limited edition

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: M·A·C Colour Rocker Lipsticks (PART 3) – Night Mint & Into The Madness

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

[SCROLL DOWN TO THE END FOR GIVEAWAY]

M·A·C Colour Rocker 2017 (PART 3)

M·A·C Colour Rocker 2017 (PART 3)

In this finale of my M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick review (which comes about seven months too late – oops!), I will be exploring two more shades (purchased at a later date) and giving my final thoughts about the collection as a whole. To refresh your memory, this collection saw the launch of 28 (mostly) limited edition bright neon-coloured Matte lipsticks in February, 12 of which were already reviewed here earlier this year.

Missed the earlier reviews?
Read part 1 here and part 2 here.

Since the Colour Rocker collection page has already been taken down, I have hyperlinked the following shades to their corresponding product pages for your convenience. You may still be able to find them at your local M·A·C stores.

#13 Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Night Mint

Night Mint is described as a light army green with a Matte finish. This would have been an accurate description if it had referred to the bullet as the lipstick did not quite translate to the depicted colour when applied on my lips. Instead, it appears more of a muted cool grey with a barely noticeable hint of green undertone, which is such a shame because the intended shade is something I’ve not seen from M·A·C before and certainly not what I can find in my stash. Now, this is just another grey… 😴 Oh M·A·C.. why did you have to skimp on the green pigment for this?

The colour discrepancy aside, I must say that this lipstick glides on relatively smooth and has a nice slip to it. It gives the kind of texture you wouldn’t expect from a Matte lipstick. It wears comfortably with very minimal shine and is buildable to a darker hue of grey. Creamy in consistency, it has a mostly opaque payoff and does not look patchy like most unusual shades do. However, the product tends to settle into the lip lines and its emollient quality causes it to wear off more easily and fade to a chalky mess.

There were speculations that Night Mint could also be a bullet lipstick dupe for Dirty Money (by Jeffree Star Cosmetics), so here’s a quick swatch comparison with the latter to set the record straight..

Nope... not even close

Nope… not even close

More swatch comparisons towards the end of this review.

#14 Into The Madness

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipstick in Into The Madness (US$17 / S$33)

Into The Madness is described as a bright lime green with Matte finish. Even though this may not be the first green lipstick ever created by M·A·C, it is undoubtedly one of their only greens that really applies matte and true to the bullet colour without all that glittery nonsense and almost non-existent pigment (like Fashion Flower in 2011).

That said, the formula is still not perfect. Although it applies creamy with minimal tugging and skipping, the product settles into the lip lines and does not distribute evenly across the lips, leaving a visibly chalky texture which kinda enhances all the imperfections and makes it hard to draw crisp and smooth outlines around the lips. It is lightweight but slightly drying and impossible to build on without making it streakier. However, considering that the formulation for green pigments is typically a challenge to get right, this is already a milestone, I feel.

On top of that, this Grinch-like fluorescent green also reminds me of Jeffree Star Cosmetics’ Venus Flytrap by Jeffree Star, albeit not as pigmented and vibrant (judging based on swatches I found online as I don’t personally own that shade). So, if liquid lipstick isn’t your cup of tea, this could be an alternative in bullet form for you.

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipsticks in Night Mint and Into The Madness - swatch comparison

M·A·C Colour Rocker lipsticks in Night Mint and Into The Madness – swatch comparison

And… this marks the end of the final instalment in my M·A·C Colour Rocker collection review! This is definitely one of my favourite collections of the year because, apart from the fact that every shade is in Matte finish, this literally offers a spectrum of futuristic colours including some never seen before in my 5-year love affair with M·A·C (even though most of them would have been more apt for creating ombré lips or other sorts of lip art). In general, with the exception of the yellow and neon green, the quality of the lipsticks (especially the neutrals) in this collection have surpassed my expectations. I hope they remain permanent!

Now, it’s time for a..

♥ M·A·C LIPSTICK GIVEAWAY ♥

Have you been leaning towards safe lipstick colours because you never found the courage to splurge on unconventional shades for fear that they may not suit you? Here’s your chance to score one (your first bold lipstick shade, perhaps) from the Colour Rocker collection without having to pay a single cent for it!

 

WIN a brand new Matte Royal worth US$17.50 / S$33 (no box) by simply ① following me on Instagram! Once you’ve hit the ‘Follow’ button, ② comment on this Instagram update with the (valid) IG handle of TWO (2) friends to be qualified for the draw!

Matte Royal is a deep blue with a Matte finish and was first introduced as part of the Matte Lips collection in 2015. For full review and swatches, click here!

Contest ends 29 October 2017, 23 59 h (GMT +8). This contest is open internationally and the winner will be selected randomly and notified through Instagram within 5 days after the contest period ends. The prize will be mailed out to the winner at the lowest postage cost possible. For transparency purposes, the winner will also be announced on this post.

OTHER Terms and Conditions
◘ To qualify, participants have to be following @amelieseah on Instagram and tag two (2) friends on the stated Instagram post.
◘ Prizes are non-transferable. Winners may not request substitution or other consideration from the originally awarded prize.
◘ FIONASEAH.COM reserves the right to disqualify any winner if the contest rules have been violated in any way.
◘ FIONASEAH.COM reserves the right to revoke the prize if the winner does not meet any or all eligibility requirements (this includes not responding to the winning notification within the stipulated time), even though an announcement may have been made on Instagram or on this post indicating that person was the winner.
◘ These rules are subject to change without prior notice.

Good luck!

What are your thoughts about the Colour Rocker collection? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C Colour Rocker is now separately available on MACCosmetics.com and in all local M.A.C outlets.

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REVIEW: M.A.C x Nicki Minaj Lipsticks in Nicki’s Nude & The Pinkprint

/ Fiona Seah / 2 Comments

Since her debut, Nicki Minaj had never failed to generate buzz with her outlandish dress sense. But most recently, she has ditched her neon and over-the-top aesthetics in favour of a more natural and sophisticated look and cleverly translated her newfound (understated) style into business opportunities. Not long after the announcement of her upcoming collaboration with H&M, the “Rake It Up” rapper is in the spotlight again for scoring yet another endorsement deal. This time, it’s from M∙A∙C.

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj 2017

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj 2017

The M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj collection boasts a wide array of nude lipsticks and lipglasses – mostly repromotes and in regular packaging – including two nude lipsticks she had custom-designed for M·A·C. What’s more, we makeup fanatics in Singapore got to shop the collection two weeks before it officially hits stores in the U.S. 😍 Our prayers have been answered at last – no more lagging behind the rest of the world in getting first dibs on new M∙A∙C collections!

This was actually the fourth time Nicki Minaj had team up with M∙A∙C. In 2010, she worked with the brand to create a special edition Pink 4 Friday lipstick, and then in 2012 and 2013 on the Viva Glam line which saw the release of two limited-edition funky-coloured lipsticks in the name of supporting the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. Hence, even if you’re not into pop music, this multi-talented American rapper-singer-songwriter shouldn’t be at all stranger to you.

If you haven’t had the chance to access the latest collection, fret not for I’ve got scoops to share! Once again, a big thank you to M∙A∙C Singapore for allowing me to preview the collection before it was made available to the public on 7 September 2017.

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj 2017 - the display

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj 2017 – the display

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - all Lipsticks and Lipglasses in this collection

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – all Lipsticks and Lipglasses in this collection

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Lipsticks (regular packaging)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Lipsticks (regular packaging)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Lipstick swatches

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Lipstick swatches

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Lipstick swatches

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Lipstick swatches

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Lipglass

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Lipglass

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Lipglass swatches

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Lipglass swatches

Last but not least, the two #NickiNudes that sold out in the U.K. in less than 7 hours…

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj - Nicki's Nude and The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj – Nicki’s Nude and The Pinkprint

Created by Nicki Minaj, Nicki’s Nude and The Pinkprint are the only shades from this collection to have differentiated packaging conferred upon them. They are presented in corresponding-coloured tube endorsed by the rapper herself (to give them a more personal touch) and tucked into a box of the same colour. Naturally as a packaging junkie, I was drawn towards them despite having had my eyes set on Derriere and A Girl’s Got Needs. I’m sure this was the case in the U.K. as well 😅

#1 Nicki’s Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude (US$17.50 / S$33)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude (US$17.50 / S$33)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude (bottom: when lipstick is freshly applied to the lips vs once it wears off)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude (bottom: when lipstick is freshly applied to the lips vs once it wears off)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude

Nicki’s Nude is a pinked beige described as a soft corally pink with Amplified finish. This highly-wearable shade complements most skin tones. It goes on sheer but is buildable to medium coverage and is hydrating and emollient with a hint of sheen to give the face a healthy glow.

Although the application is smooth, it lends an uneven consistency to the lips especially around drier areas (unfortunately my lips were exceptionally parched when I wore this due to heatiness) and settles into the lines so it was impossible to achieve uniformity with this lipstick. The chalky and transfer-prone texture also renders it short-lived on the lips. Once the product wears off, it leaves obvious streaks all over the lips as shown in the animated lip swatch above.

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki's Nude - swatch comparison

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in Nicki’s Nude – swatch comparison

#2 The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint (US$17.50 / S$33)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint (US$17.50 / S$33)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint (bottom: when lipstick is freshly applied to the lips vs once it wears off)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint (bottom: when lipstick is freshly applied to the lips vs once it wears off)

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint

Named after Nicki Minaj’s third studio album, The Pinkprint is a bright cool pink which is described by M∙A∙C as a midtone creamy pink with Amplified finish. It glides on buttery and moist with a generous dose of sheen to exude an impish glamour à la Her Minajesty (what Minaj refers to herself as). In addition, it feels balmy and emollient and gives a moderately opaque payoff but with very limited buildability. However, it isn’t very long-lasting and has the same issue of leaving powdery streaks once it wears off.

And uh… is it just me or does this shade remind you of one of her many pink latex outfits?

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint - swatch comparison

M∙A∙C × Nicki Minaj lipstick in The Pinkprint – swatch comparison

On the whole, the limited-edition lipsticks are alright and nothing exceptional. If not for their packaging and the fact that this collection will be discontinued from 19 October, I wouldn’t have bought them for sure. A big part of me had hoped that Nicki had designed something else from the accompanying 18 lipsticks because I’m personally not very fond of pink hues. But if I have to choose between Nicki’s Nude and The Pinkprint, I’d pick the former because The Pinkprint is too pale for my liking (even though, admittedly, it applies slightly better).

On a side note, the star seems to have bigger plans up her sleeves and these lipsticks barely scratch the surface of what she has in store for us. Just last month, she had teased on her Instagram account that she is currently working on a “first of its kind partnership” with the brand that is slated for release next year. I may not be a fan of her music but collaborations with M∙A∙C always gets my attention. So until she spills the beans (which I’m quite positive is pretty soon), I am definitely keeping a close eye on further updates about this secret project! Could she be introducing a more extensive range of pink lipsticks?

What are your thoughts about this and her upcoming collection? Let me know in the comments below, or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C × Nicki Minaj is now available islandwide and M.A.C (UK). It will be launched on MACCosmetics.com on 21 September 2017.
MAKE-UP USED: [EYES] Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Eyeshadow Palette / Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deep End & Mars / Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen [BROWS] Sigma Brow Powder Duo in Medium [FACE] shu uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation 764 / Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick / Benefit Rockateur / Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Luminizer

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REVIEW: MAC x Min Liu Lipsticks – Peach Blossom Pink & Dynasty Red

/ Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

Since the highly-coveted glitzy Bao Bao Wan collection in 2015, M.A.C has been making a point of enlisting China’s most esteemed style stars for at least one of their beauty campaigns every year and being Chinese, I can’t help but feel an odd sense of pride even though I am not from China (yes, Singapore is a country on its own that is more than 2000 miles away from China in case you weren’t aware). In that same year, they joined forces with couturier Guo Pei to create a lavish capsule collection embellished with exotic floral prints, followed by Chris Chang in the subsequent year who lent her creative expertise to probably the most kaleidoscopic collection in the history of M.A.C and not long ago, with Min Liu (刘旻 liǔ mín), a Fuzhou-born fashion designer and founder of the Ms MIN label.

Before I dive into this collection, I thought I should clarify certain inaccuracies about Min Liu’s identity – she is not to be confused with the New York-based motion graphics designer (her quirky work is really right up my alley nonetheless, go check them out!) of the same name whom even the supposedly trustworthy beauty websites mistook for (like this one here, here and here *sigh* they’re two completely different people, y’all 🙄 #lazyjournalism). While it can be a real challenge for some to distinguish between Asians, especially when many of us share the same name, it wouldn’t hurt to delve a wee bit deeper into her background and perhaps, exercise a little common sense? A prolific graphic designer running a chain of boutiques? Yeah, it’s possible but ain’t nobody got time for that 🙄

M.A.C X Min Liu Collection (Can we also take a moment to appreciate the beauty of those dresses in the promo picture?)

M.A.C X Min Liu Collection (Can we also take a moment to appreciate the beauty of those dresses in the promo picture?)

After more than three years in the making, the M.A.C × Min Liu collection finally came to fruition and was launched in conjunction with the start of Shanghai Fashion Week in early April. Drawing inspiration from the concept of “气 (qì),” or energy, which is often invoked as a proxy for health and attractiveness in the traditional Chinese culture, this collection adopts pink and red as two of its primary colours (apart from silver and black) because of their customary association with health and positive energy. Read more about the philosophy behind the collaboration here.

Initially slated for limited Asia-Pacific release, this limited-edition collection comprising two shades of Lipstick and Lipglass (Peach Blossom Pink / Fortune Red), Eyeshadow Duo (Fortune Duo), Pearlmatte Face Powder, Fluidline gel liner, Cream Color Base, Brush Roll and a makeup bag eventually rolled out globally in special packaging around mid-April.

M.A.C X Min Liu lipsticks

M.A.C X Min Liu lipsticks

M.A.C X Min Liu lipsticks

M.A.C X Min Liu lipsticks

The lipsticks are encased in a polished, all-black angular tube bedecked with a black tassel (which came protected in a plastic roll to prevent it from fraying), therefore felt a lot bulkier than usual. Naturally, with that extra ornament and the untypical-of-M.A.C packaging, the lipsticks are expected to cost more than those in the regular line. $3 more, as a matter of fact.

#1 Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink (US$20)

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink (US$20)

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink

In the words of Min Liu, “pink is a metaphor of beauty” so there has to be some variant of pink here. And what better way to incorporate pink into this collection than to actually make a lipstick of that colour? Hence, there’s Peach Blossom Pink, a clean midtone pink with Matte finish that looks like a familiar shade of cool fuchsia which you most probably would already have in your stash.

This lipstick is so pigmented that it does not take more than two swipes to deliver long-wearing full coverage and a completely opaque wash of colour. However, the slightly drying consistency of the formula causes it to tug at the lips during application. The product also tends to settle into the fine lines and around the dry edges, thereby revealing cracks on the lips. But these flaws are only noticeable within close proximity.

M.A.C Min Liu Peach Blossom Pink swatch comparison

M.A.C Min Liu Peach Blossom Pink swatch comparison

#2 Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red (US$20)

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red (US$20)

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

M.A.C X Min Liu lipstick in Dynasty Red

Red, on the other hand, has been an important colour in the Chinese culture as it takes on multiple symbolic meanings such as fortune, loyalty and bravery. So the exclusion of any red hue in this China-inspired collection would be akin to committing blasphemy.

This auspicious colour takes the form of a lipstick (and gloss) described as a yellow vibrant red with Matte finish. Called Dynasty Red, it glides on like butter with no tug and lends an intensely pigmented payoff. Boasting a creamy and seamless consistency, it even has a subtle sheen to it. It gives full coverage with opaque colour and is comfortably emollient on the lips, making it feel almost nothing like a Matte. This shade is neither drying nor hydrating.

M.A.C Min Liu Dynasty Red swatch comparison

M.A.C Min Liu Dynasty Red swatch comparison

Although the lipsticks generally did not disappoint in terms of application, I wouldn’t have bought them if not for the special packaging because these lipstick shades are seriously cliched and overused.

What are your views about this collection? Chime in below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C × Min Liu is now available on MACCosmetics.com and exclusively at M.A.C ION Orchard outlet.

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