mac peacocky collection

MAC Peacocky: Video Review & Swatches

First impressions/swatch video for MAC Peacocky! I say that everything is $18.50 but that was totally wrong — Kissable Lipcolours are $18.00 and the Mega Metal Eyeshadows are $19.50.

MAC Peacocky: Overall Review & Recommendations

OVERALL, I was really impressed by the texture of the Mega Metal Eyeshadows, so much so that I gave them my highest grade.  There is a reason why I don’t give out many A or A+ grades, and I think that it how it should be–these grades should be reserved for extraordinary products and ones that really knock it out of the park.  The texture is smooth, buttery (almost creamy, but it is for sure a powder), and blends like a dream.  Excellent color pay off, and these can be used wet or dry (without leaving any “wet” spots behind).  I have several of these on my must-have list, but please understand that the formula is what makes them must-haves, and so when it comes to colors, it is really more about what colors you want.

I couldn’t think of anything wrong with these, and even though they are more expensive than the smaller MAC eyeshadows, these are over double the size–a tremendous value.  But you must consider value vs. price; just because you get a lot of product doesn’t mean you’ll ever use it all, so then price should be more important than whether you get a truck load or a thimble full!

Of course, personally, I prefer uniformity, and love that I can depot my single eyeshadows and put them into palettes to save space.  These are too big for the eyeshadow palettes but too small for the blush palettes.  You can remove the insert on the MAC palettes, however, or use other brand’s empty palettes. They are similar in size to the Tartan Tale eyeshadows, mineralize eyeshadows, and Cream Colour Bases.

The Kissable Lipcolours are nice–the lighter shades, like Super, seem to fade faster (about three to four hours of wear, but quicker if you eat/drink), while the darker shades, like Scandelicious, last six to eight hours and can make it through eating/drinking.  They’re lightweight, comfortable to wear, and don’t dry out lips at all.  They have MAC’s signature vanilla scent, and nearly all of them are opaque with others being semi-opaque.  I’m just not impressed with their $18 price tag.

Photos, Reviews, Swatches

• Mega Metal Eyeshadows (Part 1) (Centre Stage, Dalliance, Dandizette, Ego, Mating Call)
• Mega Metal Eyeshadows (Part 2) (Noir Plum, Odalisque, Paparazz-she, Peek-at-You, Prance)
• Mega Metal Eyeshadows (Part 3) (Sex-pectations, Spectacle of Yourself, Top of the Posh, Tweet Me, Unflappable)
• Mega Metal Eyeshadow Dupes & Comparisons (Part 2)
• Kissable Lipcolour (Part 1) (Enchantee, Exxxhibitionist, Flaunting It, Love Peck)
• Kissable Lipcolour (Part 2) (Peacocky, Scandelicious, So Vain, Strut Your Stuff)
• Kissable Lipcolour (Part 3) (Super, Temper Tantra, Vanity Fair, Woo Me)
• Kissable Lipcolour Dupes & Comparisons (Part 2)

Check out my recommendations, what to skip, and recommendations by skin tone! Continue reading →

MAC Peacocky: Kissable Lipcolour Dupes & Comparisons, Part 2

Part one of two for the Kissable Lipcolours! The biggest concern regarding finding similar shades is the fact that these are a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid. By comparing it to a lipstick or lip gloss, you are really not getting the same thing. I would say using a lipstick dupe is more similar, because these have the dry down that looks more like a particularly creamy lipstick (think perhaps an Amplified finish) with some slip. This is why I looked more for dupes within similar product types.

• SO VAIN is much more orange than Perennial High Style lipglass, while Korres #25 and Korres #30 really don’t compare–both are significantly different. This may actually end up being closer to Vegas Volt than I thought.
• STRUT YOUR STUFF is closest to Korres #56, which is more of a true red. Illamasqua Follow leans pink, while Illamasqua Fume is a bit darker.
• SUPER is just slightly darker than Korres #30. Cherish lipstick is peachier and a little lighter.
• TEMPER TANTRA is darker and less pink than Korres #25, while it is fairly different from Cosmo lipstick.
• VANITY FAIR is a little bluer-based and darker than Snob lipstick and Saint Germain lipstick. It is also darker than Viva Glam Gaga lipglass.
• WOO ME is closest to Cherish lipstick, with just textural differences, while Hug Me lipstick is also similar but sheerer.  Hue lipstick is pinker and lighter.

See swatches! Continue reading →

MAC Peacocky: Mega Metal Eyeshadow Dupes & Comparisons, Part 1

I’ve split the Mega Metal Eyeshadows into two parts for dupes and comparisons, and then I will also do the Kissable Lipcolours (also in two parts) so no post is overwhelming!  It’s always amazing how things are not as easily duped as one would think.  When compared next to each other, the nuances of each shade gets diminished or more noticeable, depending on what else is swatched nearby.  Whether any of these is really dupable depends on how close is close enough for you.

• CENTRE STAGE is richer and warmer than Urban Decay Twice Baked, while it is significantly darker than Urban Decay Smog. It is darker and more of a chocolate brown in comparison to Bronze. Buckwheat looks like a sheer, lighter imitation (not comparable!). Twinks has too much red in it, while Sable looks more taupe in comparison. Urban Decay Darkhorse has a stronger green-tinged gold pull. I think Chocolate Brown pigment would be the closest dupe, but I do not own it to do a swatch comparison.
• DALLIANCE is closest to Urban Decay Maui Wowie, which is still a few shades darker and more golden, while Patina is too brown and Retrospeck is far too golden. Bobbi Brown Pewter is a lot cooler-toned and much darker. Warming Trend is warmer, a little more orange, while Summer Neutral is more of an antique gold. Rye is a darker variation on Summer Neutral, so it doesn’t compare to Dalliance, and neither does Smoke & Diamonds.
• DANDIZETTE is most similar to Urban Decay Goddess, which is slightly purple-toned in comparison. Deep Truth is brighter and bluer, while
  Blue Storm is a less intense version of Deep Truth and Blue Flame is bluer and cooler-toned.
• EGO is closest to Bobbi Brown Bash, but the latter is more of a yellow green. Similarly Humid is a yellower green than Bash, so it’s much yellower than Ego. Oomph looks like a dirty, muddy green mess next to Ego. One-off is a much brighter, cooler green.
• MATING CALL is closest to Lotusland, which is noticeably lighter; similarly Fashion Groupie is slightly darker. Dame’s Desire is a brighter, cooler-toned purple, while Stars ‘n Rockets is a lot pinker.
• NOIR PLUM is most similar to Urban Decay Mayhem which is a little lighter and more iridescent. Marvel has a stronger red undertone, while Violet pigment is much lighter. Grape pigment is more intense, red-toned, and a touch darker.

See swatches! Continue reading →

MAC Kissable Lipcolour: So Vain, Strut Your Stuff, Super, Temper Tantra, Vanity Fair, Woo Me

MAC Peacocky: Kissable Lipcolour Review, Photos, Swatches, Part 3

MAC Kissable Lipcolour ($18.00 for 0.17 oz.) are a new, medium-coverage lip product that is designed to give you the “comfort of a lipstick” with the “shiny finish of a lipgloss.” It’s supposed to be a lightweight, highly emollient formula with creamy color. It is also touted as being feather-resistant and wearing “for hours.” This includes these four: Super (muted neutral brown), Temper Tantra (mid-tone reddish brown), Vanity Fair (mid-tone blue pink), and Woo Me (light pinky nude).

• Super is a medium beige nude with opaque color coverage. It is slightly lighter than Korres #30. It is pinker than Freckletone lipstick, darker than Cherish lipstick.
• Temper Tantra is a red-tinged beige brown with nearly opaque color coverage. It is a little less coral than Korres #25. It seems like a more orange Cosmo.
• Vanity Fair is a cool-toned, blue-based pink. It is similar to Viva Glam Gaga lipstick (less so the gloss), Saint Germain, Snob, Pink Friday, etc. I found it rather streaky on lips (the worst of the bunch) and difficult to apply evenly.
• Woo Me is a pale peach with very subtle micro-shimmer. Like the other shades in the launch, it does suffer from streakiness, but it applies more evenly than Vanity Fair. It is nearly opaque. It is lighter than Cherish lipstick, peachier than Hue.

Kissable Lipcolour is vanilla-scented and comes in a long, skinny tube (they are the same as the Dare to Wear Lipglasses), but they have a good amount of product in them (0.17 oz.). It has a thin-to-medium, non-sticky consistency that feels creamy, lightweight, and a lot like a liquid lipstick. I didn’t experience any feathering after wearing one of the darker shades for the past five hours, though I am not prone to lip color bleeding.

I’ve been wearing Scandelicious since noon (five now), and it’s still hanging on–and I’ve had lunch and a drink since. There was some color transfer on my cup, but it seemed less than a normal lipstick. Some of the shininess has disappeared, but it doesn’t read flat, matte, or dry–rather it transitions to a satin finish. I would say it started at 90% opaque color and five hours later is at 75% (again, with eating and drinking!). My lips do not feel parched at all–they actually feel quite comfortable! It feels and wears more like a lipstick than a gloss, especially after an hour or so.

I have found that the lighter shades tend to gather in lip lines or show some streaking, but the medium to darker shades seem to apply better and smoother. These reminded me of Korres’ Liquid Lipstick, though these seem like a thinner, less watery formula (Kissable Lipcolour almost seems gel-like). They are also thinner and have a creamier finish as compared to Chanel Rouge Allure Laques (which also have more shimmer), but they are a good alternative that is more affordable.

I am disappointed to see such a high price tag, as it just seems to be yet one more sign that MAC prices will soon be in line with other high-end brands. Unlike the Mega Metal Eyeshadows, you do not get more product than you would in a regular lipgloss (e.g. Lipglass). Though in the interest of providing a fuller picture, the quantity and price are in-line with comparable brands like Benefit, Stila, and Urban Decay; not exactly comforting, I’m sure!

MAC Peacocky launches on January 6th, 2011 in-stores across North America, January 2011 for international. The approximate launch date for online is January 4th but may not be exact. It features 15 Mega Metal Eyeshadows ($19.50 each) and 12 Kissable Lipcolours ($18.00 each). All products are limited edition.

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

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

FINAL THOUGHTS: I think the medium to darker shades are very nice, but the lighter shades a little less so (think 26/30). So far, the wear seems to be true to their “hours” claim (my average is three hours or so for gloss, four hours for lipstick). The colors definitely are on the opaque side with none really on the sheer side.

WHERE TO BUY: MAC Cosmetics, January 6th for North America; January 2011 for international

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

MAC Kissable Lipcolour: Enchantee, Exxhibitionist, Flaunting It, Love Peck, Peacocky, Scandelicious

MAC Peacocky: Kissable Lipcolour Review, Photos, Swatches, Part 2

MAC Kissable Lipcolour ($18.00 for 0.17 oz.) are a new, medium-coverage lip product that is designed to give you the “comfort of a lipstick” with the “shiny finish of a lipgloss.” It’s supposed to be a lightweight, highly emollient formula with creamy color. It is also touted as being feather-resistant and wearing “for hours.” This includes these four: Peacocky (sky blue with red pearl), Scandelicious (blue fuchsia), So Vain (muted dirty coral), and Strut Your Stuff (bright true red).

• Peacocky is a medium blue with piink and silver micro-shimmer. I was able to layer enough product on for a nearly opaque result, but with the more product you apply, the more prone it is to streaking/unevenness in application (as apparent in the lip swatches). It’s one of MAC’s more pigmented blue consumer shades, though. It is a little darker (plus it has shimmer) than OCC’s Rx, but Rx is more pigmented.
• Scandelicious is a bright, medium-dark pink with fuchsia micro-shimmer. It seems like Girl About Town in lipstick form–with shimmer. It is slightly less red compared to Korres #54.  It is comparable to Illamasqua’s Petulant.
• So Vain is a soft peach-coral with opaque color coverage. It’s a less orange Ravishing lipstick. It is lighter and pinker than Korres #30.
• Strut Your Stuff is a bright orange-based red. MAC describes it as a true red, but it looks orange-tinged to me. The swatch seems less orange-based than when I wear it, so it could be my undertones pulling out the orange. It seems more orange than Ladybug, as well as more orange than Korres #56 (which looks more like a true red on me).  It also seems comparable to Illamasqua’s Fume (which isn’t as orange), but this isn’t as orange as Illamasqua’s Temper.

Kissable Lipcolour is vanilla-scented and comes in a long, skinny tube (they are the same as the Dare to Wear Lipglasses), but they have a good amount of product in them (0.17 oz.). It has a thin-to-medium, non-sticky consistency that feels creamy, lightweight, and a lot like a liquid lipstick. I didn’t experience any feathering after wearing one of the darker shades for the past five hours, though I am not prone to lip color bleeding.

I’ve been wearing Scandelicious since noon (five now), and it’s still hanging on–and I’ve had lunch and a drink since. There was some color transfer on my cup, but it seemed less than a normal lipstick. Some of the shininess has disappeared, but it doesn’t read flat, matte, or dry–rather it transitions to a satin finish. I would say it started at 90% opaque color and five hours later is at 75% (again, with eating and drinking!). My lips do not feel parched at all–they actually feel quite comfortable! It feels and wears more like a lipstick than a gloss, especially after an hour or so.

I have found that the lighter shades tend to gather in lip lines or show some streaking, but the medium to darker shades seem to apply better and smoother. These reminded me of Korres’ Liquid Lipstick, though these seem like a thinner, less watery formula (Kissable Lipcolour almost seems gel-like). They are also thinner and have a creamier finish as compared to Chanel Rouge Allure Laques (which also have more shimmer), but they are a good alternative that is more affordable.

I am disappointed to see such a high price tag, as it just seems to be yet one more sign that MAC prices will soon be in line with other high-end brands. Unlike the Mega Metal Eyeshadows, you do not get more product than you would in a regular lipgloss (e.g. Lipglass). Though in the interest of providing a fuller picture, the quantity and price are in-line with comparable brands like Benefit, Stila, and Urban Decay; not exactly comforting, I’m sure!

MAC Peacocky launches on January 6th, 2011 in-stores across North America, January 2011 for international. The approximate launch date for online is January 4th but may not be exact. It features 15 Mega Metal Eyeshadows ($19.50 each) and 12 Kissable Lipcolours ($18.00 each). All products are limited edition.

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

• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

FINAL THOUGHTS: I think the medium to darker shades are very nice, but the lighter shades a little less so (think 26/30). So far, the wear seems to be true to their “hours” claim (my average is three hours or so for gloss, four hours for lipstick). The colors definitely are on the opaque side with none really on the sheer side.

WHERE TO BUY: MAC Cosmetics, January 6th for North America; January 2011 for international

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →