MAC Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth

MAC Spirit of Truth Nail Lacquer ($15.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is a creamy is a deep navy blue. It has a cream finish, but when it dries down, it looks almost like pleather, because it loses a lot of its glossiness. (If you want it shiny, just add a top coat, like Seche Vite). MAC describes this shade as a “navy blue,” which is a fair assessment. Like Obey Me, this shade was plenty pigmented; it was nearly opaque in one coat, though I did two. The formula was equally as impressive as Obey Me with its creaminess and how evenly and smoothly it applied on the nail.

my thoughts on the formula: Historically, MAC doesn’t have a great reputation for their nail lacquers; in fact, some of the feedback I’ve seen on MAC’s nail lacquers mirror Chanel’s! Often interesting and different colors, but many complain of chipping or poor wear. I haven’t experienced this with MAC’s nail lacquers (or Chanel’s). MAC polishes always wear a full week for me, with no chipping, and minor tip wear. Sometimes the formula itself doesn’t lend itself to the most beautiful application, but their creams are most consistent. Spirit of Truth, however, is an exemplary shade from MAC’s polish range.

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

• Product: 29/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: This blue will flatter both cool and warm skin tones, because of its deep hue. It is a richly pigmented shade, too, which is always a nice find.

where to buy: MAC

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Spirit of Truth Nail Lacquer

MAC Spirit of Truth Nail Lacquer

MAC Spirit of Truth Nail Lacquer

MAC Spirit of Truth Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman: Obey Me

MAC Obey Me Nail Lacquer ($15.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is a creamy, blue-based red. One of the easiest ways to determine the undertones of a red is to use it sheerly; blue-based reds often look a little pink. MAC describes this shade as a “true red,” and I think it is certainly close, because it doesn’t read cool (and certainly not warm, since it has no orange in its base), but it does have an inkling of blue in it at the very least. This shade has excellent pigmentation, almost a one-coat masterpiece, though I did two. The formula also was insanely fluid and creamy–one of MAC’s bests–it wasn’t too thick or thin, and it applied smoothly and evenly.  It does dry down to an interesting finish–it’s not that glossy on its own; instead, it almost looks like pleather.

my thoughts on the formula: Historically, MAC doesn’t have a great reputation for their nail lacquers; in fact, some of the feedback I’ve seen on MAC’s nail lacquers mirror Chanel’s! Often interesting and different colors, but many complain of chipping or poor wear. I haven’t experienced this with MAC’s nail lacquers (or Chanel’s). MAC polishes always wear a full week for me, with no chipping, and minor tip wear. Sometimes the formula itself doesn’t lend itself to the most beautiful application, but their creams are most consistent. Obey Me, however, is an exemplary shade from MAC’s polish range.

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

• Product: 29/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: Excellent pigmentation, lovely formula, and the color is certainly something many could wear. It is, however, a red cream, and as such, if you are a nail polish collector, I don’t doubt you have something similar.

where to buy: MAC

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman Nail Lacquer

MAC Obey Me Nail Lacquer

MAC Obey Me Nail Lacquer

MAC Obey Me Nail Lacquer

MAC Obey Me Nail Lacquer

MAC Wonder Woman:  Online & Available for Purchase!

It’s up on MAC Cosmetics — happy hauling!   Free shipping with code POW!  Feel free to share your hauls in the comments!

Photos, Reviews, Swatches

• Blushes: Amazon Princess, Mighty Aphrodite
• Eyeshadow Quads: Defiance, Lady Justice, Valiant
• Lipglasses
• Lipsticks
• Mineralize Skinfinishes: Golden Lariat, Pink Power
• Opulash Mascara
• Packaging (Boxes)
• Penultimate Eyeliner
• Pigments/Reflects Glitters
• Video: Part 1 (Eyes), Part 2 (Cheeks/Lips)
• Comparison/Dupe Swatches: Blush/Mineralize Skinfinish Comparisons, Eyeshadow Quad Comparisons, Lipstick/Lipglass Comparisons
• Overall/Recommendations
  

MAC Wonder Woman Look: Defiance

Just because it can be made to work… doesn’t mean it is worth buying. I really had to pack on the color to get it to show, and there was some issues with blending, because the shades were so stiff.  I maintain my recommendation of “no buy” to the fullest!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), MAC Defiance Eyeshadow (pale frosted pink), MAC Paradise Island Eyeshadow (petal pink), MAC Star Studded Eyeshadow (plummed pink), MAC Real Drama Eyeshadow (burgundy brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow, Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Liner (black), MAC Victorious Opulash Mascara (purple)
• Face: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (Punjab), Burberry Pressed Powder (03)
• Cheeks: MAC Mighty Aphrodite Blush (peach-pink)
• Lips: MAC Spitfire Lipstick (dark pink), MAC Wonder Woman Lipglass (red)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy crease brush), 263 (angled eyeliner brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Defiance = Vanilla pigment; Paradise Island – Pen ‘n’ Pink; Star Studded = Fig. 1; Real Drama = Sketch; Mighty Aphrodite = Deep Throat; Spitfire = Up the Amp + Girl About Town; Wonder Woman = Russian Red

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Paradise Island eyeshadow on the inner half of the lower lid. Lightly blend Star Studded eyeshadow onto the outer third of the lid and crease with the 222. Apply Defiance eyeshadow on the inner tear duct and crease with the 239.  Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Perversion on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Victorious Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Mighty Aphrodite blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Spitfire lipstick first, then layer Wonder Woman lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

MAC Wonder Woman: Overall & Recommendations

OVERALL, I found the collection rather underwhelming, and I was particularly disappointed in the quality of the eyeshadow quads. I had a few readers ask me what I would purchase if I was normal consumer and not a beauty blogger… and I really don’t know if I’d purchase anything. At best, one or both of the blush duos. There are a few too many repromotes from the permanent range, which is more frustrating because all of the prices are increased with the collaboration than they are normally. I’m surprised they did not create any new shades of pigments for the launch.

Heroine lipstick is actually a very lovely shade, but I can see it being difficult to wear. Spitfire is a shade that we’ve been seeing in slightly different variations over the past six months. Wonder Woman lipglass had promise but the sheerness seemed off–this is Wonder Woman, where the packaging is bold and bright! Both blushes had nice pigmentation and were smooth, so I did like those. I’m just not thrilled to see the $24 price tag accompany them–at least you do get more for your money. Golden Lariat mineralize skinfinish pulls rather orange, so it is a more limited shade; it should work lovely on warm, medium to dark skin tones. Pink Power mineralize skinfinish is more universally wearable, but it is awkward to hold and feels gigantic.

I’m not sure which product disappointed me more: the eyeshadow quads or the oversized (but now awkward to use) Penultimate eyeliner. Ultimately, the pigmentation and texture are lacking in all three eyeshadow quads, with Defiance being the least pigmented. Some shades are almost chalky, but the texture is thin–almost had. I felt like I had to scrape out product in order to build up a swatch. Each palette had one, maybe two, shades that did have a soft, smooth texture and decent pigmentation, but one shade does not a palette make.

I tihnk the packaging is fine–you either love it or hate it. It’s certainly not packaging that will appeal to all. I have no emotional attachment to Wonder Woman (didn’t watch her, don’t know her back story, etc.), and it’s not my aesthetic, but I don’t carry around my makeup, so it wouldn’t matter to me that I don’t love it if the product inside high quality–but the packaging would compel me to buy just to have it.

Photos, Reviews, Swatches

• Blushes: Amazon Princess, Mighty Aphrodite
• Eyeshadow Quads: Defiance, Lady Justice, Valiant
• Lipglasses
• Lipsticks
• Mineralize Skinfinishes: Golden Lariat, Pink Power
• Opulash Mascara
• Packaging (Boxes)
• Penultimate Eyeliner
• Pigments/Reflects Glitters
• Video: Part 1 (Eyes), Part 2 (Cheeks/Lips)
• Comparison/Dupe Swatches: Blush/Mineralize Skinfinish Comparisons, Eyeshadow Quad Comparisons, Lipstick/Lipglass Comparisons

Check out my recommendations, what to check your stash for, what to skip, and recommendations by skin tone!

Temptalia’s Recommendations

must-haves: –
nice-to-haves: Amazon Princess/Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duos, Pink Power Mineralize Skinfinish, Opulash Mascara (all shades)
skip: Rapidblack Penultimate Eyeliner (the jumbo size makes it difficult to use), Defiance Eyeshadow Quad (poor pigmentation), Lady Justice Eyeshadow Quad (average pigmentation), Valiant Eyeshadow Quad (average pigmentation)

Check your stash for…

MARQUISE D’ (repromote), RUSSIAN RED (permanent), RAPIDBLACK (permanent), DEEP TRUTH (permanent), MANILA PAPER (repromote from Spring Colour Forecast), REFLeCTS BRONZE (permanent at PRO), REFLECTS PEARL (permanent at PRO), BRIGHT FUCHSIA (permanent at PRO), MARINE ULTRA (permanent at PRO).

Skip if you have…

• Skip AMAZON PRINCESS if you have BAND OF ROSES; though not exactly dupes, both shades of the duo are remarkably to this duo.
• Skip MIGHTY APHRODITE if you have GUERLAIN BLUSH G; if you have the latter, the pink shade is nearly the same as the lighter side of Mighty Aphrodite.
• Skip GOLDEN LARIAT (blushing side) if you have A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE; the blush duo is similar to both the bronzing side (but darker, not a dupe), while the lighter side of the duo is only a touch lighter than the blushing side of Golden Lariat.
• Skip DEFIANCE if you have EGO; slightly less pale but close.
• Skip REAL DRAMA if you have SKETCH, which is only a smidgen redder.
• Skip LADY JUSTICE if you have FORGERY or URBAN DECYA UZI; they are nearly indistinguishable from each other.
• Skip BOLD BABE if you have LOVE LACE or HOURGLASS PRISM; they are both better versions of Bold Babe.
• Skip MANILA PAPER if you have NYLON; they are very, very close.
• Skip VALIANT if you have KORRES #44S, which is only slightly greener.
• Skip ATHENA’S KISS if you have MAGNETIQUE; the latter is a little darker.
• Skip EMANCIPATION if you have BARE NECESSITIES or DEVILISHLY STYLISH; both are a little less pink but the effect is barely noticeable when worn.
• Skip MARQUISE D’ if you have SANDY B, which is a little frostier.

Recommendations by Skin Tone

Please note that this section is merely suggesting shades that would complement a particular skin tone better than other shades, but these lists are meant to be rather exhaustive of the entire collection; it’s not reflective of must-haves for your skin tone. When it comes to cooler/warmer skin tones, these are products that lean noticeably cool/warm and therefore complement the corresponding skin tone better (but it does not mean you can’t wear a warmer product if you’re cooler!).

• light skin tones: Amazon Princess/Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duos, Pink Power Mineralize Skinfinish, Defiance Eyeshadow Quad, Spitfire Lipstick, Athena’s Kiss Lipglass
• medium skin tones: Amazon Princess/Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duos, Pink Power Mineralize Skinfinish, Lady Justice/Valiant Eyeshadow Quad, Russian Red/Spitfire Lipsticks, Secret Identity Lipglass
• dark skin tones: Amazon Princess/Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duos, Golden Lariat Mineralize Skinfinish, Lady Justice Eyeshadow Quad, Russian Red/Spitfire Lipsticks, Athena’s Kiss Lipglass
• cool undertones: Amazon Princess Blush Duo, Defiance/Lady Justice Eyeshadow Quad, Russian Red/Spitfire Lipsticks, Athena’s Kiss Lipglass
• warm undertones: Mighty Aphrodite Blush Duo, Golden Lariat Mineralize Skinfinish, Valiant Eyeshadow Quad, Heroine Lipstick, Secret Identity Lipglass
• universally flattering shades: Pink Power Mineralize Skinfinish, Bright Fuchsia/Marine Ultra Pigments, Reflects Bronze/Reflects Pearl Glitters, Marquise d’ Lipstick, Emancipation/Wonder Woman Lipglass, Opulash Mascara (all shades)

MAC Wonder Woman: Blush and Mineralize Skinfinish Comparisons & Dupes

Here are comparisons for the blushes and mineralize skinfinishes! If I did not compare something, the most likely reason is because I do not own it.

Blush Duos

• AMAZON PRINCESS (magenta side) is a lighter version of Her Blooming Cheek, while Band of Roses is less blue-based.
• AMAZON PRINCESS (redder side) is closest to New Vibe, which is slightly less intense. Band of Roses is a darker red with no coral. NARS Sin doesn’t compare.
• MIGHTY APHRODITE (pink coral side) is similar to Guerlain Blush G (pink side, not mixed) and NARS Deep Throat, which is a little less pink. Ripe Peach is more orange-based (this used equal parts of it; if you used the darker half, then it would be more similar). Benefit Bella Bamba is pinker, while Bite of an Apple is redder and darker (nothing alike).
• MIGHTY APHRODITE (red coral side) is pinker than Bite of an Apple.

Mineralize Skinfinishes

• GOLDEN LARIAT (highlighting side) did not compare to any other highlighter I owned, because it has a very strong yellow base. It’s kindof like using Goldmine eyeshadow as a highlighter. NARS Albatross, for example, goes on as a white gold.
• GOLDEN LARIAT (bronzing side) is darker and less golden than both Comfort and Sunny by Nature. Gold Deposit is bronzy in comparison. A Little Bit of Sunshine is cooler and darker. Cheeky Bronze is similar in color but the gold shimmer makes it appear lighter.
• GOLDEN LARIAT (blushing side)is a touch darker than A Little Bit of Sunshine.
• PINK POWER (highlighting side) is paler than both Perfect Topping and Happy Together, which appear more beige.
• PINK POWER (bronzing side) is less golden than both Comfort and Sunny by Nature.
• PINK POWER (blushing side) has less pink than both Springsheen and NARS Super Orgasm.

See comparison swatches!

Blush Duos

Her Blooming Cheek, Amazon Princess, Band of Roses

NARS Sin, Amazon Princess, Band of Roses, New Vibe

Ripe Peach, Mighty Aphrodite, Guerlain Blush G, Benefit Bella Bamba, Mighty Aphrodite, Bite of an Apple, NARS Deep Throat

Ripe Peach, Mighty Aphrodite, Guerlain Blush G

Benefit Bella Bamba, Mighty Aphrodite, Bite of an Apple, NARS Deep Throat

Mighty Aphrodite, Bite of an Apple

Mineralize Skinfinishes

Comfort, Golden Lariat, Sunny by Nature, Gold Deposit, A Little Bit of Sunshine, Cheeky Bronze

Golden Lariat, A Little Bit of Sunshine

Perfect Topping, Pink Power, Happy Together

Comfort, Pink Power, Sunny by Nature

Springsheen, Pink Power, NARS Super Orgasm