Meanwhile, back at the MAC...
I didn't test the blushes. Neither is my kind of color. Sorry.
Bronzing Powder vs. Pro Longwear Bronzer. Shrug. I am not a wearer of bronzer, generally speaking. I bought a couple a few years ago and discovered they weren't really for me, so i almost never use them, except for the Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor-made Bronzing Powder with Pure Gold in Blonde, which is amazing but expensive. So i am not the best judge of these. I just want one for the compact! I can say that both Pro Longwear Bronzers were "creamier" and generally had better texture/feel and color payoff than the Bronzing Powders.
Tested on my very pale inner arm, none looked sparkly, although the Bronzing Powders are sparkly in the pan. None were chalky on me, but, as i said, i'm pretty pale.
Of the four, Refined Golden Bronzing Powder is the darkest color. Sun Dipped Pro Longwear Bronzer seemed to be the next darkest on me - there didn't seem to be a terribly noticeable change in color tone between it and Nude on Board Pro Longwear Bronzer, but maybe the light wasn't very good. NoB was better on my pale skin, but still looked muddy on my face, and i was trying for a very light dusting of color. Soft Sand Bronzing Powder is the lightest color. Since i REALLY want one of the beautiful bronze compacts, i think that's the one i'll get.
The Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid is beautiful and versatile. It blends very nicely on the skin by itself, and it can be used mixed with foundation for added warmth and illumination. I wouldn't put it all over my face, but will use it to add depth of color to certain areas, like my cheek bones and the planes of my face. Yeah, i want to get one.
Man Rays Bronzing Oil is a just-for-fun product. It is a dry oil, so while it feels oily, it isn't greasy. It's a cosmetic for your body. I'm skipping because i don't do much flesh exposure, but if you do, it will definitely add festive shimmer and sparkle wherever you put it.
I've already commented on the 167 SE SH Face Blender Brush. I found it disappointing. I've tried to resist MAC brushes but i am slowly falling for quite a few. This one, besides shedding a LOT of little short black hairs all over my face when i tested the bronzer/bronzing powders, just did not tug at my heart strings. It just did not seem to be worth the money, no matter how cute it looks.
I couldn't resist putting the nail polishes on my baby finger nails. But i can absolutely resist buying them. Tropical has a sheer brown base with copper glitter in one size. It is wearable in one pass - if i bought this, that's how i'd wear it - but the glitter is rather uneven, so i think most people will find 2 coats more appealing.
Scorching Haute has a nearly colorless base with bright magenta glitter in two sizes, small and fine. One coat was absolutely unsatisfying, with very uneven coverage and obviously scant glitter. I put on 2 coats and the base seems slightly lavender-grey, but not interesting. Two coats gave me sufficient coverage, but i have hands the size of an 8 year old and small fingernails. The SA in my stand-alone MAC likes it and says she'll wear it over a coat of black polish. This looks too much like other glitter polishes i've seen and have. For example, I have a Revlon polish that is not a dupe, called Facets of Fuchsia, but has plenty of magenta glitter in several sizes and shapes and a darker base so it's easier to put on and to wear, and costs a lot less than MAC's polish - around $5US for 0.5 fl.oz. versus MAC at $16US for 0.34 fl. oz.
Both nail lacquers in this collection are skips for me.
Well, that's my roundup.
My shopping list:
Altered Beige Lustre Lipstick
Sheer Seduction Dazzle Lipstick
Caliente Dazzle Lipstick
Underdressed Lipglass
Rich Glance Powerchrome Eye Pencil
Temperature Rising Eye Shadow Quad
Golden Elixir Strobe Liquid
and probably Soft Sand Bronzing Powder
Darn, that's way too much!
The two quads... I think my pic does not give some colors justice. They are both pretty cool
