Category: MAC Cosmetics

There are just some products that don’t wow you, and you end up not reaching for them. Sleeper hits are the products that once got pushed aside, but for whatever reason are now used quite often. If you like this kind of content, I have three other versions that you can check out by clicking these links: Sleeper Hits: MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer and MAC x Selena La Layenda Highlight, Sleeper Hits, Vol 3: NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed (Crystal Translucent), and Sleeper Hits, Vol 4: Tom Ford Eye Color Quads Honeymoon, Golden Hour, and Peach Dawn (Swatches and review). I also have a couple of products that I plan to cover in the future, so stay tuned for those as well.

This is basically a spin on shopping my stash. My hope is that it helps you think of ways to take inspiration from what you see others using and find a way to recreate it with what you own. Today, I’m going to be discussing some limited-edition eyeshadows from MAC. Bougie Babe was released with the 2020 Loud and Clear collection, while Dare to Diva and Hollywood Heroine were released with the 2019 MAC in Monochrome Collection.

Since everything I am sharing is limited edition, I’ll also offer you some alternatives from my own stash, as well as some products I’ve discovered using Temptalia’s swatch catalog (love her website!).

First, let’s take a look at the swatches of my limited edition shades next to the alternatives I found in my own stash.

Continue reading “Sleeper Hits, Vol 2: MAC Bougie Babe, Dare to Diva, and Hollywood Heroine Eyeshadows (with alternatives)” →

You guys, I’m falling back in love with MAC. I never really gave up on them, but lately, I just find myself more interested in buying from them over other brands. While I don’t like the overall packaging design for the collection this year, I like that they released these sets that have the classic black packaging in them. The MAC Now You See Me Extra Dimension Eye Kit comes in two colors, Smoky and Golden. Golden is the kit I bought.

At $39.50, this kit is an excellent value. The brand states that it is a $91 value. So considering the retail value of each item, the included makeup bag is worth $5. This set includes the In Extreme Dimension Mascara in 3D Black ($25), the Technakohl Liner in Graphblack ($19), and two Extra Dimension Eyeshadows ($21) in Quick as a Flash (bright bronze) and Fool Me Once (warm nude).

Continue reading “MAC Now You See Me Extra Dimension Eye Kit – Golden (Holiday 2021)” →

MAC is running a promotion for $10 off of foundations and it ends at 3:00am EST on 9/28/2021. No promo code is required, the prices are already marked down on the website. So if you need to restock or have been wanting to try any of the MAC foundations, this is a good sale. They also offer free shipping over $25. So any foundation, with the exception of the stick foundation (because it is on clearance), will qualify for free shipping.

UPDATE JUNE 12, 2024: This information is based on a discontinued formula. MAC released a reformulated version of Studio Fix Fluid in 2024. If you are looking for reviews, you can spot the difference because the new formula now comes with a pump built into the packaging.

At this point in history, I’m sure a lot of people don’t need a review of this foundation. But there are always new people just getting into makeup, or even just discovering MAC. So maybe this can still be helpful for someone out there.

On to the review, the swatches, and how the shades C8 and NC45 look on me.

Continue reading “MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation Review ($10 Off Foundation Sale Going on Now)” →

Both of the products I’m raving about today are limited edition products. I know that if you like what I have to say about these products, you won’t be able to buy them, but fear not, I am going to give you some alternatives.

These MAC products have become some of my favorites to use on a regular basis. I consistently set aside products to use in my makeup bag, making it easy to get ready. As I was getting ready the other day, I noticed that I didn’t want to use what I had set aside, so I went to grab this MAC bronzer. Then, on Thursday, as I was about to use the Laura Mercier Roseglow Highlighter (swatched and reviewed here), I decided to use the MAC Extra Dimension Highlight from the Selena collection instead. I wanted to see which of these two highlighters accentuated texture less, since the MAC had been a go-to before I bought the Laura Mercier. After that, it dawned on me that I have been grabbing these two products over other items a lot. I never really expected either of them to be such staples.

Continue reading “Sleeper Hits: MAC Next to Nothing Bronzer and MAC x Selena La Layenda Highlight” →

The CCO (Cosmetic Company Store Outlet) was having a great sale, as they always do, so I took full advantage. I decided to give the MAC Dazzleshadow Extreme formula one more chance, so I picked the shade Couture Copper to try out. I had previously tried out the shade incinerated and didn’t have a good experience. But when I saw these on sale at the CCO, I really wanted to try again to see if my issues were with the shade and not the overall formula. This shopping trip was back over Memorial Day weekend, so I’ve had some time to give this a good shot.

This blog uses affiliate links (marked with **).  I may earn a small commission when you purchase through links on my site.  Learn more here.

Update October 2, 2025: Today, MAC released a new **Dazzle Collection, which rebranded the Dazzleshadow Extreme formula. The new ones are labeled “Eye Shadow [Metallic]” and some of the old Dazzleshadow shades are there, but the formula is different. The new formula doesn’t have talc in the ingredient list.

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MAC Dazzleshadow Extreme, $9 for a refill pan and $21 for a compact

I’m happy to say that this shade does perform better than the incinerated. I’m still not sure I love the formula, because it still takes some finessing and fallout can be an issue. I think that it is best applied with fingers, although a brush will work with this shade. Using a brush it takes more effort to build up and there is more fallout. The fallout, when applied with fingers, is very minimal but it does stick to the face and can be harder to sweep away. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this was hard to work with (like incinerated was), but I just felt like I had to be careful and spend some time building. The extra effort to avoid fallout (since it doesn’t wipe away easily) is just something that isn’t always necessary for me with other shadows.

Continue reading “MAC Dazzleshadow Extreme in Couture Copper (Swatch)” →

The Back-To-MAC recycling program allows you to trade in 6 empty MAC containers for 1 standard lipstick. In select locations, you may also be able to trade for a lipglass or small eyeshadow. The rules vary, so ask your location for clarification.

The 6 containers that you trade in have to be primary packaging (no outer packaging, boxes, etc). Some examples are an eyeshadow pot, lipstick tube, concealer jar, powder compact, etc. See the list below for more details on what cannot be returned.

• Pro palette metal pan
• Outer box that products are packaged in
• Samples
• Sponges, applicators, tweezers, etc
• Makeup bags, belts, cases

I have heard mixed messages about whether or not to clean out the containers if you have product left. So again, I would suggest contacting the location you plan to return your containers to directly to find out. Also, contact them if you need further information on what can be returned.

If you haven’t been following me for very long, then you may not realize how much I love MAC. I have been shopping with MAC since I got into makeup about 8 or 9 years ago. If I remember correctly, my first purchase was the mineralize moisture foundation, which they don’t even carry anymore. My point is, I have a lot of MAC products and some of them were past their prime, so I took advantage of their recycling program. If like me, you do not have a MAC location near you, you can send your empty containers by mail. If you are mailing your items you will need to select a first, second, and third lipstick option in case they don’t have them in stock. I had no issues with the process other than not knowing how long it would take to receive the lipsticks I picked out. From the date I mailed my package, it took about 12 days to get two of my lipsticks and 14 days to get the last one.

Continue reading “MAC Diva, Captive, and Photo Lipstick Swatches (Back-To-MAC Program)” →

Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows, $8.49

UPDATE (March 4, 2022): Unfortunately, the Makeup Geek brand is going out of business and will close in April 2022. The website is currently 40% off.

I have continued to play around with the Makeup Geek foiled shadows to see if I could fix the creasing issue I was having. I have the most success with the Covergirl Trublend Lid Lock up eyeshadow primer, but I do still get creasing with these shadows. I tried the Covergirl over my go to Too Faced Shadow Insurance because it has a tacky finish. So I was hoping the extra tackiness would grab on to the pigment and keep them from creasing through the day. On the upside, the Covergirl Trublend Lid Lock up did prevent the fallout issue I was having.

The colors are beautiful and they give a really nice metallic shine that doesn’t initially accentuate texture. But after about 4 or 5 hours, I start to see the creasing, and then you can really see every line on my eyes. I’m disappointed that these don’t work well for me, but they are really beautiful shadows that hopefully don’t crease on everyone. To get more details and see swatches of the shades, you can check out my original review post here.

Continue reading “Product Updates (Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows, MAC Love Me Liquid Lip Color, and Coloured Raine Bronzer)” →

Disclaimer: I was fortunate enough to be sent a package to try out 3 of the new MAC Love Me Liquid Lip Colours.  This was not a PR package, it was sent out to customers and I happened to receive one.  The opinions I offer in this post are my own and I did not agree to feature or speak positively about these products.

Bated Breath, E for Effortless, and Coffee and Cigs, $25.00

The Love Me Liquid Lip Colour is basically a liquified version of their regular Love Me Lipstick range. They have a satin finish and do not dry down to the matte longwear finish that you may traditionally think of when you hear liquid lipstick. If you have ever tried the Milani Amore Shine Liquid Lip Color, then you will have an idea of what this formula is like.

Continue reading “MAC Love Me Liquid Lip Colour (Swatches of Bated Breath, E for Effortless, and Coffee and Cigs)” →