MAC is bloomin’ crazy about bright colors and bold makeup, but they do sometimes venture out of their comfort zone.
With the new 10-piece Baby Bloom collection, MAC showcases their nuanced side with five *very* sheer tinted moisturizers and lip balms.
It’s a low-key look for hot days when heavy face makeup is out.
MAC Studio Moisture Tint, $30
From left to right: Light, Medium, Medium Dark, Dark, Deep Dark
The five Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 tinted moisturizers are new additions to MAC’s permanent line of foundations and replace MAC’s previous foray into the World of Tinted Moisturizers, Select Tint SPF 15 (now discontinued).
The old MAC Select Tints didn’t contain moisturizer — they were just tints — and when I’d wear ’em I’d have to apply some extra moisturizer beneath the color. By adding a moisturizer to the Studio Moisture Tints, MAC kinda lessens the need to use an additional product.
But the old tints were more pigmented than the new Studio Moisture Tints and came in a wider range of colors (including varieties in NC and NW shades. The new Studio Moisture Tints are *much* more sheer sheerer than their predecessors, and MAC consolidated the colors into just five shades:
- Light: a soft pale beige
- Medium: a warm beige
- Medium Dark: a caramel beige
- Dark: a deep caramel
- Deep Dark: a rich golden bronze
I haven’t had much success with MAC foundations in the past (they give me breakouts), but I grabbed a tube of Medium Dark to try at home.
MAC Studio Moisture Tint in Medium Dark
No doubt, the color applies *super* sheer. I barely notice a change in my skin tone and can still see freckles around my nose. It produces a very subtle shift in skin tone, but it does what tinted moisturizers are designed to do.
My beloved Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer delivers more opaque coverage, but MAC Studio Moisture Tint should work well if your skin’s in fantastic shape and all you want is subtle evening.
For now I think it’s just okay, but it has potential. I haven’t used it long enough to see if it gives me breakouts, yet, but we shall see (fingers crossed!).
MAC Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm $15
From left to right: Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm in Moist Plum, Just a Smidge, Full of Grace, Lilt of Lily and Pink Tinge
Joining the Studio Moisture Tints in MAC Baby Bloom are five new limited edition Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms ($15).
Swatches from left to right: Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm in Moist Plum, Just a Smidge, Full of Grace, Lilt of Lily and Pink Tinge
I get the feeling MAC had sheer in mind with Baby Bloom, because like the Moisture Tints, the Suntints apply surprisingly sheer.
I’ve been wearing Lilt of Lily for a few days, and while I like the texture (non-sticky), light vanilla scent and the rich hydration, I keep wishing it had more pigmentation.
These lip tints may work wonders for some, but it’s hard to justify paying $15 for ’em when Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soothers cost about $6.
Kudos for branching out
I like that MAC’s willing to try new things with sheer looks, but I haven’t decided yet how I feel about Baby Bloom.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tiffany says
July 25th, 2009 at 1:15 pmThanks for the reviews! I think I will stick with LM and Stila’s tinted moisturizers. I haven’t had much luck with MAC foundations either. I did order pink tinge online and I’m excited to get it!
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pmHi Tiffany,
I haven’t tried Stila’s, but I’ve heard good things about it. Maybe that will be next on my list…
I hope Pink Tinge works out for ya. 🙂
Michelle (Lipstick Rules) says
July 25th, 2009 at 1:17 pmI think I’m going to pass on these. I am still wanting the LM Tinted Moisturizer.
.-= Michelle (Lipstick Rules)’s last blog post… Duke it out: Are you a Lipgloss or Lipstick Girl? =-.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pmHi Michelle,
Yeah, LM’s is the shizz. I wish it came in more colors, though…
Citrine says
July 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pmI actually like MAC old tendertone a lot because of the cute glass jar…Now is just sheer color, light texture, somewhat boring packaging and a not-so-friendly price tag…
But the promo image is really pretty though.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pmHi Citrine,
The Tendertones are nice. Have you tried the Lip Conditioners? Those are pretty fab, too.
Tekoa says
July 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pmHaven’t had a chance to go to the mall on account of parents visiting. Can’t wait! I’m also happy to report that I adopted another cat. He’s a longhair orange tabby male that we found as a stray. After going through the proper authorities to locate his original family and comming up empty, we adopted him. His name is Morrie and he’s 8 years old. So now in the house we have Luna (2), Jasper (1) and Morrie (8).
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pmHi Tekoa,
Congrats on the newest member of your family! We’re thinking of getting Tabs a sibling after we move (knock on wood).
How’s the wedding planning coming along?
Anna says
July 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pmHi Karen,
The Moisture tint is not bad, but I’m surprised at the limited colour range though…I’m between medium and medium dark.Gaaaahh.
The suntint is ok, nothing special, definately doesnt justify the price tag. I find the plastic taste finds its way into my mouth….yuk…
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:07 pmHi Anna,
Yeah, I was surprised, too. I guess they’re trying to make it more user friendly!
Sarah says
July 25th, 2009 at 2:27 pmHey Karen!
I am a huge MAC fan and I’ve heard a lot of people say they break out from their foundations. I am a lucky one and don’t breakout with them. I’m very excited about a sheer color w/ spf in it. I’m glad you shared this post.
= ) Sarah
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pmHi Sarah,
Yeah, their face stuff seems to be hit or miss. Their foundations drive me nuts, but my face loves their powder.
Which foundation do you use?
Rachael says
July 25th, 2009 at 3:13 pmHey Karen… I went to MAC yesterday and I wasn’t very excited about this collection… I think I like more coverage to end up getting the studio moisture tint, and my lips are so pigmented to begin with, the suntints would do nothing for me!!! If I’m going to get an SPF, I’ll stick with my tendertones (while they last me anyways!!)… the Love that Look collection on the other hand, I’ll take one of each in that collection haha!
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pmHi Rachael,
Oh, so you loved Love That Look, huh? Which colors are your favorites?
Catherine says
July 25th, 2009 at 5:10 pmEh. I’m allergic to the sunscreen in this entire collection. Glad to know I’m not missing that much. Thanks for the swatches, Karen. =)
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Laura Mercier Haul & New Glasses!! 😀 =-.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pmHi Catherine,
I hope you’re feeling better today. Stay healthy!
pinky says
July 25th, 2009 at 10:09 pmthe sun tint looks nice but it’s so sad that there are so sheer. sigh. it’s good thought for me, won’t be craving to buy any from this collection haha
.-= pinky’s last blog post… The Body Shop Cream Shadow and Eyeliner =-.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pmHi Pinky,
Yeah, I think I’m going to pass on these too. Gotta save my pennies for the MAC fall stuff. 🙂
shontay says
July 25th, 2009 at 11:48 pmI was going to get moist plum, but knowing that they’re sheer, I went with just a smidge because of the shimmer. It’s so pretty. I might go back for moist plum anyway. All my other lippies are soo bright, this is a nice change.
The tinted moisturizer actually matched my skin, but I don’t do mac face products because they break me out. I just wanted to play with it.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pmHi Shontay,
The sheerness reminded me of Chanel’s TM. Have you tried it? It smells so good and feels so hydrating on the skin, but it barely covers anything.
Sylvie says
July 26th, 2009 at 3:59 amHi Karen,
do you know if the studio moisture tint is a permanent product?
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pmHi Sylvie,
Yup, the Studio Moisture Tints are perm.
Ada says
July 26th, 2009 at 5:07 amHi Karen. Thanks for the review. I might take your advice and try LM tinted moisturizer. I need something to cover the freckles.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:11 pmHi Ada,
I love LM’s tinted moisturizer (I use the Oil-Free). It can be quite difficult to find a match because the color selection’s so limited… I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
gio says
July 26th, 2009 at 7:54 amThanks for the review. I was interested in the Moisture Tint, but judging from the pix, it looks like even the lightest shade is too dark for my ghostky-pale skin *sighs*
As for the Suntints, I can’t really justify the price tag for such sheer shades.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Sunday Beauty Reads =-.
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pmHi Gio,
You’re welcome. 🙂 Happy Sunday!
Kizzy says
July 26th, 2009 at 9:58 amHi Karen,
This looks great! I think ‘dark’ would be my color, I’m a NC45. Weird question, but can you look at the ingredients and tell me if this product contains ‘mica’? I’m allergic to it.
Thanks a lot!
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:14 pmHi Kizzy,
Yup, it does contain mica. It’s at the bottom of the list, though, and I’ve noticed that when I wear it it’s not too shimmery.
Gail says
July 26th, 2009 at 12:15 pmI’ve used Laura’s but during Nordies sale picked up the Chanel tinted moisturizer w/Hydramax – Its fabulous – But its expensive – Will check out these – Have you tried the Chanel one?
Kizzy says
July 26th, 2009 at 2:19 pmAww, bummer 🙁 Mica and I are not friends 🙁
Karen says
July 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pmHi Kizzy,
Yeah, I’m not crazy about it in large doses. There’s lots of great tinted moisturizers out there, though. You have a lot of choices.
shontay says
July 26th, 2009 at 4:47 pmI’ve never tried chanel’s TM because their shades aren’t an exact match for me. That’s too bad since I love all things chanel. Sad to say, I ended up returning the lip balm today. I put it on and within 5 minutes, the taste seeped into my mouth and made me nauseous. Not good.
RJ says
July 29th, 2009 at 8:10 amI love the swatches, I may have to try.