home                     about & contact                     pr friendly                     advertise                     disclaimer                     product directory                     FAQ

January 10, 2016

BRAND FOCUS & GIVEAWAY: MAC

If you asked me what my ride or die make up brand was, I'd confidently say MAC every single time. MAC continues to impress me with their vast product range and a significant numbers of staples in my make up routine are from them. I have a lot to talk about in today's post, including the details on a giveaway, so let's just get into it! 


MAC (Make-Up Art Cosmetics) was founded by a make up artist and photographer, Frank Toskan, and a beauty salon owner, Frank Angelo. Frustrated at the lack of colours available for photography, they set out to design their own line of cosmetics that would meet their needs. The guys start off cooking the products and selling them in the hair salon. The first counter was opened in a department store in Toronto in 1984. 

Two of the most purchased and consistently used MAC products in my collection are actually skincare bits; their Cleanse Off Oil and Lightful Marine Bright Moisture Creme. Cleanse Off Oil is an incredibly oil based make up remover that dissolves any traces of make up for a clean face, whilst the Lightful Marine Bright Moisture Creme is honestly one of the best facial moisturisers I've ever used. It's hydrating whilst still being lightweight and sits beautifully under make up.

My current holy grail foundation is MAC's Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation. This foundation is the best I've ever found for my combination/oily skin. It has amazing coverage and lasts all day whilst keeping my skin hydrated and comfortable. I'm a little high maintenance, using three different MAC colour correcting/concealing products on a daily basis and they are all staples. On a daily basis I use the Pro Longwear Concealer to correct under eye darkness, as well as any redness on my face that's not blemish related as I prefer to spot conceal with their Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer. Both concealers have incredible coverage and work perfectly for the purposes I use them for. MAC's Prep + Prime Highlighter in Light Boost patted under the eye brightens any look and creates a natural highlighted look.

Two MAC powders that I don't think anyone can go past are their Blot Pressed Powder and Studio Fix Pressed Powder (not shown). The Blot Pressed Powder is just that, a blotting powder in a pressed compact and it is amazing for setting foundation. It keeps my combination/oily skin at bay for a long time and creates a matte but not flat look to the skin. For daily touch ups and to add coverage if and when I need it, the Studio Fix Pressed Powder is the way to go. This is one of the highest coverage powders I've ever worked with and it's a great handbag product. 


It's time to talk Mineralize Skinfinishes. The first one I tried was Soft & Gentle and, I gotta tell you, I ended up selling it. I found Soft & Gentle to be a beautiful colour, of course, but it was also really chunky and it just didn't look 'good'. I've since acquired two more, Lightscape and Perfect Topping, and they're both stunning. The formula is smooth, the finish is amazing and application is so easy! Lightscape is a light beige shade with a cool pearlescent shimmer whilst Perfect Topping is a more shimmery pale peach. Unfortunately Perfect Topping is limited edition but I know it's been repromoted a couple of times within collections so I'm confident that you'll be able to find it eventually if you want to.

Their traditional eyeshadows are good, sure, but that's not where MAC's magic lives. MAC Pigments are a highly concentrated loose eyeshadow that can be used wet or dry for a gorgeous effect. I have quite a few in my collection but, if you're just starting out, I think Vanilla or Tan are the way to go. They're some of the most wearable shades I've seen. I am actually a bit of a glitter whore so I highly recommend their Pressed Pigments or Dazzleshadows. Dazzleshadows are a limited edition and highly pigmented sparkling shadow but Pressed Pigments are their permanent sister. Pressed Pigments aren't as glittery but they're just as pretty! 

MAC Eye Kohls are pretty nice but, in my opinion, they're just like any other. Their fleshed toned eyeliner, the Chromographic Pencil in NC15/NW20, is my favourite brightening eyeliner. It brightens any eye look when applied on the lower lash line and lasts so well! There are a few MAC mascaras that I've tried and wouldn't write home about, however I constantly rave about their Extended Play Gigablack Lash. This is one of the only mascaras that I can confidently use on my lower lashes and, judging from the amount of people that we see using it on YouTube, I'm not the only one!


Last but not least, let's talk lips! MAC lipsticks are, without a doubt, my favourite lipstick brand. I love their Cremesheen, Satin and Lustre formulas the best as they're the most comfortable, however I have and love at least one shade in almost all of their formulas. My current favourite lipstick is MAC's Patisserie. It is a sheer creamy neutral pink with a lustre finish. So many people are impressed with MAC's Lip Pencils and I tend to agree. I only have a couple in my collection as I'll often prefer to reach for a more waxy pencil, however Subculture is a gorgeous natural pink shade that works well with so many of my nude lipsticks! 

MAC products are so beloved in my collection and now they can be a part of yours too! I'm giving away two products today, their Extended Play Gigablack Lash and Patisserie Lipstick.  

You can enter using the widget below. 


I've been so lucky with my blog this (last) year and I'm so excited to say thank you by giving this prize to someone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway will be open for one week + one day, ending at midnight on Sunday, January 17, and the winner will be announced soon after. The winner will be announced in a separate blog post. If you have entered, please remember to check back to see if you have won. If you're under 18 years of age, please get the permission of a parent or legal guardian before entering as you will have to provide me with your address if you win. This giveaway is open to Australian residents only.

NOTE: Instagram entries will only be accepted for public accounts as they cannot be verified on private ones 

What are your favourite MAC products? 

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BlogLovin' | Pinterest

9 comments :

  1. Lovely post! I own very little Mac products, but I love the ones I do own! I will have to try some of your favorites!

    A Little Dose of Makeup

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to win because (can you believe this?!) I've never tried MAC products before!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a generous giveaway! Congratulations on your blog's growth over 2015. :)
    I can't get enough of MAC. I think I bought more of their products in a couple of months last year than I had throughout the rest of my life. Whoops. :P

    Christie's Take on Life. x

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've already said this on your Instagram but fix plus is like my little baby! Haha use it everyday, it's the best and I will continue to use it forever. I'm also a big fan of the face and body foundation, it's awesome and lasts a long time on my skin. Loved this post you've made me want to try out there skincare, I don't hear a lot of bloggers/you tubers talk about there skin care so it's intrigued me :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maybe a little boring, but the Studio Fix Pressed Powders are my absolute favourite for the coverage they give. Great post :)

    Bonnie | bonnbeaute.blogspot.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love their 'Brave' lipstick. It's the one I reach for the most. In fact, it looks quite similar to 'Patisserie' (although I know these things can look different on different computer screens) so I'm going to swatch it next time I'm in store to see how they compare!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm sad the waterproof foundation just didn't work for me, but I am loving their mineralise skinfinish natural, and I might try some of the other powders that you suggested. MAC definitely have some awesome products out there! Great post x

    Sarah | Bows & Pleats

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love their bronzer :) I am not sure which one, but it has the gold flecks? It gives a great summer glow :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very informative post, I love MAC lipsticks and Powders, never tried its foundation and Mascara.

    http://australianbeautyonbudget.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete

Tiny Hand With Heart