MAC’s limited edition latest is pretty and powerful

photos: we heart this

On New Year’s Eve, when I resolved to dedicate my year to fitness of every kind, I never dreamed that MAC’s Strength collection would arrive on my doorstep to help me pump up my resolution with maximum muscle. “Flex your femininity,” says MAC, “and do it with strength too irresistible to ignore.”

Just like Candy Yum Yum, Pink Pigeon is too drying & patchy to be a $16 lipstick. I have WNW l/s that applies better. However I loved the color of Mac PP so went on the hunt for a quality dupe. Matte MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick is classified as a bright cleanest pink with a matte finish. In the bullet, it looks like a medium blue-based pink. When swatched on my arm, it is evident how cool-toned this lippie really is.

The photos in the Strength campaign literally made my jaw drop; featuring an amply-muscled lovely (Serbian figure competitor Jelena Abbou) in black latex haute couture – the image takes for granted that strength and beauty can work together in perfect harmony. The model’s face is soft, her arms are pumped and defined, and she exudes the kind of superhuman power (and confidence) that most of us can only dream of.

I love the way MAC presents beauty beyond the traditional definitions, but this unconventional beauty is a whole new world of impact. Here, strength is as much a state of mind as a physical state, and the colors in this collection can make you feel that way, too.

We tested a range of these colors with muscle:

All Woman: Eye Shadow X4 ($40)

Flawless Figure – icy white (veluxe pearl)
Brains & Brawn – dark taupe (matte)
All Woman – light charcoal shimmer with slight green cast (satin)
Black Magique – warm, deep black (veluxe pearl)

Flawless Figure, Brains & Brawn, All Woman, Black Magique

All Woman is a versatile, neutral palette that would work with warm or cool skintones. The four brand new colors create a neutral smoky eye that can be subtle for day, or seriously dramatic with more liberal use of Black Magique, the black veluxe pearl.

Flawless Figure, Brains & Brawn

All Woman, Black Magique

Only Flawless Figure, the bright white, has any serious shimmer; the other three colors are basically matte, blend beautifully, and wear for up to eight hours when used with a primer.

Nail Lacquer ($16)

Triumphant – cool taupe creme
Muscle Tone – milky light nude

Triumphant

I found Triumphant to be a strong, no-nonsense greige creme lacquer that looks great on short nails. The formula was thin and fast-drying, and – most surprising – had great coverage. One coat was almost opaque; two coats was perfection. With a base and top coat, I got a full week of wear before seeing any significant chipping.

Muscle Tone

Meanwhile, according to swatcher Stef, Muscle Tone is streaky and requires a lot of patience (that she doesn’t have!)

Lipstick ($15)

Strong Woman – bright magenta (matte)
Firm Form – sheer charcoal black with gold shimmer (matte)
Pink Pigeon – bright hot pink (matte)

Embrace Me Lip Pencil, Pink Pigeon, Strong Woman, Firm Form Lipsticks

Originally released in the Iris Apfel collection, Pink Pigeon is my dream pink. Described as matte, it went on so smooth and creamy, it almost had a gleam when I first applied it, then settled into its natural matte state. The color is opaque and so bright, it’s almost neon. If you’re looking for a super-vivid, blue-based pink, Pink Pigeon is extraordinary and surprisingly easy to wear.

I knew Firm Form was going to be my challenge from this collection. Could black lipstick possibly be wearable? First, I tried it straight from the tube, and ended up with clumpy, uneven brownish black lips. Using a brush didn’t help to even the coverage. But even though Firm Form didn’t really work on me full strength, with a little clear lipglass, the color sheered down into a truly pretty purplish bronze. Worn with gloss, the gold glimmer is more obvious, too.

Lip Pencil ($15)

Embrace Me – Neon pinkish magenta

The perfect companion for Pink Pigeon, we’ve seen Embrace Me before as a limited edition in several other releases (Iris Apfel, Tour de Fabulous and Beth Ditto). I hope MAC gives in and makes this liner part of the permanent collection, because it’s the ideal bright pink: soft, opaque, just this side of neon. I even love it worn alone with a touch of gloss.

As far as recent MAC releases go, Strength is one of my favorites, giving me power to face the new year. I resolve to be fearless, elegant and strong – at least until these mostly limited-edition products run out.

we heartsters – what MAC products give you the strength to face a new year?

Eye Shadow x4
All Woman
Flawless Figure – Pale warm shimmering white (veluxe pearl)
Brains & Brawn – Mid-tone taupe (matte)
All Woman – Greenish dark grey (satin)
Black Magique – Deep, dark black with warm tones (veluxe pearl)
$40 US/$47.50 CDN

Inner Strength
Lithe Spirit – Palest white pink (satin)
Inner Strength – Light cool mauve taupe (matte)
Fabulous Fit – Mid-tone cool grey (matte)
Heatherbelles – Deep charcoal (satin)
$40 US/$47.50 CDN

Opulash Mascara
Bad, Bad, Black – Black
$16 US/$19 CDN

Penultimate Eye Liner
Rapidblack – True black
$18.50 US/$22 CDN

Kohl Power
Feline – Rich Black
$15 US/$18 CDN

Technakohl Eye Liner
Graphblack – Rich graphic black
$15 US/$18 CDN

Powder Blush
Taupe Shape – Satiny taupe (satin)
Poised – Muted pinkish brown (satin)
$20 US/$24 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Muscle Tone – Pale neutral nude
Triumphant – Mid-tone cool brown
$16 US/$19 CDN

Mac Matte Pink Pigeon Review Consumer Reports

Lipstick
Party Parrot – Bright red pink (matte)
Pink Pigeon – Bright cleanest pink (matte)
Strong Woman – Bright violet (matte)
Absolute Power – Rich red (matte)
Firm Form – Gilded black with gold pearl (matte)
$15 US/$18 CDN

Mac Matte Pink Pigeon Review Guide

Lip Pencil
Embrace Me – Vivid pinkish fuchsia
Lasting Sensation – Bright coral
$15 US/$18 CDN

Brushes
168 Large Angled Contour
$35 US/$42 CDN
275 Medium Angled Shading
$25 US/$30 CDN

Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock ‘n’ roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Zeus.

Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.

AboutLatest PoststurboterpMelissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock 'n' roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Bellarina.
skin tone: NC20
skin type: dry to normal
favorite beauty product:

Mac Matte Pink Pigeon Reviews

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