So, i went to my local MAC shop today. "My" MUA was there, and she said, No Problem pre-ordering from Strength and from Apres Chic! Whew! Since i had tested pretty much everything yesterday, she could put back most of what she had been holding for me from the two collections, because i had narrowed down what i wanted.
AND i got to do that CP for a Specktralite, so I feel so much better now.
My MUA said that shop got lots of Pink Pigeon and Party Parrot. It was the Taste Temptation collection they couldn't pre-sell because they'd only gotten 4 each of item.
The two lip pencils being promoted: Embrace Me (vivid pinkish fuchsia) goes nicely with PiPi and Lasting Sensation (bright coral) with PaPa.
To answer a question i had - and some other folks - Strong Woman and Seductive Intent (in the TT coll.) are VERY VERY different from each other.
Of the two, Seductive Intent (TT coll.) is brighter, a bit lighter, and significantly bluer. I forgot to bring Violetta with me to compare, but i'd say it's in the same camp as Heroine from Reel Sexy (matte) and Violetta (Amplified), even if they aren't all exactly the same. Since SI is a mattene it has a different finish that the other two and that could make a difference in how it looks on and how it wears.
Strong Woman (Strength coll.) is darker and a tad warmer / redder. It's not plum, maybe more of a true purple. It's perhaps a more sophisticated color than SI - i'm not saying that's necessarily better, just know your own style and choose accordingly. And yet it seems to me to be the more unusual color of the two. Let me note that while it's warmer and redder than SI, it is still definitely a cool color, purple, not red.
Firm Form was less golden in the swatch on my arm than i had hoped. It is a little sheer, as we already know, and seems to have a slight plummy undertone. I didn't put on my lips, so i'm not sure how it will wear. But I'm still excited for the opportunity to get to wear it.
I don't do red, so i didn't test Absolute Power.
Taupe Shape blush looks light beige-taupe in the pan, but it makes a nice contour; it is like having a portable shadow. The MUA said it was best for contouring; but, me, being me, i'll play with it for more than just that.
Poised blush is quite nice, a light neutral peach color, very pretty, not for me, but definitely a good everyday warm-colored blush.
Sorry, i didn't even check out the E/S Quads, since they really didn't interest me.
MAC should just make Embrace Me permanent. Hasn't it come out 3-4 times this year?
I'm sorry you're going through all of that! I hope everything goes well with your kitty and the stalker situation is under control.. Sending positive thoughts your way OctoberViolet 
