[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] I’m carrying on with the beauty calendar as though everything is the same – and it’s not. This summer (such as it is in the UK) everything is different and I honestly don’t think we are as interested in buying make-up as we were and in particular, seasonal make-up such as bronzers and highlighters which seem such summery things. I know that I don’t have the urge to ‘gather’ in the same way as I did and other than the odd exception such as the Carolina Herrera lipstick which lots of people ended up buying so my instinct was right that it was the exception, I don’t think anyone else does either (please do let me know in comments). So, I wonder about this bronzing collection from MAC which has reminded me (not in a good way) of just how different things are and actually I feel a bit sad that the cycle doesn’t feel as relevant as it has in the past.
I think perhaps the Strobe Face Glaze might be an exception too – it’s a very specific glass-skin look that gives a stylised wet-gleam to the skin that contains a bit of lustre within. If you like a dewy look, you’re in luck! There are ways and ways to wear this – a tiny dot is all that’s needed on the cheekbone to give an illuminated sheen that doesn’t look like you’re front-covering for Vogue. But, if you want that look, apply more. As much as you want really – if you like posting to Instagram, it’s a look that’s right at home there especially if you can team it with a swimming pool back drop and slicked back hair. I love it – I’m wearing it (in the small dot style) as I write and can’t help being a bit thrilled at the light catchy glisten on my cheek but it’s also looking pretty good on my lips in a peachy-gold hit way. It’s £21 HERE.
If there’s any bronzer that’s a suit-all, it’s a matte one. The Beige-Ing Beauty Matte Radiance Bronzer is exactly that – in a mid-brown shade that can be taken up or down as you please. I prefer matte bronzers – not that I wear a bronzer for anything more than a seasonal shade blush – because you can then use other products to add glow if you want it. It’s not automatically full of shimmer you may not want (or be surprised by once away from of the safety of your own home mirror).
The thing I like about this shade is that it’s not too golden meaning that you can still wear it even if your tone isn’t warm. It’s £23.50 HERE. I should mention that there is a very good sale on the MAC website with some significant reductions (they also have a Try On mechanism if you want to see how the colours look on you) HERE (good deals on brushes).
Lastly, MAC Strobe for the body. This shade – Bronzelite – has a bronze aspect to it and if you already have a bit of warmth on your arms and legs, it’s a nice thing to add sheen to your body skin. It’s especially lovely on shins and shoulders but I don’t think I’d go the whole body hog myself (there are areas I don’t want to highlight in any sense of the word!). It’s £25 HERE. It’s quite a nice body lotion too – if you put it on before bed, expect to wake up in a cotton constellation ;-).
The first swatch is body (not rubbed in), second is the Face Glaze and last is the bronzer. Non-affiliate link is HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
15 comments
Darn you BBB – your post reminded me to check if the Herrera goodies were back in stock. I’m now £50 lighter…but a Carolina Herrera yummy lipstick and charm richer (in about 7 days). I never thought I’d say I’d have a lipstick that matches some ear rings, but the CH jasmine ‘beetle’ is a winner ; ) They seem to be popular though as in the hour it took from putting together a wish list of goodies, and going to order, the ‘posh clip’ element had sold out (so it’s the pliers for me).
Re: summer beauty and seasons – my sense is that folk are primarily all about skin at the moment rather than make up – looking glowing wafting around the house impressing the cat/dog, like a bargain Daisy Buchanan, so maybe the ‘highlighter’ (poss under make up), will be a winner. One nice thing about lockdown though is that, as I’m lazy, I previously couldn’t be bothered with a bright lipstick at the office as I wouldn’t do a ‘refresh’ during the day, but I’m enjoying a bright lip WFH. Keep on trucking.
It should magnetically attach! There is a video floating about on Harrods website on how to attach so don’t do a pliers job til you’ve seen it. Yes, I think you’re right but even then I feel the mood has changed again and now there’s a bit of can’t be botheredness about all aspects of beauty. I actually – for the first time since adulthood – forgot to put anything on before I walked out of the house – no lipstick, no moisturiser, nothing!
Me too, at 53 after 30plus years of pretty much always wearing at least foundation, powder and mascara, I’ve been completely make-up free for months whilst working from home and stayed that way even now that I’ve returned to work in my usual office…and honestly I don’t think anybody but me even noticed…I always had a fairly low key make-up aesthetic, so it’s not that dramatic a difference, but I feel oddly liberated!
I’m sure I’ll wear make-up again but I’m happy for it to be the exception rather than the norm… 🙂
Yes, perhaps it will just be part of dressing up rather than day to day.
I think the ‘beetles’ (rather than the tassles) need the posh caribiner clip thing. NO MOISTURISER! Blimey Charlie, you’ll be taken out at dawn by the beauty mafia and they’ll have a stern word. BTW re: Pat McGrath lip balms – the mini’s are ‘beyond tiny’ – like ‘would fit in a Kinder Surprise’ tiny. The big lip balm in Flesh 3 is nice and seemed to lay down a consistent colour even though a balm, but the Wild Cherry was a bit patchy for some reason on me so, you maybe haven’t missed much re: the mini balm order going MIA, and the big lip balm has some hits and misses. The eyeshadows are gleamingly awesome.
oh interesting re the size of the minis – and thanks for the low down. Not in the mood with that brand to re-order so it’s good to know!
I can’t remember the last time I bought anything from MAC apart from a green eye pencil over 2 years ago. To have a whinge the few times I visited a MAC counter last year I was totally ignored (they weren’t busy), despite swatching several products on all occasions so I took my custom elsewhere. I’m obviously no longer worth serving as 50+ year customer!
I like the look of the bronzer but am happy with my Chanel Les Beiges and the nice brush it comes with!
As ever great post, thank you Jane. xx
Ooh a green eyeliner sounds very tempting!
It’s a lovely intense one – Minted. Looks like they still do it.
I’ve swayed towards investing in skincare during this time; self care perhaps?!
I very recently treated myself to the new Sam chapman lipstick – my first proper lipstick purchase actually – but I see that as an all season purchase rather than summer specific.
I’m also feeling less inspired for summery purchases because I live in Scotland, have no desire to travel abroad any time soon and we hit peak Scottish summer at the same time as the bloody virus – typical!
I’m from Scotland so I hear you! I’m looking forward to trying the Chapman lippies – it’s the first MAC collaboration that I’ve felt YES to because there’s some meaning to it – we all started at the same time and they’re really so lovely.
I’m loving the lippie, tempted to get Nics too. It feels great on, no dried out lips and I’ve had plenty compliments on it too.
The girls do seem lovely, it’s good to know others in the industry think so too 🙂
Hi! Same for me about makeup. I wear a mask when I go out, and when I’m at home I don’t wear any makeup. The summer here in Greece is hot and long and like me, many friends, don’t even have any desire to buy a new makeup product. The whole situation with COVID-19, pushed us into a bad and depressing mood. Moreover, as we just started to recover from a gloomy situation, another one came, which pushed us back again …
It’s so difficult – we are experiencing a few local lock-downs here too – I’m only just finding my interest picking up a little bit and even then, it’s just a little bit 🙂
Ooo very pretty!