MAC Tropical Taboo Collection- Summer 2013

The Color of Heat, Beat and Exotic Glamour......

Summer 2013 seems to be all about the tropics- sultry greens and blues, coppery tones and shimmery finishes. First Dior and now, MAC, captures the essence of the tropics for us.  The promo pics made me think of samba and bossa nova and Joao Gilberto, it made me crave sunshine and beaches in Brazil..

So, without further ado, play some samba and read on..

Mineralize Skinfinishes

My heart beats just a little bit faster for MAC's mineralize skinfinishes. 

Shimmery, matte or satin, I love them all..dearly :) I use them as eyeshadows, highlighters and blushes and yes, they make me happy.  Very happy.

Tropical Taboo features 5 mineralize skinfinishes retailing for $30 each. 

Soft and Gentle and Gold deposit are permanent while the remaining three are limited edition.

• Adored: Warm coral with light beige pearl

• Rio: Deep bronze with pale pink pearl

• Lust: Frosty pale pink with rose-brown pearl

• Soft and Gentle: Gilded peachy bronze

• Gold Deposit: Frosty golden-bronze

Top row (L-R): Adored, Rio, Lust
Bottom row (L-R): Soft and Gentle, Gold Deposit

Mineralize Eye Shadows

This collection features 6 mineralize eye shadows.  They are limited edition and retail for $23.50.  They're slightly larger than the regular MAC eyeshadows at 0.10 oz. They can be used dry for a sheer wash or wet for a more intense, metallic look. 

As gorgeous as they look, I don't think I'll be investing in them because MAC's mineralize eyeshadows tend to be spotty performers, in my experience.  If you're interested in learning more about these, Christine at Temptalia has a helpful review here.

•  Bossa Blue: Royal blue with chocolate brown veining

• Caribbean: Rose with coppery-red veining

•  Cha-Cha-Cha: Deep blue-green with lime-green veining

• Dare to Bare: Pale lilac and pink with yellow gold veining

• Time and Tango: Lavender with silver veining

• Tropica: Silvery blue with purple veining

Top Row (L-R): Bossa Blue, Caribbean, Cha-Cha-Cha. 
Bottom Row (L-R): Dare to Bare, Tropica, Time and Tango

Kohl Power Eye Pencils

There are 2 eye pencils in this launch and they retail for $16.  Orpheus is limited edition whereas Feline is part of MAC's permanent range.

I have Orpheus from a previous launch and as pretty as it is, the formula is not at all creamy.  It's hard and you have to go back and forth a few times to get a decent payoff.  I typically warm it on the back of my hand before wearing it on my waterline.  I'm hoping they've improved the formula with this launch.

• Orpheus: Black with gold pearl

• Feline:  Rich black

L-R: Orpheus, Feline

Mineralize Blushes

This collection features 3 mineralize blushes.  They are limited edition and retail for $25 each.  I am currently testing all three for you and will have reviews and swatches soon! :) How gorgeous is Simmer btw? That sweet melange of peach and rose, mmmm mmm good..

• Exotic Ember: Burnt orange with chocolate bronze pearl

• Simmer: Deep Rose with peachy gold pearl

• Sweet Samba: Deep pink with tan pearl

L-R: Exotic Ember, Simmer, Sweet Samba

Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

This collection highlights 6 mineralize rich lipsticks from MAC's permanent range with the exception of Midnight Mambo, which isn't permanent.  I hope they make it permanent because it's a *gorgeous* shade.

The lipsticks retail for $22 and are slightly larger than the regular MAC lipsticks at 0.14 oz.

• Divine Choice: Cool bubblegum pink

• Glamour Era: Brown with peach undertones

• Lady at Play: Warm coral-red; this will pull more coral or red depending on your undertone.

• Luxe Naturale: Pale peachy beige

• Midnight Mambo: Intense violet (I bought this shade and am testing it this week.  Stay tuned for the lowdown on it)

L-R: Divine Choice, Glamour Era, Lady at Play, Luxe Naturale, Midnight Mambo

Cremesheen Glass

Tropical Taboo features 4 cremesheens.  They're limited edition and retail for $20. 

I typically don't go for the cremesheens because I find them a bit gloopy.  Also, the wear time isn't phenomenal- they typically last between 1 to 2 hrs max on me.

If you're interested in more info. on these, here's a great review.

• Calypso Beat: Pale neutral peach

• Fever Isle: Bright red coral

• Japanese Spring: Pale dirty pink

• Narcissus: Dirty eggplant

L-R: Calypso Beat, Fever Isle, Japanese Spring, Narcissus

 

Lip Pencils

This collection features 4 lip pencils.  They're limited edition shades and retail for $15.

•  Ablaze: Bright apricot

• Have to Have it: Soft warm beige

• Heroine: Bright purple

• Hip 'n' Happy: Dirty blue pink

L-R: Ablaze, Have to have it, Heroine, Hip 'n' Happy

 Brushes

This collection features 3 brushes from MAC's permanent line-up.

•  187 Duo Fibre Brush; Retails for $42

•  159 Duo Fibre Brush: Retails for $35

• 287 Duo Fibre Eye Shadow: Retails for $32

 

L-R: 187, 159, 287

Quite an extensive launch but MAC's summer launches always are!

The collection is available online on MAC and at counters in Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Saks etc.

Stay tuned for reviews....and happy 4th of July!! 

Have a lovely weekend,
xoxo,
B

Going, Going, Gone!

Must-buys from MAC, before they disappear

 

MAC and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship.  Like any self-respecting makeup addict, I adore most of their products but and there's a BIG but, I hate that they discontinue some really great products..

I was browsing MAC's website when I came across their "Goodbyes" section.  For those of you that may be unfamiliar with it, the "Goodbyes" section is where products go to die.  They're usually a combination of permanent, pro and limited edition makeup and accessories that are on their way to being discontinued.  And no, contrary to my fervent hopes, they're NEVER on sale!

I usually don't buy anything from this section because honestly, most of the products on there have good reasons for being discontinued.   The eyeshadows are either too chalky or too gritty, the lipsticks are mediocre and the blushes don't have good payoff...all good reasons to weed them out of production.

However, this time, I was stunned at the products they're discontinuing and wanted to share a few "must-haves" before they're gone.  I've already bought a few of these as backups, hoarder that I am ;)

These are the eyeshadows I recommend highly:

Jete ($15)

This shade was recently resurrected as part of the MAC By Request Collection, voted for by fans.  I'd describe Jete as a champagne base with a hint of coral/pink.  The finish is a veluxe pearl, one of my favorite finishes by MAC.  Veluxe pearls are usually buttery soft, shimmery without being gritty and are easily buildable.  Jete is very versatile neutral that can be applied as a light wash over the eyes for a workday look or packed on for a lovely evening look.  It's a shade that flatters all complexions.

MAC Jete eyeshadow

Samoa Silk ($15)

Samoa Silk has been a permanent fixture in MAC's repertoire of eyeshadows for years. It's a peachy orange with a veluxe finish that's matte.  It's a wonderful go-to neutral and despite being matte, isn't chalky or powdery.  I sometimes use this to set my undereye concealer- the peachiness of this shade helps to cancel out the blue in my undereye area quite nicely.

MAC Samoa Silk eyeshadow

Kid ($15)

Kid is a warm peachy brown shade that's perfect for fair to medium-toned skin.  It's a veluxe finish, basically matte without any chalkiness.  I use this shade as a wash and also in the crease to blend deeper browns or tone down brighter shades.

MAC Kid eyeshadow

Weathered ($21)

Part of MAC's Pro Longwear Eyeshadow collection, Weathered is an incredibly complex blue-gray shade with multi-colored shimmer.  You could wear it over a black base for a lovely duo-chrome effect or pair it with a lilac shade for a sultry smokey eye.  Either way, this shade will rock your world!

MAC Weathered eyeshadow

These are currently available online at MAC

I've already ordered backups of these, will you be buying any for your collection?

I'd love to hear from you :)

have a lovely week,
Batul
 

Beauty News: RiRi ♥ M·A·C - The Online-Exclusive Lipstick Created by Rihanna

It's here...

 

Rihanna loves M∙A∙C. Global superstars in their own right, MAC and Rihanna have collaborated on and created an exclusive matte red lipstick inspired by the cult shade Ruby Woo.

World, meet RiRi Woo. 

RiRi Woo retails for $15 USD and is available now exclusively online at MAC Cosmetics in North America; May 2013 (Available internationally). Also available at Barclays Center and MAC Pop-Up Store for Rihanna's concert ticket holders.

RiRi loves MAC lipstick- RiRi Woo

Update:

RiRi Woo sold out in three hours! I tried to get one but was unable to.  It's coming out in June so if you really want it, you can get it then :)