Shop MAC Call Me Bubbles Eye Shadow Quad: The Rundown

It has been a long time, okay, never, that I’ve been interested in purchasing an eye shadow quad from a MAC collection. It was either the colors were too boring, or the color payoff was absolutely awful. And as much as I love my Veluxe Pearl finishes, having only one per quad wasn’t enough to make me cough up the cash to buy one.

That is, until this collection came out.

The Shop MAC portion of the Shop MAC / Cook MAC collection features three (3) eye shadow quads. They are Shop and Drop (which I skipped due to funds), Colour Added and Call Me Bubbles. Initially I was going to put the reviews of both quads in one post but I managed to find some eyeshadows in my stash (permanent and limited edition) to provide as a comparison. I am hoping this will be of help if you aren’t interested in the entire quad for whatever reason but perhaps one of the colors catches your eye enough to want something close to it.

Cook MAC Call Me Bubbles Eye Shadow Quad

When I hear the name ‘bubbles’ I think either white or pink. Leave it to MAC to try something different. The Call Me Bubbles eye shadow quad consist of four coordinating colors. Call Me Bubbles (Satin) a slightly peachy-white, Fresh Daily (Frost) a tangy tangerine orange, Full Of Flavour (Matte) a buttery pink coral, and Brash (Veluxe Pearl) which is smooth pearly coppery goodness. All four shades work great together and the only shade I had a slight issue with was Full Of Flavour but that’s only because me and matte shades don’t get along too well. I will say compared to the hot mess that is Free To Be, it is an extreme improvement and a joy to work with.

Call Me Bubbles quad look done by MAC MUA (wearing MAC Matchmaster foundation in 8.0) Watch Me Simmer lipstick, Optimistic Orange cremeblend blush and Wholesome fluidline

The color in the crease is MAC Saddle eyeshadow--not in the quad but it is a permanent shade

”]Call Me Bubbles (S) is flatter of a finish and whiter as compared to Dazzlelight (VXP) and much less frosty than Rice Paper (F). It all comes down to finish when comparing this shade.

From left: Dazzlelight (VXP), Call Me Bubbles (S), Rice Paper (F)

Fresh Daily (F) is more tangerine than Motif (F) and not as peachy coral as Paradisco (F). There is definitely a difference in color between these three shades. Fresh Daily is color that I haven’t seen in MAC’s eyeshadow lineup as it is definitely not a Matte like Orange nor a Satin finish and orange like Rule. Melon pigment might be closer.

From left: Motif (F), Fresh Daily (F), Paradisco (F)

Full of Flavour (M) is much more coral pink than Samoa Silk (V) and slightly more pink than Free To Be (M). It is very smooth to apply like Samoa Silk and isn’t nearly as fussy as Free To Be to get great application and color payoff.

From left: Samoa Silk (V), Full of Flavour (M), Free To Be (M)

Brash (VXP) is less red than Coppering (VXP) and has more of a peach cast than PaparazzShe (MMS/Peacocky). It is also more orange than Mythical (VXP/MAC Me Over–not pictured). This is the softest shade of the quad in texture and is the most pigmented. As it is a Veluxe Pearl (VXP) the color payoff is what I have come to expect from this finish.

From left: Coppering (VXP), Brash (VXP), PaparazzShe (MMS)

As I am a total sucker for coral and coppery shades this quad was definitely a must have for me. It is great for creating lighter and softer looks that are easy for most people to wear. The colors aren’t necessarily unique but the performance of all four makes it definitely worth owning. If you’re not up for making the plunge for this quad, please revisit my swatches and keep them in mind when looking for comparable shades. I’m very much looking forward to using this quad–especially the gorgeous coral matte shade Full of Flavour so I can kick Free To Be to the curb.

Call Me Bubbles quad 'softer' look with Full Of Flavour (matte) and Added Goodness fluidine. Color hack of Watch Me Simmer by using Pink Poodle lipglass over Vegas Volt

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Shop MAC / Cook MAC Lipsticks: The Rundown

My mission was to get three of the lipsticks from the Shop MAC collection. I managed to pick up Watch Me Simmer (Amplified) and Quick Sizzle (Matte). Dish It Up (Lustre) I’m waiting on to arrive as it is on backorder from Nordstrom.com. As soon as I receive it I will post the review here. This collection is on sale in North America right now and scheduled for International release in March of 2012.

Get ya Shop MAC on!! And don't forget the 1980's Dynasty hair!

Quick Sizzle (Matte) is a surprisingly smooth pink-fuchsia lipstick. It goes on much nicer than MAC’s usual dry matte texture lippies I skip on general principle. Whatever smooth formula they put in the Iris Apfel collection matte lipsticks (of which I have a few and I love them) it’s obvious it’s been used in this shade. But like all matte lipsticks you need to make sure your lips are well hydrated/exfoliated or else this color will cling to every scrape, flake, bump, dent and pothole on your lips. It is very well-pigmented and quite stunning on cool skin tones. Quick Sizzle has more of a flat finish and more of a purple tinge as compared to Something New (Amplified/Stylishly Yours). Pink Pigeon (Matte/Iris Apfel) is definitely pinker and cooler in tone. The only lipstick color I can think of from the permanent range that comes close to this color is probably Girl About Town (Amplified) but it isn’t a matte finish.

Shop MAC Lipstick in Quick Sizzle (Matte)

On NW43 skin from left: Pink Pigeon (Matte), Quick Sizzle (Matte), Something New (Amplified)

Watch Me Simmer (Amplified) is well worth the hype behind its quick disappearance. A strong pink-coral, it is very pigmented and goes on smooth the way I’ve come to expect from all of the Amplified finish lipsticks I own from MAC. It is very easy to ‘overdo’ applying an Amplified lipstick so I advise using a lip brush if you are wary about this being too bright on your lips. This shade is pinker than my favorite coral lipstick of all time, Vegas Volt (Amplified/Permanent) so if you own Vegas Volt, picking up Watch Me Simmer won’t result in a duplicate. I’ve heard some people compare Watch Me Simmer to Full Speed (Sheen Supreme) and while it may look similar in the tube, on my NW43 skin it is obviously a more reddish-pink coral with more sheen. For me personally this shade of coral lipstick is more suited to cool skintones like mine where Vegas Volt seems to require I wear cooler-toned eyes to balance out the look.

Shop MAC Lipstick in Watch Me Shimmer (Amplified)

On NW43 skin from left: Vegas Volt (Amplified), Watch Me Simmer (Amplified), Full Speed (Sheen Supreme)

Of the two lipsticks, Watch Me Simmer is definitely the most ‘on trend’ shade to have for Spring 2012. Unfortunately it is sold out in a lot of places. MacCosmetics.com has it as ‘coming soon’ so stalk the website if you haven’t gotten your hands on a tube yet. But if you can’t get this shade don’t worry–it’s scheduled to be repromoted in the upcoming So Reel / Reel Sexy collection scheduled for release in early April. Also try pairing Vegas Volt with a light to medium pink lipglass as a ‘color hack’ of Watch Me Simmer.

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Preview: Shop MAC / Cook MAC

It was ‘Game On’ today as I swung by my usual MAC boutique to pick up my Shop MAC / Cook MAC goodies!

Big hair and bright makeup--the Shop MAC / Cook MAC collection is so me.

When the smoke cleared between what I’d reserved and what I bought as a result of my makeover, I would up with two of the eye shadow quads (Colour Added and Call Me Bubbles), two lipsticks (Quick Sizzle and Watch Me Simmer), two blushes (Florida and Optomistic Orange), and two tendertones (Purring and Hot and Saucy). I’m working on comparison swatches to post along with reviews this weekend but in the meantime enjoy the swag pics and a pic of me wearing the Call Me Bubbles trio and the pretty much sold out Watch Me Simmer lipstick.

Da swag in packaging that reminds me of those cardboard Barbie supermarket play set...

Colour Added quad, Quick Sizzle lipstick, Florida cremeblend blush and Hot & Saucy tendertone

Call Me Bubbles quad, Watch Me Simmer lipstick, Optimistic Orange cremeblend blush and Purring tendertone

The Shop MAC look feat. Call Me Bubbles eye shadow quad, Watch Me Simmer lipstick and Optimistic Orange cremeblend blush

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MAC Viva Glam Niki Minaj Lipstick: The Rundown

You know you’ve ordered too much MAC when you get a ‘private’ invitation to purchase this:

MAC's Niki Minaj for Viva Glam lipstick

Described as a bright yellow-pink, this Satin finish lipstick is hip-hop artist Niki Minaj’s second collaboration with MAC (the first was the uber-fail hot mess known as Pink Friday). Benefiting those living with AIDS, this particular collaboration is part of the latest Viva Glam offering along with a lip conditioner ‘signed’ by Ricky Martin. Little side note: I went to junior high school w/ his stepsister when he was in Menudo. Yes, I know I am dating myself but I digress.

Closeup of MAC Niki Minaj for Viva Glam (no flash)

Niki Minaj for Viva Glam is a very bright color which I feel is not easily wearable. It is definitely an ‘impact’ color so if you are looking for something daring, or if bright lipstick is already your style (I’m firmly in both camps) this color is right up your alley. On warmer skintones this color wouldn’t stand out as much as it would on cooler skintones. Compared to the closest lipsticks in color that I own, Niki Minaj for Viva Glam is more yellow than the porn-star pink of Pink Friday (Satin), which is cooler, and is lighter but still on the yellow side as compared to Chatterbox (Amplified).

From left: MAC Chatterbox, Niki Minaj for Viva Glam, Niki Minaj Pink Friday (flash)

While I do like the color of this lipstick, as with most Satin finish lipsticks by MAC, I absolutely loathe the formula. Like with matte lipsticks if my lips are not completely smooth this stuff will wedge itself into every groove, crack and flake on my lips. It doesn’t feel very moisturizing and the wear time is much less than those of my beloved Amplified finish lipsticks. The use of a lip primer like MAC’s Prep + Prime or Too Faced’s Lip Insurance is a must before applying this lipstick. Using a lip pencil wouldn’t hurt either. This isn’t a must-have and I do think MAC has better bright yellow-pink lipsticks (Impassioned, Chatterbox) but the color is very nice and the proceeds go to a great cause.

Niki Minaj for Viva Glam retails for $14.50 is scheduled to go on sale to the general public on February 14th in most MAC locations and on MacCosmetics.com. All proceeds from the sale of this lipstick goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS.

From left: MAC Chatterbox, Niki Minaj for Viva Glam, Niki Minaj Pink Friday (no flash/HDR)

MAC's Niki Minaj Viva Glam lipstick--not for the faint of heart!

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MAC Tour De Fabulous Lipglass: The Rundown

By the time you read this, if you are in the US chances are you missed this release. If you are outside the US, pay attention as these are scheduled to be released in February.

MAC Tour de Fabulous lipglass --Taste The Rainbow 🙂

Along with the lip pencils I reviewed recently, I picked up three (3) of the eleven shades of Lipglass available in this limited edition collection. The three picked up were Real Posh, StylePacked and Tour de Fabulous. I purposely picked these three to match the four lip pencils I purchased from the Tour De Fabulous collection.

Swatches on NW43 skin (indoors with flash)

Swatches on NW43 skin (indoors without flash)

Real Posh is a reddened berry that looks quite opaque on. I love how it looked with the Just Wonderful lip pencil but it is opaque enough to wear on its own. I’d almost go as far to say it’s just a degree or two below being as totally opaque as my favorite lipglass by Afrobella, All Of My Purple Life. If you have very pigmented lips I don’t see a problem with this shade showing up on you without lip pencil.

Wearing MAC Real Posh lipglass over Just Wonderful lip pencil

StylePacked is an uber-cool blue-toned pink that is semi-opaque. I was quite dissapointed it wasn’t as opaque as my favorite pink lipglass, Pink Poodle but over the Embrace Me lipencil (or even better over High Magenta Chromagraphic pencil) it still looks rather nice. If you have very pigmented lips I wouldn’t look for much color payoff from this shade unless you wear lip pencil. I really think this color would look amazing over Pink Pigeon from the Iris Apfel collection or Pink Nouveau Amplified lipstick. And if you were unfortunate enough as I was to pick up that Niki Minaj Pink Friday lipstick, this lipglass will actually make that hot mess wearable.

Wearing MAC Style Packed lipglass over Embrace Me lip pencil

Tour de Fabulous is a pretty semi-opaque coral orange that is more suited to warmer skintones but not so much that cooler-toned gals like myself couldn’t wear. I wore this over Entertain Me and Lasting Sensation lip pencils and while I prefer the latter lip pencil because it leans more pink coral, I was pleased with how this lipglass looked over both. Many people are curious as to how this color compares to Strange Potion first released with the Disney’s Venomous Villains collection and repromoted with Surf Baby! Tour De Fabulous is definitely more orange coral while Strange Potion is more pink. As someone with a cooler skintone, I definitely prefer Strange Potion. If you have Strange Potion in your stash and cash is tight, I would pass over this color and grab the Entertain Me lip pencil to wear with it instead. You would get pretty much the same color as Tour de Fabulous and you can use the pencil with other colors.

Wearing MAC Tour De Fabulous lipglass over Lasting Sensation lip pencil

MAC Tour de Fabulous and Strange Potion

Lipglasses are usually a MAC staple for most women of color. The pigmentation is translucent enough not to look ‘ashy’ even in lighter colors. They are slightly-tacky and usually last longer over lipstick and lip pencil than alone. Vanilla-scented and taste free, they are jam-packed with moisturizing goodness like jojoba oil to keep your lips soft and smooth especially in cold winter weather. The lipglasses from this collection retail for $14.50 USD and are available now for a limited time. For International release date, MAC press materials project February 15th.

Definitely pick up a few of these lipglasses as they are colors sorely lacking from MAC’s permanent lip glass lineup.

MAC Tour de Fabulous lipglass --Yay for more colors!!!

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