I lusted after this kit from the moment I first saw it reviewed and finally caved and bought it a couple days ago. I’m not one of those Mac fanatics that collects tons of limited edition collections as I generally try to stick with permanent range products (from any brand). I have very similar colors already but of course the quality of Mac products is different. For example, the lipstick color is a lot like NYX Pumpkin Pie lipstick, maybe slightly more orange. The NYX lipstick is way too creamy and soft though and I’ve been looking for something in a similar shade with more lasting power.
Born to Love Blush
This blush is somewhat like Benefit Coralista but it’s a tiny bit darker and the sheen is a different color. The sheen is a rose gold with a hint of violet. It is sort of powdery and dry and you have to use more than you would think to get it to show up. That could be good or bad depending on your needs. I don’t mind because I have a tendency to overdo blush and the consistency of this one makes it fairly foolproof. I have been wearing this for 5 hours, took a nap in between, and it’s still going strong. The pan contains 2.8 grams whereas a normal Mac blush contains 6 grams.
Pure Flattery Lipglass
The lipglass has the same type of purple-pinkish gold shimmer in a light pink base. It’s a bit thick and sticky. I don’t have a whole lot of lip glosses in my collection but it seems similar to my Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pursuit which is not sticky at all but doesn’t last very long. I wore this for 3 hours before it needed to be reapplied. This has a very similar consistency and lasting power to Loreal Infallible Lipgloss.
In a Heartbeat Lipstick
I love this color. On me it’s a nude-ish color but it’s not a pink nude or a skin-tone nude. It’s got a salmon/orange quality to the color which brightens up my face. I’ve been looking for a color like this for a while and I’m happy I have it now. It looks a lot like Reel Sexy which came out a while back and I missed it. I was pretty bummed that I missed it but this one works as a substitute. It’s a cremesheen lipstick, a bit hard to apply because it’s a little dry. I wore this for about 4 hours and while it was still on, it could have used a touch up. One downside is that this dries out as you wear it so it might be good to wear a little lip balm underneath this lipstick. Although the texture is dry, my lips didn’t feel uncomfortable so it’s not like it wicks moisture away from your lips. I think I could probably eat a meal and still be wearing this lipstick. You get 3 grams of lipstick which is the normal amount you get with a Mac lipstick.
Photogravure Technakohl Liner
This twist up liner is a cool black brown, not too brown though – like black coffee. It’s a color that works on my skin tone without looking harsh but still adding definition. It’s not as creamy as some of my pencil liners but it’s not at all hard to apply and does not pull at the skin around my eyes. It’s well pigmented and applies color evenly without skipping. The liner doesn’t melt or smear as long as you don’t touch it but it does not fully set so it does have the capacity to smudge.
129SE
This brush is a medium sized brush with moderately soft bristles, but not the softest I’ve felt. It does not hurt or irritate my skin. The size would work for powder or blush application. The handle is travel-length.
Overall Impression
I’m not at all disappointed with this purchase, even at the steep $70 price point because nothing in the kit is a dud. There are some things that some may not like which I feel is more an issue of personal preference than a flaw in the product. For example, the dryness of the lipstick may be a problem for someone who typically has chapped lips but the texture helps the lipstick last longer. It’s a trade off. The blush is a little smaller than a normal Mac blush but I have never hit pan on a blush and will not likely start with this one. The only thing I will not use is the clutch itself but no big loss.
Pros
- Beautiful, wearable colors
- Products have good wear time
- Packaging on individual products is good
- Good amount of product
Cons
- Lipstick is kind of dry
- Brush could be a bit softer
- The clutch itself is kind of cheesy in my opinion