Makeup Intelligence: MAC Archie’s Girls for Spring 2013

Were you an Archie’s Comics fan back in the day like I was? If so, and you love makeup, check this out:

MAC Archie's Girls

MAC Archie’s Girls for Spring 2013: Does this bring back memories or what?!?

The collection is broken up into two parts.  There is Betty (Cooper), consisting of lighter shades and Veronica (Lodge) made up of the traditional in-your-face dramatic colors.  The collection is huge and as such will be this post but trust me, it’s worth it.  If you don’t want to read my blather but see some live-and-in-color pics, check out this post on Specktra.com.

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Nothing like a love triangle to remind you of Valentine’s Day like Veronica, Betty and Archie…

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Lipglasses. A Brown Girl MAC Addict’s Holy Grail 😉

Betty Collection: MAC Archie’s Girls

Betty

Lipsticks

  • Girl Next Door Vivid blue pink (Lustre)
  • Betty Bright Light vibrant peach (Satin)
  • Oh, Oh, Oh Sheer brown plum (Lustre) (Repromote)

BIGA Intel says: Lustres and satins are not my favorite finishes, especially in lighter colors such as these.  If you didn’t get your hands on Watch Me Simmer, Betty Bright would hold you over until a repromote happens.

Lipglass

  • Summer Sweetheart Light peach
  • Stay Sweet Light lavender pink
  • Kiss & Don’t Tell Bright coral

BIGA Intel says: Lipglasses are more often than not a good value.  If you have very pigmented lips, I would go straight for Kiss & Don’t Tell.  If you already own Strange Potion  from the MAC Disney Villains collection or  Tour de Fabulous from Stylepacked, this shade is probably a skip for you.

PearlGlide Eye Liner

  • Lord It Up Bronze with pearl
  • Black Swan Black with gold pearl

BIGA Intel says: Pearlglide eyeliners are very long-wearing, go on smooth and sparkly and look amazing.  Lord it Up would look best on light to medium skintones while Black Swan will compliment all skintones.

Pigment

  • Cheers My Dear Light lavender (Frost)
  • Lucky in Love Shimmering light blue green (Frost)

BIGA Intel says: Frankly I haven’t been too pleased with the quality of MAC pigments of late.  If you own any of the mineralize eye shadows close to light lavender or light blue green, best to go with those. Should you choose to go with these pigments, be sure to pick up some Mixing Medium from MACCosmetics.com. You’ll thank me later. 

Powder Blush

  • Cream Soda Light neutral coral (Satin)

BIGA Intel says: This should be a nice color for light to medium skintones.  I can’t see this one working on darker skintones very well. From the promo photos it looks a lot like NARS Gilda but performance could be another story.

Pearlmatte Face Powder

  • Flatter Me Golden peach base (Shell Pearl Beauty Powder) with coral hearts (Foolish Me Powder Blush)

BIGA Intel says: This is the first time I’ve seen this type of product.  A ‘beauty powder’ with blush ‘built in’.  Beauty powders such as these seem to work best as an all-over face color for light to medium skintones, and as a nice highlighter for dark skintones.  I will caution that if you have a dark skintone (NW/NC 45+) it’s best to try this in person to see if you like it.

Caramel Sundae Eyeshadow Palette

  • Caramel Sundae Mid-tone warm tan (Satin)
  • Cheryl Chic Light coral pink (Frost)
  • Dreammaker Pale frosty yellow (Frost)
  • Showstopper Dark, cool-toned brown (Matte) (Repromote)

BIGA Intel says: A nice collection of neutral shades.  If you have very oily lids and/or have a dark skin tone, be sure to prep your lids with a paint pot like Painterly or Soft Ochre before applying to eyelids.

Nail Lacquer

  • Pep Pep Pep Light peach nude
  • Comic Cute Bright coral

BIGA Intel says: I am not a huge fan of MAC’s nail polishes as I feel the price point is too high and the performance is no where near the level of Illamasqua or NARS. Check these lines for comparable dupes.

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Veronica Collection: MAC Archie’s Girls

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This is me when I have to yell at tech support who has no clue I’m an engineer…

Lipstick

  • Daddy’s Little Girl Mid-tone pink violet (Satin)
  • Ronnie Red Bright red (Matte)
  • Boyfriend Stealer Deep blackened plum (Cremesheen)

BIGA Intel says: While it’s in the satin finish I loathe, Daddy’s Little Girl seems to have such a high color saturation I still want it.  Ronnie Red looks to finally be the bright blue-red I’ve been waiting for MAC to produce in forever (Ruby Woo looks like crap on me as does MAC Red and Russian Red). Boyfriend Stealer should be a hit with brown girls because of the deep, dark color. I will say that if you do not own Yung Rapunxnel (amplified finish), make sure to haul that color first before Boyfriend Stealer.

Lipglass

  • Mall Madness Mid-tone pink violet
  • Strawberry Malt Bright red
  • Feelin’ So Good Deep blackened plum

BIGA Intel says: All of these look super-color-saturated the way true MAC addicts love their liplasses.  Strawberry Malt will look amazing on dark skin over Ronnie Red, and Feelin’ So Good looks a lot like Wrong Spell from MAC Venomous Villains.

PearlGlide Eye Liner

  • Petrol Blue Deep navy with pearl
  • Designer Purple Violet with pearl

BIGA Intel says: Forget Designer Purple and go straight for Petrol Blue. Why?  Not only does Petrol Blue look intensely amazing, it goes on smooth without issue.  Designer Purple isn’t as vibrant nor goes on as smooth as Petrol Blue.  Unless MAC has changed the formula recently, I don’t see myself getting another Designer Purple.  But Petrol Blue? You can never have too many.

Pigment

  • Black Poodle Blackened pink (Frost)
  • Magic Spells Blackened teal (Frost)

BIGA Intel says: From swatches I’ve seen, Black Poodle doesn’t look too impressive on and frankly it looks like MAC’s Beauty Marked (Velvet) eyeshadow. If you were lucky enough to get Moonlight Night pigment from MAC’s A Tartan Tale collection, you can skip Magic Spells. 

Powder Blush

  • Prom Princess Mid-tone violet pink (Satin)

BIGA Intel says: Its violet pink, Veronica is on it. Get it.

Pearlmatte Face Powder

  • Veronica’s Blush Silvery pink base (Play it Proper beauty powder) with deep pink hearts (Frankly Scarlet blush)

BIGA Intel says: I passed on Play it Proper beauty powder and as I already own ‘Too Chic’ and MAC’s Salsarose blush (MAC Pro), I’m passing on this.  

Spoiled Rich Eyeshadow Palette

  • Spoiled Rich Rich purple (Frost)
  • Ron Ron Run Deep navy (Satin)
  • Pin-Up Purple Mid-tone orchid (Frost)
  • Gravel Charcoal (Matte)

BIGA Intel says: The compact looks pretty, and the colors look nice, but check your stash first and check it twice.  These four colors look a lot like MAC Stars & Rockets, Atlantic Blue, Parfait Amour and some other dark charcoal grey color eyeshadow MAC has out. My first instinct is that these colors are dupeable but the palette is more about convenience than the colors included. 

Nail Lacquer

  • Past Curfew Deep berry
  • Double Trouble Deep navy

BIGA Intel says: See my notes under Betty.  Intel is still the same.

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Veronica items from the MAC Archie’s Girls Collection for Spring 2013. So cool, so Veronica…and so *me*.

My being a huge fan of the Archie comics, and of course totally on Team Veronica, I am very excited about this collection!  So much so that I found this bonus ‘cheat sheet’ you MUST print out and circle to note what you want. The collection is rumored to launch on MACCosmetics.com on January 30th but you probably want to start stalking the site before then.

Still here? It’s like you’re looking for that ‘bonus scene’ at the end of the movie credits.  Well, here ya go!

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MAC Archie’s Girls Accessories–gotta have that tote bag!!

MAC PRO NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

MAC PRO now available online to all!

MAC PRO now available online to all!

Yes, this post is worthy of the caps in the headline.

Finally, MAC has made some of its most coveted (and hauled by yours truly) products from their PRO line available online at MACcosmetics.com. These are products and colors not regularly sold outside of MAC PRO stores unless repromoted in special collections or popping up unannounced on the website for sale. Before you run off to the site with credit card in hand, here are a few items I highly recommend purchasing.

Chromaline in BlackBlack

This is without a doubt the BLACKEST and most long-lasting gel eyeliner I have ever used.  It is a waterproof gel/cream and It lasts through sweat, humidity (yes I have Florida tested it) and applies smooth and precisely.  The pigmentation is second to none and no other black gel eyeliner I have tried has come close to how black this is.  I personally like using a light line of this along my lashline to use as a ‘guide’ to putting on false eyelashes.

Chromagraphic Pencil in Hi-Def Cyan and Process Magenta

These brightly-colored pencils are very soft and go on smoother than the eye and lip pencils in MAC’s regular retail range. Hi-Def Cyan is truly cyan as in #E0FFFF hex code and the glowing blue color from TRON which looks amazing paired up with a black & silver smokey eye.  I like to use the Process Magenta color as a lip liner to amp up pink and purple lipsticks.

Mixing Medium in Shine and Matte

Ever wonder how to get those gorgeous MAC pigments to stick on your lid? Have a fancy to fiddle with finishes? These mixing mediums are great to use to apply and punch up the intensity of MAC pigments, or to use with the eye shadows should you choose to.  If you are a pigment hoarder like I am, you need this product in BOTH formulations.

Pigment in Kelly Green and Electric Coral, Eye Shadow in Bottle Green and Blue Calm

MAC pigments serve as wonderful bases in order to amp up your eyeshadow color.  Kelly Green is a gorgeous green well-suited to cool skintones, and Electric Coral is just cool enough to make coral eyeshadows like Paradisco and Motif pop. I am very partial to MAC Veluxe Pearl finishes and bright blues so Blue Calm is a must while Bottle Green is a gorgeous dark matte green perfect for Fall/winter.

So those are all of my must haves.  Of course the MAC Pro collection has lots of other lipstick colors (Violetta is definitely worth checking out) and items so definitely visit the website to see what goodies tickle your fancy.

Makeup Intel: MAC Extra Dimension [April 2012]

Coming in April 2012, MAC invites you to take your eye shadow to the Extra Dimension.

MAC Extra Dimension--bringing color to another level!
MAC Extra Dimension–bringing color to another level!

Scheduled for a North American release the first week of April 2012 (yes, same time as Reel Sexy) this collection will debut a new technological formula in the form of ten (10) Extra Dimension Eyeshadows and three (3) Extra Dimension Skinfinishes. Also coming back from its successful launch with the Semi-Precious eyeshadow collection are the split fibre cheek and eye shadow blending brushes.

MAC Extra Dimension eye shadows--can they top Peacocky?
MAC Extra Dimension eye shadows–can they top Peacocky?

Extra Dimension Eye Shadows

  • Warm Thunder- mid-tone silver grey
  • Blue Orbit- light iridescent purple
  • Grand Galaxy- mid-tone violet
  • Lunar- royal blue
  • Havanna- mid tone copper brown
  • Sweet Heat- bright peach champagne
  • modern pewter mode-tone olive gold
  • Rich Core-mid tone aubergine
  • Dark Dare-charcoal black
  • Young Venus-pale white pink

With ten eye shadows it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Reports indicate these shadows are large-sized like the Mineralize eyeshadows that were recently relaunched. For me personally I like to gravitate towards colors I will use the most frequently given the size of the product. So with my skin tone (NW) in consideration and my budget, plus what my inner beauty geek tells me, here are my top pics for the Extra Dimension eye shadows

WARM THUNDER — Described as a mid-tone silver grey, strangely this a color missing from my eye shadow stash. I don’t own Electra nor do I own any MAC silver pigments. Silver is great on gals with cool/red undertones as a base and as a highlight.

MAC Extra Dimension eye shadow in Warm Thunder

BLUE ORBIT — Light iridescent purple? Iridescent AND purple? I’m going to call this now as THE shade to get from this collection. This is a color I don’t recall MAC having anything in its current eye shadow or pigment lineup. So suffice it to say that in addition to the color, the iridescent effect, and the new formula, Blue Orbit will be the Shimmermint (from MAC’s Christmas Glitter & Ice ) of this collection.

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Blue Orbit

SWEET HEAT — A bright peach champagne, this looks to be a very pretty brow highlight shade and even a nice neutral color to wear all over the eyelid. It looks like it will compliment cooler skintones a bit better but not so much that warm toned beauties couldn’t rock it.

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Sweet Heat

MODERN PEWTER — Pow! This shade reminds me of the Dalliance eyeshadow from the Peacocky collection. This definitely looks to be a cool-toned shade and would look amazing blended with Blue Orbit for an interesting eye look. I know I plan to try it!

MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Modern Pewter

You can find pictures of the remaining shadows on this German website.

Extra Dimension Skinfinish

  • Whisper Of Gilt- light soft white gold with shimmery sheen
  • Superb- Soft peach nude with Multi dimensional shimmer
  • Glorify- Copper golden shimmer

Unlike the Mineralize Skinfinishes (which do not last on my super oily skin) the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (EDS) are reported to be a new formula like the eye shadows. In the graphic earlier in this post where you see the small eye shadows and three ‘bigger’ ones, those three big ones look to be the Extra Dimension skinfinishes. What excites me about these is that if you have severely oily skin as I do, those Mineralize Skin Finishes seem to last only nanoseconds on your skin before evaporating into a thought. Me being the techno-geek that I am, I so hope these do last longer on my skin. Glorify, the one described as having the copper golden shimmer is definitely on my list. Superb may be next and this is probably the one that would look the best on all skin tones. Whisper of Gilt looks to be a little too light for my skintone but could be a nice highlighter.

Split Fibre Brushes

  • 128 split fiber brush — Cheek brush
  • 234 split fiber brush — Eyeshadow blending brush
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MAC Split Fibre 128 and 235 brushes

Finding out these split fibre brushes were coming back was the main reason the Extra Dimension collection piqued my interest. Originally launched with the limited edition Semi-Precious collection last year, these brushes are unique in that one side is made up of natural hairs while the other side is made up of synthetic hairs. This makes for a great multi-purpose brush for applying cream shadows (like Paint Pots and Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams) and cream blushes. I use mine religiously to apply cream and powder products then blend them–all this with only having to use one brush.

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Closeup of MAC Split Fibre 128 and 235 brushes

So are you excited about this collection? Planning to pick up a few items? See any colors that you just gotta have? Hit me up in the comments.

Makeup Intel: MAC So Reel / Real Sexy [April 2012]

UPDATE! –> Official promo photos are up and you can see them here!

A little preface before we continue with this updated post.

What's this I'm seeing on Specktra? ANOTHER MAC collection? Yup!

As you can see if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile (and I am so grateful and thankful to each and every one of you readers) you’ll notice these Makeup Intel posts. I’ve noticed that while some folks post about upcoming collections and the color story, I’m more interested in how it translates to what I own, what folks might own, what my beauty sense says to grab and what to leave behind and look for later at the CCO (Cosmetics Company Outlet–where cosmetics go to die).

So what’s the big news for Reel Sexy? A color story, swatches and a slightly postponed release date. A HUGE shout-out to Itching2Snitch over on Specktra for the color swatches.

MAC’s Reel Sexy collection is scheduled to release in APRIL 2012 now and is reported to consist of four (4) lipsticks, four (4) Cremesheen Glass (can’t stand those damn things), four (4) eye shadow duos, four (4) eye kohl pencils, Zoom Fast lash, Mineralize Skinfinish (Lightscapade) and two (2) blushes. You can see FabDiva20’slist of individual items from the collection.

MAC Reel Sexy Collection Lipsticks (yes, Watch Me Simmer is BACK!)

I really feel MAC has another strong lipstick lineup in this collection. The four lipsticks in this collection are Pink Popcorn, Reel Sexy, Watch Me Simmer (yes, THE one from Cook MAC) and Heroine. Pink Popcorn is described as a lavender color with a Lustre finish. MAC’s Lustre formulas have been very nice of late and I’m guessing it will have a pretty nice color payoff like Flamingo from the Iris Apfel collection. Reel Sexy is described as a light, bright coral with an Amplified finish. I feel that Amplified finishes are the best finish lipsticks MAC produces so the payoff should be amazing on general principle. I’d really like to know if this color leans orange or pink coral but I’ll have to wait until I can swatch it to find out. Watch Me Simmer is a pink coral that pulls really pink on skin with red undertones like mine and more orange on warmer skintones. If you missed out on getting this when the Cook MAC collection came out, make it a top priority to haul this color as it is well worth the hype. Heroine (not to be confused with Heroine from the Wonder Woman collection) is described as a bright violet purple with a matte finish. I love violet purples so if this matte finish is nice and smooth like Quick Sizzle was, I’m very much looking forward to it.

MAC Reel Sexy Collection Eye Shadow Duos

The Dynamic Duo eye shadows (cue 1960’s Batman theme music) are most likely packaged like the Colourizations duos that came out last year. Dynamic Duo One (DD1) coral with yellow pearlized pigments (veluxe pearl)/purple (matte). Dynamic Duo Two (DD2) violet duo chrome with pearlized pigments (frost)/violet (matte). Dynamic Duo Three (DD3) mid-tone purple (veluxe pearl)/teal blue (matte) and Dynamic Duo Four (DD4) is a mid-tone pink (satin)/blackened violet (matte). As I feel MAC’s Veluxe Pearl finishes give you more value and performance, I’d lean towards picking up DD1 and DD3 if the colors appeal to you. I will say that if the teal blue of DD3 looks too much like Robin’s Egg from Iris Apfel, it may not make purchasing this duo worthwhile.

Reel Sexy Collection Cremesheen Glasses

I am not a big fan of the Cremesheen Glass finish. I’m also not a fan of the Creamsheen lipstick finish. However, the look of Color Saturation just may change my mind. The four colors in this collection are: Private Screening (a mid-tone peach), Cinestyle (a mid-tone blue grey violet), Colour Saturation (a dark cool wine) and Star Quality (a bright orange coral). Considering the cost of Cremsheen glasses, the lighter colors aren’t as much of a good value as the darker colors if you plan to wear them alone.

Swatches of Blushes from MAC's Reel Sexy (credit: Specktra.net)

The two blushes in this collection are Pink Cult (a repromote from the Jeanius collection from last year) which is a mid-tone neutral pink and Magenta which is a bright magenta. I passed on Pink Cult in the Jeanius collection because I though it too warm for my skintone. Magenta looks gorgeous but as I already own a Magenta CCB from the Stylishly Yours collection, I’m not anxious to buy this one.

Phew! That’s enough for now. Once I hear a more firm release date I will update this post.

Much thanks to the gals at Specktra.net for the scoop.

Makeup Intel: MAC For Marilyn Monroe [Fall 2012]

A MARILYN MONROE MAC COLLECTION IS COMING!!!

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If you know anything about the icon Marilyn Monroe was, and still is, you know those caps are more than warranted.

Scheduled for release in stores in October, MAC is producing a makeup collection inspired by the illustrious Marilyn Monroe. According to the press information MAC provided to the Hollywood Reporter, and announced by MAC in their Twitter Feed on 2/22/12 the collection will be comprised of over 30 pieces including eye shadow, lipstick and other goodies. I will post more information as it is released to the public.

Here is the full text of the article from The Hollywood Reporter

Blonde bombshell moment: MAC Cosmetic has unveiled plans for a special makeup collection inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s glamorous beauty. The limited-edition line (in partnership with Authentic Brands Group) includes nearly 30 products — eye shadow, lipstick (think retro red and hot pink), nail lacquer and eyeliner — and will arrive in stores in October.

“Marilyn’s an icon, plain and simple. Her look not only defined a generation but also is relevant today,” MAC senior vp James Gager told THR. Monroe’s presence is felt everywhere, even 50 years after her death, from NBC’s new hit show Smash, which stars American Idol alum Katharine McPhee and Broadway vet Megan Hilty, to the Oscar-nominated My Week With Marilyn with Michelle Williams.
“Marilyn’s back in the zeitgeist,” says Gager.

Start saving those credits, Programs. This is going to cost a chunk of change!