MAC Iris Apfel – review, photos & swatches

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Act quick if you want to catch a glimpse of this rare bird

Dear whoever makes these kind of decisions,
Can you please make sure I’m even half as stylish as Iris Apfel when I’m 90?
XOX, Stef

That’s right, the “geriatric starlet” (her term) you see here is 90 years old. And understandably so the subject of MAC’s latest collection. With a penchant for accessories and a fashion collection that people would kill for (in 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute held an exhibit plucked straight from her closet called “Rara Avis” – Latin for rare bird), Iris’ style blows away trendsetters 70 years her junior.

And the MAC collection? It blows away every launch that’s passed my vanity in quite some time. Color! Pigment! Beauty Powder! If I had giant owl-like spectacles, they’d be fogged up at the sight of it all.

Party Parrot

Perhaps the most exciting component of the collection are the lipsticks. Five of the brightest, most breathtaking, shocks of color I’ve seen in ages. I almost hate to talk about them because a) all but one are limited edition (Morange) b) Morange is the only one you can still buy online. But if you shake a tail feather and get to a store, you can still pick these up.

Like I did! At first glance of Temptalia’s swatches, I knew Party Parrot had to be mine. And it’s all I hoped for and more. This electric red-tinged pink has a dreamy matte finish (i.e. not at all dry) and completely opaque pigment. It’s got all the drama of red, but in a total unexpected color. It reminds me a lot of OCC’s Harlot (which I adore too). LOVE this. And honestly, I’m tempted to drive straight back and get all four other shades.

See? Not red! That’s Party Parrot next to Kanga Rouge for comparison

Diamond Dove

Not ones to be outdone in the color and pigment department, the eyeshadows are darn near perfect as well. The range is beautiful, MAC did fabulous representing exotic feathers here. Again, check out Temptalia for the swatches, then tell me which one you want to fly your way.

For me, it was Diamond Dove. This grey-tinged deep matte brown has taupe tendencies. I suspected it was going to make a fabulous smoky liner – and does it ever. I’ve used every days since I bought it, in numerous combos. It’s one of those “works with everything” sort of shades.

Last up is Too Chic Beauty Powder, which I did receive for review, but would have bought had I not. Confession time: I’m a bit addicted to Beauty Powders. These multi-tasking highlighters peek out their beautiful heads at MAC every once in awhile and I get obsessed every time. Beautiful on the cheeks, pretty on the browbone, finely milled and buttery soft – I just love them. And this light peaches and cream shimmer shade is no exception.

Too Chic, Diamond Dove, Party Parrot

So, well done MAC and Iris. This collection has me all a-flutter. we heartsters, what’s on your must-have list

Eyeshadow
Silver Gull (velvet): Blue-gray with sparkle
Robins Egg (matte): Mid-tone teal
Diamond Dove (matte): Deep gray-brown
Early Bird (matte) – Bright coral
Howzat (satin) – Deep gray with silver sparkle
$15 US

Lipstick
Pink Pigeon (matte) – Bright cleanest pink
Scarlet Ibis (matte) – Bright orange-red
Party Parrot (matte) – Bright red-pink
Flamingo (lustre) – Light milky bright coral
Morange (amplified creme) – Loudmouth orange
$14.50 US

Lip Pencil
Entertain Me – Clearly orange
Embrace Me – Vivid pinkish fuchsia
Redd – Red
$14.50 US

Beauty Powder
Too Chic – Soft peachy cream with fine shimmer
$25 US

Nail Lacquer
Oriele Orange – Bright orange coral
Toco Toucan – Bright blue-fuchsia
Sandpiper – Creamy pale stone beige
$15 US

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.