As mentioned in my previous 2021 beauty post, this was the 2021 beauty buy that deserved its own post – and better late than never, right? I’ll start by saying that I don’t know why I bought this. I don’t know why, well into my adulthood, I still fall for a beauty hype. It happened with Glossier (good hype), Milk Cosmetics (terrible mistake) and many, many more. I love beauty collabs, the arrival of a new brand and so on – when it comes to beauty, anything new and (arguably) exciting gets me. There is no reason or logic to this – you won’t be getting that in this post. The simple truth is that the moment I heard blogger royalty Lorna Luxe was bringing out a collection with MAC Cosmetics, I had to have it.
To be fair, MAC Cosmetics is one of my all-time favourite beauty brands. Apart from a few Maybelline and other drugstore beauty mishaps (sorry, I’m just not a fan of Maybelline), MAC was one of the first beauty brands I bought into. Many years have passed since my first foray with MAC and, whilst I’ve naturally discovered many a brand since, MAC still has a very special place in my heart. So I knew this collection would be far from disappointing. Not to mention the cute little faux leather drawstring bag it all came in – so cute and chic!
So, about this collection – it launched on the 20th of May 2021 (I can’t believe it’s been that long ago) and included five products handpicked by Lorna Luxe. These are perennial favourites that are still available, although the lipstick included in this set did have Lorna’s signature imprinted on it. At £75, it was pricey AF, yes, but it did work out cheaper than buying each product individually, and I actually liked that it was just five key products. These are my thoughts on each goodie…
Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner in BrushBlack
This is what I was quite wary, yet also quite keen, on trying out. The ONLY eyeliner that lasts on my oily eyelids and hooded eyes is MAC Liquid Last Liner in Point Black – I have been buying it since 2008. No other brand can do what Last Liner does (and yes I’ve tried KVD – it came off in two hours). I doubt MAC will ever discontinue it – well, I pray that they don’t – but in the off chance that that tragedy were to take place, it would be nice to have an alternative. Sadly, this eyeliner doesn’t cut it for me. Don’t get me wrong, it has a ton of pros – mainly that its pen design is super user-friendly and can look the bomb. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to someone who doesn’t have oily eyelids and hooded eyes, but on moi it’s a no. Still, I do use it on my working from home days that include video calls – it actually does last reasonably well, especially if my eyelids aren’t particularly oily on certain days. Shop it here.
Grade? 7/10.
Would I buy it again? Nope – you can’t beat Last Liner. But, it’s still a very good eyeliner.
Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray
I mean, what is there to say about a setting spray? My beauty expertise is lacking in this field (it’s hard to say that with a straight face but let’s roll with it). MAC’s setting spray was the first I ever bought, and I always go back to it. Does it help my makeup stay put longer? I genuinely don’t know – makeup in general doesn’t last very long or that well on my oily complexion. Would I be open to trying other setting sprays? Sure, but I’m cool with this one. End of. Shop it here.
Grade? 9/10.
Would I buy it again? Honey, I’ve been buying this on repeat for YEARS – so unless I come across a life-changing setting spray then I’m sure it’ll come back into my life again.
Limited-Edition Powder Kiss Lipstick in Mull it Over
OK, so I’ve established that I like a strong, super defined and super pigmented lippy – and this one is definitely a little bit on the ‘meh’ side for me. Described as a dirty peach on MAC’s website (love it), it’s a lovely shade, and great if you like something simple. I guess you could say it’s a reasonably apt nude for my light olive complexion. The formula is fine too, as I didn’t find it particularly drying on my sensitive lips. But, overall, it’s just too boring and wishy-washy – so I team it with a darker lip liner to add a little more pizzaz. Shop it here.
Grade? 7/10.
Would I buy it again? No – it’s not got the wow factor. And I’m just not a nude lip kind of girl.
Powerglass Plumping Lip Gloss in Apout a Girl
Now, this is the product I would have 100% avoided if I could and metaphorically thrown out the window. Lip gloss? What is this, 2002? I know it’s made a comeback lately, and my prediction is that shiny lips will be huge in 2022 – but lip gloss is a big fat no for me (not over those sticky Lancôme Juicy Tube days). I would definitely have preferred a lip liner or highlighter rather than a lip gloss, but it does make sense to include this lip gloss as it looks lovely over Mull it Over (and it’s very much Lorna’s signature look). I’ve worn this lip combo on working from home days and I can confirm that it looks very nice on camera, and I don’t find it particularly sticky or uncomfortable on the lips. BUT, the staying power isn’t great, I don’t recall noticing a plumping effect and sadly the lipstick and lip gloss settled on the lines of my lips. Not a great look, but luckily that wouldn’t show up on a Zoom call. Shop it here.
Grade? 6/10.
Would I buy it again? Hell no – I mean, it’s lip gloss. I left it back in 2002, where it belongs. In all seriousness though, the Powerglass range is a good option if you do like lip gloss (no judgement here… sort of).
Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul
I’ve saved the best for last, because this is honestly my favourite thing from the edit. I’m a total sucker for blushers, and yet I’d actually never tried a MAC blusher before – shocking, I know! And I can confirm that I am finding the formula of this blusher DIVINE. I love how it looks on skin and how you could almost use it as a highlighter (it’s got a shimmery, pearlescent effect). The only minus is that it didn’t seem long-wearing – but again, that is probably due to my particular skin type. Shop it here.
Grade? 8/10.
Would I buy it again? There’s a good chance I would, but I’d probably go for a darker shade – this is described as mid-tone beige by MAC. Also, I’m going to have to put myself on a semi blusher ban as I have enough to last a lifetime.
And with this cute little set, my friends, I conclude my makeup beauty buys of 2021. It was, overall, a restrained year for me in terms of makeup – I really want to work through my stash and maybe even one day have a capsule makeup collection (except when it comes to lipstick because that’s impossible). The next and last 2021 beauty roundup will be skincare – and let me tell you, it’ll be interesting to say the least. Toodles!
xxx