Shh… Do you hear that sound, ladies?
It’s the sound of millions of MAC fans being kept on their toes.
Seeing the new MAC Make-Up Art Cosmetics collection at the mall today, I had to overlook my preconceived notions of typical fall makeup and remember what I was supposed to be seeing.
MAC chose to name this collection “Make-Up Art Cosmetics” for a reason. It’s the company’s name, after all, and I’m guessing they intended for it to reflect more than just a season.
Remember Cult of Cherry last fall? Or Smoke Signals the fall before that? Both releases epitomized fall makeup with sultry smokey eye colors and vampy lips (mrow!).
With Make-Up Art Cosmetics, however, MAC stitched together a crazy quilt of colors running the gamut from neutrals to brights to bliggity bling-bling — a release representative of the company itself.
Widespread appeal
I really get the feeling MAC tried to include something for everyone.
The subdued neutrals, elegant greens and sheer purples in the Richard Phillips set appeal to the Chanel lover in me, while the vibrant eyeshadows, liners and pigments of the Maira Kalman and Marilyn Minter sets feed my hard-core color cravings and glitter pangs.
It’s a HUGE collection, too, with neutrals for my makeup-shy mom and brights for my makeup-obsessed BFF. Either one could walk away from the MAC counter with something new to wear.
What caught my eye?
Mostly the products in the Richard Phillips set — Notable blush, the Notoriety Eyeshadow palette and the New Spirit Lipglass (funny how they all start with the letter N!) — all great neutrals for work or other responsible daytime looks.
I’d really like to hear your take on this collection. What do you think MAC meant by choosing to name it Make-Up Art Cosmetics, and does it deliver? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Product shots
Private Viewing quad
Notoriety quad
Photo Realism quad
Lipsticks from left to right: Front Lit, High Strung, Lovin’ It, Hold the Pose, Full Body
Lipglasses from left to right: Young Thing, Personal Taste, New Spirit, On Display
Blushes from left to right: The Perfect Cheek, Notable
Eyeshadows in top row from left to right: Crest the Wave, Off the Page, Maira’s Mood. Bottom row: Haunting, Purple Shower, Violet Trance
Technakohls from left to right: Colour Matters, Obviously Orange, Artistic License, Full of Fuchsia, Graphblack
Top row from left to right: Glitter in Reflects Copper Glitter, Glitter in Reflects Rust, Glitter in Gold, Glitter in Fuchsia. Bottom row: Pigment in Cocomotion, Pigment in Brash & Bold, Pigment in Heritage Rouge, Pigment in Push the Edge
Swatches on NC 35 skin
Private Viewing eyeshadow quad
Notoriety eyeshadow quad
Photo Realism eyeshadow quad
Lipsticks from left to right: Front Lit, High Strung, Lovin’ It, Hold the Pose, Full Body
Lipglasses from left to right: Young Thing, Personal Taste, New Spirit, On Display
Blushes from left to right: The Perfect Cheek, Notable
Eyeshadows from left to right: Crest the Wave, Off the Page, Maira’s Mood, Haunting, Purple Shower, Violet Trance
Technakohls from left to right: Colour Matters, Obviously Orange, Artistic License, Full of Fuchsia, Graphblack
From left to right: Glitter in Reflects Copper Glitter, Glitter in Reflects Rust, Glitter in Gold, Glitter in Fuchsia, Pigment in Cocomotion, Pigment in Brash & Bold, Pigment in Heritage Rouge, Pigment in Push the Edge
Also included in this release are Plushlash in Plushblack (see a review here) and Gloss Texture in Clear Gloss.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Diana Kim says
August 20th, 2009 at 8:36 pmI’ve been dying to see this collection in person! gahh!! 🙁
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 amHi Diana,
Hopefully you’ll get a chance soon. Do you live near a MAC counter?
Kate & Zena says
August 20th, 2009 at 8:42 pmI like the first and third quads and Violet Trance but that’s about it. I love purple smokey eyes as they’re the one color I can use either to bring out the intense amber brown in my eyes or bring more of the grey out of my eyes depending on shade. It doesn’t help purple is my favorite color.
Deeper purples tend to bring more brown out while those that lean a bit lavender really bring out the grey. I’m thinking a purple smokey for my first day of school on Monday (ich). Maybe for my dentist appointment next Wednesday I’ll wear the one purple eyeshadow I have that garnered my nickname “fox eyes” at the optometrist. Not that my dentist would care but it would make definitely me feel better wearing my “fox eyes” look. Be a little like Zena with her big brown eyes.
Did you end up bringing anything home from this collection?
It was very, very windy today here in the ol’ Midwest (albeit pretty). I wanted to go inside to change half way through walking Zena. I was so scared my dress would blow up in the back a la Marilyn Monroe! I definitely should wear my shorts on windy days!
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 amHi Kate & Zena,
I picked up Notable blush, Lovin’ It Lipstick and New Spirit Lipglass.
Solé says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:08 pmThanks for the swatches!!! You do all the work for us and it’s definitely appreciated. 🙂 Although I’m sure they will look different on me, this definitely gives me a good idea of what the colors look like before I go into the store. I always like to have an idea of what I want before I go so I won’t have any regrets afterward. If I had the funds, I would literally buy every piece in this collection, but I think I’m going to stick to the quads and one or two of the lippies since all I have is a Nordie’s giftcard. Thanks. 🙂
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:50 amHi Sole,
Sure thing! 🙂
Let me know what you end up getting.
emma says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:12 pmi want the Notoriety quad!
and the botable blush : )
.-= emma’s last blog post… Thursday News =-.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 amHi Emma,
It’s a very nice quad. I hope you try it!
nikki says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:17 pmoh my goodness i wish i had all the money in the world id buy everything from this collection.
i think im love with the lipglass 🙂
Allison says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:26 pmI have to get my mitts on the Private Viewing Quad! It’s so purplicious! The mere thought of getting to see this collection in person tomorrow has me ridiculously excited!
.-= Allison’s last blog post… If you register your site for free at =-.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 amHi Allison,
Nice. I liked the colors in that quad but found the payoff kinda sheer. Did you pick up anything yet?
ines + cha cha says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:45 pmoh geez i think i just had a makeup related headrush looking at this stuff
it’s sad but i just paid off my dance program so no makeup for a while! i’ll probs just save up and hope that i can get something from the collection somehow… i hope not everything is gone, since there is such a large product selection 🙁
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… Fragrance Review (the Gardenia Quartet Part I) – Crazylibellule and the Poppies Pompon Gardenia =-.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:52 amHi Ines,
I think you’ll be fine — I think this one isn’t as highly anticipated as a few more that are coming down the pipe.
marisa says
August 20th, 2009 at 9:50 pmMUST HAVE technakohl in artistic license….i’m thinking the eyeshadow in haunting too….
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 amHi Marisa,
Do it! I heart the Technakohls!
Sherry says
August 20th, 2009 at 10:13 pmOMG everything so lovely which to choose.
.-= Sherry’s last blog post… How to search in eBay? =-.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 amHi Sherry,
I’m sure you’ll be able to narrow it down. 😉
Did you end up getting anything?
Jaclyn Rose says
August 20th, 2009 at 11:01 pmhi karen… i wanted to stop by the MAC counter today, but didn’t get a chance to. I totally fell in love with On Display lipglass after seeing it swatched on you. i am sooooo B2Ming for it. hehe, I also kinda want the Full on Fuschia technakohl. it looks so pretty! so MAC counter I shall see you tomorrow =)
.-= Jaclyn Rose’s last blog post… FOTD, OOTD and a date with Jane =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:38 amHi Jaclyn Rose,
Girl, if you figure out how to work that Full on Fuschia you gotta let me know! I am kinda at a loss and don’t know what to do with it.
Happy Friday!
Tavia says
August 20th, 2009 at 11:35 pmOMG….they are all so beautiful….I’d better not drop by the mall until I would have enough money for all this beauties. I love the Notoriety quad, it has my usual makeup colors included.
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Review – Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:37 amHi Tavia,
Notoriety is very pretty. The brown is actually very interesting — it has these really tiny gold flecks! You gotta get it. 😉
Karen B says
August 21st, 2009 at 1:15 amThis collection is just too brilliant. It makes my fingers itch on my empty purse… lol
Do you know if the glitters are eye-safe?
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:37 amHi Karen B.,
I asked the MUAs there about that, and they gave me the usual official answer — keep the glitter away from the eyes. They did mention, though, that they know people do it anyway, so…
Blovet Beauty says
August 21st, 2009 at 4:22 amI really like this collection. its colorful, fun and vibrant!! Can’t wait for it to arrive!!
.-= Blovet Beauty’s last blog post… G DRAGON EYES ON U! =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:35 amHi Blovet Beauty,
When does it arrive on your shores?
Mary says
August 21st, 2009 at 4:24 amI have just found your blog through “Amanda’s Sunshine”. I love it!
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:35 amHi Mary,
Thank you! It’s nice to meet ya. 🙂
Alexis says
August 21st, 2009 at 4:31 amOh boy, I’m loving this collection more and more. I’m definitely picking up Heritage Rouge pigment, Young Thing lipglass, The Perfect Cheek blush, and Plush Lash mascara. On my maybe list are Cocomotion pigment and Notoriety quad. Decisions!
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:34 amHi Alexis,
I picked up Cocomotion a few months back and LOVE it. It seriously goes with everything and isn’t too over the top.
Tiffany says
August 21st, 2009 at 4:57 amI love the concept for this collection, with the 3 artists and all! I think their fall stuff will come later (style black, anyone?).
Notable blush looks so great on your skintone!
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:34 amHi Tiffany,
Yeah, everybody’s all up in a tizzy about Style Black!
Did you end up picking anything up?
Michelle (LipstickRules) says
August 21st, 2009 at 5:22 amI did have a MAC makeup binge yesterday with the launch. Bought Notoriety quad, Photo Realism quad, Lovin It lipstick and On Display. You are right in that there’s something for everyone!
.-= Michelle (LipstickRules)’s last blog post… Getting to know each other! =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:33 amHi Michelle,
Sweet! Are you rocking your new MAC stuff today?
Jenn says
August 21st, 2009 at 5:27 amgreat swatches! BUT from the pictures it looks like Obviously Orange is not obviously orange at all 🙂
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:33 amHi Jenn,
It’s more coral than orange, yeah.
I have it and am not sure how to work it — yet. My MAC MUA buddy suggested doing a line along the lower lash line, smudging it and then adding a reddish brown like Sketch right along the roots of the lashes. I dunno if it’s going to work but will try it anyway.
Vonvon says
August 21st, 2009 at 6:21 amOMG!!! As I have previously mentioned, I’d happily give up half of the cosmetics in my collection now for Make-Up Art Cosmetics.
I was at our local MAC today and was told this huge collection will be out next Friday….can’t wait to play with them all!! 🙂
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… FOTD: Another Nude But STONEd Look =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:31 amHi Vonvon,
Awesome! Which products are you most excited about?
Happy Friday. 🙂
gio says
August 21st, 2009 at 7:19 amI like the concept of the collection and the fact there is something for everyone. Thanks for the swatches, I love the Technakohls and On Display lipglass.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Looks: Sleek Acid Pink + Sleek Curious palette =-.
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:30 amHi Gio,
Me too. I think it really embodies MAC’s creed.
Are you gonna get any of the Technakohls?
Elle says
August 21st, 2009 at 7:24 amThanks for doing all the work for me, Karen 🙂 Notable is gorgeous on you. I also think I like the Notoriety quad, but I feel like I have too many shades that are already similar to those. Hopefully this means I won’t be blowing too much cash on this collection!
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:29 amHi Elle,
Yeah, I’ve seen that combo before — I have a similar one from Stila!
Will be trying on the Notable blush in a few. 🙂
How’s your Friday going? Got any plans for the weekend?
Tiffany says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:41 amHey Karen! I ended up getting the notoriety and photo realism quads! I need to get a good base for them… what’s your fave? maybe the benefit creaseless creams?
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:53 amHi Tiffany,
Funny you should mention that quad — I’m playing with it right now. I just busted out some Creaseless Creams too, ha!
I’m thinking RSVP, Sippin N’ Dippin’ or Sambady Loves Me would work.
Tiffany says
August 21st, 2009 at 8:57 amThanks girlie! I will take a look at those shades… RSVP looks like a good neutral. Do you think the Benefit bases are the best for preventing creasing?
Karen says
August 21st, 2009 at 9:00 amHi Tiffany,
Yup, I do. If your lids are *very* oily, though, you might want to pop some UDPP or Too Faced Shadow Insurance beneath it just to be safe.
shontay says
August 21st, 2009 at 9:16 amHey Karen,
I think by choosing the name of this collection, Mac wanted to bring attention back to the art of makeup. It really is art ans this collection make every woman feel as if she is using her face as a canvas to bring out her own personality. This is why there’s a mix between bold and subtle.
I went to a special unveiling and bought on display and personal taste lip glass, notable blush and off the page shadow. I need to go back this weekend to get the photo realism quad, high strung lipstick (which should be awesome with personal taste) and obviously orange liner and maybe even artistic license. This is a gorgeous collection.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:41 amHi Shontay,
Did you end up going back for more goodies? You gotta let me know how you end up working the Obviously Orange. 🙂
Elle says
August 21st, 2009 at 9:25 amHaha, Karen, I’m going to Hooters with some of my friends this weekend. Cos they want “wings”. 😉 What about you?
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:44 amHi Elle,
Yeah right… wings!
Last night I didn’t do much, just went to Thai food for dinner and relaxed at home. Today I’ve got some writing to do and hopefully I’ll get the chance to go to the movies.
Hope you’re having a nice weekend so far.
Tiffany says
August 21st, 2009 at 10:29 amAwesome, thanks! I put RSVP on my wish list. I don’t think my lids are super oily.
Dao says
August 21st, 2009 at 10:48 amThis is a huge collection! I guess after so many collections that did not make a stir, MAC has to do something to win back its fan base. Also, the fall trend this year is bright colors (since the economy is really down) and I think this is refreshing. I personally do not prefer dark, gloomy colors for fall.
By putting its name on this collection, MAC shows people they’re serious. I guess it’s time for them to do so. One and a half of my feet are already out of the door.
.-= Dao’s last blog post… My Messy Updo =-.
jessica says
August 21st, 2009 at 11:38 amHonestly, I was not Wow’ed by this collection…I absolutely adored Cult of Cherry, I bought almost everything! But thats my makeup taste–dark and sultry. That’s why bright rainbow colors and glitter pigments do not do it for me. So I definitely felt like my genre was ignored. I did like the idea of incorporating artists and the promo images, very cool. I did buy one thing–On display lip gloss! and love it!
Helene says
August 21st, 2009 at 12:06 pmWHYYYYY am I BROKE???? *sobbing* I want the Maira Kalman collection sooo bad! I adore the color.
All Women Stalker says
August 21st, 2009 at 12:47 pmOhh the private viewing eyeshadows look promising.
-meream
.-= All Women Stalker’s last blog post… 5 Home Styling Posts to BlogStalk… =-.
Daya says
August 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pmThe colors from this collection are beautiful! I bought the orange liner and want to do a fall look with it…Henna or Nocturnelle maybe on the lid.
Karen B says
August 21st, 2009 at 2:43 pmHmm. It confuses me you know, where are we supposed to use the glitter then? I mean some of the colours are just NOT for cheek/lip stuff. Ah well. I’m broke anyways. Lol.
Karen says
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 amHi Karen B.,
I hear ya. I think officially they’re supposed to say “Keep it away from your eyes” but off the record they recognize that people end up doing it anyway. If you look closely at the Marilyn Minter promo pics it looks like they threw a ton of glitter on the lid!
Catherine says
August 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pmHmm, nothing truly calling to me from this collection, though I hav to say your swatches of Photorealism are prettier than anyone else’s I’ve seen – this quad confuses me so much because it look so different on everyone I’ve seen! Also lemming Cocomotion… but I probably will skip this one in the end. It was hyped up so much and the entire collection is just kind of been there done that for me.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… RAOK from the lovely gingitsune =-.
Michele says
August 21st, 2009 at 6:55 pmI am going right to the MAC counter or online. Ya know even if i buy a quad , I will wind using only one of the colors. Why is that?
Rocking in Voorhees,
Michele
Happy Friday