M·A·C Mineralize Eye Shadow from the Après Chic Collection

I light up when I see new mineralize products from M·A·C. The Après Chic Collection offered me a selection of five enticing shades of Mineralize Eye Shadow ($21). They were such a roll of the dice; I can't really tell from shopping online what shade they will be on the skin, but these two shades, Silver Birch on the left and Winter Pursuit on the right, won the coin toss.

These baked minerals refined into a powder formula provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. The colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. I can create a kapow eye with these shades - or one that's subtle and refined - giving me a choice for application and look.

Silver Birch is defined by M·A·C as a silver base with peach veining. Winter Pursuit is defined as a copper base with grey veining. What I received, particularly with Silver Birch, more than met my expectations. I like them so much I am featuring them only a week after receipt. Miraculously, they are from a M·A·C collection that has remained available more than four days.

I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply them heavily, and I took my swatch photos in full sunlight. I'm really disappointed that I could not capture the khaki that I can see in Silver Birch (at the top of my arm). It is drop-dead gorgeous.

The silver is a stunning shade. Not extra-shiny silver, it's a taupe-silver that shows me a touch of khaki in person. I think the copper is extremely pretty. You gals with blue or green eyes are going to love it.

Now that I've grown accustomed to "orange" shades on my eyelids, I have realized how flattering they can be. It took awhile, but I'm on board now.

I'd really like to see the rest of the shades in person. Who knows? I could buy another one. These two have delighted me. You can purchase them online or at any M·A·C counter or boutique. Just don't wait long.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty