Here’s a breakdown of the above look…
On my eyes I’m wearing the MAC Pressed Pigments in Victorian Plum (lower crease, inner lid, outer V and lower lash lines), Nostalgic (center of the lid), Nobel Descent (upper crease) and Regal Affair (inner corner); MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline on my water lines, and upper and lower lash lines; MAC Fluidline in Dark Majesty on my upper lash lines; Eylure No 080 False lashes and the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Espresso.In my brows, that’s Anastasia Clear Brow Gel.
On my cheeks, I’m wearing MAC Mineralize Blush in Modest Blush on the apples, MAC Sheer Mystery Powder in Deep Dark just beneath the apples to contour, and the Hourglass Ambient Powders in Radiant Light and Incandescent Light (from the Ambient Lighting Palette) mixed together to highlight my upper cheekbones.
Lips are MAC Matte Lipstick in Salon Rouge.
And on my face, I’m wearing Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer, Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid in Chai, Dior Diorskin Nude Concealer in 003 Sable/Sand and YSL Touche Eclat in 4.5.
Necklace is by H&M, and the earrings are the Climbing Vines Earrings by Kristin Perry.
Last weekend my brother came to visit and stayed the night, and, of course, as usual, I was the couch commando (also known as remote hog). I was flipping through Netflix with the remote in my hand when I asked, “Who wants to watch The Duchess?”
Dead silence.
None of the boys — El Hub, my bro or Tabs — were into watching Keira Knightley, who plays the Duchess of Devonshire, parade around in a huge wig. Big shock.
I actually really dig regal movies. Anything with royal intrigue and stylish ladies of the court — the kind who wear wigs so tall that they touch the candles in the chandeliers and catch fire (’cause you know I’m all about the big hair! And flames!), and the painted moles, and the big dresses. 🙂
If I were a royal, you better believe I’d be the gal with the tallest, biggest, most flaming wig (assuming someone quickly put it out), because then my hair would sparkle like the MAC Heirloom Mix collection.
If you’ve been following MAC for a while, you probably know how much they like to go big when it comes to flashy finishes in holiday collections, and true to form, there’s a lot of sparkle and frost in Heirloom Mix. Glitter is practically everywhere in the 30-piece limited edition collection.
MAC Heirloom Mix: My 2-minute overview
- Cool-toned colors — Color temp-wise, this collection leans cool, and it’s heavy on cool-toned grays, blues and violets.
- Glitter and frost — SO MUCH OF THIS. It comes through strong in the Pressed Pigments (ooh gurl…we got drama!!), the Loose Glitters, Cremesheeen Glasses and one of the Nail Lacquers. When I was doing the look for the top pic, I felt like I had more glitter on my face than a Johnny Weir ice skating costume (remember his holiday collection with MAC? Good times!). For serious, while I love glitter, I’m a little cranky about the Pressed Pigments, but I’ll get to that in a minute…
- Lipstick love — If you’re only planning to take one thing home form the collection, let it be one of the bright, bold lipsticks in red, berry, plum or pink (the vibe I’m getting: MAC Rocky Horror Picture Show, Part II). They’re my favorite part of the collection.
OK, so, the Pressed Pigment drama…
For the pics in this post I’m wearing a few of the eight Pressed Pigments from the collection. They were the first pieces in the release that caught my eye.
Now, I’ve used Pressed Pigments before, and I’ve liked them. The others I used were glittery and fun and a pretty good deal, too. You got a big 0.1-oz. pan for $21 — double the size of a regular MAC Eye Shadow.
But the Pressed Pigments in Heirloom Mix are teeny, tiny. They cost $19.50 each for 0.04 ounces, which is about 20 percent smaller than a regular MAC Eye Shadow and less than half the size of the other Pressed Pigments I’ve used, which hold 0.1 ounces of Pressed goodness each.
Can’t say I’m a fan of brands charging the same price or more for less product, but I’ve been seeing a lot of that lately. *grinds teeth*
Lipstick love
As for the lipsticks, I like. 🙂 Whether you have cool- or warm-toned skin, these should do ya. No sparkle here. Just rich, intense shades of berry, pink, red and plum. Your classic holiday colors.
I really dig No Faux Pas, the hot pink (big surprise). It’s a refreshing pop of color among the darker reds and berries we see a lot in holiday collections.
And then there’s Sparks of Romance, the red Matte. It’s a vintage, classic red that neither leans blue nor yellow. This one, I think, will look great on just about everyone.
The overall collection: is it fit for a royal?
Well, sure, for a lady of the court who wears cool tones well. I think there are some lovely lipsticks here, but, truth be told, about the entire collection, my warm-toned heart isn’t fluttering.
The MAC Heirloom Mix collection includes…
LIPSTICKS, $17.50 US/$21 CAD each
- Tribalist, a deep purple berry with an Amplified finish
- No Faux Pas, a matte hot pink with a Matte finish
- Sparks of Romance, a true red with a Matte finish
- Lipstick in Rebel, a pinkish plum with a Satin finish
- Salon Rouge, a clean berry red with a Matte finish
CREMESHEEN GLASSES, $22 US/$25 CAD each
- Ceremonial, a hot pink with sparkles
- Seeking Adoration, a plummy pink
- Social Season, a violet with blue sparkles
- Romantic Overture, a clear base with sparkles
- Courting Chic, a deep berry red with golden sparkles
PRESSED PIGMENTS, $19.50 US/$22.CAD each
- Regal Affair, a white base with fine opal pearl
- Nostalgic,a soft light salmon beige
- Noble Descent, a pearly smoky mauve
- Victorian Plum, a plum with violet pearl
- Enchantment, a violet with bluish violet sparkles
- Modern Majesty, a dark brown base with green pearl
- Noblesse Oblige, a frosty wood
- Prim and Proper, a blackish gray with silver sparkles
FLUIDLINES, $17.50 US/$21 CAD each
- Dark Majesty, a black with black pearl
- Gentrified, a brown with bronzy pearl
GLITTERS, $21 US/$25 CAD each
- Reflects Antique Gold, a sparkling goldish khaki
- Amethyst, a bright clean purple
KOHL POWER EYE PENCIL, $17.50 US/$21 CAD
- Feline, a black
EYE KOHL, $17.50 US/$21 CAD each
- Tarnish, a dark green
- Prunella, a dark prune
MINERALIZE BLUSHES, $30 US/$35 CAD each
- Modest Blush, a light baby salmon pink
- Sweet Sentiment, a rosy pink
NAIL LACQUERS, $13.50 US/$16 CAD each
- Just Jewels, a light pink with silvery rainbow pearls with a Glitter finish
- Richly Endowed, a clean berry red with a Cream finish
- Queen’s Honor, a bright red with a cream finish
MAC Heirloom Mix arrives online October 19, and at MAC stores and counters October 23 (internationally November 6).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Agata says
Oh my! So much prettiness and you look stunning. Love all the pearls!
Divya says
All those pearls!!! I love Salon Rouge on you! Gorgeous gorgeous red!
Kelly B. says
I really love the look of this collection. The glitter all over the packaging I’m not insane about, but I love the shades they chose and the formulas look great, at least from the swatches! I’ll definitely be picking up a few of the lipsticks!
Kwmechelle says
Is Rebel the same one from the permanent collection? I have that one & love it.
MonicaP says
Such a pretty lady like collection .. and the colors are so vibrant, especially in the lipsticks .. hmm, may need to go to Nordstrom on my lunch hour 😉
Monica.
Kiss & Make-up says
Yeah, I prefer warm tones as well. Still, some of those lippies look good. And Karen, you look amazing! Love those pearls on you 😀
Ankita@corallista says
You look stunning! I generally prefer warmer colors but some of those pressed pigments look too good to pass up!
Sissi says
Gorgeous photos and products but I might have to admit that it is a bit too much glitter for my taste- at least the eye shadows!
thepaigest says
I usually don’t really get excited about Holiday stuff from MAC! BUT THIS YEAR!!! <3 <3 <3 want it all!!!!!!!!!!!! I might need to cut something from my wish list from Sephora!
Hannah says
Classy! You look stunning! The reds love you! Btw, why does No faux pas looks bright on the swatch but not bright on the lips?
Erin says
YEAH! Cool toned stuff! I like that whole collection. Might not fit into my day to day life but in my fantasy world where I’m a jetsetter I’d wear it all!
Trisha says
You’ve sold me on the lipsticks, Karen! They all look so amazing. I think Tribalist is my favorite, though.
Alexy says
I’m loving the pressed pigments because personally I feel that there’s not enough shades available in the permanent collection but I just A.D.O.R.E the finish that the MAC pressed pigments have – they just have that je ne sais quoi factor to them. They’re not full on glitter, but they’re not just a shimmery eyeshadow either. They just look so pretty on the eye!
gio says
You look gorgeous! Love the pearls!
Icequeen81 says
Love the look. I would love you to do a 1940 makeup and hair look
Krista says
I love those lipsticks!! So pretty! I will definitely one of those up..just going to have a hard time deciding which!
Sylirael says
Hehe, ‘cool, glitter loving lady’ is basically the definition of me! Especially if it’s a court of vampires… #palerogue
There are so many beautiful things in this collection, it’s pointless for me to list them all, but chief among them is the eye makeup look you did! Ultra glam, Karen <3
It's a real shame about the price quibbles though 🙁
Maris says
This Reflects Antique Gold glitter is not the same as the Reflects Antique Gold that is permanent at the pro line, right?
Kim says
Oh, my. This collection has my pores and wrinkles running for cover. HAHA! I do like the holiday colored lippies, though, particularly Courting Chic (though the shimmer would be less flattering on me). 🙂
Amber says
Wow, the pressed pigments are SO stunning! That’s really lame about the smaller size and more moola though. Do brands think we aren’t savvy to this?? The blushes and lipglosses are absolutely gorgeous. I might have to grab something(s) in this release. Thanks for the beautiful pics and swatches Karen!
Polarbelle says
Let me be blunt…or Polarbelle, or Shelley or whomever, but I’ve been thinking lately this thought: “how many more ways are there possibly left to make a Mac gloss?” Because I’ve been there since the start and I thought surely they can’t keep making different things…..but here comes the point after the captivating build-up, I am totally captivated over the look of these Cremesheen glosses!!! They don’t look like every other gloss…perhaps it’s the cool factor and like you, I have bazillion warm colors, but these look unique in all of Mac’s arsenal and I believe they will be what I’ll be purchasing in the collection. Great pics!! Great looks!!! You always look so pretty.
Polarbelle says
oh, and Ima gonna need No Faux Pas for sure!!! What highlighter is the icing on your gorgeous face? You really look stunning in all the colors. They totes work for you!
dawn says
Just when I thought I didn’t need anymore Mac Products, something comes out that I must have. Going to break the bank again lol
Icequeen81 says
Trivalist, salon rouge are my fabs I have rebel myself at home.
wat a pleasant collection.
Hope salon really looks how it looks on you. I got lipsticks that it looks dark red in some people from a drugstore’s brand but on me it looks plain orangery terracottas 🙁
Lipsticks can be very tricky sometimes