Makeup brands have been collaborating with some of my most favourite artists which makes me a very happy girl. I’ve been listening to Ellie Goulding long before she became way too popular. Admittedly, I’m partial to her earlier songs and albums but I guess it’s nice to see her grow as an artist.
When MAC announced that they’re having a collaboration with her, I knew I had to get something from it just cos it’s Ellie (I would do the same if Robyn was the one MAC’s doing a collab with. Which reminds me – when is MAC ever collaborating with my dear Robyn?!).
While photos of the collection got me all excited, my spirits were a bit dampened when a friend and some beauty bloggers online mentioned that the colours were too light. And some were quite disappointed due to the colours being way too ordinary.
Finally, I got back from our Japan trip on the 3rd (the collection launched in KL on 1 January and the 7th for Japan!) and I was able to actually check the collection out for myself. I got two items from it which I think were well worth it. Read on for the review of the I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo and the Only You Lipstick from this collection! 😉
I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo
Price: RM98
When I first saw photos of the collection, this immediately became one of the things I was most interested in.
While I love my NARS Orgasm and Laguna duo (a gift from one of my closest friends here), I find that having a blush and bronzer palette where the colours are of the same size always leaves me with a dilemma – I always finish the bronzer first. And this is where my OCD kicks in. I absolutely can’t stand it.
The I’ll Hold My Breath Blush Duo (named after one of my favourite Ellie Goulding songs –
Until you see me in your dreams
We’ll stay awake beneath the trees
We’ll watch the buildings turn to dust
A sky of diamonds just for us
You are the risk I’ll always take
The only branch I’ll never break
Those fears we’ll blow them all away, we’ll blow them all away
– has my dilemma covered. You get a blush and bronzer duo where the bronzer comes in a bigger size than the blush. Yes!
The bronzer is a warm brown with the slightest hint of shimmer while the blush is a satin coral-pink. Nothing too unique and I’m sure people can easily find dupes for these shades. However, I think the come on factor of this product is its value for money.
A bronzer and a blush for RM98? Not bad at all! It also packs a lot of product in one, sleek compact and that makes it perfect for traveling.
The colours are LIGHT – especially the bronzer. However, both are quite build-able and they blend easily. The blush gives off a natural, peachy glow while the bronzer is just perfection in warming up my pale complexion.
I wore the blush and the bronzer for a whole day (approx. 10 hours) and they started to fade on the 8th hour – nicely and without any patches.
Only You Lipstick
Price: RM85
I really do have a thing for lipsticks and I would usually go for them first when choosing what to get in Limited Edition collections.
Sticking to the pink-coral and nudes (eyeshadows) theme of the whole collection, the two lippies came out really light.
In fact, I think the shades are rather picky when it comes to skin colour as it might have the tendency to wash out people with darker skin tones.
Without Your Love (the colour I didn’t get) is described as a “warm seashell pink”. When applied, it merely looked like a sheer gloss when I swatched it. So I opted for Only You which MAC describes as a “muted mid-tone coral” from the Cremesheen family.
I’m more of a Matte than Cremesheen girl but this shade is actually pretty on the lips and is something I would pick out for sweet or natural makeup looks.
It glides on smoothly and the colour payoff is about 6/10. For a Cremesheen lipstick, it packs a lot of colour.
It dries on the lips after about an hour and stays there. It’s a wee bit drying but if you have lip balm underneath it, it shouldn’t be a problem. It also lasts quite long for a Cremesheen lippie as it lasted on me for about 4 hours.
Here are photos of the products when worn. Please note that these photos were taken after about 2 hours under direct sunlight (been running errands).
The lipstick, the blush, and the bronzer are holding up pretty well. Can’t say the same for my hair that day though as it was frizzing up like crazy. Thank you, humidity!
Is the collection worth it? I’d say they are great investment pieces and sre perfect for people who are starting up a makeup collection.
The colours of the face kits (Halcyon Days/Nights) are major essentials. I would have gotten them if I didn’t have so many nude and brown shadows already.
The lippies and the blush duo are also very usable. They are great everyday colours.
The Ellie Goulding Collection is still available at MAC Stores here in Kuala Lumpur as the stores didn’t really put up a display for it and there is no major clamour for the products.
Since the stores don’t have displays (cardboard pop ups might have been delayed?), you would have to ask the sales people for the testers.
If you want to get them though, I suggest you hurry as once they put them up on the counters, they will definitely sell-out fast.
That’s all for now!
Love,
Carol
