Move over holiday releases, it’s time for MAC Spring! And today on le blog, the much anticipated Faerie Whispers collection!
As with all MAC releases, we already saw bits of leaked photos ages ago. Some at fashion week with artists using the new collections backstage and also some by MAC staff who clearly couldn’t keep a secret. Now that the official embargo is over I can finally share my swatches and thoughts on this new collection! And luckily, early enough before the global launch so all my readers (from both the east AND west) benefit from this post ;-)
As you’d have noticed, the hype was mostly surrounding these brand new Foiled Shadows which came out with the collection. Metallic shadows that can be used wet or dry.
The packaging was nothing fancy. Just the regular MAC packaging with a novelty embossing. Overall I really like the final look though, like crumpled paper!
Initial swatches of these (taken at the press preview) weren’t all that wowing if I were to be really honest. There was barely any colour payoff and the shadow seemed to have hardened up. Apparently the swatching set was used earlier, wet! and that was probably why. I’d assume shadows that are meant to be used wet or dry wouldn’t have this problem, but who knows.
Moving along, here’re the swatches from the preview.
*Please note, Sweet Illusion & Fairy Land will not be released in Singapore.
Fairy Land – Warm champagne
Fly By Twilight – Taupe
Sweet Illusion – A pale silver with a pink base
Feminine Wiles – Light lilac Pink
Joy Toy – Golden copper
Enchanted Forest – Warm rich brown.
Faerie Fayre – A deep warm brown with red tones.
Onto some more swatches taken in better lighting ;-)
I found the Foiled shadows swatched considerably better with the brand new press samples I received. The product was soft and lightly pressed with good pigmentation.
Touching on application, these go on evenly without any patchiness. They virtually blend themselves. I noticed slight fall out when used over a primer and recommend doing your base last. Overall the quality was quite nice. Just wish the shades were something new. If you know what I mean.
I found two favourites among my trio of press samples. Faerie Fayre and Sweet Illusion with it’s interesting pink base with silver shimmer. I particularly enjoyed Sweet Illusion which wasn’t quite so dupeable as the others. I also loved how it twinkled a lot more in comparison. Perfect for that inner eye highlight!
Now onto lipsticks!
The Faerie Whispers collection contains 4 lipsticks.
Among the Fireflies (cremesheen) – A neutral toned brown with slight mauvey red undertones.
A Sprinkle of Magic (frost) – A warm peachy pink with gold shimmer.
Midsummer Night (cremesheen) – Mid tone coral nude.
Gossamer Wing (lustre) – A translucent beige.
My favourites were Among the Fireflies and Midsummer Night. I found both rather unique in terms of colour.
Here’s a closer look at Among the Fireflies which seemed to pull cooler and grey on me. If you’re all about that 90’s lip. This is for you!
Overall application wise I loved how smooth and evenly this went on. Just 2-3 coats for near full coverage. Also very comfortable when worn.
Here’s one more swatch of Among the Fireflies, again in better lighting.
Also seen here’s one of 2 blushes that released with this collection. Cheek Pollen (an almost coppery nude). Apart from the irresistibly adorable name, this was one of the best products in this collection as far as product performance and formulation went. The blush was very finely milled and had excellent colour pay off. I loved how well this blended, diffusing product evenly. It also wore very well. Over 7 hours without any fading. LOVE!
Unfortunately I don’t have a swatch of Spellbinder. Instead here’s a closer look at it.
Next up, there’re two powders. One an Iridescent Pressed Powder, Sparkling Rose (seen top left corner) and Pearl Sunshine (bottom left). A soft peach Beauty Powder. Both swatching silky with very good pigmentation. I’d say they make great highlighters for a subtle day time look. Of course Pearl Sunshine for deeper skintones.
On to swatches.
Lastly here’s 3 of the 4 Cremesheen glass.
Calypso Beat – a neutral pink with pearl
Enchanter – a copper red with golden pearl
Softly Lit- a sheer pink with pearl
Over Indulgance – a neutral brown (which wasn’t available at time of preview)
All three swatched well without any patchiness. But I didn’t pick out any as press samples to give you a proper opinion on these.
Lastly, a look I created with the samples at hand.
On the eyes I used Faerie Fayre (outer corner) along with Joy Toy with Cheek Pollen as blush. I skipped the lipstick and instead used Only You from the Ellie Goulding collection, blogged here.
Collection Info & Price list
Beauty Powder, Iridescent Pressed Powder – SGD 44
Foiled Shadow – SGD 39
Lipstick – SGD 31
Blush – SGD 39
Cremesheen Glass – SGD 36
Faerie Whispers launch January 1st at all MAC counters in Singapore.
Release date for the U.S – 23rd online and 26th in stores.
