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

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 – all Lipsticks and Lipglasses in this collection

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 – Lipglass

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

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

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

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

#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

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

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

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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