MAC - Semi Precious Discussion

[Lisianthus]

Mrs B, I love the look you created with Unsurpassable! I just got my Unsurpassable today, it's very pretty too, mine has quite a lot of gold and green and a little blue in it. Was going to pick one myself, but the MAs were very unhelpful in House of Fraser in Guildford and so I just took the one I was handed. It's pretty though and I'm happy with it. Didn't get any lipsticks or glosses in the end, none of them seemed so special, but I do have 300 lipsticks already and 500 lipglosses, so it's not a bad thing really.

What is up with the MAC staff at Guildford?! I really hate that they're one of the my closest MAC counters because the service is so awful. I feel invisible when I'm there and I always have to chase the MAs around to get any help. I think if I climbed up on one of the counters, waved fists full of £20 notes and shouted at the top of my lungs, "I'll take one of everything! I want it all!", they'd still ignore me!

As for the new brushes being made in China, I'll hold back on purchasing to see if any issues to do with quality arise. With the regular line of brushes, I notice a difference between the ones made in Japan and France. The ones made in Japan have their numbers rubbing off and the ferrules have developed tarnish like spots on them. Brushes made in France like the 224 are holding up much better despite frequent use.

 

[Edelmc]

Just incase anybody is wondering about the wear of the mineralized eye shadows I did a look this morning using mineral mode and quartz fusion. I applied my usual base of nars lid primer and then painterly paint pot. I applied the eye shadow just before 9 this morning and it's just under twelve hours later and no creases or fading. I used mm dry (it's got great coverage) and qf both wet and dry. I am really really happy with these shadows. I am toying with the idea of getting jades fortune if they have any left next week. Is it worth getting if I have unsurpassable already?

 

[OctoberViolet]

I wore my Hint of Sapphire e/s this morning. I put it on at 6:30 am and it's now almost 5pm. I didn't wet it, I didn't use a base under it. I just used an applicator and did a light sweep. The color payoff is amazing and it looks & feels great also. I am loving this color!!
I also wore One of a Kind lipstick with it. It gives my lips just a hint of color. Can't wait to wear Gem of Roses tomorrow.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

 

[Mac-Guy]

More SP Goldstone. As you can see, the size of the inner/outer circles and the swirls/veining vary greatly. Having purchased three Goldstone in total, I should be all set now...

 

[Face2Mac]

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*

You must get the 182!. I swirl and buff that brush with my MSF natural and I get a pretty good flawless skin with FIX+ to calm down the powder effect. I love the 182 and can't imagine my arsenal of brushes without it.

Elegant, I can't do another pink, I swear.

, yeah right, I'm waiting for fall.

 

[Edelmc]

Is blue sheen a dupe for deep truth?

 

[Mac-Guy]

Rose Quartz is sold out on the MAC website.

 

[Piarpreet]

not at all but it depends on your veining... if u got some peach and black it is worth it.

Is blue sheen a dupe for deep truth?

 

[Mac-Guy]

More thoughts on the 128: This brush works very well for applying MB. I compared the application of Pressed Amber with both the 128 and the 129. For MB, I definitely prefer the 128. It works in a similar way as the 189, though it is much smaller, and thus better suitable for more detailed cheek contouring. However, if you have the 189 and you like how you can apply MB or MSF, I would say that you don't need the 128. Generally, I am more impressed with the shape of the 128 rather than the split-sides. While I definitely appreciate the split-fibre in the 179 (see my post above on application of highlighter with the dark bristles), I did not see too much difference in application with the 128. Applying and blending PA MB worked well with both the synthetic as well as the natural bristles. I do, however, appreciate the more precise application that I get from the shape of the 128. I don't think I will use it for applying foundation as I am quite happy with my 190, but I am looking forward to apply a cream blush with the synthetic side and set it with the natural bristles. It's definitely more of a "pad-on" brush rather than a "stroke" (109, 129, 168) or a "stipple" (130, 131, 187, 188) brush.

I will play with the 234/235 a bit more before I post a review. It's too humid on the East Coast right now to play with eye brushes, but I'll keep you posted.

 

[Teggy]

Oh boy, a word of warning....if you are pale and using Feeling Flush, use a VERY light hand! Tap your brush thoroughly. I thought I was applying just a little yesterday and ended up having a laughable amount on my cheeks. On the upside, I was going on camera, and you can't have too much blush in front of the lens!

ETA: Also, Rose Quartz makes a lovely complimentary highlight to Feeling Flush.

 

[LittleMaryJane]

Feeling Flush is the only item I kind of wish I had gotten and makes me wish I had more money to spend on this collection.

 

[Alisha1]

More SP Goldstone. As you can see, the size of the inner/outer circles and the swirls/veining vary greatly. Having purchased three Goldstone in total, I should be all set now...

Your making me want Goldstone now! I'm already considering going back for Pearl next week!

 

[Mac-Guy]

Your making me want Goldstone now! I'm already considering going back for Pearl next week!

Did you get any MSF yet?

I also got good wear out of Goldstone and Pressed Amber. It did not fade - nor did it last longer than a regular bronzer/blush.

 

[UrbanSweetheart]

I rely heavily on my fellow Specktra members & their opinions. If I would've only listened to certain bloggers, I wouldn't have given the mes a second look. Now, I'm overjoyed that I got 3 of them ^_^

 

[JennsJewelz]

I got my goodies yesterday!

I picked up my Gem of Roses after work, which is gorgeous - I went in with a friend, having nothing on my lips, and I put it on in front of her and she was shocked - she said it was amazing how it brightened up my face and complexion, but it was still so natural and soft - she ended up buying one too, even though she hates lipstick! lol For me, it is a perfect, year-round everyday pink

Then I got home and my package was waiting for me! I got Lush Amber, Natural Flare, Pearl, Golden Gaze and Rare Find. I love LA and NF, especially together - they make a gorgeous warm nude lip. Possibly my favourites from everything, believe it or not! My Pearl MSF is lovely, although it only has half a nipple, which I find strange! lol - I'll post pictures later. I really love the outer circle champagne colour, so I'm happy with the one that I got I did find it a touch more glittery than I was expecting, but nothing over the top - still appropriate for day It will not replace my By Candlelight, but it is still lovely

I wore Rare Find today all on its own - a gorgeous muted purply taupe colour with some soft shimmer and glitter throughout. Really brought out the green in my mixed-up hazely eyes. I haven't used my GG yet - that's for tomorrow on my day off!

If I could have, I would have loved to pick up SR, Clarity, all 3 blushes, Goldstone and some brushes... but I had to be selective! I'm really happy with what I've got now, so that's what counts

 

[Sass]

My friend is not happy with her Smoked Ruby...she says it's hella black and it doesn't look like mine. Told her to hurrup and switch it out with a redder looking one. These marbilized to death MES are a hit or miss. I only got Smoke Ruby, but I was loving Quartz Fusion, Golden Gaze and Faux Gold after playing around with them at the counter. I see that Golden Gaze is sold out on the website...it's so pretty.

I'm loving my Rose Quartz MSF A LOT! I am wearing and MAC orange cream blush (forget the name - Lilyland coll.) under MAC My Paradise blush today. I popped Rose Quartz right over it and it didn't look hella shimmery at all and I put quite a lot because I wanted to see if it would turn into a glitter bomb. It didn't! It's gorgeous and most importantly it doesn't go on ashy! Pearl is pretty, but it's not unique so it's going back.

 

[JennsJewelz]

K, so I took some photos of my stuff and some swatches in natural lighting for everyone:


Lush Amber Gem of Roses


Natural Flare


Semi-Precious Pearl MSF (with odd, lop-sided half nipple!)


Rare Find MES Golden Gaze MES


(Top to Bottom): Gem of Roses, Lush Amber topped w/ Natural Flare, Natural Flare, Lush Amber


Rare Find Golden Gaze


Semi-Precious Pearl MSF, Left to Right - Mixed, Nipple, Outer Ring

I took all the pics in natural lighting. The arm swatches of the MES are on top by TFSI. My Pearl has quite a lot of bronze/gold, so it might be a little less red than some others.

HTH!

 

[Mac-Guy]

Your nipple looks strange indeed, but it has wonderful burgundy veining which is awesome! Enjoy!

 

[Kawaiiamaiai]

I only picked up 2 things today from Semi-Precious

I ended up getting Warmth of Coral and Geo Pink. Since I was at Nordies, I have a card so I was able to get in to see the Colorizations collection. I was kinda blown away with the duos... they are so much prettier in person.

 

[Allura Beauty]

lol...

Your nipple looks strange indeed, but it has wonderful burgundy veining which is awesome! Enjoy!