MAC Style Black Collection: Overall

OVERALL, Style Black puts out an interesting mix of products all that take inspiration from shades of black. There’s such a wide mix of different types of products — from mattenes to mineralize eyeshadows to the new greasepaint stick. I think some will love it, others will be leery of it, and still others will be unimpressed. I’m kind of in the middle; I appreciate the collection for its uniqueness amongst prior MAC launches, and I do like seeing a variety of products. I also like how a lot of the colors coordinate across product types (e.g. Glimmerglasses and Nail Lacquers). If you like mineralize eyeshadows, you’ll likely fall for these (I recommend using them wet!), and if you like jelly-esque glosses, Glimmerglass might catch your eye. My favorite part of the launch was easily the two new nail lacquers (Seriously Hip and Baby Goth Girl)!

Edited: If you want something from this collection, I think you can make it work for you.  Not every product is perfect right out of the box/tube, so if something about it calls to you, don’t be afraid to see how it works for you.  Use a concealer base (or MAC Lip Erase) to help combat some of lipstick unevenness/application issues; lip liner to prevent intense lip colors from bleeding; sheer glosses over more intense lip color to add dimension; and so on.  It’s just a matter of what you’re looking for, whether you want to experiment to see what works best, etc.  Personally, I like things to work well with little effort, but that’s just me.

Temptalia’s Recommendations

Must-Haves: Seriously Hip Nail Lacquer, Bling Black Glimmerglass, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, Black Greasepaint Stick
Nice-to-Haves: Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer, Night Violet Mattene, Midnight Media Mattene, Blackfire Glimmerglass, Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask
Skip: Black Knight Lipstick, Nocturnelle Nail Lacquer

Reviews, Photos, Swatches

• Mineralize Eyeshadows
• Glimmerglasses
• Lipstick/Mattenes
• Cream Colour Bases
• Greasepaint Stick
• Nail Lacquers
• Pucker Up:  Midnight Media + Blackfire
• Pucker Up:  Black Knight + Bling Black

P.S. – I will do a review of the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and Thermal Mask after using both for a week or two I LOVED VAE when it first came out, so if it’s the same stuff… I will love it equally as much. I would recommend snatching both up if you’re leaning towards yes, because I know a ton of people are stocking up on both so sell-out risk seems high!

MAC Style Black Look: Dark Smoky Eyes

Just a quick Style Black I through together this morning before I took a shower. I’m not sold on mineralize eyeshadows whatsoever! I applied these mineralize eyeshadows wet using water-based mixing medium (for better adhesion and to minimize fall out). Admittedly, it’s all over a significantly dark base, so maybe that’s why they just don’t pop much. I did two different lips — the first is the lip I’d actually pair with it (based on my style and preferences); the second is with black lips as requested.

Two notes:  I’m wearing Korres’ Wild Rouse Foundation in this look.  (I think the shade may be a lil’ orange on me–not sure if going a shade lighter will help or not yet.)  One eye has a stronger distinction between crease and highlight (which, to be honest, looked fine in real life) that I would recommend blending out more in practice.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Dark Soul pigment (dark black-gray), Gilt By Association mineralize eyeshadow (black-bronze), Young Punk mineralize eyeshadow (black-purple), Blue Flame eyeshadow (dark blue), Femme-fi eyeshadow (neutral highlighter), Black Greasepaint Stick (black with purple shimmer), Stila Purple Pumps Smudge Pot (purple shimmer), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Plum Foolery blush (pinky-purple)
• Lips: Brave New Bronze lipstick (pinky nude), Bling Black glimmerglass (dirty antique gold)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Gilt By Association = Tempting; Young Punk = Contrast; Blue Flame = Deep Truth; Femme-fi = Shroom; Black Greasepaint = Smolder; Brave New Bronze = Velvet Teddy; Bling Black = Reflects Antique Gold + Black Lip Mix + Clear gloss

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply Dark Soul pigment with water-based mixing medium on the lower lid. On the inner lid, pack Gilt by Association eyeshadow on using the 239. Apply Young Punk eyeshadow to the middle and outer portions of the lid. Darken crease with Blue Flame eyeshadow using the 226. Sweep Femme-fi eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Black Greasepaint stick on lower lash line, and Stila Purple Pumps smudge pot on lower lash line with 209. Apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Plum Foolery blush using the 129. Apply Brave New Bronze lipstick to lips, and then top with Bling Black glimmerglass for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

With Black Knight lipstick + Blackware Glimmerglass

MAC Style Black Video

Are you ready for Style Black? I know some of you have been saving away for months to indulge in some Style Black, but others are steadfastly avoiding the collection. What’s on your list?

P.S. – Some of you are finding the video is marked “private,” you may want to try the direct link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQBaFkKvCq0

MAC Style Black Collection

U.S. Launch Date: September 24th, 2009
International Launch Date: October 2009

From “Back to Black” beehive and eyeliner to Steven “80s” Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to Gareth Pugh London New Goth, Black is simply beyond. Lips, nails, eyes there’s no more dramatic way to declare your desire, separate your sensibility, celebrate your magnetism. They WILL surrender to a Blackfire Glimmerglass, Rapidblack Penultimate Eyeliner, a slash of Greasepaint Stick, and the hot scratch of Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer. Style Black is a way of life, a shadowy and mysterious figure of fantasy, even for just one dark and dangerous night.

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

• Black Knight Creamy true black (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)

Mattene ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Midnight Media Dense matte black (Limited Edition)
• Night Violet Deep purple grape (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Glimmerglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

• Bling Black Sheer black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackfire Sheer black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackware Creamy true black (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.00 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Cinderfella Black with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
• Young Punk Black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Gilt by Association Black with gold bronze pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blue Flame Black with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

See more photos/info…

Grease Paintstick ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

• Black Intense black (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Liner ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Eye Kohl ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Smolder Intense Black (Permanent)

Cream Colour Base ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Black Creamy True black (Permanent at PRO)
• Bat Black Burgundy black with pink pearl (Permanent at PRO)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)

• Nocturnelle True black (Cream) (Permanent)
• Seriously Hip Black with gold particle pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Baby Goth Girl Black with pink and purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Brushes

• #214 Short Shader Brush Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids. (Permanent) ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($19.50 U.S. / 23.50 CDN)

For all skin types. Volcanic ash (in the form of mineral-rich clay), sugar crystals and natural enzymes combine to exfoliate and remove excess oils from the skin. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($19.50 U.S> / $23.50 CDN)

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask contains natural volcanic ash to cleanse and treat the skin. The mineral-rich ash works with oat kernel flour to help absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface. A combo of natural oils (lavendar, sunflower, safflower seed and evening primrose) help lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. It helps to even out the skin’s texture and leaves the skin feeling smooth and perfected for makeup application. The unique formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, allowing ample playtime. The mask heats up on the skin when used with water and removes impurities from the surface, leaving skin looking radiant and fresh. Use 1-3 times a week. Derm-tested, non-acnegenic and for all skins. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Info Source

Photo Source

Still a month and a half away, MAC’s Style Black Collection continues to create buzz. Slated for September 24th, the collection features a mixture of black shades as well as black-inspired shades (e.g. the mineralize eyeshadows). Are you excited for this upcoming launch? I know I can’t wait for the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator to be re-released myself.

Source

MAC Style Black Collection

U.S. Launch Date: September 24th, 2009
International Launch Date: October 2009

From “Back to Black” beehive and eyeliner to Steven “80s” Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to Gareth Pugh London New Goth, Black is simply beyond. Lips, nails, eyes there’s no more dramatic way to declare your desire, separate your sensibility, celebrate your magnetism. They WILL surrender to a Blackfire Glimmerglass, Rapidblack Penultimate Eyeliner, a slash of Greasepaint Stick, and the hot scratch of Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer. Style Black is a way of life, a shadowy and mysterious figure of fantasy, even for just one dark and dangerous night.

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

• Black Knight Creamy true black (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)

Mattene ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Midnight Media Dense matte black (Limited Edition)
• Night Violet Deep purple grape (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Glimmerglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

• Bling Black Sheer black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackfire Sheer black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackware Creamy true black (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.00 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Cinderfella Black with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
• Young Punk Black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Gilt by Association Black with gold bronze pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blue Flame Black with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Get more details…

Grease Paintstick ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

• Black Intense black (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Liner ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Eye Kohl ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Smolder Intense Black (Permanent)

Cream Colour Base ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Black Creamy True black (Limited Edition)
• Bat Black Burgundy black with pink pearl (Permanent at PRO)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)

• Nocturnelle True black (Cream) (Permanent)
• Seriously Hip Black with gold particle pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Baby Goth Girl Black with pink and purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Brushes

• #214 Short Shader Brush Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids. (Permanent) ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($19.50 U.S. / 23.50 CDN)

For all skin types. Volcanic ash (in the form of mineral-rich clay), sugar crystals and natural enzymes combine to exfoliate and remove excess oils from the skin. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($19.50 U.S> / $23.50 CDN)

VATM contains natural volcanic ash to cleanse and treat the skin. The mineral-rich ash works with oat kernel flour to help absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface. A combo of natural oils (lavendar, sunflower, safflower seed and evening primrose) help lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. It helps to even out the skin’s texture and leaves the skin feeling smooth and perfected for makeup application. The unique formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, allowing ample playtime. The mask heats up on the skin when used with water and removes impurities from the surface, leaving skin looking radiant and fresh. Use 1-3 times a week. Derm-tested, non-acnegenic and for all skins. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Source