As I recently posted on Instagram, I was actually looking forward to getting a lipstick from the Cinderella Collection but was rather turned off about how the colours washed me out. I guess I’m just too pale for them and I need my lipsticks to have a bit of opacity and not just shimmer all over.
It was a good thing that MAC Cosmetics’ Toledo Collection was also out and so I had another collection to turn to for this season (the Bao Bao Wan collection is also out, by the way but I wasn’t in the mood for colours that were that bright).
The Toledo collection is inspired by Isabel and Ruben Toledo – arguably one of the most prolific couples in the art world and in fashion too. Their creations are known to be… err.. what’s the term? I don’t think there’s actually one word to describe their works but let’s go with eccentric-chic. Bold colours, vintage cuts with a modern twist for clothes, exaggerated lines for illustrated faces. It’s quirky yet with such an air of sophistication that only this couple can pull off.
So it’s no wonder that when MAC announced that they will have a collection inspired by this couple, bold reds and a parade of colours suddenly appeared in my brain. And I was right. The collection does not disappoint with the variety of colours available – especially for the eyeshadows. But of course, I was there for lipsticks that day. 😉
I was leaning towards getting Oxblood – a peachy-nude colour. I don’t really have enough nudes in my collection and I have a tonne of reds. But then I realised that I miss Sin – a shade that I used to wear back in college when I was totally into anything gothic.
I ended up getting that one as I found the other reds to similar to ones that I already own. Sin is a permanent colour so yes, I was basically buying this for packaging – which is gorgeous by the way. On the brighter side of things, I won’t get my heart broken once I finish a limited edition lipstick and MAC is no longer re-releasing it. Hello, Maleficent Collection’s True Love’s Kiss. (I know what limited editions do to me but I still buy certain colours. Call it a bad romance of sorts.)
Sin is quite popular when it comes to being included in certain collections. Aside from the Toledo collection, it was also recently included in MAC’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Collection launched last year.
As I said earlier, the packaging is gorgeous. I am half hearted when it comes to throwing the box away. It has Ruben Toledo all over it – even on the inside part of the box. But alas, we are anti-clutter in this home and I had to give in.
However, one thing to watch out for is the lipstick’s tube. It’s matte white with a velvety feel that I love. BUT. Never ever touch the tube with dirty hands. As with everything that’s white, it gets dirty quite easily and it takes a couple more rubs on the tube to get that lipstick stain out.
As you can see, the colour just divine. It’s a MAC classic, definitely. MAC describes it as a “deep dark blue red with a matte finish” but I’ve got to say it’s a rich burgundy for me with the slightest hint of purple.
The formula is very rich – one swipe gives you an opaque colour payoff. It’s buildable as well. Fair warning though, I’d have to say that it has got to be one of MAC’s most drying lipsticks. It has an extremely matte finish and can tug at your lips during application. I never wear this colour (same with lipsticks from the Retro Matte Collection) without applying lip balm first.
Photos above show Sin when worn both in natural and indoor lighting. Whoops! Just noticed that I was wearing the same shirt when I did the Nouvelle Vogue lipstick review. I hope you guys don’t mind. I’m a regular person after all. 😀 And I must confess that it’s a comfy favourite. 😉
And I just love the effect of the colour on my teeth. It makes the usual yellowy tinge not that noticeable. I’m a coffee and tea drinker and I used to smoke a lot (quit in 2011!) that’s why I have stained teeth. It’s getting better now though I must admit that my increasing tea addiction might just counter that in the next months. The effect is similar when I wear MAC Diva as well. Come to think of it, their colours are similar but Diva is actually creamier.
There you have it. Yet another lipstick review. I have another one coming up and surprise (!) it’s not from MAC. I got it in Manila while I was on holiday. I really hope you guys will also read that one. 🙂
That’s all for now. Don’t be shy – let me know your thoughts about this lippie at the comments section below. Love it? Hate it? A better colour suggestion?
More later!
Love,
Carol
