Dark Neutrals: Smoky Brown Eyes

This is probably my last look dedicated to MAC’s Warm & Cozy Collection. I’m pretty sure my next look is going to use some *color* as the past few have all been fairly neutral, given the theme of Warm & Cozy. I’ve never been a huge fan of using super dark bases overall, just because I’ve always found they have a tendency to eat color and not enhance it as much as lighter bases can do. Relaxed seemed to work best when layered with shimmery eyeshadows, rather than softer, more satiny shades.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Relaxed Shadestick (shimmery chocolate brown), MAC Modelette Eyeshadow (soft medium brown), MAC Mulled Cider Eyeshadow (dark red-toned brown), MAC Coppering Eyeshadow (dark orange-red), MAC Antiqued Eyeshadow (coppery brown), MAC Embark Eyeshadow (dark matte red-brown), MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (matte beige), MAC Feline Kohl Power (black), MAC Goldmine Eyeshadow (gold), Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Chanel Imprevu Blush (dirty copper), Chanel Empreinte de Chanel (gold highlighter)
• Lips: MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick (pinked coral), MAC Feelin’ Dreamy Lipglass (milky pink)
• 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: Relaxed = Constructivist; Modelette = Era; Mulled Cider = Folie; Chamomile = Blanc Type; Feline = Graphblack; Warm Me Up = Cosmo; Feelin’ Dreamy = Dreamy

Directions: Start by applying Relaxed shadestick as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Modelette eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Mulled Cider eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Coppering eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Antiqued eyeshadow with the 226. To add more depth, tap and lightly blend in Embark eyeshadow in the crease with the 219. Lightly tap and brush Modelette eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Chamomile eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Feline kohl power on the lower waterline and Goldmine eyeshadow on the lower lash line, and then sweeping lashes with DiorShow Extase mascara.

For cheeks, apply Imprevu blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. To highlight, apply Empreinte de Chanel lightly over the cheekbones with the 165.

For lips, apply Warm Me Up lipstick first, and then layer Feelin’ Dreamy lipglass for a lighter lip.

Check out more photos!

Natural Makeup with MAC Warm & Cozy

As promised, here’s a quick look I did using a bunch of Warm & Cozy products! I used Comfort mineralize skinfinish as a blusher in the first set of full-face pictures more to show you what it looks like on (and why I’m not keen on it) — I often do my best to use as many products from a single launch as possible, just to experiment and show you what you could do (or why you may want to pull pieces from your stash to complement a launch).

Comfort on me is like a dirty orange (and trust, I applied lightly–talk about pigmented, at least!), and By Candlelight is definitely shimmery/reflective — I only put the lightest it bit on the tops of my cheeks, but sure enough, BAM!

Today is exciting for two reasons: Christmas Eve (love, love Christmas! I have a thing for food and glitz and glam) and it’s Mellan’s birthday (he’s two years old today)! Super sweet reader Roxanne (@RockSlam) made an awesome collage, too. It’s SO cute. Totally made my day! (You can check it out in this post, at the bottom!)

Merry Christmas Eve to those who celebrate Happy winter, if you don’t!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Cuddle shadestick (shimmery white gold base), MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (soft off-white), MAC Modelette Eyeshadow (soft medium brown), MAC Mulled Cider Eyeshadow (medium dark reddish brown), MAC Embark Eyeshadow (dark red-tinted brown), MAC Rich Ground Fluidline (warm rich brown), Urban Decay El Dorado 24/7 Liner (gold), Dior DiorShow Extase Macara (black)
• Cheeks: MAC Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish (orange-bronze), MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish (shimmery peach-pink) / Dior Coral Riviera Blush (coral)
• Lips: MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick (medium, yellowed pink), MAC 2N Lipglass (creamy peach-beige)
• 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: Cuddle = Baselight; Chamomile = Blanc Type; Modelette = Era; Mulled Cider = Folie; Comfort = bronzer; Warm Me Up = Cosmo; 2N = Revealing

Directions: Start by applying Cuddle shadestick as your eyeshadow base all over the lid with the 249. Using the 239, apply Chamomile eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Modelette eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Mulled Cider eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Next, define the crease by applying Embark eyeshadow with the 226. Lightly tap and brush Modelette  eyeshadow directly above the crease to soften. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Chamomile eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Urban Decay El Dorado Liner on the lower waterline and Dipdown fluidline on the upper lash line with the 208, and then sweeping lashes with Dior DiorShow Extase mascara.

For cheeks, lightly apply Comfort mineralize skinfinish to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116. Highlight lightly with By Candlelight mineralize skinfinish using the 165 or 187. For more toned down cheeks, try Dior Coral Riviera blush with the 116.

For lips, apply Warm Me Up lipstick first, and then layer 2N lipglass for soft, neutral lips.

Check out more photos!

Chamomile, Modelette, Mulled Cider, Embark

With Dior Coral Riviera instead

With Dior Coral Riviera instead

Collage by the lovely Roxanne (@RockSlam)! Thank you!! <3

MAC Warm & Cozy Collection: Round-up

OVERALL, Warm & Cozy is a nice collection to see in the dreary, cold winter season. It’s not my favorite launch ever, and if you aren’t into the shades, there’s not much to do about it. It’s like the lipsticks, lipglasses, and eyeshadows all mirror each other. This is a very warm collection, though I don’t think the majority runs so warm that cool-toned MAC fans will have any serious problems working with these products.

I haven’t had a chance to wear anything in a look yet (but I will, never fear!) since these just arrived this afternoon (yay overnight shipping!), but I’m a little worried that there’s not even variation–like one might look washed out if you just used these products together. Of course, that’s my goal, so definitely shall see…

When it comes to neutral eyeshadows, I’m going to hold MAC to a very high standard, because they have so many stunning neutrals in their permanent shade range. I think they’ve released better neutral shades in other limited edition collections, but moreover, I’d much rather put my money towards their permanent neutrals than the four released in this launch. They’re just okay; not terrible, but none of them really spoke to me. Chamomile seemed to be one shade that I could see picking up and using, because it has a satin finish, rather than a matte, yet it’s not too pale or chalky, so even medium to dark skin tones could use it.

The lipsticks and lipglasses were okay; I liked Siss and Warm Me Up the most out of all of the lip products. I think the lipglasses could have used a little more range, and part of me is just tired of seeing milky pinks… The tinted lip conditioners were lovely as always–in terms of the feel–but the germaphobe in me just wishes they would come in tubes instead! Both shades are wearable, give noticeable color, and work well for everyday wear.

I’m not sold, but I haven’t given up yet, on the mineralize skinfinishes this time around. By Candlelight really seems way too frosty to bear, while Comfort reads surprisingly orange (which isn’t a good look on me), but I’ll give them a chance. I do think mineralize skinfinish fans will like By Candlelight overall, even if it has an ultra frosty finish, when used with a lighter hand. Comfort is one of those shades best seen in person to determine whether it’s a must or not.

The shadesticks are nice, but they all run a bit heavy on the frost. I don’t mind shimmer or frost, but sometimes it can be too much and look garish. I think if layered with matte and satin finishes, these shadesticks could really deliver some lovely looks. I’d just be wary of using too many frost-finish eyeshadows alongside them!

The nail lacquers are interesting, but I think they’re both really a matter of personal preference. Neither formula was fussy to work with, and I think they gave a nice, opaque result.

Temptalia’s Recommendations

Must-haves: Warm Me Up Lipstick, 2N Lipglass, Feelin’ Good Tinted Lip Conditioner, Cuddle Shadestick

Nice-to-haves: Siss Lipstick, Light That Fire Lipglass, 3N Lipglass, By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish, Close for Comfort Tinted Lip Conditioner, Chamomile Eyeshadow, Nurture Shadestick

Skip: Spiced Tea Lipstick, Mulled Cider Eyeshadow

Product-by-Product Reviews

• Eyeshadows
  
• Lipglasses
  
• Lipsticks
  
• Mineralize Skinfinishes
  
• Nail Lacquers
  
• Shadesticks
  
• Tinted Lip Conditioners

What do you love? What do you hate? What are you picking up from Warm & Cozy?

P.S. – MAC also launched one new product (Mineralize All-Over Lotion), alongside Care Blend Essential Oils (2), and repromoted their Lip Conditioner Tube and Lip Conditioner Stick.  I will review both the lotion and the essential oils tomorrow or the next day, after I’ve had a chance to test them a little more thoroughly.  I also forgot to purchase the new mascara, so I won’t be able to review that for a week or so, sorry!

MAC Warm & Cozy Collection: Lipglasses

At first glance, I thought I would be really in love with the lipglasses, but they weren’t as much my cup of tea as I had hoped. My favorite was definitely Light That Fire, while 2N was next.

• Feeling Dreamy is a milky beige-pink with iridescent icy pink shimmer. It really has a tendency to settle into lip lines, so it wasn’t looking so dreamy on me (oh, pun!). It isn’t a particularly original shade – kind of typical of MAC.
• 2N is a creamy fleshy peach-beige. It also has a milky look, so it also settled into lines like Feeling Dreamy, but it’s less noticeable from afar so it’s wearable on its own. I had 2N from the N Collection originally, but it looked different from this one (lighter, paler). I’m not sure if mine has changed over time or something, so I only photographed and swatched the one that released with this launch, for reference.
• Light That Fire is a bright orange-based coral with lots of orange and gold shimmer. It’s very pigmented for a gloss, actually. It has a grittier texture than the other three glosses, because it does have a healthy dose of shimmer. It was like an orange version of Lychee Luxe. It’s a shade that appeals to me, but it’s not one I’m going to run out and buy a back-up of. I do like that I haven’t seen this shade too often (if at all–nothing comes to mind immediately) from MAC, though.
• 3N is a brownish shade with orange–beige to keep it from being straight brown. It has lots of gold shimmer, and it looks very creamy on, despite the shimmer. This one looked the best on my lips — even coverage, softened edges, and didn’t settle into lines. It was also quite pigmented. When I compared 3N to my original 3N from the N Collection, it seemed about the same.

See more photos and swatches!

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N, Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N, Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N, Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N, Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N, Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Lipglasses: Feeling Dreamy, 2N

MAC Lipglasses: Light That Fire, 3N

MAC Feeling Dreamy Lipglass

MAC Feeling Dreamy Lipglass

MAC 2N Lipglass

MAC 2N Lipglass

MAC Light That Fire Lipglass

MAC Light That Fire Lipglass

MAC 3N Lipglass

MAC 3N Lipglass

MAC Warm & Cozy Collection: Lipsticks

I was pleasantly surprised by the texture and coverage of both Siss and Warm Me Up. Siss is permanent, by the way, so you don’t have to rush out and purchase that one if it catches your eye and you’re on a budget. (I didn’t own it previously, though, so I still picked one up.) My favorite was easily Warm Me Up — it’s totally a shade I’d gravitate towards, and the finish is truly lovely. Spiced Tea was definitely the disappointing one of the three.

• Siss is a fleshy-beige with a peachy undertone. It reminded me of the color of foundation (well, a darker foundation than my own, I suppose). It’s not flattering on my lips, and I doubt I’d wear it alone — perhaps layered with a coral gloss or even a red.
• Warm Me Up is a creamy medium pink with a little warmed-up yellow in it. I know MAC says it’s a neutral pink, but I think it has a lil’ warmth in it still! It has a nice amplified finish, so it’s rich in pigmentation and goes on smooth. It reminded me of a much pinker version of Brave New Bronze for some reason…
• Spiced Tea is a semi-sheer coppery bronze with an orange warmth to it. It has a golden shimmer in it. I thought it wasn’t so bad at first, but on my lips, it looks a little splotchy. I just found it really trying to get an even finish/color with this particular shade.

See more photos and swatches!

MAC Lipsticks: Siss, Warm Me Up, Spiced Tea

MAC Siss Lipstick

MAC Siss Lipstick

MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick

MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick

MAC Spiced Tea Lipstick

MAC Spiced Tea Lipstick

MAC Warm & Cozy Collection: Tinted Lip Conditioners

Even though I really like the feel of MAC’s Tinted Lip Conditioner (creamy and hydrating), I’m not keen on the delivery/packaging. I wish they’d release more Tinted Lip Conditioner *Sticks* instead of the pots. It’s more of an on-the-go kind of product, so I know many are not going to want to be fussed to use a lip brush any time they want to use this sheer lip balm. If you do use your fingers, though, you do have this gooey, tinted mess left on your fingers and need to wipe it off somewhere, which can be frustrating.

Feelin’ Good is a milky pink with a little beige in it. I don’t know why MAC describes it as a “light neutral beige” because it looked very pink on my lips!

Close for Comfort is a peachy-brown and goes on mostly peach on me. It’s kind of like a lip brightener for me, because it doesn’t alter the color of my lips that much, but it definitely makes them look healthier.

See more photos and swatches!

MAC Feelin’ Good Tinted Lip Conditioner

MAC Feelin’ Good Tinted Lip Conditioner

MAC Close for Comfort Tinted Lip Conditioner

MAC Close for Comfort Tinted Lip Conditioner

MAC Close for Comfort Tinted Lip Conditioner

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners: Feelin’ Good, Close for Comfort