With almost every colour on the spectrum made into cosmetics, much of consumerism now boils down to the aesthetic appeal of the products. In this aspect, we can always trust M·A·C to come up with irresistibly enticing packaging design that has the ability to trick you into wanting makeup you might already have, such as those in the NICOPANDA collaboration.
M·A·C NICOPANDA
My M·A·C NICOPANDA haul
M·A·C taking cute to the next level with a panda-theme packaging
Founded by Italian-Japanese fashion director Nicola Formichetti and his brother Andrea in 2015, NICOPANDAis a New York-based street brand best known for its edgy and playful approach to ready-to-wear and accessories, and it revolves around the panda cartoon that looks like Nicola whose bear-like chubby frame and long beard during his younger days had earned him the nickname “Nico Panda”. Despite the relatively short time the fashion line has been on the market, Nicola has, in fact, more than a decade of experience in being the creative force behind some of the world’s most influential brands, publications, and pop stars including Lady Gaga and Brooke Candy. Busier than a one armed paper hanger, he currently serves as fashion director of Uniqlo apart from managing his personal business venture.
Chose this picture of Nicola Formichetti because #dogsarelife (source)
Launched in April, this M·A·C collection features an infusion of fresh spring colours in the form of matte lipsticks(Kawaii Party, Pink-Off, Toung ‘n’ Chic, Nico Kiss, Galactic Mint & Pop Babe), Lipglass(Sugar Coat, Dreamz, Panda Kiss & Glitter Parade), a Gleamer Face Powder, Full Face Kits(Stay Cute, Primapanda & Preppy Panda), lashes, an adornment and a brush bag, all of which come entirely in the most adorable panda-centric packaging (which, I have to admit, isn’t too practical storage-wise). But in spite of the fancy presentation, the prices of the lip products – surprisingly – remain largely the same (at least in the U.S.), so purchasing the three lipsticks below didn’t feel much of a pinch on the wallet.
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint (US$18.50)
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Galactic Mint
Galactic Mint is described as a clean seafoam green with a matte finish. Moderately emollient with some slip, this bright cyan deposits a great deal of pigment (a rarity for a fluorescent shade) upon application but most of it ended up settling into my creases and putting a spotlight on the rough texture of my lips. A fairly thin coat gives an opaque but awfully chalky consistency (marked with gaps that are impossible to fill) which amplifies with additional layers, hence making it a challenge to get an even coverage out of this problematic shade without the aid of a primer and a lip brush. It is probably more suitable for creating a small portion of an ombré lip as opposed to being used as the main lip colour.
Pop Babe described as a bright clean pink with a matte finish. The only sold-out lipstick shade from this collection online, this non-drying cool-toned fuchsia applies easily while providing an intense and opaque colour payoff with a subtle shine in a single swipe. The texture is lightweight enough to comfortably and evenly conceal all the creasing and cracking going on. As someone who isn’t too big on vibrant colours, I think Pop Babe is a gorgeous and versatile colour that suits most skin tones. Whether you are going for a rebellious bombshell or a quintessential girl-next-door image, this lipstick can also somehow be paired with various looks.
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic (US$18.50)
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic
M·A·C NICOPANDA lipstick in Toung ‘n’ Chic
Toung ‘n’ Chic may be described as a deep plum with a matte finish, but this medium wine is nowhere near as drying. Gliding effortlessly on the lips without tugging or pulling, it imparts a lightly glossy sheen that could pass the lipstick off as a Satin one. Although fully opaque in one swipe, the product tends to build up on drier and uneven parts of the lips, resulting in an inconsistent texture and unsightly dark patches like those in the pictures above. It also sinks into the lip lines within the first hour of wear, further intensifying the parched condition of the lips. Hence, exfoliating the lips before applying this lipstick is a must to achieve optimal payoff from it.
Swatch comparison for Toung ‘n’ Chic
Usually when reputable brands go the extra mile to market their products in gimmicky packaging, they usually fall short in terms of quality to make up for the cost of attracting eyeballs. But I have to admit that this collection generally ticks all the right boxes. If not for space (and money) constraints, I would have gotten more shades!
What are your thoughts about this collection? Did you manage to get anything? Let me know in the comments below or take a quick poll!
Thanks for reading!
M·A·C NICOPANDA is now available on MACCosmetics.com and in all local M.A.C outlets. Enjoy up to 50% off when you purchase 3 or more items from this collection at any Singapore outlet.
Makeup collections come and go in a matter of weeks, but one M·A·C collection in particular generally stays all year round. The Viva Glam line, which turns over annually with a new range of product(s), has gotten Sia as its spokesperson for the year and I am beyond thrilled – and it’s not just because she has made explaining how my last name is pronounced so much easier.
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
Having written chart-toppers for Shakira (Try Everything from the movie Zootopia), Rihanna (Diamonds) and Flo Rida (the catchy chorus for Wild Ones), among many others, the Australian singer-songwriter needs no introduction. Since lending her cathartic voice to David Guetta’s Titanium (in which she showcased her songwriting chops), Sia’s popularity has not only skyrocketed, but also disrupted her plans to solely be an all-pop songwriter for hire. Her prominence prompted her to come out of retirement from being a recording artiste to release her sixth and seventh studio albums (yes, she had already made a name for herself as a successful singer prior to this) made up mostly of rejected tracks she had written for other artistes. Proving that one man’s meat is indeed another man’s poison, her comeback spawned a couple of number-one singles including Chandelier, Cheap Thrills and The Greatest which remained as earworms in my head for a long time.
But her success did not come without setbacks. During her early years, Sia struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had even contemplated suicide while dealing with fame (which intensified when the press found out about her bisexuality). Sobering up eventually, she realised the damaging effects of fame and retreated from public view. Hence, despite being a critically-acclaimed musician now, Sia does not feel comfortable being in the limelight and would obscure her face with giant wigs, use a proxy performer and refuse to promote her material (yet was able to sell millions of copies worldwide!) to avoid a celebrity lifestyle and maintain some privacy, that is, with the exception of her partnership with PETA to help end the animal homelessness crisis.
As an extension of her philanthropy, Sia collaborated with M·A·C on their Viva Glam campaign which finances educational programmes aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS and helping people with the disease. The product – a red lipstick – is a compatible match with the notoriously camera-shy singer who is often seen rocking her signature red pout (which I learnt today is Ruby Woo) under her bob wig.
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia (US$18.50 / S$36)
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
M·A·C Viva Glam Sia
Consistent with the preceding Viva Glam lipsticks, Sia’s version features her signature emblazoned on the polished black surface of the tube. Described as a bright yellow-red with a matte finish, the lipstick delivers a vivid medium red (supposedly to mimic Ruby Woo, but more hydrating) with a soft sheen and nanoscopic gold flecks only noticeable up close when applied. With just a single swipe, it deposits a full-on lightweight layer of opaque coverage for a bold and sophisticated look without bleeding into the lip lines. It tends to skip and drag a bit across the lips owing to its slightly drying texture (typical of matte lipsticks), but it does not strip moisture off the lips over time. This lipstick is almost transfer-proof as most of it stayed put on my lips for more than 8 hours. When it did wear off, it faded to a pretty stain.
Comparing Viva Glam Sia with other popular red M·A·C lipsticks. Viva Glam Sia isn’t too different from Ruby Woo, perhaps just a little warmer and definitely more moisturising
Ruby Woo has always been one of my favourite red lipsticks but its annoying drying tendencies put me off, so knowing that Viva Glam Sia can be a substitute for it certainly earns it a few extra points. I’ve got to admit, though, that red may not be the most interesting lip colour in this day and age where every beauty brand in the market is constantly trying to differentiate itself with never-seen-before lipstick shades, but it is likely the only colour most people would associate Sia with.
What do you think of the Viva Glam lip colour this year? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!
Thanks for reading!
M·A·C Viva Glam × Sia is now available on MACCosmetics.com and in all local M.A.C outlets. Discounts are not applicable to all Viva Glam products as 100% of the proceeds of the sale are donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.
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.
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X4 in 70’s Sunset
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)
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
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 Mossy Green
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
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Apricot Gold
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
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge
M·A·C × Padma Lakshmi lipstick in Nude Fudge
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.
fionaseah.com 