REVIEW: M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour – To Matte With Love, Dance With Me & High Drama

August 19, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

From my observation as an ardent M·A·C user, the brand is often late to the party when it comes to following beauty trends. Or rather, they simply do not see the point in rushing into conformity and churning out low-quality products that would potentially tarnish their good reputation. But more often than not, you can be sure it’s worth the wait. Hence, when M·A·C finally announced that they were bringing out their own line of liquid lipsticks (literally years after every makeup brand had already done so), I had my hopes up and was eagerly awaiting their launch in January last year.

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour‘s debut saw the introduction of 15 robustly saturated colours in a liquid-suede finish (basically what you would expect from your Retro Matte lipsticks but in liquid form) packed in an all-black box and encased in a long clear plastic tube screw-capped with M·A·C’s trademark black dome-like lid. Each tube contains 5 ml / 0.17 fl oz of vanilla-scented product and comes with a fluffy yet flat applicator for better precision and control.

To date, there are already 31 shades in this range and most of them – including the three below – are permanent.

#1 To Matte With Love

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love

To Matte With Love is a cool fuchsia pink described by M·A·C as a bright raspberry. It glides across the lips without skipping or tugging and upon application, the lipstick dries down almost instantly, transforming an initially creamy texture into a budge-free velvety (as opposed to a powdery) and matte finish. The product is so intensely pigmented and opaque, it fills the lips entirely with just one swipe. It has an even consistency which makes it easier to define the lip shape. On top of that, it does not crack when I move my lips (at least for the first few hours of wear), even without any form of lip nourishment. It is extremely long-lasting but feels drying on the lips and will start flaking and peeling the moment it comes in contact with grease.

I vaguely remember this as an online-exclusive product (which was why I bought it because I wouldn’t have gotten a shade that’s so not me) but it doesn’t seem to be the case. No regrets, though. To Matte With Love is gorgeous even though I already have something quite similar 😭

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love – swatch comparison

#2 Dance With Me

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me

Dance With Me is a cool darkened red described by M·A·C as a deep cranberry red. It has a more watered-down consistency even though on the whole it still applies somewhat thick, creamy and with some tugging. It needs just one swipe to fill the lips with a reasonably opaque wash of colour.

However, it doesn’t build well especially when it is still in the wet stage as the initial layer tends to shift around with the movement of the applicator and thereafter, leave an uneven and blotchy appearance. It dries down completely to a slightly velvety and matte finish (with a rubbery texture which made my lips feel synthetic 😭), albeit in a longer time (about 2 minutes). But my lips feel increasingly constricted as traces of moisture wear off from the lipstick every millisecond. The dried-down finish also highlights every crinkle and crevice and accentuates flaws to some extent. But no doubt, it is very long-lasting. This is relatively difficult to remove as it stains the lips.

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me – swatch comparison

#3 High Drama

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama

High Drama is a deep burgundy purple described by M·A·C as a deep dark plum. It has a thin and streaky consistency and hence would require at least two passes to completely fill the lips. It lends a sheer smear of colour at the first swipe and has very limited buildability even though it is rather pigmented. It seems like the more layers I apply, the patchier (marked by very noticeable dark spots) it becomes. It feels like it has the tendency to bleed (which it sorta did around the edges).

This shade yields a satiny texture with subtle sheen which gives the impression of hydration when in fact, it is extremely drying. The heavy and hardening sensation on the lips while wearing High Drama makes the experience uncomfortable. Moreover, the product bunches and is distributed unevenly across the lips, causing them to look wrinkly and rough. It starts cracking and becoming flaky after three hours of wear without eating or drinking. Needless to say, its longevity would be a lot shorter when it comes into contact with anything (more particularly food and drink).

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama – swatch comparison

While there’s definitely much to work on for the darker shades, the lighter ones (more specifically To Matte With Love) seem to offer a more seamless application on top of a thicker and a more velvety consistency. But then again, these were purchased more than a year ago when they were first launched so, I don’t know, there could already be some improvements made to the formula. When in doubt, drop by any M·A·C outlet and swatch them to your heart’s content!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

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PREVIEW + REVIEW: M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine & Rollerwheel Brown

August 2, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

Makeup trends come and go, but winged eyeliner remains as one of the most classic looks in history. In spite of this, not everyone can pull off or master the delicate art of eyeliner application, especially if you have not-so-steady hands coupled with a pair of hooded eyelids which magically makes any sign of eyeliner disappear (or worse, smear on the upper lids) the moment you open your peepers. The felt or brush tip that comes with most eyeliners gives the user full control of the placement and direction of the line so mistakes tend to be less forgiving. Even seasoned wing drawers, despite having gone through a couple cycles of trial and error, make ghastly goofs sometimes (on what I call “bad hand days”), much less amateurs!

Which brings me to the proverbial million-dollar question – what would be suitable for beginners and clumsy hands, then? M·A·C might have just found the answer with their upcoming Rollerwheel Liquid Liner.

Dubbed the “training wheels” for liquid lining, the limited-edition Rollerwheel Liquid Liner features a pizza-cutter-like spinning disk applicator that absorbs adequate amount of product from its little bottle to provide a continuous and smooth stroke of colour. The rolling tip is made with the right thickness to create precise and geometric flicks while hugging the lash line so even the shakiest of hands won’t stand a chance. Also, since the applicator is made entirely of plastic, it will not fray or become blunt after several uses unlike felt- or brush-tip nib, or mechanical and regular liners. So the perfect skinny-lined winged effect is guaranteed every time (no sharpening required!) until it runs out of product.

The Rollerwheel Liquid Liner is available in 4 shades: Rollin’ Black Shine [Shiny Black], Rollerwheel Brown [Warm Brown], Roller Royale [Royal Blue] & On A Roll Black [Matte Black]

The all-black packaging that we M᛫A᛫C addicts are so familiar with..

Encased in long colour-coded boxes and tubes which coordinate with the shade of the eyeliner for easy identification, only a third (or less) of the packaging contains the product. The rest of it is taken up by the incurvated screw cap which is designed for better grip and a more effective handling.

The stopper is shaped like a starburst so that the roller applicator can be inserted into the tube in any way

I don’t know about you, but I thought this was a groundbreaking invention that would actually solve most eyeliner woes and I’m pretty sure other cosmetics brands shared a “Why didn’t I think of that?” moment when Ashley Rudder posted a sneak peek of it. But does it live up to its hype or is it just another gimmick? I (gladly) took one for the team and purchased two of the shades from the preview to try it for myself.

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine (US$21 / S$36)

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine

When it comes to eyeliner, most of us tend to default to black because it is always a safe bet due to its versatility. Therefore, M·A·C has come up with two finishes of black for this collection – shiny and matte – to satisfy your inner goth. I had picked out the former because the matte one appeared too flat for my liking. The subdued glint pervading Rollin’ Black Shine, on the other hand, adds more dimension and brightness to the eyes.

Rollin’ Black Shine glides easily with no tugging or pulling on the lids and dries down almost instantly with an even and opaque consistency. It bleeds slightly when swatched but isn’t noticeable on the lids. The rolling tip restricts application to some extent which is good in a way because it helps prevent you from going off course. It hugs every curve of the lash line so it tends to smudge into the lashes in the application process. For this reason, I find the Rollerwheel Liquid Liner to be great for tightlining. Smudge-proof once the product dries down, it stays put even when the lids become visibly oilier after six hours.

#2 Rollerwheel Brown

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollerwheel Brown (US$21 / S$36)

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollerwheel Brown

Black may be a classic colour but it is far from the only option. In fact, brown and grey have become the go-to eyeliner shades ever since they have been proven by beauty experts to accentuate and bring features forward in a flattering way. If you are one of those who have already ditched black eyeliner for brown, Rollerwheel Brown would be right up your alley.

This warm brown has a matte finish for a more subtle look. Similarly, it applies smoothly with no tugging or pulling and has amazing staying power. It has more of a watery consistency at first but dries down to an opaque and completely matte finish after a few seconds. It is highly-pigmented as well. Although it bleeds when swatched, it is hardly ever noticeable on my lids.

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner smudge test

Compare the finish and pigmentation with other eyeliners I have. In terms of longevity, and pigmentation, Benefit’s still wins hands-down. It takes 5 times more effort to remove the Benefit eyeliner

The applicator of these two featured shades picks up enough product from the bottle to line both upper eyelids every time. It feels a little sharp and, no doubt, will take some getting used to. Do not apply full pressure to it or you will tear. Exert light pressure to create a thin line, or press down for a more dramatic cat-eye look. The position of the applicator has to be such that the edge of the wheel is directly on the lid or it won’t give a defined line. For novice users (which basically means everyone of us since this is a new invention), application would perhaps be more manageable if short strokes are used instead. According to M·A·C, each bottle will last about three months if used on a daily basis.

[BEFORE] With only eye shadow on

[AFTER] M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner – left: Rollin’ Black Shine / right: Rollerwheel Brown

All in all, I would say that the Rollerwheel Liquid Liners is one of, if not the best eyeliner I have come across because they offer great precision and pigmentation and are also relatively easy to use. The price is (in my opinion) pretty affordable as well so you don’t have to break the bank to get it. It is a pity that these are limited edition because they definitely deserve a permanent spot in the M.A.C inventory. But since it’s such an innovative product, I’m sure it won’t be long until other brands start churning out something similar as well 😭 (Psst… please price them lower if you can!)

What are your thoughts about these new offerings by M.A.C? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

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REVIEW: Benefit They’re Real! Big Sexy Lip Kit – Flame Game, Pink Thrills, Revved-Up Red & Lusty Rose

July 23, 2017 / Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hey everyone!

In 2015, Laneige sparked the craze for effortless ombré lip with their Two Tone Lip Bars across Asia and even though more than two years have passed since that game-changing debut (which would have been obsolete by now in this fast-moving industry), it was only in recent months that dual- or multi-tone lipsticks had finally caught on in the Western market. Not only has Maybelline leveraged the innovation, Givenchy has also come up with their own version of the concept, thus reaffirming South Korea as the leading trendsetter in the global beauty scene once again. Now that there are already brands dedicating to the mass and premium markets, you may be wondering who is going to fill the void to cater to most of us (I assume) – the mid-tier consumers.

Well, ponder no more, Benefit is your answer!

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set

Launched last fall, they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set includes four 2-in-1 lipstick liners in complimenting colours named Flame Game, Pink Thrills, Revved-Up Red and Lusty Rose. These lipstick liners – subsequently known as They’re real! double the lip when they were upsized to singles earlier this year – has a tip shaped like a teardrop to ensure precise placement along the edges and throughout the lips for the appearance of volume and dimension. They are also advertised to have an 8-hour longevity which I was very sceptical about.

Presented in a light metallic box, each of these miniature They’re real! double the lip is loaded in a reflective fun-sized retractable twist-up tube with a net weight of 0.75 g / 0.02 oz (S$51 / S$12.75 each) vis-à-vis the 1.5 g / 0.5 oz of product contained in every single (S$35). If my math doesn’t fail me (because not all Asians are math prodigies 🙃), this set should be cheaper by more than S$6 per gram. But the price was further marked down for me (at 20% off!) because this was purchased at a Sephora private sale not too long ago.

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set

Actual size of the packaging – slightly longer than my index finger, but only the little cylindrical tube at the top is filled with product which makes about 50% of the packaging hollow after factoring in the mechanics of it 🤔 How misleading and what a waste of resources, definitely..

At their maximum length

Since these lipsticks serve primarily as a sneak preview of the actual product, don’t expect them to last an eternity. Each bullet measures only about 1.5 cm (approximately 0.6 inches) long when twisted up to its maximum length which, with daily use, should deplete within 2 months. But the good news is that there are four lipsticks in every set, so you get four times the maximum length of use 😭

Overview of all the swatches

Truth be told, for a lipstick that promises visibly fuller and sexier-looking lips after usage, I was not entirely pleased with the swatches. They appear too muted to achieve that sort of result and will most likely not show as prominently on darker skin tones. But until I tried them on my lips, I thought I should give them the benefit (no pun intended) of the doubt. Body chemistry works in mysterious ways and for all you know, they might turn out differently upon skin contact. So let’s see…

At the time of trial, my lower lip was still recovering from a scab (blame my itchy fingers) which I would be using as a means to assess the opacity and consistency of the lipsticks. Ha, striking while the iron is hot 😝

#1 Flame Game

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Flame Game

Flame Game is described as a fiery orange-red. It is a brightened, medium orange with red undertones which complements Asian skin tone (even those with olive and dark skin) very well. It has a satin finish and glides on the lips with some tug, leaving an uneven and streaky payoff which becomes more conspicuous after several hours of wear. It offers medium pigmentation with a slight sheen. Although sheer, it is buildable to a semi-opaque coverage. The product settles into my lip lines and around my scab while accentuating other imperfections of my lips but generally it feels hydrating and lightweight. The lip liner, however, camouflages into the main colour and cannot really be seen.

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Flame Game – swatch comparison with similar shade from other brands

#2 Pink Thrills

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Pink Thrills

Pink Thrills is described as a real pink or to be more precise, a very flattering shade of cool muted pink which lends the lips a soft, diffused look. Lightweight, it has more of a matte finish to it with very minimal shine. This shade is slightly drying so it glides on the lips with some tug. It does not discernibly settle into my lip lines but does bunch up at some edges of my scab, though not as pronounced as Flame Game. It has medium pigmentation with mostly sheer coverage that lends a more seamless colour payoff and the lip liner is also noticeable enough to give the lips some depth. This shade leaves an unattractive ring around the edges of my lips after about five hours of wear.

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Pink Thrills – swatch comparison with similar shade from other brands

#3 Revved-Up Red

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Revved-Up Red

Revved-Up Red is described as a cherry red. It is a muted cool red with pink undertones and has a satin finish with a soft sheen and a creamier, stain-like consistency. It applies with some tug and although the lip liner appears a lot darker than the main colour on the bullet, it does not translate into the desired ombre appearance on the lips. In fact, it looks a tone lighter close up which doesn’t quite does it job in defining the lips. The product settles slightly into lip lines but not as noticeably around my scab. It has medium pigmentation with some patchiness and is mostly sheer but buildable to a low-medium coverage. This shade, on the overall, feels hydrating and lightweight but budges upon contact with water and food, leaving with just a hint of colour.

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Revved-Up Red – swatch comparison with similar shade from other brands

#4 Lusty Rose

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Lusty Rose

Lusty Rose is described as a rosy neutral. It is a muted cool mauve with pink undertones – the most flattering MLBB shade in the set which, I feel, goes well with any skin tone. This shade gives the lips a sophisticated look without appearing too overdone, making it perfect for any occasion – be it making a quick run to the grocery store or work. It has more of a matte finish to it with a soft sheen but like the other shades, it also applies with some tug.

Out of all four shades, this is perhaps the only one with a visibly deeper liner colour (I mean, it’s rather telling just by looking at the swatch) that contrasts enough again the main colour to give that intended depth. It has medium pigmentation and a medium-but-buildable coverage that enables it to conceal my scab entirely with a layer of solid colour. It has a slightly patchy consistency and feels slightly drying and heavier as compared to the other shades so you may need to exfoliate before application. Still, it is comfortable to wear and is also probably the only shade that lives up to the 8-hour longevity claim (but with some flakiness). Hands down, Lusty Rose is my top pick from this set and I’m already planning on getting the full size once I exhaust this.

they’re real BIG sexy lipstick set – Lusty Rose – swatch comparison with similar shade from other brands

All in all, if you take Benefit’s over-the-top guarantees with a pinch of salt (if you’ve been a Benefit user long enough, you’d be familiar with their marketing style so this is nothing out of the ordinary 😅), this set actually makes a pretty good and worthwhile buy. The colour selection is very varied and wearable in my opinion, and the compact and handy size also makes it convenient to carry in your pocket or purse wherever you go. I recommend getting it if you’re not ready to commit to the full-size version, or if you want more bang for your buck while still being able to try out more colours from this range.

What do you think about this new lipstick kit by Benefit? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

Benefit they’re real! big sexy lip kit is now available at sephora singapore online and outlets.

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Author: Fiona Seah

REVIEW: M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour – To Matte With Love, Dance With Me & High Drama

#1 To Matte With Love

#2 Dance With Me

#3 High Drama

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

PREVIEW + REVIEW: M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine & Rollerwheel Brown

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

REVIEW: Benefit They’re Real! Big Sexy Lip Kit – Flame Game, Pink Thrills, Revved-Up Red & Lusty Rose

#1 Flame Game

#2 Pink Thrills

#3 Revved-Up Red

#4 Lusty Rose

Benefit they’re real! big sexy lip kit is now available at sephora singapore online and outlets.

#1 To Matte With Love

#2 Dance With Me

#3 High Drama

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

Share this:

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

Share this:

#1 Flame Game

#2 Pink Thrills

#3 Revved-Up Red

#4 Lusty Rose

Benefit they’re real! big sexy lip kit is now available at sephora singapore online and outlets.

Share this: