I don’t often pay attention to MAC collections EXCEPT at Holiday time! This collection caught my attention with the simple word ‘sweet’–it conjured up images of pink cupcakes, fluffy frosting and sprinkles. Okay, maybe I was hungry at the time. A dash of plum, pink and gold packaging and my blogging friends great reviews I was a goner. Bye Felicia, get me to the counter!
The MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection is THE big Holiday Limited Edition offering. The collection is extensive with many parts and pieces including some new products and, as is typical of MAC, some re-promotes. The collection includes everything from eye pencils to pigments to lipsticks and highlighters. The palettes and kits are the stars of this candy store but I wasn’t in need of any (like that matters) so I chose a tasting of three products before I go all fan girl and purchase the whole kit and caboodle! Warning: you’re going to want it ALL!
The packaging is so fun and reminds me of a party! The packaging features stripes, polka dots and stars in shades of purple, pink and gold. It’s darling and I love it!
Magic Dust Powder ($28) – I have to thank (or curse) Brooke of Blushing Noir because I would NOT have tried this if I hadn’t read her review. I expected this to be super frosty like the Skin Finishes and they are not. There are two shades: Yum Yum (soft pink with gold pearl) and Sweet Vision (peachy pink with gold pearl). Sweet Vision is what I wanted NARS Orgasm to be–peachy pink or pinky peach whichever way you see it are my fav blushes to wear and the addition of the gold pearl is like getting a blush and gorgeous highlighter in one. No disco ball glitter here, just a lovely radiant glow. Sweet Vision works well with my warm skin tone, Yum Yum will work for cooler toned skin, but I may pick it up anyway because I love these so much! Oh, I almost forgot to mention the pretty embossed star design on the powder, isn’t it purdy?
MAC Magic Dust Eye Shadow in Forward March ($23) – not only am I a sucker for cute packaging, but also for peachy eye shadows. Forward March is a stunning peach with a gold shimmer shift. It’s soft, pigmented and makes eye glow which is perfect for the holidays!
The other eye shadows in the collection are:
- Dance Flowers Dance – shimmery light pink
- Pretty Dainty – shimmery coral pink
- Rabblerouser – bright, hot pink
- Dark Lullaby-deep purple
Amplified Cream in Saucy Darling ($18) – MAC describes this as a red coral and I totally disagree. I find NO red in it at all, and it definitely has more pink than coral. On my lips, it’s a warm, bright pink with a teeny hint of coral. It is nicely pigmented, though not completely opaque. I had to apply two layers to get full coverage. The finish has a light sheen and is moisturizing. At first I thought this was a typical non-descript pink lipstick but after wearing it for a few hours, I love how it brightens up my face. Good news for over 40 gals–this lipstick did not bleed or feather into my lip lines!
I have to mention the Kohl Power Eye Pencils ($16.50) – two re-promotes: Powersurge, bronze with gold shimmer and Prunella, a plum purple happen to be some of my favorite eyeliners in the entire MAC line–if you don’t have them they are worth an in-store test drive.
Bottom Line: I’m so happy with my MAC Nutcracker Sweet purchases! I cherry-picked the collection and I think I got the best of the best. I wasn’t impressed with the eye shadow palettes, especially the warm one. They gave me a ‘been there done that’ feeling. The Face Compacts are very pretty but too frosty for this old face. The lips are always great if you want to try a few lip products and the brush kits are great if you need a starter set. If I had to recommend just ONE item (oh horror) that is a must-have, it would be one of the Magic Dust Powders.
Ooooh, I love Forward March and Sweet Visions. They will be hard to resist!
They would both look wonderful on you!
Your picks look great on you – and I have been trying so hard to resist buying anything. Now my wallet is crying. LOL!
My purchase was a total impulse buy!
I am totally hooked on Mac! Especially their lipstick!
You look gorgeous! I always love the way that MAC packages their holiday beaty products and some of my favorite products from them launched during the holidays. I love the shadows you got.
I totally agree, I rarely purchase MAC unless it’s at the holidays.
Beautiful. I love that eyeshadow and probably need it. It brightens your eyes so well. The skinfinish looks amazing.
Yes, you do need Forward March!!
Forward March is a stunning eyeshadow! I’m loving everything about this collection.
Me too, I have items on my wishlist.
Those lip shades ll look fabulous. I just might have to purchase a few. You always send me shopping, lol!
So glad to accommodate!
wow you look gorgeous! I wish I’m into makeup more. You make me want to consider Mac even more now, thanks for the suggestions and reviews!
You are welcome!
By far this is the most exciting collection from Mac
I agree Kath!
What is on your brows here, Cindy? FLEEK!!
Really? It’s just an NYX eyebrow pencil and I keep the strays in place with my Osmosis treatment concealer–one end has a balm on it I use as a wax.
Really!! You look great but I’m pretty sure I like this brow better than any other…just really struck me how great your brows look here.
That’s perfect for the Holidays! I’m not really into the light pinks but it would make an awesome gift for the ladies!
There are plum shades and more too–these are the just the colors I chose!
What a perfect line of makeup for the holidays. I adore MAC. I bet this collect goes on amazingly just like the rest of their makeup!
The quality is up to par and the packaging is so cute!
This collection is so pretty and these shades are perfect on you.
Thanks Erika, these shades would suit you too.
I’m dying for the blushes in this collection, they’re SO gorgeous! I need another blush like I need a hole in my head tho, but I’m still tempted haha 🙂 Love the look you created with these!
I hear ya, but I went ahead and bought another blush anyway!
I need to show this to my daughter. She loves this type of makeup. She would love this I am sure.
The packaging is so giftable!
These are so pretty, but ultimately I skipped this collection and splurged elsewhere. You are really making me regret that though!
Haha, sorry!!
Wow that Mac Make up looks great on you. You look radiant. And those brushes are just what I need! Thanks for sharing with us!
I love MAC products so much & the Nutcracker Sweet Collection is absolutely fabulous for sure. I would want that Magic Dust Eye Shadow and that gorgeous Amplified Cream to try out.
The Magic Dust eye shadows are so smooth!!
That shade of lipstick does remind me of something sweet. So cute.
Yes, like watermelon candy!
The Magic Dust line sounds like something I need in my life! I love these brightening face powders and shimmery eye shadows.
You’re going to LOVE them!!@
This blog post is making me want.. no, NEED, that MAC holiday collection!! That blush looks to die for!!
It is–get it before it sell out!
I have been clearing up my makeup storage and now got space for some new ones. I saw the nutcracker image in Milan and I want all the products
The Mac Nutcracker collection looks magnificent! I love the eyeshadow.