MAC Eyeshadow Finishes Explained

 MAC offer a range of finishes in there eyeshadows, some are very self-explanatory but some don’t really let you know what they are going to look like. So, if you want to know the difference between velvet and frost, read on! 

Frost 

frosted, light reflective shadows  

Frost shadow have really fine glitter running through them that helps them create a gorgeous shiny effect on the skin. I've found that these shades are generally less pigmented that other but they can be built up. 

Examples include: Phloof and Romp

Lustre 

Shimmery and Pearlised

These shadows have an ultra fine shimmer running through them. When applied they offer a shimmery effect on the skin, but because of the effect I would say to avoid these on days at the office but they are beautiful and have a nice light reflective formulation. 

Examples include:  Retrospeck and Swimming

Matte

No Shimmer. No Glitter.

These shadows are high intensity colours that have no shine, sheen, shimmer or glitter. There are a variety of colours, some intense and some sheer to buildable in intensity. They can be hard to correct if you do anything wrong with them, but they do contrast well with shimmers to create a nice look for any occasion.

Examples include: Carbon and Yogurt

Matte Squared 

Silky Matte Shadows

These are very similar to matte shadows, but the formulation is slightly more silky and intense on the lid. They are free from shine, shimmer and glitter and glide on to the lid. They are blendable and last ages on the lid too.

Examples include:  Blanc Type and Fig1

Satin

Nearly Matte with subtle sheen  

These shadows are a great way to get something with a subtle sheen alongside colour intensity. They are often pigmented, free of chunky glitter and shimmer and long lasting. They are great for everyday wear, but not as dull as matte shades can be on the eye. 

Examples include:  Brule and Brun

Veluxe 

Finely Milled Matte Shadow

These shadows are great for matte lovers without messy fall out or anything like that. They are really finely milled powders that are soft and smooth. 

 Examples Include: Kid and Brown Down

Veluxe Pearl

Veluxe Shadows with a Pearly Sheen 

 Veluxe Pearl shadows are basically the finely milled formula of the regular Veluxe shadows but with a nice sheen running through them. 

Examples include: Twinks and All That Glitters

 Velvet

 Highly Pigmented with a soft finish 

 These shadows are like the Velvet fabric, in shadow form. The colours can be slightly more muted than a matte or satin finish but the soft texture makes up for it. 

Examples include: Smut and Trax

MAC Lipstick Finishes Explained

 
 
I've heard quite a few people asking about the differences in MAC lipstick finishes, and I have to admit that when I started off in makeup, before blogging, I had no idea what half of the finishes meant and what the actual finish was. So, I decided to do a little guide here on blog to explain the range of finishes that MAC offer. 

I hope this can help some people, and if you want to see something similar to this again don't forget to leave a lovely comment. 

Amplified

Soft, creamy and really pigmented. 

This finish is probably my favourite of them all. They are soft, creamy lipsticks that offer amazing pigmentation. They have a nice sheen on the lips whilst offering full coverage. They are long lasting as well. 

Examples include: 
Blankety (You can read about this in my notable nudes post here) 

  Cremesheen

Creamy with a soft shine.

 The name says it all with this finish. These lipsticks generally leave the lips with a beauiful sheen, and the forumla is generally really creamy. The colour pay off, at least from the ones that I have tried, is good and they offer a nice coverage on the lips. 

Examples include: 
Cross Wires (You can read out this lovely lippy on Makeup Monologues here)

Frost 

Reasonably pigmented with a frosty shimmer   

While these are the most pigmented range that MAC offer they have a reasonable colour pay off and leave a frosted shimmer effect on the lips. They are slightly less drying that other formulations also. 

Examples include: 
Angel (Shona from Fresh Beauty has a great review of this read it here)

Glaze  

Sheer and glossy 

These are sheer yet glossy lipsticks that offer a subtle look that is great for everyday and work wear. The glossy formulation means they aren't the most long wearing but they still offer a few hours wear before fading. 

Examples include: 
Hue (you can read about this fabulous lipstick on Rachel Does Beauty here)

Lustre

 Sheer with a wet look effect

These lipsticks are very similar to Glaze lipsticks in the fact that they are sheer in colour and give a glossy (or wet-look) to the lips. They don't last the longest time, but they aren't drying on the lips. 

Example include: 
Freckletone (You can read all about this beaut here)

  Matte 

No shimmer or shine, just colour

The colour pay off with this lipsticks is amazing, but they are drying on the lips. They are great for lasting power, but if you have dry or chapped lips you need to prepare them well before attempting to wear these. Invest in a good lip scrub an and balm and you should be fine. 

Example include: 
Please Me (EtcLlyMrs blogged about this beauty here! I'll have a review soon too)

Satin

Demi-matte. Nearly matte, with a slight shine.

  These lipsticks are well pigmented, and nearly matte. They formula doesn't leave a totally matte finish which means that are slightly less drying and they have a very slight sheen when applied. 

Examples include:  
Pink Nouveau  (read all about this here)