M*A*C

[#1]

I didn't want to post this in makeup, so as to keep the integrity of the site, but I do have a few questions about mac cosmetics.

 I have been eyeing the paint pots and the pigments for a while. Do any of you have opinions on these? please let me know! What colors are good for everyday but not boring makeup?

 And also, are there any other products you would recommend? I know everyone loves their brushes, so which ones are the best? I am looking for a crease brush, or a blending brush or whatever. Any other makeup I might like?

Thanks!

~~We are all beautiful~~

[#2]

I love MAC fluid fix foundation. I prefer make up for evers paint pots. I think they last a lot longer. Every brand has items that they are known for and works the best. I don't believe one brand has everything.

[#3]

I like MAC's shadows, though the kind that come in a pot or pro-pan refills. I've been underwhelmed lately by the collection palettes, they seem to be low pigmentation and don't last as long as Urban Decay's shadows.

Even though they cost a mint, I've found MAC's brushes do last well. I can't compare them to Sephora's brushes as far as long lasting attributes since I've had my Sephora brushes for a lot shorter time. Though the Sephora brushes seem as soft as a MAC brush initially, which is good.

I love the great array of MAC lip colors (hate the lipglass, though) and they are a good deal. Plus you can get a lipstick or pot shadow for free when you return 6 empty containers to MAC, love that benefit!!!

[#4]

I forgot about the false eyelashes! I do get them there, and (though I'm ashamed to admit it) I usually have them applied there, too (such as -- if it's for an event, I'll just go buy a pair and normally they will ask if I need to wear them now).

@prettyinpa, @sephoramusthave: I can't stand the lipglass for that reason -- the vanilla scent makes me sick. I'm not normally sensitive to fragrance in lip products, but that one bothers me. I think it's one you either love or hate!

[#5]

I went to the MAC counter in Macys yesterday, and I must say I am a fan of their new naturally collection. I went there just to look, and I walked out with 2 mineralize eyeshadows and one blush/highlighter for blondes! I found out you can wear the mineralize shadows wet ... well that totally sucked me in! This is probably one of my fave MAC collections yet. If Sephora were to also carry MAC and Chanel, my bank account would be non-existent for sure! (I'd be okay with it though, haha)

[#6]

I only own 2 MAC items. I have a lipstick and a cream shadow (not paint pot, its called big bounce) and I like them okay now. I was in love with the products when I first got them but now they are kinda meh. The nude lipstick (modesty) looked awesome on me when I had a tan but now that I am fair its too brown of a nude for me (NARS Cruising or NARS Chelsea Girls is perfect though!) and the big bounce shadow...the color is gorgeous (mine is bronze) but it cracks on my eyelids. I never understood when people said "this eyeshadow creases" but I think that now I know what they are talking about. I've never had that happen with any of my other makeup items. And the lipstick that I have had a initial vanilla bean smell to it but now I see that when I am wearing it that it makes me kinda sick so I hate having it on. I'm still interested in buying some of their other lipsticks (I really want the BEHAVE YOURSELF shade and I would like to try some of their powder shadows (I tested out their newer cream shadows in store because the colors are gorgeous but I hate the formula and it creases within minutes).

[#7]

I'm a fan for the lipglosses, false lashes (#7's!) PlushLash mascara, and blushes. I love love love MAC blushes. 

There are a lot of pro's and con's about each line out there that I have, but it's fun to mix and match different items to have the best makeup pieces that suit each of our own individual skin types and colorings. While MAC is not my most favorite line, they definitely do exceed expectations on a number of their products, plus the variety. 

[#8]

I definitely wouldn't call myself a MAC addict but there are some things I love. I really like their Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, I have it in Medium Plus and use it to set my makeup; my skin always looks flawless. I like the Paint Pots but I agree that they still must be used with a primer. If I use them without priming my eyes they crease horribly (but EVERYTHING creases on me). I really like the Blackground paint pot because as I've mentioned a million times before I hate when I can't get my black shadows to look uber black so I LOVE layering my black shadows over the Blackground because it intensifies them! I also like their Cream Color Base in Hush, it is a light peach with a subtle shimmer and it works great in natural glowy looks. The cream color base in Pearl is a beautiful highlight color. Their Eye Kohl in Fascinating is my favorite white liner. I love their lipsticks (especially Matte and Lustre finishes) they smell, look, and feel amazing ANNND they're only $14.50 which is a steal compared to UD, NARS, etc...Their eyeshadows aren't as good as UD's or MUFE but they're still good imo and in terms of cost they aren't as expensive as the high end brands they sell at Sephora. Their brushes are obscenely over priced and not as good as Sephoras but their makeup is relatively affordable compared to other brands. Let us know if you try any of their products and what you think

-Sara

[#9]

MAC does have some winners -- I love all the range of lipstick shades (there are about a million), and the limited edition blushes are always fun to collect. The mineralized blushes leave a nice, glowy finish. I can't wear their foundation because I don't have a shade match, but I do buy Face & Body in White to lighten foundation and TM up a bit when I need it. The brushes are nice, too...I have a stippling blush and a large "fluff" brush (which really isn't fluffy) to blend out concealer. As a line, it's not one that I gravitate toward, but I will say that the MAC PRO stores are really fun to explore. Also -- for $14 (or however much it is now), the plush lash mascara is pretty impressive.

[#10]

As a former makeup artist for MAC, I can tell you that the brand as a whole has a lot of really fantastic products. A lot of people swear by and exclusively use MAC, which is unfortunate because there really are so many phenominal brands out there. I have a number of makeup lines that I like for different reasons, MAC is one of them.

I love their eye shadows, pigments, paint pots, studio fix plus powder, mineral skin finishes, mineral blushes, and lipsticks.

I personally don't care much for their mascaras, shadesticks, eyeliners, skin care line, perfumes, and liquid foundations (only because wearing them day after day really took a toll on my skin when I worked there).

[#11]

I have 6 paint pots and I love them. You still need to wear a primer underneath them, but I love them to wear on their own (neutral colors) or to build dimension and color with ... I have one from the holiday 2011 collection that makes for a great dark base for a smokey eye!!

Their pigments are awful. Super messy, flake everywhere!! Get eyeshadows in a pan instead.

I like their brushes, but I like Sephora's brushes better. Not only is Sephora's priced better, but I think they're higher quality as well.

The only products from MAC I would RAVE  about is that they have customizable "PRO palettes" where you can make your own 4shadow pack or 15shadow pack. It makes you feel like a real makeup artist (in my mind) to make you own palette. Just a thought

[#12]

Honestly, I wasn't super impressed with the paint pots either (Although Bare Study is a nice champagne/gold to keep around), and it definitely didn't work as well as eyeshadow primer.  As far as the brushes though, the 217 is amazing for the crease and blending, and the 109 face contour brush is perfect for contouring my cheekbones.  Besides that, I own only Sephora brushes and they do a great job.  I feel like most MAC brushes are overpriced, so I only bought two that were important in my makeup routine.

[#13]

I used to work for Mac and honestly there are better products out there. I would rather use urban decay primer potion than paintpots and as far as pigments! Hate them! They are waaaaay so messy. If you want high quality pay off for your eyes I would go with make up for ever eyeshadows! Best eyeshadows ever! Hope this helps!

[#14]

My friend is an absolute MAC addict. She and I love to talk about makeup, and she told me I absolutely have to try MAC. For my birthday, she got me the 6 Snowglobe Eyeshadows in Warm. I wasn't that impressed. My Urban Decay shadows have superior pigments. The brush included was horrible. I ended up using my Good Karma one. It was still terrible trying to get some product on the brush, even though the GK brush had worked for most other e/s i use. 

I will admit that because it was in a limited edition palette, it may not be the quality of their normal e/s. Still, I don't think I will be trying there products again anytime soon.