MAC A Tartan Tale Mini-Haul Review and Swatches

I was invited to the preview event for MAC's A Tartan Tale in the week before it was released. The MAC Bloor store was packed with eager shoppers and they had handsome, kilted waiters serving cocktails, hors d'oeurves and a fiddler playing for us. On display and available for purchase was the A Tartan Tale holiday collection as well as everything else normally on sale.

I picked up one of the lip bags from the gift collection (and intend to go back for more), one of the pearlglide liners and two of the eyeshadows. Pictures! Details! Review! below...

The Vain and Glorious lip bag

I adore the little bags the gift sets come in. I want them all! The larger brush sets come with straps so they can be used as purses. They're well-made and totally adorable and are well-sized. The lip pencil, lipstick and Dazzleglass are soft pink and very, very wearable. Photos!

The Vain and Glorious lip bag contains
In Synch lip pencil, Baby Sparks dazzleglass and Mellow Mood lipstick

Mellow Mood lipstick

Baby Sparks Dazzleglass

Close-up of Baby Sparks Dazzleglass wand

In Synch lip pencil

Swatches from L-R: Baby Sparks Dazzleglass, Mellow Mood Lipstick and In Synch Lip Pencil

Swatch of L-R: Baby Sparks alone, Baby Sparks on top of Mellow Mood and Mellow Mood alone

MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Undercurrent

Pearlglide Eye Liners are very smooth and go on very easily. Many eye liners are hard and I hate things that pull at the skin of my eyes, but these are antastic eye liners and have made me into a pencil eyeliner lover.

Close-up of Undercurrent

Undercurrent swatched lightly on the bottom and heavily on the top.

And check out the colour! Look at that teal. Really gorgeous and an easy way to add a pop of colour to any eye look.

Now for the plaid eyeshadows and these are really cool. They're larger than the regular MAC eyeshadows and closer in size to the Mineralize eyeshadows. I picked up the silver (Glamora Castle) and the plum-purple (Semi-Precious).

I admit that it was the plaid that sold me on these. Unfortunately, the blue of Glamora Castle and the bronze of Semi-Precious do not go all way through so only on the first few uses of this eyeshadow will you get a blend of the colours.

Eye Shadow in Glamora Castle

Close-up of Glamora Castle

Glamora Castle swatched

I'm a sucker for greys and silvers and love the sheer medium-dark silver of Glamora Castle. I'll be wearing this a lot. 

Eye Shadow in Semi-Precious

Close-up of Semi-Precious

Semi-Precious swatched

Semi-Precious is a rich aubergine purple and like Glamora Castle it goes on quite sheerly. This shade looks great with rich browns in a smoky eye and on darker skin could be worn on its own (on my skin (NC15) it makes me look a little sick).

So there you have it, what I couldn't walk away from from A Tartan Tale. What are you hauling? What are you craving? Tell us!


To see the complete A Tartan Tale colour collection, click here. To see the A Tartan Tale gift sets and kits click here and here. To see the wonderful A Tartan Tale exclusives click here.

C.

MAC A Tartan Tale Exclusives Preview

For all the Bravehearts and beautiful souls that keep the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund flowing, we say, ’Tis Noble to Give... and with every purchase of this gorgeous, grandiloquent world-clan collectible, you are helping to keep the coffers confident – because every cent from every M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM purchase always goes directly to the women, men and kids affected by HIV/AIDS everywhere. It’s our heritage, our proud moment...and yours too. Keep the VIVA GLAM clan alive and thriving!

'Tis Noble to Give Viva Glam lip bag ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Viva Glam Lipstick in Viva Glam V
Viva Glam Lipglass in Viva Glam V

We asked our extraordinary kids everywhere to tell their own Tartan Tales, and the results are more artful, abstract and inventive than anything the international art world could have come up with...and quite a bit less complicated!

These cards, created by kids affected by HIV/AIDS, are so full of calamitous charisma, bold bravado, tartan tenacity...they’re teeming with optimism and individuality! you’ll treasure them, every one a masterpiece, just as much as we do... with all proceeds going to the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund. Good for giving all year ’round!

Kids Helping Kids Cards
Set of 6 cards with envelopes ($10 CDN/$8 US)
Set of 12 giftcards with envelopes ($10 CDN/$8 US)

This go ’round, our special project for Kids Helping Kids is all about what happens when Teddy Boys meet Fuzzy Bears!

M∙A∙C Sir Teddy has been officially knighted as the international symbol of KHK, at the pleasure of Her M∙A∙C Majesty! Squeezable, laughably lovable Sir Teddy comes in two versions: A too-cute tartan key clip that makes you smile every time you “turn it on.” Or go plush: A clan-tastic “collage” cuddly doll that you want to hug till it hurts! All part of the big plan, getting bigger every year: M∙A∙C’s Kids Helping Kids is a tale we’re thrilled to tell over and over.

Sir Teddy
$18 CDN/$15 US

Sir Teddy
$14.50 CDN/$12 US

I love these gifts - the MAC Viva Glam gift set is fantastic and the shade is very wearable. The cards are adorable and the teddy bears? Sooooooo cute! 

C.

MAC A Tartan Tale Chapter Two Preview

Chapter Two of MAC's MASSIVE Holiday offerings here! 


A wicked tale, a Celtic conundrum! Which to choose? With a kiss from a rose, holiday kits come hither!

Bawdy beauties and sexy swains swagger with safety-pin snarls and curtsy coquettishness – it takes all kinds! So we’re offering this exclusive, and extensive, lineup: 5 Sassy Pink Lassies Lipglass; 5 Sassy Coral Lassies Lipglass; 5 Sassy Neutral Lassies Lipglass. And for those that require pixie dust, 5 Warm Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter; 5 Cool Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter; 5 Smoky Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter and God Save the Queens! 5 Naughty Little Vices Nail Lacquer... a new shade called “Vice Is Nice” says it all!

Sassy Coral Lassies lipglass set ($35.50 CDN/$29.50 US)
Tad Saucy - Pale muted pink
Jest For Fun - Peachy blossom pink
Pretty Quick - Bright coral
Mimmy - Bright pink coral
Hearts-a-beatin' - Pale raisin

Sassy Neutral Lassies lipglass set ($35.50 CDN/$29.50 US)
Scottish Lilt - Peachy beige
Spirits a'Flying - Pale gold
Stealing Kisses - Glossy spice
Girls At Play - Plummy brown
Bright & Perky - Classic bronze

Sassy Pink Lassies lip set ($35.50 CDN/$29.50 US)
Sassy Lassie - Bright pink fuchsia
Fab Fun - Pale crystal pink
Frozen Dream - Medium pink rose
Electro Lush - Medium mauve
The Wee Coquette - Naked neutral pink

Naughty Little Vices Nail Lacquer ($30 CDN/$25.50 US)
Nocturnelle - Black
Asiatique - Cherry red
Beyond Jealous - Deep forest green
Vintage Vamp - Deep blood red
Vice Is Nice - Classic metallic gold

Smoky Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter ($38.50 CDN/$32.50 US)
Reflects Blackened Red - Cranberry glitter (glitter)
Naked - Fleshtone shimmer (pigment)
Jigs & Jives - Naked taupe (piment)
Blue Brown - Brown with turquoise glitter; mermaid's tale (pigment)
Dark Soul - Shimmer carbon (pigment)

Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitters ($38.50 CDN/$32.50 US)

Reflects Pearl - Silver glitter with pink pearl sparkle (Glitter)

 Silver Fog - Light Silver pigment (Pigment)

Cheers My Dear! - Pale violet (Pigment)

Softwash Grey - Light purple (Pigment)

Mauvement - Taupe Glitter (Pigment)

Warm Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter ($38.50 CDN/$32.50 US)

Reflects Glitter - Peachy/ orange glitter sparkle (Glitter) 

Gilded Green - Mint ice cream (Pigment) 

Gift O’ Glamour - Pale metallic pink (Pigment)

Gold Mode - Peachy gold shimmer (Pigment)

 Most Darling - Medium brown shimmer (Pigment)

To see the A Tartan Tale colour collection, click here. To see A Tartan Tale Chapter One, click here. To see A Tartan Tale Exclusives, click here.

C.

MAC A Tartan Tale Chapter One Preview

Along with the A Tartan Tale colour collection, M.A.C. had come out with its annual collection of holiday gifts. And this year they're all about the tartan (squee!)! This is no preppy plaid, this is vibrant tartan packaging inspired by Scotland and rock & roll.

This post will preview the eye, lip and face sets as well as the bagged brush sets of A Tartan Tale. Call this Chapter One! Chapter Two can be found here and the A Tartan Tale colour collection can be found here. A Tartan Tale holiday exclusives can be found here. 

Peekaboo! Poking a little fun at the kinky part of the kilt, these incorrigible kits for Lips, Eyes and Face have some flasher fun with mirrored compacts, but remain dignified with proper M∙A∙C family crests. New giftables that prove to be seductive, cheeky, good fun, including 6 Dashing Lassie Eye Shadows,

6 Beauties Play It Cool Eye Shadows, 6 Twists of Tartan Eye Shadows, 6 Reelers & Rockers Eye Shadows, Happily Ever After and A Fabulous Fantasy Lip Kits, plus A Triumphant Blush and Hark The Heraldry Face Kits.

Dashing Lassie eyeshadow set ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Once Upon a Time - Metallic vanilla (veluxe pearl)
Bronze - Copper penny (frost)
Buckwheat - Frosty medium brown (frost)
A Dashing Lassie - Metallic milk (frost)
Magical Mist - Metallic taupe (lustre)
Showstopper - Dark brown (matte)

Beauties Play It Cool eyeshadow set ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Heather Belles - Dark charcoal/carbon (satin)
To the Ball - Dusty lavender (satin)
Hold My Gaze - Medium grey (frost)
Magic Moor - Purple grape (veluxe pearl)
Altered State - Blackened plum (veluxe pearl)
Silverwear - Metallic lavender (frost)

Reelers & Rockers eyeshadow kit ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Carbon - Dark carbon (matte)
White Rabbit - Shimmer white (frost)
Melt My Heart - Metallic silver (veluxe pearl)
Gaelic Gold - Metallic gold (veluxe pearl)
Crown & Sceptre - Metallic copper (veluxe pearl)
Family Treasures - Metallic bronze (veluxe pearl)

Twists of Tartan eyeshadow kit ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Vainglorious - Metallic maroon (frost)
Rolled Gold - Gold (lustre)
Lady's Prance - Clay (matte)
High Spirits - Shimmer avocado (frost)
Bows & Curtseys - Metallic hunter green (satin)
Set To Dance - Dark royal blue (matte)

A Fabulous Fantasy lip kit ($27 CDN/$22.50 US)
Storybook Ending - Raisin (lustre)
Imagine This - Pinky beige (amplified)
Heroic Tale - Sparkle flesh tone (gloss)

Happily Ever After lip kit ($27 CDN/$22.50 US)
Cheers All Around - Bright candy pink (frost)
To Joy - Medium pink (frost)
Endless Fun - Sheer frosty pink (gloss)

A Triumphant Blush face kit ($45.50 CDN/$38 US)
Melba - Soft coral peach (powder blush)
Peachtwist - Golden peach (sheertone shimmer)
Smooth Harmony - Neutral mid tan (beauty powder)

Hark the Heraldry face kit ($45.50 CDN/$38 US)
Dame - Sophisticated blue/pink (powder blush)
Plum Foolery - Faint dusty plum (sheertone shimmer)
Oh So Fair - Pale pink (beauty powder)

Once upon a time a bonny lass was in a Scottish ska band. She couldn’t just pick one look – punk or princess? So she chose them all...fancy that! Her loot: Dazzle the Lads Lip Bag, with Baron’s Rose Lipstick, Draw Me Close Lip Pencil and Moth to Flame Dazzleglass; Vain & Glorious Lip Bag, with Mellow Mood Lipstick, In Synch Lip Pencil and Baby Sparks Dazzleglass; Noble Knights Lash & Line Eye Bag with Teal Pigment, Blitz & Glitz Fluidline and Zoomblack Zoom Lash mascara; and finally, Violet My Love Lash & Line Kit, replete with Violet Pigment, Macroviolet Fluidline and Zoomblack Zoom Lash mascara.

Dazzle the Lads lip bag ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Creemesheen Lipstick in Timeless - Medium rose
Dazzleglass in Moth to Flame - Sheer neutral beige
Lip Pencil in In Synch - Light pink

Vain and Glorious lip bag ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Lustre Lipstick in Mellow Mood - Sheer pink
Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks - Sparkle baby pink
Lip Pencil in In Synch - Light pink

Noble Knights lash & line kit ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz - Black
Pigment in Teal - Bright metallic teal
Zoomblack
209 Brush

Violet My Love lash & line kit ($43.50 CDN/$36 US)
Fluidline in Macroviolet - Dark grape
Pigment in Violet - Bright metallic purple
Zoomblack
209 Brush

A drawbridge lowers, an electric-guitar wails... and a Princess makes an entrance – with her bag of tricks! New M∙A∙C Brush Bags are here for every girl who wants to arrive at the ball in flawless fashion, with everything she needs in these nifty, handsome, heathery tartan modern mash-ups, trimmed in shiny patent: A Lady & Her Tricks Buff & Line Brush Collection with 168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE and 252SE; Sweep Me Off My Feet Sweep & Define Brush Collection,

with 129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE and 275SE; She’s Got It All Apply, Define & Line Brush Collection, with 194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE and 275SE. Throw on your favourite Vivienne Westwood tartan frock (knickers optional) and off you go, perfectly ready to raise a ruckus!

A Lady & Her Tricks Buff & Line brush collection ($58 CDN/$49.50 US)

168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE, 252SE

She's Got It All - Apply, Define and Line brush collection ($58 CDN/$49.50 US)
194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE, 275SE

Sweep Me Off My Feet - Sweep & Define brush collection ($58 CDN/$49.50 US)

129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE, 275SE

I'm in love with the little tartan bags!


C.