What would you do if I told you that MAC put a look in a box? Would you want to set it free?
Before you answer that, what if I also told you that the neutrals in this particular box don’t bite? No, they’re much too sweet for biting. As a matter of fact, the shades in the MAC Look in a Box: Girl Next Door kit ($40) are sugar and spice and everything nice (i.e. charming), like the kind of makeup you’d wear to meet a new beau’s mom for the first time.
The limited edition 2011 travel exclusive boxed set, one of three from the MAC Packed to Go Collection, comes with five products, a few of them full-size items from the MAC permanent line, and a couple of hard-to-find limited edition shades from previous releases.
- (2) Eyeshadows in Grand Entrance and Smoke & Diamonds: Remember these two from 2009’s Love That Look? Well, the names are the same, but MAC changed the finish. When they came out with Love That Look, they sported the limited edition Starflash finish, but these have the MAC Frost finish instead. Frankly, I like both finishes and think the differences between them are subtle. Color-wise, however, I think the new colors are a shade lighter than the originals.
- Iridescent Power in Belightful: This sheer and shimmery peachy gold highlighting powder had its coming out party back in 2008 with the fabulous MAC Fafi Collection. This version’s the spitting image, too, right down to the big chunks of golden glitter.
- Zoom Lash in Zoomblack: Like “Drag Queen Lashes Light,” or the mascara a diva would wear to Sunday service, what we have here is a repromote from the MAC permanent line. It subtly thickens while it lengthens to take lashes up a notch or two.
- Cremesheen Glass in Deelight: This creamy neutral rosy pink feels smooth and non-sticky on my lips, and if you find yourself falling in lurve, it’s also available now on the MAC website.
Eyeshadows in Grand Entrance (left) and Smoke & Diamonds (right)
Iridescent Powder in Belightful
Cremesheen Glass in Deelight
Swatches from the left with the flash: Eyeshadow in Grand Entrance, Eyeshadow in Smoke & Diamonds, Iridescent Powder in Belightful, Zoomlash Mascara in Zoomblack and Cremesheen Glass in Deelight
Swatches without the flash
Swatches of Smoke & Diamonds with the Frost finish on the left and with the Starflash finish on the right with the flash
Without the flash
Eyeshadow in Grand Entrance, Eyeshadow in Smoke & Diamonds and Zoomlash Mascara in Zoomblack
Cremesheen Glass in Deelight
I really 
this set, but I wish it was easier to track down. As a travel exclusive, it mostly hangs out at select airports and duty free stores.
I guess that’s (part of) the beauty of these the travel exclusives — the thrill of the chase. 🙂
PRICE: about $40
AVAILABILITY: At select airports and duty free stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Was your Monday manic or mellow?
Mine was fairly mellow. The relentless rain started to get me down, but dinner with El Hub cheered me up. It was nothing fancy, just this Italian place at the mall… I was craving pasta somethin’ fierce, perhaps because I watched Godfather II last night for the billionth time, and I’m PMS-ing (you know how it is).
The third one you can have, but I never get tired of the first two…
I hope your week got off to a great start. What was the highlight of your day?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
dani@callitbeauty says
February 14th, 2011 at 9:21 pmi love how wearable all the colours are! smoke & diamonds is gorgeous.
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … 2011 Grammy & BAFTA Awards – My Favourite Looks
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:50 amMe too! You know I love those practical colors, LOL!
Vijaya says
February 14th, 2011 at 9:23 pmI have to get this: Smoke and Diamonds was one of my favorite shadows until I lost it. =[
Vijaya recently posted … Hello Kitty Liquid Nail Art- Blueberry
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:48 amIt’s a great little color. Hmm, maybe it’ll turn up when you least expect it? Years ago I thought I lost a pan of MAC Sable and my NARS Amour blush… I ended up finding Sable hiding beneath my dresser and Amour beneath the seat in El Hub’s truck, LOL! Don’t give up hope. 😉
AnieJ says
February 14th, 2011 at 9:27 pmI feel as though it might become my mission over the next while to find this and OWN it! Airport…get ready for me….
AnieJ recently posted … Kirkland Signature by Borghese Sheer Mineral Foundation Set
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:46 amYou’re so funny! When/where are you traveling?
Jayli says
February 14th, 2011 at 10:03 pmWhen will this be available and will it be available online?
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:45 amThe official PR didn’t give a firm date, but it should be available this spring at select domestic and international airports/duty free stores. I’m haven’t heard any information as to if it will be sold online.
Rae says
February 14th, 2011 at 10:27 pmKilling me –> yes you are. The set looks fab!
Plus, you’ve totally just created a Smoke & Diamonds lemming for me – in both finishes. I really love the tone of the newer one, but the Starflash finish looks gorge 😉
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Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:44 amSmoke & Diamonds is a snazzy color and would look beautiful on you!
amy says
February 14th, 2011 at 10:36 pmI love Grand Entrance and Smoke and Diamonds in the Starflash finishes. I have hit pan for Grand Entrance last year, I wished that these weren’t packaged in a box set.
amy recently posted … MAC for Wonderwoman Goodies Haul- Super Size Blush in Mighty Aphrodite and Lipglass in Emancipation
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:43 amGrand Entrance is gorgeous. I need to remember to wear it more often!
Charlotte says
February 14th, 2011 at 11:23 pmHey guys,
does anyone know in which airports you can find this set ? cause i’m passing through hong kong airport and london heathrow in the beginning of april… hope i run in to these 😀
Emma says
February 15th, 2011 at 7:06 amI’m pretty sure that Heathrow has a MAC counter but I can’t recall seeing one at HK in the last couple of years. This site should tell you which terminal the MAC counter is in: http://www.heathrowairport.com/
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:14 amThanks, Emma! 🙂
Denise says
February 15th, 2011 at 2:21 amI’ve always wanted to try smoke and diamonds. This looks like a nice lil kit. Also, I loved the Godfather 3. It left me hoping for part IV. 🙂
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:51 amI know some people who love the third one too… I just could never get into it!
Have you ever read the books?
Kim says
February 15th, 2011 at 5:07 amI think this was my favorite of all the boxes when you originally did the swatches. The colors look so lovely on you! I’m afraid the shadows would be a bit frosty for me but maybe not. It seems like a really nice, wearable collection. 🙂
PS Soooooo with you on the Godfather. I had the biggest crush on Al Pacino when I watched the first one, and I’ve also seen 1 and 2 a kazillion times. As for #3, I barely made it through and can’t imagine watching it again.
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:37 amI’ve blocked out most of the the third movie from my memory, haha! Have you read the books? I think I might have to one of these days.
Kim says
February 16th, 2011 at 6:46 amMe too – my only lasting memory is that Sophia Coppola was a terrible casting decision. No, I haven’t read them yet but I definitely should! I’m adding them to my list right now. 🙂
Karen says
February 16th, 2011 at 8:00 amI’ve been meaning to for years but have never gotten around to it.
I’m glad Sophia Coppola decided to go the directing route. Lost in Translation is one of my favorite movies!
Kerry says
February 15th, 2011 at 5:23 amThose colors are so pretty!
My Valentine’s Day started out kind of rocky, then got better. This morning was…not so good, and kinda put a damper on the good parts of yesterday. Grandpa isn’t doing so hot. I’m glad to hear yours was nice. I always prefer a mellow, relaxed Valentine’s Day.
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:35 amHey Kerry,
I hope things are okay with your grandpa and your family. I’m thinking good thoughts for you.
Nina says
February 15th, 2011 at 8:08 amone of my fave eyeshadows from MAC is Smoke & Diamonds. its a lovely gray taupe that i think is universally flattering. its also one of the few eyeshadows i have a backup of.
i also love MAC’s cremesheen glasses – less sticky and more pigmented than a lipglass!
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:12 amI’ve had it for a while (the Starflash version) and kinda forgot about it. I gotta remember to take it out more often! It’s a great color. 🙂
Nina says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:55 amlovelylovely taupe that is awesome on its own! 🙂
Appu says
February 15th, 2011 at 8:27 amSeems like a lovely set! I I like the Cremesheen glass the most. Nice shade 🙂
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Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:09 amI wore that to dinner last night… I like it too!
Alex says
February 15th, 2011 at 8:55 amBAH! Godfather! My favorite movie is #1, but #2 is definitely up there too. Like you said, #3 is not even worth.
Also, I WANT THIS SET!
Sorry for all the caps haha. I should be studying 🙂
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:08 amLOL! I have lost count of how many times I’ve watched #1 and #2. El Hub hates watching them with me because I obnoxiously recite the lines along with the movie.
“Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes!”
Lisa S. says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:39 amAaaaaaahhhhh smoke and diamonds is my fave MAC eye shadow
color of all time . In fact this whole set is gorgeous. I’ve got to track this down!!!!
Karen says
February 15th, 2011 at 11:51 amIf you end up finding it let me know which airport you see it at!
JENA says
February 15th, 2011 at 3:16 pmOMG WANT! i would get it but 40 bux is a little too much for a 15 yo to spend
one day………
Stephanie says
February 15th, 2011 at 3:47 pmThe eyeshadows doesn’t seem that pigmented.. but the colors are still beautiful.
steph b says
February 15th, 2011 at 4:04 pmI love Smoke and Diamonds. It is so versatile and picks up color from whatever you pair it with. It is my go to for a soft smokey eye. *Love it* paired with Stash liner. I would love to have it in this finish too.
I grew up in the area the Godfather is based on. We used to cruise by the compounds.
Wendy says
February 16th, 2011 at 7:22 amGaaaahhh whyyy did they make Smoke & Diamonds a frost? So sad now. I’ve wanted the starflash formula for AGES. I wish I could test it on my skin (NC20) and see if it’s lighter… it looks much lighter on you (the frost one)
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Karen says
February 16th, 2011 at 7:55 amI was kinda surprised they went there… I was hoping they’d keep it as a Starflash too.
Hazel says
February 16th, 2011 at 12:59 pmi love the pretty glow it gives you! i’m thinking about picking this set up 🙂
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PS says
February 19th, 2011 at 12:13 pmThe make-up colors in the above picture look really good on you!