Best of Beauty: My Top 7 MAC Cosmetics Products

Makeup Art Cosmetics, better known as MAC, is, without a doubt, one of my favourite makeup brands of all time. Originally founded in Canada, the brand offers multiple products & tools, many unique to MAC specifically, in very diverse colours and shades, which is why it composes over half of my current makeup collection. When I talk to other bloggers or to friends in my day-to-day life, I often find that MAC is the first mid-range brand that they checked out, kind of like dipping their toes into a large, colourful cosmetics pool of wonder. I did the same, as the prices weren’t too extreme to rationalize at the time (I was about 19/20 when my makeup collection grew exponentially, almost overnight), but it was a nice, gentle exposure into the vast world of cosmetics.

It’s been almost 5 years since I originally forayed into the big, bad world of makeup, and my love for MAC remains true today. I often get asked where to begin with MAC as they offer so, so, so many products (and the limited edition collections that they release every 2 months or so do not help) and so today, I thought I’d share my personal picks for which items are worth checking out if/when you decide to join us on the other side of the makeup loving pool. 😉

7. Select Moisturecover Concealer 

This creamy, medium-high coverage concealer is the best for when I want my dark circles (or breakouts) to be covered with ease and I don’t want to spend lots of time on the process. It’s very easy to blend and super hydrating, so, in other words, it’s the perfect product to use under the eyes before you head out the door. Plus, it’s a well priced item at $23 CAD for 5 millilitres/0.17 ounces worth of product and thus, lasts forever.

6. Blush (of any formula)

I’ve always been a blush fanatic, but I’m convinced that MAC blushes are what converted me from a makeup lover to a makeup hoarder many moons ago. Oh my, they are simply the best! Regardless of formula (powder, cream, mineralize, etc.), regardless of finish (matte, satin, frost, etc.),  they practically glide onto the face (read: easy to apply),  they’re super pigmented (I dare you to find one that’s not, even in the “Sheertone Shimmer” category) and there are so many beautiful colours available! Furthermore, MAC’s blushes are quite affordable when compared to other high-end ones, ranging from $21 – $28 CAD, and they put other brands to shame in terms of the amount of product that comes in each package. Now that’s what I call no risk, very high reward. I could just stare at them forever… *sigh*

5. Lustreglass

I’ve owned (and still do own) a fair amount of MAC lipglasses in my time, but I have to say, of all of the formulas (MAC has a whopping SIX; I know, I bet you didn’t think that a lip gloss could come in so many forms!) & all the shades, the lustreglasses are my favourite. I find these nifty glosses extremely easy to work with, probably due to the flexible applicator, and better to carry with me in my purse or backpack due to its smaller size. However, do not let the size of the tube fool you! These small tubes of lip gloss pack a serious punch on the lips, resulting in anyone who wields one of these feeling like a Victoria’s Secret model in 30 seconds or less. Also, given that 4.8 grams/0.17 ounces of product comes in each tube for only $18 CAD, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you won’t be able to stop at one. You’ve been warned.

4. Lip Liners

Are you familiar with Sheldon Cooper’s rendition of a powerful song on The Big Bang Theory? No, not “Soft Kitty” (though that one is my personal favourite), I’m talking about the one that goes a little like this:

“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows my sorrow…“

Well, I’m going to channel my inner Sheldon for this next MAC favourite and boldly go where nobody has before:

“Nobody makes a lip liner like MAC. Nobody does it better…“

Seriously, I don’t know how they do it but MAC’s wonderful lip liners easily trump every lip liner I have ever tried, be it from the drugstore or a super high-end or luxury brand. They’re soft, creamy, easy to sharpen (isn’t it the worst when makeup pencils break every 5 seconds and are really messy when you sharpen them!? These don’t do that!), are available in more colours than you can shake your fist at and actually do what a lip liner is supposed to: provide shape, definition and enhance a lip colour/look. Oh, and did I mention that it’ll only set you back $19 CAD to get 1.45 grams of product!? LEt me rephrase that, it’ll cost you $19 to get a lip pencil that will both kick ass and will last you ages. Yes, to answer the question that just ran through your mind. You do need one in your life. #promotingmakeupaddictionsince2010 😉

3. Lipsticks

Remember when I said that nobody does lip liner like MAC? Well, this is another category that MAC simply blows everyone out the water in. That’s right, I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing right now, if you’ve never tried a MAC lipstick, two things: 1. girl, you’re missing out and 2. scratch #1, rectify the situation right now, get to MAC. Don’t walk, RUN!

MAC lipsticks, in all their creamy wonder and lovely, pleasing and never overpowering vanilla scent, are simply the best in the business. Full stop. Game over.

Some other facts if we were to restart the game? MAC lipsticks are reasonably priced at just $19 CAD for 3 grams or 0.10 ounces of product (for comparison, keep in mind that most lipsticks cost near double that for only .1 or .2 more ounces of product), are super easy to apply (regardless of finish/texture), extremely pigmented (you have to mute some shades down, they are so packed with colour), comfortable to wear, never, ever dry out the lips, and more importantly, are  currently available in an insane 9 (NINE!!) finishes and a whopping 179 (:O :|) shades. 179. Something for every human life. And then some. You really can’t go wrong with a MAC lipstick. Or 18.
Are you running yet?

2. Brushes

“You get what you pay for”
Has a loved one ever shared this charming, treasured piece of advice with you?
If so, good, remember that in about 15-30 seconds. If not, well, hey, I’m not a loved one but now’s as good a time as any to learn that essential tidbit, and trust me when I say that this concise true fact will come in handy time and time again.

MAC brushes are not cheap, by any means (ranging from $18-$63 CAD, which, if you can believe it, is actually mid-range for brushes available in Canada), but let me tell you this, they are the shiz. They are of such great quality, and though a certain company that shall remain nameless tried to copy their brushes ions ago, they didn’t even scratch the surface. Fun fact: did you know I can actually tell which brushes are which with my eyes closed? Yes, if I wave my hand above a container full of upright brushes, I could pick apart my collection in a matter of minutes. Oh no, I’m not gifted (well, I am 😉 hehe), but my MAC brushes are ultra soft. Like, we’re talking “a pleasure to put on your face” soft. Plus, the shape and size of some of their more famous brushes, like the 217 Blending Brush, for example, make application a simple, timely process. Give one a try, friend, you’ll fall in love, and with the 51 brushes currently available, you’re bound to find something to suit your needs, whatever they may be.

1. Eyeshadow (of any form) 

While some would argue that MAC’s lipsticks are their best available product, I beg to differ. You see, though I use and will continue to use other brands’ eyeshadows, there is only one level of quality that never fails. There is only one brand that offers such variety in both shades and finish at such an affordable rate ($19 CAD for 1.5 grams or 0.10 ounces and, though it doesn’t seem like much, I’ve yet to finish more than a single pan, and that’s with continuous [not daily, but often] use). Furthermore, there is only one brand that never keeps things simple and always keeps me guessing (in a good way, MAC always pushes boundaries). There’s only one brand that I keep returning to and will continue to do so for…well, ever.
Oh, if you hadn’t guessed, the brand I’m referring to is MAC. 😉

MAC’s eyeshadows are simply…
{if you’ve been reading the bylaws for a while, this next term will not surprise you, though I haven’t used it for ages! I’m resurrecting it for the special occasion}
…bomb-DIGGITY!

I love how MAC’s eyeshadows last for hours on end on my lids without primer if tested, how out of the plenty pans I own, I’d be hard-pushed to find one in my collection that is chalky or doesn’t completely stun in pigmentation and colour pay-off, and, most of all, I love that MAC eyeshadows are flawless when applied. I’m not a makeup artist, but when I throw a few of my MAC babies together on my eyes, even if they weren’t “meant” for each other (meaning pairing a warm tone with a cool, or a shimmery shadow with a soft, matte shade), they become wow-worthy and could fool even the most scrutinizing makeup admirers.

To sum everything up in a nice, neat little bow for you, MAC eyeshadows can’t and won’t be beat. I’ve tried to disprove my own theory, but their outstanding quality, lovely shades, versatile finishes and great price withstand the test of time. So, do yourself a favour? Save the time, effort and dollars it would take to test it yourself, and head straight for the MAC counter. You won’t regret it. 😀

 

So, those are my picks, personal favourites, the whole shebang. Yahoo! Without these 7 products in the range, in my opinion, MAC wouldn’t be the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love pretty much everything MAC produces. However, in my eyes, their Select Moisturecover concealer, blushes, lustreglass lip glosses, lip liners, lipsticks, brushes and eyeshadows take them over the top. They are the MAC legacy. MAC gets a lot of credit around the world for their constant edginess, keeping up with trends (if not creating them themselves), and all-around greatness, but if you ask me, these 7 products are what distinguish MAC from the pack; they’re what takes what would just be an ordinary cosmetics brand and makes it legendary. 🙂

What are you favourite/must-have MAC products? Which products couldn’t you live without? I’m dying to know, let your fingers do the wagging below! 🙂

Until next time,
Much love,
S♥