MAC x Carine Roitfeld (Fall 2012)

Allura Beauty said:

Your comments are not only disingenuous but also self-contradictory. You are saying that bloggers should handle being criticized publicly as "public figures," but in the same sentence state that you are not criticizing the blogger, just the blog... How can a blog "lack any sense of fashion or style"? This comment cannot reasonably twisted as "well-intended advice." It can only apply to a person. And it is rude.

I'm simply asking you to be more respectful, or dare I say, nicer when you share your "criticism." I don't feel this is a tall order. And the only reason I take the time to address it here (we all know that "criticism" and rudeness are abound on the internet) is because I see Specktra as a place where people can interact in a positive instead of negative way.

But perhaps that sentiment is just as "off the mark" as the review is. *shrug*

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liba said:

I've got very almond shaped eyes, with lashes that are sort of medium long, but have pale tips. They stick out pretty straight, but they did hold a curl well with the MAC lash curler and even with mascaras where the brush is good for lifting the lashes upwards. I'd rather pay more and get one that will last a long time, as far as my price range. I still see them as creepy medieval torture devices, so the less actual squeezing, pressing and time clamped to my face, the better!

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CartoonChic said:

CARINE is the code for free standard shipping. It expires Sunday, Sept. 2 at 11:59pm EST.

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liba said:

I'm in your camp on this one, but I'm fortunate in the great skin department, so getting into that look is easy for me. I think it's a trend that's a hard sell for some girls and women, who have been made very self-conscious about skin issues to the point of creating stress and struggle and shame. I've got quite a few friends who are beautiful, but are either terrified to use makeup because they have ups and downs with their skin or feel ugly if they don't cover up in lots of makeup, the less natural, the better.

I've helped a few of them drastically improve their skin health, but you know how it goes - old habits die hard, even once the original issue is gone. It takes a long time to feel re-empowered and try something new. You can lead a horse to water, etc. Hey, look how poorly Big Bounce was received. It just broke too many "rules". It's just that I can't help getting a little political about the all-natural trend, because I see how close it hits to that common modern female insecurity propaganda about not being perfect "enough". Beautiful, young skin should be an inspiration, but it can sadly turn into a stressful, unattainable ideal for a person burdened with insecurity about their looks.

Best thing is to keep setting a positive example - getting the message out there is half the battle.

I will say that I'm old enough to remember a few cycles where the totally natural no-makeup look was the main style, and the only beef I had about it then was it just got BORING! Why do you think us punk gals wore drastic makeup, hehe. It was all about scandalizing the drab style we felt buried in. I go out to concerts now and see all these gals who have no makeup and boring clothes, like we're back in 1975 again, and I want to shake them and say "where's the fantasy? where's the creativity??" 'Good thing there's a counter-trend with the bright lips and strong blush nowadays. We sure have more options than before!

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Pinkdollface said:

Allurabeauty's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ngEbdTpiw
Wow Tropical Mist is sheer. You can see how often she goes back and forward and still I see like nothing at all just a shine. I wonder why mac didn't do a coloured lipbalm or tendertone instead.

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ladyarwen said:

While I appreciate Carine's appreciation for nude lips, I don't see the point of a "barely there" lipstick when a lipbalm or tendertone could've fit the bill just fine. I would never pay $16.50 for a lipstick that only produces a bit of shine. I could pay $1 for something like an e.l.f. lipgloss if that's all I wanted, or better yet, shop my stash of glosses that I have already.

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lenainjkt said:

i think this is my first post in specktra (have been a lurker for...5 years!), but i just feel i need to give a shout out and support for this collection.

mac-guy, i agree with you about a lot of bloggers missing the context in a lot of collections. they just steamroll through the swatches,which is ok since it's what we need anyway. but to steamroll through this one and discuss opaqueness, comparison to lip balms etc, is actually pretty hilarious.

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lilinah said:

I'm not excited about this collection, and there's almost nothing in it i really want. The palettes look nice, but i have most of the eye colors and the cremeblends look too dark for me. I've already got the right brow stuff: MAC Omega eyeshadow. I don't wear black eyeliner or mascara (So far my HG mascara is DiorShow Mitzah, a golden brown, but sadly it's LE, so i'm gonna get a backup). I need none of the brushes. Etc.

But i do want to test "Tropical Mist" lipstick at least.

As others have noted, finding a "Nude" lipstick that suits one's own individual coloring and one's personal taste is not always easy. And, like others, i have had a difficult time. My lips are a medium warm pink but with a bluish tone. Too often "Nude" lipsticks lean orange on me and that does not look good. And those that are too matte, flat, or opaque don't flatter me, either.

One of the "Nudes" i own and enjoy is Urban Decay "Midnight Cowboy" Lip Junkie lip gloss, which is very sheer. However, it is VERY shimmery, sparkly, glittery, which i love, but that does not suit every occasion. I didn't get Ruffian Nude because i thought it might pull orange on me - but being on-line-only meant i couldn't test it (I did get Ruffian Gold, which i love). So i've been on the hunt for a nude that is NOT matte, but is considerably more subtle than UD's "MC".

It remains to be seen if Tropical Mist is the one, but i certainly want to give it a test. I cannot tell until i try it whether it will look "colorless" on me.

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UrbanSweetheart said:

this is exactly how I'm feeling, too! yay for Marilyn though! ^_^

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