Pics, arm swatches and lip swatches of MAC Shiny Pretty Things…as well as commentary/thoughts from the perspective of a 40-something-year-old woman who loves MAC and makeup. ? Please note, this is just the makeup collection, not the gift sets or kits. The whole collection is LE and available now at MAC counters and online. If you’d like to see the makeup in action, check out this post, this post and this post. For reference, I’m an NC42.
If you like shimmer, shine, frost, pearl and/or glitter, and you’re cool with the fact that it’s already the holidays for makeup companies, this MAC holiday collection is both shiny and pretty. It radiaties megawatts of luminescence. Of the 21 pieces, all which are bedecked/bedazzled in limited edition shiny silver packaging, only one has absolutely no shine to it — a hot pink matte lipstick called Both Cheeks ($19.50), which is gorgeous, by the way. It’s like a matte version of Show Orchid.
I suppose you could also consider creamy beige-pink Babetown Lipstick ($19.50) as something other than shiny, because it isn’t as shiny as the other items in the release, but it is technically a Cremesheen, so it’s still kinda shiny… It’s also the thing I’ve been wearing most from this entire collection.
I know, SHOCKING. Karen’s favorite thing is the neutral lipstick?!
That’s sarcasm in print, by the way. ?
Note: Babetown isn’t one of those corpse-y pink beige colors. It’s light (but not pastel), and I think it’s lovely layered on top of the MAC Soar, Edge to Edge, Spice, Boldly Bare — the usual MAC liner suspects. It’s smooth, opaque and doesn’t latch onto lip flakes, either.
But yeah, you better be into glitter if you’re gonna go big with this collection, because there’s SO MUCH GLITTER. All of the Shiny Pretty Shadows ($21.50 each) are glittery (allegedly they’re a new formula, but I think they might be re-branded Pressed Pigments), the Dazzleliner liquid liners ($22 each) are glittery, and the Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Snowflushed ($35) is HELLA glittery — like, someone could illuminate a disco party using the reflection off your face.
I happen to like glitter in controlled/small doses, and I’m very particular about the particulars of the glitter I like to wear because, as a non-21-year-old, I have pores.
I also have experience lines.
And glitter amplifies those things.
Yet I really like the Shiny Pretty Things glitters. They’re — wait for it — wearable!
So what’s “wearable glitter”? Well, I think the flecks are fine (but not necessarily microscopic), and not like the massive Skittle-sized pieces of glitter you use for face painting at a child’s birthday party.
Also, IMO the glitter bits in “wearable glitter” aren’t all the exact same shape and size. They vary, owing to a higher degree of complexity and sophistication…
Yes, I know that’s taking glitter very seriously. ?
By far, the most interesting glitters in this collection to me are the Shiny Pretty Shadows. They’re moderately pigmented glitter shadows with a pearly base, and the glitter bits are all different shapes and sizes. When you press the shadows on your lids either wet or dry — because, let’s face it, using a sweeping motion is just gonna send the stuff flying all over the place — they almost look like shattered glass sparkling in sunlight. Some flecks even look like they’re floating above your skin like pixie dust.
The long-wearing Dazzleliners (sparkly-er cousins of the MAC Liquidlast Liners) also have that shattered glass effect.
And then there’s Snowflushed, with its relatively incognito gold, bronze and pink flecks of glitter (subtle glitter is always a plus if you have a pore situation).
Also, none of the glosses feel gritty, by the way, if you were wondering.
The take-home home message is this: This is a *very* glittery collection, but a surprising amount of it is wearable, even for someone older than 20. If you’re into that, check out the eyeshadows, the liner and the highlighters, which I think are the standouts.
If you’d like more info about any of the items in the collection, let me know. Until then…VIVA LA GLITTER!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ooh, I’m so tempted by snow flushed. I’m debating on whether I should swatch it in store or just go for it. It looked spectacular on you but I’m no spring chicken. Thanks for the swatches. I love looking at them!
Oh and I finally found the sally hansen polish in Falling Deep. I’m wearing it now and love it. Thanks for the review. I’m surprised at how long it has resisted chipping–almost five days. That’s a record for me!
Me too, snowflushed is the only thing but I have to try it first. Maaaaybe ice orchid, but I swear Mac repackages the same lip products just waits a few years. I wish there weren’t so many limited edition collections.
Hi Krystal,
I’ve noticed the same thing about the lip colors, too, and am guessing they like to play off of existing shades and tweak them juuuuuust a little. The LE chase can be exhausting, which is why I kinda prefer wearing stuff from the permanent line. I mean don’t get me wrong I love seeing new colors and formulas, but there’s something to be said about always being able to find your favorite eyeshadow or lipstick, you know?
Hi Kelly,
You’re welcome! And yay for SH Falling Deep! I’m glad you were able to find it. What base/top coat did you use?
I use the Essie top coat in that weirdly shaped white bottle. I see you reviewed bronze reflection too. I had that on for the previous week. I loved that one. I’m having a hard time choosing polish—so many SH choices!
The opaque twisty one? I think that’s the gel couture top coat!
Yes, that’s the one. I also like the Revlon Colorstay top coat but I think my daughter swiped it.
Glitter that plays well with experience lines – that has me interested. From first looking at the swatches though straight fire would be my first (and compared to others non-glittery) pick.
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That’s a pretty color!
Babetown looks pretty, and I love the name!
Hi Rachel,
It’s legit! I’ve been wearing it a lot and it goes well with everything. 🙂
That’s a whole lotta glitter! This has nothing to do with glitter but I actually wore a different blush yesterday. I almost made it out of the bathroom before deciding it was not Malice enough. At which point, I put Malice over it. 🙂 It was Tarte Paaartay or something like that – part of a travel set free gift from my Sephora order. So far there is only one item in there that I’m kind of keen on – and I’ve tried it before. I also got the Ouai 500 pt set. I tried the hairspray so far. It smells divine but didn’t actually seem to texturize or hold. Disappointing week in samples. HAHA!
Well color me SHOCKED! I can’t believe you ever bothered to try a new blush because I know Malice is your ride-or-die. I’m so proud of you! Baby steps.
As a 52 year old who loves her glitter this collection was a challenge for me. Here’s what I learned after playing around a bit:
Snowflushed EDSF is pretty as an eyeshadow or lipstick topper.
Straight Fire lipstick is beautiful on its own or with a layer of Cake Top gloss over it.
Midnight Toast liner is gorgeous when used with an otherwise matte eye.
Just Chilling looks amazing when you put a dot of it on the center of your lid on top of a matte traditional (gray/black) smoky eye.