Friday, March 9, 2012

M∙A∙C Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder

Can you believe it? I bought two items from the M∙A∙C Vera Collection. I waited weeks to show them to you, and they are still available. It may be a miracle all around.

The limited-edition Vera Collection is characterized by flashy florals, butterfly brights, punchy patterns, and a light-as-air spirit inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. Perhaps I was attracted to it because it was designed for fashion fanatics everywhere. I think I was smitten by the colors of the Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder ($28).

Embossed with Vera's signature ladybug, Flower Fantasy and Sunday Afternoon are beautiful blushes and dynamic highlighters. They offer shimmer with a gleam that's flattering. I'm extremely pleased I ordered them - sight unseen.

Here's a photo to show you why I'm so happy with these colors. I swatched Sunday Afternoon at the top of my arm and Flower Fantasy below. In order to pick up enough color for photos, I used a sponge and rolled it over all the colors in the pattern in each compact. The result? Glorious, highlighting color that glows. My photos were taken in full, late-afternoon sun, so the direct, low sunlight was bouncing off my arm.

I'm not sure how I could have chosen between these two gorgeous colors, and I'm glad I didn't have to choose. At $28 each, I felt I could have both. I am wearing both and will continue to wear these stunning highlighting blushes for a long time. The compacts are generous.

I have no idea how M∙A∙C selected the name for these gleaming face powders. There's nothing matte about them. Then again, I'm not a member of the M∙A∙C secret society, which probably has handshakes and nods and winks that members use to recognize one another. They speak about their skin in foundation shade codes. I'm usually clueless. As an outsider, I can verify that M∙A∙C's Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder is worth a look-see. Pretty in the pan and stunning on the face, both shades are attention-worthy.

There can only be two reasons these beautiful highlighting powders are still available. I suspect they didn't pass muster with the secret society. Otherwise, they would have sold out in a day (or less), an outcome that's far too common with M∙A∙C. Or perhaps the name "Pearlmatte" was misleading. If you are a member of the secret society, maybe you can offer an explanation.

I bought my M∙A∙C Vera Pearlmatte Face Powders at the M∙A∙C Web site. You can also find M∙A∙C in my area at the free-standing M∙A∙C boutiques and Nordstrom.

Photo with black background courtesy of M∙A∙C; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brilliant review as always. Do you think these highlighters would work on tanned and darker skintones?

Eileen said...

It seems that glowing cheeks compliments of blusher/ highlighter hybrids in pink and peach are the order of the day. These two look lovely--and I'm not a member of "the secret society", either! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hahaha the MAC Secret Society! I wish I could help you, but I'm not in the club anymore either. I still have MAC products and use them, I just don't run out the door for every new collection they offer like others do.
Things with MAC depend upon Temptalia's review these days; if she likes them, people buy like crazy and if she doesn't then they don't sell. That's my best guess.
I haven't even looked at this collection. These do look lovely! Although-who's Vera? :)

Polarbelle said...

I'm not in the club anymore either...I have one of these, which I really hesitated before buying and I'll tell you why. I never use the beauty powders. Ever...are they a blush, are ey a powder....depends on the color really. So I viewed these initially as a beauty powder. I didn't buy them knowing I'm not going to use a beauty powder. I checked online swatches and felt guilt about thinking about buying more blushes, one of the last things I'll ever need again. Kept talking to myself and finally bought the pink one, determined to use it as a blush. From your swatch, I think I need the other one!! So now I'll probably get it too...but my basic hesitation was that the last thing I need is a beauty powder, just for the sake of collection. I'm saturated with Mac products I've purchased just to collect.

Anne said...

Hi, I'm a new follower ~ looking for a great perfume/beauty blog, and I've found it! ♥♥
Best,
Anne

Zenda said...

I like this peach color!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Parveen!

Yes, I do. However, I'd recommend Flower Fantasy for darker skin tones. Sunday Afternoon may be too light.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

I think there's an age issue for us. I suspect all the secret society members are under 30...some way under.

Charlestongirl said...

Tracy,

One could go broke running out to buy every collection. What, four/month? I haven't even looked at the newest ones. It's just too much for me!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Polarbelle,

Had these been simply tinted powders, I'd be really disappointed. Because they were more like blushes on my skin, I was delighted!

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Anne! Welcome!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Zelle,

The peach tones (pink peach, really) are very pretty on the skin. :)

lola seicento said...

Charlestongirl-- the MAC Secret Society is hysterical. I still use and buy from some of the MAC Collections-- so I speak MAC-- NC20-25 here (though I don't use their foundations- so that reference is irrelevant for me actually) LOL! Though truthfully Rouge Bunny Rouge, Hakuhodo and Sunday Riley get FAR FAR more of my money than MAC does!

I bought both of the Vera Pearlmatte Face Powders as well, and I think they are both lovely and gorgeous without any of the quality inconsistencies that seem to have plagued so many products presumably because of the rife succession of MAC limited edition launches.

I have absolutely no idea why these powders haven't sold out either- perhaps too few MAC patrons know who Vera Neumann was. I'm not so sure that it is simply a matter of those under 30 not being aware of her (age or generation gap) because Iris Apfel isn't a young fashionista either, and her collection seems to have sold out quickly.

I suspect in that it has more to do with the neon/bright trend- since those types of items seem to be selling out almost immediately (like all of the Iris Apfel lipsticks that were so on trend). I think maybe that these Pearlmatte Face Powders might be more subdued than what lots of people are looking to buy as the weather begins to warm up. Of course I could be completely off base.