Morning, ladies. 🙂 How was your night?
I spent mine chillaxing around the apartment, which I think I needed. I did a little reading (Sookie Stackhouse; I’m on Book 4) and fooling around with makeup (BIG surprise!).
This morning I’d like to answer two of the questions a few of you asked about MAC Style Black. The first question comes from Faye.
MAC Style Black Mineralize Eyeshadows: How’s the fallout?
QUESTION: How was application quality for the shadows? I hesitated to get these because I’ve had issues with the Mineralize shadows in the past — they always seem gritty and hard to blend, with fallout. How are these? – Faye
Heya Faye,
I actually find them pretty easy to blend, but fallout is a common concern when it comes to MAC’s Mineralize Eyeshadows.
The two Style Black ones I’ve tried so far, Young Punk (the shimmery purplish black) and Gilt By Association (the shimmery blackish bronze), apply smooth, and I haven’t experienced much fallout with either one.
By applying all of my eye makeup first — before concealer, foundation and everything else — I think it minimizes the impact of minor fallout with these.
Here are a few more things you might try to improve your results with these and other Mineralize shadows:
- Use a flat, firm shadow brush with a small brush head. I like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25). I think it works better for me than fluffy brushes like the MAC 217 Blending Brush ($27). Fluffy brushes will distribute shadow over a wider area, while firmer brushes will deposit denser color in a smaller area and will generally provide better control.
- Press to apply. With my firm eyeshadow brush, I’ll use a gentle pressing motion (as opposed to a windshield wiper motion or small circles) to really pack the shadow onto my eyelid.
- Start with a creamy base. A wet, creamy product like MAC Cream Colour Base will give Mineralize shadows something to adhere to, and I get better results from them here than with non-creamy primers.
MAC addicts, do you use any tricks or tips when you apply MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows?
What the heck is that lipstick?
Readers Sooji and Amanda asked about the shimmery pink lip color I wore in this Style Black face of the day. That’s MAC Syrup ($14). It’s part of MAC’s permanent line and one of my favorite MAC lippies to wear with eyeshadows in purple or blue.
I also think it goes well with pink blushes like MAC Dollymix, Dame, Pink Swoon and Well Dressed.
Sunday plans?
Mine are 100% NOT exciting — just packing and more packing. What are you up to today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
BB says
Hi! I tried Gilt by Association for the first time yesterday. In the past I have seen that MAC Studio artist usually spray a little bit of Fix + directly to the brush before using the mineralize eyeshadow in this way the color will be more instense and basically there will be no fall out of eyeshadow. Instead of sparying the Fix + directly in the brush I sprayed on the back of my hand and from there took the brush and slightly brushed it over the Fix +. Then I went to the eyeshadow and I have to say it worked wonders! No fall out, amazing intense color that lasted all night in Humid weather…I also applied the mineralize on top of the Bat Black CCB which makes also the eyeshadow stay longer.
BB says
Oh! just in case I was refering to MAC Fix + in my previous post.
Vanessa H says
I went to the MAC counter yesterday and didn’t feel drawn to this line, but I did buy the mineralize skin finish and brush cleaner 😀
Awesome reviews Karen! The packing isn’t fun, but when you get to settle into your new place, it’ll all be worth it!
Karen says
Hi Vanessa,
The brush cleaner is awesome — it gets the job quickly!
How are you liking the MSF?
marisa says
i actually used blue flame on top of my blacktrack fluidline, and it worked really well!
i also just bought a barbie loves stila smudge pot in little black dress–its so similar to the mac mineralize eyeshadow in young punk, but you dont need to apply it over something else to get the impact you want.
Karen says
Hi Marisa,
Oh, that sounds pretty — I’ll have to try one of these shadows on top of Blacktrack. 🙂
Kelly says
Wow I have like 8 million pink MAC lipsticks and I don’t have Syrup, WTF!?!? 🙂
I am gettin ready to go to the dumps and pick up some propane. Fun times!
.-= Kelly’s last blog post… Nail Polish Haul =-.
Karen says
Hi Kelly,
LOL! You gotta pick it up next time you visit the counter.
How was the dump? Ha ha ha!
Eru says
Syrup is one of my favorites too!!Very pretty blue pink.
Can’t wait to get Young punk 😀
.-= Eru’s last blog post… Packing… the makeup edition. =-.
Karen says
Hi Eru,
You’ll have to try Syrup with Young Punk!
Lorna says
mac syrup was my first mac lipstick. love it!
Karen says
Hi Lorna,
Isn’t that funny how we have soft spots for our MAC firsts? My first MAC lipstick was Paramount. 🙂
Tavia says
The lipstick is awesome…I like it 🙂 Could be one of my favorites too:)
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Review – Anti-hair loss treatment concentrate by Intragen Cosmetic Trichology =-.
Karen says
Hi Tavia,
I had a feeling you’d like Syrup! 😉
amy says
As for mineralize shadows, I don’t have problems with blending but I do have to deal with fall out for the chunky shimmer. I actually like to apply my foundation first (if I do plan on wearing foundation) because I find that it acts as a light base to everything. I like to use a clear waxed based eyeshadow primer that is a bit tacky and that would make the eyeshadow stick better. The waxiness and stickiness is gone once I applied the shadow. To help the shadow adhere better I like to spray my brush with MAC Fix +, water works fine too. I also use a patting motion to pack on colour, once I get the colour payoff I want, then I sweep and blend. I will clean up any left over fallout with a bit of left over foundation on my brush and apply my concealer and powder very last. This way the concealer would hide and clean any fallout. I think it would be a good idea to keep some makeup remover by your side as you are working with eye shadows that have fallout, this way you can clean up your face as you work. I usually use Medusa’s Makeup Stick It! as a primer: http://bellakoola.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/medusas-makeup-stick-it-eye-makeup-primer/
.-= amy’s last blog post… Schwartzkopf Citre Shine Shine Miracle Anti-Frizz Serum =-.
Karen says
Hi Amy,
What great tips! Thank you for sharing them. 🙂
Joyce McDaniel says
Karen you asked a question about what secret you use putting on your mineralized eyeshadows. Don’t laugh but I put a little tiny bit of vaseline on my eye my eye lid and it makes the eyeshadows stay on for all day. You can also use chapstick. I know it sounds funny, but it works
Karen says
Hi Joyce,
That’s a new use for Chapstick. Does it feel heavy on your lids?
Amanda says
woohoo! I’m famous! 🙂 Well, on the blog anyway, haha. thanks Karen! that’s a really pretty lippie. I actually have another question-how’s the wear on the greasepaint stick???
Karen says
Hi Amanda,
It’s actually pretty good. Once it’s on it STAYS ON. You do have to work quickly, though, because once it dries it’s totally set.
Kate & Zena says
The joys of packing.
What am I up to this Sunday? Working on my essays. I have my Children’s Lit one about 1/2 way done (not due until Tuesday) and I got the heading on my Gender & Sexuality one down and what I’m going to talk about on another piece of paper. I’m doing the page-to-screen essay (Children’s Lit) on Howl’s Moving Castle. For Gender & Sexuality (now known as G&S) on how the Brother’s Grimm tale of Snow White reaffirms the patriarchal standards, especially the idea of good girl vs. bad girl. It’s a sexist text even though I love the Brother’s Grimm. The Brother’s Grimm fairy tales are by far my favorite. Violent and gruesome.
Karen says
Hi Kate & Zena,
Did you have a good writing weekend? Hope your essays are almost done.
Christy says
I’m carpet cleaning since I’m basically done unpacking. So I know your pain! I had about 10 clear plastic shoe boxes of makeup, plus another 6 for hair and body stuff and another 3 for nail polish. Oh then there’s the kitchen, my clothes, and over 300 pairs of shoes…. oh well, it’s unpacked and things are clean. =)
As for preventing fall out, I usually put down a layer of face powder under my eye. Once done I dust off with a brush and say bye-bye to the fall out. I also don’t apply my foundation until after I’m done my eye makeup. For a primer, I use UDPP or Too Faced Shadow Insurance, then a paint pot or CCB. I use a MAC 242 or 239 that’s dampened with Fix+ or Mixing Medium. I also use a patting motion to meld the powder and my base together.
Karen says
Hi Christy,
Whew! Congrats on getting your unpacking on. 🙂 Are you almost finished?
And thank you for sharing your Mineralize Eyeshadow tips. Did you pick up any shades from the Style Black collection?
Blovet Beauty says
Lip glosses always look good on u!Mac syrup looks especially sweet and cute!
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… My Beauty Diary at CozyCot HGP & DHC Suncut Q10 SPF50+ =-.
Karen says
Hi Blovet Beauty,
You’ve gotta try Syrup. It’s a fabulous pink staple color.
Have a great week!
Meghan says
I worked but I picked up some mac goodies on my break, MY FIRST MAC PURCHASE EVER! I bought the seriously hip & baby goth girl polishes from style black and the amorous and totally fab dazzleglass cremes!! They are amazing, I’ve tried them both out already.
I think I caught the mac bug from this blog! 😛
.-= Meghan’s last blog post… An Ode to Liquid Liner Pens =-.
Karen says
Hi Meghan,
Let me know how those polishes go for you… I’ve never had any luck with MAC nail lacquers, with the exception of the Jin Soon colors from last month.
How are you liking your Dazzleglass Cremes?
Sarah says
Hi Karen
I’m a big fan of the mineralized MAC eyeshadows. I am also lagging on starting the Sookie Stackhouse books. I think I’m going to get motivated to start them this week.
Take Care
Sarah
Karen says
Hi Sarah,
Yes! I’m glad to hear you like them. Do you have a favorite batch? Mine are probably this one from Style Black and the shadows from Red She Said.
The first book out of that series is great! I hope you enjoy it.
meimei says
RE: Mineralize eyeshadows. One of my eyeshadows is from the first Mineralize batch (Hot Contrast), which I bought along with a MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. Using the Paint Pot as a base works like a charm!
.-= meimei’s last blog post… Calling All Angels: An Update on the Whole Typhoon Situation =-.
Karen says
Hi Meimei,
Painterly is certainly one of those workhorse products, huh? Do you notice any difference when you apply the shadow on the base when it’s wet/dry?
BTW, how is DogMei doing?
NINA says
Heya Karen!
I just finished reading the Sookie novels (at least until the 8th book) and watching True Blood Season 1 – very addictive.
I do pat the mineralized shadows on rather than brushing them on my eyelids. I find that there is less fall out when I do that … I also make sure I use a good primer AND a base.
Have a great week ahead!
Karen says
Hi Nina,
I’ve been stuck on the fourth book for a few weeks. I’m hoping to finish it in the next few days! Have you started watching season 2 yet?
Good primers make a huge diff! Which one do you like? I’m partial to Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay PP in Sin.
You have a good week too!
Christy says
Hi Karen,
Yes, I got all 4 eyeshadows. They’re so hot! So far I’ve only played around with Young Punk.
I am thankfully done unpacking, just a matter of organizing it all properly. It took almost a month to do it, so frustrating, but worth the move. Good luck with the move! =)
All Women Stalker says
Oooh Book 4. Exciting, exciting. I wish the latest will be released soon.
-meream
Kate & Zena says
Karen,
Ba ha ha ha ha ha ha, no. I got about 3/4ths of my Children’s Lit done (it’s due tomorrow so I’m finishing it today) and I still only have the heading for my G&S essay. I work best when I have some done a few days before and then spit the rest out the night before it’s due. I just work better that way. I can’t do essays the minute they’re assigned. I have to sit and think it through. I’m a thinker.
Y’know what’s worse? I have to write a reflection paper for Social Psychology too!!! I have to e-mail it to him before next class (next Monday)!
My dad said we could get Zena her Halloween costume on Friday. She’s going as the Little Stinker (see link). She’s going to look so cute!
Little Stinker Dog Costume
Linda says
Wow,
I had fallout issues with the mineral eyeshadow and just returned it. I wished I had checked your blog first to learn about FX. The colors are great, though.
Karen says
Hi Linda,
Maybe next time they come out pick one up again and try a few of these tricks! You might find you like ’em. 🙂