MAC - Semi Precious Discussion

[Mac-Guy]

I've been playing a bit more with SP Goldstone and IMO, it is the most amazing product. While it has bronzing qualities, it does not give me (NW 20) a fake tan, but rather a glowing, radiant skin that simply looks amazing. While other bronzers (MAC Bronze Matte, Careblend in GGL or LLG) give you some coverage, Goldstone brings bronzing to another level. I never thought I would be so wowed by a product, especially as I did not think I would like it at all when I first heard about it. As the bronzing is so sheer, I would say it even will work on NW 10 - 15 or NC 15 skin complexions. The 179 makes it easy to buff it out, but what I like most about it that I can use the black bristles to apply the highlighter without using another brush. The 179 also buffs away any glitter (which there is little in Goldstone).The radiant skin I get with this product is simply amazing, and I have been asked twice today if I just came back from vacation. Lol. O.k., I'll get a back up as I don't want to run out of Goldstone - ever.

 

[LMD84]

I completely agree with you. I think the problem is that people over-rely too much on reviews of bloggers rather than attempting to form their own opinion. It is important to keep in mind your personal preferences, how you like to work with a product, what color pay-off you want, etc. For example, a lot of reviews for Surf Baby rated My Paradise's gold overlay in a negative way, but personally, I think it is the best feature of MP. So who is right? I would say both parties, but each of them has a different taste and dislikes. Same for Semi-Precious: some of us like glitter/shimmer, other simply cannot deal with any kind of glitter and/or fall-out.
Personally, I am very happy with the quality of Semi-Precious, but just because I like the MSF and the brushes doesn't mean they are perfect or better than any other collection. As stated above, it is important to test out the product in store - and I realize that this is not always possible. My advice is to check your stash and compare your go-to products with the qualities that the SP collection has to offer before you buy and/or order online. It's sad to see bad reviews on bloggers' website or Make Up Alley just because a person had to move out of their comfort zone (in terms of application technique) or simply applies a product the wrong way. IMO, these are not objective product reviews but simply a description of a personal experience (there is nothing wrong with it, but it should be considered with a grain of salt when evaluating a collection).

Finally, there is nothing wrong with passing a collection. The Fall collections are just around the corner and there will be new and exciting products. Happy hauling.

yes this i so true! i also think that some bloggers just repeat what the more popular bloggers have said without really trying things out for themselves. so before you know it everybody seems to be turned off by a certain product. That is why i listen to what my fellow specktra members think of products because we get a wide variety of taste and opinions as well as awesome swatches!

 

[geeko]

All i can say is one man's meat is another's poison. So what i may like, another person may not like. And what someone may like, I may not like

preferences are very subjective and relative....Some like lots of shimmers and some hate shimmers. So obviously if u were to ask someone who is not into glitters or shimmers to review the product, most likely, he or she will probably give a negative review cause he/she already has a biased view from the start.

 

[ansimi]

I don't think the quality of the brushes is less than any of the other full-size brushes from MAC. Just because something is manufactured in China doesn't mean that it is inferior quality. Today, most products are assembled in Asia and I would not worry too much about it. The quality of the bristles is comparable to the full-size versions. These four brushes cannot be compared to any of the holiday sets, which only cost a fraction of these brushes. I'm not defending MAC's choice to manufacture the brushes in China, I'm just pointing out that outsourcing is rather common.

The quality of the handles and ferrules seems the same which means that there's now a factory in China that's equipped to make authentic MAC handles and ferrules. I guess that means even better quality fakes...

We can't know how well the brushes hold up with use but I would be more confident if they were made in the same factories as the MAC brushes I've been using for years. They probably brought in the same quality processes but it's not the same people.

Quality aside, a lot of people care about country of origin for other reasons so I thought it was worth mentioning.

I used the cheek brush for liquid foundation today - spreading it with the synthetic side and buffing a bit with the natural side. Then I went back to the synthetic side for a cream blush. I think it's a handy brush. I admit being less happy with it when I found out where it was made though. And I actually was only looking because it smelled bad when I washed it. Hopefully that's temporary. I remember my MAC synthetic foundation brush also smelled terrible when it was new.

 

[Edelmc]

Lou- did you get any mes? If so, what do you think of them?

 

[geeko]

I for one admit that i DO care about the country of origin of cosmetic PRODUCTS that i'm goin to apply on the face (with all the fake milk n fake egg issues, I'm definitely won't use any made in China cosmetics on MY FACE as u never know what is inside...). As for brushes though, I don't really mind. As long the QC is there, i'm ok with it.

Take for example, I've a MUFE kabuki brush, it's made in CHINA, bUT it's the best kabuki brush i've ever used and it has never shed on me. Very soft and non scratchy even after multiple uses

Quality aside, I'm concerned with copyright issues when MAC brushes start to be manufactured in CHINA.....I think there will be more fakesss....

 

[mtrimier]

a wild nap suddenly appeared, so i doubt i'll go look at stuff today. still thinking about clarity and jade's fortune and all of the msf's. maybe on my day off next week.

 

[VanillaCupcake]

Can anyone tell me if Rose Quartz or Crystal Pink are similar to the highlight in Pink Power from the Wonder Woman collection? Does it have more shimmer/glitter? I have PP and I don't find it shimmery enough to my liking. I really just want a shimmery high light..I don't live near any store to look for myself. Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[internetchick]

As far as the brushes now being made in China, the quality may very well pay. I read this blog post recently comparing MAC 187s. There is a clear drop in quality. She didn't mention different manufacturing countries, but you could always ask.

 

[minnie_moo]

My Debenhams order arrived this morning! Gem of Roses is such a pretty colour- some of the swatches made it look a little dark, but it's perfect! Definitely MLBB Rose Quartz is also super pretty, and Charged Water smells yummy!

 

[dxgirly]

Did a look with my goodies today!

Eyes: Golden Gaze, Dark Indulgence, and Dalliance

Face: Feeling Flush MB on cheeks and Crystal Pink MSF all over

Lips: Gem Of Roses







I'm really pleased with how the shadows applied!!

 

[Sass]

I am NC50/NW45 and ummm I really like Gem of Roses. It reminds me of a pink Freshbrew so am happy with it. This will make a good pinky nude for me to wear everyday w/o having to go nude nude everyday for work.

I picked up the stuff I had on hold (Smoked Ruby, Gem of Roses and Rose Quartz MSF) and after playing around with the Semi-Precious display I added in the MSF in Pearl which I like better than Rose Quartz...eeeeeek! So I'm going to play around with both MSFs this weekend to see if I have something that looks the same on me as Pearl does and see if I can make Rose Quartz work as a blush over a few matte pink blushes I have. My MA picked out a more reddier....reddier Smoked Ruby for me that has big bold, thick lines of black in it so I can get more of that smokey red out of it. Smoked Ruby, in the pan, reminds me of burning charcoal...Smoked Ruby is gorgeous so now I'm off to find a good base to put underneath it.

So I am in agreement with Christine that Gem of Roses was the best item out of the whole collection...which is the best item out of everything I put on hold. Sad, but for me that's true.

 

[Face2Mac]

Quote:

I am NC50/NW45 and ummm I really like Gem of Roses. It reminds me of a pink Freshbrew so am happy with it. This will make a good pinky nude for me to wear everyday w/o having to go nude nude everyday for work.

I picked up the stuff I had on hold (Smoked Ruby, Gem of Roses and Rose Quartz MSF) and after playing around with the Semi-Precious display I added in the MSF in Pearl which I like better than Rose Quartz...eeeeeek! So I'm going to play around with both MSFs this weekend to see if I have something that looks the same on me as Pearl does and see if I can make Rose Quartz work as a blush over a few matte pink blushes I have. My MA picked out a more reddier....reddier Smoked Ruby for me that has big bold, thick lines of black in it so I can get more of that smokey red out of it. Smoked Ruby, in the pan, reminds me of burning charcoal...Smoked Ruby is gorgeous so now I'm off to find a good base to put underneath it.

So I am in agreement with Christine that Gem of Roses was the best item out of the whole collection...which is the best item out of everything I put on hold. Sad, but for me that's true.

This NC50 just covered her ears and walked away from computer about Gem of Roses

I should have gotten it but I am rolling in the pink and can't take another one.

I do love the 235, that I got. It's like the 227 and 214 got together and this is what their middle child looks like.

 

[Alisha1]

Dxgirly you look pretty! Love your eye makeup!

 

[Sass]

Can anyone tell me if Rose Quartz or Crystal Pink are similar to the highlight in Pink Power from the Wonder Woman collection? Does it have more shimmer/glitter? I have PP and I don't find it shimmery enough to my liking. I really just want a shimmery high light..I don't live near any store to look for myself. Thanks to anyone who can help!

Rose Quartz is more pinker and has more shimmer/glitter in it than Pink Power. Pink Power comes off as a rather dull pink, IMO...where as Rose Quartz doesn't.

 

[Sass]

This NC50 just covered her ears and walked away from computer about Gem of Roses

I should have gotten it but I am rolling in the pink and can't take another one.

I do love the 235, that I got. It's like the 227 and 214 got together and this is what their middle child looks like.

My MA had to peel that buki brush of my hands. The other brushes felt too stiff for me. I like fluffier brushes like the 227, 224, 116 etc. I only use stiff brushes for concealer and for putting on pigments/glitter...not for blending, but that buki brush blends sooo well. I don't have the 182 so I may just go back and get it. It's so soft. And Dusty O was right, you can't tell which side of the buki the synthetic hairs are on and you can't tell which side the goat hairs are on. That brush is so soft and densely just right. *going to go dream about it now*

 

[elegant-one]

I am NC50/NW45 and ummm I really like Gem of Roses. It reminds me of a pink Freshbrew so am happy with it. This will make a good pinky nude for me to wear everyday w/o having to go nude nude everyday for work.

So I am in agreement with Christine that Gem of Roses was the best item out of the whole collection...which is the best item out of everything I put on hold. Sad, but for me that's true.

Aghhh, my Mac MUA is about your skin tone - I tried & tried to tell her that GoR would look so lovely on her but noooo, she is so stuck in a nude or dark purple lip look

 

[peachsuns]

I just tried Gem of Roses l/s which I got yesterday in mail. Wow, everyone's description is right! It's pinker and little warmer toned Mehr. The Lustre finish on this shade is really nice, too. This is a perfect pink rose shade that I can wear everyday. I'm in love!

My Mehr got a little sister now.

MrsB and dxgiry, you guys look gorgeous!

Thank you so much for sharing!
Should I go to my counter to see the collection? I have puffy eyes (allergic reaction from eyeshadows) now. I don't want to scare my MAs.

 

[clslvr6spd]

Gem of Roses sounds & looks very pretty, I am somewhat regretting not picking it up last night. But, I think I would use it a handful of times & then it would just sit...I seem to do that, I have a crap load of lipsticks & there are a select few that I use on a regular basis. I am more of a Cremesheen glass girl for everyday wear or just lipglass in general.

 

[Mac-Guy]

I got two more SP Goldstone at my f/s MAC store. There were only three left, one had great coral veining, the other had less veining but still enough coral to please me, while the last one had no coral at all. The store was super busy - in contrast to yesterday - and a few MES items were sold out (GG, BS, and SR, if I remember correctly). I'm glad I went today as I had a suspicion that the sales will pick up as soon as "regular customers" (as supposed to beauty bloggers) will write reviews. There were lots of to-buy-or-not-to-buy discussions about the brushes, lol.