MAC Cremesheen + Pearl: Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)
MAC Cremesheen + Pearl
More Easy-to-Wear Lip Color by MAC
MAC Cremesheen + Pearl is a new collection now available online (and will hit stores on August 9th) that features eight lipsticks (all with Cremesheen finishes) and seven Cremesheen Glasses. All fifteen lip products are new, but here’s the surprising news: they’re also permanent! This post features these four lipstick shades: Pure Zen (frosted warm nude), Saigon Summer (frosted bright orange), Shanghai Spice (frosted neutral pink), and Sunny Seoul (frosted light warm pink).
- Pure Zen is a rosy beige nude with semi-opaque color coverage. MAC Lazy Day is slightly grayer. Chanel Rose Dentelle is a bit pinker. Napoleon Paradis Havana is similar. Cle de Peau #129 is very similar, a smidgen less pale. MAC Angel is pinker.
- Saigon Summer is a subdued mandarin orange with subtle gold shimmer. It’s semi-opaque applied to lips. Chanel Sari d’Eau is richer, brighter, more red-toned. Clarins Clementine is brighter, more orange/red. A lot of orange lipsticks have a stronger red base, and they appear more vibrant.
- Shanghai Spice is a dirty rose with a hint of brown. It has semi-opaque color coverage. Revlon Pink Truffle is redder and several shades darker. NARS Montego Bay is similar, warmer. MAC Gem of Roses is a little pinker and darker. Bobbi Brown Heather Pink is darker and more opaque.
- Sunny Seoul is a subtly yellow-toned medium pink with white shimmer and semi-opaque color coverage. If you feel like you just saw this color, you’re not crazy–this is the yellow-toned version of Pink Pearl Pop. The two are marginally different, and depending on your natural lip color, you may or may not see the difference. Tom Ford Indian Rose is darker, dustier. Becca Valentina is very similar. Guerlain Rose Ensoleille is a smidgen less pink. Guerlain Bloom of Rose. is much darker. Lancome Pink Sapphire is creamier.
Yesterday, I tested as many of the products for wear as I could fit into the day, and I will continue to test additional shades today (so you might see some updates or rating changes if anything performs significantly above/below past Cremesheens). Cremesheen lipsticks typically wear between three and four hours on me, with some of the really dark shades lasting up to six hours (think Hang Up). The formula is thin, barely creamy, and tends to deliver semi-sheer to semi-opaque color coverage. It’s supposed to be a hydrating formula, but they’re typically not drying or somewhat drying on me. They are vanilla-scented, like other MAC lipsticks, but have no discernible taste.
Of these four, I was only able to test Shanghai Spice yesterday, which wore for four hours. I also tested two other shades from the new launch, Coral Bliss and Pink Pearl Pop, which wore three and a half hours and three hours respectively. My lips were lacking in hydration after I wore these three shades in a row. All four shades applied evenly, though, so you’ll notice an increase in the pigmentation score. Watch this space for any updates, as I plan to test a couple more shades later today.
MAC Cremesheen + Pearl
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Pure Zen Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Saigon Summer Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Shanghai Spice Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick
Except for Sunny Seoul (clever name), none of those shades would be for me but I will probably check out Sunny Seoul – it looks so pretty.
I’m not crazy about the cremesheen finish…I have one I I think it’s very drying. I like how wearable these are though and not too frosty. Worth considering.
Saigon Summer reminds me of the Revlon lip butter in tutti fruti
Wenz Yes, agreed! Though I see a bit of a pastel touch with Saigon Summer and Revlon’s tutti fruti is more vibrant *and better* IMHO. Two thumbs way down to this collx and all other collx’s MAC has been putting out as I sense they’re suddenly becoming a poor-quality cosmetic line in comparison to a whole bunch of other great lines that sephora carries and even department stores *winks at REVLON and LOREAL. *sigh*
I’m digging Shanghai Spice. I might have to check that one out.
They r not that frosty!!
I feel like these all had the potential to be something pretty and worth coveting but they are sort of MAC’s rushed answer to Revlon lip butters with a bit of pearl thrown in and nary enough pigment to distinguish them from one another to me. In the tube I think they look quite nice, but then they are *so* dialed down- I don’t see the point. Christine you are absolutely right about the presumptive baby & bath water MAC philosophy. Why actually bring back proven, popular, coveted items and make them permanent when you can take up more counter space with these lackluster products. If I am looking for something like this, I’ll gladly shell out- at Walgreens. I came to MAC for lipsticks like Scarlet Ibis and Lazy Day. But why make Scarlet Ibis permanent when they can just repromote it with MM? I feel like I just don’t want to give them any more of my money. We are no longer fish in a barrel and are aware of all our other cosmetic options.
That is the *main* reason I started my lone “boycott” of MAC. For me, it was the eyeshadows that were the draw, but then I discovered NARS & UD, so unless MAC releases so spectacular product, I don’t even bother. Also, I was thinking the same thing about all of these shades looking alike; not only are they all easily dupable among other brands, they all look alike.
18thCenturyFox Halleluja! You have seen the light!!! *grin*.. Thanks for summing up my thoughts so succinctly 🙂
That is *exactly* what I’ve been saying for the last 6 months! I’ve bought a couple of pigments & a Paint Pot over the last few years, and I B2M for some eyeshadows, but everything else has just left me cold.
So I have a somewhat abusive relationship with MaC since the relationship started when I was young and impressionable- my mom had their concealer in 1990. I started purchasing in 1996 and really it was a whirlwind affair, I spent time at the counter after college classes and really was waaay too immersed in the “culture” without actually being involved in the business. So many lovely memories associated with a certain lipstick or something silly like that, MAC and I have been on running on fumes for years. I was furious when I couldn’t get Playing Koi and the lovely lavender one I so desperately wanted because they sold out in a hot minute and so I complained. They got back to m promptly, apologized profusely and offered me $50 worth f product. They followed up with me to see if I was satisfied and really made a positive impression. But collection after collection sold out in moments, dusty no impact shadows came flying off the line and polish formula became inversely proportionate to its price. They were my first love, but when will I learn to stop letting them in my heart?
xamyx I still love some of my core MAC products and I still buy tools, makeup brushes in particular from them and I spring for the odd product, but you are sooo right. There really has not been a single collection which has turned my head for a long long time. I will be interested to see the Carine Roitfeld collaboration this fall, but the quality has to be there. Something tells me this company is no longer about quality, just about quantity and appealing to the masses. Big letdown to longtime former supporters.
Maybe it’s because my first MAC products were *such* a letdown, I never got too excited over the brand. My first lipstick was called Bubbles, and it was so streaky & patchy. There was a GWP, 2 nail polishes, Bamboo & Raffia, and although they were such beautiful shades, the formula was the most horrific of *any* brand I ever tried (literally chipping within hours). It also came with a hand cream, which, to this day, I have never found anything as amazing. This was back in the mid-90s. I started buying MAC again around 2007 (just before Style Black), and most of the perm items I bought were decent, although some are quite good, but everything after Venomous Villains has steadily been declining. Then I discovered NARS and UD, and I get the intense, unique shades that was the draw of MAC, but the quality is there.
Very pretty colours! The new Canadian price for these is $18CAN. The bumped their prices on lip products with this launch. The Cremesheen Glass is now $22.50CAN and the pan blush is $24CAN. >_< I totally am feeling it.
Shanghai Spice is my favorite here.
Argh! I thought I was going to hate this collection because it’s all frosts, but now I kind of want everything. 🙁
Carly M Same! I am soooo glad they aren’t frosty! Subtle shimmer, semi-sheer cream lipsticks? I want!
These would have been a great option if they had been released as an affordable answer to Chanel Coco Shine or Dior Addict but, with really excellent offerings from Revlon & L’Oreal on the scene, they no longer seem relevant. I’d put the new L’Oreal Caresse lip sticks up against these any day – and for about 1/3 the price.On a side note, not ONE of these shades doesn’t suit you, Christine! How is that possible? Are they all just neutral enough or are you just amazing??!!
does MAC realize they released multiples of the same color? lols, awful
I am going to have to buy Shanghai Spice. It is inevitable.
Sunny Seoul is about the only one who does it for me, here. It’s disappointing that they’re drying, though I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised.
I had tried all of the new shades and it was very moisturized for my dry lips. LOVE all the new shades. I especially like Pink pearl pop, sunny seoul, shanghai spice, peach blossom, pure zen, and coral bliss. I like it sheer and had just enough colors to stain your lips. It was not as frosted and looks great on any skin tone.
I actually like these : semi-sheer, slightly frosted and very wearable shades imo. Not spectacular, but not everyone wants spectacular makeup everyday!
Lulle My thoughts exactly. Sigh… loving all these as well as the ones in part 1.
I really like the look of Shanghai Spice. I’ve never tried the Cremesheen lipsticks before and I really like how semi-sheer they are with a little bit of a sheen. I’m not big on lipsticks, but when I do wear them I want them on the sheerer side. These are pefect
Do you think Shanghai Spice will work out NC40 skin?
@Yesenia Yes – it’d be more of a nude 🙂
I really like a few of these – so I’ll probably get two or three. I like how semi-sheer they are, as I’m not a big lipstick fan to begin with. The shades are very wearable, too. Sunny Seoul is a gorgeous pink and Shanghai Spice is really nice, too.
While this collection doesn’t quite play to my tastes, I admit I rather like Pure Zen. It might be the beige shade I’ve been looking for; I’ll have to swatch it in-store.
But oh geez, all these huge lip swatch collection make me feel so bad for your overworked lips. We should sit them down in an EZ-chair somewhere with a cup of cooling balm for a night off. 😛
I really love the look of Pure Zen!Do you have any tips on swatching a ton of lip products in a short period of time without drying out your lips? Thanks in advance!
krystlekouture I just make sure to keep lips hydrated before and after 🙂
Sunny Seoul looks like “venus” lipstick to me!
I picked up pure zen and coral bliss. Sadly, they didnt work. My lips are really pigmented, like red. It’s really unfortunate! 🙁
Know of a good way to make these show up? I love pure zen as a nude! I’m really looking for that perfect nude for my NC15-20 skintone. sigh
I bought saigon summer today. i really enjoy the color and the formula. the frost isn’t super intense, which was pleasantly surprising. i tried out the lipglasses, but they were too sticky for my taste.
i bought Saigon Summer today and I love it. im a nc44-45 and its sucha pretty light orange I had bought Korean candy which was way to deep of an orange and a little too “moisturizing” for me. This one is perfect!
Totally agree Saigon Summer is fab, been looking for this type of orange (i.e. subdued & not deep, red toned etc) for yonks. Also got hold of Guerlain Rouge G in Gil as it looked ideal from pic/swatches on Christine’s review but on my lips (light pink) it looked so red….was very disappointed esp as Rouge G texture is lovely! Christine did say Gil was redder toned than Saigon Summer.
Can’t believe my least fav lipstick brand, Mac, had the orange I’ve been searching for & also have to say that the texture is pretty nice too ( which is usually my sore point with mac lippies!)
Hi,
I have a question.
I saw that another ‘Pure Zen’ coming out for MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection Fall 2012. Would ‘Pure Zen’ will have the same finish as the one for MAC Cremesheen + Pearl?
I don’t know, sorry!
Hi,
Love your lipstick blogs-kinda addictive!
Wanted to know if Saigon Summer is similar to Guerlain Rouge G Gill….in colour, of course not in quality (am not really a fan of mac lipsticks!). Reason I ask is that recently saw your review of Gil & colour looked just what I’m looking for-a light orange/apricot, however seems to be discontinued in UK as no dept store even has tester for it so no point me ordering online without testing. Is Saigon Summer close enuff?
They’re similar – Gil is a little more red-toned!
Hello Christine, Wanted to ask, which lipstick would you go for? Pink pearl pop or Sunny Seoul? My lips are naturally quite pink, so which oe would be best? Many Thanks
I think Sunny Seoul!
Hi Christine, how would you compare MAC Pure Zen to MAC Innocence, Beware? I understand Pure Zen is included at the upcoming Marilyn Monroe collection.. Are they completely different shades or which one would you recommend that i get between the two? Thanks love! All the best! 🙂
Pure Zen is darker and pinker!
i just bought ”Shanghai spice” and i love it! it is so creamy and lasts for so long, the color pay off is great and it doesn’t dry my lips! LOVE LOVE LOVE
Hi Christine!
It’s Saigon Summer similar to Vegas Volt?
I just bought SS and I’m affraid because VV turns to be pink on my lips!
It’s more orange on me!