The odds of me falling in love with MAC’s newest collection, Neo Sci Fi, were higher than both Whitney Houston AND Bobby Brown in the late 90s.
Just put a label on my forehead that says, “Easy Prey.” First, there’s the bright orange packaging. Sure, it’s kinda highway-worker vest, but I think it’s fun and cheerful. Then there’s my weakness for warm shades of bronze, pink and plum, which headline the sunbaked, summertime collection.
And then there’s my not-so-secret penchant for, um, sci-fi. Did I ever tell ya that Terminator is one of my favorite movies of all time and that the sci-fi classic book Ender’s Game changed my life? Fo’ reals! In case you were wondering, no, I’ve never been to a Star Trek convention or to Comic-Con, but I have both on my list of things to do.
I was totally set up to fall hard for this collection. Hard!
Neo Sci Fi hit MAC counters today, and I love pretty much everything about it. Electro ($14, a bright orange lipstick) and Pink Grapefruit ($14, an orange Lipglass) demand attention. I don’t usually dig orange makeup, either, but both of these shades really pop and would look great with a summer tan.
I’m definitely going to snatch up as many of the Neo Sci Fi Lipglasses (remember Soft & Slow last year’s Smoke Signals release?), lipsticks, blushes and polishes as I can.
I thought I’d go crazy over the eyeshadows, too, but they didn’t wow me as much as I thought they would. Surprisingly, the color I liked most was Expensive Pink, a warm gold-pink duochrome in MAC’s permanent eyeshadow color collection. Where have you been all my life, Expensive Pink? Love ya!
The entire Neo Sci Fi collection includes…
Lipsticks ($14)
- Sci-Fi-Delity (frost) – burnt red with gold pearl
- Pleasureseeker (glaze) – creamy peach
- Astral (lustre) – mid-tone brown with red pearl
- Electro (lustre) – bright orange
- Sunsonic (frost) – white gold
From left to right: Sci-Fi-Delity, Pleasureseeker, Astral, Electro, Sunsonic
Lipglasses ($14)
- Supreme – bronzed brown with white pearl
- Naked Space – creamy mid-tone nude peach
- Pink Grapefruit – orange with gold pearl
- Soft & Slow – mid-tone creamy plum
From left to right: Supreme, Naked Space, Pink Grapefruit, Soft & Slow
Eye Shadows ($14)
- Magnetic Fields (veluxe pearl) – black brown with silver pearl
- Femme-Fi – frosty golden cream
- Evening Aura (veluxe pearl) – frosty golden peach
- Time & Space (frost) – frosty copper
- Expensive Pink (veluxe pearl) – pink with gold duochrome
From left to right: Magnetic Fields, Femme-Fi, Evening Aura, Time & Space, Expensive Pink
Lipsticks and the eyeshadows
Mascara ($11)
- Plush Lash – Plushblack
I love MAC Plush Lash! I took a close look at Plush Lash earlier this year.
Power Blushes ($17.50)
- Spaced Out – shimmery peach
- X-Rocks – shimmery dirty mauve
Cremestick Liner ($14)
- 80% – deep cocoa
- Beurre – dirtied plum
- Summerfruit – pale coral
Beurre is part of the permanent Cremestick liner line-up I wrote about here.
Nail Lacquer ($10)
- Metalist – neutral coppertone with whtie pearl
- Plasma Blu – turquoise blue with matching pearl
- Neon 8 – bright orange with matching pearl
- Phosphor – bumble bee yellow
Metalist
Plasma Blu
From left to right: Phosphor, Neon 8, Plasma Blu
What do you think of Neo Sci Fi? Do the colors make you wanna beam yourself up to your nearest MAC counter? Or would you rather say hasta la vista, baby! and wait for something else?
Grab your best Cylon gal pal and check out Neo Sci Fi for yourself at your favorite MAC counter. Or, surf on over to the MAC Cosmetics website.
I’ve been running ragged this morning! My only sources of fuel have been a large latte and
the adrenaline rush I got from Neo Sci Fi! Time for breakfast/lunch. Thai leftovers, anyone?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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Kelly says
not sure if I like this collection so much but I completely feel you on Ender’s Game…practically changed my life!!!!! Have you read the entire series?
Bridget says
Ohhh I want that Spaced Out blush. That looks gorgeous!
I like these colors a lot. When I saw the first picture I didn’t think I would… but it’s the packaging that is loud not so much the colors.(Minus the nail colors.haha)
Thank goodness I don’t have a MAC counter near me. And don’t even mention online… I’m trying to be strong here. 😛
Bridgets last blog post..The Green Blanket
Cyberdelia says
Love your blog! This is my first time commenting as I’ve gotta say I’m a fellow MAC & sci fi lover too (I am a Battlestar Galactica fien…uh, fan)! lol! Not sure if I like this collection, although when I first heard the name I swooned. I’ve not yet seen it in person, so I’ll withhold judgment. A couple of your swatches have me intrigued, though! 🙂
P.S. Forget a Trek convention, and Comic-Con is a must-do at least once…but if you want the ultimate sci-fi/party experience, come to DragonCon (dragoncon.org). It’s a popular culture mardi gras…nothing like it anywhere. 🙂
Molly says
Not sure if I’m digging it too much… I like a few of the colors, but I much prefer the last three special packaging releases to this one =/ i liked white, teal, and bronze better than neon orange unfortch.
Aziajs says
Great swatches!
Laurie says
I’m really interested in the Naked Space lipglass. I fall hard for nude lips!
Lauries last blog post..Idol: The Top Two
Dao says
Wow, hello more credit card debts!
This is so hot I want to melt! Seriously, MAC is on fire with this collection. I really really want Pleasure seeker because it’s pink. You know me and pink are good friends 😉 Also naked space looks promising too. I want the yellow and blue nail polishes but not sure if I’m going to wear them or not. Eyeshadows look like something I already have. I have brown and pink shadows galore hehe.
This collection seems to be more rocking than Naughty Nauticals. I didn’t buy anything from the other one. Btw, did you see Solar Field and Future Earth in store yet? I saw them online, would be fab to have all 3 of them out at the same time.
Christine says
I see you totally got pics at the store! Lucky you! Were you all covert?
They get me every time I try, so I stopped trying!
Christines last blog post..Bargain Beauty – Going Drugstore, Generic Beauty, and Learning When to Save
Alexa says
i love this collection
that pink grapefruit was in the christmas lipglass palette 2007
and they told me it was limited.
now its here
its so pretty
Karen says
Hi Kelly,
Nope, I never read anything beyond the first book.
I have a “thing” about sequels and I loved the first book SO MUCH that I couldn’t quite get myself to read the subsequent novels because I don’t want it to tarnish the perfection that the first book has for me.
For the longest time I wanted to have twins (boy and girl) and name them Ender and Valentine, no joke!
Karen says
Hi Bridget,
That’s true. I think the orange sets a of future, space-y, summer-y vibe. It would def. be overkill if the colors in the collection were just as bright and loud. It’s very wearable, girl! Don’t hold back! 🙂
Karen says
Hi Cyberdelia,
Thanks, girl!
So, my favorite season of the “new” Battlestar Galactica was the first. Those first few eps were so nail biting, and some of the best sci fi EVER on TV, IMHO.
I’m thinking I’m going to have to go to DragonCon. El Hub is a sci fi nerd as well and would probably SWOON if I proposed this trip to him. Thanks for the recommendation!
Karen says
Hi Molly,
Yeah, I figured the orange would be either a love/hate thang. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Aziajs,
Thanks, hon! Glad you liked them.
Karen says
Hi Laurie,
Me too! I like ’em if they bring some warmth, though. I can’t always pull off the beige/nude gloss.
Do you have a fave nude lipgloss?
Karen says
Hi Dao,
Yup, I saw Solar Field. I’ll have the review up this afternoon. They didn’t have Future Earth on the counter but I’ll eventually check that one out too.
I am so glad you are feeling this, too! Can’t wait for you to see it in person and tell me what you think. It’s so beautiful, wearable, and perfect for summer. LOL, I have brown and pink shadows galore, too, but that ain’t stopping me!
Glosslizard says
I’m withholding judgement on Neo Sci-Fi ’til I can pop in and see the collection tomorrow! As you know, warm tones are not the best on me, so I’m saving my dinero for Cool Heat! There might be a couple of colors I grab, though!
I love Sci-fi too! When I first started reading novels, I dug into Anne McCaffrey, Vonda McIntyre and Andre Norton! I’ve been to a couple of cons and some booksignings! Fun! I also pondered Valentine for one of my sons, but it was inspired by “Lord Valentine’s Castle” by Robert Silverberg instead of “Ender’s Game”! 🙂
Karen says
Hi Christine,
Yah, you know how it is.
What did you think? Did you like it?
Karen says
Hi Alexa,
Hmm, holy crap! I think I might already have that. Thank goodness you were here to remind me (I swear, I’m losing my mind to MAC).
Are you gonna get it?
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
Yeah, I’m going have to wait to see Cool Heat in person, LOL.
I think you’ll like Expensive Pink, though. Call it makeup intuition!
Have you read Ender’s Game? Girl, seriously, though, good thing you didn’t name that boy Valentine. He would’ve never heard the end of it on the playground!
Christine says
I liked it more than I thought… I mean, I did walk out $80 lighter! Did you snag anything?
Christines last blog post..Looks – Black Ore Solar Bits and Neo Sci Fi Dramatic Eyes
Karen says
Not yet… I’m prolly going back after work. I hadn’t eaten breakfast and I knew if I stayed any longer my hunger would propel me to get the whole collection along with several pairs of shoes. Hunger severely impairs my monetary judgement!
Glosslizard says
Expensive Pink and Magnetic Fields are the ones I’m leaning toward!
I have read Ender’s Game! I liked it, but honestly the sequels kind of spoiled it for me! It’s really better (IMO) as a stand-alone book! Heh, I know, that’s pretty much why that name was crossed off the list! Although Val Kilmer seems to have done all right!
Jeanne says
Hello hello!
I told myself I wasn’t into this collection until I saw the swatches of the eyeshadows a while back! So I ordered them yesterday (sigh!). I’m still waiting for Cool Heat, too, but I do think I’ll wait to see it in person. We’ll see!
Plus I love the band The Magnetic Fields, so I definitely had to have the eyeshadow at least.
What do you think of Plasma Blu? I’ve seen swatches where it looks really sheer, and I don’t know if a sheer turquoise is something I’d really want… I like my brights pretty opaque.
And I agree with Cyberdelia — ComicCon is awesome. Yesterday we wound up sitting in one ballroom for hours, where we saw the Bionic Woman pilot, the cast of Heroes, the women of Battlestar Galactica (AWESOME), and the cast of Futurama doing a live reading. (Then later we went to the Buffy Singalong.) There’s so much cool stuff to do and see there; it’s definitely worth going, but it’s expensive (hotelwise) and a bit overwhelming.
Jeanne says
And by “yesterday” I meant “last year”. I have a head cold and am not right. (Boy, I wish it was yesterday!)
Jeannes last blog post..A Wallflower’s Transformation, Version.Karen
Aleks says
Hi gurl!
Long time no speak! I haven’t been online for a WEEK and it felt like a year even though I kinda enjoyed being ‘free’ for a while. What’s up? 🙂 I got the job and the interview was a piece of cake! It was over in 15 minutes and I had to just answer a few questions and wrap a gift, lol. It was just 4 days of packing but I really liked it! 🙂 I spent a week at my aunt’s place and her computer’s broken so that’s why I haven’t been online. Missed your posts!
PS. I finally have bought the shoes! They’re 2nd hand and super cheap (something like $22) yet look new and pretty! They’re pretty much something like this:
http://www.caparrosshoes.com/ecommerce/images/productimages/Shoes/STREAM/Gold/stream_gold_3.jpg
Alekss last blog post..MIA
beautytalk says
I have soft&slow! I absolutely love it.
beautytalks last blog post..Clubbing FOTD
Megan says
So neo sci fi pretty much does nothing for me. Which is good…because as previously stated I am back on makeup probation…with the exception of the list already approved in the budget for purchase next week of the clinique stuff that I still didn’t pick up…so not too much temptation here…
and you should stick an emergen-c in your purse and have that instead of the latte…:-)
Gina says
haha! I’m going to a comic-con this sunday!!! Have you read those two other books that are supposed to be sequels to Ender’s Game? I read Ender’s Game and thought that was it, but someone told me there were sequels…just wondering if you knew! have a good one!
Ginas last blog post..Dandelion Yellow
Jamie says
This collection is right up my alley. I really think I’m going to have to snatch up the entire thing!
Jamies last blog post..Wallet-Friendly Wednesdays: Victoria’s Secret Beauty Clearance
Meaghan says
Just happened to be at Nordy’s today for their sale and saw the bright orange packaging from a mile away. I wasn’t too excited by the collection from the online pictures but still managed to pick up a few things (despite the horrendous MAC MA who was soooo rude). Naked Space and Soft & Slow Lipglass; Time & Space and Femme-Fi Eyeshadow; and Bronzescape Solar Bits (which seem awesome but perhaps a little difficult to control and use!).
I had expensive pink before and it is one of my FAVORITE shadows! You definitely want to pick that up Karen!!!
Meaghans last blog post..Sephora’s Best Of 2008 Sweeps
Jennifer says
I recognize that counter!!! I think that the orange packaging throws off how the colors look. I mean, refined golden bronzer looked gray! anyways, im curious to know how ender’s game changed your life. that’s like the ONLY sci-fi book ive read that i enjoyed.
Lehea says
The black and orange screams out SF Giants to me. Haha! Maybe because I saw a game last week. Anyway, I think I’ll only get two things from this collection: Astral and Soft & Slow.
Alice from Italy says
I really hope this collection comes in Italian M.A.C. counters too!
The serie of lipglasses is faboulous and the pink grapefruit one is great color, you right! I have a question about eyeshadow in expensive pink, is it a new version of regular expensive pink? This color is normally sold in Italy and is one of my favourites.
Thank you for this interesting post!
Brandi says
Wow! I am interested in the plush lash, and pleasureseeker lipstick. Oh and the x-rocks blush! I wonder about the lipglasses though.. none look that appealing to me. maybe a little too glittery.
Brandis last blog post..She looks a little uncomfy, and I would too…
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
That’s exactly why I haven’t read the sequels.
Have you seen Val Kilmer lately? Oh my.
Karen says
Hi Jeanne,
With Plasma Blu, I think if you’re going to go bright with the nails you need to go all the way. I did two layers to get the pic above, and it didn’t look sheer at all. I like the color but I think I need to chill a bit on the blue nail polish. I’ve been going a little nuts with it lately. 🙂
ComicCon sounds like fun! I’ll make it one of these years…
Hope your feel better soon!
Karen says
Hi Aleks,
Glad that your job went well! Sometimes it’s nice to get a break from the computer, yah? Did you have fun at your aunt’s?
Great choice with the shoes, girl! They look just high enough (but not too high) to be comfy. When’s the party?
Karen says
Hi Beauty Talk,
I like it too. It was one of my favorites from Smoke Signals. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Megan,
Weird! I’m drinking juice with Emergen-C right now!
Get your Glosswear already! 😉
Karen says
Hi Gina,
I haven’t read the sequels because I heard they aren’t very good. I love the first book and don’t really want to go beyond the original story!
Karen says
Hi Jamie,
It’s very pretty. You won’t be disappointed!
Karen says
Hi Meaghan,
I dunno how I ever missed Expensive Pink! Seriously!
I love Soft & Slow pretty, too. Got it in the Smoke Signals release a few months ago and I’ve been wondering what I’d do if it ever ran out. Now I can pick up a back up!
Karen says
Hi Jennifer,
I figured you would!
I read Ender’s Game a few years ago when I was in my 20s and it rekindled my love for the young adult/teen novel genre. 🙂
Sorry I missed ya today… I was there at the crack of dawn, LOL.
Karen says
Hi Lehea,
Were you there on last Tuesday? I was in the city and I couldn’t find parking because of the game!
Meaghan says
Alice from Italy-
The expensive pink is just a re-promote so its exactly the same 🙂
Karen says
Hiya Alice,
You’re very welcome! It’s great to meet you!
Expensive Pink is part of the regular permanent collection; for Neo Sci Fi, it’s just packaged differently. If don’t really care about the orange packaging then pick it up — it’s the exact same color.
I’ve never been to your country but hope to go someday! I do travel writing so maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to go there on assignment.
Talk to ya later!
Karen says
Hi Brandi,
They’re pretty glittery, yah. The glitter isn’t as in-your-face as Dazzleglass, though.
One thing I do if I want to turn the glitter down a notch is to just do a single layer of color. That seems to make it more work/corporate friendly if I need to look conservative.
They are pretty in real life and totally worth a look. 🙂
Marisol says
I am window shopping through you. I know that if I go to the mall and check this collection out, I would get something and darn it, I am sticking to my no buy.
For those of you who may be new to MAC, Expensive Pink is part of their permanent collection and you can get it in pan form (and cheaper) at the MAC stores.
Marisols last blog post..Yes I am a Lush.
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
LOL, I do that with shoes. Sigh! At the Nordstrom half yearly sale I walked AWAY from the shoe sales… it was rough. 🙂
I never knew Expensive Pink was permanent till Jenna, a fantastic MAC makeup artist, told me this morning. I love it!
vivien says
I don’t know if you just have the perfect skintone for swatching or if you are just damn good at it but you always have the BEST swatches! I am IN LOVEEE with this collection! Orange is my absolute favorite color so I’m like overjoyed. Between an online order and a trip to the counter next week for my makeover, I have spent a damn fortune!! My list [so far] is…Expensive Pink, Evening Aura, Magnetic Fields, Pleasureseeker, Naked Space, Spaced Out, Neon 8, Neon Blue, Refined Golden, Lip Refinisher…!! EEK! I’m BROKE now, but its worth it!!!!
vivien says
Ooo and Summerfruit for Pleasureseekeer! 🙂
Nikki says
oohh I love everything! and to add up! your plasma blu nail polish is to DIE FOR!!!!!!!! Aaaacccckkk! love it!!!
Nikkis last blog post..Askmewhats Version: "Daily Cleopatra" Look
Karen B says
That swatch of expensive pink looks exactly like my icon… wohoo! I found a replacement.
I do like the lipsticks, but I’m not sure I’ll pick them up.
Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme
Susanne says
Thanks for the pics and swatches! As usual I have to wait two more weeks until I can get Neo Sci-Fi here as well. I really like the bright orange packaging!
I want
e/s Expensive Pink
e/s Evening Aura
l/g Pink Grapefruit
l/g Soft & Slow
blush Spaced Out
bronzer Refined Golden
Glosslizard says
I haven’t seen him… is that a good oh my or a bad oh my?
Miss QQ says
I like the eye shadows, blushes and lipglasses, will probably get Soft & Slow. Unfortunately, I doubt that it will be released here (Singapore).
nat says
OMG i totally love ender’s game! it was the first sci fi book i read when i was 14, and ive never looked back since! some of orson’s other books are pretty good too, esp ender’s shadow (runs parallel to game)
about MAC, i really want soft and slow l/g and expensive pink e/s (i wanted to get it last time but i havent got round to doing so, good chance to go grab it now)
its finally the weekend (here in Singapore anyway). enjoy! 🙂
Julie says
I didn’t want to hear your verdict on the eyeshadows! I came here to see your recommendations 😛 And now you rec all!
Julies last blog post..I hate MAC 🙁
Abby says
I really like this collection because the shades are summery. I bought the lipstick in pleasureseeker, the nail lacquer in Neon 8 and the eyeshadow in expensive pink. I love the nail lacquers in this collection, they are shimmery, bright, and fun. The packaging is sooo bright. You can’t really even tell by the pics on the computer. They are the brightest things in my makeup collection. Some complained that they colors weren’t bright enough for the name and theme of the collection but I think they are perfect summer shades. I love me some MAC!