Sunday, May 15, 2016

Brand in the Spotlight: Mac Cosmetics




Before becoming totally makeup obsessed, the counters at Mac terrified me. Half of it was probably the price of the products, but mainly the fact that all that sleekness made me feel as if I wasn't professional enough to dip my £2 brushes into their pots of gorgeousness. However, since beauty blogging and my wonderful trip to the States last Summer, I have delved into Mac a lot more as a brand. Mac follows the principles of; Artistry, Community, Trendsetting and Social responsibility, the frontiers of professional makeup. Now when it comes to pricing, for me Mac stands right between Drugstore and High-end. Whilst I totally appreciate that for some people Mac can be considered high-end when I compare the prices to the likes of Chanel, Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury and YSL etc, it's just that little bit cheaper. Though as you can see from my collection, I don't exactly go-to-town with purchasing Mac, girls gotta eat. 

The Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish was a product which I had heard so so much about when everyone talked about Mac. Described as "A luxurious, slow-baked, velvety soft, domed face powder with a radiant finish. Strategically buff on to add highlights to the high points of the face, or blend all over for a sheer luminous polish to the skin. Features our 77-Mineral Complex and vitamin E. A out-of-this world highlighter, I don't think a Mac collection is complete without this product. Retailing for £24, this product has lasted me well over a year, and I have barely made a dent in it, and I seriously mean it when I say I use it everyday. This product I would have to say is my favourite of all my mac products, mainly because yes, it was one of the first I bought, but the quality is stunning. If this isn't in your highlighter collection, I would seriously recommend it. However, there are a variety of different shades of the Mineralize Skinfinishes. Lightscapade is a perfect option for those with paler skin, and Gold Deposit, for those who are darker.

The Mineralize Blush  in Gleeful was one of my many outlet Mac purchases. For those non-US folk, if you're ever heading to an outlet mall, don't forget to check out the beauty shops, they have great bargains. Funnily enough I feel as if blushers by Mac aren't really talked about as much as let's say their lipsticks and eyeshadows. Following with the trend of minimal-sleek black packaging, their blushes are divine, beautifully backed which are both incredibly pigmented. Retailing at £22 the pan is actually quite substantially smaller compared to the skinfinish, but 100% worth the money. From my multiple swatches when entering Mac, I know that their finishes are all incredible, me having my eye on the shade Love Joy for quite a while. Although I usually only tend to use these red brick coloured blushers in the Autumn/Winter time I have barely made a dent in this product as it's so pigmented a little goes a long way. 



Now totally correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Mac lipsticks to me, are the signature product. I own a total of 8 of the gorgeous sleek bullets which I blogged about on my Mac Lipstick Collection blog post  (fyi, I did purchase a new one yesterday which doesn't appear in the post). I personally cannot falter their formulation at all. I own a variety of different formulas ranging; cremesheen, matte, Mineralize Rich, Frost, Satin and Lustre. Every single shade I own, has a great wear-time, although the mattes of course do last a bit longer. They are all hydrating and pigmented. I am seriously yet to be disappointed in a lipstick purchased. Yet again guys, if you're in the States, the outlet shops have lippies in stock too for a bargain at £10-£11 rather than the usual £15.50.

Left to Right: 'Style Approved' and 'Velvet Teddy'
Sadly, I own only one eyeshadow from Mac but has a very special place in my heart. The Mac Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Amorous Alloy has to be, out of my whole collection, my all-time favourite eyeshadow. Now I have to say the single eyeshadows are a little on the pricey side, considering it's only one pot and very small which costs a eye-watering £16. Although it is on the expensive side, there is a good reason for it. The formulation is so so stunning, creamy, butter and blendable. Sweet Heat is known as the "signature" Extra Dimension Eyeshadow shade, but I seriously recommending giving these a swatch when you next go into the shops. I'm not usually impressed with Mac eyeshadows in all honesty, their matte shades never seemed pigmented enough, but the extra dimension formula is second-to-none.

Lastly is quite a new-ish product in my collection. I mentioned the Mac Strobe Cream in My Favourites: April Post  and has become a regular in my Spring/Summer makeup routine. If you're someone who suffers with dry skin and is looking for a product which just gives your face a bit more life, this is it. this is it GUYS. okay calm down Caroline. Seriously though, I was a bit hesitant to purchase this product as it wasn't the usual "makeup product" from Mac, and seeing as I have sensitive skin, face products can always be risky. However, this just works. I recommend this either as a primer or mix a little bit in with your foundation. Careful not to add too much as it can make you look like a heated-mess.


There are a load of products I am dying to try from Mac including their Studio Fix+ spray, Face and Body Foundation and I feel as if I'm not a beauty blogger unless I wait in line in front of House of Fraser next time they launch a limited edition product. I'd love to know your thoughts on the brand and of course if you have any suggestions for me leave them below, you know how I love to give into the hype *insert gif of Leonardo throwing money around*.

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24 comments

  1. the Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish has been on my wishlist for absolutely ages, it looks so lovely! i love the look of all of these products:) xx

    emjbarker.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. You really really need to get it hahah! It's literally the most gorgeous highlighter I own, may even be better than the Mary Lou.... xx

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  2. Really need to try the MSF's but tbh I'm still really intimidated by the MAC department. It's always so busy that I feel weird asking anything. Great post, love their lipsticks, eyeshadow pigments and the pressed cream pigment in Coil is beautiful x
    ALittleKiran | Bloglovin

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    1. I know exactly what you mean, sometimes I can't even get to the lipstick counters because they are always so packed! I tend to go in with a list of products I know I want that way it's not as intimidating xx

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  3. I hate going into MAC stores, They always so busy and there always a queue for the lipsticks, plus i don't have one locally to me. So I tend to order online. I'm yet to try Soft and Gentle, I need to though. I agree with you on their lipsticks - the formula is brilliant and I love the Strobe cream too :) xx

    LPage Beauty 

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    1. I know right! Our House of Fraser one is ridiculously busy, like the lipstick section is so small! I should really order online because you can get 10% off at HOF with UNIDAYS! xx

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  4. You really can't go wrong with MAC! I adore the look of that blush, it's a little on the pricey side but it looks so gorgeous. <3

    Kay
    http://shoesandglitter.com/

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    1. It's gorgeous and worth it, but don't know if I would fork out a lot on a blush as there are so many great drugstore ones xx

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  5. MAC has the best makeup! Love using their products x

    Nev | Miss Nev

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  6. I really want to try Soft and Gentle!! I've heard so much about it for years!!! <3 Lovely post

    Amelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au/

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  7. Soft & Gentle is one of my all time favourite MAC products :) I felt exactly the same about the counters when I had my first makeover done by them - I actually still have that trouble with UD today! x

    Viva Epernay | Win a 14 Day Teatox!  

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    1. I've never had a makeover done by MAC! I would totally love that though! I always find my UD counters really empty which makes them a little more intimidating! xx

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  8. Heyy there! Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award <3
    http://blogbyvioleta.blogspot.lt/2016/05/1-year-blog-anniversary-and-liebster.html

    Love,
    Violeta Lyskoit

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  9. Gorgeous photos! I'm also a huge MAC fan, I just think they are such a diverse brand.
    Lucie xo | lucieleannexo.wordpress.com

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  10. MAC Soft & Gentle is such a gorgeous highlight, I love it so much - I really need to get down to MAC and pick up a few more things!

    Lucy | Forever September

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    1. I feel as if I have that constant itch to go to Mac! xx

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  11. I'd love to try Soft and Gentle! And I agree with you about their lipsticks, all the ones I've tried are incredible although I tend to skip over the Glaze and Luster finishes. I'm working on building my MAC pro palette right now, it saves a lot of money to buy the refill pans!

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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    1. I do as well, I don't think I own a Glaze finish! I would love to own a Mac palette, though I feel as if mine would be a majority of brown neutral shades and that's it hahah! xx

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  12. I.want.a.mineralise.skin.finish.ASAP. I have seen them on people and been a literal heart eyes emoji.

    Raashi
    reflectionswithraa.blogspot.com.au

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    1. dooooo ittt Raashi! It's so stunning and seriously, I think it's just a little bit more loved than Mary Lou-manizer...just a little xx

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