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MAC To the Beach Collection: Overall Review & Round-up

MAC To the Beach Collection: Overall Review & Round-up

To the Beach debuts in-store on May 27th, 2010 in the U.S./Canada, as far as I know. There are preview parties at select locations on May 18th. Otherwise, it should be available online around May 25th.

EDIT/UPDATE: Just moving this post up for all those who went to an unveiling party tonight! 🙂  I hope you got everything you wanted.  Shout outs to Tatiana & Olivia for saying hello to me @ Hillsdale!  Can you believe that the unveiling had already pre-sold the majority of the Marine Lifes?  There were literally three available.  I was customer #2 and only ended up with one.

ANOTHER EDIT/UPDATE: Just moving this post up since it’s officially out now, though goodness knows it’s been one crazy launch.

This is quite the launch, with 31 products releasing all at once. You can think of the collection in two parts — the traditional color collection and a secondary bronzing collection. The packaging doesn’t do anything for me either way; I don’t find it particularly cheap or tacky, but it doesn’t blow me away either. I like the mixture of products in this launch–there are some bright pops of color, subtler, more wearable colors, and everything in-between. I think it’s well-rounded collection that’s perfect for summer (with the color selections), but it’s pretty wearable.

I do recommend purchasing Marine Life if you think you want it. It’s just not going to be a product you’ll have the luxury of time with. Again, I fully believe it will sell out shortly after it becomes available online. I’ve heard some stores have received less than ten! I also anticipate Sweet & Punchy, Thrills, Life’s a Breeze, and both brushes to sell quickly. I would not be all that surprised if In the Buff, as oddly received as it has been, goes fast as well.

P.S. — I will try to get brush reviews up shortly. I’ve had them since whenever they originally launched, but I never reach for them, so I’m going to play around with them this weekend!

Temptalia’s Recommendations

Must-haves: Marine Life High Light Powder, Sweet & Punchy (if you have nothing like it), Thrills Lipstick, Fun Bathing Lipstick, Life’s a Breeze Lip Pencil

Nice-to-haves: Float on By Eye Kohl, Life’s a Breeze Lip Pencil, Hipness Blush, Get-Away Bronze Blush

Skip: Beachbound, Sand & Sun

Skip if…

  • Skip SWEET & PUNCHY if you have RATED R, SOUR LEMON, or EYEPOPPING (all previous limited edition shades).
  • Skip BEACHBOUND if you have MELON (pigment–use it sheerly with balm), ARCHETYPE (from Pret-a-Papier), or TANARAMA (permanent).
  • Skip the EYE KOHLS if you eyeliners are prone to smudging and migrating on you (e.g. the majority of eyeliners you’ve tried do so).
  • Skip FUN BATHING if you have “O” (permanent) — unless you adore and wear it all the time–though Fun Bathing has the copper-metallic-bronze thing going on that’s less apparent in “O.”

Don’t forget to…

Check your stash for SHIMMERMOSS (permanent), HUMID (permanent), THRILLS (from Rushmetal), ROSEMARY & THYME (permanent), HIPNESS (from Fafi), PINK REBEL (from Style Warriors), SUN RUSH (from Style Warriors), GOLDEN (permanent), and REFINED GOLDEN (permanent).

Recommendations by Skin Tone

  • Best Picks for Lighter Skin Tones: Firecracker Eyeshadow, Lazy Day Lipstick, Easy Lounger Lipglass, Splashing Lipglass, Float on By Eye Kohl, Life’s a Breeze Lip Pencil, Hipness Blush, Golden Bronzer
  • Best Picks for Medium Skin Tones: Sweet & Punchy Eyeshadow, Shimmermoss Eyeshadow, Thrills Lipstick, Fun Bathing Lipstick, Float on By Eye Kohl, Marine Life High Light Powder, Refined Golden Bronzer
  • Best Picks for Darker Skin Tones: Sweet & Punchy Eyeshadow, Shimmermoss Eyeshadow, Humid Eyeshadow, Thrills Lipstick, Fun Bathing Lipstick, Splashing Lipglass, Marine Life High Light Powder, Get-Away Bronze Blush

Product Photos, Swatches, & Reviews

What are you loving? What are you looking forward to?

164 Comments

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Jywoi Avatar

Hi!
Thank you so much for the reviews, Marine Life is out of stock but I keep checking for it, fingers crossed!
Btw, do you think fun bathing could go with very light skin tones or is it too shocking (for lack of a better word)?

Thanks!
Jywoi

Christine Avatar

I think you can definitely wear Fun Bathing! 🙂 It can be used sheerly, too, in case you feel it’s too bold. But no, not shocking at all!

It should be up on maccosmetics.com, nordstrom.com, and macys.com closer to the 27th (around the 25th, I’d say).

Celia Avatar

I check your site daily, never have left a comment though… i felt compelled to tonight cause you did an amazing job reviewing this collection! Bravo Christine! and thank you for your hard work..

wbwrightMakeupArtist Avatar

I am thrilled by this review! You have really covered it all so well! By the way, I ADORE the short brush and can’t wait to get my hands on the blush brush. I find that they blend out emollient based products so beautifully and can help build coverage. I love them, a lot a lot!

My-Linh Avatar

I love that you are putting recommendations based on skin tones! It’s so helpful, then again, your entire website is! 🙂

rashmi Avatar

christine pls pls my recommm…
m waiting sweetie….
n how r ur views for MAC’s blot pressed pwdr.???
is oil on face is diff from sweat on face how do u tackle that ?
do u have swaet on ur upper lips ??? i do have when i thread them ?
pls help

Christine Avatar

Hi Rashmi,

I think you’d really like Thrills Lipstick, Marine Life, Hipness, and Firecracker. I think you’d look lovely with Get-Away Bronze, too. Very pretty with your skin tone!

I sweat a lil’ on the face if I’m in a rush or buzzing around, but it usually dries pretty fast so I don’t do anything. Oiliness is more of a shine but not so moist – sweat has more of a watery feel.

rashmi Avatar

wowowowo thanks a lot darling for qucick reply ….

n pls tell me abt ur views abt MAC’s blot pressed pdr.???
that’s the first product i bought without asking u… m so sorry u know my inner feeling
so i just wanted to hear from u is it okay for u know random use…
my LM loose pwdr will take time to reach india
will wait for ur reply honey
nobody is compared to u on dot com….
u dont know how many fan following u have

DevilishDoll Avatar

I think I finally got my list settled thanks to you, Christine. I’ve decided on
Splashing Lipglass
Flurry of Fun Lipglass
Thrills Lipstick
Funbathing Lipstick
Firecracker Eyeshadow
Sweet & Punchy Eyeshadow
Float On By Eye Kohl
Sun Rush Lustre Drops
Marine Life Highlight Powder

What do you think?

DevilishDoll Avatar

I’m in love with pink lips so it’s very hard for me to resist. I have a bunch of orange ones too, but the teal shimmer in Flurry of Fun has really got me. Kinda funny, my original list for this collection was Sweet and Punchy, Firecracker and Sun Rush, now I’d love to get almost everything.

Gemma Avatar

This is such an awesome breakdown. I love the recs based on skintone-it really helps me out! =) I have been wanting Thrills since it was first released and I saw you wearing it in a FOTD, so I’m definitely grabbing it!

Dini Avatar

Thanks for all the reviews and photos! This has really helped me make my wish list, which includes Thrills lipstick and Fun bathing lipstick as well as Sweet and Punchy. I was going to ignore this entire collection, but I’ve found a few things that I think I’ll love. I can’t stop clicking on all the product descriptions and pictures – so great.

Rosanna Avatar

Flurry of Fun Lipglass – orange with teal shimmer $16.50
Splashing Lipglass – medium pink wit champagne shimmer $16.50
What’s on my wishlist:

Lazy Day Lipstick – milky cool-toned pink $16.50*

LIfe’s A Breeze Lipliner – medium pink $15.50*
Beachbound? (interesting to try!)

Sweet & Punchy Eyeshadow $17.50*
Firecracker? (compare to coppering?) $17.50

The one’s with “*” are certain buys for me, the others are livable without. =P We’ll see how that goes! (MAC tends to push you past your budget XD)

shuz4ever Avatar

Whoa Christine, just when i think u can’t top the great job u already do…u give this awesomely detailed review. Thanks…esp liked the ‘skip if’ section and the ‘closest dupe’ bit…so now if marine life gets sold out before i buy mine, i won’t shed tears of blood 😉

Mirna Avatar

Christine,
I will say it again and again, you are the best beauty blogger ever. Thank you sooososososo much for what you do and how you do it 🙂 Especially for this much anticipated collection. Can’t believe it is finally here!
– Mirna

Inaya Avatar

hi Christine! I’m an NC-30/35.. more accurately my complexion is about 2-3 shades darker than yours. Do you think I should get the marine life highlighter? would it be usable as a blush? is it shimmery? does it last long? thanks ALOT. keep up the good work

Angel Avatar

Christine,

How do you think Firecracker compares to Hot,Hot,Hot from the Forecast collections? I already have Hot,Hot,Hot — do you think it is a dupe for Firecracker?

Ashley Avatar

Thanks a lot Christine for doing this for all of us! You are amazing and I look forward to going on Temptalia everyday! 🙂

Aisha Avatar

wow, thank you for the amazing review, also for the reminders that tell which items are from permanent line ( seriously I would have no idea, specially about the two bronzers), now I have my list: Marine life, thrills, life’s a breeze. I really like Fun bathing too but I am C2 so I am scared that it will look too red on me. 🙂

Sally Avatar

Christine – your posts are amazing. Seriously, the most helpful in the online beauty world. They are so organized, with helpful information and reminders. I just hope you know how grateful your readers are :]

On another note, my wallet will not be happy with me after this release! Luckily I already have Humid and Shimmermoss, so no need to buy those. I think I’m going to start with Marine Life, Float on By, and Pink Rebel lustre drops, and wait on the rest. Those are my only must haves, and I won’t be too sad if I don’t get anything else from this collection.

Cherie Avatar

Thank you so much, Christine! I also really like, nay, LOVE the feature you added with Recommendations by Skin Tone! Very helpful 🙂

Caitlyn Avatar

Hey! I’m in NC35 and I was wondering which bronzer I should get and in what color? i Cant decide between the creme bronzers and the powdered ones. And the colors of them! Please help! Also, whats another good way to apply creme blush without using mac’s brushes? they’re so expensive and i just cant afford that at the moment.

Christine Avatar

Refined Golden would be better — Weekend for a creme, if you want to use it more as a bronzer, since Beach Bronze is on the sheerer side. You could use any stippling brush, or you could try using a sponge or even your fingers if you don’t mind putting those in the compact.

Beck Avatar

I all ways go crazy for MAC’s summer collections so this will be no exception. I am hoping to get:
Beach Bronze cream bronzer
Hipness blush
Firecracker e/s
Sweet & Punchy e/s- maybe
Easy Lounger l/g
Flurry of Fun l/g -maybe-
Splashing l/g -maybe-
Lazy Day l/s
Thrills l/s
Funbathing l/s

Do I need any of this? No not at all haha.

Angela Avatar

Love it! I just got back from my own release party. Picked up Marine Life, Thrills l/s, Funbathing l/s, Float on by kohl and Thyme and Rosemany kohl. I have a feeling I may need to go back for a few shadows, I’m just a wimp for Firecracker and Sweet and Punchy.

juanita Avatar

I seen you right in front of the line at Hillsdale MAC. Haha, I said to myself, that looks like temptalia. Thank you for everthing you do. I love your site and reviews. Awesome!!!!!

Lynda Avatar

OMG I went to the unveiling party. It was so crowded. I was able to use my pro discount so i got 3 Marine Lifes and one of everything else. I figured I could go through it home and return what I didn’t want later. But I think I like everything 🙂

Lynn Avatar

I went to place my pre-order today and Marine Life is sold out at my MAC counter. My MUA said they only received 9 of Marine Life and one customer pre-ordered 4 of them! So, I’ll see if I have any luck ordering online. This is a hot ticket item! Thinking of getting In the Buff nail lacquer as well- very pretty, something I would not have thought to pick up. I also pre-ordered the 131 brush -which is going quick as well as I’m told.

Parris Avatar

Christine you’re the best! I did as you said and called up one of the mac’s in NYC and I was able to get on the list for tonight. It was my first event and I had a great time. I wanted 3 of the marine life but while I was deciding what to buy one of the MA’s shouted “only 2 marine life powders left”. I literally had to run, hand in my card and get the last one lol.

Nikki Avatar

Hi Christine!

Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you and your site! You always give such great info in the reviews and swatches! You did an awesome job on the MAC To the Beach!!

Thank you also for the suggestion to presale! I just got off of the phone with my order – based on your reviews!

Thanks again for all of your hard work!! 🙂

HC Avatar

I was totally looking for you, Christine!! I’m sad I didn’t get to meet you! 🙁 I got there at 7:15 so I didn’t get in til about 7:30ish. Were you gone by then? I was so ANGRY that they only had THREE Marine Life’s left. It’s an unveiling party, wtf!

Btw, for bay area folks — Nordy’s in downtown SF and at Stonestown are all sold out of their Marine Lifes. Ppl have been presaleing like mad! Hillsdale Nordys still has some. I was able to presale at Serramonte Macy’s.

Christine Avatar

I was second in, and I spent 7 to 7:40 at the register, OMG! My boyfriend was like, “What took so long?!?!”

I was angry on behalf of everybody else! MAC knows that it’s the “showstopper” product, and yet the stock isn’t even enough so SOME people who trucked their butts out could grab one?

HC Avatar

I know. I was sooooo mad that I wanted to leave and not buy anything but the food kept me there, hahaha! I mean, what’s the point of me or anyone else driving X-minutes for this launch party when they don’t have all the products in stock?? I could have easily just preordered everything I wanted at a Nordys or Macys counter and saved myself gas, time and energy! I swear, if they’re going to put together such a big show, they should be ready to provide products to their customers! Maybe they should strictly keep launch parties at bigger venues…aka MAC stores or MAC PRO stores. Goodness!

Lynda Avatar

Hey ladies, my friend at MAC just text me to remind me he has 2 highlighters on hold for me, so if anyone is in the LA area and would like one let me know before I tell him I already bought 3 last night. LYNDA

Megan Avatar

Hey Christine- I LOVE the beach bag you twitpic’d. How much is it? Those aren’t available until the 27th right? I’m going to the beach next week and I’d love to get my hands on it!

Christine Avatar

$49.50! It seemed like a steal, LOL, given the size. MAC has done some clutches during the “couture” launch that are like $75 and ugly.

But yup, they should be available on the 27th. I got mine at the unveiling event at a local MAC on the 18th, but yeah, 27th!

Meesh Avatar

Hi!

I know the collection came out with the 131 and 130. I was thinking about getting 131. Is it worth it and if so, what would YOU use the 131 for? Thanks!

Meesh Avatar

Oh well XD that answers my questions. I guess I’ll spend the money on something else that I’ll get more use out of. Thank you!

Milessa Avatar

Isn’t Eyepopping a little more on the green side? I haven’t seen sweet and punchy as yet, but I have eyepopping. Soo…wondering if I should even get it…if its almost the same?????

Christine Avatar

Sweet & Punchy is a little yellower, but they’re close – not 100% dupes, but similar enough where you could probably skip Sweet & Punchy if you have Eyepopping… assuming you don’t DIE for shades like Eyepopping (like me) and thus own them all.

LannetKrystle Avatar

HMMM..I’m getting mixed answers for the MAC PRO discount on this collection. One store in my state had an unveiling and and was not giving the PRO discount. I called the MAC Pro customer service number and they said NO on the MAC PRO discount as well. I called another store in my State and their system was applying the discount, but was not 100% sure that you can use the PRO discount since the other store that had an unveiling did not honor the discount. Then i get a response here saying they did get the discount at their unveiling?! OK MAC, you need to be more consistent with these things…so can anybody help me please? Thank you all!

becky Avatar

just to let you know im from the uk and so far marine life and now the scorcher nail polish has sold out aswell. I went to the mac counter today and they had sold out aswell. Just a heads up to get it quickly if you had your heart set on it.

Angela Avatar

Hi Christine,
How does Marine Life compare with the shell pearl highlighter from the Liberty of London collection? If they are similar, do you need both?
Thanks!

Rebekah Avatar

how do i go about pre ordering? do i just call my mac counter and see if they’d do that? i don’t wanna make the 2 hour drive if i don’t absolutely have to lol:) and thanks for such great reviews:) i come to your website every time i need advice on anything makeup related:)

Christine Avatar

Aww!! Two hour drive… I don’t know. SOO, you can usually call the store and ask if they’ll do a pre-sale/order. This means they SHOULD set aside your items, take your info, etc. and it’s waiting for you when you arrive. I hate that you have to even consider driving two hours… 🙁

Rebekah Avatar

meeee too. and what’s worse is my CCO is 3.5 hours away. the nearest mac freestanding store is about 4 hours away on the other side of the state. it’s a nightmare!!! lol! i have to make a weekend trip out of juuuust wanting to go to the cco or mac store. but the 2 hours i guess isn’t all that bad when i think about 3.5-4:) I’ll be calling the counter tomorrow to see if they’ll do a pre sale/order. thanks Christine!

Olivia Avatar

Hey Christine this is Olivia from the mac event at hilsdale it was nice meeting you I was so upset that there were no marine life powders left lol, anyway I have a YouTube video up of my “haul” and I shouted you out and put the picture we took up there http://m.youtube.com/?&&client=mv-google&tspv=1#/watch?client=mv-google&tspv=1&v=cnikNJF_5Mo go check it out ttyl 🙂 ps my boyfriend and step sis couldn’t get me to shut up I was so excited about meeting you hahaha !

Christine Avatar

Aww!! You’re too sweet, Olivia! 🙂 Thank you so much for the shoutout! I hope you had an amazing time, even if you weren’t able to get Marine Life (hopefully you will get it another way!). Enjoy your haul — looks like you got some awesome stuff!

Becky Avatar

For all of you LA ladies, the Pro store on Robertson put the collection out TODAY!! Love it!

And to Ms. Temptalia – I LOVE your site! I’ve recently become readdicted to MAC, and you’re always my first stop when I want to check out new –and visit old– products!

Thanks!!

Lisa Avatar

Hi Christine,

Do you think you could find out what sunglasses the model is wearing in the promo picture? I don’t know who else to ask. Thank you so much!! =D

dawn Avatar

I was literally first in line for the unveiling in EL Segundo and it was so fun! They did a fabulous job. I LOVE LOVE LOVE marine life and Thrills and flurry of fun. I got a lot of compliments on them. I also got hippness, the blue eye liner and firecracker eye shadow. I havent worn these yet but I cant wait. Thanks for the reviews.

Colleen Avatar

I have light skin and I wanted to get the Marine Life powder. I think it would be to much as a highlight but do you think it could work as a blush?

kfm Avatar

weirdest thing happened today. i went into the MAC store here (the main one, which has PRO products) and lo and behold, they had just finished laying out the TTB collection. I didn’t realise that it was only about 5 minutes before closing time and they had laid it out to be on sale tomorrow (or tuesday, since it’s a holiday here tomorrow). Anyway, I ended up coming home with Marine Life, Firecracker and Sweet & Punchy. I have to say that the last two were 95% my fiance’s decision. He loved Firecracker and then told me it would mix really nicely with Sweet & Punchy. The weird thing is, he’s absolutely right- they turn this fantastic shade of gold when blended, so you can smudge one right into the other. Yes, my man has strong opinions on cosmetics.

ended up passing on both thrills- which i really had difficulty getting to show up on my lips- and funbathing (since I have O and they really do look quite similar on my lips). That’s surprising, since I’m normally obsessed with lip products… We’ll see if I’m able to resist long-term…

Anyway, I’m pretty damn happy with my haul. Thanks again Christine for the reviews- made it easier on the staff there that I already knew what I wanted…

Jenny H. Avatar

SO.. this kind of sucks for me because although I’m LOVING this collection, no colors really jump out at me.. and the ones that -kinda- do, are permanent shades! sigh, and I don’t feel right convincing myself to get something that I probably wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the packaging. UNFORTUNATELY, I MAY PASS UP THE COLLECTION ENTIRELY! 🙁

(maybe hipness blush? and I have no idea what my MAC shade is)

Pamela Avatar

Oh wow…Easy lounger & MarIne life are already sold out online @ mac & the Marine life is not available on Nordstroms.com assuming it’s been sold out as well.

Jennifer S. Avatar

My counter is having their launch today but I cannot get there until tommorow.Fingers crossed there is still some products available!

Jennifer S. Avatar

Forget it! I just made some time to run up there and scored Marine Life, Thrills, Life’s a Breeze and Easy Lounger! I just couldn’t wait. Woohoo…

Sharday Avatar

Thanks for the review! I mainly just want to get the Hipness and Get Away Bronze blushes, and (maybe) Marine Life.

I’m surprised that you didn’t think that Hipness would be a good pick for darker skin tones. I’ve been on a coral blush kick lately and think that coral is definitely flattering on darker skin tones.

Sharday Avatar

After trying Hipness at the store, you were soooooooo right! I would’ve been putting on that blush for days trying to get some color!

NeenaJ Avatar

Ran to the mall during my lunch hour and bought:
Sweet n Punchy e/s
Firecracker e/s
Hipness blush
Thrills lipstick
Easy Lounger lipglass

Thanks so much for all the swatches & looks, Christine! Your “molten” post from this morning convinced me to go for Thrills & Easy Lounger & I love them!

Tiffany Avatar

Have you seen/held the bag? I am considering getting it but I’m not sure yet. Just wanted to see how big it is and what not.

lilsweetsjen Avatar

I did my haul this morning!!! I am super excited!!
I got two of the marine life- one to look at and one to use hahah
-hipness blush
-thrills lipstick
-flurry of fun
-131 brush

Leenie Avatar

Hi Christine do you think marine life will go on sale ? I notice that it was sold out when it hit mac website and also its not in any of the stores that sell mac products I checked macy’s & Bloomingdale’s site also.

Diana S. Avatar

I just got back from the Macys near my job (its walking distance, yay!) and they just launched this collection this morning at 10am. I got there at 11:30 and they only had 2 Marine life powders left! I bought them both, I dont even know why, I only wanted one but I suddenly felt the need to get both of them since they only had 2!lol Don’t know what got into me!It is such a pretty color though! I just can’t believe they are selling out so fast!

Rissy Avatar

I was walking in the mall yesterday on my way to sephora and I happened to look at the MAC store and in the window was the display! I spent a lot of money yesterday on the rest of the collection that i didn’t order online and at sephora… *cringe* >.< so bad for my wallet… but i'm oh so happy! 😀 Thanks Christine! Hopefully we don't have another huge collection for a while… I need to save. haha.

Hay Mich Avatar

I’m so excited! I just got home from MAC and picked up Hipness, Sweet and Punchy, Flurry of Fun and Splashing. I wasn’t even going to get the two lipglasses but they looked too nice to pass up when I tried them on!

Sixx Avatar

What a disappointment today…rushed to my MAC counter as soon as I could—but it turned out to be one of the most overrated collections, in my opinion. But it saved me a lot of $$$ so I’m actually quite thankful! haha

sherri Avatar

i agree……i brought both blushes firecracker…sweet and punchy beachbonnd and 2 marine life….the only thing im keepin is sweet and punchy..and marine life…i have not been impressed with a mac collection in a long time….there are 7 mac stores close to me but the one i went to only had 3 marine life..and i was the very first customer..how crazy is that…

the marine life was worth it though..im a nc55 and i can use it for a blush or highlighter.

Deejay Avatar

I was swatching all my stuff I picked up and my favorite things are flurry of fun and float on by. they both have this beautiful sheen. It’s a pretty sheen that doens’t show up in pictures but in person its gorgeous. I’m thinking about going back and getting back ups for both.

chibu74 Avatar

great review

I was wondering if Hipness blush would look good on only light skin tones….would it not be good for tan/olive (NC42-44) skin tone?

Carrie Avatar

I already ordered some of the collection online, but I went to my MAC counter this morning at 11 to pick up Marine Life and Sweet & Punchy. It looked like they had less than 10 Marine Life powders left, Life’s a Breeze was gone, and so were Splashing and Lazy Day. I think it’s a gorgeous collection, but some of the colors are so easy to dupe, like Lazy Day and Splashing, and of course some of the colors are already a part of their permanent line. In fact, Splashing looks a lot like English Accents from the Liberty of London collection that was just out.

Stacy Avatar

Marine Life was sold out by the time I got to the MAC store this morning…and the store had only been opened for 1.5 hrs! But oh well, I didn’t want it anyways. Wait, let me rephrase that: I convinced myself I didn’t need it. hahaha I got Hipness blush and thought that was all I wanted. Then once I got home, I knew I had to go get Flurry of Fun and Splashing lipglosses! I hate it when that happens. hahaha

Stacy Avatar

Oh btw, Angel is almost spot on to Fun Bathing l/s. Fun bathing is just a tad more cooler but they are pretty similar when I swatched them together at the store. 😉

Sabrina Avatar

So I went to my MAC today to swatch a few things I was iffy on and I’m glad I did. I wasn’t as impressed with the Lustre Drops as I expected to be. I actually like my Smashbox Illuminating lotion more, so I passed on those. The bronzer was ok, but my favorite is still my Korres bronzer so I skipped those too. And since I realized this morning that I have a few loose shadow pigments that are similiar to the shadows I was looking at (namely Firecracker), I was able to skip those also. So instead I just picked up back-up Thrills (OMG, I LOVE this color) and Marine Life. Supposedly they had gotten quite a few of Marine Life (they get quite a bit of everything it seems like) and by 5pm the only had a couple left. Same with Thrills. They were even surprised by how fast things were going.
And unrelated I know, but can I just say how much I love Pink Bronze pigment dusted over a light bronzer? It looks great with my new Thrills lipstick. 🙂

Suzanna Avatar

Your pic wearing Fun Bathing was gorgeous and I wish it worked the same way on me. When I wear it, it is just above YLBB and it is very dry and almost chalky. It isn’t as pigmented on me as it was on you. I ended up layering it with Underworld to give it some more punch, but Underworld has its own issues (balling up?).

RC Avatar

Went to the store at 10:02 am this morning, they refused to sell Marine life because it’s sold out online and they want to sell it during their Saturday morning BS promotion. I’m returning a few items I got today so btwn Marine Life and the $45 I’m returning, that’s money they wont be getting. But Fluur of Fun Lipglass and Thrills lipstick are just awesome! I love them.

RC Avatar

PS- BS stands for bullsh…. you know what I mean. It wouldn’t be so annoying if I were actually going to be in town, but I’ll be 3000 miles away. It’s a stupid sales strategy.

Christine Avatar

That really sucks, RC! I don’t really think that’s fair, because it’s the launch day. I understand setting aside stock for an unveiling, since that’s pre-launch… I mean, I don’t even really like that a lot of those events take place a week after a launch, since most things sell out before then anyway. I am surprised that they would do that for this launch!

Brenda Avatar

Ughhhh I pre ordered last month at nordstroms and went today the girls said they were sold out of marine life ughhh I was sooo mad what was the whole point of pre ordering if we weren’t going to get one!!!!…I then drove back to montebello and they were sold out the girl said she at least sold 100 today… Luckly I found it at stonewood mall they seem to be stocked up i might go get another one tomorrow…lol bottom line I drove all over L.A for marine life but it was worth it I was with my best friend

nicci Avatar

I tried on Thrills, Fun Bathing, and Splashing tonight and I really thought I would like Thrills the most but I left without buying anything. I wasn’t 100% sure….maybe I will try again tomorrow and see. sleep on it! haha… 🙂

Wendy M. Avatar

So! On Thursday I bought:
Marine Life
Float on By
Hipness
Splashing

Today I went back and bought:
Marine Life (thank goodness they still had them!)
Rosemary & Thyme (caved and bought it lol)
Humid (ditto ^)
Sweet & Punchy
Lustre Drops in Sun Rush

This is definitely the most I’ve ever spent on a collection… but so worth it!
As for my second Marine Life, I’m just going to keep it to look at it. The gold overspray is so pretty. xD

Glockoma Avatar

I appreciate your recommendations based on skin tone. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by new colours, but your review and recommendations really break it down. Thanks!

Leticia Avatar

Hi Christine!

I know it’s a little late to post a comment on this collection, but since I live in Mexico it only came in stores today (well, on the store near my workplace – other stores launched it last week)! It is a beautiful collection and your review was as useful as always. I arrived in the MAC counter with a clear idea on what I wanted from this collection and was lucky enough to be able to be there when they still had every product. I got Easy Lounger Lipglass, Thrills and Fun Bathing lipsticks (I was surprised by Fun Bathing – I did not expect it to be so pretty in person!), Golden Bronzer, Humid Eyeshadow and, finally, Marine Life, which I had thought I did not want but could not resist once I saw it!!

Thank you again for the wonderful work you do with this useful, beautiful and super fun blog!!

Samantha Avatar

I love the fact that you list which products are good for what skin tone and what products to skip. It’s very helpful because I usually just guess what would look good. So thank you! 🙂

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