So maybe you’re tempted to try darker MAC lippies like Dubonnet and Paramount but haven’t worked up the courage? No worries. I totally get it. If you’re not accustomed to seeing yourself in dramatic lip colors, a bout with “transitional shades” could help. Somewhere between the bolder colors you eventually want to wear and the colors you’re already comfortable in, transitional shades can help you push your limits while easing you into something bold.
Say your game plan is to work your way up to fall’s darker browns, reds and plums. Crème in Your Coffee ($14.50) lipstick, today’s Unsung Hero, could be a great place to start.
MAC describes the color, which is part of the company’s Cremesheen lipstick line, as a mid-tone pinkish brown, and I think it’s that touch of pink that elevates it from a run-of-the-mill nude lipstick to something else (something more). The brown within it gives it a degree of intensity, but one that doesn’t cross the line into melodramatic, and the combined shade sits comfortably at the halfway point between barely-there and look-at-me lips.
Another thing I like about the shade (other than its great name!), is how different it can look depending on the wearer’s skin tone. On me I think it’s a straight-up pinkish brown, but I’ve seen it look more plum, brown, beige and even burgundy on other girls. On ladies with super duper pigmented lips, I bet it would be a fantastic “your lips but better” shade.
Speaking of caffeinated beverages…I’m addicted to chai lattes again.
Yup.
OOH! And you know what would totally take chai to the next level? Pumpkin. 
I know that Starbucks makes a pumpkin latte with espresso, but I don’t know if they do it with chai. If you happen to know of a place that makes pumpkin chai lattes (or if you have a recipe) let me know. I’ll probably be obsessed with them until I track one down…
Tabbies and pumpkins for the win!
Hope you’re having a good day so far. The finish line’s in sight. 
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Crème in Your Coffee Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Paramount Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mocha Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Oh Baby Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Mulch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Cremestick Liners
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sable Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Ochre Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ricepaper Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Cremesheen Glass Is a Veritable Deelight
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lipglass in Spite
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Impassioned Lipstick (and Watermelon)
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Lip Pencil Is In Synch
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soba Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bombshell Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sunbasque Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Clear Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Humid Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Blushbaby Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Party Line Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Melon Pigment
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sumptuous Olive Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Chic Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fast Response Eye Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blot Powder/Pressed
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Woodwinked Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Powersurge Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: All That Glitters Eyeshadow Is Not Just Another Gold
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners
- MAC Unsung Hero: Groundwork Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Hero: Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V
- MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lychee Luxe Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow
That looks almost exactly like my fave bobbi brown creamy lipcolor (that feels so amazing) called rose petal.
Sounds like a great everyday shade. How long have you been wearing it?
I’ve been wearing it for a little over a year now- I’m on my 3rd tube! (and I hardly ever repurchase lip products) It’s amazing.
i google-shopped “pumpkin chai latte” but the closest i found was a pumpkin chai tea from twinnings. douwe egberts makes a pumpkin spice cappuchino mix that comes in commercial sized bags. and maxwell house international coffees (the ones that come in the rectangular tins) makes a pumpkin something (i forget if its cafe or latte or cap).
also:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80644070/pumpkin-spice-latte-1-dram18oz?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS
Thanks! Hmm… I’ll see if I can hunt down that pumpkin chai tea. Maybe with warm milk and some nutmeg and cinnamon it could be epic.
And aww, re: the oil!
I had some dreams they were Creme In My Coffee, Creme in My Coffee. Sorry, I had to do a Carly Simon reference for this post! Anyways, this looks like my type of color, I think I may check it out at the Mac counter tomorrow! Thanks Karen!
You’re welcome, Lauren. I hope you love it! It looks great w/Pink Treat Liner, btw.
i love this lipstick! i was actually going to wear it yesterday, but then i got side-tracked….now that i saw your post, i must wear it tomorrow!
Bust that baby out, Aradhana!
I LOVE Creme in your Coffee! Its definitely MLBB for pigmented lips & needs little to no effort
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Hi Appu,
Do you like layering any glosses/lip liners with it?
I want to know what did you use for your eye makeup, Karen… Looks nice.
Hi Marie,
I’m wearing Bobbi Brown’s new Party Eye Palette:
http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/face-of-the-day-fotd/a-flu-shot-face-of-the-day-with-the-bobbi-brown-party-eye-palette/
this lipstick is a total fave for me as well — its my perfect MLBB since my lips are pretty pigmented!
I remember you mentioning it a few posts back. Do you usually wear it alone or wear it with other things?
i usually wear it on its own. but when i have time, ill smudge some naked or boldly bare liner in my lip, apply the lipstick and do a clear gloss on top.
it doesnt need anything much though. this might be the tube i buy a 2nd one of, since i use and abuse this lipstick often!!!
Starbucks DOES make pumpkin chai! just gotta ask them for it!
it’s limited edition (with the rest of their pumpkin stuff)!
Love that lipstick! May have to try it!
YES! I can’t wait to try it. Gonna go to Starbucks tomorrow to meet my pumpkin destiny.
Oh how I love your Unsung Heroes… I need to try this lipstick, I have been searching for a MLBB shade.
Hi Tiffany,
So happy to hear you enjoy this series!
I hope you give this shade a try.
Oh it looks lovely! I dare say it would be too dark me. I’m a bit fairer than you lovely ladies who suit this shade, so I stick to Hourglass Extreme Sheen lipgloss in Truth. It looks like the most boring colour in the world in the bottle and comes out looking fab, like MLBB!
P.S. Thanks for all your amazing work Karen
I love this blog!
Thanks for the sweet note, Evelyn!
BTW — love Hourglass. They make some really great lip and cheek products.
I was just thinking the other day “Will Karen do Creme in Your Coffee for MAC USH?” And here it is!
Hi Chris,
I take it you like this color.
What do you usually wear it with?
Neutrals like NARS Fez and Cyprus, or NYX Nude on Nude Natural palette.
Starbucks definitely makes a chai pumpkin latte. I work as a barista there, and while it not on the regular menu, it is a common order. I love making up new combinations with the fall flavors…YUM
Hi Andrea,
Sweet! Can’t wait to get mine tomorrow with soy. Yay!
You can ask Starbucks to put some pumpkin in your Chai. They’ll do it.
Good to know! I’ll go tomorrow and ask for one.
Ooh Karen I need to try this!
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It would look gorgeous on you! Ooh, I’m thinking with a pop o’ pink gloss on top…
lol WOW. I was swatching this color on Sunday and was debating on whether to buy it or not. Guess I’ll go back next weekend. Thanks KareBear!
Ooooh I haven’t worn this in ages and you’ve just inspired me to pull it out of the drawer! I love these posts and how they help me use makeup I already have instead of buying new (although sometimes they make me do that, too…)!
This is my first MAC lipstick and I think I’ll wear it to work tomorrow, it needs some lovin’.
That’s a nice color but I’m too distracted by the adorable kittens and the thought of pumpkin chai to think about lipstick. HAHA! I’m still a ‘ho for Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Chai (I know a lot of people think it’s too sweet, but to me, it’s like Christmas in a Cup). If they added pumpkin, I’d probably pass out from excitement.
Love this color! I don’t usually wear darker colors on my lips, but this is a great transitional shade.
Homegirl El Hubs did a good job with that bangin rock on your hand! Love the lipstick but my favorite for fall is Twig. It’s so elegant!
Thank you for this one. I was just looking for something like it. Looks like I’m due for a visit to my MAC counter…
I love this lippie it was my first MAC lippie and I loved it from day one. I love how i looks dark when applied from the tube and as a lipstain it is fab, a nice subtle colour to the lips.
It is true what they say, you never forget you first love
That’s a great shade. Suiting you so well.
one of my faves and now all my girlfriends have it… its like our communal “go to” shade of lipstick
Ha, this is my go-to shade for interviews…so far so good!
The Twining’s Pumpkin Chai is pretty good! I need to check out Creme in Your Coffee.