Off the Page to be very reminiscent of Fab & Flashy, which I love, so that alone makes it noteworthy. Haunting will just never live up to my expectations, I think, unless it somehow gets a clue and intensifies itself. I’ve always had a soft spot for Purple Shower, though it does need to be layered on occasion. I want to like Crest the Wave, but I’m not sure if that shade of yellow will work so well with my skin tone.
The glitters are gorgeous in all of their glittering glory, but for most of us, they’re too much of a pain in the butt to justify purchasing. You can’t (and shouldn’t) use glitters on your eyes when they aren’t recommended for the area. Sometimes glitter particles are too large/sharp and can actually scratch or injure your cornea. While I can understand the occasional avant garde application of glitter (and using extremely adhesive bases!), it’s just not something I’d risk, myself, on a regular basis. As such, glitters are best used on the lips (easiest), though you can mix them into nail polishes, moisturizers, or hair gel/spray. They’re usable, but you gotta get creative. I liked all four of the pigments released, though two are repromotes (Cocomotion and Heritage Rouge). They’re all pigmented and go on fairly smooth, with Push the Edge being the more velvety one.
Don’t miss our product-by-product reviews!
- Eyeshadows
- Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad
- Notoriety Eyeshadow Quad
- In the Gallery Eyeshadow Quad
- Technakohls
- Pigments
- Glitters/Reflects Glitters
- Lipglasses
- Lipsticks
- Blushes
Temptalia’s Recommendations
Must-Haves: On Display & New Spirit lipglasses, Off the Page & Purple shower eyeshadows, Brash & Bold & Cocomotion pigments, Artistic License & Colour Matters technakohl liners
Nice-to-Haves: Front Lit lipstick, Personal Taste lipglass, Photo Realism eyeshadow quad, Crest the Wave & Maira’s Magic eyeshadows, Heritage Rouge & Push the Edge pigment, Full of Fuchsia & Obviously Orange technakohl liners
Skip: Lovin’ It lipstick, In the Gallery eyeshadow quad, Violet Trance eyeshadow, Gold & Fuchsia glitters
What did you end up getting? What did you love/hate? Share your thoughts!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipstick & Lipglass Lip Swatches
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.
See lip swatches… Keep Reading!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Technakohls Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Full of Fuchsia, Artistic License Technakohls
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Technakohls
With five shades of technakohls to choose from, the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection has you covered.
Technakohl ($14.50)
- Full of Fuchsia is a fuchsia-purple with icy fuchsia sheen. It reminded me of a very intense Pink Pearl pigment. It’s not quite as bright as Brash & Bold pigment, but they are a bit similar.
- Artistic License is a just-less-than electric blue with an aqua-green tone.
- Obviously Orange is a pop of medium-bright orange. It’s not neon orange, and it’s not rusty or coppery either. Compared to Colour Matters, this one has a much more noticeable shimmer/frost to it–kind of a golden shimmer.
- Colour Matters is a satiny chartreuse shade. It looks nearly the same as True Chartreuse pigment does, just in technakohl liner. Since I’m lazy at heart, I am pleased to see it in technakohl form (even though, if you’re on a budget, you could use the pigment form to create your own liner).
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 7/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: I think the technakohls were my favorite part of the launch — just great to see new, not-yet-done shades of the technakohl family be released. I recommend all of the shades, though I’m partial to Colour Matters and Artistic License.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Eyeshadows Reviews, Swatches, Photos
Off the Page Eyeshadow
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Eyeshadow
Six vibrant eyeshadows debuted with the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Off the Page, Maira’s Magic, Crest the Wave, Purple Shower, Haunting, and Violet Trance.
Eyeshadow ($14.50)
- Off the Page is a vibrant, bright orange with golden orange shimmer and sheen. This reminds me of the ever-fabulous Fab & Flashy eyeshadow that came out with C-Shock two years ago. It has a frost finish.
- Maira’s Magic is a subdued medium pink with a satin finish, so it just has a subtle bit of sheen. It’s like a more matte and muted version of Da Bling.
- Crest the Wave is a frosty yellow with gold sheen. It has a frost finish. This originally came out with the Naughty Nauticals quad.
- Purple Shower is a soft, satiny fuchsia-purple with subtle sheen. I’ve always liked this color, and I’m glad to see it cropping up again for a spell.
- Haunting is a sheer wash of blue with just a hint of aqua. I’ve never been found of this shade, just because the pay off isn’t tops. It really does need a good base to work.
- Violet Trance is a matte dark blue-based violet purple. This originally released two or three years ago, so avid collectors may already have this in their stash. As lovely as it appears in the pot, it’s not the easiest matte to work with. I’d have to vote Make Up For Ever #92 if you’re looking for a deep, intense purple, just because this one doesn’t have a dream texture. It’s so-so, a bit chalky and thus drags a bit, and pigmentation is decent but not intense.
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 7/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: This just may be the closest we come to a C-Shock redux (though not as good as C-Shock). If you like bright pops of color, you should play with these. I really liked Off the Page and Purple Shower the most. Crest the Wave is pretty, but I’m not sold on it (at least not for my skin tone).
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
See up-close photos and swatches… Keep Reading!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Blushes Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Notable Blush
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Blushes
Two very contrasting shades of blush are available with the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection:The Perfect Cheek and Notable.
Blush ($18.00)
- The Perfect Cheek is a powder blush with a matte finish that goes on a dusty, pale pink. While it was visible on my skin tone, I found it hard to detect, and the inside of my forearm is probably around NC20 range, which leads me to worry about visibility on deeper skin tones. On some deeper skin tones, this may appear ashy as well.
- Notable is a powder blush with a matte finish that looks like a muted brick-rose. It’s quite pigmented, and it has a very soft, smooth texture. It isn’t the least bit chalky, despite having a matte finish. This is the shade much more suitable to deeper skin tones.
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 7/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: I’m not head-over-heels in love with either shade myself, but I have heard others rave about both–depending on their skin tone. I do feel that The Perfect Cheek may be too pale for some complexions that it won’t show up or it’ll show up ashy. I think Notable will work well for all skin tones.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches
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
See up-close photos and swatches… Keep Reading!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Lipglass Photos, Swatches, Reviews
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
See up-close photos and swatches… Keep Reading!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Glitters & Reflects Glitters Review, Photos, Swatches
Gold Glitter
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Glitters & Reflects Glitters
Part of the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection includes two Reflects Glitters (Copper and Rust), two Glitters (Gold and Fuchsia).
Glitter ($19.50)
- Gold is a shimmery, chunky gold glitter. It’s not a yellow-based gold, which is nice, and this looks particularly nice in the hair.
- Fuchsia is a sparkling medium-dark purple chunky glitter. This is always fun to mix into hair spray or the like. I find the normal glitters too chunky to look as stunning on the lips as Reflects do.
- Reflects Copper is a shimmery, glittering confection of orange copper. It is not eye-safe, so while it’s gorgeous to look at, I know there’s not much for me to do with it. Some things you can do with glitter that’s not eye-safe: mix with nail polish, mix with body lotion, mix with hair spray, and mix with lipgloss.
- Reflects Rust is a rusty shade of orange-red. It’s just as glimmering as Reflects Copper, and the glitter is incredibly fine, but again, not eye-safe, which is just a bummer.
How do I use glitters if not on the eyes?
You can mix in glitter with all sorts of products. I like the Reflects the most for mix-ins, just because it is a finer grade glitter. It’s particularly nice on lips and mixed with lotion/moisturizer and used on legs and shoulders. For the regular glitters, I think they look nice when spritzed into the hair or mixed with nail polish.
- Product: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 6/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: As much as I adore the way Reflects glitters look and feel, I find myself rarely using them. All of the glitters are beautiful shades, though they are also permanent at PRO stores, so you don’t have to hurry if you’re on a budget. I also distinctly remember glitters being priced less than pigments, so I’m not sure why that changed.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
See up-close photos and swatches… Keep Reading!
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Pigments Review, Photos, Swatches
Brash & Bold Pigment
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Pigments
The talented photographer Marilyn Minter was inspired by MAC’s glitters and pigments. From her portion of the Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection comes two Reflects Glitters (Copper and Rust), two Glitters (Gold and Fuchsia), four pigments (Cocomotion, Brash & Bold, Heritage Rouge, and Push the Edge), as well as Gloss Texture in Clear.
Pigment ($19.50)
- Brash & Bold is a velvety, deep fuchsia-red with subtle fuchsia-purple sheen. If Bright Fuchsia and Pink Pearl pigment had a baby, this would be it.
- Heritage Rouge is a dark, cranberry-burgundy frost. It’s incredibly pigmented and goes on smooth. It’s one of the best pigment textures to date. This was a previously released shade, so be sure to check your stash to make sure you don’t already have one.
- Push the Edge is a deep blue-based violet purple with soft shimmer/sheen. It reminded me a lot of Entremauve pigment but bluer, not quite as plum. The textures are even similar, as this one is a bit chalky (though not terribly so).
- Cocomotion is a rich shade of antique gold with a bit more brightness than your typical antique gold. It’s one of my favorite shades of pigments (again, check your stash before buying), because it’s extremely smooth, rich in pigmentation, and is a dream to work with.
- Product: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 8/10
Recommendation: I think both Brash & Bold and Push the Edge pigments represent two shades we don’t often see MAC putting out. While neither is necessarily absolutely, positively original, they’re both pleasant surprises. Cocomotion and Heritage Rouge are also exceptional shades, and it’s good to see them make a return, at least for a limited time.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection: Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection — Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad
Richard Phillips contributed three eyeshadow quads to the MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection. Let’s take a look at the earthy quad called Photo Realism…
Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad ($36.00)
- Photorealism is a paled down yellow-gold with a bit of a taupe-mix in the base with a frost finish. This is a very unique color, actually. Just the way the gold comes together makes it unusual.
- Fresh Approach is a cool-toned, minty green. It’s not a bright, springy green, because it is mixed with a little bit of aqua to make it more of a mint green. It has a veluxe pearl finish, so it has a nice, smooth texture with great color pay off.
- Image Maker is grayish green with a frosty finish. It actually reminded me of Club eyeshadow with less reddish tones.
- Grey Range is a dark blue-green and is a pretty good match to Deep Blue Green pigment, actually. It has a veluxe pearl finish, which is why it has good pigmentation.
I’d put both Photo Realism and Notoriety eyeshadow quads on the same level–they’re both nice palettes with colors that go on smoothly and have good color to them. Notoriety is likely the more wearable between the two, because of the neutral tones, but Photo Realism is surprisingly wearable. None of the colors are so bright or bold that they couldn’t be used in a more subtle look. I’m really impressed with Photorealism, just because it has so much dimension to it. I love the idea of Grey Range, because I’ve always wanted an eyeshadow the color of Deep Blue Green pigment (I don’t like pressed pigments). These colors also just scream FALL! to me, too. I like it when things fit!
- Product: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 8/10
- Packaging: 9/10
- Overall: 8/10
Recommendation: Perfect for fall, Photo Realism is a great combination of softer, cool-tone greens and blues. If you like a little color in your looks, you might find yourself falling for this quad.
Availability: MACCosmetics.com
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