Like most desi girls, I’m a fan of MAC products. The pigmented shades, professional brushes and manageable prices are unbeatable. But, I have to say I’m less than impressed with the new Style Black Collection arriving next month in MAC stores. While I’m sure the products will sell out quickly like all the ones before, I find the collection contrived, boring and completely uninspired.
MAC is known for its bold looks and innovative style. But, they have definitely dropped the ball on this one. Black nail polish? Been done. Black eye shadow? Used and abused. Black lipgloss? Already graced the YSL collection a year ago. MAC seems to be simply repackaging old ideas and trying to dupe us into thinking they are new, fresh and edgy. Edgy maybe (if you are intrigued by the goth chick look), but completely unimaginative.
This is not to say I won’t purchase the products, I am a sucker for a good black polish and quite tempted to try a cheaper version of the YSL-esque black gloss (I can picture my friend, E, cringing at her desk right now and reaching to unfriend me on Facebook – she’s not a fan of my funky color choices). Yes, I will be spending $$$ on the new collection. However, I wish MAC would give its users a little more credit and treat us to something a little more original and fun.
One product from the collection I do think is worth a try is the Limited Edition Volcanic Ash exfoliator (if not for the ingredients, simply for laughs) – yes, it really does contain volcanic ash, plus sugar crystals and natural enzymes. This product was released a while ago for a short time and got rave reviews. MAC has finally brought it back in a reformulated version. If you’re allergic or have any sensitivity to sulfur based products, you will want to skip this one.
Here’s a quick look at what’s available in the new collection as listed on Specktra.net: Unfortunately, for some reason there are limited photos available of the collection. I find this strange – most cosmetics companies like to advertise way in advance. Below are pretty much the only good photos at hand taken by other bloggers (photo credits at end of post).
Lipsticks: (LE) $14.00USD/$16.50CAD
- Black Knight – Creamy true black (cremesheen)(pictured right, last product)
Mattenes: (LE) $14.50USD/$17.50CAD
- Midnight Media – Dense matte black (pictured right, second product)
- Night Violet – Deep purple grape (Repromote from Mattene)
Glimmerglass: (LE) $18.00USD/$21.50USD
This is a new lip product. They are in the same packaging as the Dazzleglass tubes and have a brush applicator.
- Bling Black – Sheer black with gold pearl (pictured left and right, first product)
- Blackfire – Sheer black with pink purple pearl (pictured left)
- Blackware – Creamy true black (pure black gloss pictured right, last product and in photo of collection at bottom)
Mineralize Eye Shadows: (LE) $19.00USD/$23.50CAD (pictured right)
- Cinderfella – Black with silver pearl
- Young Punk – Black with pink purple pearl
- Gilt by Association – Black with gold bronze pearl
- Blue Flame – Black with blue pearl
Grease Paintstick: $17.50USD/$21.00CAD
- Intense Black – Black base with purple shimmer. These are water-/smudge-resistant.
Penultimate Liner: (Permanent) $16.50USD/$20.00CAD
- Rapidblack – True black
Eye Kohl: (LE) $14.50USD/$17.50CAD
- Smolder – Intense Black
Some MAC stores are reporting the collection will be available the first week of September, others are claiming a date of September 24th. Once the release date is announced, we will update this post.
So, what do you guys think – hot or not? Purchase or wait till the next collection comes out? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section.
http://elecrticbanana.typepad.com/my_weblog/beauty/
http://www.specktra.net/forum/f250/mac-style-black-collection-sep-09-a-142350/
http://theglamazons.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-look-mac-black-style.html
http://toomuchblush.blogspot.com/2009/07/mac-style-black-glimmerglass-swatches.html
http://toomuchblush.blogspot.com/2009/07/mac-style-black-quickie.html
http://www.makeupstash.com/2009/08/mac-style-black-promo-photo.html
Yeah, I guess this IS indeed a boring collection. But then am also wondering what would I (or you?) do differently? Black is black, right? How can we change it up and make it look different? Just thinking…
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Hi Kashmira
You’re absolutely right, black is pretty hard to be creative with. What I meant by boring was that MAC “half-assed” it, if you will, by refusing to be innovative and just putting out an all black collection for the Fall. It seems they didn’t feel like taking the time out to play with color (I would have loved to see a purple, turquoise or pink grease paintstick). In the case of the Black line, maybe a new product like black sequins for the lash line, or just something a little funky to give the old-looking collection a little oomph.
They’re clutching at straws with the black lipstick – but then again, you never know – it could become the next rage a la 90s Vamp! Who knows, maybe I’ll even give it a shot
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I’ve seen lots of black lipstick in editorials recently and think it looks amazing. My question is: what make-up would you wear on the rest of your face? I’m guessing it would have to be flawless skin + not a lot of anything else to be able to pull it off. Might be a bit too bold for me!
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i think they’re getting inspired by Lady Gaga! :p
my mom had a heart attack wen she saw me in the summer with a tan n bangs on my forehead…if i used Mac’s new line she would seriously have a heart attack!
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I’m a bit so-so about MAC but I love a lot of mineralized line stuff.
I’m drooling over their Gilt By Association eyeshadow, it’s nothign too exciting as I’m a play it safe girl and this is right up my alley.
I also love Dazzleglasses and have about 14 of them already, hehe.. but certainly won’t be buying a black one! No matter how gorgeous it’ll look at the shop. Am holding out for their Dazzle cremes lip glosses which are launching on the same date here.
Phew, this is turning into a long post. Just want to add Volcanic Ash looks/sounds pretty amazing, may succumb to the hype and buy.
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i saw a blonde girl with v fair skin wearing the black nail polish. it looked good on her, but youre right, this look is staid, in general.
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Hi Leia!
Yeah, I think it would have to be a flawless face. The idea of pink cheeks and eyeshadow with black lipstick doesn’t sound too great. I think this lipstick is best for someone with very milky skin and doesn’t need too much of anything on their face. Just a little mascara, black lips and that’s all. What were the looks like in the editorials you’ve seen?
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Hahah I love the tan and bangs look! I had the same thing before I chopped all my hair off.
Maybe you can try out the mineralize shadows rather than scaring your poor mom with the black lips
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Hi Supe!
If you like the black with gold idea, check out “Nightclubbing” by Nars – it’s one of my favorites!!
There’s a cremesheen called Boy Bait coming out that I’m excited to try – it’s a nude-y pearl and will be great for the fall/winter smokey eye with nude lip look!
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I love love love love black nail polish. This is one product I’m glad they’re releasing – MAC polishes are quite nice in general. Although, I have to say my black Milani polish is pretty great, too.
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Thanks, I have boy bait and love it. I’ve heard it’s going to be repromoted around christmas. Originally came out around Feb? I think. But yes, it’s a good nude, it’s the only lip colour I wear really, have lots of circa nudey-pinky-corals and one solitary matte red lipstick that I sometimes ooh and aah over but don’t have the guts to wear, hehe.
I have seen nightclubbing and it’s ideal, just that I’m staying away from the temptation of buying the solos, I already have a collection of the NARS duos, which I love, it’s an expensive obsession to maintain, seriously.
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Yeah, I believe Boy Bait, plus two others called Ever so Rich and Partial to Pink, were Limited Edition cremesheens that are being repromoted (again, for a limited time). I missed the first round, so will grab it when it comes out in the holidays!
I completely understand the hole-in-the-pocket syndrome when it comes to Nars. Lucky for me, Kalsoom (from Chup) got me a fantastic palette with about 6 colors from NARS for my birthday and it included Nightclubbing plus a black/blue and black/green. I was the happiest girl alive
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Haha, brilliant! Like when they say a real man will buy you diamonds, IMO, a real BFF will buy you NARS! I’m envious!
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