MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection Swatches + Review // Holiday 2016

Press Sample/Affiliate Links

To say that I was obsessing on the MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection when I saw the press release is putting it mildly. The theme is perfection and the packaging is sweet & pretty without being sickening. Last week when I saw the products in person I freaked out and went into full blown stalker mode looking up more swatches and making an extensive shopping list for when the collection officially releases next week.

The MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection is the big, limited edition one for Holiday. That collection that releases out in several different parts with what appears to be an endless amount of product – which I love because it gives all different skin tones and types a chance at finding something to love. The packaging is all in tones of pink, purple and gold, with the palettes and kits being the real stand-outs. I received several pieces of the collection below that I’m excited to share with you and I do plan to pick up quite a bit more… because that’s how obsessions work.

Magic Dust Eyeshadow ($23.00 // Nordstrom). Six Eyeshadow shades are released in Dance Flowers Dance (light pink), Pretty Dainty (pink coral shimmer), Rabblerouser (bright intense pink), Forward March (peachy gold shimmer), Dark Lullaby (midnight purple) and Mustache (black with gold sparkle).

The two shades I have here for review are Forward March and Dark Lullaby. Forward March is other level. Of the two shadows this is the one you need. It’s peach but with a golden shift – lovely pigment. It’s simply gorgeous whether it’s as an inner corner highlight or all over the lid. Dark Lullaby is a dark purple with subtle shimmer – nice pigment and it looks amazing with Forward March. If you’re into purples you may have something similar but if you want a shade you’ll know you’ll like in the LE packaging I say go for it (I go for it with alllllll the taupes so I feel you).

Eye Kohl ($16.50 // Nordstrom). Two Eye Kohl shades are released in Prunella (purple) and Powersurge (bronzed brown with golden shimmer). Both are available within the permanent line but these two will have the LE packaging. Powersurge is one of my all-time faves so of course it’s a must-have. It’s perfect for day and evening looks. MAC has one of the few kohl formulas that stay on my lids all day long without migrating and even last for a few hours in my waterline. I have some actual waterliners that don’t even stay put that well!

Lipstick ($18.00 // Nordstrom). Five Lipstick shades are released in Kingdom of Sweets (soft milky pink, cremesheen), Flamboyish (hot deep pink, matte), Saucy Little Darling (deep coral red, amplified creme), So Good For You (intense cool red, matte) and Leap of Delight (deep plum purple, matte).

I was sent one of the lipsticks in Saucy Little Darling and while I don’t see any red to it, it’s definitely the most beautiful pinky coral shade I’ve ever worn in my life. I found the formula to have a nice pigment but it wasn’t 100% opaque for me without layering, which is out of character for am amplified creme (IME). I’d say the formula is between a lustre and an amplified creme, which feels and looks AMAZING.

Magic Dust Powder ($28.00 // Nordstrom). Two Magic Dust Powders are released in Yum Yum Yum (soft pink with gold pearl) and Sweet Vision (pinky peach with gold pearl).

These are my babies. If you get ONE THING from this entire line make it one of the Magic Dust Powders. They’re much more pigmented than I thought they’d be on me and glow in a way that still works as a blush but that puts highlighter to shame.

My fave of the two is Sweet Vision (shown above) because it works so well with my skintone and also has a beautiful shift of color that just blends in beautifully with my bronzer and highlight.

Yum Yum Yum (shown above) is perfect to give your face life, particularly if you’re more cool toned. It’s going to be a fantastic complement if you’re into a deep, berry lip.

Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact ($35.00 // Nordstrom). This is one of two compacts released and includes the shades Tutu (whitish pink pearl extra dimension skinfinish) and At Dusk (warm rose extra dimension blush). At Dusk is a repromote but is pigmented well and pairs nicely with Tutu which is a beautiful and pigmented highlight shade. All you need is a very light application for an all day glow.

Nutcracker Sweet Warm Eye Compact x 9 ($39.50 // Nordstrom). The Warm Eye Compact is one of three eye shadow palettes, each with 9 eye shadow shades inside. Warm includes      Showstopper (deep blackened brown, matte), Twelve Chimes (metallic deep cool brown, lustre), Beyond Gorgeous (black with gold pearl, veluxe pearl), Unwind (dirty olive, veluxe pearl), Lady Fingers (true gold, matte), Era (golden beige with shimmer, satin), Woodwinked (warm antique gold, veluxe pearl), Filament (platinum silver, lustre) and Whirling (metallic silver beige, lustre) as well as a dual-ended brush.

I was really impressed with this palette. All of the shades except Showstopper performed very well on their own. Showstopper was the only one that I found to be extremely dry. For example, in the swatch below I had to dig into the the color with my nail to bring up pigment and I still had to swatch over it several times to make the color show well. When I wore it (see the look here) I found that it blended well with the other shades, but it’s definitely not that buttery soft, matte color that we all love. Besides that one semi-dud, the rest of the palette is a stunner.

Below the shades are swatched dry on bare skin (no primer):

There you have it! My MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection… so far…. 😉 What’s on your wish list?

The MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection releases online October 20, 2016 and in store October 27, 2016. Shop at Nordstrom, Macy’s and maccosmetics.com.

*Press Sample/Affiliate Links

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