M∙A∙C Pedro Lourenço Cream Colour Base in Hush

Brazilian fashion designer Pedro Lourenço continues to enchant the fashion world with his couture-like sensibility and meticulous attention to detail. The child of fashion designers, Lourenço grew up in São Paulo and has been designing since the early age of 12. M·A·C’s collaboration brings his unique elegance to a color collection that emulates the same delicate balance he achieves in his design work. Daring, saturated hues are juxtaposed against soft, frosted nudes, all encased in limited-edition, black packaging with a chic, velvet finish.

As I mentioned in another feature, I had a spell when I couldn't get photographs.  Either it was raining after work or I was at physical therapy...or something. So, this Cream Colour Base ($22), which I find glorious, is no longer available at the M∙A∙C Web site (see update below). I'm sorry. If I'm going to keep this blog rolling, I will have to set up a photo studio. I'm hoping you will be able to find this item - along with the other I purchased - at a M∙A∙C counter or boutique. That is often the case.

Versatile and multi-purpose, the limited-edition Cream Colour Base in the soft peach of Hush can be applied directly to bare skin or layered over foundation, moisturizer, or powder. Apply it with a brush, a sponge, or your fingers. I've been using my fingers for fast and even application. 

Although it's a perfect "base," I love wearing it on days when I'm in a hurry, need a little color on my eyelids, and want to swipe and go. The light peachy cream shade gleams, focusing attention on my eyes.

For my swatch here, I applied it with a sponge-tipped applicator (to get even lines) and took my photos in full, mid-afternoon sun. Isn't this gentle peach color gorgeous?

It is very creamy on application, making it easy to apply.Once it sets, it stays put. I have used it as an eye shadow and played with it as a highlighter. It's too bad M∙A∙C offered it in only this shade. I like it so much, I might have tossed my recent frugal rule and ordered one of each.

If you love cream products for the face, see if you can find Cream Colour Base in Hush. It will be worth the hunt. I see that the Powder Blush Duo I purchased is also sold out online. What a shame!

Update: See Sara's comment. Hush is a permanent shade. The only difference with this Pedro Lourenço product is that I paid $2 more for his name on the case. I'm kind of annoyed with M∙A∙C, a company I clearly don't know well. I'm happy you can purchase Hush, but annoyed that M∙A∙C would include a standard product in a special edition collection. Thanks, Sara!

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

M·A·C Extra Dimension Blush

I thought M·A·C's limited-edition Extra Dimension Blush ($25) had so much potential. The shades looked pretty, and the description enticed me.

About the collection...
Extra Dimension Skinfinish, Blush, and Eye Shadow feature our unique liquid-powder hybrid formula, delivering high-resolution color and prismatic reflections in versatile finishes with up to six hours of color coverage. It's polished perfection.

About these blushes...
A liquid-powder blush with prismatic reflections in five shimmering shades. Impact ranges from sheer crystallized light to a highly polished metallic effect.

I ordered Bareness and At Dusk online. At $25, I wasn't taking a huge risk, but I was expecting something new to love. I don't love them.

Bareness is shown at top left. It is described as a rosy beige. At Dusk, shown at right, is described as a mid-tone rose. Sounded like safe bet for my pale skin.

I took swatch photos in full sun. I used a sponge-tipped applicator, and swatched extremely heavily, building the color to the max. Unfortunately, what you see in my swatch photos is the most color I could get out of these two blushes - even after applying them unnaturally heavily.

Bareness is shown at the top of my arm. It's light beige with just a hint of rose. At Dusk is pink - maybe rose pink if you stretch - but light. Both of these shades look dramatically lighter on my face than they do in these swatch photos.

If you are interested in creating that barely there blush look that was seen on many runways this spring, these are your colors. If not, I doubt anyone other than M·A·C collectors will find them to be must-haves.

The colors are pretty - I have to admit that - and very sheer. I guess I can use them as finishing powders. They offer little color impact on the cheeks. Perhaps that's good? I prefer a blush with more pigmentation, giving me the option to sweep it on lightly for a light cheek or to build the color for a bit more of a punch. My photos show M·A·C's Extra Dimension Blush (in these two shades) built to the max.

You can purchase them at M·A·C online and, I'm sure, at M·A·C counters everywhere. It's interesting to me that the darker colors sold out quickly. Those buyers knew something I didn't.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

M·A·C Cremeblend Blush in So Sweet, So Easy from the Perennial Pinks Collection for 2012

I did buy one more item from M·A·C's Perennial Pinks Collection: So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush ($20). M·A·C calls it a bright yellow pink. I fail to see yellow in it; I see blue. Take a look at my photo below and see what you think.

No matter how the shade is described, it's still a nice cream blush - especially for $20. Here's how M·A·C describes Cremeblend Blush...

A blush that manages to make a simple blush state-of-the-art. Creamy, easy to blend medium coverage formula imparts a natural finish that's smooth, dewy-fresh, and long lasting.

That sums it up pretty well. I'd add "very sheer" to its description. I had to layer it onto my arm crazy-heavily to get the top swatch on my arm. I used a sponge-tipped applicator - not the idea instrument for swatching a cream blush, and took my photos in full sun. At the top of my arm, I applied So Sweet, So Easy extremely heavily. Below, in the larger swatch, I applied the swatch with one pass of the applicator.

The color is baby pink on steroids. It's actually very pretty, youthful, and dewy on my cheeks when I apply it with a foundation brush or my fingers. It's not as blue as the Peony Petal Powder Blush I showed you last week. I think can be attributed to its sheerness.

I have cream blushes I like a lot more, but this one would be a nice pick-me-up to keep in my desk drawer at work. It produces that effect, and at the end of a long day, my face can use some color!

As I mentioned, the Perennial Pinks were repromotes that have already disappeared from the M·A·C New Collections page. So Sweet, So Easy was too. You can still purchase it. Just click on this link at M·A·C's Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of M·A·C; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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

M·A·C A Tartan Tale Brush Bags for Holiday 2010

We all know M·A·C makes rave-worthy makeup brushes. Now, with A Tartan Tale, you can purchase limited-edition brush sets in gorgeous tartan plaid fabric bags! How good does it get? It appears to be fairy tale week at Best Things in Beauty. Here's another cute one.

Once upon a time, a bonny lass was in a Scottish ska band. She couldn't just pick one look - punk or princess? So she chose them all...fancy that (I feel like the bonny lass!). Her loot? The Lip, Eye, and Brush Bags from A Tartan Tale, at M·A·C for every girl who wants to arrive at the ball in flawless fashion, with everything she needs in nifty, handsome, heathery tartan modern mash-ups, trimmed in shiny patent. Throw on your favorite tartan frock (knickers optional) and off you go, perfectly ready to raise a ruckus!

Know what a ska band is? I didn't! Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and R&B. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the upbeat. Who knew? Did you?

This bonny lass bought all three of the brush bags! That's what I do when I can't make up my mind and I'm afraid an item will sell out. Each is priced at $49.50; they are great value sets.

• She's Got It All Apply, Define & Line Brush Collection, with the five best brushes to line and define face and eye: 194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE, and 275SE
• A Lady & Her Tricks Buff & Line Brush Collection, Buffing and lining go perfectly with these: the 168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE, and 252SE
• Sweep Me Off My Feet Sweep & Define Brush Collection, the five most-wanted brushes for that perfect application of powder or blush: the 129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE, and 275SE - shown at right

These sets give you great brushes in pretty tartan bags, embellished with a gold heraldic crest and metal rivets. The bags have patent leather clip-on shoulder straps for those who want to use them as little handbags. They are the perfect size to use as purses when you only need your cell phone and a few other items. They also make great makeup bags. Each collection comes in a tartan box too.

It's love!

You can purchase A Tartan Tale at M∙A∙C online, M∙A∙C stores, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's. There are good reasons for this collection to sell out.

Photos courtesy of M·A·C

M∙A∙C Eye Kits from A Tartan Tale Holiday Colour Collection

I think I mentioned that I wanted to see M∙A∙C's A Tartan Tale in person, preferring to avoid the hysteria surrounding new M∙A∙C introductions. This is one collection I should have gone to see the second it arrived. In my humble opinion, it's fantastic!

Yesterday at Nordstrom, I saw a large part of A Tartan Tale, and today I ordered from M∙A∙C some of the items that had sold out at Nordstrom - and a few more. I couldn't stop. I think I placed three orders. I have always loved tartan plaids. This collection, housed in tartan plaids, is lust-worthy outside and inside.

I purchased two limited-edition eye kits: Six Dashing Lassie Eye Shadows ($36) and Six Reelers & Rockers Eye Shadows ($36), which is shown above. I finger-tested each at the store and found that they were even prettier on the skin than in the palettes!

Six Reelers & Rockers is described as "bent on fun." Not sure that's me, but I love it. It includes a light, dark, mid-tone mix of Melt My Heart, Gaelic Gold, Crown & Sceptre, Family Treasures, White Rabbit, and Carbon, all in a tartan compact with the M∙A∙C heraldic crest. I swatched it for you, starting in the compact at top left and moving across the top row, then moving to the bottom row, starting at the bottom left. The shades were swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator and photographed in full sun. There isn't a shade in this palette that I won't wear.

The Six Dashing Lassie shadows are equally gorgeous. The palette is shown at left. Like the other, the shades looked pretty in the palette and gorgeous on the skin. My swatch photo isn't as bright (taken within 10 minutes of the first - go figure!), but is should show you that the range of shades is nice. They all complement one another.

M∙A∙C describes the palette as being designed for "lassies who love to dazzle then dash," a "swishy-swish" tartan compact featuring a limited-time mix of Once Upon a Time, A Dashing Lassie, Magic Mist, Bronze, Buckwheat, and Showstopper Eye Shadows. My swatching method was the same - left to right top row first, bottom row second.

There was a third eye kit, but it didn't grab me: Six Twists of Tartan. It was somewhat discordant to my eyes. If you haven't seen it, just click on the link.

I'm smitten. I haven't been this happy with a M∙A∙C purchase in a long time. I bought one more kit at Nordstrom. I will show it to you later today. Then I came home and went a little crazy, ordering face palettes and brush kits. They will arrive this week, and I promise to show them to you quickly. I know I'm late to the Tartan Tale party. Most beauty bloggers featured it weeks ago.

You can purchase A Tartan Tale at M∙A∙C online, M∙A∙C stores, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale's. There are good reasons for this collection to sell out.

Palette photos courtesy of M∙A∙C

M∙A∙C Leopard Luxe Pigments Plus Superslick Liquid Eye Liner

M∙A∙C is featuring two Pigments ($19.50) with its new Leopard Luxe collection, one of the three new Fabulous Felines. I have never purchased Pigments before. I am not one of the M∙A∙C devotees, who must purchase every new collection, but I do like certain M∙A∙C items - a lot!

I decided it was time to get my feet wet with M∙A∙C's pigments, despite the fact that no self-respecting cat likes wet feet. I started to purchase Lithe and decided to "spring for it" and order Old Gold too. Both have a frost finish. I saw the shades on Karla Sugar's The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself, so I knew what to expect.

On my skin, Lithe looks lighter and sheerer than Karla Sugar's swatch, but Old Gold is a ringer. I applied both with an eye shadow brush and took my photo in shade because the Pigments would have blinded you in a full-sun photo. Lithe is a very pretty peachy gold. I wore it to work today; it's definitely not blinding. Old Gold is a great name, and I love the shade. It will have limited use for me unless I apply it very lightly and blend it really well. Still, I am taken with the shade. I think there must be a little right-brain artist screaming to overtake my dominant left brain.

I mentioned yesterday that loose shadows are messy. I'm sure there's a knack to using them. It's not one of my skill sets - yet. Maybe one of you can comment and suggest a way to use them without ending up with a tenacious powder in my bathroom sink. The Pigments do hold; they last on my eyelids all day. I can see why so many love them, and I'll probably purchase more of them when M∙A∙C tempts me with shades I can't resist - or collections named after cats.

I also ordered a Superslick Liquid Eye Liner ($17.50), Marked for Glamour, from Leopard Luxe. I think this liner is stunning. Shown on my arm at left (again in shade - that's why my arm looks grey), it was applied with its own brush. I painted a thick line so that you could see the nuanced shade. To my eye, there's a blue-green cast to the charcoal. Once this liner sets, it won't budge. Leigh mentioned in a comment yesterday that it flaked off her eyelids. I can't get it off! Seriously, even using oil-based remover that will usually take off anything, I can't get it off my eyelids - or arm. This morning, I applied a very thin line right at the base of my lashes, and I won't be surprised if there are remnants left after my shower tomorrow morning. Good thing I like it!

That's it for my feline adventures. I could see myself wearing more of the shades, but Charlie is sitting here reminding me that the best cats have fur and fangs.

You know where to find M∙A∙C.

Photo at top courtesy of M∙A∙C

Pedigreed Selections from M∙A∙C's Fabulous Felines

How could a cat lover not be tempted by M∙A∙C's new Fabulous Felines Collection? Burmese Beauty, Leopard Luxe, Palace Pedigreed (named after the Russian Blue) - the only thing missing, according to Charlie, is a blue-eyed Bengal!

We had a little chat as I studied the M∙A∙C Web site. It went something like this...

Me: Charlie, although we don't jump for every fleeting M∙A∙C collection that pussyfoots in, I think I may have to order a few pieces from Fabulous Felines.
Charlie: Did they name any of them after me and my relatives?
Me: Well, no, but they are pedigreed cats, like you, darling.
Charlie: Well then, I'm going to have a cap nap on my pillow next to your computer while you flirt with other cats. You won't find one as beautiful as I am!

I studied the three colorful feline "families."

Burmese Beauty: A rich teak-olive colour collection for lips, cheeks, and eyes that celebrates the well-cared-for and exalts in her high-borne right to be spoiled.

Leopard Luxe: Looks for lips, cheeks, and eyes in a tawny, exotic creme-golden colour palette that betrays both sensual vulnerability and spectacular power.

Palace Pedigreed: A collection of regal blues, plush greys, and polished silver for lips, cheeks, and eyes as haughty as its finely-favoured feline inspiration - the emerald-eyed, sable-riche Russian Blue.

I was drawn to the shades in Leopard Luxe, although I did have to have Pet Me Mineralized Blush from Palace Pedigreed. This afternoon, I'll show you swatches of a few of my new cat treats, and I'll follow up tomorrow with the rest. Charlie was right; they aren't as purr-fect as he is, but they are pretty nice!

The M∙A∙C photo above is the Leopard Luxe Eye Shadow X4 ($36) quad. With limited-edition shades of camel, brown, "black," and gold (clockwise in palette), the palette purrs and roars, according to M∙A∙C. I swatched the shadows in full sun. Shown top to bottom on my arm are Wild by Nature (Matte), Notoriety (Velvet), Furiously Fabulous (Veluxe Pearl), and Style Predator (Veluxe Pearl). I'm not sold on the matte Wild by Nature at top. Camel is a hard shade for me, but I'll play with it (like catnip?), blend it, and see if I can make it purr. The other three shades are gorgeous, particularly Style Predator, making the palette a good buy.

The photo at left shows the pretty, warm pink Pet Me Mineralize Blush ($21). I love the sheerness, texture, and buildability of Mineralize Blush, and I know I'll be giving Pet Me a workout. It's applied in the center of the photo, just swirled on with a brush enough to make it show in a photo.

I purchased Pigments (two of them!) for the first time - ever. As a rule, I don't like loose shadows - too messy. Stay tuned to find out whether they captured me. I'll show you swatches tomorrow. I also bought a gorgeous Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in Marked for Glamour.

Am I pleased with my pedigreed purchases? Very! Have to attend to cat food now, though. Savannah just walked into the room to tell me she feels neglected. Demando-cat!

Photo at top courtesy of M∙A∙C

M∙A∙C Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish - Why the Fuss?

You would have thought M∙A∙C's Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish was the last blusher on earth! It sold out faster than a comet streaking through the universe. The build-up to its introduction with the In the Groove Collection made a lot of women - myself included - order it the minute it was available. Of course, those who had pre-ordered it were the first to get their hands on it (not counting the bloggers and others who received Stereo Rose gratis). At the stores, if you hadn't pre-ordered, you were out of luck. The M∙A∙C store at Tysons had a line at the door when they opened the day In the Groove "went live." On M∙A∙C's Web site, where I ordered mine, Stereo Rose sold out in a few hours.

When I ordered, I got it - or I thought I had. My confirmation e-mail listed it. My order came without it. It was then that I started reviewing my e-mails and found that M∙A∙C had sent one telling me that it was backordered and that I would receive it in about two weeks. I didn't believe it. I was sure that was a nice way of saying, "You snooze, you lose. We'll apologize later." Turns out I was wrong. Last week, a box carrying Stereo Rose arrived on a Friday afternoon. I was amazed.

My first reaction when I saw it was that it was misnamed. It didn't appear to be rose. It looked coral. I looked at it for awhile, trying to decide whether to put it on eBay. Finally, I decided to try it, making it eligible only as a slightly used gift to one of my friends if I didn't like it. The verdict? I like it - it's pretty, but I just don't understand the fuss! Why was Stereo Rose so special? For that matter, other than its beauty with that pretty seahorse design, what attracted people to the Marine Life compact? The color of Marine Life was harshly coral - not an easy shade for many women to wear. I'm now convinced that the media and bloggers whip up a kind of M∙A∙C hysteria, creating demand that exceeds the supply of M∙A∙C's often limited-edition, here-today-gone-tomorrow introductions.

I really like Mineralize Skin Finish (and Mineralize Blush). The sheer, slightly shimmering ("sheen" is a good descriptor), and long-lasting color are great features. I have a few shades that are gorgeous. My favorite is Blonde (introduced early in 2009), a warm pink that warms my skin without too much peach. Stereo Rose is pretty; it's just a bit too peachy for my face. That doesn't mean it won't look fabulous on thousands of women. It's pretty. I just don't understand the fuss.

Here are some photos to show you two things: 1) how incredibly sheer Mineralize Skin Finish is, giving you control to build as much color as you desire, and 2) Stereo Rose compared to Blonde to give you a reference point so that you can see the peach/coral in the shade. Most of the bloggers who swatched Stereo Rose applied it very heavily - or wet. I applied it on my arm a bit heavier than I might have on my face, but not radically heavy. On my arm above, Blonde is on the left; Stereo Rose is on the right.

To the right are closer shots of each. Stereo Rose is above Blonde. Check out the heaviest application (brush dump, if you can see it) of Stereo Rose in the top right-hand corner of the photo where it's not blended well. Now, look at Blonde and see how much pink it carries.

Which should be named "rose"? Stereo Rose should have been named Stereo Coral, or Coral Crazy. How 'bout Coral Hysteria?

Anyhow, I was glad to get it. I'll use it, but probably not often. It's not the best shade for my fair, cool skin. I hope that my order didn't deprive someone who would look fabulous in it - someone who was dejected because she didn't get it. I feel a bit silly for joining the lemmings. Fortunately, it wasn't expensive. M∙A∙C's cosmetics are very reasonably priced. Next time, I'll remember the lessons that titles don't count and the hysteria may be just that - hysteria.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

M∙A∙C In the Groove Mineralize Eye Shadows

Seemingly lost in all the hoopla over Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish, which basically sold out with pre-orders, are some very nice limited-edition Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.50)! They were introduced with the In the Groove Colour Collection.

In the Groove is described as a "modern, flowing, and fabulous way with bold, kaleidoscopic colour combined with boho charm and up-to-the-minute catwalk style. Shadows are matte, sans glitter and in the trio format. Creamy lips play perfectly off Mineralize satin-smooth eyes. Turn on and groove out!"

Mineralize Eye Shadow offers three coordinating shades baked together in a single pan. The shadows create an exceptionally sheer and lightweight look, with what M∙A∙C calls a rich velvety-matte finish. There are nine color-coordinated trios available.

I purchased Cool, Calm & Collected, with satin beige, pearly green, and satin deep green shades. What's just a little odd is that the Mineralize Eye Shadows are described as being matte. My arm photo, taken intentionally in indirect light, shows that the pearly green shade - shown in the middle of my arm photo - shimmers. There's no sparkle, but it's not matte. Even the satin beige shade has a tiny gleam. I don't care how they were described. I find the colors and finish gorgeous. These are greens that are easy to wear. The center color in the trio can be used to accent the center lid to add a pop if you only use the colors on the two sides.

Some of the trio shades are just a little too groovy for my tastes. My favorites of those I didn't purchase are Soften the Mood, Making it Easy, and Love to Love. You can see them at M∙A∙C's Web site or your favorite M∙A∙C counter. If you stop by Nordstrom, you will find some beautiful M∙A∙C Look in a Box Beauty Exclusives. There are two noteworthy sets: Miss Violet and Tawny One. Both are $59.50. They are worth a look-see.

Photo at top courtesy of M∙A∙C