I have to admit, I was not waiting for this collection as many others. I just happen to stumble upon it during my usual counter visits last Friday. When I see a new collection, I am like a kid in a sweet shop, so I started trying the products out. I was really surprised by the quality since I think a few of the previous collections didn't deliver consistent quality across the board. Alluring Aquatic though seems to be a hit in all aspects, packaging, design, shade selection and quality.
My pics from MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection |
The packaging of this collection is really one of the prettiest I have seen for a long time. The water drops on a gorgeous turquoise metallic compacts are very pleasing to eye. I also love the fact that the same drops and colors are also placed on the boxes.
Extra Dimension Blush in Sea Me Hear Me, Lipstick in Goddess of The Sea, Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Sea Worship, Fathoms Deep, Soul Serenade and Nail Lacquer in Submerged |
Since I didn't have a wish list before, I started with safe choices for me, some purples, some gold and blush which had more pink than brown/orange. Here are my first picks, first because I couldn't help and get to the counter once more today and picked a few more products, which I will try to review later this week.
- Nail Lacquer in Submerged
- Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in
- Sea Worship,
- Fathom's Deep and
- Soul Serenade
- Extra Dimension Blush in Sea Me Hear Me
- Lip Stick in Goddess of the Sea
Extra Dimension Blush in Sea Me Hear Me, Lipstick in Goddess of The Sea, Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Sea Worship, Fathoms Deep, Soul Serenade and Nail Lacquer in Submerged |
The true stunner of the collection are in my opinion the eye shadows. I liked the metallic finish, which doesn't turn frosty but rather very complex with right amount of shimmer. Once applied on the eyes, they don't turn extra shimmery but they look rather like a foil finish nail polish for eyes, if that makes sense. They are all very pigmented and most of the shades (except Lorelei) are dark so go for them in case you like your eyes smokey.
MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Sea Worship, Fathom's Deep and Soul Serenade |
Sea Worship is a mid-toned gold with khaki undertones. It has the metallic finish of most of the eye shadows in this collection but the shimmer is more linear than some others. It doesn't make it less appealing though, I really like this shade and especially how it teams up with the other two I have picked.
Soul Serenade, can I start by saying that I love the name. The color is also almost as gorgeous, it is a deep eggplant with metallic finish and multi dimensional shimmer. It is for those of you who wouldn't like Fathom's Deep as it has more red in it.
Fathom's Deep is a true stunner. It was the first eye shadow which was sold out everywhere, so I had to run around a few counters to find a last one waiting for me. It is a deep purple with metallic finish and multi-colored shimmer. Once applied to the eyes, it does give a purple hue but does look rather natural.
MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Sea Worship, Fathom's Deep and Soul Serenade |
Here are all the eye shadow shades swatches from this collection. I took the photo with day light under shadow. The duo chrome, crazy dimension colors are Legendary Lure, Soul Serenade and Fathom's Deep. Today I went back to pick up Silver Sun and Lorelei too, which I will try to review later this week. First I was not very fond of Lorelei but I think it will look pretty as a natural makeup for strong lips.
MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Extra Dimension Eye Shadows Swatched |
Here is the eye makeup I wore today featuring Fathom's Deep and Sea Worship. As you see as much metallic and pigmented the colors are, they don't look scary once applied. The resulting effect is rather wearable and smokey.
In-action: MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows in Sea Worship and Fathom's Deep |
I wanted a nice bronzy blush for the summer, but my last pick from Chanel (Canaille, reviewed here) is not working all that good on me. So I thought I give it a go with MAC Extra Dimension Blush Sea Me Hear Me. I liked the duo chromish effect of this one which is due to the very fine golden shimmer. It turned out this one is much easier to use for me since it leans more pink than Canaille, which is more orange.
MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Sea Me Hear Me |
Here are both of the blushes swatched. Seduced at the Sea is warmer and a little lighter. It has also more shimmer.
Swatch: MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Extra Dimension Blushes |
There are also two Extra Dimension Bronzer at this collection. Today I went back to pick up Aphrodite's Shell which is a gorgeous bronzer with beige pink undertones. It is also very light so the ones with fair complexions will love it. I passed on Delphic since it is very orange/warm for me but I am sure it would look fabulous on a deeper complexion.
Swatch: MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Extra Dimension Bronzers |
Here is the last piece I picked. After trying out all the lipsticks, I went for the purple one, how predictable, right? Anyway I tried this against a few Chanel lipsticks from Variations collection that I was eyeing. This one was more purple and others were more red or pink, so it won!
Swatch: MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Lipstick Goddess of the Sea |
Siren Song and Pet Me Please both gave me concealed lip effect. Enchanted one and Mystical both looked very orange, although after seeing the swatches of Mystical, I wonder why. I know that usually MAC Collections have very strong lip focus but to me Alluring Aquatic is so successful at other parts (Eye Shadow, Bronzer, Blush) that skipping lipsticks and investing on other pieces wouldn't harm.
Swatch: MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Lipsticks |
Here is me wearing Sea Me Hear Me on cheeks, Goddess of the Sea on lips, Sea Worship and Fathom's Deep on eyes. The collection seems uncoordinated at the first sight but once mixed and matched there are many beautiful combinations.
FOTD: MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection |
I also picked up Nail Lacquer in Submerged and couldn't resist but ordered Shimmerfish afterwards. I will post about them after wearing them this week. I have never worn MAC nail polish before so I would like to test it properly.
Final thoughts: A lovely collection from MAC which delivers a superb quality across the board. It must have been the biggest MAC haul in my life since I am not a loyal customer of the brand. I love the packaging and the names too, music, sea, water and turquoise, it couldn't get better.
Will you be picking up something from Alluring Aquatics?
Absolutely stunning on you! Must run to MAC counter as you have shown me colors that I love and these look incredible. Thanks for the post :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, packaging and colors, both are stunning. One of the best collection from MAC since years.
DeleteGorgeous! I love everything!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to hurt my wallet :P
It hurts mine already. Let me say these were only a part of my haul :-(
DeleteThis collection needs to be what every MAC collection should be! Fathom's Deep is breathtaking! I'm going to beg a MAC SA to hide one for me. As always, drooling at the look you created!
ReplyDeleteLOL, thanks. If you can reserve, do so. But another positive remark about this collection is that, here I can still find the items I want if I go to a counter. They are sold out online but it seems this time they produced more which is a great thing!
DeleteGah, now I have skippers' remorse for FD and Silver Sun! Bad Sara! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gorgeous pics! I love the eye look!
Anneri
LOL Anneri, thanks :-* I hope you enjoy the items you got.
DeleteI love the colours :) I think I wanna buy the Sea me, Hear me, the ED bronzer Aphrodite's Shell and Sea worship :)
ReplyDeleteMia from Hungary
Hi Mia,
Deletegreat choices. All those three are very pretty.
Great picks, girl! Sea Worship is SO on my radar!
ReplyDeleteSea Worship is really nice, I wished I could pick one too, this collection ate my wallet.
DeleteWow, gorgeous picks! I haven't been so tempted by a MAC collection in a while- loving the eye shadows especially :)
ReplyDelete-Jen
www.vibrantbeautyblog.com
Hi Jen, the same here, I was waiting and waiting and this collection hit the right spot. Loving them all, especially the eye shadows!
DeleteAphrodite's Shell and Enchanted One are right up my alley and Mystical is soooo purdy! Great swatches, I just might make a stop by MAC because that collection is a stunner! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, I hope you can get your hands on those. I went back to get Mystical and Enchanted one, I am enjoying both at the moment.
DeleteOMG!!! These products are all so pretty. Love the shades and the packaging. I agree that among all the MAC products, these have the prettiest packaging. A must have indeed!
ReplyDeleteThe packaging almost killed me (and my wallet). So cute, that color and the water drops. Lovely and creative. The quality of the products is also good so a winner in my book.
DeleteThose eyeshadows.....!!! Your swatches are so lovely, i just may end up grabbing a few! It has been quite a while since I hauled any MAC. It is so slow to launch here, and often soldout before I get to the counter... fun times!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I hope you can get your hands on a few e/s since they have a lovely formula. A little blig bling but no fall out, I can't stop wearing them.
DeleteOmg! I love these shadows! You have created a very cool look! Loved reading your post. Would love to keep in touch with you.please check out my blog. www.yourbeautypal.com
ReplyDeleteHi Payal, I will check out your blog, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGreat picks, Sara! I was going to skip this collection but I'm having a second thought now, thanks to your swatches of the MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadows!!! Especially Fathom's Deep. I don't think I have anything quite like it in my collection!
ReplyDeleteHi Jaa,
DeleteYes they are very unique to my stash too. Fathom's Deep is gorgeous. I ended up getting them all but the only one I was meh about in the end is Silver Sun. All other 5 are definite favorites at the moment.
My first visit to your blog! It's lovely. I enjoyed my visit and will be back! I live in the US, and cannot wait for this collection!
ReplyDeleteI think it is released at the moment, I hope you could get all you wanted. Thanks for visiting and hope to hear from you again!
DeleteI was only going to get the enchanted one lipstick, but this purple shade looks awesome on you im adding that one to my list, thanks
ReplyDeleteTHAT purple is stunning. I didn't have something close, which doesn't look red but still wearable. I hope you could get that one.
DeleteThe packaging is gorgeous! Enchanted one looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteGot 2 godess of the sea and sea me hear me and one refined Golden... To expensive for such a small shadow booo:(
ReplyDelete