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.
Warning: do not attempt to picture an almond hunched in a doorway, puffing away at a cigarette when you think of the words, “smoked almond,” because once you see something like that in your mind’s eye, you’ll wonder 1) what would ever possess an almond to smoke in the first place, and 2) why said almond wouldn’t know that smoking was bad for it.
Every day for the past week before my shift has started at the bakery, I sit in my car in the parking lot and apply a layer of this beautifully bright rosy brown lipstick on my lips, and every time I do this, I say the same thing to myself in the mirror.
“SO PIGMENTED!”
I’m talking intensity to the extreme.
And yet despite its intensity, Smoked Almond isn’t one of those tricky lippies that is SO saturated that it becomes a pain in the bum and you end up needing a PhD in chemistry to apply it. You can still totally do it freehand, straight from the tube, while half-asleep, WITHOUT a lip liner or brushes or a Christmas miracle, for that matter. Smoke Almond’s creamy consistency practically melts onto lips the moment it touches them. No dragging whatsoever. Just a smooooove glide.
My lips tend to dry out and practically shout, “MOAR moisture!” from the rooftops, but Smoked Almond, which has MAC’s Amplified formula, has enough hydration to keep ’em happy all day long.
This is a fantastic everyday/daytime color to keep around if you have many rosy or rosy brown blushes like NARS Amour or Charlotte Tilbury Ecstasy in your collection. It’s also long-wearing and doesn’t move or scoot once you lay down a layer, and it feels lighter than a kitty whisker kiss on your cheek.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Acacia Hagen says
November 19th, 2019 at 3:29 amHi! The lipstick is beautiful, but what called my attention was your skin! It’s wonderful! Are you using retinol? It’s working!
Karen says
November 19th, 2019 at 6:15 amThanks, Acacia. I am using retinol and have been for the last six months. Right now I’m using Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro; previous to that I was using Kate Somerville Retinol and Vitamin C Power Serum (which is pricey but AMAZING, I just keep forgetting to buy another bottle).
What skin care products are you using and loving?
Acacia Hagen says
November 19th, 2019 at 10:28 amI’m using low cost brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List. I like specially niacinamide, azelaic acid (rosacea…), retinoids and now bakuchiol.
Tina says
November 19th, 2019 at 5:14 amI have that color in the Liptensity formula. Sadly that was discontinued, because I have Doe and Clouds in my Coffee in it too, and I love all of them!
Karen says
November 19th, 2019 at 6:11 amI liked that launch too, Tina. Hope you give this Amplified version a go; it’s lovely!
Tina says
November 20th, 2019 at 4:46 amI am due for a Back to Mac, so it is definitely coming home with me! 🙂
Tina says
November 27th, 2019 at 4:33 amIt came home with me, and has been living on my pout ever since! It’s beautiful! 🙂
Rachel says
November 19th, 2019 at 5:51 amOooh this looks just like the colors I love for everyday! Next on my list!
Karen says
November 19th, 2019 at 6:11 amYES! Don’t forget Half-n-Half and Velvet Teddy too!
Rachel says
November 19th, 2019 at 6:30 amI am the proud owner of Velvet Teddy but not Half n Half. I’ll check it out!
Mia says
November 19th, 2019 at 10:40 amThis is a beautiful colour and you look so pretty – like another reader said your skin is perfection!
Is Smoked Almond close to Twig or Mocha in colour? I’m so guilty of buying near-dupes of the lippies I already have in my collection. MAC lipsticks are irresistible 😂
auxiliary beauty says
November 19th, 2019 at 7:07 pmI’m not Karen, but I do own and love Smoked Almond, and I swatched it next to Mocha when I bought it. They’re practically identical in color, IMO.
Mia says
November 19th, 2019 at 9:30 pmThank you!
Erica says
November 19th, 2019 at 2:52 pmSuch a beautiful color on you!
Sarah says
November 19th, 2019 at 3:03 pmHaha I liked your analogy on the product name. It’s a beautiful colour. Pigmented but seems like it could be an easy enough colour to wear everyday. xo
Sherry says
November 20th, 2019 at 10:10 amGreat color Karen!! You’re making me want to go get it NOW!! LOL!! I usually wear bright pinks and corals. Do you think I could pull off Smoked Almond? I have red hair and brown eyes. I have light, neutral skin. Decisions, Decisions!! Love the color on you though!!
Tara says
November 25th, 2019 at 6:45 amHello from Pittsburgh!! I just Finally subscribed to your blog after years of realizing that my every MAC google pointed me your way!! Your info is amazingly helpful and you’re so funny & well written!! We have similar tastes & I am very close to your skin tone when I tan (which is mostly always ha). Wide range of tanners in my cabinet. Anyway thanks ❤️❤️! I’m happy to receive notifications! I just added soba and sable free full sized shadows to my cart this weekend – and guess who helped me choose those 2?! YOU!! ☺️