MAC Marcel Wanders: Gesina Lipstick + Mary Lip Gloss

I applied Gesina Lipstick straight from the tube and then patted Mary Lip Gloss on top with a separate lip brush.   I didn’t use any lip liner, but if you find red lipstick is prone to bleeding, you may want to use clear lip liner to prep!

Would you rock this combo?

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Marcel Wanders Combo: Gesina Lipstick + Mary Lip Gloss

MAC Marcel Wanders:  Video Review/Swatches

For my audio learners!   Please note that this video is part review, part first impressions — if you are interested in specific dupes, check out the individual posts!  Thank you!

MAC Marcel Wanders: Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Marcel Wanders Lipsticks ($22.00 for 0.15 oz.) include four new, exclusive, and limited edition shades: Catharina (fuchsia), Digna (blackened red), Gesina (red with slight pinkish undertones), and Martha (golden champagne with pearl).  All of them are cream finishes except Martha, which is a frost.

These do not feel a whole lot different compared to MAC’s regular line of lipsticks–the biggest difference is these four seem creamier and glide on more smoothly than the typical MAC Lipstick.  They are a nice lipstick, but I like MAC’s Lipsticks a lot myself. I’m just not sure that I can tell the difference between these and other MAC lipsticks.  The ingredient lists are different but nothing stood out as being, “A-ha!”

• Catharina is a brightened medium fuchsia pink with a creamy finish. It’s opaque with little product, and it hugs lips without being drying. It is a touch lighter than Full Fuchsia; also very similar to Girl About Town.
• Digna is a berried red that’s semi-opaque. It has a glossier feel than the other lipsticks, but it also seems to pull into lip lines. I would expect it to bleed a bit around the edges of lips. MAC’s Dark Side is very similar–a little more pigmented.
• Gesina is an opaque, bright, nearly neon, pinky-red. It reminded me of Illamasqua’s Follow but in lipstick form. It’s also a redder version (and lacks the fuchsia sheen) of Fusion Pink.
• Martha is a peach-nude with soft golden shimmer. The golden shimmer is not as pronounced on the lips as I expected. This lipsticks is a less pink version of Strange Potion lipglass. It’s a little pinker than MAC Freckletone, peachier than Smashbox Splendid.

Surprisingly, each lipstick contains 50% more than the average MAC lipstick! MAC Lipsticks are $14.50 and contain 0.10 oz., which makes them equivalent to $145.00/oz. MAC Marvel Wanders Lipsticks are $22.00 and contain 0.15 oz., which makes them the equivalent of $146.67/oz. So even though it’s a higher investment cost, the price is proportional. Of course, if you have many lipsticks at your disposal, you may be more concerned over pure price.

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

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: These shades are dupeable, which is the biggest drawback for them.  At $22, if there is a $14.50 option, that may be better–unless you see yourself using up a whole tube!  Despite the higher price tag, you get a proportional amount, so if you are a lipstick fiend, check ‘em out.

AVAILABILITY: MAC on November 24th

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Lipstick: Catharina, Digna, Gesina, Martha

Lipstick: Catharina, Digna, Gesina, Martha

Lipstick: Catharina, Digna

Lipstick: Gesina, Martha

MAC Catharina Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Catharina Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Digna Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Digna Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Gesina Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Gesina Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Martha Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Martha Marcel Wanders Lipstick

MAC Marcel Wanders: Lip Gloss

MAC Marcel Wanders Lip Glosses ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) include four new, exclusive, and limited edition shades: Aleydis (fuchsia), Beatrix (golden nude), Gertruyd (blackened red), and Mary (light gold).

The texture of these is extremely similar to LORAC’s 3D Multiplex Lip Gloss. It is a smooth, creamy formula that’s not thick or thin. It’s non-sticky but doesn’t disappear instantly; I’ve been wearing Beatrix for three hours now (no eating/drinking), and it’s mostly there. They do not contain quite as much shimmer as the 3D Lip Glosses, though. The formula also reminded me of MAC’s 3D Lipglasses (ha, ha) that came out eons ago. They’re smoother than Cremesheen Glass, but they have a similar look–just more pigmented.  They have a brush-type applicator.

• Aleydis is a semi-sheer, blue-based medium fuchsia pink with icy fuchsia micro-shimmer. As far as MAC permanent dupes go, though, Extra Amps would be the closest, but a bit more blue-based. Kind of like a low voltage version of Hot House. Very similar to Revenge is Sweet, too!  Dead-ringer for Radiant Jewels/Creme Allure… (both are more pigmented).
• Beatrix is a semi-sheer beige base with melon gold shimmer. It reminded me of a sheerer version of Strange Potion Lipglass–not quite as pink. Also similar to Girl’s Delight.
• Gertruyd is a semi-sheer, reddened burgundy with light pink sparkle. It’s similar to Ornamental–not quite as copper, though.
• Mary is a sheer, almost milky nude with lots of melon-gold shimmer. It’s a little less yellow than Instant Gold. It’s a little more melon and less pigmented than NARS Albatross.

The way the glosses feel as well as how they are packaged makes me lump them in with products like Dazzleglass, Cremesheen Glass, etc. For price comparison, I think it is appropriate to look at that category, too, and not Lipglass so much. (For the record, I do think that Dazzleglasses should contain more per tube–they are far under what I would expect.) Dazzleglasses are $18 for 0.06 oz., while Cremesheen Glasses are $18 for 0.09 oz. These are $22 for 0.09 oz. You are paying more, but the pricing does not seem as out-of-line as when you compare Lipglasses ($14.50 for 0.17 oz.) against them.

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

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 6/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: If you don’t mind more shimmer, you may want to consider LORAC’s 3D Lip Glosses–more product, same price.

AVAILABILITY: MAC on November 24th

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Lip Gloss: Aleydis, Beatrix, Gertruyd, Mary

Lip Gloss: Aleydis, Beatrix, Gertruyd, Mary

Lip Gloss: Aleydis, Beatrix, Gertruyd, Mary

Lip Gloss: Aleydis, Gertruyd, Beatrix, Mary

Lip Gloss: Aleydis, Gertruyd

Lip Gloss: Beatrix, Mary

MAC Aleydis Lip Gloss

MAC Aleydis Lip Gloss

MAC Beatrix Lip Gloss

MAC Beatrix Lip Gloss

MAC Gertruyd Lip Gloss

MAC Gertruyd Lip Gloss

MAC Mary Lip Gloss

MAC Mary Lip Gloss

MAC Marcel Wanders: MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder ($60.00 for 0.56 oz.) is described as “an ultra-fine, super sheer, and very sophisticated pressed powder … “Mysteriously” silky-soft in texture, glides on to give skin a velvety matte, slightly luminous and altogether flawless finish.”  There are only two shades available:  Light and Medium Plus.  They used to release a shade called Dark Secret, which was more appropriate for darker skin tones.

I only picked up Medium Plus, so I only have a swatch of that one, but hopefully it will be helpful enough to show you the texture and look of it.  I would recommend Light for NC/NW15s and 20s, possibly 25s if you are definitely NC/NW25.  I would recommend Medium Plus for NC/NW30s and 35s.  I think it would be too light for any shades higher than NC/NW35.

The formula itself is a very finely milled, silky smooth powder that applies incredibly sheer.  It is best used as a setting or finishing powder, because it does not offer coverage, but it will set your foundation or help to mattify skin.  It is not completely matte in finish, but it is semi-matte.  I like it, and I think it’s a good pressed powder, but it’s not the best one I’ve ever tried.  I don’t know if it’s that much better than MAC’s Blot or Select Sheer Powders, you know?  I do like that it looks very natural, and it’s practically impossible to overdo.  It doesn’t look powdery on the skin, even on drier areas of mine.

The compact itself shares the same multifaceted look as the perfume pendant, but unlike the pendant, it is made out of hard plastic, rather than metal.  It feels very lightweight when held, which makes it appropriate for traveling but less so if you want that luxury feel.  In the past, this powder has always been housed in a heavier, sturdier compact.  It will hold fingerprints like nobody’s business, though.

I know the price tag always scares people every time MAC repromotes it, but keep in mind, it comes with a refill–each pan is 0.28 oz. for a total of 0.56 oz. for your $60.  However, on that note, MAC’s Select Sheer/Pressed will set you back $22 for 0.42 oz., while the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural retails for $26 for 0.35 oz.  After perusing through a variety of pressed powders from high-end brands, it seems like 0.28 to 0.35 oz. is the norm with prices ranging from $30 to 35.  This is certainly not a steal of a deal, but it’s like you’re paying an extra $15 to 20 for the packaging and product (since it’s not available outside of the pricier compacts).

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

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: If you are light or medium in skin tone, you may find a match here.  If you have ultra dry skin, you may want to skip the powder, but for slightly dry to slightly oily skin, it should work out.

AVAILABILITY: MAC on November 24th

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MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder

Wearing MAC Sheer Mystery Powder (to set) — Pinch o’ Peach blush + Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer on cheeks; Catharina and Digna on lips.

MAC Marcel Wanders: Air of Style Scent Concentrate

Air of Style ($30.00 for 0.07 fl. oz.) is a sweetened floral with a strong pull of jasmine. It has an initial strength, but it dries down to something incredibly subtle–probably too light. I’m glad it does weaken quickly, though, because it is rather cloying at first sniff. It’s not a groundbreaking scent; despite the abundance of notes, it is has a rather simple result. I have had readers in the past note that Air of Style is reminiscent of Michael Kors, but I don’t own it, so I couldn’t say for sure. I applied it two hours ago, but the majority of the scent has wafted away.

Top Notes: White pepper, dried red dates, wild peonies
Heart Notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmin, ylang-ylang, orris
Bottom Notes: Touch of leather, antique woods, vetiver, amber crystals, tonka beans

The packaging is lovely. It’s a heavy, metal multifaceted pendant that hangs from a thin, black ribbon. For me, it would be too heavy to wear around my neck, but I tend to opt for very simplistic jewelry. I really enjoyed the weightiness of the pendant itself, because it feels more luxurious.  To me, this is the best packaging MAC has put the Air of Style scent in.  It was originally launched in an Italian glass vial, which while lovely, has to be stored in its box, as it will roll off your vanity.

It is rather small, as many bejeweled solid perfumes are, but inside contains more than the average ring/pendant solid perfume does. I wouldn’t say this is a value deal, but the price and quantity seem on par for MAC’s brand against higher-end brands with similar solid perfume offerings.

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

• Product: 24/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 5/5

RECOMMENDATION: If you love your sweet florals, you may enjoy this. If you prefer woodier scents, this is probably not up your alley.

AVAILABILITY: MAC on November 24th

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate

MAC Air of Style Scent Concentrate