REVIEW: M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (PART II) Floral Realness Full Face Kit in Me So Fleek – Eye Shadow X4 in Stay With Me, Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home, Lipstick in Hey, Boy, Hey! & Lipglass in Queen P

June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 / Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

If having a cosmetic line is any indication of success in one’s YouTube career (I mean, it has to be, judging from the announcements of new makeup lines we are inundated with by beauty gurus almost on a monthly basis 🤷🏻‍♀️), Patrick Starrr has hit a home run by scoring an unparalleled five collections – which will be rolled out over the course of this year – with the world’s most influential makeup brand, M·A·C.

Following his holiday collection last December, Patrick returned with a second instalment (we are well into the third as we speak) that had a floral theme to it just in time for spring. And to make our lives easier, he had specially curated two kits for the entire face, each comprising a Lipstick, Lipglass, Eye Shadow Quad and Powder Blush Duo, all of which are not sold separately. But don’t worry, at under US$50 per set (with a US$97 value), they won’t break the bank either.

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (PART II) – Floral Realness (lol he looks like me in my cover picture above)

Available in on-trend hues of Me So Fleek and the natural everyday shades of Me So Chic to choose from, this collection covers both ends of the style spectrum with colour schemes that cater to the adventurous and sophisticated crowds. Consolidated in a box alongside a face chart, the products – which are individually wrapped in purple crepe-like paper to prevent breakage in transit (but failed – you’ll know why) – are designed in pink packaging with a kaleidoscopic floral motif that serves as the backdrop for Patrick Starrr’s signature.

Inside the Me So Fleek kit

It was tough choosing between the two worthy contenders but my daredevil nature eventually led me to pick the Me So Fleek kit which is centred around deeper and more unconventional and contrasting hues. Me So Chic may look generally fuss-free and easy to work with, but it lacks variety in my opinion.

Eye Shadow X4: Stay With Me

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Eye Shadow X4 in Stay With Me

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Eye Shadow X4 in Stay With Me

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Eye Shadow X4 in Stay With Me

Reading stories about makeup arriving broken in the mail might have geared me up for this dreadful nightmare since most of my purchases have to be subjected to long-distance air travel before they reach me. But for it to happen to an order that seemed to be far more protected from shock was certainly what I would have least expected.

So, imagine being so psyched about your order only to find one of the shades in the eye shadow palette crumble into a powdery mess, and it had somehow spilled over on to the case and ruined the aesthetics of it. Unlike fixing a snapped lipstick, reconstituting a broken eye shadow can be a real pain in the neck because modifying the formulation with an additional ingredient (e.g. rubbing alcohol) to revive the product will not only affect its performance, but it also is just a temporary fix. Hence, I’m leaving the damage as is and review it in its flawed state.

According to M·A·C, these eye shadows are ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearer. They can also be used wet or dry but personally, these work better dry because the colours (apart from All’s Rosy) lose a ton of their intensity when applied damp.

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to Stay With Me: Too Faced Rebel · M·A·C × Rossy De Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Juvia’s Place The Masquerade

The said victim of this misfortune is In Living Pink, a muted warm peach described by M·A·C as a pinky coral with gold micro-shimmers and Frost finish. Perhaps because it has disintegrated in the pan, the texture felt incredibly soft and smooth like baby powder, which could also explain why the loose heap exacerbates and breaks down into even finer particles every time it is utilised.

When applied, it renders great colour payoff and blends very well without sheering out too easily. The shimmers are rather fine and not chunky (but you can definitely tell they are there) so they add a beautiful sheen to the lid without being too in-your-face. Unfortunately, because of the mess it causes on the palette every time I dab my brush into it, I feel compelled to knock some scores off its grade.

Swatch comparison for In Loving Pink

Hickie is described as a bright pink with pink micro-shimmers and Frost finish. This hot pink has a semi-rough texture which looks kinda matte at first glance. Although applies with nearly sheer coverage on the first coat, it builds up to a more opaque pigmentation with three or four coats (which is also when the shimmers begin to be more conspicuous). As this shade is being blended out, it loses its intensity very quickly (the pigment couldn’t even hold up past 1 cm when I swatched it on my wrist) and can turn out to be quite patchy especially when applied on larger surface areas. Hence, in order for the colour to show up more vibrantly, I had to employ the pat-and-dab technique a few times on my lid.

Swatch comparison for Hickie

All’s Rosy is described as a dirty midtone pink with a matte finish. Although a repromote from the Padma Lakshmi collaboration, this version appears to be slightly different as it has more of a muted brown-toned plum hue to it and without the gold pearl. In terms of application, this doesn’t apply as pigmented and, on top of that, has the tendency to ball up. It also gives a semi-sheer coverage with a mildly dusty and uneven consistency which renders it a bit more difficult to work with. This shade blends out fairly easily and adheres well on the bare skin.

Swatch comparison for All’s Rosy

In The Shadows is described as a vibrant dark blue with cobalt-blue micro-shimmer and Frost finish which appears almost metallic-like due to its densely-packed shimmers that reflect light to add sparkle and glamour to the eyes. This electric blue has a lightly creamy texture and a finely-milled formula which goes on opaque on the lid with little effort. Although it packs a punch of pigment (which makes it not-so-forgiving towards mistakes during application), it can also cause quite a bit of fallout on the face, so it is best to apply it before putting on foundation (so that any stray specks of the eye shadow can be erased with ease). This shade blends out exceptionally well without sheering out too much.

Swatch comparison for In The Shadows

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Below is what I had come up with using the aforementioned palette because I felt that the suggested look on the given face chart had placed too much emphasis on the blue that it sorta overshadowed the other shades. Furthermore, this look is less intimidating and more suitable for everyday wear.

My face before applying eye, cheek and lip makeup

First shade – All’s Rosy

All’s Rosy as the base colour

Jumping straight to the deepest colour next – In The Shadows

In The Shadows to define the eyes

Bravely applying In The Shadows in the inner corner of my eyes as well which, if not careful, would have really ruined the whole look

Then, going into the Hickie pan

Filling Hickie in the centre of my lid to create an ombré with the blue

Blend harsh edges with the help of some All’s Rosy on the brush

Last but not least, the messiest pan on the palette – In Living Pink

In Living Pink to make the eyes pop a little bit more. You can also use this as a topper above the more pigmented shades

Duplicate the whole process on the lid onto the lower lash line

Without eye shadow → with eye shadow → with eyeliner (As you can tell, Hickie had started to fade the moment I tried to blend it with In The Shadows)

Powder Blush Duo:
Take Me Home

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home – Soft Coral Pink (top shade)

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home – Soft Coral Pink

The powder blush duo (0.35 oz / 10 g) comprises a soft coral pink (top shade) and a muted pink plum (bottom shade) with Satin and Matte finishes respectively, and it was the vast contrast in both shades that sealed the deal for me in deciding to purchase this kit. Both blushes are pressed very densely in the pan so do not kick up any excess and dirty the mirror within.

The soft coral pink is a muted warm rose with sparsely-distributed silver shimmers that aren’t very obvious and do not catch every light. The blush goes on fairly pigmented when pressure is applied, and yields quite a lot of product as compared to the muted pink plum when swatched on my wrist although it somehow does not show much on my cheek (which, in all fairness, could be due to the fact that I had used a tapered brush instead of a buffing one). It has a smooth and silky texture without being too powdery or dry on the skin. Sheer on the first pass, its opacity can be built up with more layers without emphasising the pores or rough texture of the skin.

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home – Muted Pink Plum (bottom shade)

The muted pink plum, on the other hand, is a muted cool plum with a flat matte finish. Even though it appears deeper than the other shade in the pan, it is actually somewhat lighter and sheerer on the skin but is moderately buildable to a semi-opaque coverage. This shade applies with an uneven consistency unless on a sticky and moist surface, and would leave harsh edges if pressure is not applied uniformly on the skin. Hence, to get a more consistent payoff, you may have to sweep the brush lightly on the cheeks back and forth a couple of times. This shade blends out easily and does not appear dry or cakey on the skin despite its being a matte.

Swatch comparison for Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home

Lipstick: Hey, Boy, Hey!

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr lipstick in Hey, Boy, Hey!

Hey, Boy, Hey! is described as a dirty pinkish plum with Retro Matte finish which is notoriously known to be incredibly drying. However, it was not entirely the case for this medium-dark reddish purple which, even though isn’t slippery on the lips per se, applies with very minimal tugging and skipping. This lipstick deposits an evenly, semi-opaque pigmentation (but buildable to full coverage in just a few strokes) across the lips with a consistency that is negligibly streaky. Although some product did settle into my lip lines, the formula generally did not suck out all the moisture off my lips like the other Retro Mattes that I own (I’m looking at you, Ruby Woo) and leave them chapping like crazy at the end of the day. This shade adheres to the lips very well and stayed on for more than 5 hours.

Swatch comparison for Hey, Boy, Hey!

Lipglass: Queen P

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr Lipglass in Queen P

Queen P is described as a neon pink with blue pearl. This warm fuchsia has a glossy finish infused with a mix of blue and purple shimmers. As someone who absolutely loathes the tackiness of lip glosses, this is actually quite wearable and lightweight despite the thick consistency. The texture isn’t exactly tacky to the point that it makes me want to remove it the very instant I put it on, and it has the ability to camouflage any imperfections on my lips.

Fairly pigmented (enough for me to properly line my lips) with a semi-opaque coverage, this Lipglass can be used on its own or as a lip topper. When used in conjunction with the lipstick, the shimmers blend into the purple without altering its colour much or moving it while giving the lips a luscious and juicier shine, as well as a fuller appearance. Queen P is neither drying or hydrating and it stayed on my lips for about 2 hours (until I took a sip of my drink, that is).

Hey, Boy, Hey! + Queen P

Hey, Boy, Hey! → Queen P → Hey, Boy, Hey + Queen P

As the brains behind this partnership, Patrick Starrr had, no doubt, put a lot of thought into developing such coherent collection while still living up to the high standards of the brand. But quite frankly, the choice of colours for both kits didn’t quite blow me away because I’ve already seen similar schemes (of the eye shadow quad in the Me So Chic kit especially) a couple of times in past M·A·C collections. That aside, just judging based on the quality alone, the Me So Fleek kit is certainly a bargain at this price so if you haven’t own anything from M·A·C yet, now is the time!

What do you think about this collection? Did you snag any of the kits? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or simply take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (Part II) Floral Realness Full Face Kits are now available on MACCosmetics.com and M·A·C ION Orchard Outlet.

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REVIEW: M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink/Mossy Green & Lipsticks in Apricot Gold & Nude Fudge

June 2, 2018June 25, 2018 / Fiona Seah / 3 Comments

Hello everyone!

These days, with influential figures like Rihanna paving the way for inclusivity in the beauty world, and an extensive spectrum of hues being held up as the standard to meet for every international beauty brand deliberating over new product launches, dark-skinned people seem to have it easier when it comes to makeup selection. But instead of pushing out tens of similar products to please everyone (especially people of colour) which makes little sense logistically, M·A·C decides to partner with American-Indian Padma Lakshmi on a collection that is mainly dedicated to brown skin. And quite frankly, I’ve never encountered any makeup specifically developed for brown skin that does not look great on other skin tones.

Padma Lakshmi for M·A·C 2018

Padma Lakshmi is an author, TV personality and a former fashion model. But as glamorous as her credentials may seem, her life has been far from smooth-sailing. Growing up in Los Angeles in her teens, she had to cope with racial taunts and persecutions which heightened her insecurities of being a minority. Living with endometriosis also meant that she would experience chronic pelvic pain (among many other issues) during her menstruation, causing her to be bedridden every month for a week and as a result, miss out on important occasions throughout the years.

Instead of wallowing in self pity, Padma concentrates on leveraging her shortcomings for the betterment of life. In the hope that no other sufferers would slip under the radar like she had been, she co-founded The Endometriosis Foundation of America, a non-profit organisation which focuses on bringing awareness of the disease to the general public and helping to find a cure for it. Her choosing not to cover up the seven-inch scar on her arm inflicted by a car accident is another testament of her bravery to break the mould in the entertainment industry which is often unforgiving towards any forms of imperfection. Now, turning her struggles as an brown-skinned girl into a makeup collaboration with M·A·C, she has created a 17-piece collection that caters to darker skin tones, yet complements fair complexions at the same time and effectively hitting two birds with one stone.

MY HAUL!

Breathtaking lipstick packaging

Released in March, the gold-emblazoned collection with Mehndi-inspired design includes 6 Lipsticks (Sunset Rose / Nude Fudge / Mittai Pink / Sumac / Apricot Gold / Blue Blood), Cremesheen Glass in Nefertiti, 2 Powder Blush Duos (Moon & Shine / Melon Pink), 2 eye shadow quads (70’s Sunset / Desert Dusk), 3 Powerpoint Eye Pencils (Iced Heather & Kerala Sun / Indian Ink & Mossy Green / Bordeauxline & Molé Brown) and 3 brushes (#168 / #275 / #213) – out of which 4 across different product categories will be reviewed in this post.

Eye Shadow X4: 70’s Sunset

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset (US$33)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset

70’s Sunset swatches using damp brush and dry finger

Picking the right eye shadow colours can be a tricky business for most Asians since our non-existent eyelid creases and limited lid space do not allow for much leeway in creativity. The wrong choice of eye shadow can easily ruin our overall look, and too much makeup can also overwhelm our teeny-weeny eyes. But what other options do we have apart from boring ol’ neutrals? The answer – if I may jump the gun – lies in this specially curated palette of four unusual yet harmonious shades in a luxurious gilded case (with a push-to-open latch) which by far has the best colour combination that M·A·C has ever produced in the history of my makeup-obsessed life.

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to 70’s Sunset: Too Faced Clover Eyeshadow Palette · M·A·C × Rossy de Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Urban Decay × Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette

Sand & Clay is described as a midtone cool beige with a matte finish. Although rather low-contrast against my skin, this no-frills warm-toned apricot is pigmented with a delightfully smooth and even consistency, adhering well to the lids with no fallout when applied. Semi-opaque on the first pass, it is buildable to full opacity with the next layer and can simply be diffused around the edges. It can act as a base for heavy colours to build on and bring out the eyes. When used wet, the colour becomes darker with a tinge of glossiness. But once blended out, it loses its intensity and becomes as vibrant as its original dry state. Either way, this shade didn’t crease on my lids.

Sand & Clay swatch comparisons

Cardamom is described as a cool light green with white frost and Veluxe Pearl finish. Infused with silver microshimmers, this shimmery pale cool-toned green has a smooth texture with very minimal fallout even though it has seemingly sparse particles. Sheer upon application, it is not quite visible on my lid unless hit by direct light. This shade works best as a topper or when applied at the inner corners of eyes to add a pop of sparkle or downplay tired-looking eyes. Adding it on the lower lash line can also help camouflage dark circles when light reflects off the eye shadow.

That said, only when it is wet that it can be used to its full potential. In its moist state, it transforms to a slightly metallic finish, and shimmers become visibly more densely packed which makes it more pronounce on the lid. Despite it being more rigid when wet, I was still able to blend it out with ease.

Cardamom swatch comparisons

Mumtaz is described as a copper with gold sparkle and Veluxe Pearl finish but a swatch reveals it to be more of a cool berry than the rose-pink in the pan. A colour that defines the socket of the eye, it packs a lot of pigment while providing a smooth and even consistency. The intensity lightens a great deal when blended out even though it is still buildable to your desired level of impact. The texture certainly feels grittier when it is dry so some fallout and kickback are expected. To get around this issue, the eye shadow can be applied wet but the tradeoff would be that it would form harsh edges that are almost impossible to diffuse.

Mumtaz swatch comparisons

All’s Rosy is described as a midtone plum with gold pearl and a matte finish. This eggplant purple has microshimmers of a somewhat lighter colour and is cooler than Mumtaz in undertones. Although offers pigmented payoff, the texture can be a tad chalky. It is prone to leave fallout due to its loose consistency but on the plus side, it makes it easier to blend out the edges and add a little more depth to the eyes. That said, this shade is best applied wet as it intensifies the colour and it would also be more manageable when the shimmers become more densely packed. But doing so would take you awhile to soften out the harsh edges.

All’s Rosy swatch comparisons

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Primed my lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Starting with Sand & Clay

Sand & Clay as the base colour

Followed by Mumtaz

Mumtaz to define my eyes (and to create a subtle ombre!)

All’s Rosy is next

All’s Rosy for an added depth, and to complete the ombre

Cardamom as the finishing shade

Wetting the brush so that the shade would be more prominent on my lids

Cardamom on the inner corners to add a pop of sparkle to the eyes

Complete the look with some colours (can be in the same sequence as those on the lid) on the lower lash line

Voila! A look that’s not too subtle and not too heavy!

Optional: line the eyes for maximum impact (I’m using the Rollerwheel Liquid Liner which I had reviewed some time ago)

Finished!

Powerpoint Eye Pencil:
Indian Ink/Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil

M·A·C is known to boast a plethora of eyeliners just like it does for lipsticks. Powerpoint Eye Pencil is one of its many ranges which promises waterproof, long-wearing in metallic, shimmery or matte finish. From experience, this range of liners does not give the most pigmented of colour but it does stay on the lid for as long as I want it to, and it does take a bit more effort to remove it. Although I’m not really a fan of the application, it was just too hard to pass up on the offer of having two shades for the price of one (to be exact, they’re 50 cents more than those in regular packaging but whatever). Furthermore, that green is GORGEOUS.

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink

Indian Ink is described as a pure black which is a complete lie (seriously, who does all these inaccurate descriptions on the website?) because anybody with a normal vision would be able to see that it is a cool-toned navy blue. The first stroke of this matte liner gives a sheer coverage but it is buildable to semi-opaque coverage with three passes. The texture glided moderately smoothly across the lid without tugging the skin and deposited enough colour for it to be prominent enough atop the eye shadow. As expected, it didn’t budge or smudge on my lower lid throughout the nine hours I had it on despite the oily surface.

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Mossy Green

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink & Mossy Green

Mossy Green, on the other hand, is described as a deep green with a slightly metallic finish. This stunning cool-toned army green has tiny gold flecks which are aren’t conspicuous unless viewed up-close. It glides smoothly and has a lightly creamy texture. Smudge-resistant, it provides semi-opaque pigmentation in one stroke and is buildable to a full coverage. But much as I love this shade, it unfortunately doesn’t translate well on the lid especially on eye shadow because it kinda appears greyish? Nevertheless, this shade wore well on me for over nine hours.

NOTE: I just remembered that I do have blue and green eyeliners somewhere in my stash so check back soon for some comparison swatches of this eye pencil!

Lipstick: Apricot Gold

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold

Apricot Gold is described as a midtone peach nude with Amplified finish. This terracotta orange glides on the lips to instantly brighten the face and give a glistening texture that feels both lightweight and comfortably moisturising. I can see it working beautifully on dark complexions as well, which could jolly well be true judging from its sold-out status online. But it accentuates lip lines and doesn’t really apply evenly especially on the wrinklier areas such as the inner corners of the lips. Still, it’s a lovely everyday colour which was able to withstand a light meal. It wore well on me for about five hours before fading to a stain.

Swatch comparison against Apricot Gold

Lipstick: Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge (US$18.50)

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge

Nude Fudge is another universally flattering shade described as a midtone neutral with a matte finish. This medium cool-toned rosebrown tugs slightly during application but offers an even and opaque coverage. It has a smooth and creamy texture that isn’t too drying despite it being a matte, which is a plus for my flaky lips. On top of that, it is also able to conceal imperfections pretty well. Similarly, this shade wore well on me for about five hours before some product noticeably settled into the cracks. But it didn’t make my lips look awfully parched so I’m willing to close my eyes to that. With such commendable application, it beats me why it hasn’t been wiped off the shelves yet.

Swatch comparison against Nude Fudge

The overall great quality and uniqueness (I’m lovin’ all the greens – such novelty!) of the products in this collection, as well as the element of surprise in them makes this collaboration one of the best that M·A·C has done so far. I like how certain shades appeared to be impractical for daily use but turned out to be subtle enough for those who shy away from bold colours and yet made a world of difference to the look. Definitely my best makeup purchase of 2018. I’m kinda bummed out that it isn’t given much airtime to garner enough hype before the next collection (*cough* Patrick Starrr *cough) was rolled out.

What do you think of this collection? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi is now available on MACCosmetics.com and AT ion & vIVOCITY tangs OUTLETS.

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REVIEW: M·A·C × Jade Jagger Lipstick in Sunset Pearl & Mineralized Eye Shadow X4 in Golden Shine

March 30, 2018April 7, 2018 / Fiona Seah / 2 Comments

Hello everyone!

Each year, M·A·C graces us with collaborations with adored names from popular culture, some having almost no relevance to the beauty world. Before 2017 came to a close, they surprised us with yet another unexpected partnership, although this time with one bearing a last name that would ring a bell even if not acquainted with the Rock ‘n’ Roll scene in the 60s and 70s – all thanks to Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera.

Notably known as the daughter of Mike Jagger, the lead singer of the legendary rock band Rolling Stones (and also the subject of the song “Moves Like Jagger”), Jade Jagger spent her glamorous childhood surrounded by celebrities including late pop artist Andy Warhol who often babysat her following her parents’ divorce. But in spite of her privileged upbringing, she would then go on to make a name for herself as an esteemed jewellery designer, occasional model and a socialite.

Recognising that jewels and makeup are an essential part of a woman’s ritual when getting dressed, she brought her “gemstone proclivities and free-spirited sensibilities” (while paying tribute to her Rock ‘n’ Roll heritage) to her first collaboration with M·A·C and created a capsule makeup collection of luxurious jewel tones and deep metallics.

Launched last December, the eight-piece collection includes lipsticks (Opal Beach, Sunset Pearl and Rolling Red), eye shadow quads (Burning Nights and Golden Shine) a blush (Moon Shimmer and Perfect Bronze) and highlight (Satin Shimmer) – all of which fall under the brand’s Mineralize Rich range (which was one of Jagger’s top preferences for containing natural pigments) and complete with glitzy yet edgy gold and black packaging to complement her jewellery line.

Take a look at the collection (photographed during the launch here at M·A·C ION Orchard) below:

The display

Swatches for all lipsticks in the M·A·C × Jade Jagger collection

Swatches for bronzer and blush in the M·A·C × Jade Jagger collection

Swatches for Burning Lights eye shadow quad (those of Golden Shine will be shown later in the review). I was initially planning to get this but the blue really disappointed me. The colour when swatched was nowhere near the vibrant blue on the palette (it actually looks like grey?) and it had a messy, talc-like consistency. Nope.

As per what is expected of the Mineralize range, this collection features packaging with a magnetic closure and, in the case of the eye shadow, a mirror (which, in my opinion, is too small and set too far into the lid to be practical for my beady, short-sighted eyes) and is significantly pricier than usual because of the nourishing ingredients and technology that go into formulating them.

But on the downside, the steeper price tag has also been a deterrent for me to purchase anything from the Mineralize line, which is why it is hardly talked about here despite me being a considerably fervent supporter of M·A·C. Hence, much as I really liked the Haute Dogs collection, I didn’t feel propelled to buy anything because I couldn’t justify paying almost double the price for what could be found in the regular line. Likewise, when I knew this collaboration was going to be sold under the Mineralize umbrella, I was already prepared to pass on it altogether.

Then came the invitation to the launch event which coincided with the first year anniversary of the opening M·A·C ION Orchard in December. In celebration of the milestone, event attendees were given M·A·C shopping vouchers (among many other freebies) and I gladly spent them on Mineralize Eye Shadow in Golden Shine and Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Sunset Pearl 😆

My picks!

Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4: Golden Shine

M·A·C × Jade Jagger Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4 in Golden Shine (US$46 / S$)

M·A·C × Jade Jagger Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4 in Golden Shine

The eye shadow quad comes with a protective film over it

M·A·C × Jade Jagger Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4 in Golden Shine

Swatches applied with wet and dry brushes

A powder formula of refined baked minerals, Golden Shine promises ultra-lightweight coverage in four coordinated warm non-matte shades including a soft champagne gold, rose gold, bright copper and deep reddish brown. According to M·A·C, unlike traditionally pressed shadows, each of the shadows in this palm-size (easy to carry around) palette is moulded into small round terracotta tiles (like little hemispheres) measuring less than 2 cm in diameter and presented à la CHANEL (think Les 4 Ombres palette) which I am not a fan of because it looks rather old-fashioned.

Infused with Mineral-rich Yeast Extract – a Multi-Mineral Complex which purportedly nourishes while providing silky-smooth, buildable coverage, the eye shadows are carefully baked for 24 hours to allow for an exceptionally sheer and light application. M·A·C recommends that they be applied dry for low to medium coverage with a shimmery finish, or wet (with setting spray such as M·A·C Prep + Prime Fix+ instead of water for better results) for more intense coverage and colour. If you intend to use them wet, do make sure you only moisten the brush after dabbing it into the eye shadow to prevent the pan from becoming wet (which can subsequently cause mold!).

Soft champagne gold is a brightened, light-medium gold with yellow undertones and a frosted sheen. When applied dry, the glitter particles are sparse and the texture feels gritty. The payoff is sheer yet easy to blend, making it a great alternative to face highlighter (so you won’t have to make space for a highlight compact in your cosmetics bag!). The shimmers are more well-distributed when wet, and they capture light better to deliver even more radiance. The eye shadow also has greater buildable coverage when used with a dampened brush.

Swatch comparison for soft champagne gold

Rose gold is a medium reddish brown with a shimmery finish. Its shimmer particles are much more fine with a looser consistency and these factors contribute to its uneven (but buildable) consistency. Thus when applied as is, it falls out. However, the moment the eye shadow interacts with a speck of water, the particles pack densely together and the colour also appears deeper with a visibly opaque payoff. On top of that, application becomes a lot smoother and edges can now be diffused rather easily. For these reasons, I feel this shade performs better when applied with a dampened brush.

Swatch comparison for rose gold

Bright copper (presumably, because no matter how I look at it, it does not look like copper to me) is a gaudy medium-deep gold with brown undertones and a frosted sheen that has the potential to transform into metallic with more pressure is applied to it. The payoff for this shade is almost identical when dry and wet. In both instances, it delivers a smooth and silky consistency and a highly pigmented and opaque finish with about two layers, coupled with very densely packed particles and a buildable coverage. Perhaps one distinction when applied wet is that the texture tends to stiffen slightly, causing the edges not to blend out very well.

Swatch comparison for bright copper

Deep reddish brown is a blackened brown with pink shimmers that are thinly dispersed. That said, this shade has noticeably less shimmers that are not as obtrusive as the others. Without moistening, the first few layers give a semi-sheer, soft and blurred finish. But once it gets slightly wet, the edges become more well-defined – which, on the downside, doesn’t allow for easy blending – while greatly intensifying the colour payoff and opacity.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

For a more accurate depiction of the eye shadows’ payoff in this review, they are used in their unaltered form without any wetting agent to create the suggested look below.

[BEFORE] As always, I primed my lids before applying eye shadow

Look how small the palette is!

Rose gold as the base colour

Blend it with soft champagne gold to create a little ombré effect towards the brows

Fill the creases with bright copper

Add additional layers of bright copper to make it pop. Make sure to blend it with the rose gold above

Apply bright copper to the waterline

Complete the look with deep reddish brown to add some depth

[AFTER] The result

A closer look

With eyeliner

In general, the eye shadows, apply a lot less chalky than expected and they adhere to the lids fairly well even when dry. That said, they have a looser consistency than traditional ones and can generate a bit of a mess as they tend to kick up more product than necessary when I dip my brush into the pans (so I had to keep wiping away the fallout on the palette after every use). Furthermore, being mostly complementary colours, there won’t be much of a dramatic contrast between any of the two neutrals but this also makes it ideal for fail-proof everyday definition.

Aftermath…

Lipstick: Sunset Pearl

M·A·C × Jade Jagger Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Sunset Pearl (US$25 / S$)

M·A·C × Jade Jagger Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Sunset Pearl

Sunset Pearl is described as a midtone rosey brown in Mineralized finish. A limited edition shade, it is specially formulated to be lightweight with nourishing properties to condition the lips with maximum moisture. This reddish beige glides comfortably on the lips like butter to coat every contour and fine line with semi-sheer coverage. But because it isn’t entirely opaque, it does not provide enough pigment to conceal rough patches substantially and adding additional layers will only amplify their texture even more (as the rough patches will seem a lot darker than other areas). Therefore, it will be advisable to exfoliate the lips before application.

Buildable to a deeper, more opaque colour, this lipstick has emollient and hydrating effect, leaving the lips soft and supple. Since starting on Oratane about a month ago, my lips have been exceptionally prone to chapping and this actually manages to keep my lips from flaking further within the first three hours of wear (until I have my meal, basically). A pretty neutral that is not too light and not too heavy, this shade does a phenomenal job in bringing out the sparkle of the colours layered over the lids using the Golden Shine palette!

Swatch comparison for Sunset Pearl

Although the collection is no longer stocked in stores, it is still available on MAC Cosmetics website in very limited quantities (as the last time I checked, the eye shadow quads have been taken down already), so hurry and snatch up your favourites before they are gone for good!

What do you think about this collection? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or simply take a poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C × Jade Jagger is now available on MACCosmetics.com and was sold in all local M.A.C outlets.

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Eyeshadows

REVIEW: M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (PART II) Floral Realness Full Face Kit in Me So Fleek – Eye Shadow X4 in Stay With Me, Powder Blush Duo in Take Me Home, Lipstick in Hey, Boy, Hey! & Lipglass in Queen P

Eye Shadow X4: Stay With Me

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to Stay With Me: Too Faced Rebel · M·A·C × Rossy De Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Juvia’s Place The Masquerade

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Powder Blush Duo:
Take Me Home

Lipstick: Hey, Boy, Hey!

Lipglass: Queen P

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (Part II) Floral Realness Full Face Kits are now available on MACCosmetics.com and M·A·C ION Orchard Outlet.

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REVIEW: M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink/Mossy Green & Lipsticks in Apricot Gold & Nude Fudge

Eye Shadow X4: 70’s Sunset

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to 70’s Sunset: Too Faced Clover Eyeshadow Palette · M·A·C × Rossy de Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Urban Decay × Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Powerpoint Eye Pencil:
Indian Ink/Mossy Green

NOTE: I just remembered that I do have blue and green eyeliners somewhere in my stash so check back soon for some comparison swatches of this eye pencil!

Lipstick: Apricot Gold

Lipstick: Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi is now available on MACCosmetics.com and AT ion & vIVOCITY tangs OUTLETS.

REVIEW: M·A·C × Jade Jagger Lipstick in Sunset Pearl & Mineralized Eye Shadow X4 in Golden Shine

Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4: Golden Shine

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Lipstick: Sunset Pearl

M·A·C × Jade Jagger is now available on MACCosmetics.com and was sold in all local M.A.C outlets.

Eye Shadow X4: Stay With Me

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to Stay With Me: Too Faced Rebel · M·A·C × Rossy De Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Juvia’s Place The Masquerade

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Powder Blush Duo: Take Me Home

Lipstick: Hey, Boy, Hey!

Lipglass: Queen P

M·A·C × Patrick Starrr (Part II) Floral Realness Full Face Kits are now available on MACCosmetics.com and M·A·C ION Orchard Outlet.

.

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Eye Shadow X4: 70’s Sunset

The following palettes were selected for comparison purposes due to their similarities to 70’s Sunset: Too Faced Clover Eyeshadow Palette · M·A·C × Rossy de Palma Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow · Urban Decay × Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Powerpoint Eye Pencil: Indian Ink/Mossy Green

NOTE: I just remembered that I do have blue and green eyeliners somewhere in my stash so check back soon for some comparison swatches of this eye pencil!

Lipstick: Apricot Gold

Lipstick: Nude Fudge

M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi is now available on MACCosmetics.com and AT ion & vIVOCITY tangs OUTLETS.

Share this:

Mineralize Eye Shadow X 4: Golden Shine

APPLICATION & SUGGESTED LOOK

Lipstick: Sunset Pearl

M·A·C × Jade Jagger is now available on MACCosmetics.com and was sold in all local M.A.C outlets.

Share this:

Powder Blush Duo:
Take Me Home

Powerpoint Eye Pencil:
Indian Ink/Mossy Green