MAC x Ellie Goulding Collection

MAC may be known for their high impact and [frequently] eclectic colour collections, but every once in a while they throw out a curveball just to keep us beauty lovers on our toes. The brand’s recent collaborations with British songstress Ellie Goulding is a collection that might initially appear rather unexpectedly subdued (for a brand like MAC, that is) but in my opinion it packs a major punch by virtue of all the totally wearable shades. And I mean ALL.

Ellie Goulding for MAC

MAC x Ellie Goulding Collection

MAC x Ellie Goulding Collection swatches

MAC x Ellie Goulding Collection swatches (alternate light)

Halcyon Days Full Face Kit (CAN $51.50) | A two-tiered compact with the top level holding four cream eye shades, sliding out to reveal a face powder on the bottom.

4 Cream Colour Base – Four cream shades can be easily applied with a finger and then blended out for sheer washes of colour, or applied with brushes (I start with a synthetic haired brush to pack on the colour, then go in with a natural bristle brush to blur out any edges or to blend colours together). When used as a base, they serve to amplify any powder shade worn on top – as well as improve wear time. If your eyelids tend to run a little on the oily side (like mine), then I highly recommend applying a primer first. Colour breakdown:

Root – oyster/champagne hue with reflective shimmer, can be worn all over and/or for highlighting
Tint – pale copper shimmer hue with a slight pink duo chrome flash
Every Time You Go – soft rose hue, soft sheen finish
Wish I Stayed – mink brown hue with complex shimmer

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Halcyon Days 4 Cream Colour Base (detail)

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Halcyon Days 4 Cream Colour Base swatches

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Halcyon Days 4 Cream Colour Base swatches (alternate light)

Halcyon Days Medium Dark Blot Powder/Pressed – A neutral shade that leans more warm than cool due to its slight yellow tint. Used to set makeup, this powder also contains oil-blotting agents to effectively keep skin from looking shiny. The texture is very finely milled; so much so that I couldn’t even show a swatch, as it literally disappeared into my skin.

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Halcyon Days Medium Dark Blot Powder/Pressed (detail)

Only You Cremesheen Lipstick (CAN $25.50) | A mid-tone coral hue in a buttery-soft & creamy finish that glides effortlessly along the lips. A flattering shade for practically all skin tones across the spectrum (may appear more like a balm against darkest complexions). A new shade in the brand’s Cremesheen finish, it’s made unique with the singer’s logo stamped in a rose-gold hue on the exterior as well as embossed onto the bullet.

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Only You Cremesheen Lipstick (detail)

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Only You Cremesheen Lipstick swatch

Innocent Patentpolish Lip Pencil (CAN $25.50) | A sheer nude shade with slight rose tints in the base for a little extra warmth. The Patentpolish format combines the ease of a retractible pencil, the soft texture of a balm, and the shine of a gloss. The rounded top helps the colour glide smoothly along the lips, while the pale hue provides an almost mirror-free and un-fussy application. Even though my swatch photo (below) makes it appear to settle rather noticeably in my lip lines, the reality is a much more level-looking consistency. Staying power is not strong, which is to be expected with a shade this light, although lips feel moisturized throughout the wearing and long after. Bonus: can be applied over other shades to lighten things up and create a unique – albeit subtle – new colour (as seen in the last swatch photo).

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Innocent Patentpolish Lip Pencil

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Innocent Patentpolish Lip Pencil swatch

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Innocent Patentpolish & Only You Cremesheen swatches

MAC x Ellie Goulding | Innocent Patentpolish over Only You Cremesheen swatch

I’ll Hold My Breath Powder Blush (CAN $33.50) | What appears to be more of a bronzer/blush twosome (as opposed to a blush duo, which is how it’s described on the MAC website) is in fact the star piece of this collection. The larger tan portion has finely milled gold shimmer to add a sunny warmth and brightness, while the coral/pink bottom shade is surprisingly pigmented (a little really does go a long way) and also bears a shimmery pink sheen. Both shades are large enough that you can reach for either one without fear of cross-contaminating the colours, but I find that the real magic happens when you combine them together to create the most stunning golden coral blush shade. There’s enough of both cool and warm tones to make this suitable for a broad range of skin tones, but those with warmer undertones will find it the most flattering. I love the detail of the embossed logo on the powder’s surface which echoes that found on the exterior lid.

Wear time: amazing, without any fading at all – until removed.

MAC x Ellie Goulding | I’ll Hold My Breath Powder Blush (detail)

MAC x Ellie Goulding | I’ll Hold My Breath Powder Blush (logo detail)

MAC x Ellie Goulding | I’ll Hold My Breath Powder Blush swatches

20 Lash (CAN $21.50) | These demi lashes are meant to be applied to the outer part of the eye, helping to provide fullness and a sultry feline flick. Their smaller size (when compared to full strip lashes) makes them super easy to both apply and wear. Also part of the permanent range (without the logo detailing seen here).

30 Lash (CAN $21.50) | This collection of individual lashes includes three sizes to choose from, offering more versatility than strip lashes by virtue of the fact that you can apply as few or as many as desired, customizing the placement of each little bundle to fit your individual eye shape. Also part of the permanent range (without the logo detailing seen here).

For a neutral lover such as myself, every single one of these products falls is so completely within my comfort zone; add to that the excellent formulation of each item, and I don’t hesitate to call the pieces of the entire collection shown here a 100% win. What’s not to love about wearable, flattering shades, I ask you?

Most MAC stores may have already removed the display from their counters (a testament to how fast this industry moves), but feel free to ask sales people about the products just the same in case items are stored in drawers. If not, everything is still showing as available on their website – even the blush duo that not surprisingly, sold out within minutes as soon as it launched.