MAC Pret A Papier Swatches and Review

I was a little disappointed with this collection because I didn't fall in love with one single item. This is not to say that this collection doesn't have anything good to look forward to. On the contrary, there were some items that did catch my attention. However, they didn't make my heart palpitate or create a deep urge to purchase them. It may be because I already have similar or identical shades in my makeup stash. However, I might get one or both of the nail lacquers since I am currently having this fixation for nail polish. The colors are pretty neutral though and if you are still trying to expand your makeup collection, Pret-A-Papier offers some great neutrals that you can use everyday.

Blushes:


Instant Chic



(By the way, the swatches were taken on a cloudy day so they're not as vibrant as usual. But these are still as close to the real stuff as possible.)

Instant Chic is a very dainty mid-tone muted coral. I like that the formula is sheertone, so it's not as shimmery as the usual MAC blushes that I have. It gives a nice lit-from-within coral flush on my skintone. Lovely and if you like corals, try this one out.

Garb can only be used as a contour color or bronzer because this is too brown to be a blush. This is lighter than the usual bronzers that I have, so this can be nice for light to medium skintones.

Light Over Dark mineralize blush is a light yellow brown/dark peach that would also work as a shimmery bronzer. Perfect for summer.

Eyeshadows:





The eyeshadows are a mixture of neutrals and dark lid colors. I was particularly drawn to Cut To Fit, a beautiful frosted red-bronze (frost), and Memorabilia, a matte dirty purple. However, it dawned on me that I already have Memorabilia from The Originals collection:


Memorabilia

However, for some odd reason, my Memorabilia is lighter than the repromote from Pret-A-Papier. I do have Shadowy Lady and Jungle Moon (from the Colour 3 quad) though, so I don't exactly need a darker matte dirty purple.


Tissueweight

See more swatches and the rest of the review after the jump!

My Bridal Makeup Attempt: A Step-by-Step Illustration

When I was in New Jersey, I roadtested a bridal look for my cousin Jewelyn who is getting married next month. I used MAC eyeshadows that were bought specifically for her wedding (as recommended by a MAC makeup artist), as well as some products from my own personal collection. I was a little intimidated by the fact that (a) I am not a professional makeup artist; (b) this is probably just the third or fourth time I've ever done full makeup application on somebody other than myself, (c) I did the whole thing at night without the benefit of natural light, and (d) every step was being documented by her groom using his camera. That said, I did the best I could and if there were some mistakes, I do admit to them; but given the limited lighting, I tried my best to work under not-so-ideal conditions. Nonetheless, she and her mom liked the result. Some products would be tweaked as the big day nears, but this is more or less going to be her look. It was also a good thing that she has beautiful skin; I didn't waste much time in concealing blemishes.


Start with clean, moisturized face. I also primed her face using Camellia Rose skin-smoothing primer v.2.


Using Jewelyn's own Everyday Minerals kabuki brush, I used DreamWorld mineral foundation in Tethys (Sands formula), using the swirl, tap, spritz (using MAC Fix+ moisture spray) and buff technique. I did two layers of foundation.


I applied Mary Kay Signature concealer in Ivory using my fingers to hide undereye circles.


Using a concealer brush, I applied Bare Minerals Well Rested undereye concealer over Mary Kay. I carefully blended until it looked seamless.


This is my key product for this bridal look. Instead of the usual finishing powder like mineral veil, I used Cargo's new and innovative Blu Ray high definition pressed powder made specifically for high definition film and photography. This is how it is described at Sephora.com:

What it does:
Created to provide flawless results while looking completely natural during high-definition filming, blu_ray™ Pressed Powder contains specialized photochromatic pigments that adjust with the light so that your base makeup always looks perfect regardless of lighting or setting.

What else you need to know:
Photochromatic pigments adjust with the lighting so that you have natural looking makeup no matter what the setting, while ultra-fine micronized minerals fill the look of fine lines and reduce the appearance of imperfections. An irregular particle size creates light dispersion, an effect that softens the look of the skintone. This oil-free powder is perfect whether you are getting married, going to your prom, having portraits taken, or simply want to look fabulous anytime and comes in a sleek black compact for convenient touch-up on the go.

I normally opt for mineral-based setting powders, but I chose Blu Ray because of my special bridal task. I figured if this product was made specifically for high definition photography, it would help in achieving the flawless look I needed. You be the judge if it actually achieved what it claimed it could do.

If you noticed, I also used my new EcoTools powder brush to apply Blu Ray.


Using a concealer brush, I applied MAC Painterly paint pot as base for her shadows. I blended with my finger to create an even canvas.


Using the MAC 217 brush, I applied MAC Retrospeck eyeshadow on her lid.


Using the 222 brush (not shown), I applied MAC Mulch eyeshadow on her crease. I also blended a little MAC Bronze eyeshadow on the crease after applying it on the outer lid using a shader brush.


I used a shader brush bought at Target to apply MAC Remotely Grey eyeshadow from the N collection on her outer lid.


I blended the crease colors using Sonia Kashuk's blending brush, similar to the MAC 224.


Using my Essence of Beauty fluffy brush, I applied MAC Ricepaper eyeshadow on her browbone.


I filled her brows using my EcoTools angled eyeliner brush and Ardell brow powder.


I applied MAC Stubborn Brown Powerpoint eyeliner (pretty, understated brown) on her upper lashline. I adjusted her shadows, added more color and blended as I deemed fit; cleaned residue using Q-tip and eye makeup remover, re-applied Well Rested.


Curled her lashes, used a mascara base (white primer from Maybelline XXL mascara) and added Avon mascara to plump up her lashes.


How it looks so far.


Using the MAC 169 brush, I contoured her cheeks with MAC Emote blush.




For the life of me, I forget the mineral blush I used on her. I think it's either My Minerals Bath and Body or Silk Naturals blush.


I used Lumiere's angled duo-fibre brush to apply the blush on the apples of her cheeks going slightly upwards.


The ever-gorgeous and my holy grail lipstick - MAC Viva Glam V!


I applied MAC Fafi lipglass in Cult Fave over VGV lipstick


Her wedding look


I leave it up to a real hairdresser to do her hair!

Thanks for looking!

Tutorial For A Simple MAC Fafi Look

Here's a simple look using some of the products from the MAC Fafi Collection. I've always wanted to use Nice Vice paint pot, and this look will feature this paint pot, as well as the Fafi Eyes 1 quad, Fashion Frenzy blush, Belightful iridescent powder, Strawbaby lipstick and Sugar Trance lipglass - basically just my favorite products from this collection. All products are MAC unless otherwise stated:


Apply Beige-ing shadestick all over lid, brows and browbone, and also on lower lashline. Blend with middle finger. Apply Nice Vice paint pot on outer lid using a taklon or concealer brush.


Apply Pink Venus (from Fafi Eyes 1) on middle of lid, and Hey on inner half of lid using MAC 239 brush.


Using a shader brush, lightly apply Nocturnelle on outer lid.


Using MAC 224, apply Howzat on crease, adding more Nocturnelle on outer V and blending everything using short, quick strokes in one direction. Apply Vanilla eyeshadow to highlight browbone. Apply Indelible gel liner in Black Cherry on upper lashline, mascara base and mascara, fill in brows. Apply Hey on inner half of lower lid, and Noctunelle on outer half of lower lid using MAC 219 brush.







Face:
Camellia Rose skin smoothing primer
Buff'd mineral foundation in Chamois
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Bare Escentuals mineral veil
MAC blush in Fashion Frenzy
MAC Belightful iridescent powder over blush

Lips:
Almay Ideal lipliner in 105 Bronze
MAC lipstick in Strawbaby
MAC lipglass in Sugar Trance

Here is another look, this time I used MAC Goldenaire pigment and DreamWorld's Atlantean Treasure. I love the latter's color and texture, while Goldenaire is just priceless (one of my ultimate favorites from MAC). Sorry no closeup eye pics!







Eyes:
MAC Beige-ing shadestick on lid as base
MAC Goldenaire pigment foiled on lid and used wet on inner corners
Valerie Beauty mineral eyeshadow in Fall on crease
DreamWorld mineral eyeshadow in Atlantean Treasure on outer lid and V
Coastal Scents Hi Light Violet shadow on browbone
Indelible gel liner in Black Cherry on upper lashline
Shu Uemura lash lifting and MAC Zoomlash mascaras

Face:
Camellia Rose skin smoothing primer
Buff'd mineral foundations in Chamois and Almond (70-30 mix)
Mary Kay undereye concealer in Ivory topped with
Bare Escentuals Well Rested
Silk Naturals sheer perfecting powder
Lumiere silk blush in Fresh Roses
MAC Sculpt powder to contour

Lips:
Almay Ideal lipliner in 105 Bronze
Silk Naturals Birthday Suit lipgloss
MAC lipglass in Sugar Trance

MAC For Fafi Lipsticks and Lipglasses: A Review

The lip products in the Fafi collection are my most-liked items in the collection second to the paint pots. I was surprised that many too-vibrant shades for me actually go pretty sheer and sweet on the lips. These lipglasses and lipsticks are very buildable; you can wear them sheer and natural, or you can layer them for a delicious pop of color on your puckers. The only things I didn't like in the items however are the packaging and the glitters. I didn't care much for the laminated Fafinettes on the tubes, and I am not crazy about the glitters either. However, not all lip products have obvious glitters on them. Moreover, you can layer lipglasses over the lipsticks to tone down glitterati on the latter.





Lipstick:

Fun N Sexy is a vibrant pink with blue pearl shimmer. I was scared to try this at first because I never liked hot pink in my lipticks, but I was surprised that it went buttery smooth on my lips and in fact was pretty sheer. I love it paired with Sugar Trance lipglass as it gives a very luscious, sweet pink sheen.





Not So Innocent is a sheer, light tan with pink and peach pearl. It would look best paired with a smokey or a dramatic eye when you want to tone down your lips. I like it applied under Totally It lipglass.



High Top is a grey purple lipstick with lavender pearl. I believe I look best in any lilac hue, so I really like this color. I also like the fact that it gives off a duo-chrome sheen. The purple tinge doesn't make me look dead but in fact complements my skintone.

Flash N Dash is an intense tangerine with pink pearl. It should be a favorite because it reminded me of Revlon's classic lipstick, Toast of New York (this was actually the lipstick my makeup artist used on me on my wedding day). It really complements my warm undertones. However, I think I am partial to Strawbaby which I believe belongs in the same color family.





Strawbaby - this shade really surprised me because as I said in a previous entry, I thought all strawberry shades of lipstick look horrendous on me. It actually looked pretty nice on my skintone. I LOVE it paired with Sugar Trance. This exudes a pretty coral rose that is so feminine.

Lipglass:

Sugar Trance - my favorite lipglass from Fafi. This totally takes any lipstick color paired with it to a whole new dimension. I also like it used alone for a luscious, barely there look. This is such a gorgeous shade of lipglass.

Cult Fave - a blue mid-tone pink with white pearl. This one is pretty much okay, but MAC has priorly released a whole slew of shades similar to this. It is nice, but not very unique.



Totally It looks scary hot pink in the tube, but goes on pretty sheer like Fun N Sexy. I like it used alone for a soft spring/summer look. It is a very sweet color that would look great with pinks, whites, soft pastels.



Squeeze It - a dark-looking brassy plum in the tube, and dramatic when worn. I love it for those bare-eye looks when I want my lips to be showcased. I love the pigmentation of this lipglass, it's almost like liquid lipstick. It is packed with color and shine.

All in all, the Fafi lip products are great if you like bold or sweet colors, and if you really want your lips to be showcased. If you want neutral, hush-hush colors, though, you are better off with those from the N collection. Fafi exudes fun, color, with a dash of sweetness sprinkled in the mix.