Review: MAC Cosmetics In High Def Collection

Just launched, MAC’s In High Def Collection (see full collection details here) contains several hand-picked products from the existing line as well as some new products that are designed to work well in the high definition environment. There are four new shades of lipstick: Close to Real, High Def, Resolutely Red, and Sharp Focus. The rest of the collection is permanent, existing products (Face & Body Foundation and Mineralize Skinfinish Natural).

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

• Close to Real is a pale, frosty peach. Despite having a lustre finish, it doesn’t feel like one to me. It feels much more like a frost lipstick, and it definitely looks like it on the lips. I found this one to seem to grab onto every imperfection on your lips–even after I had exfoliated–it just didn’t look very flattering. The color is really pale, so I’d vote on using this more as a layering shade than standalone.
• High Def is a creamy, opaque pinky-coral color. It has a slight sheen, but it doesn’t contain any shimmer. On my lips, it doesn’t read very much coral (unfortunately, as MAC lacks corals!), but it’s still pretty. It looks more like my-lips-but-better with a bit more pinky-brown.
• Resolutely Red is a mostly opaque, lightly creamy shade of reddish-wine. It’s not super bold or bright, so it’s more of a wearable red. It’s not too cool or warm, either, which I definitely like. It has a glossy look to it when applied.
• Sharp Focus is semi-opaque muted, browned-down red with almost a bit of plum undertone. It’s almost like a vampy lip color, yet not really. If you’ve wanted to go for a darker lip, but have found vampy shades too dark too fast for you, this might be one way to start.

Face & Body Foundation

Face & Body Foundation is a water-based sheer to light-medium coverage liquid foundation. MAC says that it is water-resistant, and I’d agree that it holds up pretty well under water, though I’ve never say, showered, in it either. (I’m now curious, so I may try it!) It has a slightly dewy finish, which may be too much for those with really oily skin. It’s a solid foundation, and I actually used this as my go-to for maybe six months or so a year or two ago. I liked it a lot during summer, because it was very lightweight and held up under the summer heat.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

This is a baked mineral-based powder that has a near matte finish (there is just a slight, slight bit of luminous-ness to it) — MAC calls the finish “natural-matte.” I personally can’t wear MSFN due to the fact that it breaks me out, but I know it is an often raved about products for others. I wish I could say I experienced the same amazingness (despite breakouts), but it just didn’t wow me. It’s a great setting powder, and it can be used as a very light, sheer foundation (I recommend the 189 brush for foundation application). Many like it because it gives their face a sheer, even look. I’m sure plenty of you have tried this, so please do share your thoughts for others who haven’t!

You can view reviews for: 187 Brush and 188 Brush, as well. (Both brushes are permanent.)

Recommendation: This collection left me unexcited, to be honest. The lipsticks were so-so, but I didn’t feel like there weren’t already as good, if not better, options available in the permanent line. I have no problem with MAC pointing out, “Hey! We have products that look great for HD work already!” I’ve always liked Face & Body, so I do recommend that if you haven’t checked it out. But overall, it’s just not a very exciting collection, yeah? Bring on Fall Trend!

Availability: MAC Cosmetics

See swatches…

Close to Real, High Def, Resolutely Red Lipsticks

Close to Real Lipstick

High Def Lipstick

Resolutely Red Lipstick

Sharp Focus Lipstick

Sharp Focus Lipstick

Sharp Focus Lipstick

Sneak Peek: MAC Cosmetics In High Def Collection

Launching on September 10th, MAC’s In High Def Collection (see full collection details here) contains several hand-picked products from the existing line as well as some new products that are designed to work well in the high definition environment. There are four new shades of lipstick: Close to Real, High Def, Resolutely Red, and Sharp Focus.

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

• Close to Real is a pale, frosty peach. Despite having a lustre finish, it doesn’t feel like one to me. It feels much more like a frost lipstick, and it definitely looks like it on the lips. I found this one to seem to grab onto every imperfection on your lips–even after I had exfoliated–it just didn’t look very flattering. The color is really pale, so I’d vote on using this more as a layering shade than standalone.
• High Def is a creamy, opaque pinky-coral color. It has a slight sheen, but it doesn’t contain any shimmer. On my lips, it doesn’t read very much coral (unfortunately, as MAC lacks corals!), but it’s still pretty. It looks more like my-lips-but-better with a bit more pinky-brown.
• Resolutely Red is a mostly opaque, lightly creamy shade of reddish-wine. It’s not super bold or bright, so it’s more of a wearable red. It’s not too cool or warm, either, which I definitely like. It has a glossy look to it when applied.

Of the three I tried, none of them really jumped out at me as must-haves. High Def and Resolutely Red are flattering shades, while Close to Real may be more difficult for some to pull off (it is for me, at least!).

• Product: 8/10
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 8/10
• Packaging: 7/10

Recommendation: If you’re a fan of lustre finishes but have always wanted a bit more color… you might like these, because they pack a lot more pigmentation than your average lustre!

Availability: MAC Cosmetics (August 27th)

See swatches…

MAC Close to Real Lipstick

MAC High Def Lipstick

MAC Resolutely Red Lipstick

Sneak Peek: MAC Magic, Mirth, & Mischief

For the holidays, MAC’s Magic, Mirth, & Mischief has a whole slew of new mineralize eyeshadows, but we’ll also be seeing some new shades of dazzleglass, including the two pictured here.

• Phiff A light, beige-nude with lots of silver-peach micro glitter. I wasn’t super impressed by this one; it was a little lackluster–it doesn’t impart any color on me, and the glitter color doesn’t change up colors that much. It was like a darker, peachy version of Bare Necessity.
• She-Zam A pale, silver-gray with a blue cast and gray-blue micro glitter. This one reminded me a lot of some previous lipglasses like Lightning and Pas-de-deux. It’s a nice shade, just because it can be layered on top of lipsticks to add a different dimension of color.

• Product: 8/10
• Value: 6/10
• Ease of Use: 8/10
• Packaging: 6/10
• Overall: 7/10

Recommendation: If you love dazzleglasses, you’ll love these, too. The glitter is the same, and the colors are sheer like previous shade releases. I did feel likethese went on a little smoother and less sticky compared to other dazzleglasses, though.  I still find these low on value (because you pay $4 more for less product than a lipglass–like half!), and as a result, I’m not a big fan of the oversized packaging with not much in it.

Have you picked up these new shades yet?

Check out more product photos and swatches…

MAC Dazzleglass Cremes Collection – Sneak Peek Swatches

As promised, here are lip swatches of the three dazzleglass cremes we revealed today! Check out Totally Fab & Sublime Shine!

Totally Fab

Sublime Shine

Please do not republish these photos/swatches without permission from Temptalia.com. If you would like to share, please link back to this post. Thank you!

MAC Dazzleglass Cremes Collection Sneak Peek

MAC Dazzleglass Cremes Collection debuts later this fall on September 24th, but we have a little sneak peek for you today, just to whet your appetite.

Dazzleglass cremes are the same shimmery, glittery goodness found in dazzleglass with more color.  Based on the three I tested and played with, they do not really feel like the cremesheen glasses to me. The shimmer in these does seem even more micro-fine than dazzleglass (which I have found gritty in the past), but the formula feels thick (but not goopy), non-sticky, and sheer to semi-opaque (at least, on lips — in swatches they do look fairly opaque).  (Yes, lip swatches to follow… check back in an hour or two!)

With these, I can finally see the buzz around dazzleglasses, and with better color pay off (or any!), I can see myself using these regularly and often!  What do you think? Piqued your interest?  Stomped out your desire?

See more photos and swatches…

Amorous, Totally Fab, Sublime Shine

Amorous, Totally Fab, Sublime Shine

Please do not republish these photos/swatches without permission from Temptalia.com. If you would like to share, please link back to this post. Thank you!

Sneak Peek: MAC Cosmetics’ Naked Honey Collection

MAC’s Naked Honey Collection is just around the corner, and here’s yet another peek at what’s to come. (We already did a nice sneak peek of Honey Light High-Light Powder, Pollinator & Creme de Miel Eyeshadows, too!) Today, we’re unveiling Buzz lipglass ($14.00), Naked Honey Skin Salve ($18.50), and Golden Nectar High-Light Powder ($24.50).

Thoughts

• Buzz lipglass is a semi-sheer coppery-red-brown with golden shimmer. It gives nice color to lips without being too red or bold.
• Golden Nectar high-light powder is a semi-sheer, silky peachy-tan powder. While it looks awfully shimmery from the get-go, beware that it is merely an overspray. The product beneath the shimmery overspray is still very nice, as it is a smooth, silky powder with very subtle shimmer/sheen. You could almost think of it as more of a bronzer than anything else.
• Naked Honey Skin Salve is a floral-honey scented clear salve/balm. The pot you get is a bit on the small side, though it contains 1.41 oz (or 40 grams). Relative to other salves, like Rosebud ($6 for 0.8 oz. or $12 for just about as much as MAC’s), which is probably one of the cheaper salves that I can think of. Since it is MAC, the price isn’t quite as skewed high as I originally thought. It’s very emollient and sinks into skin quickly without leaving behind any greasiness. I definitely lean towards using this more as a lip balm than anything else, but that’s more of a personal preference. I keep mine on my night stand for a quick balm before bedtime.

See photos and swatches!

Naked Honey Skin Salve

Golden Nectar High-Light Powder

Golden Nectar High-Light Powder

Golden Nectar High-Light Powder

Buzz Lipglass

Buzz Lipglass

Golden Nectar High-Light Powder (overspray/powder), Buzz Lipglass, Naked Honey Skin Salve