MAC Tag

I saw this over on amynicola_ox's blog (check her out, I love her. She's English but lives in Canada, so it's a bit of a twist from my Canadian-Living-In-England-ness. Also, she is adorable and her videos are lovely!) and I decided I'd fill it in.

I'm kind of a newbie to MAC, since I only really started buying MAC around the time Hello Kitty came out in the UK, so early this year. Eeek!

So here goes!

How long have you been using Mac?
I'd wanted to use it since I was in high school, but it was so pricey for a teenage girl who didn't have a job and not much cash at all. I'd mostly put it out of my mind and concentrated on low-to-medium-priced brands from NYC to Maybelline to Virgin Vie, who I used to SWEAR by. A couple years ago I bought a couple kohl eye pencils and eyeshadows (I've since learned that both eyeshadows were fakes, which is why I'll never buy MAC on ebay again - so easy to be fooled, especially if you don't KNOW the brand) - and I fell in love with the pencils. At the beginning of this year it came to buying a new foundation, I'd heard MAC was the best for foundation and HAD MY COLOUR, and the rest is history!


What was your first Mac product?
The first that I bought from an actual MAC store (100% not fake!) was Studio Sculpt Foundation and Select Coverup Concealer.


What's your all time favourite Mac product?
My top is probably eyeshadows. I can tend to be all about the eyes, sometimes to a fault, so MAC's range of eyeshadows, colours, finishes, textures, are a dream. And they're so pigmented and apply so well! I *HATE* buying eyeshadows only to find that they barely show up on the eye. I've yet to have this problem with a MAC shadow. I'm getting more into MSF's, blushes, and lipstick now than I was, but eyeshadow is definitely top.


What's your least favourite Mac product?
There are two. Mascara (I've tried the plush lash mascara, and while it makes my lashes black, it's not amazing, and I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to it or it's super harsh because I got the tiniest bit in my eye and then my eye watered and burned so badly that the rest of my eye makeup came off. NOT HAPPY. I've never had that problem with mascara before). And the second is Studio Sculpt Foundation. I tried to love it, and I really did to begin with, but now everytime I pick it up I just get frustrated because it's SO HARD TO BLEND and it breaks my heart.


Do you own a Pro Card?
Yes and no. I have a Pro membership but not a CARD. My card has been sent out 5 times now, and I still have yet to receive the damn thing. MAC's customer services said it's probably getting lost in the mail, but everything else (including a billion order invoices) came through. So I'm getting frustrated... though, at least I can phone order...


Your Mac foundation shade:
In Studio Sculpt and Studio Fix Powder I'm an NC15 even. Studio Fix runs a little darker, so I'm just barely lighter than NC15 in that - but I wear SFF in NC15 and with blending it's no problem.


Your favourite Mac-Foundation:
Studio Fix Fluid


Eyeshadow:
I've got so many that I need to experiment with, but ones that I constantly finding myself going back to are Satin Taupe, Cork, Ricepaper, Swish, Silverthorn, and Knight. I love bright colours though so I'm always trying new combinations.


Lipstick:
I don't have THAT many right now and I think nearly all of them are limited edition ones haha. But I love Rose Romance and Way To Love from the Rose Romance collection. And I just got Made With Love from Colour Craft which is beautiful! I really want Shy Girl and Crosswires, too, that's on my next order list.


Lipgloss:
I don't have many MAC Lipglosses, just a few LE ones (the HK releases), but I love Mimmy.


Liner:
Blacktrack Fluidline! I looove it. At first I thought it'd be a pain, because I do not wash my brushes every day (I never have the time!) but it's well worth spot-cleaning my 209 every day for this stuff. It's love in a pot!


Brush:
109 for foundation, 131 for blush/MSFs (I used to use the 129 but I love the 131 now), 209, 239 and 226 for eyes. 134 for powder foundation or bronzer.


Nail Lacquer:
I've only got a few of MAC's nail lacquers, and they're all creams. my favourites are Love And Friendship (Rose Romance) and On The Prowl (HK - this thing stayed for A FULL WEEK without chipping, and I'm in lust with the colour).


Pro Product:
I have to agree with what a lot of people are saying: Pro palettes and refill pans (for eyeshadows, blushes, contouring, etc). They save on a TON of space, help with organization, and they LOOK so pretty!


Comment on the following Mac product; Have you used them? If so, give feedback.



Prep + Prime Skin:
Haven't used it, but I want to


Full Coverage Foundation:
Again, I'd like to try, but since none of MAc's colours are a PERFECT match for my skintone (NC can be sliiightly too yellowy if not blended, wheras NW makes me look like I have a pink mask on, and some products are just too dark) so I'm not convinced whether it would work on me or not.


Studio Sculpt Foundation:
I really loved this at first, but now I get frustrated every single time I use it. It's hard to blend, and does NOT work with brushes at all, so I have to use my fingers whenever I give it another try.


Face + Body Foundation:
Haven't used it and I don't have any plans to.


Mineralize Satin Finish:
I'd like to try it. Right now I use Studio Fix Fluid, but I'd like to try a variety of foundations to find what works the best and different coverages/finishes. I also like that this is mineralize.


Studio Fix Fluid:
This is what I use, and I love it. It's ever so slightly too dark for me so I need to be careful to blend, and if I use too much it just doesn't look good. So, I buff it on with a 109 brush and have no issues. 1-2 pumps works well, any more than that and it doesn't look very nice anymore.


Hyper Real Foundation:
Haven't tried it


Select SPF15 Foundation:
Haven't tried it, but I'd like to


Studio Tech Foundation:
I haven't used it but I want to give it a try. I used to use cream foundations, but had issues due to extremely dry skin, so I'd like to try it again now that I've finally found a skincare regime that has eliminated all my flakiness!


Studio Fix Powder:
I use this when I can't be bothered, or when all my foundation brushes are dirty haha. It's good if you're in a rush, just brush it on and you're good to go. It also gives better coverage than I'd expect from a powder foundation. A lot of people use it to set, but I find it to be too much, and makes my makeup look caked on if I set liquid with this, even if I've only got a little on.


Studio Stick:
Never tried, but it's probably good for a bit higher coverage.


Hyper Real Pressed Foundation:
Haven't tried it.


Beauty Powder:
I love BP and BPBs. The Rose beauty powders work well on my pale complexion as pretty blushes, and the beauty powder blushes are just wonderful. I need more please!


Sculpting Powder:
I haven't tried yet... I'm torn between buying the sculpt and shape powder pans separately and putting them in a blush palette, and trying the duos that are coming out later this year.


Shaping Powder:
See above.


Loose Blot Powder:
I used to want to try this to set my foundation, but since I don't have problems with oil (I get dry skin instead, yay /sarcasm) I'm going to skip it I think.


Pressed Blot Powder:
See above.


Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:
I so want to try this but haven't had a chance yet! I've heard it's great to set or as a powder foundation on its own. I haven't tried it yet because I need to get colour-matched (I AM pale, but Light looks like it'd be a little too light for me?), but because I have a pro card, I always feel guilty going to my MAC counter to test something or get matched, and knowing full well that I won't be buying it then and there. I might get matched when I B2M my next batch of shadow pots, though =]


Mineralize Skinfinsh:
I love these. Sometimes they can be a little more shimmery than I'd like, but most of the time they work. I went out one day with just my studio fix fluid, some black liner and mascara, and Perfect Topping MSF on my cheeks (as a highlight/blush) and the cashier at Makro commented on my "perfect skin" and asked what my secret is - Perfect Topping MSF just gave me a really natural looking, pretty dewy glow. It made my day!


Bronzing Powder:
I've got two - Refined Golden and... I can't remember the other one's name haha. I got the two from the Style Warriors collection. I like Refined Golden - applied lightly in the E3 with my 134 blush it makes me look like I've got some colour without looking fake or too brown or orange. Just a healthy glow, I like it.


Powder Blush:
I really want pink swoon! Right now I have 4 (Springsheen, Peaches, Rhubarb (pro) and Prism) and I like them all. Rhubarb is very bright but gives a nice flush if applied lightly - or a doll appearance if layered on haha.

Blushcreme:
I haven't used them yet but there are a couple I've got my eye on.

Mineralize Blush:
I have a love-hate relationship with mineralize blushes. For some stupid reason I bought Grand Duo on a whim, and it's a deep plum colour that I have to use a VERRRRY light hand with. I got 3 more from the Colour Craft collection, and I absolutely adore the colours (Daft Pink and Hand-Finish especially!) but sometimes the shimmer is overpowering. I need to hunt for some more matte blushes now, I think, to keep the balance.


Gel Blush:
I only have one, the Just A Pinch from the Rose Romance collection, and I actually really like it. At first I wasn't sure, but it goes on so nicely and I also use it as a stain on my lips.


Cream Color Base:
I have one... Pink. It's a pretty unexciting colour, to be honest haha. I want a load of more, especially the super-bright Pro shades,but they're not available in the UK so I have to search around and hope the freestanding stores in my hometown might have a couple in stock.


Studio Sculpt Concealer:
This is my favourite concealer. It's thick, creamy, and covers well. Perfecto!


Select Cover Up Concealer:
A lot of people rave about this and say it's perfect for under-eye circles but honestly, I don't get the hype. Maybe it's because the MA at my MAC counter sold me this a shade DARKER than my foundation, but it just doesn't work and doesn't look quite right. When it dries on me it looks quite yellowy, so I might try a concealer in an NW shade to see if that's any better, or so I can custom blend. But on dark circles, it just made my under eye area look ashey so I'm not so keen.


Select Moisture cover Concealer:
Haven't tried it, but want to.


Studio Finish Concealer:
Definitely want to try this. And I need to see if I can find the Studio Finish Corrector shades! The Pro line here doesn't have them anymore =[


Studio Stick:
Haven't tried it.


Lip Erase:
I want to try this... I've been told it's like a tinted lip conditioner, only flesh-toned. If that's the case I think I'll like it. I usually use concealer or foundation but it tends to look horrible, and makes my lips look and feel drier than they are.


Tinted Lip Conditioner:
I have 3 of these babies (Popster, Pink Fish, and Petting Pink) and I love them all.


Lipstick:
I used to be a gloss-only girl, but MAC's lipstick has changed my mind completely!

Lipglass:
I need to invest in more. I bought the HK limited edition ones, but I need to buy a couple from the permanent line and give them a real try.


See Thru Lip Color:
I've got 2 and they're okay. Not craptastic, not fabulous, just okay.

Dazzleglass:
When I first heard the concept of the dazzleglass, I Was simultaneously excited and going "..dude, what, how old are we?" But I got my first one (Rags To Riches) when they brought out the perm line and loved it! I've now ordered Euro Beat and Rue D'Rouge and can't wait for them to come!


Cremesheen Glass:
I missed these, they had just gone out of stock on MAC UK's website when I first started buying and collecting MAC. I hear they're fabbbulous though so I might pick up a couple when they repromote them.


Lip Gelee:
I have one (bought off ebay so there's a chance it's fake, but I'm not sure) in Cellopink. It's ok but a little disappointing. In the tube, it's a bright-ass neon pink colour, but on the lips it looks like thick gloss with a SUPER SUPER SHEER tint to it. I WANT PINK LIPS DAMN IT!


Lip Pencil:
I don't have any, althought I should probably invest in some. I tried to order one last week but the one I wanted was out of stock. Typical!


Solar Bits:
I'm not entirely sure about these yet. I have the 3 from the Style Warriors collection, and I can say that they do not apply smoothly as eyeshadow at all without a base or a mixing medium/fix+. And now I'm scared to use them since I accidentally spilled a bunch out of one of them. Sigh.


Nail Lacquer:
I like the cream ones I've got so far, although Seasonal Peach was ridiculously streaky! I hear the non-cream formulas streak a lot, although I had less issues with Violet Fire than most seemed to have.


Shadestick:
I bought the ones from the Sugarsweet collection and I really like them as a base, or a splash of complimentary colour on the lower lashline. I'd heard so many bad things about how hard they are to work with, but the ones with Sugarsweet are fabulous, they need to release some new colours.


Paint:
Haven't tried them, but I don't really like the idea of working from a tube - I'd probably squeeze them into an empty paint pot pot or something - and then knowing my luck they'd dry out.


Paint Pots:
I love paint pots, I have 5 right now (Fresco Rose, Bare Study, Quite Natural, Girl Friendly, and Painterly - the last one I use every single day as an eyeshadow base). They're great as a base, in my experience they measure up to UDPP and I find them easier to apply. My only complaint is lack of selection in the permanent line. We need more colours!


Eye Shadow:
I am ALL about the eyeshadows! I love them! In fact I love them so much that I can't think of anything else to say here to adequately express just HOW MUCH I love them!


Pigment:
I really like pigments but because they're not as easy to work with as eyeshadow straight from a pan (if you don't use fix+ or something there tends to be a lot of fallout - also I'm terrified of dropping the pot when it's open argh!) I find I don't reach for them as often as I'd like to. For that reason, I really want to try pressing pigments, but it's hard to find the right kind of alcohol here in the UK, which makes me sad. I do love pigments though, and I really want to expand my collection.


Glitter:
I've got a couple and I can honestly say I've never used them. They're so pretty to look at and have and the colours are gorgeous, but I haven't used them yet. I might try using them on nails in the future, though.


Eye Kohl:
Love! Fascinating Eye Kohl is one of my HG items for sure! I use it nearly every day. I also really like that MAC has a decent selection of different colours to play with.


Chromaline:
Never tried them and I'm not sure I'd find a use for them, or ever really use them.


Fluidline:
I LOVE fluidline!


Liquid Last Liner:
I wanted this but it was out of stock =[ I love liquid liner, though, so I'll probably buy it once my Penultimate Liner runs out.


Lustre Drops:
I have the pink ones, and haven't used them yet. In fact, I forgot I had them until I went through my stash last night and started reorganizing lol.


False Lashes:
I have the Hello Kitty ones but haven't used them yet, but I want to get a couple pairs from the perm line to try out. Also, I need to get some lash adhesive haha.


ProLash Mascara,Zoom Lash Mascara,Plush Lash Mascara, Dazzle Lash Mascara:
I've only tried Plushlash but I don't really like it. As I said above, I got a little in my eye and it was a NIGHTMAREEEE, it felt like getting really strong soap or shampoo in your eyes and not being able to rinse it out properly. I tend to get bits of liner or mascara in my eyes sometimes, but I've NEVER had a reaction like that before. The burning was horrible!


What has been your favourite Mac collection to date?
Well, I wish I'd been a collector (with money) for Barbie Loves MAC, but alas. For the collections I've been around for, I'm tempted to say HEllo Kitty... If only because I'm a huge HK fan, and I went WAY over the top wit that particular one haha. But I have a bunch of nice stuff from it and it really kick-started my MAC collection. I'm REALLY looking forward to my Love That Look haul, which should be coming in the mail before Wednesday, and that's probably the top taker, to be honest.


Which Mac collection, in your opinion, do you think was disappointing, if any?
Colour Ready! It was a collection, but 99% of the items were permanent anyway, so what was the point? Also...Probably Style Warriors. I know a lot of people loved it, and I did get some super nice products from this collection and I really liked the packaging so I can't say I hated it, but overall it was definitely aimed at darker-skinned bronze-goddess type ladies, and most of the stuff I couldn't wear. Even the bronzer I have to be careful with, although lightly applied it's really nice.


What products do you think Mac are missing?
Decent mascaras, and a wider variety of paint pots and nail lacquers. I also wish they'd be more even in their North American Versus European product lines. Folks in the US get a lot more variety (yeah, I know we get the Euristocrats lippies year-round, but what I wouldn't give for the bright Pro CCBs, or the skin correctors!) and it's not fair. ALSO I need to bitch about the UK prices. The US-to-UK exhange rate is like 1.5 right now, so how come we're paying £12 for a lipstick that costs $14 in the US (when $14 is like £10?). I realize I'm complaining about loose change, but when you buy a lot, it really adds up.

Okay I'm done haha

SO that's it from me, I'll tag whoever wants to participate =]