I’ve been wearing so many matte liquid lipsticks lately that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to wear a normal lipstick. Spoiler alert: they’re a lot more nourishing to wear.
As part of the MAC Cosmetics x Robert Lee Morris collection which launched earlier this month (read my review on the blushes, powders, and brushes here), the brand has also come out with a collection of six lipsticks in their Mattene formula.
This is the first time I’ve tried a Mattene lipstick, but I’m totally digging them. They are a moisturizing matte lipstick that applies like a normal lipstick would (although slimmer than the traditional MAC formula), but is incredibly creamy, softer, and glides on the lips for a pigmented pout. The best part is, you get that matte finish without the dry feel on the lips.
Like I said, there are six colours to choose from that come housed in an intricate hammered gold and matte black packaging. These are definitely stunning to look at and embody the feel of Robert Lee Morris’ work. Lychee is my favourite as it’s a soft nude pink that leans more towards a peach colour. Persimmon is a warm peach nude that has a little more colour to it than Lychee. Pumpkin is a warm pink that applies nicer on the lips than how it looks in the tube. Fig is a deepened reddened rose that leans a little on the berry side. Concord Grape is a dirty cool mauve, perfect for those who love purple lipstick but don’t want something so bold. Lastly, Pomegranate is a deep cranberry that isn’t a true red, but leans more towards a pine undertone.
At first glance none of the colours were really that show stopping to me, aside from Lychee (but that’s because I love nudes). Once I had them on though my thoughts totally changed. Each shade really is stunning once applied and is perfect for fall and the holiday season coming up. Since these are so nourishing, I’m totally into them since this Winnipeg fall weather has been so drying thus far and I love the matte look, but not a fan of the dry feeling. I also found the staying power to be good as well. They don’t stay on as well as a liquid matte lipstick, but considering how those dry down on the lips, the staying power on these is pretty darn good. I only had to reapply the colour once, maybe twice throughout the day, and that includes eating.
These are all limited edition so if there are any you like, definitely go grab it. They retail for C$29 each, so a little more than a normal MAC lipstick.
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
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If there’s one brand that everyone goes crazy over limited-edition collections, it’s definitely MAC Cosmetics.
There have been a few collections that I remember losing sleep about, just knowing I had to get my hands on a certain lipstick or eyeshadow palette. The beauty brand always nails it with their collections and although some of them feature the beloved MAC packaging, there are others that are true to the collection’s roots, such is the case with their new one, Robert Lee Morris.
Now if you’re like me and have no clue who Robert Lee Morris is, let me enlighten you. Morris is a German-born jewelry designer and sculptor whose designs are made in either gold, silver, or bronze. He is known for his 24-carat matte-gold plating and the rich deep red copper and green patina. In addition to his latest collection with MAC, he has collaborated or designed collections for fashion designers like Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, and Donna Karan.
Morris’ latest collection with MAC definitely rings true to his style as the collection features metallic packaging that is definitely show stopping and eye catching. I received most of the pieces from the collection, which contains blushes, powders, brushes, and lipsticks. Since there are six lipsticks, I’ll dedicate that to an entirely different post.
There are two brushes in this collection, as well as a five-piece brush set. All the brushes feature sculpted, heavy metal handles that have leather wrapped around the base of the brush fibres themselves. They really do feel incredibly luxurious and high end, as well as heavy. The two stand-alone brushes are the 135 Large Flat Powder (C$67) and the 168SES Large Angled Contour Brush (C$54).
The brush set (C$150) comes in a leatherette brush roll that contains four brass-handled brushes, the 184SE Duo Fibre Fan Brush, 222SE Tapered Blending Brush, 204SE Lash Brush, and the 229SE Mini Synthetic Brush. The brushes in the set are small, and to be honest, I wish they picked a better selection of brushes. There are so many brushes to choose from in the MAC arsenal and I think they could have done a better job in choosing more efficient brushes that you can use everyday.
Moving onto the powders, both the Pro Longwear powders and blushes come in this metal dome-shaped packaging that looks cool, but is bulky to organize and store. The Pro Longwear Powders in this collection come in three shades, Light Plus, Medium Plus, and Dark. I received Light Plus and Medium Plus, both of which work with my skin at the moment (I don’t find them to be that far off in shade). The MAC Pro Longwear Powder/Pressed gives you a sweat- and humidity-resistant velvety matte finish, leaving you with zero shine and a sheer-to-medium coverage that lasts up to 12 hours. I like using these powders over foundation to set it, or over a BB Cream to add a bit more coverage.
As for the blushes (C$45), there are three to choose from — Peach, Rhubarb, and Linda — in this collection and they also come housed in that same metal dome packaging. From what I can find online, some of these colours have been seen before. Peach is my favourite from the three, it’s a shimmery peach champagne colour that can easily transition to a highlight. Rhubarb is described as a deep maroon and is definitely a colour that would suit darker skin tones. Since I’m fairly pale skinned, I find I need to go in with a very light hand when using this blush, or blend it out after the fact. It’s the perfect blush for that “just got in from the cold” look. Finally, Linda is a soft pink bronze blush that is universal for pretty much any skin tone. It suits me perfectly and would give someone with darker skin a nice peachy glow.
I think this collection is stunning and although I do find the packaging to be a little bulky, I do think it is unique and different. If you’re a MAC collector, this is definitely a collection that you will want to pick up some items from. Aside from the brush roll, I really like the products the brand chose to include and the colour choices as well.
Will you be picking up any items from the MAC x Robert Lee Morris collection?
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
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Would you spend C$120 on a foundation?
Okay, so just when I thought that Marc Jacobs Re(Marc)able foundation took the cake for the priciest foundation in my collection, the Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation lands on my desk and I’m floored at the price tag.
For C$120 you can buy a lot of things. That’s the price of a whole new outfit or 24 lattes from Starbucks. Anyways, with such a hefty price tag, I would want this foundation to be the best thing I’ll ever put on my face.
Okay, so the facts. The reason it’s so expensive is because it’s infused with anti-aging skincare ingredients which have regenerative benefits, as well as retexturing, brightening, and maintaining resilience in your skin, leaving it with a radiant finish. It is also infused with SkingenecellEnmei, which brings out skin’s vitalizing forces and regenerates skin from within, as well as 4MSK, an innovative brightening ingredient, which helps to improve dark spots and uneven skin colour for a luminous, even skin tone. In addition to those star ingredients, it also has Aura Radiance Technology to help maximize light reflection, Japanese botanicals to prevent damage that causes skin aging, and the Time Match Powder, Photochromic Powder and Micro Fit Technology respond to changes in the skin condition and the environment, to keep skin in beautiful condition.
Phew, okay, so clearly this stuff packs a punch (it also has SPF 20). But how does it perform? Available in 11 shades, I received the shade Neutral 2 which matches my summer skin perfectly (thankfully I still have a bit of a spray tan left from Chicago, so this stuff is perfect for me right now). Since the product is housed in a jar, I find that a little goes a long way (meaning that you’ll have it awhile), and I just merely use my finger to apply it on my face then blend out with a foundation brush. The coverage is full, but the wear is lightweight, making it very comfortable on the skin. As for wear, this does stay on my skin all day and even through workouts it still looked radiant. Compared to some of my other foundations, this definitely holds up better than a $15 foundation, which I would certainly hope it does.
I am currently using this foundation in conjunction with some expensive skincare products (which I’ll also blog about shortly), so I can’t tell you if my skin has changed at all. I mean, it is looking nice, but it could be the combination of the products together which is making it look radiant. To be honest, I actually really like this foundation since it looks wonderful on even after eight hours and my face feels moisturized.
Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation SPF 20 after a nine-hour wear and a workout.
I’m just torn though, since although I love it, I don’t think I would spend C$120 on it, that’s a lot of money to spend on a makeup product. Like I said, a little does go a long way and you do get a lot of product in the jar, so I truly do think it will last you a while if you do decide to purchase it. In Canada, the only place I’ve seen it online is at Hudson’s Bay, so I would check out the Shiseido counter and ask for a sample to see if you love it enough to fork over the cash.
How much would you be willing to spend on a foundation?
Please note, I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.
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