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MAC Cooked Up Something Special for These Four Tendertone Lip Balms

February 16th, 2012 by Karen 36 Comments

MAC hot n saucy
Wearing MAC Tendertone Lip Balm in Hot ‘N’ Saucy

Life is filled with difficult decisions, like trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, or choosing between the hella cute but crazy uncomfortable shoes and the not-so-cute ones you can actually walk in…

Thankfully, some decisions are easy, like, if you’re wondering whether you should add a MAC Tendertone Lip Balm in your life, the short answer is “yes!” 🙂

Like makeup angels, these moisturizing lip balms float in and out of MAC’s limited edition lines every once in a while, bringing with them the benefits of SPF 12, and whenever they do, MAC mavens eagerly snatch them up.

This time, with the Cook MAC collection, there are four Tendertones on the menu — Tread Gently (a soft lime green with yellow pearl), Purring (a sheer tangerine with pearl), Hush Hush (a sheer gold golden pearl) and Hot ‘n’ Saucy (a soft cherry red) — and each costs $15.

At the time of this writing, they’re shown as “sold out” on MAC’s website, but I do see three of the four shades online at nordstrom.com. They should also be available at local MAC stores and counters.

Now, my love affair with these lip balms runs deep. All the way back to a tropical paradise in 2007…

I was on a trip to Hawaii visiting family and brought a bunch of different lip balms with me, but the only one I wore the entire time was a mid-tone pink Tendertone named Take a Hint.

The new colors in Cook MAC represent everything I love about this line of moisturizing lip conditioners. They’re non-sticky, heroically hydrating and carry a faint strawberry flavor and fragrance I like (for the record, both fade fairly fast). The addition of SPF 12 is another nice touch.

And since they aren’t incredibly pigmented, I can apply them without needing the help of a mirror.


Tendertone Lip Balms clockwise from the orange shade on the left: Purring, Hot ‘n’ Saucy, Hush, Hush and Tread Gently, $15 each


Tendertones swatches from the left: Tread Gently, Purring, Hot ‘n’ Saucy and Hush Hush

MAC purring
Purring

MAC tread gently
Tread Gently

MAC hush hush
Hush Hush

Whenever I take a Tendertone with me on the road, I try to also remember to bring along Purell or Wet Ones wipes. That way, I can sanitize my fingers before dipping them into the pot.

That’s one minor ding I have against these potted products — convenient, they are not. Maybe someday MAC will release a Tendertone in a tube.

PRICE: $15 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at MAC counters, in stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Less than four hours till Friday…

I kid you not, I’ll be in bed by 9. No idea why, but I’m exhausted tonight. Zzzz…

Enough about that, though. How was the rest of your Thursday? What was the highlight?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Cooked Up Something Special for These Four Tendertone Lip Balms / Originally published February 16th, 2012

There are 36 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Lips, MAC Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: mac

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris25 says

    February 16th, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    These look nice, but I agree with you about the finger dipping thing. I haven’t bought a lip balm pot in over 10 years.

    I meant to bake cookies today…but one thing led to another and I wound up watching Family Guy instead. 😛 Maybe I’ll make them tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:45 am

      Ooh, what kind of cookies are you thinking about? And what’s on the baking menu for the weekend?

      Reply
  2. Lisa T says

    February 16th, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    I got my first Tendertone last week & I love it! 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:45 am

      Oh, nice. What color did you get?

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    February 16th, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    I love these! I have have purring and tread gently and they are my new obsession!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:44 am

      Love those shades! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Helen says

    February 16th, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    I always thought these are lipglosses (sowie, Im not so into MAC). For the price, it doesnt seem so bad for a MAC product, but if these are just like an ordinary lip balm than I rather spend my money on… an ordinary lip balm, since they cost less. BUT I am curious how well these works, since I been hearing so much fuzz about them. I might let myself buy one, lol

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:40 am

      You should! They’re really moisturizing, plus having SPF is always good.

      Happy Friday!

      Reply
  5. Emi at Project Swatch says

    February 17th, 2012 at 12:00 am

    I am so bummed that I missed these – they’re already sold out online 🙁

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:40 am

      Actually you can still buy three of the colors online at Nordstrom.com.!

      Reply
  6. Lucy says

    February 17th, 2012 at 1:22 am

    These are so cute, especially the orange one 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:39 am

      Super cute! 🙂 Happy Friday.

      Reply
  7. Naomi says

    February 17th, 2012 at 5:19 am

    Maybe i will get my first tendertone, if i can find them anywhere!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:39 am

      Try Nordstrom.com, they have them online.

      Reply
  8. Kim says

    February 17th, 2012 at 5:38 am

    Hot ‘n’ Saucy is beautiful – they’re actually all lovely – but I’m with you on the pot. All my balms are thrown in a purse or a jacket pocket and it seems like the pots tend to collect all matter of debris under the cap, so I’m constantly wiping them down. Way too much work for lazy me. 🙂

    Guess what. It’s Friday. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:39 am

      I’m hoping MAC will put these in tubes one day like they did with the Ricky Viva Glam Lip Conditioner. Keep ya fingers crossed!

      Anywho, THANK GOODNESS WE MADE IT! This week has been dragging…

      Reply
      • Kim says

        February 17th, 2012 at 11:44 am

        Agreed! I’m excited to be in the home stretch! Btw, do you ever go to any natural products trade shows? We have one coming up in Anaheim in a couple of weeks (Expo West). Normally I wouldn’t go, but it’s southern California. And, really, when you’re from up here, you’ll take any chance to visit sunny CA! 🙂

        Reply
        • Karen says

          February 17th, 2012 at 12:31 pm

          I haven’t. I’ve been thinking about going to Cosmo Prof in Vegas in the summer. Do you think you might be there?

          Reply
  9. Ruchita says

    February 17th, 2012 at 6:09 am

    Love the colors and it’s nice that they have SPF. I’ll have to keep an eye out for these. I was exhausted on Thursday night too. Luckily I managed to turn in early and actually felt well rested when I woke up. Happy Friday! 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:37 am

      Happy Friday to you too, Ruchita. What are you up to this weekend?

      Reply
  10. Nina says

    February 17th, 2012 at 6:26 am

    i love love love Tendetones…. i grabbed Purring and Hot & Saucy.

    one is in my desk and one is in my purse … i <3 how i can just pat it on and have pretty, moisturized and spf''d lips!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:36 am

      Hee hee, I have all four on my desk right now! Tabs is laying down right next to them (of course his fave is purring).

      Happy Friday!

      Reply
      • Nina says

        February 17th, 2012 at 12:13 pm

        omg @ Tabs next to a tendertone. that is so cute!

        happy friday to you too!

        Reply
        • Karen says

          February 17th, 2012 at 12:31 pm

          He even let me lay a couple pots on him. You know he loves his MAC, haha!

          Hope work is mellow for you today…

          Reply
          • Nina says

            February 17th, 2012 at 5:31 pm

            Tabs is so nice for letting you do that! 😀

            It wasnt mellow at all. It was busy!

  11. Cristy says

    February 17th, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Today It’s my hubby #36 B’day!!! Yeiiii!!
    My lips should be ready for kissing kissing!! Lol!! 😀

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 8:35 am

      Aww, happy birthday to your hubby. How are you guys celebrating?

      Reply
      • Cristy says

        February 22nd, 2012 at 4:47 pm

        Thank You!! My parents came from Baja and we went to a nice delicious place for dinner and wine! And the next day my sis and her twins came to visit also, and we had a small party with a couple of friends, more wine and food!! 🙂 And the next month I want to take him to a Beautiful vineyard named Quinta Monasterio in Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada, Baja for a private wine tasting!! Can’t wait!!

        Reply
  12. JuliaG says

    February 17th, 2012 at 11:14 am

    Hey, any possibility that the MAC website will restock later or is this it for being them there?

    PS-This is my first comment, but just wanted to say that you’re awesome Karen and this is my favorite blog! 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 17th, 2012 at 12:30 pm

      Hi JuliaG,

      It looks like they’ll be restocking soon, as the status for all four on the MAC website is now “Coming Soon.” If you’re keen to get a hold of them, then you might want to check the site at least once every day. If I see any changes I’ll try to give it a mention!

      Reply
  13. Aimey says

    February 17th, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    “Tendertone” reminds me of Elvis LOL Interesting because MAC used to sell Tendertone Lip Balm, too! Hot ‘n’ Saucy seems fun!

    Reply
    • Aimey says

      February 17th, 2012 at 2:59 pm

      I meant they have other discontinued Tendertone lip balms lol

      Reply
  14. Katrina says

    February 17th, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    I got Hush Hush. It feels so nice….unfortunately, I think it made my lips break out! I might have to send it back 🙁

    Reply
  15. Valerie says

    February 18th, 2012 at 11:09 am

    I bought Tread Gently and love it! It looks amazing when paired with my Optimistic Orange Creme Blush.

    Reply
  16. Staci says

    February 18th, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I really want Hush Hush, but I’m currently trying to finish my Tendertone in Sweet and Nice. Plus I love picking these up at the CCO on discount.

    Reply
  17. corallista says

    February 18th, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    these look delicious in the cute tubs!

    Reply

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