So maybe you’re tempted to try darker MAC lippies like Dubonnet and Paramount but haven’t worked up the courage? No worries. I totally get it. If you’re not accustomed to seeing yourself in dramatic lip colors, a bout with “transitional shades” could help. Somewhere between the bolder colors you eventually want to wear and the colors you’re already comfortable in, transitional shades can help you push your limits while easing you into something bold.
Say your game plan is to work your way up to fall’s darker browns, reds and plums. Crème in Your Coffee ($14.50) lipstick, today’s Unsung Hero, could be a great place to start.
MAC describes the color, which is part of the company’s Cremesheen lipstick line, as a mid-tone pinkish brown, and I think it’s that touch of pink that elevates it from a run-of-the-mill nude lipstick to something else (something more). The brown within it gives it a degree of intensity, but one that doesn’t cross the line into melodramatic, and the combined shade sits comfortably at the halfway point between barely-there and look-at-me lips.
Another thing I like about the shade (other than its great name!), is how different it can look depending on the wearer’s skin tone. On me I think it’s a straight-up pinkish brown, but I’ve seen it look more plum, brown, beige and even burgundy on other girls. On ladies with super duper pigmented lips, I bet it would be a fantastic “your lips but better” shade.
Speaking of caffeinated beverages…I’m addicted to chai lattes again.
Yup.
OOH! And you know what would totally take chai to the next level? Pumpkin. 
I know that Starbucks makes a pumpkin latte with espresso, but I don’t know if they do it with chai. If you happen to know of a place that makes pumpkin chai lattes (or if you have a recipe) let me know. I’ll probably be obsessed with them until I track one down…
Tabbies and pumpkins for the win!
Hope you’re having a good day so far. The finish line’s in sight. 🙂
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: Chicory Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Smoked Almond Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Half ‘N’ Half Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Chili Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Coffee Eye Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Havana
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Foundation/Loose
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Giddy Lustre Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Amorous Alloy Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Texture Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Saddle Eyeshadow
- Unsung Heroes: MAC In Extra Dimension Waterproof Mascara
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Minted Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Take the Plunge Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 221 Mini Tapered Blending Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Oh My Mocha Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Lilacked
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: High Tea Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Blooz Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Layin’ Low Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Constructivist Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Fix+
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Persistence Matte Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Costa Riche Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The Studio Chromagraphic Pencils
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Brun Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Reflects Antique Gold Glitter
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Style Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shaping Powder in Lightsweep
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Era Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bronze Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Honey Lust Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sun Rush Lustre Drops
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Nice Buzz Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: 33 Lash
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Shale Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Harmony Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Careblends Pressed Powder
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fulfilled Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboom Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sublime Nature Paint
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Face and Body Foundation
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prunella Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: The 239 Eye Shader Brush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Greensmoke Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ample Pink Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Indianwood Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bare Study Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Rubenesque Paint Pot
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tarnish Eye Kohl
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Big Baby Plushglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Kohl Power Pencil Liner in Feline
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Format Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ambering Rose Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Silver Dusk
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze
- MAC Unsung Heroes: C-Thru Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Fresh Flare Pro Longwear Eye Shadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam V Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Loud & Lovely Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Viva Glam VI Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Breezy Sheertone Shimmer Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Care Blends Essential Oils, Grapefruit + Chamomile
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Right Image Cremesheen Glass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Modesty Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Double Dare Cremesheen Lipglass
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Bamboo Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Speak Louder Cremesheen Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sandy B Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Club Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Sweet Satisfaction Pro Longwear Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Red Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Lady Danger Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Tempting Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Ruby Woo Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Retrospeck Eyeshadow
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Eyeshadow in Phloof!
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Twig Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Creme in Your Coffee Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Party Line Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Dubonnet Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Paramount Lipstick
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Mocha Blush
- MAC Unsung Heroes: Melon Pigment
Claire says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:47 pmThat looks almost exactly like my fave bobbi brown creamy lipcolor (that feels so amazing) called rose petal.
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:50 pmSounds like a great everyday shade. How long have you been wearing it?
Claire says
October 23rd, 2011 at 10:39 amI’ve been wearing it for a little over a year now- I’m on my 3rd tube! (and I hardly ever repurchase lip products) It’s amazing.
michelle luna says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:51 pmi google-shopped “pumpkin chai latte” but the closest i found was a pumpkin chai tea from twinnings. douwe egberts makes a pumpkin spice cappuchino mix that comes in commercial sized bags. and maxwell house international coffees (the ones that come in the rectangular tins) makes a pumpkin something (i forget if its cafe or latte or cap).
also:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80644070/pumpkin-spice-latte-1-dram18oz?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:57 pmThanks! Hmm… I’ll see if I can hunt down that pumpkin chai tea. Maybe with warm milk and some nutmeg and cinnamon it could be epic. 🙂
And aww, re: the oil!
Lauren says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:54 pmI had some dreams they were Creme In My Coffee, Creme in My Coffee. Sorry, I had to do a Carly Simon reference for this post! Anyways, this looks like my type of color, I think I may check it out at the Mac counter tomorrow! Thanks Karen!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:59 pmYou’re welcome, Lauren. I hope you love it! It looks great w/Pink Treat Liner, btw. 🙂
aradhana says
October 17th, 2011 at 4:57 pmi love this lipstick! i was actually going to wear it yesterday, but then i got side-tracked….now that i saw your post, i must wear it tomorrow!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:17 pmBust that baby out, Aradhana! 🙂
Appu says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:17 pmI LOVE Creme in your Coffee! Its definitely MLBB for pigmented lips & needs little to no effort 😀
Appu recently posted … 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:17 pmHi Appu,
Do you like layering any glosses/lip liners with it?
Marie says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:22 pmI want to know what did you use for your eye makeup, Karen… Looks nice.
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:16 pmHi Marie,
I’m wearing Bobbi Brown’s new Party Eye Palette:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/face-of-the-day-fotd/a-flu-shot-face-of-the-day-with-the-bobbi-brown-party-eye-palette/
Nina says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:24 pmthis lipstick is a total fave for me as well — its my perfect MLBB since my lips are pretty pigmented!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:13 pmI remember you mentioning it a few posts back. Do you usually wear it alone or wear it with other things?
Nina says
October 18th, 2011 at 5:50 ami usually wear it on its own. but when i have time, ill smudge some naked or boldly bare liner in my lip, apply the lipstick and do a clear gloss on top.
it doesnt need anything much though. this might be the tube i buy a 2nd one of, since i use and abuse this lipstick often!!!
Steph says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:33 pmStarbucks DOES make pumpkin chai! just gotta ask them for it! 🙂 it’s limited edition (with the rest of their pumpkin stuff)!
Love that lipstick! May have to try it!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:13 pmYES! I can’t wait to try it. Gonna go to Starbucks tomorrow to meet my pumpkin destiny. 🙂
Tiffany says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:46 pmOh how I love your Unsung Heroes… I need to try this lipstick, I have been searching for a MLBB shade.
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:10 pmHi Tiffany,
So happy to hear you enjoy this series!
I hope you give this shade a try. 🙂
Evelyn says
October 17th, 2011 at 5:57 pmOh it looks lovely! I dare say it would be too dark me. I’m a bit fairer than you lovely ladies who suit this shade, so I stick to Hourglass Extreme Sheen lipgloss in Truth. It looks like the most boring colour in the world in the bottle and comes out looking fab, like MLBB!
P.S. Thanks for all your amazing work Karen 🙂 I love this blog!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:02 pmThanks for the sweet note, Evelyn! 🙂
BTW — love Hourglass. They make some really great lip and cheek products. 🙂
Chris25 says
October 17th, 2011 at 6:32 pmI was just thinking the other day “Will Karen do Creme in Your Coffee for MAC USH?” And here it is!
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:00 pmHi Chris,
I take it you like this color. 🙂 What do you usually wear it with?
Chris25 says
October 18th, 2011 at 10:48 amNeutrals like NARS Fez and Cyprus, or NYX Nude on Nude Natural palette.
Andrea says
October 17th, 2011 at 6:47 pmStarbucks definitely makes a chai pumpkin latte. I work as a barista there, and while it not on the regular menu, it is a common order. I love making up new combinations with the fall flavors…YUM 😀
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 8:57 pmHi Andrea,
Sweet! Can’t wait to get mine tomorrow with soy. Yay!
Jen says
October 17th, 2011 at 7:33 pmYou can ask Starbucks to put some pumpkin in your Chai. They’ll do it.
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 8:55 pmGood to know! I’ll go tomorrow and ask for one.
Amber says
October 17th, 2011 at 7:45 pmOoh Karen I need to try this!
Amber recently posted … Bad blogger
Karen says
October 17th, 2011 at 8:06 pmIt would look gorgeous on you! Ooh, I’m thinking with a pop o’ pink gloss on top…
Britany B. says
October 17th, 2011 at 9:49 pmlol WOW. I was swatching this color on Sunday and was debating on whether to buy it or not. Guess I’ll go back next weekend. Thanks KareBear!
A says
October 17th, 2011 at 10:38 pmOoooh I haven’t worn this in ages and you’ve just inspired me to pull it out of the drawer! I love these posts and how they help me use makeup I already have instead of buying new (although sometimes they make me do that, too…)!
Karina says
October 18th, 2011 at 5:42 amThis is my first MAC lipstick and I think I’ll wear it to work tomorrow, it needs some lovin’.
Kim says
October 18th, 2011 at 6:24 amThat’s a nice color but I’m too distracted by the adorable kittens and the thought of pumpkin chai to think about lipstick. HAHA! I’m still a ‘ho for Dunkin Donuts Vanilla Chai (I know a lot of people think it’s too sweet, but to me, it’s like Christmas in a Cup). If they added pumpkin, I’d probably pass out from excitement. 🙂
Ruchita says
October 18th, 2011 at 6:43 amLove this color! I don’t usually wear darker colors on my lips, but this is a great transitional shade.
Katy says
October 18th, 2011 at 7:53 amHomegirl El Hubs did a good job with that bangin rock on your hand! Love the lipstick but my favorite for fall is Twig. It’s so elegant!
Claud says
October 18th, 2011 at 8:35 amThank you for this one. I was just looking for something like it. Looks like I’m due for a visit to my MAC counter… 🙂
Chantal says
October 18th, 2011 at 12:31 pmI love this lippie it was my first MAC lippie and I loved it from day one. I love how i looks dark when applied from the tube and as a lipstain it is fab, a nice subtle colour to the lips.
It is true what they say, you never forget you first love 😀
For the love of life says
October 18th, 2011 at 8:03 pmThat’s a great shade. Suiting you so well. 🙂
sarah says
October 19th, 2011 at 3:34 amone of my faves and now all my girlfriends have it… its like our communal “go to” shade of lipstick 🙂
Elle says
October 19th, 2011 at 6:58 amHa, this is my go-to shade for interviews…so far so good! 🙂
Barbara says
October 23rd, 2011 at 7:38 pmThe Twining’s Pumpkin Chai is pretty good! I need to check out Creme in Your Coffee.