Lipsticks

REVIEW: MAC Dark Desires Lipsticks in Boyfriend Stealer, Heavy Petting & Dark Night

/ Fiona Seah / 2 Comments

Hello fellow beautyholics!

I’m so glad you’re still here! Thanks for sticking with me despite the lack of beauty updates (non-sponsored posts, that is) on this blog since the onset of this year. Many make-up launches have come and gone over the course of my inactivity, and yet I had only managed to find time recently to do a proper photo shoot for my beauty haul dated as far back as November last year.. because my final semester of college has been a bitch. Before my next major shipment of beauty purchases gets to my doorstep, allow me to bombard you with reviews that have been long overdue!

MAC (and many other brands I follow) had launched a series of collections in the few weeks leading up to Christmas last year and Dark Desires was among the first to pop up on the virtual shelves during that period. It was released online in late November and in U.S. stores in early December, but never internationally.

mac-dark-desires

Probably inspired by erotic films with the likes of Fifty Shades of Grey, the products were given risqué names to complement the dark and edgy shades chosen for this collection. I don’t know about you but considering that the aforementioned movie was screened in cinemas more than six months ago, I found the launch of Dark Desires peculiarly timed because it didn’t quite fit into the holiday theme.

Dark Desires lipsticks

Dark Desires lipsticks

Out of the four lipsticks (Ring My Bell, Heavy Petting, Boyfriend Stealer & Black Night) that were released alongside eye shadows, eye pencils, eye glosses and nail lacquers, I had my eyes on only three because I was too broke to get the pale cool neutral which is unlikely to show on my lips anyway. With the exception of Boyfriend Stealer and the eye pencils, everything in this line-up is new in the market. There is actually quite a substantial number of products in this collection so I was a little perplexed why the sale wasn’t expanded beyond the U.S. Could it be due to the suggestive product names that, perhaps, were deemed inappropriate for the largely conservative Asian market?

Lipsticks (from left): Black Night, Heavy Petting & Boyfriend Stealer

Lipsticks (from left): Black Night, Heavy Petting & Boyfriend Stealer

Swatch (from left): Heavy Petting, Boyfriend Stealer & Black Night

Swatch (from left): Heavy Petting, Boyfriend Stealer & Black Night

All the three lipsticks have a Cremesheen finish but I thought Matte or Satin would make a more suitable choice for this theme because of the bolder and more defined appearance it lends the lips. The provocativeness of the colours seemed to be toned down by the translucence of the finish.

#1 Boyfriend Stealer

Boyfriend Stealer is a blackened plum with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

Boyfriend Stealer is a blackened plum with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

MAC Boyfriend Stealer

Typical of Cremesheen lipsticks, Boyfriend Stealer has a sticky and balm-like texture that sits comfortably on the lips. It has a semi-opaque (leaning more towards sheer) pigmentation as the natural colour of my lips could be seen even after applying several layers of it, therefore it feels more like a lip gloss. However, I didn’t like how it tends to amplify the imperfections of the lips – most of the product seemed to gather at the scab on my lower lip (which has been chapped for the past couple of weeks due to dehydration) so instead of concealing it, it had actually made it more obvious. The consistency of the colour isn’t uniform throughout as well – some parts of my lips had a heavier payoff than the rest. Unsightly!

MAC Boyfriend Stealer swatch comparisons

MAC Boyfriend Stealer swatch comparisons

The texture and opacity of Boyfriend Stealer are quite similar to those of Power My Spirit, which had also received a low rating on my scorecard for its poor colour consistency. But on the bright side, I don’t have any shade that’s identical to Boyfriend Stealer.

#2 Heavy Petting

Heavy Petting is a burgundy with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

Heavy Petting is a burgundy with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

MAC Heavy Petting

The colour on the bullet of Heavy Petting differs greatly from the colour that appears on the lips – how frustrating! I had bought it with the thinking that it would be a dark brown but it turned out to be a lot lighter than that. It has the same tacky texture as Boyfriend Stealer but not so intense. The formula hugs the lips and provides a hydrating veil that bounces light off the surface. Although sheer, the colour shows with just a single swipe. When the colour overlaps with multiple applications, it leaves a darker tint on the lips which fortunately isn’t very noticeable from a distance.

MAC Heavy Petting swatch comparisons

MAC Heavy Petting swatch comparisons

Heavy Petting is a sheerer dupe of Good to be Bad (a reddened burgundy with Sheen Supreme finish, launched in 2011).

#3 Black Night

Black Night is a black with red and gold pearl with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

Black Night is a black with red and gold pearl with Cremesheen finish (US$17)

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

MAC Black Night

Black Night is the second black lipstick by MAC, with the first being Hautecore. It has very prominent and well-distributed gold microshimmer (the red isn’t very noticable) which gives the lips the added sparkle without looking too glitzy. As compared to its matte counterpart, Black Night is definitely more hydrating and emollient but sheerer in pigmentation and has colour inconsistencies. And perhaps due to its low pigmentation, the lipstick does not turn out to be entirely black on the lips but instead, an intense deep plum. Although sheer, the colour is buildable but the additional layers would slip away after a while and leave the lips looking patchy once again like in the pictures above. It is, nevertheless, still the easiest to work with among all the lipstick I bought from this collection and certainly the most gorgeous-looking one.

MAC Black Night swatch comparisons

MAC Black Night swatch comparisons

You can see the the opacity of Black Night fading from the left above.

Despite really liking most of the cremesheen lipsticks I own, the performance of the lipsticks in this collection surprisingly upsets me because they generally apply unevenly and appear extremely untidy and variegated on the lips. The colours are pretty but I wish more attention could be paid on the pigments when these lipsticks were formulated.

What are your thoughts? Share them with me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more lipstick reviews comin’ up! 🙂

Dark Desires is NOW AVAILABLE ON MACCOSMETICS.COM.

REVIEW: MAC MACnificent Me Lipsticks – Self Aware, Deep Love, Diva Antics & My Inner Femme

/ Fiona Seah / 4 Comments

Hello everyone!

In this subsequent installment of the MACnificent Me collection, MAC continues to allure with four new and a highly anticipated repromote lipstick (in Fashion Revival, which I already own) shades alongside 4 Eye Shadows (in Cheer Me On, Well Behaved, Everyone’s Darling & Cork), Opulash Optimum Black Mascara, Penultimate Eye Liner, 2 Lip Pencils (in Cherry & Currant) and 3 Powder Blush (in Devil, Burnt Pepper & A Little Lusty).

MAC MACnificent Me (Luz Maria & Tresor)

MAC MACnificent Me (Luz Maria & Tresor)

But as mentioned previously, I was only keen on getting the lipsticks and so far my experience with my purchase has been largely upsetting. Would the lipsticks be able to make up for the unsatisfactory standards of the Mattenes? Let’s find out!

MACnificent Me Lipsticks

MACnificent Me Lipsticks

MACnificent Me Lipsticks in Diva Antics, Deep Love, My Inner Femme & Self Aware

MACnificent Me Lipsticks in Diva Antics, Deep Love, My Inner Femme & Self Aware

MACnificent Me lipstick swatches

MACnificent Me lipstick swatches

For the first time in what seems to be forever (*cues Frozen song*), we finally have a MAC line without a single Lustre packed with solid colours. However, when I first saw the swatches on my hand, a sense of familiarity struck me because the colours looked like what I already have in my stash! But then again, this always happens whenever I test out new shades because of my massive collection of lipsticks so I wouldn’t know if it’s really the case until I compare them with other similar shades 😆

#1 Self Aware

Self Aware is a coffee nude with Amplified finish (US$17)

Self Aware is a coffee nude with Amplified finish (US$17)

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

Self Aware

The English idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” fits aptly with my critique of this lipstick. Self Aware has such enticing and irresistible food-esque description and a lovely colour on the bullet along with a promising finish but the moment it was applied on the lips, all my idealistic impression of it fell apart instantly. The swatch looked really gorgeous so I really didn’t expect it to pale my lips and wash me out. Nevertheless, it does blend well with my natural lip colour and provide a mostly opaque coverage in a single swipe. I certainly would love to see this shade in a darker hue. This one is probably more suited (prominent) for very fair skin tone.

Self Aware swatch comparison

Self Aware swatch comparison

There’s no denying that Self Aware has a rather unique shade because no other MAC lipsticks I own come that close 🙂

#2 Deep Love

Deep Love is a deep brown wine with Matte finish (US$17)

Deep Love is a deep brown wine with Matte finish (US$17)

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

Deep Love

New matte lipstick shades are such a rare sight on MAC website these days that I totally combusted with joy when I saw the list of products for this collection! Deep Love is highly pigmented with full coverage that does not settle into the fine line and cracks of the lips nor bleed out. The subtle sheen provides a flattering glow to the lips to make it look fuller and hydrated. However, it tugs a bit on the lips and may feel slightly drying over time.

Deep Love swatch comparison

Deep Love swatch comparison

Deep Love looks like a typical dark maroon until you compare it against other shades. It is actually more like rust brown! Doesn’t look like it on the lips, does it?

#3 Diva Antics

Diva Antics is an intense reddish burgundy with Amplified finish (US$17)

Diva Antics is an intense reddish burgundy with Amplified finish (US$17)

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

Diva Antics

No thanks to the misleading product shot of this lipstick on MAC website, I bought this with the impression that it was going to be a deep plum-purple shade. Obviously, it didn’t turn out to be the case. Nevertheless it is still a pretty red lipstick with some pink undertones. Putting the colour aside, it has a lovely creamy and somewhat glossy finish that glides smoothly on the lips like butter even though it has a tendency to bleed. It delivers a comfortably opaque coverage with a hint of shine for the holidays, making it the perfect lipstick for your upcoming Christmas or New Year’s party. I highly recommend this shade for Asian skin tones! 🙂

Diva Antics swatch comparisons

Diva Antics swatch comparisons

Having said that, you don’t need this lipstick if you already have D For Danger (from The Matte Lip 2015 collection) because not only is it similar to Diva Antics in terms of the colour, they have very comparable texture too!

#4 My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme is an intense orangey red with Amplified finish (US$17)

My Inner Femme is an intense orangey red with Amplified finish (US$17)

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

My Inner Femme

Like Diva Antics, My Inner Femme promises a medium to full coverage that magically catches light to create a gorgeous illusion of fuller and smoochable lips. Every application coats the lips with a luminous layer of moisturizing and rich orange-red shade that sets you apart from your peers who dare not venture out of their comfort zone with unconventional lip colours. Wear this shade to complete your glamourous fall look or to match the auspicious colours of Chinese New Year although it’s a tad too early for that. Still, it’s always good to plan ahead, right? 😉

My Inner Femme swatch comparison

My Inner Femme swatch comparison

Dramatical is a sheerer while Lady Danger is brighter, warmer and more pigmented. I don’t think there’s a close MAC dupe for My Inner Femme so this scores bonus points for being one-of-a-kind.

Finally, to sum things up, high price does not necessarily reflect the quality as you can tell from this whole MACnificent Me collection. Despite the lower selling price, this range of lipsticks surpassed expectations with their excellent colour payoff and luxurious finish so I was surprised to see that none of them is sold out yet. In fact, I would rather pay the US$20 – the price of each Mattene – for any one lipstick here instead. I mean, just sayin’. I am certainly not giving MAC the green light to jack up their prices further. At least not for the next 1 year or so. I’m broke as hell lol.

What about you? Let me know your thoughts about this collection in the comments below!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more beauty reviews coming your way! 🙂

The MAC MACnificent Me lipsticks are now available on MACCosmetics.com and at local stores.

REVIEW: MAC x Guo Pei Lipsticks – Zenith & Ethereal Orchid

/ Fiona Seah / 6 Comments

Hello everyone!

China’s most revered haute couturier, Guo Pei, had teamed up with MAC this season to create a collection that is inspired by her “garden of the soul” (the name she gave for this inspiration), merging vibrant jewel tones with rich neutrals and punctuated by deep graphite.

MAC X Guo Pei

MAC X Guo Pei

Virtually unheard of outside of her home country before this collection materialised, Guo is best known in the fashion world for her ornate and elegant gowns which style is influenced by traditional Chinese imperial court design. Hand-sewn, her creations typically take years and a lot of manpower to create. Her work has been featured in many significant events such as the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2015 Met Gala where Rihanna (in)famously donned in her most ambitious empress-style trailing yellow gown and spawned numerous food (e.g. omelette and pizza) memes. Nevertheless, Guo Pei is indeed an incredibly talented fashion designer (she just needs to pick the appropriate person to reinterpret her work)! I stumbled upon some of her runway pieces and instantly fell in love with them. Floral embroidery in oriental colours, the style is so me! If only they are made for normal everyday wear. But then again, it’s not like I would be able to afford them 🙄

MAC x Guo Pei Lipsticks

MAC x Guo Pei Lipsticks (packaging)

In their second collaboration with Chinese designers (after Bao Bao Wan), MAC rolled out a limited-edition collection that features 2 eyeshadow quads (in Morning Light & Night Sky, US$70), 3 gel liners (in Blue Fountain, Darkness of Calm & Palm Tree, US$17.50), 3 lipsticks (in Zenith, Ethereal Orchid & Brave Red, US$30), 3 cremesheen glass (in Bright pink Bouquet, Pale Moon & Love of Roses, US$28), 2 powder blush (in Lotus Blossom & Red Water Lily, US$40), a beauty powder (in Soft Moon Light, US$70) and a pair of brushes (213 Fluff Blush, US$32, & 129 Powder Brush, US$46). Every product in this line – even the brushes – is encased in gold, peony-illustrated fabric stitched along one side. So captivated by the beauty of the design! ❤

MAC x Guo Pei lipsticks

MAC x Guo Pei Lipsticks (casing)

Royally golden metal-like tube... kinda reminds me of Sun Wu Kong's Jingu Bang (Monkey King's golden pole)

Royally golden metal-like tube… kinda reminds me of Sun Wu Kong’s Jingu Bang (Monkey King’s golden pole)

The ingredient list is printed on a separate strip of paper and inserted into the box, just like how it was done for Giambattista Valli collection

The ingredient list is printed on a separate strip of paper and inserted into the box, just like how it was done for Giambattista Valli collection

Unveiling the gorgeous shades of Ethereal Orchid (left) and Zenith

Unveiling the gorgeous shades of Ethereal Orchid (left) and Zenith

Ethereal Orchid (left) & Zenith

Ethereal Orchid (left) & Zenith

I only picked 2 colours from the lipstick line because the third – Brave Red – is a permanent shade which I already have in my stash. Exorbitant is the word to describe the prices for this collection, which correspond to that of Prabal Gurung collection last year. If not for the pretty packaging (well, gotta give props to MAC for knowing how to strike their customers’ soft spots), I wouldn’t have given two hoots about this collection.

But rants aside, I’m sure many of you are curious about the lipsticks (both lustres, by the way like argh, I know right?!).. which probably cost as much as luxury beauty brands like Chanel and Dior *sigh* so let’s get down to the details!

#1 Zenith

Zenith

Zenith is a light nude with Lustre finish (US$30 / S$60)

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

Zenith

As most of you know, I have a love-hate relationship with lustres…. ok, perhaps leaning more towards the hate spectrum. They are easy to apply but they normally are too sheer to show on the lips. They’re like lip balms with the humectant qualities and all, just more expensive. Zenith here fits perfectly into my perception of lustre lipsticks – very sheer yet lightweight and hydrating.  It glided on smoothly on the lips but provided little to no difference in the lip colour. But that could just be me because of my medium skin tone which unfortunately tend to camouflage nude shades.

However, unlike Lustres I own (and I’ve a box full of them), Zenith somehow manages to conceal my lip lines very well. Although I don’t really like the colour, I was pleased that it didn’t turn out patchy on my lips. The formula surprisingly surpasses my expectations! Whoa, was it me or did MAC improve the quality for this collection to match the steep price?

#2 Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid is a midtone dirty coral with Lustre finish (US$30 / S$60)

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

Ethereal Orchid

In another turn of events, I found myself enjoying the second Lustre lipstick tremendously. The colour is gorgeous and noticeably different (already received compliments from a friend on this shade) and the coverage is impressive because it doesn’t leave streaky marks behind. Furthermore, the soft sheen adds radiance to my dull lips and make it more healthy-looking and plump. It felt almost like the Huggable formula, just less clingy and definitely wouldn’t last as long.

Swatch comparisons

Swatch comparisons

You can probably find a cheaper dupe for Zenith but Ethereal Orchid is a unique shade for sure! At least for MAC. Still, much as I love these lipsticks (I thought they were going to be another disappointment like the Cinderella lipsticks but thankfully they’re not), I don’t think it’s worth the hefty price tag. I take consolation that I had actually paid for two designer lipsticks.

What are your thoughts? Share them with me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

MAC x Guo Pei is now available on Maccosmetics.com and at Tangs at Tangs Plaza.