What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
MAC Half ‘n Half Lipstick ($18.50) is a neutral girl’s neutral — a nude pinkish brown with a creamy finish that you can wear with warm Havana eyeshadow, neutral golden brown Soba, or cool-toned taupe Omega, plus each and every natural-looking neutral in between.
You want pigment? Girl, you got pigment. You want shine? Half ‘n Half has you covered, and since Half ‘n Half has MAC’s intense Amplified formula, you can swipe once and ask questions (or reapply) later.
Like, much later.
Three or four hours, even.
Half ‘n Half also works with a wide range of skin tones (both warm and cool, and fair and toasty), although if you’re upwards of an NC45 or NW45, you’ll have to line with a darker rosy brown lip liner first, because Half ‘n Half might be a little too light for you to work as a nude.
There’s also something about that vanilla, man! That standard-issue MAC vanilla has followed me around since 1995, soothing my makeup-loving heart like a comfy blanket. The world could be falling apart around me, and it kind of is, because this morning I glanced out a window at home and saw that the nails in one corner of my upstairs deck are disintegrating into oblivion, but you can always count on some things to remain the same, like that movie theater popcorn will always fall into your bra, or that MAC will use that yummy vanilla flavor and scent.
I tossed Half ‘n Half into my purse a while back, and now every time I sit in my car and wait for it to warm up, it’s me, a tube of MAC Half ‘n Half Lipstick, the rear view mirror and the air conditioner blasting at max speed, because this is the nude you can wear with everything from bare skin and mascara, to a full-on glam smokey eye.
Did you just find your new everyday lipstick?
DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tina says
August 20th, 2019 at 4:30 amI love Half’ N Half! I am fair skinned (Mac NC2o), blonde haired green eyed, and this lipstick is my jam. I always gravitate towards brownish nudes, because my lips are pigmented, and it’s more flattering. It’s close to my Ride or Die Velvet Teddy! 🙂
Karen says
August 20th, 2019 at 6:35 amHi Tina!
Yes, it’s one of those amazing shades that looks good on almost everybody. I have pigmented lips too, by the way, and loooooove both this shade and Velvet Teddy.
What are your other MAC lipstick go-tos?
Tina says
August 20th, 2019 at 9:09 amI love Verve, Twig, Modesty, Soar, and Viva Glam2 over Morning Coffee Liner. I have so many, it’s hard to choose!
Rachel says
August 20th, 2019 at 6:04 amPretty! Love your eye makeup in this look too!
Karen says
August 20th, 2019 at 6:34 amThanks, Rachel! I’ve been all about the kitten wing lately.
Have a great Tuesday!
Kim says
August 20th, 2019 at 7:47 amThis is a great look! I don’t think I have very pigmented lips but I do like the idea of brownish pinks. 🙂 Nice job working Stepbrothers in there. HAHA!
Karen says
August 20th, 2019 at 8:02 amIt’s seriously one of my favorite movies even though it’s totally dumb. I watched it one day on a whim when I was feeling blue and it cracked me up so much! To this day it’s still one of my favorites. I wish they’d just go ahead and make everyone’s dreams come true and do a sequel.
P.S. See you at the Catalina Wine Mixer!
Kim says
August 21st, 2019 at 7:02 amHAHA! We regularly talk about the Catalina Wine Mixer! 🙂 My fave Will Farrell is Blades of Glory, though. But we’re in skating country and you’re in wine country so that probably has some effect. 🙂 Did you see my fb news yesterday? Both boys passed their road test and are now licensed drivers. It’s a bit surreal. My mother was taking them and they used her car because it’s smaller and they find it easier to park, etc. At the last minute yesterday, I decided I had to go along because I was so nervous and distracted and didn’t want to miss it (I know, crazy!). I was glad I did. Everyone was SO happy!!! And relieved. 🙂 Make sure to get some pics of Connor in a toy car now because it won’t be long before she’s driving a real one. We need a time-stopping machine! HAHA!
Karen says
August 21st, 2019 at 7:07 amI didn’t see it, thank you for letting me know! I can’t believe your littles aren’t so little anymore. You’re going to have to tell me what you’re going to do with all your extra time (ha ha) now that you’re no longer running your Uber Mom Transport Service. Will they be sharing a car?
Next stop: college drop off!
Kim says
August 22nd, 2019 at 6:10 amI know! My older-by-a-minute boy makes his grandmother look like she’s 2 feet tall. HAHA! His brother hit me up as soon as I got home yesterday to beg to PLEEEEEEEEEASE take my car so he and his cousin could meet friends for dinner in the “city” about 30 miles away. I had to resist the urge to scream “NO! I can’t be without a car!” and let him take it. We’ve been looking for a car for each of them. Sharing would never work (because one would always be borrowing mine or the Hubs’!). I hear you on the college drop off – I just commented on Jane’s post from yesterday about dropping her son off. I can’t imagine. There’s not enough waterproof mascara in the world! 🙁 Our neighbor/good friends brought their son to the University of Buffalo yesterday and both he and his brother, who would both tell you that they barely tolerate each other, were bawling. It’s just brutal!! Please carry Connor everywhere today, for me! 🙂
Karen says
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:46 amI *just* dropped her off at her first day of preschool for the 3’s. I managed to hold it together until I left the classroom and got to the parking lot and then the tears started flowing! I thought it would get easier but I suppose it never does, huh?
Jennifer says
August 20th, 2019 at 11:26 amOMG, I so love that you included a meme from Stepbrothers at the end of this post. Love that movie. I will watch Will Ferrell do anything. Still adore the cheerleader skits he and Cheri Oteri did on SNL back in the day.
Lisa says
August 22nd, 2019 at 7:48 pmMust know what eyeshadow you are wearing!