Since drifting away from the pop culture scene (is it normal to gain a preference for oldies music as you age?), I’ve lost count the number of times I have gone, “Who is that?” whenever M.A.C announced a new collaboration with a pop artiste. Having not tuned into any local contemporary hit radio stations for the past decade, needless to say, I had the same reaction when I got wind of their partnership with a Canadian singer-songwriter who calls herself Kiesza. But hey, if not for this collaboration, I wouldn’t have known about this talented yet underrated lady (look her up on YouTube and treat your ears to some upbeat H&M-worthy music if you must), so it’s all good 👍
Joining the ranks of other celebrities such as Halsey, Tinashe and Brooke Candy, all of whom I honestly didn’t know existed until they teamed up with M.A.C, Kiesza presents her first makeup collection with the well-loved cosmetics brand – a four-piece capsule collection comprising a Matte Lipstick, Vamplify Lipgloss, Liquidlast Liner and Big Brow Pencil – and they (except the eyeliner) are brown-hued. Hence, even without finding out who Kiesza is, this collection, or rather the lipstick, already has my name written on it.
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved (regular packaging again..)
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved (US$17)
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved
Named after Kiesza’s latest single off her sophomore album, Dearly Beloved – the sole lipstick in this collection – reflects the understated look that she had been experimenting while trying to move away from her usual red lip colour.
Described as a warm soft brown with Matte finish, it appears to have ashy undertones when applied. Far from the usual drying Matte formula of M.A.C lipsticks, the payoff of this shade feels almost like a Satin as it goes on smooth with a creamy consistency and even has a slight sheen to it. Mostly opaque, it is moderately pigmented with a buildable intensity but emphasises every fine line (very noticeable on the upper lip) and dry bit of the lips. Having said that, it does leave my lips feeling moisturised and comfortable the entire time I had it on, so I guess it’s a fair trade-off!
M·A·C Kiesza Lipstick in Dearly Beloved swatch comparison – Cold Hard Cash is the closest dupe but has warmer undertones
What are your thoughts of this? Let me know what you think in the comments below or take a quick poll 😉
Thanks for reading! 🙂
M·A·C × Kiesza is now available on MACCosmetics.com. This collection is not available in Singapore.
These days, highly accomplished makeup artists do not simply stop at amassing a wall of accolades or an extensive list of celebrity clientele. Instead, they become entrepreneurs by starting their own makeup line which, owing to their unparalleled credentials and high profile statuses, blooms without a hitch into the talk of the town. From Laura Mercier to François Nars of NARS to Carol Shaw of LORAC (her name spelled backwards if you didn’t realise, because me neither 😂), beauty brands born out of many years of makeup artistry experience are now so common and popular, I bet you dollars to doughnuts that you have at least one in your makeup arsenal.
Now, how about adding another (by a renowned British makeup artist, no less) to your collection? This time, though, you may have to splurge a bit more because we are about to talk luxury, yo 😁
YAZZZ GURRRL ✨
Established in 2013, the Charlotte Tilbury brand is the namesake of its London-born founder, one of the world’s most in-demand makeup artist having worked with the likes of A-listers Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, Amal Clooney and Natalie Portman, as well as respectable fashion and beauty publications such as Vogue. Despite being only officially sold in the U.K. and U.S., its popularity has spread globally ever since it was spotted on the lips of celebrity fans sashaying down red carpets, hence making it the fastest growing beauty brand.
“Wait, if Charlotte Tilbury is largely only available in the U.K., how am I supposed to buy anything without paying a bomb for shipping? Even the most affordable forwarder I know doesn’t ship from the U.K.!” ✋ Hakuna your tatas, ladies, for there is now an easy way. Thanks to online beauty retailers based in Singapore – like BlushBoss – that stocks up on brands not available in Singapore (such as Jeffree Star, Kylie Cosmetics, ABH and more) and at reasonable prices, laying your hands on these inaccessible brands has become pretty darn simple.
Matte Revolution Lipsticks by Charlotte Tilbury
Through BlushBoss, I received my first pair of Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipsticks in Birkin Brown and Very Victoria – the only two shades available on the website, unfortunately (hopefully there will be more choices in the future) – which each arrived in a classy and quaint, very Georgian-like style boxes with gold lettering set against deep maroon background.
The lipstick tube itself is shaped like that of majestic fluted pillars with a texture marked by grooves, perhaps also for better grip since the hard and metallic rose gold material can be quite weighty in the hand. The cap closes with a satisfyingly loud click too! I would say the packaging as a whole has an unmistakable British flavour to it which sets it apart from those pop-ish designs of mainstream U.S. brands.
Side-by-side comparison between Birkin Brown and Very Victoria
With one of Hollywood’s most celebrated makeup artist helming the brand, naturally there would be a lot of buzz around these CT lipsticks (which was partly why I got them in the first place) even on some of the world’s most revered magazines. Furthermore, the limited availability of the brand also fuels the desire to own one of these prized CT makeup. But do these lipsticks live up to all the hype? Read on to find out!
#1 Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown
Practically every lipstick in the Matte Revolution line is inspired by a celebrity one way or another (which makes a brilliant marketing ploy to garner eyeballs and generate more hype, I must say) and here’s one that was created with fashion muses Naomi Campbell (who pioneered the dark brown lip look) and Jane Birkin (who the Hermès Birkin bag was named after) in mind.
Described as a soft chocolate cream, Birkin Brown glides on smooth and has a nice slip, but settles quickly into the lip lines. Hydrating and emollient with a creamy and slightly glossy finish, this lightweight lipstick leaves a soft and supple feeling while delighting your sense of smell with its sweet vanilla scent. It is, however, mostly sheer and only buildable to a certain degree. Even so, it still appears patchy with very noticeably uneven consistency after many passes, as if there isn’t enough pigment to deliver a strong colour. I had high hopes that this would apply true to the bullet colour but nay.. what a disappointment. This shade fades to a stain after a few hours.
You might also have noticed the uniquely shaped bullet which, according to the website, is angled to mimic the shape of a lip brush for precise application. Gotta trust the expert on this one – it works like a charm for me because application definitely felt a lot easier especially along the cupid’s bow. On the downside, though, I would be more reluctant to use the lipstick for fear of losing the original shape of the bullet.. 😅
Charlotte Tilbury Birkin Brown – swatch comparison with other browns I have
#2 Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
If you’re a fan of Posh Spice, you wouldn’t want to miss this Victoria Beckham-inspired shade. Plus, it’s probably the only thing with her name on it that you can afford. Have you seen the prices of the products in her recent makeup collection with Estée Lauder? It’s CRAY!
Described as a suede taupe nude, Very Victoria is the perfect shade for everyday wear and best paired with subtle smokey eye. This comfortably hydrating formula applies like butter on the lips and leaves sheer but buildable finish with subtle rose gold shimmers. Although, similarly, it settles into my lip lines, the unevenness does not seem as pronounced as Birkin Brown due to its lighter tone and the fact that it is near-perfect match to my natural lip colour. I kinda like this more than Birkin Brown even though I’m usually not fond of light shades, because of it feels more matte. Also, it has better colour payoff.
Charlotte Tilbury Very Victoria – swatch comparison with other muted browns/nudes I have
All in all, these Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks fare very well in the comfort, luster and moisture categories – basically areas expected of luxury brands because I suppose these make the products feel and look expensive, and also to give a sense of glamour to the entire look. As one who values pigmentation (which, from my observation, luxury brands always fails to provide) more than anything else, I find these lipsticks way too sheer and creamy. They most likely need to be used with other products to achieve that degree of intensity shown on their models.
And most importantly, do I consider these matte? Certainly not 😐
What are your thoughts about these CT Matte Revolution lipsticks? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks in Very Victoria and Birkin Brown are available on BlushBoss.com.sg. Get yours from BlushBoss with free shipping (no minimum order required) today!
Now that the sun has finally broken through the raging clouds to warm us with its delightful rays, bright pops of tropical colours are officially in full swing. Ah, fellow beautyholics, you know what that means – it’s time to update our makeup game for the summer season! Because for makeup fiends like us, nothing says summer like a radiant swoosh of blush and swathe of highlight on the cheekbones to mimic that healthy flush, or a dusting of bronzer to radiate a sun-kissed glow coupled with a playful jolt of colour across the lips to heighten that overall refreshed look.
Fueling our obsession with all-things vibrant (especially at this sunny time of the year), M.A.C has planned a Summer collection slated for worldwide release on 18 May. And you know, when it comes to most limited-edition collections, M.A.C means business and does not mess around with their packaging. From packaging designs we saw in the previous year inspired by the deserts and kaleidoscopic colours of an ancient Chinese art form, M.A.C is somehow always able to tempt us into splurging on their products no matter the necessity for them. So this month, be prepared to see a dip in your bank account because you wouldn’t want to miss anything in this upcoming frootilicious M.A.C collection 😋
With daylilies, palm leaves, bananas and papayas dominating the packaging, the Fruity Juicy collection is a kind of tropical fruits and floral fantasia that beckons with its loud and fancy colour scheme. Therefore, you should have no problems spotting the display in the M.A.C store when the collection comes out next week.
Pictured at a recent M.A.C preview I was invited to. No idea why there are Chinese characters on the display but they probably won’t be there on the actual launch day
Excluding the online-exclusive Eye Shadow × 6 in Oh My Banana (already launched in the UK), there will be a total of 21 products in this collection to fulfill your summer makeup goals. And to better prep your bank account for the sudden departure of at least a few tens of dollars, here’s the full price (and product) list for this collection, courtesy of M.A.C Cosmetics Singapore:
M.A.C FRUITY JUICY COLLECTION · Full price list (SGD)
■ Lipstick (Calm Heat / Shy Girl / Love At First Bite / Sí, Sí, Me!)$36 ■ Cremesheen Glass (Cha-Cha-Cha / Shake, Shake, Shake! , La Salsa , Summer Succulence)$41 ■ Eye Shadow × 6 (Fruit a La La / Love in the Glades)$77 ■ Bronzing Powder (Refined Golden / Baiana Bronze)$49 ■ M.A.C Studio Sculpt Bronzing Powder (Delicates / Delphic)$60 ■ Pearlmatte Face Powder (Oh My, Passion!)$60 ■ Lustre Drops (Bronze Hero / Sun Rush)$37 ■ Prep+Prime Fix+ (Coconut)$34 ■ Brush (125)$70(126)$89 ■ Makeup Bag $58
If you’re more a lip person like me, you might also be interested in the swatches of all the Fruity Juicy lip products below:
M.A.C Fruity Juicy lipsticks
M.A.C Fruity Juicy – all lipstick swatches
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Cremesheen Glass
M.A.C Fruity Juicy – all Cremesheen Glass swatches
You’re welcome 😚
Going against my hoarder tendencies, I only snagged two out of the four lipstick shades because as you might have noticed, the nude-ish hues are really light even on my wrist and from past experience, I doubt they will show up on my lips at all. Besides, the darker shades seem to apply better as well.
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipsticks in Love At First Bite & Si, Si, Me!
The lipsticks are fitted in a reflective plastic tube decorated with theme-appropriate illustrations against a black backdrop. Also in ensuring a positive first impression, M.A.C does not relent even for the box, which is something that most people would likely discard to free up space.
#1 Love At First Bite
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite (US$17 / S$36)
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite
M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite
Described as a bright fuchsia with Amplified Creme finish, Love At First Bite is a muted hot pink with cool undertones. It has good slip which enables it to run smoothly without drag but it tends to settle into the lip lines after a while. It has an opaque payoff and an emollient and glossy texture, characterised by a slight sheen. Although thin and lightweight in consistency, it applies uniformly across the lips so there is no skipping or obvious streaks. This shade feels hydrating on the lips.
Described as a deep violet with Satin finish, Sí, Sí, Me! is a darkened fuchsia pink with cool undertones. It has equally good slip backed by a thick and buttery texture with an incredibly pigmented colour payoff topped with a luscious sheen. It reminds me of the reformulated version of M.A.C’s matte because it feels matte but not drying at all.
You don’t have to purse your lips to even out the colour with this lipstick – it pretty much spreads out uniformly on its own as you apply. Although it goes on reasonably opaque at the first swipe, its intensity can still be built on with more coats. However, it become tackier with every additional layer.
Swatch comparison for Sí, Sí, Me! and Love At First Bite
This collection may not boast a diverse range of hues (as it’s just nudes and pinks). Even so, die-hard M.A.C customers who are suckers for nice packaging will flip over it. Don’t know what to buy or which products are expected to sell out fast? The availability of the items on the UK website should provide a rough indication of the product popularity among consumers. Be sure to be at the launch early if you are planning to get the Prep+Prime Fix+ because (according to reliable sources) it will be among the first (if not the first) to fly off the shelves. Heard it’s coconut-scented (didn’t really pay attention to it at the preview), so yeah… 😝
What are your thoughts on this collection? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
Thanks for reading!
M.A.C Fruity Juicy collection goes on sale online and in all local M.A.C stores on 18 May 2017. Singapore M.A.C members get to preview this collection on 12 May so do RSVP (check your e-mail) to avoid disappointment!
fionaseah.com 