MAC Proenza Schouler Collection, Blush Ombre in Sunset Beach, Lipstick in Woodrose

Ready to read confessions of a make-up addict? 

It has been a long time since I was staying away from MAC counter. Although I do like quiet a few of their products. The reason for me was simple, didn't matter how much I would chase a particular shade, I might not be able to get it. The very limited edition products do sell within hours here and this did really put me off the brand. I transferred from a chaser/hunter to a happy customer who just drops by and gets if she happens to like something. With MAC it rarely happens that there is something left that I would like so since months I was cleared from any purchase.

This must be why I didn't know about MAC Proenza Schouler Collection until last Monday. I have seen some colorful packaging at MAC Counter in Breuninger. I approached saying "probably the lipsticks are already sold out right?". A friendly SA smiles "only one of them, all the others are still available".

This answer was unexpected. I swatched the remaning shades (a dark plum called Primrose was sold out) and decided to get the nude one called Woodrose. I sometimes struggle finding a good nude but this one had enough pink inside so didn't make me look like the dead. I was about to pay when SA showed me THAT blusher "what about this one?". I was undecided and shrugged. "Ok, let me try". It was after a long day (of work + lecturing) and I must have been very tired not seeing the originality of the product. It is an Ombre Blusher which goes from a lighter shade to a darker one. After trying out and seeing it looked nice enough to give it a go, I purchased the items and drove back home.

It must have been the lovely packaging which was so inviting, but on the way back home I felt rather guilty about the purchase. After all it was not "planned". I am trying to plan every purchase since I might go overboard easily. Do I needed another blush? What about another nude lipstick? As I was driving back home, I decided to return them during my next visit to the counter.

Once I was home, I took them out to have a look inside. The blush seemed to be very heavy so I checked it and have seen that it was 14 g! Considering I used some coupons to get some discount, it was very economical for an interesting effect. After googling about the collection, I learned that they are rather hard to get and in Germany these are released exclusive to Breuninger where I got mine (which explains why the lipsticks were not sold out). I opened the blusher to decide and under better lighting, I have seen that beautiful ombre effect, then I knew returning was not an option.

I really like the idea of Ombre Blush, which can be used to contour and highlight to accentuate the cheekbones. Or depending on the lipcolor the cheek color can be adjusted from light to dark. There is one more shade, an orange one, which was already sold out at the time I was at the counter but usually I go for pink to brighten up my complexion so I am happy with the purchase. Below you can see the lightest (upper) and darkest (bottom) part of Sunset Beach swatched together with lipstick in Woodrose.

Here I am wearing Sunset Beach on the cheeks and Woodrose on the lips. I applied the blush by swirling everything together, then highlighted with the lightest color. It is very pigmented so one should use a light hand. Sunset Beach wears extremely well on me, over 12 hours and counting.

I am going to edit this post with another FOTD tonight since I am wearing the blush and the lipstick today again in a more cheek defined look. Loving it, seriously, Sunset must be my favorite blush at the moment.

Final thoughts: Although I am not fan of impulse buys and believe that they make me give wrong decisions, this time I was lucky enough to be there on the right time. I think Sunset beach is really a stand out, also very economical for the price considering huge amount of product you are getting. If you can get your hands on this one or the orange one called Ocean City, I recommend you to grab one.

Have you seen any Ombre Blushers before? What do you think about the idea?