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
Kajal Couture says
September 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pmI 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 =-.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pmHi Kajal Couture,
Sure thing! I’ll do a few in the next couple o’ days. 🙂
Elle says
September 24th, 2009 at 1:59 pmI’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.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Elle,
The Greasepaint Stick is a LOT of fun. It layers well and doesn’t budge at all!
Megan says
September 24th, 2009 at 2:08 pmThis 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 =-.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pmHi Megan,
I have no idea what it is, but it reminds me of MAC Syrup lipstick.
Stef says
September 24th, 2009 at 2:20 pmI’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 =-.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pmHi Stef,
Yup, it has just the slightest hint of purple. It’s gorgeous!
shontay says
September 24th, 2009 at 2:57 pmHey 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.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pmHi 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!
amy says
September 24th, 2009 at 3:38 pmI 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 =-.
Audrey says
September 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pmI’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!!! =-.
Glosslizard says
September 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pmI 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! 🙂
Tavia says
September 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pmI 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 =-.
Tiffany says
September 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pmwow, 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!
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:53 pmHi 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.
Annie says
September 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pmI 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!
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:52 pmHi Annie,
I was thinking about getting that Stila Smudge Pot shade. Good to know they are both very similar!
amy says
September 24th, 2009 at 5:25 pmI 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 =-.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:51 pmHi Amy,
It’s fab, right? I wore it this afternoon along with Young Punk eyeshadow!
Mica says
September 24th, 2009 at 6:01 pmI 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.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:41 pmHi Mica,
I really wasn’t feeling most of the lippies, either. Night Violet is cool, though.
ezzie says
September 24th, 2009 at 6:58 pmvolcanic ash exfoliator = <33333!!!!!!
that black knight lipstick is intense :O
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:42 pmHi Ezzie,
Oh gosh, it totally is!
Steph B says
September 24th, 2009 at 7:44 pmI 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.
Karen says
September 24th, 2009 at 9:37 pmHi 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…
Tania says
September 24th, 2009 at 10:48 pmKaren,
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!!
Lorna says
September 24th, 2009 at 11:05 pmis that grease paint stick in black really purple looking?
Steph B says
September 25th, 2009 at 12:02 amKaren –
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.
Blovet Beauty says
September 25th, 2009 at 3:51 ami want that eye khol in smoulder~ hot stuff
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… Green&Blue EOTD & How I get Soft Wavy Curls =-.
Marina says
September 25th, 2009 at 8:02 amThose 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 =-.
Louise Gray says
September 25th, 2009 at 1:20 pmTabs looks good. In fact he looks better than I would look. I wonder how my pup, Petey, would look?? Louise
All Women Stalker says
September 25th, 2009 at 1:41 pmNo 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… =-.
Daniela says
September 25th, 2009 at 1:43 pmI 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!
Marce says
September 25th, 2009 at 7:51 pmOK, 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 =-.
lexi says
September 25th, 2009 at 10:53 pmMy 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!!
le says
September 26th, 2009 at 12:55 amThis 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…
Sarah says
September 30th, 2009 at 4:47 pmI 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 =-.