MAC Style Black: Everyday Edgy

The scene is hawt! We’re backstage at Fashion Week, a post-runway mixer with models, makeup artists and designers, sipping sparkling wine and talking MAC.

“Action!”

The camera cuts to MAC’s latest launch as it arrives on counters today, the drama-for-your-mama Style Black.

The edgy 18-piece collection for lips, nails and eyes features dark, shimmery purple, gold and, of course, black. For my Joy Division-lovin’ goth chicks — homies, this is YOUR release!

More into neutrals instead? No worries. MAC even remembered to include a few items appropriate for everyday wear.

More wearable than I expected

Style Black knocked me back at first, intimidating me a little, but upon closer inspection I found some pretty wearable goodies as well.

Rocking a full Style Black makeup ensemble at once might make for a fun night out (Halloween, perhaps?), but I can see myself more often sticking to just one or two of the edgier elements at a time.

Tabs does Style Black

For instance, I might try a bold eye with the Greasepaint Stick in Black (lovin’ the blue and purple shimmer!) layered beneath one of the Mineralize Eyeshadows on the lid but toned down with a nude lip.

Or, maybe a dark lip with Night Violet Mattene lipstick and a softly lined eye (smudged along the lash lines) using something like the Smolder Eye Kohl.

What stands out?

I like several things from Style Black but love the Greasepaint Stick in Black, the Mineralize Eyeshadows in Gilt by Association and Young Punk, the Cream Colour Base in Black (*can’t wait* to layer it beneath a shadow for smokey eyes) and Night Violet Mattene. Of everything, these four also struck me as the most user-friendly.

Oh! And skin care junkies, consider the Volanic Ash Exfoliator, a gently moisturizing exfoliator I first fell in love with last year (glad to see it here, too!).

What do you think so far? What moves (or doesn’t move) you?

From left to right: Cream Colour Base in Black and Bat Black

Mineralize Eyeshadows in Blue Flame, Cinder Fella, Gilt by Association and Young Punk

Glimmerglass in Bling Black, Blackfire and Blackware; Lipstick in Black Knight

Mattene Lipstick in Night Violet, Midnight Media, Greasepaint Stick in Black and Penultimate Eye Liner Rapidblack

Eye Kohl in Smolder

Mineralize Eyeshadows in Blue Flame, Cinder Fella, Gilt by Association and Young Punk

Cream Colour Base in Black and Bat Black

Glimmerglass in Bling Black, Blackfire and Blackware

Lipstick in Black Knight

Nail Lacquer in Nocturnelle, Seriously Hip and Baby Goth Girl

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Related Reading...

• MAC Style Black FOTD: Greasepaint Stick in Black with Young Punk Eyeshadow
• MAC Style Black: A Tutorial with Gilt By Association Eyeshadow and Black Cream Colour Base
• MAC Style Black Swatches
• The MAC Style Black Mineralize Eyeshadows: A Few Days Later
• Two Ways to Win MAC Style Black Seriously Hip Nail Lacquer

So far, 38 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

1. 1. Kajal Couture said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I agree with you Karen, I like toned down versions of the black look. I ordered the volcanic ash skincare and grease paintstick, but am on the fence about the shadows. I like the same two you mentioned, but I am not sure how much I would wear them, so they might not be a worthwhile beauty investment. Perhaps I will have to actually the products on my eyes to see how they look. Can you do a look for us with some of these products?
   Kajal Couture’s last blog post… MAC Obsessed

2. 2. Elle said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I’m loving the eyeshadows and Night Violet, and now because of your recommendation I think I wanna get the greasepaint stick as well. I might B2M for the black lipstick–even though I doubt I’d ever wear it outside of the house on a day that isn’t Halloween.

3. 3. Megan said, on September 24th, 2009:

   This particular collection is fun but I don’t think I’ll get anything from it. However, I love the pink lipstick on the girl in the ad! I wonder what it is?
   Megan’s last blog post… Booking Through Thursday-The Swan House

4. 4. Stef said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I’m surprisingly excited for this for a non-goth! I’m going to check it out tomorrow. There are a bunch of things I’m totally intrigued with.

   Is that purple shimmer I see in the greasepaint stick? Oh my!
   Stef’s last blog post… Dr. Brandt skincare – review

5. 5. shontay said, on September 24th, 2009:

   Hey Karen,

   I’m loving the greasepaint stick, seriously hip nail polish, and the glimmerlgasses in blackfire and bling black. Today I wore bling black over Urban Decay’s Oil Slick lipstick. Karen, trust me, it’s hotter than hot! I bought night violet mattene, but I returned it b/c I didn’t realize the color was exactly the same as Urban Decay’s Confession. I also bought and love Bat Black CCB. I can’t wait to wear it with Beauty Marked.

6. 6. amy said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I thought I will like this collection as a whole a lot better, but seeing this in person I was not as excited because I didn’t really like the colours or texture of the eyeshadows or glosses. The eyeshadows look a lot better applied wet. I pick up Young Punk because I do like the blacken pink and I can B2M it. I was most excited about the volcanic skin care and the smudge stick and I bought those too.
   amy’s last blog post… LOTD MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Sublime Shine and Creme Allure Swatches + Review

7. 7. Audrey said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I’m excited about this collection after seeing everyone’s reviews. Do you have any thoughts on greasepaint vs. cream color base vs. paintpot? I think I would use them all the same (to layer under a shadow) but curious how others are using it.
   Audrey’s last blog post… PLEASE tell me you are watching Glee!!!

8. 8. Glosslizard said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I wanna see you rock that deep dark smoky eye!

   I picked up Blackfire glimmerglass and Baby Goth Girl today! I just love the funky-chunky flecks of copper glitter in BGG! It was just in time too, as, after 6 days, I finally got the first chip in my Jade! Sweet!

9. 9. Tavia said, on September 24th, 2009:

   I love everything that’s black, clothes and makeup, sheets and furniture. I think is kind of a dark style this black makeup, but for some of us is really wearable
   Tavia ’s last blog post… Academie Professional Facial Treatments

10. 10. Tiffany said, on September 24th, 2009:

    wow, I mainly wanna know what’s on the model’s lips! lol! I know, I’m not going with the black theme here. I might pick up the greasepaint stick or the exfoliator!

11. 11. Annie said, on September 24th, 2009:

    I went and bought the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, the Thermal Mask, Baby Goth Girl nail polish, and Young Punk Mineralize Eyeshadow.

    My only disappointment is Young Punk, and that’s only because two weeks ago, I picked up one of the new smudgepot from the Barbie loves Stila collection, Little Black Dress, and it’s EXACTLY the same! Black base with purple shimmer/glitter. Since I’m pretty satisfied with the smudgepot, and it works better as a liner, I’m returning Young Punk.

    But Baby Goth Girl is very pretty, and I don’t usually wear dark nail colors!

12. 12. amy said, on September 24th, 2009:

    I just played around with the grease paint stick and I think that is probably the best thing in the collection. It smudges but it also sets and dries really fast. So you will need to work fast or keep on applying more product. It also wears really well and will need an oil base makeup remover to take it all off. Bonus points for it because it is not actually greasy like oil based paints (for art). Can’t wait to try the skin care!
    amy’s last blog post… LOTD MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Sublime Shine and Creme Allure Swatches + Review

13. 13. Mica said, on September 24th, 2009:

    I just came home with Cinde fella and Gilt by association. I wanted all 4 of them, but seriously, when will I wear so many black shadows?!? I wanted to love the lipsticks, especially the mattene, but it just didn’t speak to me:( I might go back and get more later, but for now it’s just the two shadows.

14. 14. ezzie said, on September 24th, 2009:

    volcanic ash exfoliator = <33333!!!!!!
    that black knight lipstick is intense :O

15. 15. Steph B said, on September 24th, 2009:

    I took a quick look at these today when I went to pick up some Prep & Prime powder (which is fab), but they just don’t appeal to me. I’m pretty fair so any dark colors look very goth on me. Just not my thing. I thought Blue Flame was gorgeous in the container. I also picked up the Volcanic Ash Mask. Used it tonight and my skin is smooooove and soft.

16. 16. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Steph B,

    Wouldja believe I forgot to pick that up today? I have to go back tomorrow to pick up a tube.

    Anyhoo, I’m glad you like the Prep+Prime powder. It photographs beautifully…

17. 17. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Mica,

    I really wasn’t feeling most of the lippies, either. Night Violet is cool, though.

18. 18. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Ezzie,

    Oh gosh, it totally is!

19. 19. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Amy,

    It’s fab, right? I wore it this afternoon along with Young Punk eyeshadow!

20. 20. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Annie,

    I was thinking about getting that Stila Smudge Pot shade. Good to know they are both very similar!

21. 21. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Tiffany,

    Both the Greasepaint Stick and the Exfoliator are fab. You can’t go wrong with either of ‘em.

    As for the model’s lips, the color kinda reminds me of Syrup.

22. 22. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Shontay,

    Funny you mention Beauty Marked… my favorite MAC mua, Jen, said that Young Punk eyeshadow is what Beauty Marked should be.

    I gotta go back to the counter tomorrow; maybe I’ll rock my Oil Slick and pop some Bling Black over it!

23. 23. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Stef,

    Yup, it has just the slightest hint of purple. It’s gorgeous!

24. 24. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Megan,

    I have no idea what it is, but it reminds me of MAC Syrup lipstick.

25. 25. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Elle,

    The Greasepaint Stick is a LOT of fun. It layers well and doesn’t budge at all!

26. 26. Karen said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Hi Kajal Couture,

    Sure thing! I’ll do a few in the next couple o’ days.

27. 27. Tania said, on September 24th, 2009:

    Karen,
    I want the eyeshadows and the greasepaint stick. I like the mineralize eyeshadows as liners. They don’t leave a hardspot when used wet. Yay!!

28. 28. Lorna said, on September 24th, 2009:

    is that grease paint stick in black really purple looking?

29. 29. Steph B said, on September 25th, 2009:

    Karen -
    Definitely go pick up some Volcanic Ash. I’m considering going back for the exfoliator. Am going to visit my mom this weekend so maybe I’ll go with her to pick some up. She’d absolutely crack up at the black makeup.

30. 30. Blovet Beauty said, on September 25th, 2009:

    i want that eye khol in smoulder~ hot stuff
    Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Green&Blue EOTD & How I get Soft Wavy Curls

31. 31. Marina said, on September 25th, 2009:

    Those Glimmerglasses don’t even give color.
    Lipstick in Black Knight and Night Violet are worth getting. I also like Young Punk eye shadows.
    I thought this collection will be better. It looked so tempting on the promo photos:(

    But I would love to see you wearing black lipstick
    Marina’s last blog post… Create 5 Fantastic Looks From NYFW. Spring 2010 by Sephora, NARS, CoverGirl and Revlon

32. 32. Louise Gray said, on September 25th, 2009:

    Tabs looks good. In fact he looks better than I would look. I wonder how my pup, Petey, would look?? Louise

33. 33. All Women Stalker said, on September 25th, 2009:

    No one can pull off this black style as well as Tabs. Fierce.

    -meream
    All Women Stalker’s last blog post… 5 Weird Posts to BlogStalk…

34. 34. Daniela said, on September 25th, 2009:

    I went out today to check out the collection. It seems to be more intimidating in person so I walked away with only the Blackfire glimmergloss. The consistency is better than that of a lipglass but my goodness, is the colour payoff ever bad! In the tube, it looks so gorgeous and promising… but once it’s on the lips, it just disappears into an almost clear gloss. Definitely will be returning this one!

35. 35. Marce said, on September 25th, 2009:

    OK, it’s official. I’m getting the Grease Paint Stick. And the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator, LOL
    Marce’s last blog post… Look Primavera 09 – Metálicos

36. 36. lexi said, on September 25th, 2009:

    My Cure/Siouxsie and the Banshees loving self is overjoyed with this collection – shadows only cuz I never rocked the black lips when I was a little goth girl back in the day – my lips would have been blood red!!

37. 37. le said, on September 26th, 2009:

    This might just be the collection that gets me into MAC. The Mineralize Eyeshadows in Blue Flame and Gilt by Association look pretty cool, and that Glimmerglass in Bling Black and Blackware look pretty one of a kind…

38. 38. Sarah said, on September 30th, 2009:

    I love that this came out during Halloween. I really really want to try the black lipstick (not in public) but I’ll rock it for Halloween and around the house.
    Sarah’s last blog post… Beautiful Photography by Miles Aldridge

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