I wanted to be able to wear cozy knits and boots, and I finally got my wish! With hues perfect for pairing with snugly sweaters, MAC released the Après Chic Collection with Mineralize formulas for glowing skin, eyes, and lips. Let’s check out a few pieces from Après Chic!
MAC Après Chic
MAC Après Chic
Everything is broken down into categories for eyes, lips, cheeks, and nails:
Eyes…
Ice Mineralize Eyeshadow
Ice
Ice is a Mineralize Eyeshadow with a light peach base with beige veining. It translates mostly as beige on the skin, with maybe a tinge of peach—but just barely. I couldn’t get a lot of pigment payoff with Ice, but generally I like my pale shadows on the sheer side. I’ll likely still use this one when I need a light pop of color.
Frost at Midnight Mineralize Eyeshadow
Frost at Midnight
Frost at Midnight Mineralize Eyeshadow is a deep blue with grey veining. What a beautiful color, right? Sadly, this one doesn’t translate well on the skin at all, and after I blend it, it just looks like I’m wearing a pale grey eyeshadow (see the look below). This was a major bummer. If you have this shadow and love it—can you tell me if I’m just doing something wrong? I don’t own many Mineralize shadows yet, and I’m curious if there’s something off about them for me.
Ice, Frost at Midnight
Mountain Air Pro Longwear Eyeliner
I am insanely in love with this vibrant teal Pro Longwear Eyeliner in Mountain Air. I think it glides really smoothly, wears all day, and has great pigmentation. I recommend this one!
Mountain Air Pro Longwear Eyeliner
Wearing Mineralize Eyeshadows Ice, and Frost at Midnight with Mountain Air Pro Longwear Eyeliner
Lips…
Lipstick — Cozy Up (matte)
Cozy Up is a delicious, deep caramel matte lipstick that became an instant must-have for me. Redheads, this shade was made for you! And even if you’re not a redhead, this is a nice warm hue that doesn’t pull too coppery or too beige. I often have the problem of one or the other, and this sits right in the middle and I love it.
Cozy Up (matte)
Cozy Up
Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm — Pure & Tender, Stay Warm
The Mineralize Tinted Lip Balms were an entirely new experience for me; I’ve never worn anything from MAC like them. They’re like liquid lip shines with a bit of a gloss/balm factor to them. The finish is super shiny, and the color payoff was quite sheer on the two shades I tried; Pure & Tender (creamy nude), and Stay Warm (creamy light pink). These feel very buttery on the lips, and super comfy—I love the way they feel. There’s a little bit of the same vanilla-ish flavor that Lipglass has. I really like these, they make my lips feel moist and they stay that way.
slanted applicator tips
Pure & Tender, Stay Warm
Pure & Tender Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm
Stay Warm Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm
Cheeks…
Amber Glow Mineralize Blush
Amber Glow Mineralize Blush
Amber Glow is a warm peach Mineralize Blush. I think the Mineralize formula for blushes is brilliant, because they’re very refined, then baked to allow just the right amount of product that YOU actually get to control. You know how sometimes, you see someone, and their blush is wearing THEM? That won’t happen with this blush, it’s petal soft and sheer—but you can still see kisses of color. If someone were new to makeup, I would feel comfortable handing them Amber Glow (or almost any Mineralize Blush for that matter), and tell them to go to town. These make the skin look healthy and glowy, I’m such a fan of this one.
Amber Glow Mineralize Blush
Nails…
Nail Lacquers — Hangin’ Loose, Dangerously Fun
Hangin’ Loose
Dangerously Fun
Hangin’ Loose is a pink-beige nude lacquer with a hint of pearl shimmer. It’s absolutely gorgeous and very chic and sophisticated, but a little patchy after two coats, so you’ll likely need three coats for complete coverage. I don’t find any flow issues with the formula itself, and I thought the viscosity was just right.
Dangerously Fun is a deep berry lacquer that gave opaque coverage in two coats. I felt the formula on this one was a little thinner, but not troublesome. I didn’t have any streaking or patchiness, so all was well!
Bottom Line…
Of the collection, I’d pick the Cozy Up Lipstick, Pro Longwear Eyeliner in Mountain Air, the Mineralize Tinted Lip Balms, and the Amber Glow Mineralize Blush for purchase. I was really bummed about the quality of the eyeshadows!
Price & Availability…
Lipstick—$15, Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm—$19.50, Nail Lacquer—$16, Pro Longwear Eyeliner—$19.50, Mineralize Eyeshadow—$21, Mineralize Blush—$23.50; MAC Cosmetics locations and maccosmetics.com through February 6th, 2013
