MAC Nail Trend F/W 2010 Swatches & Review
Jin Soon does it again! Following up her slam dunk sell-out collaboration with MAC last fall, they have teamed up again on Nail Trend F/W 10.
If you aren’t familiar with the genius that is Jin Soon check out The Nail Files interview I posted last year. She’s major in the editorial world and really on her game with color as evidenced by the nail polishes she created with MAC. Mistress of the art of the sophisticated nail, Jin Soon was inspired this season by the sensual pleasures of the Forbidden City for Nail Trend F/W ’10 – colours taken from the sculptures, tiles, architecture, fabrics, and decorative papers of Imperial China. Jin synthesized this vision to arrive at a collection in exotic and ravishing combinations of orange, blue, taupe, green, purple and, of course, lacquer red. |
Application and Formula: MAC polishes are 4-Free (including Formaldehyde Resin). The brush is firm and short and the cap is rubberized giving a sturdy grip. Normally I love the brush on MAC polishes but for some reason with this collection the stiffness caused a bit of patchiness with the darkest color.
I think my friend Heather Park said it best when she described the finish of the polishes as resembling “car paint.” The bottles are very deceptive as the micro fine glitter gives the impression that this will be one big glitter ball but it’s not that kind of party.
As I mentioned in my review of the Alice & Olivia lacquers, MAC’s formula has impressed me lately and for the most part this collection follows suit but there are a few problems as I noted in the individual color review.
I must advise that you be careful with removal. With the exception of Earthly Harmony and Imperial Flower, they all stained my fingers in spite of putting cuticle oil on my skin prior.
Jade Dragon – um can we pause for just a second and stare at this beauty? I mean really, this color is ridiculous. The shimmer is subtle but captivating, the shade of green is a vivid evergreen and it glides on in a flawless two coats. I honestly wasn’t expecting much from Jade Dragon. As much as I love greens I’ve become a bit jaded, no pun intended, and find it hard to be truly wowed but this one reeled me in. I’m telling you, go swatch this at your MAC counter the day it comes out and you won’t be able to walk away without it. If you do, I seriously question your judgment.
Rain of Flowers is a deep purple that looks more indigo when dried. The mass amounts of blue micro-glitter are to blame. In the bottle I thought this would be the opaque version of Illamasqua Boo but it let me down. It’s really dark and even though up close and in bright light you can see the shimmer it looks like a vampy creme from far away. My other issue is that it went on patchy thanks to the stiff brush so I needed three coats. No bueno!
Ming Blue is inspired by the shade of a Ming vase. Okay don’t judge me but I play Farmville on Facebook and the first thing I thought of when I saw this was the morning glory flowers you can plant in the game. I said don’t judge. Anyway, this color is achingly gorgeous with its flecks aqua shimmer.
Earthly Harmony fits in well with the whole neutral trend happening right now. This warm taupe with bronzey gold shimmer reminds me of SOPI Under My Trench Coat. I’ll have to dig that one out and see for myself. I must say that I was impressed that in spite of its creamy light base, this one flowed easily and provided full coverage in two coats.
Concubine is a sexy dark cherry red with light red sparkle. The base has a jelly-ish feel and look to it so this one applied a bit on the sheer side. I’m showing it with only two coats which looks just about perfect outside of a touch of VNL (visible nail line). I must admit that while I get that the name fits in with the theme, I’m not really on board with it due to the negative connotation associated with the word.
Imperial Flower is a bright juicy orange with some red-orange leanings due to the red shimmer. It’s like a more subdued version of China Glaze Orange Marmalade. I love this type of shade for summer but it doesn’t necessarily say fall to me. Like Concubine, this color had some VNL issues but the jelly look makes up for it.
Bottom Line: With so many brands embracing the glitter this fall it’s somewhat refreshing to see a collection with exciting colors that are little more low key on the finish. I know a lot of you are anti-glitter for many reason so this is a way to add some glam without going all out.
Obviously Jade Dragon has my heart and it’s an ALU must-have but Ming Blue and Earthly Harmony are definitely worth checking out. Rain of Flowers gets a pass from me and while Concubine and Imperial Flower aren’t uber-unique I don’t doubt they will sell out.
MAC Nail Trend F/W 2010 launches on August 26th, 2010 in the US and October 2010 Internationally. The polishes will be available at MAC counters nationwide and online at MACCosmetics.com, Nordstrom.com and Bloomingdales.com. They typically appear online a couple days before the official launch date. MAC Nail Trend polishes retail for $13/ea.
Thoughts on the collection? Which colors do you intend to pick up? What do you think of the finish? Any comparison requests?
I know I’m behind on the whole comparison thing but you all had so many great suggestions, it’s hard to get through them all. I’ll try to post the MAC ones before they go on sale.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by MAC. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Though I love nail polish dearly I don’t normally find myself getting giddy over it, but when it comes to this collection I can’t help myself! Every single color is gorgeous and this is absolutely the first collection that I’ve ever run across in which I NEED every single color.
Thanks for swatching it!!
some of these are interesting, but I think the RBL fall collection is similar, and better!
Those are all beautiful! I see some ‘similar’ to other shades, but after seeing these swatched I think I’m going to get them all. Always liked MAC polishes.
never knew that MAC had nail polishes. thanks for the swatches…
Maricela
I want to take this collection home and cuddle with it. I love it, though I think I’m in the minority.
wow.. thanks for the swatches sweety..I love Jade Dragon most..
Jade Dragon is beautiful, too much so for words. I have never bought a MAC polish and don’t usually get anything that costs more than an OPI I may have to make an exception for this.
I just had to Google the definition of Concubine. I’d never heard that word before. I agree that it was a poor choice for a name in the collection.
I love Jade Dragon, Ming Blue and Imperial Flower. I enjoy MAC polishes! I enjoy their rubber handle.
How is the wear on these MAC polishes? Do they chip easily? The alice + olivia for MAC (military) was horrible, made me not want to buy anymore polishes from MAC.
Wow, so pretty the colours !
I’ll probably get Jade Dragon. Was it anything like CG watermelon rind? The shimmers in all of these do not appeal to me much though.
Jade Dragon and Rain Of Flowers are the ones that I love but the shades aren’t unique at all and I can find shades I already have that I like more (if that makes sense). The price tag doesn’t help for me either but that’s how much MAC goes.
Thanks for the swatches. I’ll stare at the first two more and dream about it.
Love Jade Dragon & Ming Blue! And you made me laugh in both of their descriptions. Earthly Harmony is a cool color, but the finish is odd and turns me off. Can’t wait to see your comparisons, but I can’t think of any suggestions for the two I like!
Saw them in person today and I’m only excited about Jade Dragon. It’s so pretty. It reminds me of DL Don’t Tell Mama, but lighter/greener… awesome. Ming Blue just didn’t seem as unique in person, but it is a great color. I noticed a few people asking how Earthly Harmony compares to CG Ingrid. Ingrid is only slightly darker, so I wouldn’t see a need for someone to have both. I think they will look different side by side though. I also think Imperial Flower is very cool, but I’m totally with you on it feeling more summer than fall.
I think I’d roll over and die happy if I could get my hands on that jade green. One day, I’ll get it and post it on my site and feel the pleasure you must feel right now for having this. You. Are. So. Lucky.
I’m loving the green, it’s heaven! I even love the name.. Jade Dragon, my Dad collected dragons and my brother got a tattoo of a dragon in memory of him. Oops, I digress, tangent. I’ll definitely be getting that one, probably Ming Blue and Earthly Harmony as well (I think you and I have very similar tastes). Rain of Flowers looks so pretty in your close up photo, but I have a feeling it just looks ‘almost black’ in reality, I’ll probably check it out though and pass on the red and orange as I have enough of both. As for comparisons, the obvious first one that comes to mind is to throw Jade Dragon next to the famous Emerald Sparkle. Just for S&Gs as they’d say in my family (sorry if anyone doesn’t know what that means). Love the swatches, as always.
Oh, as a side note, I made the unfortunate mistake of counting my nail polishes and while I lost count, I have nearly 800, is that too much? Is it bad that I want more?
jade dragon and concubine i love love love. I’ve never used MAC nail polish but recently the colors they’re coming out with seem great.
how is their wear if you do an orly bonder sandwich? (I did this sandwich using Chanel Paradoxal–we all know how terrible chanel is for wear– and got around 4 days wear with very minimal tip chippage.) wondering if MAC wears better?
When I saw the first pic of all the bottles, they all looked like something OPI had already done – Catch Me In Your Net, Russian Navy, OPI Ink, Under My Trench Coat, some random orangy red, and China Glaze’s Ruby Pumps.
However, Yay for your awesome swatches and close ups because they are all nothing like I first thought!
I must admit that Jade Dragon looks gorgeous – and I’m not even a big fan of greens. I’ve yet to buy any nail polishes from MAC, but I think my pick out of the entire line would probably be Imperial Flower because I love orange toned colours, and really detest it when my nails get stained from my polishes.
Great review and pics and usual, Michelle.
Thanks!
Jade Dragon is my favorite color out of this collection! Such a gorgeous green.
I’ve GOT to have Jade Dragon. That’s gorgeous. Concubine and Imperial Flower *sort of* resemble 2 of the colors in the Zoya Sparkle collection.
-Amanda
(The Pretty Pauper)
Ming Blue looks really gorgeous.
Earthly harmony and jade dragon are beautiful.
LoL. I must admit that I am always tickled whenever western brands try to incorporate a Chinese theme into their collections. The polishes here are quite pretty but sadly, none of the colors in this collection give off a very Chinese vibe. In fact, nail polish colors are usually pretty much variations of certain colors and themes so trying to name it after some inspiration theme is just plain hilarious. It actually boils down to the fact that humans like a pretty packaging and companies cater to this fact by giving fanciful names to products. I must confess that i sometimes purchase stuff simply cause it has a cute packaging or ’cause it’s a western brand and therefore sounds exotic. LoL. sorry, just found this very funny~
What a nice collection! I want all of them except for Imperial Flowers and Rain of Flowers.
LMAO No judging! I play Farmville too and am freaking obsessed with my winery haha!
I saw these out with MAC Fab Felines per-order when I was at a Dior event so I swatched them all. The only ones I liked in person were Jade Dragon (obv) and Rain of Flowers.
I thought Earthly Harmony looked like ChG Ingrid. Did you happen to compare the two??
I’d love to see a comparison of Rain of Flowers to OPI Ink.
Also, LOVING Jade Dragon, an amazing colour, can’t wait to get it =)
Earthly Harmony really caught my eye but would you please post it compared to Under My Trench Coat since I already have that one.
These look great!
This is a collection I can swoon over. I may have to allow myself a MAC polish. Problem is, I don’t know which one. And, as hard as it may be, I’m probably only going to get just one. The costs are a bit more than I put into the polish budget.
You have done an awesome job, as usual, with swatching and reviewing.
OMG Michelle, Jade Dragon is insane and magically beautiful-the perfect sparkly Fall/Winter deep green. I love, love, love it! Thanks for this fab sneak peak
I believe macy’s also carries mac nail polish? I dont know. Im heading down there hopefully today to find out what polishes are available. I have a big gift card from Christmas I haven’t used yet.
Any store with a MAC counter will have the polishes. I just listed the websites I know will have it for sale. They don’t launch until Thursday though. You may be able to sweet talk a MAC employee into selling you one early but more than likely you’ll just be able to reserve it today and pick it up on Thursday.
Jade Dragon has my heart and I’m not even a “green” nail gal.
Jade Dragon and Ming are certainly rocking.
It’s funny though, last night I put on Essie Chinchilly with a top coat of CND Copper Shimmer and it looks very similar Earthly Harmony – just with an additional step =P ! I like that the neutral look is still in style.
I’d love to see the Jade Dragon compared to OPI’s Cuckoo for this Color from the Swiss Collection, and Rain of Flowers next to Orly’s Out of This World!
Jade Dragon is a must have…Looking forward to swatching the others and leaving MAC with different colors on all of my nails!
Thanks so much for the swatches my dear!
I am DEFINITELY getting Jade Dragon. While I would like a few more (concubine is calling my name seductively, heh) I already have multiple orders of nail polish and cosmetics coming my way. I don’t want to go completely broke!
Jade dragon and Ming Blue are beautiful! I love the color of ming vases & I’m hoping that Ming blue is the blue I have been looking for.
I must ask, but what do you use for clean up?
Jade Dragon looks a lot like Butter London’s British Racing Green. As in, they’re both amazing!
the new shimmer one looks so much like jane from rbl. the green one might be the only one i’d get!
jade dragon caught me for a second, but honestly, it looks too much like other greens that i have- british racing green especially… I’ve been searching for a good orange, so I might pick up Imperial Flower, but other than that… no lemmings here
omg i love the green! it reminds me of those prelit Christmas trees! absolutely gorgeous! thanks for swatching them!
This MAC F/W 2010 collection is amazing! Must have “Jade Dragon,” because it looks so good even on the PC screen! Loving “Ming Blue,” (and since I have done floral designs I know what you mean by Morning Glory flowers.)…”Rain of Flowers” looks like a blurple, “Earth Harmony” love those taupe and this one has bronze and gold shimmer, awesome! “Orange Marmalade,” is too bright a color for my tastes. I would think you would need sunglasses as you apply it, LOL and “Concubine” is such a pretty bright colored red.
I wonder if someone could come up with a totally brand new color polish. Every polish from all the annual collections from top manufacturers have that base of the original colors: red, blue, black, brown, yellow, orange, green, white, purple, black, copper, gold, bronze, then, they add some gold shimmer, here and copper, bronze shimmer here, but the base is still the same.
Some day don’t you wish they could design a totally new color that we never seen before? Just a thought. Nameste.
I’d definitely suggest a comparison between Imperial Flower and Zoya Gwin. Btw, loving Jade Dragon on you!!
I’m really liking neutrals lately so Earthly Harmony is looking lovely. Can’t wait to see if you do a comparison between it and SOPI Under My Trench Coat. And despite the fact that I don’t like greens as much on my fingers, Jade Dragon is indeed very beautiful. Thank you for the swatches!
Saw the actually polishes Sunday at Nordstroms. Rain of Flowers is just ok, but the others are wonderful. Yup, I got them all and can’t wait to use them. Now on my way to preorder the Chanel Camo polishes. They are soft looking, but very noticeable!!
I have to say, I’m pretty impressed by MAC with these shades. Can’t wait to see them in person!
I’d love to see a comp between Ming Blue, Orly Royal Navy and RBL Catherine H…maybe Barielle Slate of Affairs too. I was able to swatch Ming Blue and am so close to getting it…
I didn’t get to see Jade Dragon. Would like to see how it compares to ChG Emerald Sparkle. I wasn’t interested in any of the shimmery greens/teals that came out this fall, but Jade Dragon looks different. Is the shimmer more flecked (slightly chunkier) than fine?
Thanks for the swatches!
Earthly Harmony looks too much like China Glaze Ingrid,although Ingrid is probably darker. Neither shade would look good on me. I really like Imperial Flower and Concubine.
Oh my! As soon as I saw the swatch for Jade Dragon I called the MAC counter at my Nordstroms and prepurchased it. I have a feeling that it will be the fastest to sell out from this collection. Can’t wait to pick it up Thursday!
MAC’s Earthy Harmony (which I really like) kinda looks like China Glaze’s Ingrid. Can you do a comparison swatch please?
I don’t think that Earthy Harmony and Ingrid would be that similar. I own Ingrid, and Earthy Harmony is quite a bit lighter…There is a lot more brown in the taupe shade of Ingrid, where Earthy Harmony appears to be more of a creamy grey :). It looks lovely! I really want it too!! Hope this helps
These are available now on the MAC website, fyi! I already purchased Jade Dragon, Ming Blue and Earthly Harmony, can’t wait!
Pretty… I wasn’t a huge fan of last year’s collection, but these I love!
Call me crazy, but I’m not a green person! Jennifer Hudson’s wearing Earthly Harmony on in InStyle fall issue,and I want to check that out. We have similar skin tones. Tho SOPI Under my Trench Coat might be a slightly cheaper dupe..
I never really cared for MAC nail polishes until now. Jade Dragon and Ming Blue look absolutely stunning!
It goes without saying, but JADE DRAGON OMG! I love Ming Blue, too. But wow that green makes me drool!
Can you please do a comparison of Concubine to China Glaze’s Ruby Pumps? I already own Ruby Pumps, and if it’s too similar, I’ll pass on the MAC. Thank you!
I am FLOORED at how GORGEOUS your nails always look!
thank you! this is my first time reading your site and i loved it! you are so honest, and i like your sense of humour when reviewing the colours. The swacthes are very close to perfect and all of it helped me a lot. I’m not from the USA and was wondering whether to go out and buy one these nail trends’ nail polishes or not because I don’t have that money in my pocket and did not want to spend on something dissapointing and eventually waste it. Again, thank you very much and keep up the good work
I love your site and I know this is a random question, but could you do a review on Lindsay Lohan’s nails from her court trial this year? Thank you!
The colors are great but the wear on these is HORRIBLE! 2 days later there is visible tip wear. What a waste of $13. I can get Essie or OPI for cheaper and they wear much better. Love the color but I’ll never buy MAC again.
That’s a bummer! I’ve never had issues with MAC polishes. What base & top coat did you use? I’d love to find you a base/top combo that works so you don’t feel like you wasted your money.
Last weekend I bought Ming Blue and rushed home to put it on. It looked very dark in the bottle (closer to “rain of flowers” above) but I thought perhaps that when it went on it would look lighter.
It required three coats and it is VERY dark. It looks as dark as “rain of flowers” but with a blue rather than purple tint. I have stopped in at another MAC store since and they also have the much darker type of “ming blue.”
Have you heard anything about this? I’m so disappointed because the pictures of ming blue here and elsewhere online look so fantastic!
PS I also had tip wear after two days even with coating the tip and using good base/top coats.
Thanks so much for this review. I walked away from the MAC counter this morning with Bad Fairy and fell in love with Earthly Harmony and was then upsold on Jade Dragon:
SA: “I see you like dark colors” (I’m wearing Orly OOTW). She then shows me JD.
SA: “This is our last one.” I just had to take it home…