Okay, sure, it might look a little South Beach swingin’ seniors in its tube, but please, PLEASE, if you have any coral lipstick love in your heart, promise me you’ll try MAC Costa Chic ($14.50) at least once.
This frosty light coral unsung heroine has a distinctly old school flava I like. It reminds me of a hipper, updated version of the Revlon Orange Flip lipstick my granny wore back in the ’80s (and still wears to this day).
Since it is quite bright, I usually pair it with neutral eyes, and I think it looks particularly fetching with black winged eyeliner. When I’m in the mood to wear a retro cat eye but don’t feel like wearing it with a strong red or pink lip, I’ll often reach for Costa Chic.
And sometimes I like to layer it beneath coral lipglosses (like MAC Evolution Revolution) to visibly upgrade the fun. 🙂
Being frosty, it has its moods, and it can get a little fussy and tough to work with from time to time. With it I have to be careful not to over-apply, which takes it straight into frosty Barbie lips territory. What I’ll often do is apply a single layer straight from the tube, and then pat it around my lips with a finger. I think it sort of soothes the color and mellows out the frost. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Ochre Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ricepaper Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Cremesheen Glass Is a Veritable Deelight
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lipglass in Spite
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Impassioned Lipstick (and Watermelon)
- MAC Unsung Heroes: This Lip Pencil Is In Synch
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soba Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bombshell Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sunbasque Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Clear Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Humid Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Blushbaby Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Vex Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fast Response Eye Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blot Powder/Pressed
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Soft Brown Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Woodwinked Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Powersurge Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: All That Glitters Eyeshadow Is Not Just Another Gold
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Technakohl Liners
- MAC Unsung Hero: Groundwork Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Hero: Nymphette Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V
- MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lychee Luxe Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Hero: Gorgeous Gold Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Hero: Patina Eyeshadow
P.S. I just got back from the salon, and I swear my roots are sighing with relief. I was going to chop it all off, but my stylist saved me from myself. Instead, I just went a couple of inches shorter, and also got some bangs, whee! 🙂
Larie says
July 29th, 2011 at 5:59 pmLove the new hair, it’s very cute!
Larie recently posted … Sinful Colors Rich In Heart
Karen says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:12 pmThanks, Larie!
Hope you’re having a great Friday. 🙂
Heidi says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:18 pmSuper cute hair! The bangs have such a youthful vibe to them.
And I really need to pick this lipstick up at some point.
Karen says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:25 pmThank, Heidi. I’m loving the bangs mostly because they hide the bald spot in my eyebrow. 🙂
Costa Chic is fun, fun, FUN! It’s super pretty layered beneath coral, peach or pink glosses.
How was your day? I’m so glad the weekend’s here, yay!
Heidi says
July 29th, 2011 at 9:28 pmI was really tired today (long week), but I managed to get some errands done: bank, mail box, Rite Aid. Tomorrow I have to go to Trader Joe’s and that’s the last of the practical things I have to do this weekend.
Shubana says
July 30th, 2011 at 9:53 amI used to rock bangs just so I could skip tweezing !
Liz says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:31 pmLove this shade!! I will fear no frost before *my* time 😉 xoLiz
Karen says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:36 pmDo, it girl! Costa Chic is just plain chic! 🙂
Emily says
July 29th, 2011 at 6:38 pmI love the new hair! It makes your eyes look so intense! (in a good way) 🙂
Wendy M. says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:12 pmFrankly I’m a bit scared of frosts but I’ll happily try out anything that can be described as ‘coral’. 😉
Loving the new haircut, those bangs look so flattering! 🙂
dani@callitbeauty says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:14 pmLOVE the new cut! you look stunning =).
i tried costa chic once and while it was gorgeous, i didn’t feel like it did anything for my skin tone. so i got vegas volt instead and i find it suis me better. which reminds me, i should bring it with me on my weekend trip to seattle!
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Eyeko Pretty London: More Than Just Cute Packaging
Chris25 says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:35 pmI think I finally figured out why I can’t get the brighter lip colors to work for me the way they work for you, despite us both being NC42: you have thinner lips than I do, so you can pull off brighter or frostier colors better. My pouty mouth looks too Ronald McDonald with coral or watermelon pink lipsticks.
Crystal says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:43 pmHi Karen your new hair looks fab! I love bangs but for me it’s always side bangs.
Do you have a recommendation for a good cream coral lipstick from MAC? I’m looking for one to layer under EvRev but I’m a shade or two lighter than you (nc30).
Vixen says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:50 pmWell hello awesome hair!
Vixen recently posted … Chicken Soup for the Sick
Christina says
July 29th, 2011 at 7:51 pmLol. I just got out of a review session on my campus and wanted to do a quick check of the websites I frequent 😛
Karen, you’ve totally shown me the way with coral lipsticks! I LOVE them! I’m definitely going to check out Costa Chic the next time I hit up MAC 🙂
And your new haircut and style is great! 😀 I got a haircut a few weeks ago and I’m still trying to decide whether I like it or not (I’m never sure how my thick, wavy hair will translate the type of haircuts I’d like). Next time, I’m thinking of getting a shorter cut. Kind of like how Emma Watson’s hair is like on Seventeen’s cover right now!
Ruchita says
July 29th, 2011 at 8:31 pmCute haircut – especially the bangs! It’s fun to go for a totally new look now and then. Hope you had a great Friday. 🙂
Naj says
July 29th, 2011 at 8:46 pmYour new hair looks so good! I want your hairdresser!
Sonya says
July 29th, 2011 at 8:56 pmYou have a habit of posting MAC products I haven’t seen, much less considered! Again, this is a lovely shade!
PS – Great haircut! I’m always jealous of your thick, shiny hair!
Instant Karma says
July 29th, 2011 at 10:27 pmCute haircut, Karen! You can definitely rock the blunt cut bangs, which is impressive; a lot of people can’t, including yours truly. Unfortunately, I had them for quite some time as a small child, as I was reminded a few weeks ago while going through some old photo albums, LOL. I should’ve remained a side swept girl!
Karo says
July 29th, 2011 at 10:35 pmI love your new haircut!
you look so great! 🙂
And MAC costa-chic lipstick is so wonderful,I´ll buy them 😉
Have a nice day!
xoxo
Karo recently posted … Sunshine Award
Mary says
July 29th, 2011 at 11:00 pmCosta Chic looks so amazing on you. Not sure if I can pull it off, tho. Love your new haircut!! What lipstick are you wearing in that pic?
Inday says
July 29th, 2011 at 11:17 pmI LOVE your new hair! Makes me miss my “china” bangs, hahaha. Costa Chic looks so beautiful on you but I’m not sure I can do frosty. I still have waaay too many pictures from the 80’s with scary frosty lips *shudders*
May I ask what you’re wearing on your eyes in the “old hair” pics? Lovely!
Peachesandblush says
July 30th, 2011 at 1:23 amHow do all lipsticks look great on you?You always find a way to make em work !!
Love yr new hair..super cute
Peachesandblush recently posted … Estee Lauder Launches Sumptuous Extreme Mascara: Mega Volume, Zero Clumping
Liz says
July 30th, 2011 at 1:44 amLove your hair, Karen! The bangs are super cute, 🙂
Alka says
July 30th, 2011 at 6:22 amSuper cute haircut! Love the new bangs. Of course you always look adorable. I have had my eye on Costa Chic ever since you showed it with EvRev a month ago! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Nina says
July 30th, 2011 at 8:11 amgorgeous haircut! love it!
lp says
July 30th, 2011 at 10:47 amLove your bangs! it suits you a lot!!! 🙂
lp recently posted … First look at the “Look of Love” Set by Too Faced
Sheena says
July 30th, 2011 at 11:12 amSuch a pretty shade of lipstick! but besides that your hair looks fab, the streaks/highlights look great!
Rita says
July 30th, 2011 at 11:50 amIt’s funny that lipsticks like CC are considered granny lipsticks. My grandmother used to wear a bright red lipstick. When she got older she denied ever wearing any lipstick at all!
Nice hair!
Jasmin says
July 30th, 2011 at 12:16 pmThis lipstick looks lovely on you, its so flattering! Since I have a similar skintone as you,i’ll check it out next time im at mac.
Kajal Couture says
July 30th, 2011 at 12:34 pmwow…..love the new hair! I’ve always had a hard time getting this lipstick to work well for me when I try it in the store, so I haven’t given in yet. I might try your finger patting technique next time.
Christine says
July 30th, 2011 at 2:23 pmCute haircut, love the bangs ! And that shade looks so flattering on you 🙂
Misato-san says
July 30th, 2011 at 2:33 pmcute new hairstyle… I will get my bangs back soon too!
aside from this… I totally LOVE Costa Chic. It was my first MAC lipstick… and I’m wearing it right now so I was gigglying when I read its name for the unsung heroes. XDDD
Misato-san recently posted … How dare you, damn sun! U_U (con parole di review Inglot)
Ginger says
July 30th, 2011 at 4:38 pmYou look so pretty! What products did you use for your eyes?
Amanda says
July 31st, 2011 at 10:37 amummm okay, I am only 23 but I know that lipstick does NOT say “old lady” at all! It is warm and flatters your skin! You aren’t OLD Karen! Rock what works for ya, sheesh! 🙂 😀
Jen in Va says
August 7th, 2011 at 7:40 amI have this and agree that applying with a strong hand will give you a neon, barbie, almost alien lip….the trick is to dab as a base and put a nice peach pink gloss on top. You definitely pull it of!!
rashmi says
March 27th, 2012 at 4:09 ami am dying to buy a new coral and new pink … this is looking absolutely wonderful on you 😀 i am NC 40 will it look nice ??
do share your thoughts .. although am convinced with your Unsung Hero Post 😀
Ren says
September 29th, 2014 at 1:57 amHi karen, at first i dislike costa chic cause mac lippies tends to seep into my lines and unflattering. But i wore costa chic over revlon matte mauve it over and it shows a very gorgeous costa chic true color minus all the tackiness! Swipe it over revlon matte pink pout and you’ll have a slightly pinker version of costa chic which i adore so much.