Filed In: MAC

MAC x Star Trek Studio Nail Lacquer

In celebration of the original tv series Star Trek’s 50th birthday, MAC has teamed up with the franchise and released a limited edition collection based around 4 key female characters from the show (Lt. Uhura, Deanna of Troi, Seven of Nine, and Vina the Orion girl). At the collection’s media pre-launch that I attended back in May, I was totally drawn to the nail polish trio where all 3 shades immediately made me think of Uhura and her glam talons that you just couldn’t help but notice in each episode. Sporting chrome and glitter like it was nobody’s business, that woman certainly went where no other woman had gone before.

Previously reviewed from this collection:

Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura & her amazing nails

MAC x Star Trek Studio Nail Lacquer

Enterprise, limited edition (CAN $16.50) | A brilliant metallic silver-chrome with a white undertone to keep it on the cooler side of the spectrum. The formula has an excellent flow & density — but does dry relatively fast as this type of polish is usually prone to — so you do need to work quickly & keep a steady hand, in order to minimize any visible brush strokes. Highly reflective at the finish with minimal shimmer spread at removal.

Coats: 2, no top coat — also shown with one coat of Skin of Evil layered on top

MAC x Star Trek Enterprise Studio Nail Lacquer

MAC x Star Trek Enterprise Studio Nail Lacquer swatch

MAC x Star Trek Enterprise & Skin of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer swatch

Holla-Deck, limited edition (CAN $16.50) | A gold foil/metallic hue with glitter flecks in gold and bronze in the mix, bearing an excellent flow & density and which applies in a self-levelling way. There’s almost a 3D quality to the finish that makes it appear somewhat textured, although this effect only adds visual interest and overall depth to this über-brilliant shade. Take care in removal to keep any shimmer spread to a minimum.

Coats: 2, no top coat — also shown with one coat of Skin of Evil layered on top

MAC x Star Trek Holla-Deck Studio Nail Lacquer

MAC x Star Trek Holla-Deck Studio Nail Lacquer swatch

MAC x Star Trek Holla-Deck & Skin of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer swatch

Skin Of Evil, limited edition (CAN $16.50) | A semi-transparent base filled with ultra fine green/gold “lizard skin” shimmer (sounds weird, I know) and black hexagonal glitter pieces in tiny & small sizes. The formula falls a touch on the thicker side (as compared to both Enterprise and Holla-Deck) but is still quite easy to work with and applies in a self-levelling way. The final look has a unique multi-tonal greenish shift that’s almost prismatic and you pick up enough glitter per brushful that no ‘fishing’ is necessary, although you may need to nudge a few pieces in place (along the sides and/or free edge of the nail) with an orange stick. Some elbow grease will be required for removal, but nothing excessive.

For the swatches below, I’ve opted to show it at 1 coat (which gives off a dainty yet still strong presence), 2 coats (basically fully opaque at this level), and with a matte top coat that may tamp down the brilliance but serves to make all the glitter pieces stand out instead. No top coat on any of the swatches.

MAC x Star Trek Skin Of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer

MAC x Star Trek Skin Of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer swatch (1 coat)

MAC x Star Trek Skin Of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer swatch (2 coats)

MAC x Star Trek Skin Of Evil Studio Nail Lacquer swatch (mattified)

MAC has really upped their nail polish game, and this trio is a complete standout for me. With the holidays coming up, you really can’t go wrong with a good silver and/or gold metallic shade and both Enterprise and Holla-Deck fit the bill perfectly. Skin of Evil is one of those hues that’s oddly compelling, regardless of whether you’re a glitter fan or not, and I find its combination of tones very unique in my collection. So, forgetting the fact that I’m a 100% bonafide Trekker, I still give all three a thumbs up — I’m so ready to channel my inner Uhura. And Seven of Nine. And Deanna of Troi. I’ll even do Vina, minus the green body paint (but holy moly did that girl had some serious mojo).

Available at The Bay, Mac boutiques and online

Purchased items/All opinions are my own

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

September 15, 2016

The latest from Becca, a brand that has become known for using ‘light to amplify the features you love’ comes their latest, Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector, a limited edition pale pink highlighter that launched without any buzz or fanfare, yet instantly sold out on day 1 on Sephora’s website (but has since been restocked & will become available in store next month). I usually don’t fall for hype and buy sight unseen, but my beauty radar was telling me to go for it, and I’ve learned to listen to that instinct. So happy I did, as this shade is like nothing I already own.

One of Pantone’s two colours of the year for 2016, rose quartz is a mineral and has been called the ‘Stone of Love’, having been also used as a love talisman as early as 600 B.C. Also synonymous with beauty, this stone is purported to have a nurturing and calming effect on those around it. Regardless of whether you believe or not, I love the positive message just the same.

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector, limited edition (CAN $46.00) | Housed in a flying-saucer shaped compact (right?), it differentiates from Becca’s usual casing by its metallic rose-gold colour that’s just so pretty. The surface of the pattern is in raised geometric shapes that I’m sure will eventually wear down with continued use — not that I’ll ever get to that point (I think), and which shouldn’t affect how the product applies in any way.

The formula is apparently enriched with ‘ultrafine luminescent pearls that absorb, reflect & refract light’, and can adjust to your skin’s natural undertone. The texture is fine-milled and can be applied as a lighter dusting for just a touch of radiance (a fan brush works best for this), or layered for a more editorial-like brilliance. Longevity (over foundation), seems to be excellent and remains visible until removed.

This pale pink hue is quite unique in that it bears neutral undertones, thus making it workable on all skin tones across the spectrum. As someone with a light-medium complexion that has a golden undertone, I tend to avoid pink anything — but I was totally surprised by how Rose Quartz seems to adapt to my skin, and just seems to look better & better with the wearing.

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector swatches

Apart from the cult-fave Champagne Pop shade shown above, I actually own another Becca coppery highlighter with the same pattern as Rose Quartz, but it seems to have gone MIA and I couldn’t find it to compare. As the swatches show, these two are nothing alike although surprisingly, the pink hue of Rose Quartz appears more wearable than the more golden colour colour of Champagne Pop. I totally did not expect that, and it further backs up the ‘neutral undertone’ part of the claim.

Becca · Rose Quartz & Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector swatches

Pulling out a few more pink-toned highlighters to compare (although something tells me that I probably have more lurking about, but I was just too lazy to hunt them all down), it’s clear that none are a match for Rose Quartz, leaning either too pink or too shimmery.

Note that all have been swatched with a heavy hand in the photo below, in order to show their differences and/or similarities. Press samples are marked by *

Shu Uemura Pink Blush Satin Radiant Stick* – cream formula & definitely the most pink of the group, although it can be sheered out.
Pat McGrath Skinfetish 003 Iridescent Pink – the strongest iridescence, cool toned
Urban Decay Aura Afterglow Highlighter* – a true pale pink, cool toned
Guerlain Cruel Gardenia – a few degrees more pink, slightly more shimmery but along the same finish
MAC Trophy Pearlmatte Face Powder* – the least pigmented of the group making it wearable as an overall face powder as a result
Laura Mercier Illuminator – the most metallic finish of them all, peach based & warmer toned

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector & comparison swatches

Even though I trust my gut when it comes to beauty products, I still had hesitations about Rose Quartz … until it arrived and I swatched it. After that, it was all “hello beautiful & welcome to the family”. Somehow Becca managed the impossible: getting a colour usually reserved for the fair-complexioned, and making it universally wearable. Bottom line: totally worth picking up, especially if you happen to have a bit of a fetish re: highlighters (guilty).

Available at Sephora

Purchased Item/All opinions my own

MAC · Viva Glam Ariana Grande II & So Select

September 7, 2016

I’m a big fan of loyalty programs and when you combine that with beauty, well….I’d call that a win. MAC recently introduced MAC Select, a 3-tiered reward program where basically the more you shop, the better the perks become. The levels are as follows:

SEDUCED (first entry level achieved by joining)
DEVOTED (Spend $200 or more in a calendar year on qualifying purchases)
OBSESSED (Spend $650 or more in a calendar year on qualifying purchases)

Some of the benefits of joining include: exclusive members-only products (such as the So Select lipstick featured here today), complimentary samples at online checkout, complimentary makeup applications (DEVOTED & OBSESSED status only), expedited shipping, and much more. As if the brand’s Back-to MAC program wasn’t enough (where for every 6 MAC products you return, you can pick up either a qualifying lipstick, Lipglass or single eyeshadow), you can also now earn even more for every dollar spent — so much to love about this! And joining couldn’t be easier; simply sign up at the link I’ve posted below, and off you go! (for the record, I do NOT receive any compensation for this promotion)

https://www.maccosmetics.ca//account/select.tmpl

MAC · So Select & Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2

Continuing the theme of giving back, MAC’s Viva Glam campaign which was created in 1994 to help raise awareness and fund research into HIV/AIDS, has now raised over $400 million dollars through the sale of VIVA GLAM Lipsticks and Lipglasses, with 100% of the sale price going towards the cause. Unreal, right?

Joining the ranks of so many high-profile celebrities before her, this is the second go for the cause featuring pop star Ariana Grande — with two totally wearable shades that are poised to become as wildly successful as the earlier versions (Ariane Grande II Lipglass not shown).

MAC · So Select & Gift Card

So Select Matte Lipstick, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | A dirty rose nude shade in a matte finish with a creamy feel upon application. This universally wearable colour provides full coverage from the first swipe and while the texture does have a slightly drier feel than I usually prefer, it surprisingly doesn’t leave lips feeling parched. So Select is one of the most flattering deep nude shades I’ve worn, with enough rose in the base to warm things up, and an equal amount of beige to keep it looking modern.

MAC · So Select Matte Lipstick

MAC · So Select Matte Lipstick swatch

Viva Glam Ariana Grande II Matte Lipstick, limited edition (CAN $21.00) | A sizzling cool-leaning yet hot fuchsia shade in a matte finish. Surprisingly for such an intensely vivid hue, I actually find it to be quite wearable and a great way to sport a pop of colour without going overboard. The texture is ultra-creamy and gliding (of the more buttery mattes, especially as compared to So Select) and totally effortless to apply. Wear time is unbelievable as well, without migrating into fine lines either — leaving a light stain behind once the majority of colour has worn off.

MAC · Viva Glam Ariana Grande II Matte Lipstick

MAC · Viva Glam Ariana Grande II Matte Lipstick swatch

As I said at the start, I’m a huge advocate for customer loyalty programs; you’re going to spend the money anyway, so why not get something back? And starting things off right is this stunning So Select lipstick, in a colour that reminds me of the whole Kylie Jenner nude lip craze, but attainable in a single swipe (no liner needed). Bright orchid is not a shade I’d normally reach for, but something about this Ariana Grande II lippie looks really amazing when paired with a simple graphic black liner – you basically don’t need any more than that and BOOM! Done! Plus you’re contributing to a wonderful cause, at that.

Available at MAC Boutiques & online (Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 also at The Bay)

Press samples/All opinions my own

MAC | It’s A Strike Collection

August 16, 2016

One thing you can always count on when it comes to MAC, is that even if a current collection doesn’t grab your fancy, the next one just might – case in point: their latest It’s A Strike Collection that’s aiming to bowl you over this coming August 18th. Kitschy bowling names aside, this grouping includes a surprisingly number of totally wearable shades, along with a face powder that is almost too adorable to put a brush to. I mean … bowling pins!

MAC | It’s A Strike Collection

Trophy Pearlmatte Face Powder, limited edition (CAN $32.00) | Apart from the total cuteness overload, this is actually a very user-friendly face powder. The stripes on the bowling pins are an overspray that gets wiped away with the very first use (which is actually a shame, as I’m really liking the depth they gave to my initial swatch), and then you’re left with the white, green, & pink portions – all of which are meant to be swirled together. Once combined, the result is a cool-leaning pearly hue with a refined shimmer (no glittery bits), that provides skin with a lovely ethereal-type of glow. I wouldn’t recommend using this all over the face, unless you like ‘beaming’, but swept along the cheeks and temples, Trophy gives that soft-focus kind of radiance that I’m really loving lately. Staying power is hard to predict, but I can say that it continues to look good even when warmed up along the skin and merged with your natural oils, without really emphasizing pores either.

MAC | Pearlmatte Face Powder

116 Blush Brush (CAN $42.00) | Part of the core range, this brush is unique in my collection as it’s slightly thinner overall than most of my standard blush brushes. With its rounded tapered end, you can also use this brush to help ‘sculpt’ your features (if that’s your thing), as well as being a perfect size for use with powdered highlighters; large enough to add product on a good-sized amount of skin without looking ‘stripey’. Also perfect for those with narrow features and/or have always found conventional blush brushes much too wide.

MAC | Pearlmatte Face Powder swatches

MAC | Eye Shadow singles, It’s A Strike Collection

It’s A Strike Eye Shadow singles (CAN $19.00/each) | There are 6 shades in this collection, and from the 3 I was sent, Carbon is the only one that’s also part of the core permanent range. These are all perfect for those that prefer their eyeshadows packaged individually and they can also be de-potted and inserted into a larger compact if desired (you can read my de-potting post here on how it’s done).

Bowlarama (satin) – bright lime green with a strong yellow undertone, excellent colour payoff
300 Game (matte) – blackened cherry, richly pigmented which blends effortlessly
Carbon (matte) – sooty black (definitely not intense black as described), decent pigmentation but seems to have a slightly dry texture that keeps it from appearing too dark/deep

MAC | Bowlarama, 300 Game & Carbon swatches

Fluidline Pen (CAN $24.00/each) | One of the only marker-type eyeliners that I’ve actually used up completely, is the original Fluidline Pen in black from when it was first launched some years back. Since then, I’ve tried others but I still prefer the MAC version due to the intense black shade you get, the excellent combination of flex + rigidity to the felt tip, and the long-lasting wear of the product, which is also bonus crease & flake-proof as well.

Indelibly Blue – deep navy (such a great alternative to black)
Vintage Brown – darkest brown (not as harsh yet still provides the depth of black)
Retro Black – black but with a slightly ‘murky’ tone to it for a little something new

MAC | Indelibly Blue, Vintage Brown & Retro Black Fluidline Pens

MAC | Indelibly Blue, Vintage Brown & Retro Black Fluidline Pen swatches

MAC | Have A Lovely Day! & Blind Score Casual Colour, It’s A Strike Collection

Casual Colour Lip & Cheek Colour (CAN $27.00/each) | Long-wearing cream shades that can be worn on either lips or cheeks. The finish is somewhere between dewy and satin-matte, appearing neither too flat (as in 1-dimensional) or shiny, while the texture is smooth and effortless to blend out. I personally prefer using these on my cheeks for the seamless way you can buff them into the skin. On lips, I found the texture of Blind Score was much easier to apply and carry off, while Have A Lovely Day! seemed to wash my lips of all colour to a certain degreet, although it does look totally amazing on cheeks.

Have A Lovely Day! – neutral nude, soft rose undertone
Blind Score – dirty reddish lilac, mauve tinted

MAC | Have A Lovely Day! & Blind Score Casual Colour swatches, It’s A Strike Collection

MAC | Lipsticks, It’s A Strike Collection

It’s A Strike Collection Lipsticks (CAN $21.00/each) | There are 7 lipstick shades in total released with this collection, with only Liquid Lurex an online exclusive. The finishes range between either matte or retro matte (with the exception once again of Liquid Lurex that has a dazzle/glittery finish):

Babes And Balls Matte Lipstick – deep plum burgundy, blue based with incredible colour saturation from the first swipe, long-wearing and smoothly textured.
Honeylove Matte Lipstick – pale rose/beige toned, trickier to pull off for those with warm complexions and also has a trickier texture/finish; this is the type of shade that looks more even once it’s settled in a bit.
Perfect Score Matte Lipstick – deep red with a good mix of both cool and warm undertones in the base, making it universally wearable. Smooth texture & long-lasting.
Liquid Lurex Dazzle Lipstick – definitely UNIQUE; described as ‘tarnished gold’ is putting it lightly as this shade is all kinds of unicorn-sparkle. The coverage is on the sheer side but the shimmery bits make up for that with their reflective abilities. Smoothly textured and easy to apply, I love wearing this solo but it also looks amazing layered over other shades (it made Honeylove that much more wearable on me).
Bowl Me Over Retro Matte Lipstick – deep burnt brown wth a burgundy undertone, slightly more flat in finish than the regular matte but still quite easy to apply & comfortable to wear.
Bonus: Liquid Lurex over Honeylove – adds depth and more dimensionality to Honeylove‘s paleness, making it especially easier to wear (and slightly more comfortable too) against my light-medium skin tone.

MAC | Lipstick swatches, It’s A Strike Collection

It’s A Strike Studio Nail Lacquer (CAN $15.00/each) | Forget the temperamental nail polishes of MAC’s past; these are all relatively effortless to apply and come to a natural glossy finish. For all swatches below, base coat was applied first followed by 2 coats of each shade – no top coat.

Rack ‘Em Up (cream) – café au lait/mocha hue in a hybrid crème-jelly formula, excellent flow & colour saturation even with the first layer. Self levelling and non-patchy.
Baby Split (cream) – white based minty green in a crème finish, a touch of patchiness seen with the first coat which reaches full opacity with a second layer. One word of warning: this shade sets/dries quickly so you’ll need to pick up your application speed.
5 Pin (cream) – deep maroon in a hybrid crème-jelly formula that is totally self-levelling, has an amazing flow and good saturation even at 1 coat, although it does deepen quite a bit with a second layer. As this shade has stain potential, do NOT skip first applying base coat.

MAC | Studio Nail Lacquer, It’s A Strike Collection

MAC | Rack ‘Em Up swatch, It’s A Strike Collection

MAC | Baby Split swatch, It’s A Strike Collection

MAC | 5 Pin swatch, It’s A Strike Collection

Even without laying eyes on the rest of the collection in person, I’m quite pleased with the selection here. The eyeshadows are all shades I’d wear, especially 300 Game, as I’m so into the red family right now while Bowlarama looks really amazing when worn as an accent colour (don’t ask me to pull it off as a total lid shade. Not going to happen). Carbon is a shade I already own in several palettes as well as a single that I’ve de-potted into my own palette and oddly enough, this version seems to have a much more difficult texture to work with than mine — I’m thinking it could be a batch issue. The liners are all excellent, and I’m really digging Have A Lovely Day! for a go-to nude cheek option. Trophy is such fun and a perfect face powder/highlighter for anyone shimmer-phobic, as it’ll give just the right amount of glow without going disco on you. As to the lacquers, the stand-out for me is Rack ‘Em Up, scoring the highest marks re: versatility, formulation and finish.

So I’m curious to know – what do we think of these lovelies?

Available August 18 (North America) at all MAC locations, September for Int’l

Right up my alley/As always, all opinions are my own

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Lipstick & Lipglass

August 9, 2016

With the MAC X Star Trek Collection getting set to beam onto beauty vanities the world over, today’s post brings you several of the lip products which also feature some pretty interstellar finishes. Ok…I’ll stop with the space references. Soon. #TrekkerForLife

Celebrating the tv sci-fi franchise’s 50th Anniversary, the collection actually draws inspiration from the women of this series and the first image that popped into my head upon seeing these lippies was the ‘Mudd’s Women’ episode, in particular the trio of sequinned beauties shown in the photo below. Plus how drop-dead awesome is the lavender one-shoulder poncho dress with the matching glads?

Previously reviewed from this collection:

Star Trek ‘Mudd’s Women’ episode — October 13, 1966

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Lipstick & Lipglass

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Lipstick & Lipglass swatches

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Where No Man Has Gone Before & LLAP lipsticks

LLAP, frost finish (CAN $22.50) | Note: LLAP stands for ‘Live Long And Prosper’. Described as an ‘icy rose champagne’ featuring a frost finish, this shade has a smooth application and nice gliding feel along the lips. I’m actually loving the balanced mix of both cool and warm tones as it will compliment most complexions and not come off as too 70’s style frosty.

With a coat of Pleasure Planet Lipglass layered on top, not only does the entire look take on a warmer tone, but the sparkle factor hits new highs as well.

MAC X Star Trek Collection | LLAP swatches

Where No Man Has Gone Before, lustre finish (CAN $22.50) | ∗Cue the opening theme and Kirk’s voiceover* Described as a ‘pink with gold pearl’ is both accurate and slightly misleading; that this colour is indeed pink (regardless of what’s seen in the tube) is in fact quite true but the pearl part should also include some fiery & gold highlights that are thrown into the mix, all of which has gone into creating this unique shade. The lustre finish is one of MAC’s most comfortable to wear and while usually not that pigmented, there’s quite decent colour saturation here to make it nicely visible.

With a coat of Khaaannnn! layered on top, the pink side is definitely brought more into play and helps the pink/silver glitter of the gloss stand out beautifully.

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Where No Man Has Gone swatches

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Pleasure Planet & Khaaannnn! lipglass

Pleasure Planet (CAN $20.50) | A transparent base with a gold/yellow tint to it and filled with tiny pink & gold micro glitter. The formula is slightly thick but not tacky, staying put on the lips and leaving behind a plush shine, while the glitter pieces lay down smoothly and do not feel gritty at all. Fragranced with the brand’s usual vanilla-candy scent (which I personally love), but which dissipates soon after application.

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Pleasure Planet swatch

Khaaannnn! (CAN $20.50) | A berry-tinted transparent base filled with magenta and silver micro-glitter. Similar in both feel and scent to Pleasure Planet, but definitely much cooler toned.

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Khaaannnn! swatch

There are two more lipsticks and glosses in the collection that I did not receive – but which I fully intend to pick up once everything launches in store. Why, you might ask? Well, one answer could be because the colours (neutral gold frost & deep purple with glitter for the lipsticks, and light silver with gold pearl & plum with blue and pink reflects for the lip glosses) are original and complex enough to warrant adding to my stash but let’s be honest: I’m an admittedly massive Star Trek fan~~atic~~ and couldn’t live with myself knowing the collection was incomplete. And you know what? I’m going to wear THEM ALL.

Available online August 25, in store September 1

Beauties beamed directly to my lips/As always, all opinions are my own

Filed In: MAC

MAC x Star Trek Studio Nail Lacquer

Becca · Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector

MAC · Viva Glam Ariana Grande II & So Select

MAC | It’s A Strike Collection

MAC X Star Trek Collection | Lipstick & Lipglass

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