Roses are red, violets are blue; the MAC A Rose Romance collection arrived today, what say you?
At first I wasn’t sure I would dig it, but after previewing a few items last week and checking out the full collection today, I’m a fan.
Beauty Powder in Summer Rose
Beauty Powder in Blush Of Youth
If you wear cool tones well, you’ll probably find a lot to like in this collection of lip, eye and cheek makeup (with some face, nail and perfume products thrown in for good measure!).
Gel Blush in Just a Pinch
Violet dominates the color palette, but MAC sprinkled in some pinks, plums and reds — along with a dash of light blue and silver — to spice things up.
See Thru Lip Colours in Tender Tryst, Loving Touch, Secret Crush
Lipglasses in Magnetique, Steal My Heart, Virgin Kiss
Lipsticks in A Rose Romance, Odyssey, Way to Love
The A Rose Romance palette exudes a moodiness that feels totally different from last month’s lighthearted Sugarsweet pastels. These shades give off a vibe that’s both beautiful and tragic at the same time, kinda like bittersweet Jeff Buckley love songs or three-legged dogs playing fetch in the park.
In terms of finish, sheer rules this collection. The Beauty Powders, Lipsticks and Lipglasses apply with a transparency and dewiness reminiscent of wet flower petals on the sidewalk after a spring rain.
While A Rose Romance doesn’t quite set my world on fire like Cult of Cherry or Red She Said did, the colors make sense to me, and there are some interesting tidbits here.
There are a few great products that I haven’t seen before, and some are totally worth hoarding, along with other items worth a closer look.
Silverthorn Eyeshadow
Shadowy Lady Eyeshadow
Of Summer Eyeshadow
Creme de Violet Eyeshadow
Et Tu, Bouquet? Eyeshadow
Just a Pinch Gel Blush ($20) is one item I plan to stock pile. This rosy blush applies with deep pigmentation, yet it’s still easy to apply and blend. I’m guessing that this one’s going to sell out fairly quickly.
The See Thru Lip Colours ($14 each) also stood out. These lip stains create no-fuss color and last for hours. Sometimes I feel like gloss and lipstick can look very heavy on the lips, so when I want a lighter, more natural look, the Sheer Lip Colours will fit the bill nicely.
Last but not least is Fix+ Rose spray ($17). I picked up this makeup setting spray for the face today, and my makeup sixth sense can already tell it’s going to be a winner. It smells liked crushed rose petals and feels hydrating on my skin. Oh so lurvely!
Mutiny Pigment
Circa Plum Pigment
As for the rest of the collection, I also really like Circa Plum Pigment ($20) and Of Summer eyeshadow ($15) (two purples that apply and blend with ease), Love & Friendship Nail Lacquer ($11) (a creamy, opaque violet polish that doesn’t streak), and Creations Hue in Dejarose ($22) (a perfume with tea rose notes and a soft patchouli dry down).
Splashproof Mascara in Black
Creations Hue in Dejarose
Love & Friendship Nail Lacquer
Swatches
A Rose Romance
Top: Splashproof Mascara in Black; Second row from left to right: Blush of Youth Beauty Powder, Summer Rose Beauty Powder, Circa Plum Pigment, Mutiny Pigment
From left to right: Creme de Violet, Et Tu Bouquet, Of Summer, Shadowy Lady, Silverthorn Eyeshadows
From left to right: A Rose Romance, Odyssey, Way to Love Lipsticks
From left to right: Loving Touch, Secret Crush, Tender Tryst See Thru Lip Colours
From left to right: Magnetique, Steal My Heart, Virgin Kiss Lipglasses
Love & Friendship Nail Lacquer
A Rose Romance has a few neat things I’ve never seen before, along with some stand-out purple products.
Bust out the credit card for…
- Just a Pinch Gel Blush
- Fix+ Rose
- Love & Friendship Nail Polish
- All three See Thru Lip Colors
- Of Summer Eyeshadow
- Circa Plum Pigment
On the “maybe” list but still worth checking out…
- Mutiny Pigment
- Dejarose
- Both of the Beauty Powders
- Shadowy Lady, Silverthorn eyeshadow, Creme de Violet and the Et Tu Bouquet eyeshadows
- Splashproof Mascara
Unless you’re a hard core MAC collector, pass on the…
- Lipsticks
- Lipglasses
You might like the A Rose Romance collection if…
- …you look great in violet shades,
- …you have a cooler skin tone,
- …you prefer sheer lip and cheek makeup.
Sloooow going
Hey, gals! Sorry for the late post. Do you ever have those days when it seems like it takes forever to get anything done? I’ve been having one of those today. I spent half the day puttering around (skipped school) and the other half watching Lifetime movies on TV. It was relaxing but not very productive at all. 🙂
Anyway, what’s going on with you? Did you have a good day today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Vampy Varnish says
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pmWell I certainly fit numbers #1 & 2, but I’m not huge into sheers for the most part. I really like Mutiny pigment from what I can tell in the pic though and Love & Friendship might be worth checking out, it looks nice and “dusty”.
My day was good, I have tomorrow off so today is my Friday! Getting ready to book a girls trip to Vegas in September where I will see my BFF for the first time in over 6 years!!
Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..Essie Neon Collection for Summer 2009
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:23 pmHi Vampy Varnish,
How fun! Six years is a long time — does she live far away?
Liz says
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 pmI love those lipglass colors. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I cannot stand the feel of MAC lipglasses. They just sit on my lips and slip and slide.
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:24 pmHi Liz,
Yeah, they tend to a texture that people either love or hate. Do you prefer thinner gloss? Givenchy makes a good one that’s thin and stays on.
Lydia says
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 pmI had a great day today because I’m om vacation! Anyways, I really like this collection 🙂
Lydia´s last blog post..Glamazon Asks You: What Would You Pair With This?
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:25 pmHi Lydia,
Lucky girl! I hope you’re enjoying your time off.
Do you think you might pick up a few bits from A Rose Romance?
Catherine says
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 pmI just picked up Mutiny pigment today! It’s my first MAC pigment. I feel like I have similar shades to a lot of the purples and Circa Plum just didn’t wow me. I think I’d like it a lot more in the wintertime, but for spring and summer, Mutiny is gorgeous. I can’t wait to do a FOTD with it tomorrow. 😀
Catherine´s last blog post..Tagged by Chrissy
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pmHi Catherine,
I briefly thought about it and then remembered that I have a few pressed eyeshadows in a similar shade.
Did you bust out your FOTD yet? How did it go?
Glosslizard says
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 pmI picked up Tender Tryst lip color and Of Summer eyeshadow. I also finally got Copperplate shadow, which really coordinates beautifully with the cooler pinks! I would have gotten Shadowy Lady if I didn’t already have it in the Cult of Cherry quad (I lurve that quad)!
I am totally loving the see thru lip colors and am planning to go back for Loving Touch!
Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pmHi Glosslizard,
I lurve that quad, too. Sometimes I like to take out my Cult of Cherry stuff so I can just admire it. And sometimes I just like to place it all on Tabs, LOL!
I might end up going back for Loving Touch. 🙂
Elena says
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 pmI really like this entry, and it was so nice talking to you today! Come back and play any time okay 🙂
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pmHi Elena,
It was nice talking to you today, too. 🙂 I’ll definitely come by soon!
cloudburst says
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:09 pmA friend of mine once had a 3 legged dog – it did look pretty sad. I’m going to haul tomorrow!
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pmHi Cloudburst,
What did you end up getting?
Elle says
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 pmWeird–I was just having a conversation about Jeff Buckley. He was IT for me in high school. Love him so much!
Thanks for the review, Karen! I’m excited to see some of the shades in person, since I’m afraid most of these won’t show up very well on me. I’m liking Silverthorn e/s and Magnetique l/g. I’m also curious about those see-thru lip colors. I’m wondering how the gel blush compares to the Tarte cheek stains. Hmm…
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pmHi Elle,
The Gel Blush feels similar to Tarte’s — I think it lasts a longer, though. Sometimes the Cheek Stains just slip off my cheeks. 🙂
I discovered Jeff Buckley on accident a few years ago. I downloaded a Last Goodbye randomly and after that I was hooked. I went online to find out tour dates and was devastated to find that he had passed away! It really broke my heart. What’s your favorite song from him?
Didi says
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 pmO! I’m really wanting to check out this collection! I’ve got pigmented lips and I’m always on the hunt for plum/purples shades. Thanks for the swatches!
Didi´s last blog post..Double Duty Chocolates
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pmHi Didi,
You’re welcome! Happy Friday!
Rachel says
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 pmWow! Magnetique is beautiful *_*
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pmHi Rachel,
I know! There are so many pretty products in this launch!
Heidi says
April 24th, 2009 at 12:22 amOMG I am loving the purple/plum eye shadows. I think I look like “myself” when I wear plum shades because they make my brown eyes POP. I better check it out before it goes awayyyy.
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:32 pmHi Heidi,
You’ll probably be able to rock almost everything in this collection. 🙂 Circa Plum is calling your name!
Rachel says
April 24th, 2009 at 5:31 amWowowowow I really like the nail lacquer… a lot!
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:32 pmHi Rachel,
Me too! It was a nice surprise. 🙂
Tammy says
April 24th, 2009 at 7:17 amI only bought a few things…the gel blush, Fix+ Rose, and A Rose Romance lipstick..this line isn’t very flattering for my complexion..
Tammy´s last blog post..Product Review MAC Prep N Prime Refined Zone
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pmHi Tammy,
Yah, it’s definitely one for the cool girls.
We have Style Warriors and Naked Honey to look forward to, though!
Tatiana says
April 24th, 2009 at 10:47 amYay for Lifetime movies, especially ones with Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Kellie Martin, Cheryl & Jordan Ladd…basically all of them.
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pmHi Tatiana,
You forgot Tori Spelling. She totally outdid herself in Co-Ed Call Girl!
Jian says
April 24th, 2009 at 11:00 amHey Karen!
I was just wondering about the beauty powders. I’ve been meaning to ask, in photos I’ve seen they look almost..CREAMY!? Are they? Or is it just a shiny, smooth exterior? Looks pretty though. I might invest..
Jian´s last blog post..Thursday Question Time
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:34 pmHi Jian,
They look creamy, but they’re a powder. I think that’s the shine! 🙂
Angie says
April 24th, 2009 at 11:14 amI lever thought I would read about three-legged dogs playing fetch in the park in a beauty blog. Love it!
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:35 pmHi Angie,
Thanks! 🙂
I hope you’re having a lovely Friday!
mukho says
April 24th, 2009 at 11:40 amHi Karen, nice pictures. I like the rose petal detailing on the beauty powders. And a funny coincidence – I have a Maybelline lipstick, dusty rose, which is the exact same shade as your love and friendship nail lacquer 🙂
mukho´s last blog post..Guess who came to visit…again! … a.k.a. – Monkey pictures!
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:19 pmHi Mukho,
I bet that lipstick is pretty! I love that nail polish shade so I just might track it down.
I hope you’re having a nice Friday. 🙂
Laurie says
April 24th, 2009 at 11:55 amHey Karen! I’m really loving this collection, wasn’t sure I would but I find so many must haves!
I exercised restraint though – picked up the Fix+ Rose, Of Summer eyeshadow and the Summer Rose beauty powder.
Laurie´s last blog post..City Livin’
Karen B says
April 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pmI really want to try the gel blush. Passing on the rest as my bank balance is… well not so balanced…
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 3:10 pmHi Karen B.,
I think it would look great on your skin. I hope you try it. 🙂
How have you been? It’s been a minute!
Daya says
April 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pmI picked up Magnetique yesterday…such a pretty color! I may go get another one when I’m no longer sick! 🙁
Karen says
April 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pmHi Daya,
Sorry to hear that you’re feeling under the weather. Get better soon! 🙂
Michelle says
April 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pmI skipped school yesterday too, to take my son to the dentist (poor kid). Thanks for this review, I think I’m going to get the gel blush 🙂
Anastasia says
April 25th, 2009 at 11:19 amI picked up the Summer Rose beauty powder a few nights ago – so far so good! I’m verrry pale so I don’t often wear blush because it looks too harsh on me, but this went on so nicely in the store.
I was tempted to pick up the Love and Friendship nail lacquer but then I remembered I have an OPI one from the French collection at home that looks very close to it.
Thanks for the review!
baybee says
April 26th, 2009 at 10:24 pmhey karen dont you think that the gel blush is similar to cream colour base in Crushed Bougainvillea from the ungaro’s collection?
Karen says
April 27th, 2009 at 8:43 amHi Baybee,
I think it’s a lil’ bit more rosy red. From what I recall, Crushed Bougainvillea looked more berry on my skin.
Selena says
April 27th, 2009 at 6:10 amI’m in love with this collection. Damn recession. Must resist urge to buy the whole collection…..
Karen says
April 27th, 2009 at 8:32 amHi Selena,
It’s a good one. I wish I could pull off all these cool shades!
baybee says
April 27th, 2009 at 5:36 pmthanks karen!