MAC Strength Collection Discussion (December 2012)

[Mac-Guy]

The white stuff sounds a lot like the bloom you get on chocolate sometimes, which is something to do with the fats in it, and I think is caused by changes in temperature. Make-up especially lipstick contains oils (fats), so it could be similar.

Yes, you are correct. If you see "snow" on a lippie, a physical process (mostly due to heat) will force the oils to segregate from the color pigments. This also means that a chemical process begins where the chemical composition of the oils change and free radical damage will occur over time. Free radicals are one of the main causes for skin aging. If you like your youthful lips, I wouldn't recommend to further use this product. Toss it. You only have one skin.

In any case, if a store or counter tries to sell you "snow" lippie, gently refuse and ask for a fresh one. If you are paying full price for it, you want a product that is in perfect condition. Also check the batch number, especially when you buy perm items. Mind you, "snow" can also occur on lippies that are still "young." In that case, it probably happened when they were delivered to the store or your home. If you live in the South, it is likely to happen more often.

Finally, only buy BU's when you are sure that you will finish the product within a reasonable amount of time. If it is your favorite lippie that you wear all the time, go BU crazy. If you like the color and want a BU (just in case you loose your original), go for it. But don't BU for no reason, especially as MAC is releasing so many new colors every couple of weeks. Personally, I only BU neutral lippies that I will certainly finish (Tropical Mist and Secret Lover, I'm looking at you).

HTH

 

[linainoz]

The white stuff sounds a lot like the bloom you get on chocolate sometimes, which is something to do with the fats in it, and I think is caused by changes in temperature. Make-up especially lipstick contains oils (fats), so it could be similar.

I was just about to say the same thing! I get it quite often, due to living in the sub-tropics and getting extreme heat here. I just qipe it off.

As someone else said, if it's gone rancid you know it!

Had to throw out an old favourite last year - a very old Clinique Almost Lipstick in Ruby Melt. Even I couldn't stand the smell!

 

[vaisforluvrs]

Oh, my lipsticks with "snow" are lustres too: Firesign and Venus!

 

[Jennifae]

Now, I have to check all my lustre lippies...

Yes, you are correct. If you see "snow" on a lippie, a physical process (mostly due to heat) will force the oils to segregate from the color pigments. This also means that a chemical process begins where the chemical composition of the oils change and free radical damage will occur over time. Free radicals are one of the main causes for skin aging. If you like your youthful lips, I wouldn't recommend to further use this product. Toss it. You only have one skin.

In any case, if a store or counter tries to sell you "snow" lippie, gently refuse and ask for a fresh one. If you are paying full price for it, you want a product that is in perfect condition. Also check the batch number, especially when you buy perm items. Mind you, "snow" can also occur on lippies that are still "young." In that case, it probably happened when they were delivered to the store or your home. If you live in the South, it is likely to happen more often.

Finally, only buy BU's when you are sure that you will finish the product within a reasonable amount of time. If it is your favorite lippie that you wear all the time, go BU crazy. If you like the color and want a BU (just in case you loose your original), go for it. But don't BU for no reason, especially as MAC is releasing so many new colors every couple of weeks. Personally, I only BU neutral lippies that I will certainly finish (Tropical Mist and Secret Lover, I'm looking at you).

HTH

Thank you, Mac-Guy! That was very informative.

 

[Mac-Guy]

Now, I have to check all my lustre lippies...


Thank you, Mac-Guy! That was very informative.

You are most welcome. On a positive note: It doesn't take long to finish a lustre as one tends to re-apply much more often. It is harder to finish more pigmented formulas.

 

[MACerette]

And it's a very disgusting smell!

MAC lipsticks contain castor seed oil and sesame oil, both will go bad after a certain time. I don't know how the lipsticks would look.. but rancid oils turn gooey and yellow-orangey and the smell is SO strong. Urrrggghhhh.

This is really gross (they say it's fungus or mould) :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shimmertje/5297014268/sizes/l/in/photostream/

 

[BuickMackane]

Oh, my lipsticks with "snow" are lustres too: Firesign and Venus!

Mine are fine. Yet.

There does appear to be a (very) mild sprinkling of snow on my Plum Bright. I'm pretty sure it was snow-free when I bought it. I'll hang on to it for a bit more and if it keeps snowing I'll toss it. Such a shame, because I really love the colour.

I'll be very wary of lustre finishes from now on. My oldest MAC lippie is Up The Amp and it's still as good as new. Long live Amplifieds!!!

 

[Anneri]

I detected some 'snow' on my VG Cyndi a while ago. And yes, it's a lustre too! I am not too fussed about it - I plunked it into some isopropyl alcohol, let it dry and am still using it. *shrug*

 

[MACina]

General question....can you still return them?

These lipsticks are from a recent collection and should not have "snow" yet

Oh, my lipsticks with "snow" are lustres too: Firesign and Venus!

 

[Lipstickdiva420]

Now that you guys mentioned the white stuff on lippies I too noitced snow on my cut a caper lippie last week and I just wiped it off.

 

[vaisforluvrs]

General question....can you still return them?

These lipsticks are from a recent collection and should not have "snow" yet

Yeah, they are pretty new, but I love them both so I wouldn't return them even if I could since they are both sold out.

 

[PrettyGirlDoc]

I fell in love with Jungle Camouflage the first time I wore it. Sounds like you're a tad light than me (NC44). I top the cremeblend blush with Gingerly or some other favorite powder blush. You can absolutely rock it. Go for it. I think you'll like it!!!

CC, of all people I wouldn't want YOU to miss out on this. Run--don't walk--get this NOW!

I didn't get this either. I so wanted to be done with these collections. You guys are killing my pockets. LOL

 

[MACina]

Yes, it is particularly sad if it concerns LE lippies

But I could never continue using a lipstick with "snow".

Yeah, they are pretty new, but I love them both so I wouldn't return them even if I could since they are both sold out.

 

[MRV]

It's not only Lustres that get the white stuff. I had 3-4 snowed lippies a while back. And one of them was Mehr!

This reminds me that I have to finally check out my collection and sanitize if needed.

 

[LAKESHA1908]

Congrats on your PAPA & PIPI

I haven't road tested mine yet either---too busy having my own little love affair with Hot Chocolate--I'm obsessed!

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Hot Chocolate is lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! I love Warm Companion too!!! Haute Altitude I want to be brighter!!! When the package came yesterday I did a jig lol

 

[makeupgrrl]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Hot Chocolate is lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! I love Warm Companion too!!! Haute Altitude I want to be brighter!!! When the package came yesterday I did a jig lol

You guys are making me feel bad I missed out on Hot Chocolate *tear*...I may need to track one down to see what all the fuss is over!

 

[sandrah]

I detected some 'snow' on my VG Cyndi a while ago. And yes, it's a lustre too! I am not too fussed about it - I plunked it into some isopropyl alcohol, let it dry and am still using it. *shrug*

Happened to mine, also...

 

[LAKESHA1908]

I have experienced the white stuff as well on my lipsticks i just use tissue and some 90 proof alcohol and keep it moving...I have had older lipglasses to smell very bad, that rancid oil odor Medgal was talking about and I backed to MAC those bad boys ; )

 

[LAKESHA1908]

You guys are making me feel bad I missed out on Hot Chocolate *tear*...I may need to track one down to see what all the fuss is over!

I knew Hot Chocolate was going to be a winner!!! You gotta track it down!!! I was going through makeup depression when I put PAPA and PIPI in my cart and to check out and it popped up these lipsticks are sold out ; ( Then I followed Medgal's advice to call a PRO store, so, I called the one closest to my state and they had them!! I never called a store and did an order before!!

 

[deanfour]

Thanks for the information about the "snow."