mac padma lakshmi

MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 5 Things to Know About the Lipsticks and Cremesheen Glass

March 12th, 2018 by Karen 23 Comments

mac padma lakshmi collection lipsticks — MAC Padma Lakshmi collection Lipsticks from the left: Susnet Rose, Apricot Gold, Nude Fudge, Mittain Pink, Blue Blood and Sumac, $17.50 each

“Tabs…YOU ARE TOP CHEF!”

LOL! Wouldn’t that be a hoot? — Padma Lakshmi congratulating Tabs on his award-winning final meal on Top Chef.

I mean, even considering that he’s a cat, chances are Tabs would win Top Chef before I did because I don’t have that special something. Sure, I can follow a recipe, but I’m no wonder in the kitchen.

I do, however, have strong opinions on ? lipstick. ? If that counts for anything.

Regardless…

1. There’s a lotta lipstick in the MAC Padma Lakshmi collection!

The 17-piece release, which is coming to MAC counters Thursday, March 15th, has been released early online. It includes six lipsticks ($17.50 each) and a Cremesheen Glass ($21, which is an online exclusive). Four of the lippies are MAC Mattes, one is an Amplified, and one is a Cremesheen. Oh, and the Cremesheen Glass is glossy, of course.

2. The nude lipsticks are a go, ESPECIALLY for tan temptresses and darker divas.

If you have a toasty tan, you know how some nude lipsticks can be, right? Particularly pale pink and pale beige lipsticks? How some will wash you out? Well, I think you’ll have better luck with Padma’s lipsticks. The nudes in this launch are rooted in peach and brown, and they’re deeper than usual for pastel nude lipsticks. They’re generally very pigmented and overall brown-girl friendly.

mac sunset rose lipstick — Cremesheen Lipstick in Sunset Rose, a creamy brown with pearl

mac apricot gold lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Apricot Gold, a mid-tone peachy nude

mac nude fudge lipstick — Matte Lipstick in Nude Fudge, a mid-tone neutral

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why pale pink or beige nude lipsticks look wonky or weird on you, check out Padma’s collection if you can, because the nudes should work well with most darker skin tones.

My favorites of the six lipsticks are Sunset Rose and Nude Fudge. Mid-toned peachy brown Sunset Rose has a ’90s feel to it, but if you don’t like the brown matte look, you can always slick a little gloss on top.

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MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 3 Things to Know About the Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 Quad in Desert Dusk

March 8th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

mac desert dusk — The MAC Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 in Desert Dusk ($33)

There are two quads in the upcoming MAC Padma collection (coming March 15), and this one is the one with the unmistakable pop of blue.

I never would’ve guessed that Padma would be into pastel powder shadows, but I’m usually staring at the food, rather than Padma’s makeup, when I’m watching Top Chef.

I do remember that she likes a bright inner corner highlight, and I guess that makes sense with the light green in the purple quad and the baby blue in this one.

1. A good beginner’s quad

I think Desert Dusk is the better beginner’s quad of the two quads in the collection, just because you get three lighter lid colors (a shimmery gold, a matte peach and that beautiful shimmery baby blue), and you also get a deep, delicious dark chocolate matte brown, which looks a little like MAC Brun, by the way, one of my favorite MAC browns of all time. If you blend any one of the three lighter colors on your lids, or a combination of them, then line your lash lines with the dark brown? You’re set. Easy-peasy!

mac desert dusk swatches — Indian Moon, Shell Peach, Hopper Blue and Natural Brown

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MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 3 Things to Know About the Powerpoint Eye Pencils

March 6th, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

mac padma powerpoint eye pencil — From the MAC Padma Lakshmi collection: Powerpoint Eye Pencils (dual-ended) in Iced Heather/Kerala Sun, Indian Ink/Mossy Green, Bordeauxline/Mole Brown ($18.50 each)

OK, so, I’ve been blinking like Morse code blinks for the last, oh, I dunno…two or three minutes, trying to get this freshly applied eyeliner from the MAC Padma Lakshmi collection to transfer up into my crease, and it’s just not happening. This stuff is the real deal for longevity! The MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencils are usually waterproof and budge-proof, and so are these dual-ended versions, which are $18.50 each (coming March 15th to select MAC counters and the MAC website).

1. They’re a lot like the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils.

Like the UD Glide-On Pencils, the MAC Powerpoints are light on their feet as they slide across your skin. They don’t glide quite as smoothly as a gel eyeliner, but still they are smooth, and they set VERY quickly (30 seconds or less).

These dual-enders from MAC Padma might look a little sheer in swatches, and I’ve noticed that the UD ones are like that, too, but once you build them up, the color looks rich, dark and deep. It doesn’t take a dozen layers, either. Just two or three at the most.

mad padma powerpoint eye pencil swatches — Iced Heather/Kerala Sun, IndianInk/Mossy Green, Bordeauxline/Mole Brown

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MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: Eye Shadow X 4 in 70’s Sunset

March 2nd, 2018 by Karen 17 Comments

Who is the genetically blessed being that is Padma Lakshmi? Well, I know her from watching one too many seasons of Top Chef. Remember the pea puree incident? No? WELL I DO, AND IT WAS SCANDALOUS!

You might know her from her modeling work or her cookbooks. She’s gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. And she has a new MAC collection coming out soon (it’ll be available online and at select stores from March 15th through April).

It’s a full collection — eyeshadows, blushes, a few liners, some brushes, lots of lipsticks, a gloss — and it looks luxe, with sturdy gold packaging (that may or may not be metal) and intricate details. Items that would look right at home on a table in a high-end boutique that sells boho woven rugs, crystals, hammered artisan jewelry and couture peasant tops.