MAC Archie's Girls...Part 1.1

 

 

 

I don’t believe that I have been this excited over a makeup launch by MAC since their release of the Hello Kitty Collection(s).  That was one collection that I vowed to purchase at least one of every makeup item that was released in the “Mild”, “Wild”, and “Kouture” Hello Kitty collections.  I nearly accomplished that save only 3 items that I passed on purchasing.  This Archie’s Girls collection brought back a similar nostalgic feeling.  It took me back to the playground, where my 4^th grade bff first introduced me to Archie’s comics and I was hooked ever since.  Those feelings and memories made me nearly lose my mind and attempt to purchase everything that was released in this collection too, but then reality and reason took over.  After much deliberation and thought about the makeup I already own, my selection was drastically reduced (for now).

Let’s start with the lip products…

There were six shades of lipstick released with this collection, three of which featured Betty on the packaging, and the other three featured Veronica.

 

The Lipsticks

From the Betty side of the collection:

“Girl Next Door” (a vivid blue pink)

“Betty Bright” (a light vibrant peach)

“Oh, Oh, Oh” (a sheer brown plum)

I only walked away with Betty Bright.  Although “Girl Next Door” and “Oh, Oh, Oh” are beautiful lipsticks, with the approach of spring and summer, “Betty Bright” made me yearn for the warmth of the sun and to be drenched in its rays.  “Girl Next Door” seemed very reminiscent of MAC’s “Viva Glam Nicki 2” and “Budding Love” lipsticks.  Although these shades are not remotely dupes for each other, I felt I could achieve my candy colored purple with the shade that I own, “Budding Love”, which was a limited edition shade released with the Chenman collection.  “Oh, Oh, Oh” seemed like a unique shade that would serve more as a neutral on me, rather than a burst of color for my lips.  That brings me to “Betty Bright”…ahhhh…the wonder of this lipstick.  In the tube, the color reminded me of the original “Viva Glam Nicki” or “Vegas Volt”.  I was surprised at how different the shades actually were and I have to say that based on the promo pics for “Betty Bright” I was really expecting something else.  This color has the potential to be very subdued or neon/punchy on the lips, depending on how it is applied.






Pictured Left to Right: Kiss & Don't Tell, Betty Bright, and Strawberry Malt.



Betty Bright



Comparison swatches from Left to Right: Viva Glam Nicki, Betty Bright, and Vegas Volt.  Photographed with flash.

 

Comparison swatches from Left to Right: Viva Glam Nicki, Betty Bright, and Vegas Volt. Photographed without flash.

I wasn’t able to capture Betty Bright and do it “justice”, so I stuck to the dreaded skin swatches.

 

From the Veronica side of the collection:

                “Daddy’s Little Girl” (a midtone pink violet)

                “Ronnie Red” (a bright red)

                “Boyfriend Stealer” (a deep blackened plum)

 

Comaprison swatches of MAC's Petals and Peacocks vs. Daddy's Little Girl

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Veronica side of the collection really sucked me in (and I’m ashamed to post this because I’m totally team Betty).  I felt the colors would be something that I could easily pull off, without question, but unfortunately, I didn’t walk away with anything from the Veronica lipsticks.  I knew from the beginning that “Boyfriend Stealer” was a color that I was going to pass on purchasing, so I gave “Ronnie Red” and “Daddy’s Little Girl” my attention.  “Daddy’s Little Girl” seemed very reminiscent of “Petals and Peacocks” (from the Liberty of London collection).  When I swatched the two colors, side-by-side, I wasn’t off the mark with my intuition.  In terms of color payoff, on me, the colors were an exact match.  In terms of finish, “Daddy’s Little Girl” was definitely more opaque and creamy”.  That alone, was not enough for me to purchase the lipstick.  “Ronnie Red”…what can I say about this color other than WHY DON’T I HAVE IT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  By the time I got around to going to the MAC counter, this was the only lip product (from Archie’s Girls) that was sold out.  The weekend of the in store launch, I had to travel out of town on a family emergency.  I made an appointment with MAC to attend the next event (which was held the following weekend) and that was too late for me and “Ronnie Red”.  It’s not as though I don’t have any reds in my collection, but I was looking forward to adding this one.  How could I possibly pass up a matte lipstick with all the promises of still being moisturizing?  The absence of this color has sent my life into a downward spiral.  I have been grief-stricken.  Okay…maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but I am extremely bummed about missing out on this color, but I'm holding out for a miracle that we will eventually be together.

 

The Lipglasses

From the Betty side of the collection:

                “Stay Sweet” (a light lavender pink)

                “Kiss & Don’t Tell” (a bright coral)

                ”Summer Sweatheart” (a light peach)

From the lipglasses on the Betty side of the collection, I only walked away with “Kiss & Don’t Tell” (update: and "Stay Sweet").  From the first time I swatched this color on my hand, I was smitten.  This color looks very fun and youthful.  Although the other two that were released are very beautiful, this one was the standout for me.  It’s a perfect match for the “Betty Bright” lipstick.  This looks like a great color that could be either worn alone or accompany the “Betty Bright” lipstick.  This might be one color that I actually need a back-up of because I can totally see myself wearing it often.

 

Featured from Left to Right: Kiss & Don't Tell, Betty Bright, and Strawberry Madness

 

Kiss & Don't Tell



From Left to Right: Betty Bright and Kiss & Don't Tell (with flash)

 

From Left to Right: Betty Bright and Kiss & Don't Tell (without flash)

From the Veronica side of the collection:

                “Mall Madness” (a midtone pink violet)

                “Strawberry Malt” (a bright red)

                “Feelin’ So Good” (a deep blackened plum)

In case you didn’t notice, MAC’s descriptions for these lipglasses match those of the lipsticks from the Veronica line.  The only lipglass I walked away with was “Strawberry Malt” (update: and Mall Madness).  I have to admit that my intentions of purchasing this lipglass was to be able to pair it with the “Ronnie Red” lipstick (I’m still bummed).  I knew that I was going to pass on purchasing “Feelin’ So Good”, but I did give a second third look at “Mall Madness”.  At first glance, this lipglass reminded me of “Sweet Strawberry” (released with the Hello Kitty Collection) and “Fierce and Fabulous” (released with the Style Warrior collection) and boy was I wrong.  “Mall Madness” is an extremely opaque and gorgeous color, but without the desire to purchase “Daddy’s Little Girl” lipstick, the desire to purchase this one diminished as well (update: it totally didn't because now, I have it).

 

Strawberry Malt



Strawberry Malt on the lips

 

 

The Blushes

There were two blushes released with this collection, one for Betty and one for Veronica.  Betty’s blush, “Cream Soda” was appropriately named.  This color is described as a “light neutral coral”.  I immediately thought of “Fun and Games” released with the Hello Kitty collection, but these colors show up nothing alike.  I thought that “Cream Soda” would be one of those colors that married with your skintone and depending on your shade, it would be something different.  I posted a heavy swatch of the color on my hand.  When I finally tried the color on, I didn’t really notice it showing up.  Veronica’s shade of blush is called “Prom Princess” and is described as a “midtone violet pink”.  This seems to be the hot seller of the two shades.  I made the trek to MAC with a couple of colors I already owned in tow.  “Prom Princess” gave off a nice sheen, but it swatched similarly to “Amazon Princess” (from the Wonder Woman collection).  I would hardly call these two colors dupes for each other.



MAC's Amazon Princess (right) vs Prom Princess (left)



Comparison of face/cheek products.
Left Image: Top Row features Betty's products in Flatter Me Pearlmatte and Cream Soda Blush
Bottom Row features MAC's Mighty Aphrodite and Fun and Games Blush
Right Image: Top Row features Veronica's products in Veronica's Blush and Prom Princess Blush
Bottom Row fearures MAC's Amazon Princess and On A Mission Blush

 

The Face Powders

 

MAC’s Archie’s Girls collection featured two face powders and at the time of my original post, I only had the opportunity to play with one of them.  I purchased both of the face powders.  The thing that I find most intriguing about these powders is that the brightly colored hearts are reported to continue thought the compact, unlike previous face powders MAC has released that only featured an “overspray”.  I haven’t dug through the powder to find out if this is true, but I am really hoping that the color is consistent through the powder.

 

Betty’s powder, “Flatter Me”, is described as a golden peach with coral hearts.  It gives off a nice, warm-toned sheen and looks like it will make a great highlighter.  Veronica’s powder, “Veronica’s Blush”, is described as a “silvery pink base with deep pink hearts”.  I think the description for this color is pretty accurate.  It gives a very cool-toned sheen and I think this could also serve as a good highlighter.

 

What makes me apprehensive about using this product is damaging the powders.  When the Hello Kitty collection launched, I purchased the beauty powder in “Tahitian Sand”.  The Hello Kitty beauty powders had the Hello Kitty head embossed in the powder.  The more you used the powder, the more her face would become worn down.  Without truly knowing whether or not the hearts go all the way through the Archie’s’ Girls powders, there is the potential of losing the beautiful pink and coral hearts and I’m not convinced that I’m willing to part with them.

 

 

 

 

Veronica's Blush (right) and Flatter Me (left)



Veronica's Blush (right) and Flatter Me (left)

 

Flatter Me Pearlmatte Face powder



Flatter Me Pearlmatte powder:  Swatched together (left), heart detail (middle), powder (right) with camera flash



Flatter Me Pearlmatte powder: Swatched together (left), heart detail (middle), powder (right) without camera flash

 

Veronica's Blush Pearlmatte Face powder



Veronica's Blush Pearlmatte powder: Swatched together (left), heart detail (middle), powder (right) with camera flash



Veronica's Blush Pearlmatte powder: Swatched together (left), heart detail (middle), powder (right) without camera flash

 

The Pigments

There were four pigments released with this collection, two from Betty’s side and two from Veronica’s.  Pigments are a bit tricky for me.  The only pigments that I own are from back when mad sold 7.5g jars for $19.  MAC has since reduced the size of their pigments to 4.5g and the price for this collection is $23 ea.  Even though there is a difference in the price and amount of product you receive, my only reservation is that I don’t wear the pigments I already own.  I was very inspired by the pigments released with this collection.  I thought “Cheers My Dear” pigment was going to look similar to “Milk” pigment (released with MAC’s Hello Kitty collection), but they are not the same.  I especially liked Veronica’s dark and edgy pigments, but overall I think that Betty’s and Veronica’s pigments would work well together. 



Comparison swatches of eyeliners and pigment
Left Image, Top Row:  Pearlglide eyeliners in Rave and Black Russian
Left Image, Bottom Row: Pearlglide eyeliners in Designer Purple and Black Swan
Right Image: Milk Pigment (left) and Cheers My Dear Pigment (right)

 

 

The Eyeliners

This was another debate I had with myself.  There were four pearlglide eyeliners that were released, two for Betty and two for Veronica.  I purchased two pearlglide eyeliners in the past, in “Black Russian” and “Rave”.  When I swatched these two eyeliners next to “Black Swan” and “Designer Purple”, from the Archie’s Girls collection, the colors appeared to be identical.  “Black Swan” and “Designer Purple” were creamier and easier to apply, but again the colors I already own don’t get any wear.

 

The Eyeshadows

There were two eyeshadow quads released with this collection, one for Betty and one for Veronica.  I have not yet purchased these quads, but have added them to my list of must haves, so I’ll save my virtual soliloquy on them for another post.

 

 

The Archie’s Girls collection also features two mascaras, four nail polishes, and a host of accessories.  Mascaras seem to have a shorter shelf life than most other makeup items.  Once you open them, they begin to dry out and when that day comes, I can’t see myself parting with such cute packaging.  The nail polishes from this collection look dreamy.  I haven’t swatched any of them, but I have noticed that some retailers are carrying the shades with the actual Betty and Veronica packaging, unlike the MAC website or my local counter.

From reports that I’ve seen on other sites, it looks like MAC will launch this collection internationally, next week.  For those of you who get the opportunity to purchase “Ronnie Red”, think of me and know that I am crying inside.  I am interested in seeing the posts and the looks that are created with these products.

 

Stay tuned for my next update for this collection.


For more posts on this collection, view the following links:

MAC's Archie's Girls Collection

MAC Archie's Girls Collection...It's still not over