Category: MAC Cosmetics

Update June 6, 2025: I recently revisited this concealer and discussed it in my Forgotten Best Sellers: MAC Cosmetics (Vol. 2). This used to be my number 1 concealer. Yes, even with my dry skin, this concealer used to be the only one that I would use. But that all changed when I discovered the Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer (the original fragrance-free formula). Despite being dry, I loved the high coverage, long wear, and self-setting ability of the Pro Longwear Concealer. Unfortunately, as I got older, I got drier and moved to drier climates. I moved from the south to the Midwest, and then from the Midwest to New England. So the aspects of this concealer that make it great no longer work for me. I know this for sure because I recently revisited this concealer. It is still a top performer, but too dry for me, and I should’ve known better. As you may have heard me mention, most days I wear makeup for about 10 hours. This starts to look dry around hour 4, but is still passable. At around 8 hours, however, the concealer cracks and separates. My dry skin steals what little moisture the concealer may have, which is to be expected. There are other matte concealers that I can’t wear for that long without cracking (Huda Beauty, One Size). It also doesn’t leave me feeling dry the next day, so it still outperforms many matte formulas. So it’s still good, just not good for me.

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

**Pro Longwear Concealer ($28.00) is a bestseller for MAC and is overall highly reviewed on retailer websites like Ulta, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. Listen, I know the pump and overall packaging are annoying, but the product itself is excellent. I do not experiment with concealers much, so it is very possible that there is something better out there. But for me, this is a winner.

I have dry skin, and I can still get away with using this product. It does dry down to a matte, long-wearing finish, so I don’t have to set with powder. If you have dry skin, then you know that being able to skip powder can really help. For the most part, this doesn’t settle into my fine lines and wrinkles. I say for the most part because it does sink into my deepest wrinkle, but I can’t tell unless I get real close to the mirror. For reference, the Bobbi Brown Concealer and Corrector formulas sink into lines and wrinkles on me. The formula that is in the MAC Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette does not sink into lines on me, but it does need to be set with powder, whereas the Pro Longwear Concealer does not.

Continue reading “MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (NC30, NC42, NC45 Swatches)” →

If you were already thinking of checking out the MAC sale, I thought I’d share some swatches to help you shop. I’m showcasing products that I feel are less talked about or at least less talked about among what is current and new to the market.

To shop the sale, use the code MACSPRING30 at checkout. I did test the code on all the available items I have swatched, and they were marked down successfully. The only exceptions are some blushes that are no longer available due to being limited edition or discontinued. I will make a note of those items below the pictures.

Enjoy!

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

(Discontinued formula) MAC Love Me Lipstick – Bated Breath, $22.00

Update June 13, 2025: In my opinion, there is no direct replacement for this formula currently in MAC’s lineup. The closest formula is the **MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick ($25), but it is not as pigmented. I have a swatch and review of the shade Business Casual (here) if you want to check that out.

**The MAC Sheer Shine formula is a less pigmented alternative to the discontinued Love Me Lipstick formula.

	$ 20.25 Sale Price $ 27.00 Regular Price
MAC – Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick

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(Discontinued formula) MAC Satin Lipstick – Del Rio, $25.00

Update June 13, 2025: MAC replaced this formula with the **MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipsticks ($25). I have a review and swatches posted of the shades Creme In Your Coffee and Paramount, if you’d like to check them out.

**The MAC MACximal Sleek Satin formula has replaced the Satin formula.

	$ Sale Price $ 25.00 Regular Price
MAC – XIMAL SLEEK SATIN LIPSTICK

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(Discontinued formula) MAC Matte Lipstick – Heroine, $25.00

Update June 13, 2025: MAC replaced this formula with the **MAC MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks ($25). I have swatches of some of the new shades (Warm Teddy, Cafe Mocha, Avant-Garnet, Russian Red, Red Rock, and Taupe) if you’d like to check out that post.

**The MAC MACximal Silky Matte formula has replaced the Matte formula.

	$ Sale Price $ 25.00 Regular Price
MAC – XIMAL SILKY MATTE LIPSTICK

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(Discontinued) MAC Hyper Real Glow Highlight Palettes, $40.00

Continue reading “MAC Lipstick, Highlighter, and Blush Swatches” →

I thought it’d be helpful to swatch some of MAC’s transition shades side by side since it can be hard to see the undertone differences on the website. These are shades I find suitable for my skin tone (Estee Lauder 4W4). The brand does offer both lighter and darker colors than what I have swatched here, so if nothing here suits your skin tone, all is not lost.

Swatches, top row: MAC cork, saddle, brown script, and soft brown

Swatches, bottom row: MAC texture and uninterrupted

Swatches: MAC brown script, swiss chocolate, and bougie babe (LE)

I know that Bougie Babe was a limited edition shade, but anyone who does have it may want to know how it compares to some of the permanent shades. All of the shades swatched with the exception of bougie babe are still available in the permanent range. The refill pans like the ones pictured cost $8. The shade brown script can only be purchased as a refill pan. However, if you want other shades in a regular compact, they are $19.

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If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.

The wanderlust list is my way of enjoying and using items I already own. I hope to encourage myself and others to use some of the products we have rather than being so quick to buy something new. If this concept interests you, you can check out the other versions of the Wanderlust List below.

• The Wanderlust List #1 (Natasha Denona Bronze Palette)
• The Wanderlust List #2 (Uoma Black Magic Poise Palette)
• The Wanderlust List #4 (Sonia G Cheek Pro Brush)
• The Wanderlust List #5 (Victoria Beckham Beauty Matte Bronzing Brick)
• The Wanderlust List #6 (Gucci Glow Powder Gel Highlighter)

Instead of buying the Becca Light Shifter Veil Finishing Powder, I’m revisiting some powders that I already own from Laura Mercier, MAC, and NARS.

As a dry-skinned person, satin or luminous powder is always intriguing. When I saw Becca release this powder, I was going to purchase it as soon as it made its way to Sephora. I’ve talked with Lili (a fellow blogger that you should check out if you haven’t) about it and I talked about it again in a Monday Edit. I still think it looks promising, but the more time that passed, the more I realized that I already have powders that have a similar finish.

So the powders pictured above are the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (shade 5), the MAC Studio Waterweight Pressed Powder (shade dark), and the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (shade sunstone). All of these powders leave a satin to luminous finish on the skin and don’t cling if I have dry patches. It is important to keep in mind that if you do not have dry skin and need oil control in your setting powder, these may not be for you.

Continue reading “The Wanderlust List #3 (Becca Light Shifter Veil Finishing Powder)” →

Buying anything from MAC Cosmetics can be intimidating because of their vast range. The brand has many more shades of red than I have to show you, but I hope it’s still helpful to see some of the shades side by side.

Continue reading “6 Red Lipsticks from Mac Cosmetics” →

I decided to pick out some products to focus on this season. I don’t usually care whether a particular shade coordinates with the season, but I wanted to try something different this year. This assortment went in a somewhat monochromatic direction, which is a look I don’t mind. But I’ll see how long it lasts before I want to swap any of these out.

Foundation – Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer (WN 82 Latte)

For my dry skin, this is the best-looking finish on my skin that I have come across. The brand claims a natural matte finish, which I always assume means satin, and I would agree with that. I have no issues with wear time, but due to my dry skin, I hardly ever do. While it does last throughout the day, it is not transfer-proof or resistant. I have worn it on its own, but it transfers easily. So I prefer to set it with powder. The powders that I do not find to change the beautiful finish are the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (reviewed here) and the now discontinued MAC Next to Nothing Powder. However, any setting powder you prefer will work if you do not mind a more matte finish. This foundation is one of my favorites that I have been using for over two years now and have repurchased.

Continue reading “The Fall Makeup Edit (2020)” →

The Macy’s 10 Days of Glam continues today with the MAC Hyper Real Glow Highlighting Palette in Shimmy Peach on sale for $19.75.

Continue reading “MAC Hyper Real Glow Palette in Shimmy Peach (Swatches)” →