Cook MAC Tendertones: The Rundown

Granted the Shop MAC / Cook MAC collection is for Spring 2012, here in the Northeastern US it is absolutely frigid. And as such, chapped lips are constantly on my mind. So when I heard the legendary Tendertones from MAC were making an appearance, I wondered if they were worth all the radio chatter. Are they worth it? Let’s discuss…

To paraphrase Flavor Flav of Public Enemy, "Should you believe the hype?"

There are a total of four (4) Tendertones released in the Cook MAC portion of this Spring 2012 release. I picked up the two most pigmented which are Hot N Saucy, and Purring. Hot N Saucy is a bright Jolly Rancher/Skittles red color that is translucent and goes on the lips semi-sheer. Purring is a bright tangerine orange that goes on with a hint of color. Not as bold as Hot N Saucy but you can definitely notice the pigmentation.

Purring Tendertone from Cook MAC. Looks crazy in the pot but sheers out on the lips.

Hot 'N Saucy Tendertone. My favorite one for the obvious red semi-sheer tint on the lips.

So on the surface all of these Tendertones just look like Philosophy Kiss Me lipgloss in a pot with the same delicious smells. But that’s where the comparison end. Tendertones are jam-packed with moisture and I noticed a definite difference in my lips when using it the first time. I’m so-so about the Jack Black lipbalms (which I think are overhyped), can take or leave the Philosophy ones and think my EOS (Evolution of Smooth) ones are wonderful, but these Tendertones I am just over the moon about.

From left: Hot 'N Saucy Tendertone, Purring Tendertone

The big reason these Tendertones are so moisturizing is found in the ingredients. Not the petrolatum (which I’m sensitive to in large quantities but in this it doesn’t irritate me or give me an allergic reaction) which provides slip and a moisture barrier, not the various fruit oils but this sucker contains…wait for it…murumuru butter! Yes, the same murumuru butter that is in the legendary and vulgar display of price point lipsticks of Tom Ford fame. Murumuru butter is also very expensive relative to the ubiquitous cocoa butter and shea butter. This is probably why Tendertones are a limited edition.

I’ve read some reviews from people saying they don’t like the lip gloss being in a pot. That of course is a personal preference. I don’t like having to squeeze the frakking tube to get the last bit out which is why I love the smooth EOS lip balm spheres. My personal advice concerning Tendertones is this: buy a retractable lip brush to use with them. Revlon makes a cheap one, Sonia Kashuk for Target has one, Sephora definitely has one and NARS has a chic one.

Tendertones from the Cook MAC collection are $15 USD and are currently available at all MAC locations. These are also going FAST! Nordstrom.com has a backorder of 2/20/12 on some of the Tendertones while Maccosmetics.com is sold out of all but one (and that is Coming Soon).

Ingredients include murumuru butter = SUPER moisturizer!

Other side of ingredients on the Tendertone box

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Shop MAC Colour Added Eye Shadow Quad: The Rundown

When I heard the Shop MAC collection had an eye shadow quad with two Veluxe Pearl shadows, I immediately thought, SOLD!

Shop MAC Colour Added Eye Shadow Quad -- 2 Veluxe Pearl shadows, no waiting!

The Colour Added eye shadow quad consists of four (4) colors: Laundry Daze (S), Colour Added (VXP), PrePackaged (VXP) and Self-Serve (S). Laundry Daze is a satin-finish shade with a slight yellow tint. Colour Added is a light yellow shade with a pearl sheen while PrePackaged is a dark teal. Self-Serve is a smokey dark grey color with a satin finish that is an absolute pain in the proverbial to swatch and has the worst color payoff of the entire group. Still, it’s a shade I could care less about as the other three work fabulously together and are very well pigmented.

From left: Laundry Daze (S), Colour Added (VXP), Pre-Packaged (VXP) and Self-Serve (S) (flash)

From left: Laundry Daze (S), Colour Added (VXP), Pre-Packaged (VXP) and Self-Serve (S) (no flash)

Colour Added (VXP) is slightly more yellow than Going Banannas (F/Dare To Wear) and is more pastel yellow on my NW43 skin than Three Ring Yellow (VXP/Cindy Sherman). I have heard some blog reports that Three Ring Yellow and Colour Added look the same on them. Perhaps this is the case if you have yellow undertones (NC range) but as I have cool red undertones (NW) the color difference is very apparent. Three Ring Yellow actually has more of a green cast on my skin than yellow. Colour Added is very buildable and has excellent color payoff as I’ve come to expect from Veluxe Pearl finishes.

From left: Going Bananas, (F) Colour Added (VXP), Three Ring Yellow (VXP)

Laundry Daze (S) is a satin finish that looks obviously ‘flat’ next to the uber-shimmery Crystal Avalanche (VXP). This makes a great brow highlight shade as it is not very shimmery and blends easily. It does appear to have a slight lemon cast to it when swatching but it isn’t easily apparent. I had no performance issues with this color which is surprising as I am not a fan of MAC’s satin eyeshadows.

From left: Crystal Avalanche (VXP), Laundry Daze (S)

Self-Serve (S) is obviously darker than Copperplate (M2) and has more grey and no sparkle in it as compared to Hocus Pocus (S). Perhaps it’s because it takes time to ‘break’ it in but I found swatching Self-Serve got easier the more product I got on the brush. Of course this means I’d wind up eventually using more product. As this is my least favorite color of the quad (and honestly, it isn’t what drew me to it) I don’t consider it a knock on the value of this palette. Consider it the ‘Crazy Memaw‘ of the quad and roll with it.

From left: Copperplate (M2), Self-Serve (S), Hocus Pocus (S)

Pre-Packaged (VXP) has a brighter blue cast than Deep Truth (F) and brighter than Plumage (M) which has no shimmer. The color swatches beautifully and when blended with the yellow Colour Added produces a subtle smokey green that adds to the mystery of your eye look. I love this shadow on its own but combined with the other two it looks amazing! Even the Crazy Memaw color of Self-Serve takes a little of the shine off to give it a different effect.

From left: Deep Truth (F), Pre-Packaged (VXP), Plumage (M)

Unlike with the Call Me Bubbles quad, Colour Added is more ‘in your face’ and edgy. If you want to add more dimension to your eyeshadow collection or want to try something different, I think you will be pleased with it. Folks who are ‘color averse’ may want to either skip this or swatch in person before making a decision. For olive to dark-skinned girls I think this is an amazing quad to have. Just make sure to use a pale base on your eyelid (MAC Soft Ochre, Painterly or Nublie paint pot, or Crystal Avalanche eye shadow) before applying the Laundry Daze or Colour Added or else the color won’t pop as well or last as long.

The Colour Added quad retails for $38 USD, is a limited edition item and is available at all MAC locations (freestanding and counter) and at MacCosmetics.com. International release is slated for March of 2012.

Dramatic look from Colour Added quad, Quick Sizzle on lips, and Florida cremeblend blush on cheeks and Chromaline gel liner in Black Black (NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer in Polynesia on face set with MAC Careblend powder in Dark)

Laundry Daze on brow, Colour Added all over lid, Pre-Packaged in outer lid and crease (indoors w/ flash)

Colors from Colour Added blend to a pretty yellow to blue-green fade (natural light). This is how I do Casual Friday!

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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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Makeup Intel: MAC Shop Shop Shop / Cook Cook Cook

Get those credit cards ready, LAUNCH DATE IS FEBRUARY 9 2012 US / MARCH 2012 INTERNATIONAL. (Source: Temptalia.com)

And here’s the color story!

Notice something different? Yep, I’ve got a ‘money shot’ of some of the goodies from the S3/C3 Spring 2012 collection from MAC. This is the kind of stuff you score when listening to the ‘chatter on Twitter. Enjoy!

MAC Shop Shop Shop, Cook Cook Cook collection (source: Twitter.com/MAC_Tiffany_J , props to Kia of KillerLipGloss.com for the intel)

Lady Bunny shows the MAC trainees how to werk the S3/C3 collection (source: Twitter.com/MAC_Gordon_E)

UPDATED > More promo pics HERE! And HERE!

I’m most excited about the Tendertones, Fluidlines (never can have too many) and the Kissable lip colors (looks like Flaunting It is being repromoted in this collection!).

Wow, wow and WOW!

MAC

This looks to be an extremely colorful collection tentatively slated for release Feburary 2012 North America/March 2012 International. For more information and ZOMFG pics, check out the scoop Specktra has on this collection.

More information available over at Specktra.net. Major props to the gals who run that site. Please do show them love and drop by the forum.