MAC's Dear Diary & Embrace Me - swatches and review

From the desk of 14-year-old Nicole:

Dear Diary,

If you could create a super-awesome MAC collection which brought together polka dots, bright colours, a bit of attitude and harmony that'd be cool with me.  I can do my own makeup, like, pretty okay, but I'm really looking for a fun colour that's easy to wear and lasts all day long at school.  And, it can't come off.  I don't really have time to hit the bathroom for touch-ups every hour - teachers don't hand out hall passes like candy.  I mean, come on!

So, get on it and keep me posted.

Yours,

Nicky

xoxo

Dear Diary and Embrace Me

Dear Diary and Embrace Me

Lip Pencil and Pro Longwear

Lip Pencil and Pro Longwear

Earlier this month MAC released a limited edition collection ranging between brights and pastels - punk rock goddess, Beth Ditto just so happened to be their muse.  Plus, it helps she loves to pack a punch with her makeup and her curves.  Fearless and confident - those are two things you need to be or hope to achieve when applying a bit of Dear Diary and Embrace Me.  These bright watermelon pink hues were released with companionship in mind, but you can certainly take each colour on a solo journey too.

Friends to the end

Friends to the end

Embrace Me

Embrace Me

Dear Diary

Dear Diary

Embrace Me and Dear Diary

Embrace Me and Dear Diary

When I first swatched these two colours, I got twinges of joy because they both reminded me of NARS' Mexican Rose.  Mexican Rose is deceptively pink and lasts all day.  Looking to make a statement? Then hop to it and add Embrace Me to your makeup bag; Dear Diary is sold out online and in stores (sorry ladies).

Side by side comparison

Side by side comparison

Mexican Rose certainly isn't a dupe for either of these colours - it leans more red, whereas the other two have blueish undertones.  Embrace Me and Dear Diary both dry matte and require minimal maintenance; first, reach for your favourite lip balm, add a dash of Embrace Me, Dear Diary or both.

A few weeks ago I took both colours out for a spin, all told this duo hung around for eight hours.

MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary

MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary

Total amount for MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary:

  • $30.00 AUS and $40.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 9 out of 10 bags – I’m a sucker for bright pink lips

Likelihood to purchase again:

  • Hi MAC, what else do you have in store for us this year?