When it comes to makeup, MAC are undoubtedly one of the most popular brands of makeup, and for many years have been considered the best of the best, the stuff that pros use and the ultimate goal was to have a makeup bag filled to the brim with MAC products. With an extensive range in hundreds of different colours, formulas and textures; MAC is definitely a brand to have fun with, but its popularity can cause some people to doubt its hype. So here’s the answer, are MAC products really worth the hype and where can I see them in action?
MAC Strobe Cream is a product that serves as a staple in my beauty bag, it’s perfect for adding moisture and leaves the skin looking super glowy, dewy and hydrated. I like using it under makeup, but you can also use it to highlight. Full review.
MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
This foundation isn’t my favourite foundation in the world, but it isn’t the worst either. It gives a medium, buildable coverage, but it can start to look cakey if not blended properly. The finish is glowy and as a result wouldn’t be the best for oilier skin types, this foundation can also accentuate dry patches on the skin so as a result would be best reserved for combination skin. My main issue with this foundation is that it has a tendency to oxidize, I’m the lightest shade and need to use lightening drops so that it doesn’t look orange.
One of my all-time favourite concealers, Mac Pro Longwear gives a full coverage and dries to a matte finish, it does set quiet quickly so you do need to be quick with blending, but it’s worth it for the staying power. If you could only buy one concealer I’d say to make it this one because it can be used all over the face, dark circles, breakouts, redness, scarring, you name it. Full review.
Part of the MAC x Selena collection this blush and bronzer/contour duo is super pigmented, almost a little too pigmented. The contour shade can look very strong (which may be part of the fact that it is targeted towards medium and deeper skintones) but once blended it looks gorgeous. The blush is a darker, more mauve shade which looks quite wintry on my skin. I feel this duo is one that can be utilized by all different skintones and colourings, it just looks different on everyone!
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact
A limited edition product from MAC’s Holiday Collection, this is my favourite and top pick for the moment. If not just for the highlight alone. The blush needs a little work (it can be difficult to pick up product with a brush and it’s not ultra pigmented) but the highlight is the perfect neutral shade and gives a really strong, “popping” highlight which doesn’t emphasize texture on the skin.
Gentle on the waterline and a good
eyeliner pencil, just not a great one. The staying power is good (I
haven’t had any issues with smudging/fading) but I feel many drugstore
brands do just as good kohl pencils.
I was completely and utterly excited to try this as these eyeshadows look interesting and have a unique formula. Almost a pressed pigment as such, but a little more creamy, These give a really beautiful metallic, glossy look to the eyelids. They can be a little tricky to blend and there is a bit of fallout (which I wasn’t expecting) but for something different they’re fun!
*MAC Mariah Carey It’s Everything Eyeshadow Palette (in store 26th December)
Let me start off by saying I love the shades in this palette and I immediately wanted to put it all over my eyes. It contains 3 limited edition shades and one permanent shade which can be purchased individually, outside this collection. Although all the shades appear beautiful there are some issues with inconsistency, I found Diamond Butterfly had quite a bit of fallout and was more glittery than shimmery. All the shades have good pigmentation, but some have a drier and others a creamier texture than their counterparts.
*MAC Helmut Newton Point ‘N Shoot Eyeshadow Palette
When I first saw this palette I was SO excited, all matte, all neutral and reasonably cool-toned. For mattes this is a great eyeshadow palette and one that is handy to have in your collection, but there is a littleinconsistencybetween the shades, for example Hard Currency was much smoother and had better pigment than the black point ‘n shoot shade.
A decent gel eyeliner, not my holy grail and by no means the best, but its got good pigment, applies smoothly and the staying power is acceptable.
*MAC In Extreme Dimension 3d Black Lash
This mascara is a slightly different version of the original In Extreme Dimension Lash and although this is meant to be bigger and better I actually prefer the original, I feel that it combs the lashes better and gives them a little more length. Not a bad mascara, just not a show-stopping one.
A great brow “pomade” style product, it’s very creamy, but dries quite quickly to a matte, powder-like finish. It looks a lot more natural than other brow pomade products, but the range runs too warm for my liking.
Clear brow gel is a pretty basic product and not too much can go wrong with it, this keeps brows into place, but doesn’t leave them feeling crispy, crunchy or dry.
These lipsticks are some of my favourite that I’ve tried and have quickly become some of my go-to’s, in fact I actually prefer them over the original MAC Lipstick Formula. These lipsticks are super creamy, have strong pigment, feel comfortable on the lips and the staying power is also great. My only complaint is that the flat bullet of the lipstick means it is tricky to get a crisp, clean edge.
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*This post contains a product/sample which was sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy. This does not alter the honesty of this review or this blog, all opinions stated are honest and my own.