MAC Prep for Colour Collection

The Prep for Colour Collection is a short and sweet collection. I’m not even sure why they bothered with any color cosmetics, and I could have gone for repromotes of great permanent neutrals, too — just because MAC does have a great neutral range. The collection includes one lipglass ($14), three eyeshadows ($14.50), Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum ($40), Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 ($30), and Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancer SPF 35/PA+++ ($30).  I don’t have photos of Prepped for Glamour Eyeshadow yet, which I will purchase when it launches in-store on Thursday (so check back then!).

• Hey Eyeshadow is is a gilded beige-champagne with a touch of peach.  It was a very shimmery, frosty finish.  For reference, it is a veluxe pearl finish, though!  This is a repromote from Fafi, but I know a lot of you love this shade.
• Sorcery Eyeshadow is a burgundy-brown with a satin finish–it’s not entirely matte, but it’s not overly shimmery, either.  It has more of a satin sheen.  It reminded me of a a lighter version of Sketch.
• Prepped for Glamour Eyeshadow is a darkened chocolate brown with a taupe edge to it.  It’s sheerer and lighter than Satin Taupe, but it also has less of a frosty sheen.  Pretty, but if you already have Satin Taupe, you could probably skip this.
• Just Add Colour Lipglass is a reddened, dark fuchsia pink with fuchsia-pink shimmer.  It’s a frost finish lipglass, and though my sample comes in a square tube, online shows it in a regular lipglass tube, so don’t buy because it’s square   It’s a very pigmented, color-rich gloss–so if you’ve always wanted a darker pink than Pink Poodle but still very intense, this might be it.
• Prep + Prime Brightening Serum is a clear, slightly watery liquid that pumps out.  It’s hard to describe — it’s cool and thin, and it absorbs into skin quite quickly.  I haven’t used it long enough to really be able to tell you about results, but I can at least tell you about the consistency!  Hopefully will have more for you later on in April…

There are no must-haves in this collection from me. While all the color products in this launch are high quality and well-pigmented, they’re not necessarily must-haves.  Hey is the closest to a must-have, but I think you could easily substitute All That Glitters, Gleam, or Retrospeck in its place.  Sorcery is too similar to Sketch and Beautymarked, while Prepped for Glamour is quite similar to Satin Taupe.  Just Add Colour Lipglass is pretty, but again, just doesn’t strike me as a must-have.  You can’t go wrong with any of the four, so this is more of a “there’s nothing super-duper original or so awesomely pigmented you have to get it” kind of a review.

Skip if you have…

• Skip Hey if you have All That Glitters, Gleam, or Retrospeck (unless you use these 24/7, then you’ll probably love Hey!).
• Skip Sorcery if you have Sketch or Beautymarked, particularly if you don’t use those very often.
• Skip Prepped for Glamour if you have Satin Taupe, unless you’ve always secretly wanted Satin Taupe but didn’t like how frosty it was.

So, are you stopping by MAC (or shopping online!) for Prep for Colour or are you waiting until Pret-a-Papier?

See more photos & swatches!

Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum

Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum, Ingredient List for Skincare Fanatics!

Just Add Colour Lipglass

Just Add Colour Lipglass

Hey Eyeshadow

Hey Eyeshadow

Sorcery Eyeshadow

Sorcery Eyeshadow

Hey & Sorcery Eyeshadow, Just Add Colour Lipglass

Just Add Colour Lipglass

Just Add Colour Lipglass

Prepped for Glamour Eyeshadow

Prepped for Glamour Eyeshadow

Prepped for Glamour (left) / Satin Taupe (right)

Upcoming MAC Collections: Summer 2010

Don’t let MAC overwhelm you! Here’s what you can expect over the next few months from MAC.  It seems like a lot, but I swear it feels much lighter than last year.

• Prep for Colour (April 8th)
• Pret-a-Papier (April 22th)
• Mineralize Eye Shadow (Repromotes, April 29th)
• Superglass (May 6th)
• Chromagraphic Pencils (May 13th, PRO Only)
• Nudes (May 13th, PRO Only)
• Opulash (April 22nd at Nordstrom; May 27th Elsewhere)
• To the Beach (May 27th)
• Pigments on Counters (June 10th)
• In the Groove (July 8th)
• Alice + Olivia (July 8th)
• Digi-Pops: Lip Server (July 15th, Nordstrom and The Bay Only)
• Digi-Pops: iPalette (July 8th, The Bay; July 16th, Nordstrom)
• Digi-Pops: Brush Browser (July 8th, The Bay; July 16th Nordstroms)
• Look in a Box (July 8th The Bay; July 16th Nordstroms)

In April, MAC will launch Prep for Colour and Pret-a-Papier as well as repromote Mineralize Eye Shadows.  Prep for Colour is a collection centered around prepping and priming products with three new eyeshadows and lipglass in terms of colour.   Pret-a-Papier is a full color collection featuring a few repromotes in the launch, but there is one new paint pot (Coral Crepe), as well as a theme of neutrals, corals, and peaches within the collection.  This is the bigger launch for April.

In May, we’ll see the release of Superglass, Chromagraphic Pencils, Nudes, Opulash, and To the Beach.  However, keep in mind that Chromagraphic Pencils and Nudes are only releasing at PRO stores, which means you cannot find these products at counters or freestanding stores.  From my understanding, these PRO only products are permanent, though!  Superglass is a medium coverage, ultra glittery gloss–think Dazzleglass but on steroids.  Opulash is short and sweet featuring a new mascara only available in one shade (black), and if you’re near a Nordstrom, you can grab it on April 22nd.  To the Beach is the biggest launch of May, and I’d go as far as to say it’s the biggest launch of summer, with aqua-green packaging.  It’s a full color collection, and I know a few of you have been saving up for this already!

In June, MAC leaves us feeling pretty empty or else they’re being kind and giving you some time to recover.  Right now, June only shows a roll out of pigments to counters and additional shades to freestanding stores.  Counters do not normally carry pigments, but they will in June.  There are also some previously PRO-only shades that will be available at both counters/freestanding locations.  Keep in mind that some of them may not be eye-safe, so ask before you purchase…

In July, there’s really only three collections to fret over:  In the Groove, Alice + Olivia, and Digi-Pops/Look in a Box aka Nordstrom’s Anniversary Collection.  In the Groove is a full color collection, so there is plenty to choose from here so budget accordingly!  Alice + Olivia is a short and sweet collection with only nine products (but no repromotes!)–three new dazzleglass cremes, three new pigments (!), and three new nail lacquers.  Digi-Pops has three parts, but they’re all part of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Collection, along with Look in a Box.  Those with freestanding stores will find iPalette pretty dull, as it is merely a selection of permanent pan eyeshadows for customers to build their own palettes.

I know it seems heavy, but these are really the main collections: Pret-a-Papier (April 22nd), To the Beach (May 27th), In the Groove (July 8th), and Alice + Olivia (July 8th).  Digi-Pops will roll out new Dazzle lipsticks (supposedly to be released later on to freestanding stores, but I have no confirmation yet), while the rest of Digi-Pops is standard anniversary fare or primarily repromotes/permanent shades, so it’s not as big as you think.  (Oh, and skip the brush sets… buy one or two full-size MAC brushes instead of a set.)

What collection(s) are you looking forward to the most?

MAC Prep for Colour Collection

U.S. Launch Date: April 8th, 2010
International Launch Date: April 2010

Artists use watercolour, oil, chalk, pastel, pencil, ink. We use makeup. Both require a bold vision and a perfectly primed canvas to start. New innovations to ensure the Artist’s idyll is perfectly realized: Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum evens out any skin tone, Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 helps stop future damage with ultimate determination, and for M·A·C Asia, Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancer SPF 35/PA+++ blurs visible skin imperfections and helps block harmful rays. The state-of-the-art way to prepare skin for a flawless makeup application. Prep for Colour helps every skin type become a modern masterpiece.

Lipglass ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

• Just Add Colour Fuchsia pink (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Eyeshadow ($14.50 U.S. / $17.00)

• Hey Warm mid-tone beige (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
• Prepped for Glamour Ashy/dirty brown (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Sorcery Reddish mid-tone brown (Satin) (Limited Edition)

Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum ($40.00 U.S. / $48.00 CDN)

A serum formulated to ins tantly brighten, smooth, firm, and hydrate the skin while providing a plumper, more evenly toned finish to the complexion. Natural antioxidants help to strengthen the skin against UV-related damage, while M·A·C Charged Water ens ures deep, long-lasting hydration. Everywhere except Asia.

Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 ($30.00 U.S. / $36.50 CDN)

Everywhere except Asia.

Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancer SPF 35/PA+++ ($30.00 U.S. / $36.50 CDN)

A tinted skin primer formulated with soft-focus powders to help even out skin tone and add radiance. Lightweight and invisible, it goes on under foundation or powder for a naturally perfect look and subtle glow. Helps protect against pollution and UV rays. Available in three tints: Illuminate adds radiance to a sallow complexion; Neutralize calms a red, blotchy complexion; and Adjust brightens dull skin. Fragrance free. Asia exclusive.

See more photos!