MAC Posh Paradise Collection: MATTENE LIPSTICKS - SWATCHES and THOUGHTS...

M∙A∙C Posh Paradise Collection: MATTENE LIPSTICKS 

SWATCHES and THOUGHTS...

 Nail Lacquers are lavishly lush, Mattene Lipsticks are light on the lips as lust & Pearlized Paint Pots blend smoothly over lids. Indulge yourself with a plush & provocative collection of hypnotic hues!

Note: MAC PRO Discount Available. All items are Limited Edition unless otherwise stated.

LAUNCH DATES
Online: September 13, 2011 (US)

In Stores: September 15, 2011 (US)
International: October 2011

Mattene Lipstick
With its streamlined design, this new slimline lipcolour, features the traditional glamour properties of a matte lipstick – intense colour and semi-matte velvety finish – while offering a creamier, softer, more glide-on application. Non-caking, non drying. Moisturizing and incredibly wearable yet absolutely matte.

5.0 g / 0.17 US oz  
US$14.50 



Naked Bliss - Neutral light pink
Rare Exotic - Bright mid-tone blue pink
Legendary - Mid-tone brick red
Unknown Pleasures - Deep red blue
Seeds of Desire - Deep brown plum
Eden Rouge - Bright blue-red
Delectable - Orange-beige
Potent Fig - Deep blue grape
Deliciously Forbidden - Mid-tone berry
Fresh Amour - Light lavender

The MAC Mattene Lipsticks are priced at $14.50 for 0.08 oz of product. The price may not cause much alarm since it is the same price as regular MAC Lipsticks but when you compare the amount of product it is a different story. The MAC website is quite misleading (I didn't want to say they are straight up lying) as the Mattenes are listed as having 0.17 oz of product. Not the case when you actually check out the product lable and packaging. Sneaky sneaky!

The MAC Mattene Lipsticks are among the most expensive lipsticks per pounce in the mid-high-end makeup market. I thought Urban Decay was kidding with their $22 lipsticks but even those work out to be cheaper per ounce than the MAC Mattenes. If value means more to you than actual price then these may not sound appealing to you. But if you are like me who has never finished a lipstick tube anyway the size may not matter as much since you are still spending less than most other lipsticks on the market. Check out the comparisons below:

 

The MAC Posh Paradise Collection Mattene Lipsticks are Limited Edition products which means once they are sold out or the taken off shelves they are gone for good (or until re-promoted). They are available for purchase on the MAC (stores and online) and other MAC retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy's,  Bloomingdales and Dillard’s. Limited Edition products can sell out fast so get it while you can!

The MAC Mattene Lipsticks are packaged in slim cylindrical black twist-up tubes with a rubberized matte finish. The caps of the tubes are flat topped rather than the traditional bullet shape of MAC Lipsticks with the MAC logo stamped on the lower end of the cap. The internal tube is a glossy black with the MAC logo stamped close to the bottom. The tubes snap close and stay secure due to the integral tabs on both outer and inner tubes.On the underside of the tubes there is the usual product labeling showcasing the name, date code and such. 

I will say that one of my lipsticks actually fell right out of the tube. This may be due to the packaging or the formula since I never had this happen with the MAC Lipsticks in the bullet package. The package is otherwise secure and great for travel. They stay put once they are snapped closed without the worry of the caps flying off.

 

Now given the price and the amount of product, the saving grace would be the formula and colors. These lipsticks are great!

The formula is creamy (not overly so) but at the same time very solid. It won't go melting away like the MAC Sheen Supreme Lipsticks. It has the right amount of creaminess to glide onto the lipsticks without tugging like some matte finishes can but is not too creamy so that it's slips and settles into lines.

The finish is a semi-matte similar to a satin finish but with more pigmentation and longer wear time. There is no glossy effect here and definitely no shimmer. There is a very slight sheen that keeps the lipstick from being completely matte.

The pigmentation on these are intense (like a matte) except for Potent Fig and will stay on the lips for at least 5 hours of solid wear - even the lighter shades. They will stain the lips and skin because of the high pigmentation so beware of that. The darker colors can leave a stain for 24 to 48 hours. They wear well without being too drying but they are not very moisturizing. They won't dry out your lips but I wouldn't skip the lip balm for these.

The shape of the lipstick is also another thing to note since they are flat and cut at a diagonal angle. But they are thin enough to not cause any trouble with applying them to the lips. They may take some getting used to but nothing major.

The colors are deep and rich except for 3 lighter shades and should flatter most skintones. The light shades are a bit daunting for darker skin so take that into consideration. And lighter skin ladies must be prepared for the intensity of these bold colors.

I fell in love with these lipsticks from first swatch and more in love after first wear. They are great lipsticks with a nice formula. The colors are also super exciting and bold for fall. Nothing too pinky or peachy here. Just rich, deep colors perfect for Fall wear. if you have been looking for great Fall lipsticks look no further. Value may be a little off here but I still think they are worth checking out!

Have you tried these? What do you think?

 Delectable, Deliciously Forbidden, Eden Rouge, Legendary

 Fresh Amour, Potent Fig, Rare Exotic, Seeds of Desire, Unknown Pleasures

 Rare Exotic - Bright mid-tone blue pink
 This is a vivid magenta color for me rather than a blue pink. It's similar to other lipsticks on the scene but the texture takes it to another level. It's similar to Show Orchid or Pink Poodle.
 (Stains)  

 Legendary - Mid-tone brick red

This is an interesting color because I have nothing similar. It is an orange-y brown that to me doesn't really read as red.

 Unknown Pleasures - Deep red blue

I have been searching for a deep red like this for a while. It is a deep blue based red rather than a brown red. It reminds me of rich thick blood - not appetizing I know but for me it's a true deep red. This will look great on dark skin.
(Stains)  

 

 Seeds of Desire - Deep brown plum
This brown is a deeper version of Legendary. Beautiful deep dark orange-y brown that reminds me of mahogany. 
(Stains) 

 Eden Rouge - Bright blue-red
This is gorgeous beyond gorgeous bright red. This is a red that makes me want to wear red. It's a great blue based red that works really well with darker skin and lighter skin alike. This is a must have!
 

 Delectable - Orange-beige
This color is just as described - an orange beige. It's a peachy creamy color that is too light to work alone for dark skin. This should look great on lighter skin for sure. 
 

 Potent Fig - Deep blue grape
 This color was a disappointment. It applies patchy and slips a bit more than the other colors. It has great potential as a blue based purple color but the payoff is too patchy to fall in love with. Pass!

 Deliciously Forbidden - Mid-tone berry
 Beautiful berry color. Not too unique but it's nice.

 Fresh Amour - Light lavender

This is gorgeous light pinky lavender that leans on the cool side. It's creamy so it doesn't come off chalky. However, it is absolutely too light to work alone on darker skin. Even light skin may find this a bit too milky. It is still a beautiful color that can be toned down with a darker liner or lipstick or topped with a lipgloss.