MAC Strength Collection Discussion (December 2012)

[aradhana]

Ok, I am a total moron, i placed an online order and have items coming Friday from my favorite Pro store but I drover 130 miles to go to MAC today lol. I am out of state visiting and HAD to shop. I went to the St. Louis Galleria first but there isn't really a MAC store there anymore. I did run by a MAC at Macy's counter there though. So I finally found a MAC store!!! The store had the Strength display off to the side and it hardly looked like it was touched. Everything was in stock. I was so much less excited for everything after seeing it and swatching. I guess it is because I have Pa Pa and PiPi or because it is winter and the Apres Chic lippies seemed so different and seasonally appropriate. Strong Woman to me was no bueno. It is like Spitfire to me but not as nice. It is just blaah to me. On darker skin, yes, grown up sexy purple, on me, horrible. Firm Form was a dark brown but not cool enough to jump on. Absolute Power was gorgeous, and isn't nearly as dark as it seemed in the tube. On me, even with the slight sheen, TS is a good contour but nothing I would totally stock up on. Poised was nice but had minimal color payoff on me as a NW15 or so. Poised was great as a dressed down blush but I have sooo many of those from recent collections. TS does look just dirty on me as a blush. The ALL Woman quad is the stuff!!! It is as good as functional as the CR quad but better for everyday use. I LOVE it. The other one is not that great IMO.

which one is CR?

 

[duckrodeo]

I did some swatches in store today. I was limited to my camera phone but took the pics near the natural light by the doors

Row 1: Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude, Cozy Up, Strong Woman
Row 2: Apres Chic, Firm Form, Pink Pigeon
Row 3: Absolute Power, Party Parrot, Candy Yum-Yum
Off to the left on the bottom: Taupe Shape, and Poised is kinda hidden on the side of my hand.

I'm definitely happy with my choices. I ordered all the lipsticks online except for Cozy Up and Firm Form (and Party Parrot I b2m'd in the store)

 

[luvlydee]

thank you! cozy up might be just the nude i am looking for.

I did some swatches in store today. I was limited to my camera phone but took the pics near the natural light by the doors

Row 1: Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude, Cozy Up, Strong Woman
Row 2: Apres Chic, Firm Form, Pink Pigeon
Row 3: Absolute Power, Party Parrot, Candy Yum-Yum
Off to the left on the bottom: Taupe Shape, and Poised is kinda hidden on the side of my hand.

I'm definitely happy with my choices. I ordered all the lipsticks online except for Cozy Up and Firm Form.

 

[CharlieKelly]

oh thanks for mentioning that. even happier then that i didnt get it...i already have buff!
i thought it might be similar to all the other blushes that i've gotten lately, like small vanity and the perfect cheek...not the same of course, but i was trying to be 'reasonable'...

So is it like TPC blush? I have that one and have used like three times. I am feeling better and better about missing out on Poised now

 

[MACJunkie85]

I should get all of my lipsticks I ordered from the site tomorrow. My preorder should have shipped today so hopefully I get those tomorrow too. They are coming from Nashville so I expect them to be here by Friday.

 

[elegant-one]

My crazy order for ts shipped!

 

[Medgal07]

I went to my store today, braved the parking and hustle of the shopping center the day after Christmas. Whew!

I got Poised and Taupe Shape blushes and I B2M'd for another Pink Pigeon and 2 Party Parrots. I missed out on Party Parrot online, and I only have one that I got with Iris and I had been using it sparingly because of that. I was a little shy on getting BUs, but then I swatched it in store and fell in love. There's just something about its neon brightness that I adore. I'm soooo happy I was able to get those goods especially the Pigeon! If I had to, I would throw out all my other lipsticks and just wear Pink Pigeon forever lol! Yeahh not gonna happen

but it's definitely my favorite color ever! I'm glad to read that many of you are able to get it in store and experience the awesomeness of the Pigeon.


My online haul is slated to arrive next Thursday, yipes! I was able to swatch everything and felt satisfied with my choices. Hot Chocolate is a gorgeous color!

Hi there duckrodeo! Love your choices and hope you enjoy everything to the max!

 

[Medgal07]

I caved. I got Strong Woman.

Looking really good on you MsWestchesterNY!!!

 

[aradhana]

How does a NW15 compare to a NC25? Sorry, I am just getting a hold of this things! Anyway, your review is making me feel less bad on missing out on those two blushes.
So is it like TPC blush? I have that one and have used like three times. I am feeling better and better about missing out on Poised now

i don't know for sure. it looked nice when i swatched it in the store, but i just felt it might be too much in the family of blushes i own, like tpc...unfortunately i wasn't able to swatch them together.

 

[erine1881]

I did some swatches in store today. I was limited to my camera phone but took the pics near the natural light by the doors Row 1: Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude, Cozy Up, Strong Woman Row 2: Apres Chic, Firm Form, Pink Pigeon Row 3: Absolute Power, Party Parrot, Candy Yum-Yum Off to the left on the bottom: Taupe Shape, and Poised is kinda hidden on the side of my hand.  I'm definitely happy with my choices. I ordered all the lipsticks online except for Cozy Up and Firm Form (and Party Parrot I b2m'd in the store)

Best swatches in all the land!!! Found this on IG

 

[mousygiggles]

which one is CR?

The Desert one.

 

[mousygiggles]

How does a NW15 compare to a NC25? Sorry, I am just getting a hold of this things! Anyway, your review is making me feel less bad on missing out on those two blushes.
So is it like TPC blush? I have that one and have used like three times. I am feeling better and better about missing out on Poised now

NW 15 is lighter and more cool toned, maybe pinker, less yellow. DO not stress these blushes. TPC is close to Poised but way better.

 

[ForeverJenn]

I got my order today! In so happy! I played with the lipsticks for a bit and this is what I think , strong woman is closest to spitfire, absolute power is really close to charmed I'm sure, I'm a bit disappointed on that one.. I got some photos that ill upload when I get home... I also managed to get pink pigeon today, I'm so happy I did!

 

[mousygiggles]

i don't know for sure. it looked nice when i swatched it in the store, but i just felt it might be too much in the family of blushes i own, like tpc...unfortunately i wasn't able to swatch them together.

It was nice but nothing special. TS is way more unique but not as a blush.

 

[Naynadine]

My crazy order for ts shipped!

 

[PeachTwist]

I did some swatches in store today. I was limited to my camera phone but took the pics near the natural light by the doors

Row 1: Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude, Cozy Up, Strong Woman
Row 2: Apres Chic, Firm Form, Pink Pigeon
Row 3: Absolute Power, Party Parrot, Candy Yum-Yum
Off to the left on the bottom: Taupe Shape, and Poised is kinda hidden on the side of my hand.

I'm definitely happy with my choices. I ordered all the lipsticks online except for Cozy Up and Firm Form (and Party Parrot I b2m'd in the store)

Finally, someone with my skin tone - THANK YOU!

Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude and Taupe Shape will likely all be mine. The rest I don't care for - I don't even care about PiPi and PaPa and I didn't get them in the last release either.

I do like the look of Strong Woman but I doubt I'd wear it often enough to justify it. I'll get the lipsticks in Jan when they release and the blush in Feb when it releases. Win!

 

[aradhana]

Finally, someone with my skin tone - THANK YOU!

Hot Chocolate, Haute Altitude and Taupe Shape will likely all be mine. The rest I don't care for - I don't even care about PiPi and PaPa and I didn't get them in the last release either.

I do like the look of Strong Woman but I doubt I'd wear it often enough to justify it. I'll get the lipsticks in Jan when they release and the blush in Feb when it releases. Win!

good choices - these are going to look soo nice on you!

 

[PeachTwist]

good choices - these are going to look soo nice on you!

Ah thank you! I hope so. I'm hoping TS will be good for contouring. If not though, I'm sure as a blush it could be okay.

 

[mousygiggles]

Ah thank you! I hope so. I'm hoping TS will be good for contouring. If not though, I'm sure as a blush it could be okay.

With a light hand I think it will be ok as a contour. The color is perfection, the sheen is where the issue is. As a blush, no no no no....at least not on me.

 

[PeachTwist]

With a light hand I think it will be ok as a contour. The color is perfection, the sheen is where the issue is. As a blush, no no no no....at least not on me.

Thanks! I appreciate the help. I'm still trying to perfect contouring so I'm grateful for any advice.