Makeup Wars – Brand Wars: M·A·C Cosmetics

Of all the makeup brands I use, M·A·C holds a special place in my heart. Not only does it make up the majority of my beauty stash but it’s brought some amazing people into my life, like my good friend Christine who I met through Specktra (the MAC message board) over eight years ago.

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That’s why I chose M·A·C for the latest edition of Makeup Wars. We’re engaged in a Brand War and I’m #TeamMAC all the way! Check out some of my tried and true faves from the line that are part of my everyday arsenal.

My first venture into the world of M·A·C came courtesy of Makeup Alley. I received a M·A·C pigment in a swap and soon after I was at my local M·A·C counter, buying my first eye shadows (Satin Taupe and some LE shades) and Lipglass. It was all downhill from there, in a good way.

As any M·A·C fan knows, the brand puts out a metric TON of limited edition products. This is both a blessing and a curse. I love seeing new colors and as much as I cherish my discontinued treasures, when I find a holy grail item that happens to be LE, I want to cry inside. I’m looking at you Graphic Brown Fluidline (please come back to me!!).

Rather than tease you with shades you will never be able to find, I’m focusing on the items I use on the daily that you can find year round.

Eyes

Satin Taupe ($15) was my first M·A·C eye shadow purchase and to this day, it’s my go-to for a 5-minute face. I sweep this across my lids when I don’t have time for a full-on blended eye and I’m good to go! Sumptuous Olive, Mulch and Shroom are other faves in addition to more fun shades like Parrot and Nocturnelle.

When it comes to liner, I live and breathe for Fluidline ($16). I haven’t found another gel liner that can compare. Blacktrack is my staple but there’s still a hole in my heart over Graphic Brown. It was the BEST shimmery brown liner EVER! I found a couple at a CCO in Upstate New York a few years ago but I’ve been without it for way too long. Am I the only one mourning the loss?

I’ve recently become involved with the Veluxe Brow Liner ($19.50) in Deep Dark Brunette and while I used to be a strict brow powder girl, this pencil has won me over. It’s always creamy, lasts all day and perfectly blends with my brow color.

Lips

A quick dump of my purse’s lipstick bag shows you where my lip loyalties lie. More often than not, I’m rocking a M·A·C lippie. I used to be all about the gloss, weren’t we all, but for the past couple years I’ve reverted back to lipstick or tinted balms.

I look to M·A·C Pro Longwear Lipcreme ($18) when I need staying power and, for everyday, I rely on Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($17). They remind me of my fave M·A·C lipstick finish, Lustre, only with more color payoff. I still keep the random Lipglass around, mainly to add shine to a Pro Longwear, and my Cremesheen Glass ($20) in Just Superb works well in that capacity.

Face

I’ve never been much into foundation, it’s always been tinted moisturizers and, more recently, BB creams for me. Though as I’m getting older, I find I need more coverage (oh joy!) so I’ve been turning to foundation more and more, though I still wear BB cream most days.

M·A·C foundations never really worked for me until I tried Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 ($34). I take issue with foundations when they feel heavy, have a strong smell or I can “see” them on my skin. I have pores that hold quarters so if a foundation makes them even more noticeable, peace out! Mineralize Moisture is really lightweight and dries with an airbrushed quality when applied with my beloved Beauty Blender.

Okay, so I lied. I am going to show you one LE item though why the Beauty Powder Blushes are LE, I  have no idea. I love their soft, buttery texture. It’s like silk. And True Romantic is my holy grail blush shade. I wear it EVERY.DAMN.DAY! When it runs out, I don’t know what I’ll do. I guess I’ll look to Mineralize Blushes ($25), like Dainty, though they’re not the same.

If you haven’t given Lustre Drops ($21) a try, I suggest you get on board. Not only is it a great highlighter but I mix it with my body lotion in the summer to give my gams a glow.

Tools

M·A·C brushes are things of legends and certain brushes are simply must-haves. If you don’t own a 217 ($24) how are you blending your shadow?? And even though my 266 liner brush ($20) died (thanks to a certain furball named Loki), it’s ideal for working with Fluidline. Of late, I’ve been using a 208 brow brush for that job but I need to restock my 266 as it’s just not cutting it.

Last winter when I had my makeup done for Jump Back Ball, my friend Christine had me use the M·A·C Eyelash Curler ($20) and I was amazed at how well it fit my eye shape. I’ve been using a Shu Uemura longer than I can remember but I ditched it for M·A·C’s last winter.

All the products featured, with the exception of True Romantic Blush are available online at MACCosmetics.com or Nordstrom.com and at MAC counters nationwide.

What are your favorite MAC products? Do any of my staples appear in your makeup wardrobe? What brand would you be representing in a Brand War? 

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by MAC. I purchased or re-purchased some items myself. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.