MAC A Fantasy of Flowers Collection (February 6, 2014)

liba

Well-known member
OK I'm going to try and get in a little more of my observations of this collection, but I've got a hectic Superbowl day today so I'll do my best to be brief for now (That's a joke, lol)

I already raved about the new MSFs and if I haven't raved enough about the blushes, let me just say that they're some of the most lovely bright, soft pastel blushes I've ever encountered, due to the amazing texture. If you have to be careful with pastel blushes because they get powdery or chalky or ashy or just looking too teenybopper on you, these new ones are going to save your bacon and give you a new appreciation for them. I felt like I'd melted the years off of my face with them both and didn't for a second feel or look like an old gal who's trying too hard to wear young girl colors. You can apply them very subtly if you use a 129. If you use a 187, they go on brighter, stronger and more glistening in one pass than with the 129, but still very gentle, subtle and sophisticated, compared to the usual pastels and the usual MBs. Petal Power has a texture that is somewhat related to the Naturally blushes like Early Morning, but sheerer and more melting into the skin (but definitely buildable to very opaque and dense if that's what you need, for example if your skin tone is deep). AitA has a white/pink sheen glow to die for. Mayanas' beautiful pictures display the sheen of both of them very well, especially AitA - and you wouldn't think they'd be easy to photograph. I wasn't going to grab them both, in fact I was considering skipping them both, but I just about keeled over when i tried them, they are that beautiful. I won't need any other springtime blushes now, basically.

I want to stop everything and speak of the other surprise winner in this collection: Lilly-white pigment. I am not a pigment buying person unless it's a color I think I will use all the time, despite the extra hassle of dealing with pigments. Most of my piggies sit lonely and languishing just because I don't feel like fussing or they're wild colors that I'll never make a dent in. So I just don't buy them unless they are Holy Grail level. Lilly-white is one of the very special few. I have seriously not found such a perfect brow highlight for my skin tone in years - the only other one out there that looks perfectly natural, isn't too matte or frosty and enhances rather than over accentuates my prominent brow bones and eyebrows is Aurora from Daphne Guiness. But Lilly-white is better! It's just the perfect shade and texture to bring brightness to my eyes and it's nice and sheer, smooth and blendable when you apply it with that intention. If you are NC15 and/or have darker skin around your eyes (my lids and creases are so much darker than the rest of my face people often ask me what eye shadow I'm wearing - it's a nice look on me, honestly, so I don't usually try to cover it up in daytime looks), a wash of LW all over the eye, faded up into the brow is going to instantly make you feel like this is your perfect spring and summer eye look!

We also mixed it with Pearl CCB and used it as a highlight around the eyes and down the nose and that was incredibly beautiful too. I can't wait to bring it home and mix it with Diamonds - I think that combo is going to be outrageous. It's so smooth and finely milled, you could easily use it on the lips with some gloss to tone down redness. It's no wonder it was used all over the spring 2014 runways - this is an extremely elegant color and texture. I'd call it a very pale buttercup cream color, it's a chameleon that melds with your natural skin tone and just enhances, rather than merely color. If you want to, you can build it up into a frosty pale pale yellow. This looked great in the tear ducts with Phlox Garden and Sassy Moss, which are two other mega-standouts in this collection if you're feeling fashion forward. I'll go into it in another post!
 

PinkMaraschino

Well-known member
OK I'm going to try and get in a little more of my observations of this collection, but I've got a hectic Superbowl day today so I'll do my best to be brief for now (That's a joke, lol)

I already raved about the new MSFs and if I haven't raved enough about the blushes, let me just say that they're some of the most lovely bright, soft pastel blushes I've ever encountered, due to the amazing texture. If you have to be careful with pastel blushes because they get powdery or chalky or ashy or just looking too teenybopper on you, these new ones are going to save your bacon and give you a new appreciation for them. I felt like I'd melted the years off of my face with them both and didn't for a second feel or look like an old gal who's trying too hard to wear young girl colors. You can apply them very subtly if you use a 129. If you use a 187, they go on brighter, stronger and more glistening in one pass than with the 129, but still very gentle, subtle and sophisticated, compared to the usual pastels and the usual MBs. Petal Power has a texture that is somewhat related to the Naturally blushes like Early Morning, but sheerer and more melting into the skin (but definitely buildable to very opaque and dense if that's what you need, for example if your skin tone is deep). AitA has a white/pink sheen glow to die for. Mayanas' beautiful pictures display the sheen of both of them very well, especially AitA - and you wouldn't think they'd be easy to photograph. I wasn't going to grab them both, in fact I was considering skipping them both, but I just about keeled over when i tried them, they are that beautiful. I won't need any other springtime blushes now, basically.

I want to stop everything and speak of the other surprise winner in this collection: Lilly-white pigment. I am not a pigment buying person unless it's a color I think I will use all the time, despite the extra hassle of dealing with pigments. Most of my piggies sit lonely and languishing just because I don't feel like fussing or they're wild colors that I'll never make a dent in. So I just don't buy them unless they are Holy Grail level. Lilly-white is one of the very special few. I have seriously not found such a perfect brow highlight for my skin tone in years - the only other one out there that looks perfectly natural, isn't too matte or frosty and enhances rather than over accentuates my prominent brow bones and eyebrows is Aurora from Daphne Guiness. But Lilly-white is better! It's just the perfect shade and texture to bring brightness to my eyes and it's nice and sheer, smooth and blendable when you apply it with that intention. If you are NC15 and/or have darker skin around your eyes (my lids and creases are so much darker than the rest of my face people often ask me what eye shadow I'm wearing - it's a nice look on me, honestly, so I don't usually try to cover it up in daytime looks), a wash of LW all over the eye, faded up into the brow is going to instantly make you feel like this is your perfect spring and summer eye look!

We also mixed it with Pearl CCB and used it as a highlight around the eyes and down the nose and that was incredibly beautiful too. I can't wait to bring it home and mix it with Diamonds - I think that combo is going to be outrageous. It's so smooth and finely milled, you could easily use it on the lips with some gloss to tone down redness. It's no wonder it was used all over the spring 2014 runways - this is an extremely elegant color and texture. I'd call it a very pale buttercup cream color, it's a chameleon that melds with your natural skin tone and just enhances, rather than merely color. If you want to, you can build it up into a frosty pale pale yellow. This looked great in the tear ducts with Phlox Garden and Sassy Moss, which are two other mega-standouts in this collection if you're feeling fashion forward. I'll go into it in another post!
This made me even MORE excited I ordered both blushes!! I am considering Lily-White now, based on the "tear duct" commentary you gave. I only own one Pigment (Vanilla), because I simply don't even know what to "do" with them or how to use them without looking like I have Drag Queen makeup on. THANK YOU!
nanaparty.gif
 

Naynadine

Veteran Moderator
Staff member
I should have listened to you! I did with Apres Chic, but foolishly did not with Tropical Taboo. I let myself be hypnotized by pretty swatches and such, and ended up with Lust and Adored MSF. I can sort of pull them off if I work really hard at it and use other products with them, but they are not the most flattering to me regardless and too much trouble for the pricetag. Not making that mistake again with this collection!

I think the only mineralized powder product to come out since summer 2012 that actually looked flattering on me was Tropica MES!
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I am clinging to hope that I can actually wear AitA without having a reaction to the dye.
I really liked Apres Chic. I thought there were pretty wearable shades, like Amber Glow and some of the MES.
 

Erinaceina

Well-known member
Have we seen any swatches of HH with Plumful? I know that, before the launch, people were saying that they are very similar.

I've never backed up anything in my life, but I'm tempted to back up Rose Lily if I like it in person. I have real problems getting pastel pinks to work for me. Angel is just so blah on my skin, which makes me really sad. Shockingly bright colours seem to work so much better, but this looks like it might actually work.
 

lipstickaddict

Well-known member
If you already have BU's that you haven't been cracked open, no need to spend money on more PT. I used a tester with a lot of lavender compared to a whole box of them and it was relatively cool toned on me, but only if I concentrated on the lavender only. The base color is more like a very sheer pale pantyhose color, if that makes sense - nude with peach tones. With lots of lavender, that base color is still there but with an extra, pale illuminating veil that is cool (and even a teeny bit ashy for me, but not bad chalky ashy, just not really natural (I'm NC15 on the neutral side right now)


The one you will want for sure is Azalea in the Afternoon!!! That's your pale cool pink par excellence! PT you would really need to try in person, as I could see it not being perfect for you unless you could pick out your veins. Even then, it might give you a slight "tan", since you're super pale.

I have green eyes, and Sassy Moss f/l was GORGEOUS on me and not fighting with my eye color at all. I will use it for cat eye wings, but it did act as a decent base for the pigments too.


Hehe, I'm not Mac-Guy, but I'd say all the face products in this collection will be a little tricky if you are a super pale NW with excessive red in your cheeks and do not like adding a little bit of warmth to your face (although PT won't pull orange, just a bit beige, if you're in that boat and could be OK - try in person). Azalea in the Afternoon is gorgeous, though - like a perfectly sheer, sheeny Sakura MB. Even paler and more glowy than Sakura. If you loved Sakura, you will loose your patootie over AitA - it's like the diamond crystal version of it. P.S. it's not the texture of Amber Glow or Talk of the Town - it's only sheen compared to them, where you see the sparkle in certain lights and conditions.
I thought I wasn't going to like it, because I don't care for gold highlights on my skin, but as soon as I applied it, my eyes bugged out! It's so beautiful. I'd call it a softer, sheerer Lovecloud that can be built up or applied very subtly depending on the brush you're using. It's got a pastel brightness to it, but so totally natural at the same time, because of the beautiful texture. It's not sparkly like Talk of the Town, just smooth perfect sheen. I couldn't see gold on my face, which made me happy, because that would have been a deal breaker for me. It's less high sheen than AitA too, but neither of them show too much highlight if you use a 129 to apply (I actually got stronger pigmentation and sheen in a single layer with a 187 with both of the blushes, which was a surprise - I'm going to use them with 129 for quick daytime blush for going to the supermarket and with 187 when I want the world to see my beautiful blush!)

Seriously, both of these blushes are thrilling and make my heart skip a beat. I do already have Sakura and Unconventional and Lovecloud and love 'em all, but these MBs take them out back and leave 'em in the clown blush trashcan. I'm not kidding!
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Liba, you are a star! As always, your comments are very helpful. THANK YOU!!!!
 

liba

Well-known member
This made me even MORE excited I ordered both blushes!! I am considering Lily-White now, based on the "tear duct" commentary you gave. I only own one Pigment (Vanilla), because I simply don't even know what to "do" with them or how to use them without looking like I have Drag Queen makeup on. THANK YOU!
nanaparty.gif
Are you NC15-ish? Lilly-white will be really easy to work with and it's not heavy or chalky so you can do a light layer if you want, without a lot of struggle.
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
You (and everyone else, who I may have missed quoting) are going to be in heaven with these blushes! I wore New SR all over the face with PT to highlight and AitA on the apples, with Lilly-white on the brows and Phlox Garden lining the upper lids with plenty of mascara, plus Fleur d'Coral + Flair for Fantasy on the lips. It was turning lots of heads, which was cool. I felt mega stylish!
Are you NC15-ish? Lilly-white will be really easy to work with and it's not heavy or chalky so you can do a light layer if you want, without a lot of struggle.
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I can't wait to get them. Azalea arrives tomorrow & I did the overnight shipping on the Petal blush after I read your post earlier today
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But I cannot put my other beloved blushes in the trashcan..lol.

Oh, I will also be getting Lily White piggie ;)
 

Serenityy

Well-known member
[@]liba[/@] thank you so much for your in depth reviews as always. Your insight on the whole msf situation has made me look at the whole change of product in a new light. I will be trying both PT and SR with an open mind, no negativity on this end! Hopefully one or both will work for me. You also got me wanting at least one of the blushes however I am on a low buy. If I were to choose one of the blushes, which would you say be most flattering for an NC30-35? If I don't like the msfs that come in on Tuesday I will most likely send it back to get one of the blushes, I just don't know which one. Once again thank you for taking time out to share your thoughts on this collection!
 

liba

Well-known member
th_DANCE.gif
I can't wait to get them. Azalea arrives tomorrow & I did the overnight shipping on the Petal blush after I read your post earlier today
amuse.gif
But I cannot put my other beloved blushes in the trashcan..lol.

Oh, I will also be getting Lily White piggie ;)

YAY! I haven't even begun to discuss the lipsticks!! I have to go out now, too, so I won't get to it until much later, but suffice it to say: these are the "GOOD" lustres, each and every one of them. Not drying, buildable from semi to totally opaque, moist looking, leave gorgeous stains when blotted down, and the color design is rich and glowing without lots of white to make them hard to pull off. Seriously ease of use pastels all the way. I was only going to get one or two of them, and I wound up getting them all except for the nude one, which looks very much like Touché on me. I kept kicking myself, like "you do not need every single one, girl", but they really blow a lot of my favorite pastels out of the water, particularly due to their "one swipe and go" application. Other pastels I love, like Raspberry Swirl or Quite Cute, or Sweet & Sour, need careful application and patting into the lip to look their best - NOT THESE - these are EASY! And they override your natural lip color better than most lustres too. I was very impressed.


Quote: Originally Posted by Serenityy

@liba thank you so much for your in depth reviews as always. Your insight on the whole msf situation has made me look at the whole change of product in a new light. I will be trying both PT and SR with an open mind, no negativity on this end! Hopefully one or both will work for me.
You also got me wanting at least one of the blushes however I am on a low buy. If I were to choose one of the blushes, which would you say be most flattering for an NC30-35? If I don't like the msfs that come in on Tuesday I will most likely send it back to get one of the blushes, I just don't know which one. Once again thank you for taking time out to share your thoughts on this collection!
Petal Power for sure. AitA is going to be so cool and light on you it'd work better as a highlight. I am going to bet that New SR is going to look like pure love on you!
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
YAY! I haven't even begun to discuss the lipsticks!! I have to go out now, too, so I won't get to it until much later, but suffice it to say: these are the "GOOD" lustres, each and every one of them. Not drying, buildable from semi to totally opaque, moist looking, leave gorgeous stains when blotted down, and the color design is rich and glowing without lots of white to make them hard to pull off. Seriously ease of use pastels all the way. I was only going to get one or two of them, and I wound up getting them all except for the nude one, which looks very much like Touché on me. I kept kicking myself, like "you do not need every single one, girl", but they really blow a lot of my favorite pastels out of the water, particularly due to their "one swipe and go" application. Other pastels I love, like Raspberry Swirl or Quite Cute, or Sweet & Sour, need careful application and patting into the lip to look their best - NOT THESE - these are EASY! And they override your natural lip color better than most lustres too. I was very impressed.


Petal Power for sure. AitA is going to be so cool and light on you it'd work better as a highlight. I am going to bet that New SR is going to look like pure love on you!
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so cool! I thought the lipsticks would be amazing.
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
You also got me wanting at least one of the blushes however I am on a low buy. If I were to choose one of the blushes, which would you say be most flattering for an NC30-35? If I don't like the msfs that come in on Tuesday I will most likely send it back to get one of the blushes, I just don't know which one. Once again thank you for taking time out to share your thoughts on this collection!
Petal was my pick for you too ;)
 

Serenityy

Well-known member
YAY! I haven't even begun to discuss the lipsticks!! I have to go out now, too, so I won't get to it until much later, but suffice it to say: these are the "GOOD" lustres, each and every one of them. Not drying, buildable from semi to totally opaque, moist looking, leave gorgeous stains when blotted down, and the color design is rich and glowing without lots of white to make them hard to pull off. Seriously ease of use pastels all the way. I was only going to get one or two of them, and I wound up getting them all except for the nude one, which looks very much like Touché on me. I kept kicking myself, like "you do not need every single one, girl", but they really blow a lot of my favorite pastels out of the water, particularly due to their "one swipe and go" application. Other pastels I love, like Raspberry Swirl or Quite Cute, or Sweet & Sour, need careful application and patting into the lip to look their best - NOT THESE  - these are EASY! And they override your natural lip color better than most lustres too. I was very impressed. Petal Power for sure. AitA is going to be so cool and light on you it'd work better as a highlight. I am going to bet that New SR is going to look like pure love on you!
Petal was my pick for you too ;)
Thank you ladies! I been eyeing Petal hard, thank you for confirming! Fingers crossed everything works out in the long run! :)
 

Odelia

Well-known member
I am so relieved that I am happy with my very first pigment
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Lily-White is so nice - I can see myself using this often, it's such an easy color to work with. It won't be collecting dust in the back of some drawer, that's for sure! lol
 

Icecaramellatte

Well-known member
I am waiting to swatch in store. The only thing I knew I wanted was Petal Pusher. Everything else I'm so-so on. I know the lustres need to be tried on so we'll see with the lipsticks. I was going to skip the Stereo Rose since I already have it and don't use it much but now that Liba has posted I may try that one too. Looking forward to seeing everything in person but I don't know that I will buy as much as past spring collections.

I will say that I'm surprised to read that everyone thinks this is a warm collection. It looked pretty cool in tone to me. I guess I really do need to see this collection in person. It's launching this Thursday in store, right?
 

lipstickaddict

Well-known member
YAY! I haven't even begun to discuss the lipsticks!! I have to go out now, too, so I won't get to it until much later, but suffice it to say: these are the "GOOD" lustres, each and every one of them. Not drying, buildable from semi to totally opaque, moist looking, leave gorgeous stains when blotted down, and the color design is rich and glowing without lots of white to make them hard to pull off. Seriously ease of use pastels all the way. I was only going to get one or two of them, and I wound up getting them all except for the nude one, which looks very much like Touché on me. I kept kicking myself, like "you do not need every single one, girl", but they really blow a lot of my favorite pastels out of the water, particularly due to their "one swipe and go" application. Other pastels I love, like Raspberry Swirl or Quite Cute, or Sweet & Sour, need careful application and patting into the lip to look their best - NOT THESE - these are EASY! And they override your natural lip color better than most lustres too. I was very impressed.


Petal Power for sure. AitA is going to be so cool and light on you it'd work better as a highlight. I am going to bet that New SR is going to look like pure love on you!
Yay! I have the old SR, but the new one really does look gorgeous---when I saw temptalia's swatches, I was like "uhhhh...I like that one better!" Haha! Admittedly, I am trying to save some money here and have put myself on a low buy. Liba, do you think that the new SR is different enough to warrant getting the new one too? I am kind of thinking that it is! I really like how finely milled and soft it looks. These new MSF's seem to be much more finely milled like my beloved Dior and Chanel products that I love so much. Yay for that!
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lipstickaddict

Well-known member
Thank you ladies! I been eyeing Petal hard, thank you for confirming! Fingers crossed everything works out in the long run!
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It will probably be gorgeous on you Serenity! I also bought the petal blush (the only item I have bought so far from this collection considering the low buy). Let us know what you think of it when it arrives!
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elegant-one

Well-known member
I see that! Darn it!!! I wanted to see what I liked the most when my order gets here tomorrow to see what I wanted other BUs of :(
 
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