MAC Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag Gold, Face Palette Cool, Eye Palette Cool – swatches and review

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WHAT WILL YOU BE WEARING WHEN THE BALL DROPS?

Ready or not, the holidays are here. Before we know it the presents will be opened, the fruitcake shelved, and we’ll be tipsy on bubbly, celebrating the New Year at the stroke of midnight. What better inspiration for a new MAC holiday collection than the moment when we all want to look our best…just before that big, lucky kiss?

The MAC Stroke of Midnight Collection contains many kits, each one seemingly more stunning than the one before it. We heart this received three of these drool-worthy goodies: The Eye Bag in Gold, Eyes Eye shadow compact in Cool, and the Face Palette in Cool.

I had the chance to test one of these treasures, the Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag in Gold ($39.50), and let me tell you that it is worth its weight in it!

First, the bag is a stunner in its deco-inspired lines. Black, white and gold is a classic combination and the graphic lining screams Chanel. I will be using this as a clutch this holiday season since it is way to pretty to hide.

The four products inside mimic the glitzy bag they come in:

• Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz – blackened espresso with antique gold micro glitter
• Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Genuine Treasure – chunky antique gold glitter
• In Extreme Dimension Lash in Black Extreme – deep, matte black
• Double-Ended 209 Eye Liner/239SE Eye Shader Brush

Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Genuine Treasure, Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz

At first glance, the Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz seems pure black but is, in fact, laced with a barely there smattering of gold dust, so subtle you’ll wonder if you ever saw it. Blitz and Glitz can definitely be worn in place of plain black liner without fear of looking too glam for the day.

Less subtle is the Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Genuine Treasure. Genuine Treasure is a somewhat sheer wash of sooty gold – with emphasis on the gold. While this looks good on its own as a shadow, it’s also a great shadow topper, giving a burnished finish to almost any matte shadow. This one Paint Pot will extend your shadow collection a hundred fold.

But how should we apply these? With the Double ended 209 Eye Liner/239SE Eye Shader Brush, of course! Probably the prettiest brush you will own, again with the black, white and gold color theme. Use the shader for the Paint Pot and the Eye Liner with the Fluid Line – all you’ll have to do is flip it around.

Finally, my Eye Bag would not be complete without mascara and in this bag you will find In Extreme Dimension Lash in Black Extreme. What I love best about this mascara is the tapered paddle handle that makes twisting off easy and feels ergodynamic when applying.

The tube itself is quite big, as is the straight applicator with nubby plastic bristles instead of a brush. I love applicators like these in that they tend to deposit the product completely and separate each tiny lash. Size does matter, though, so be careful not to poke your eye out with this behemoth. The formula is matte, not glossy and does not flake.

Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Genuine Treasure, Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz

Now let’s hear a quick word from those who shared in this bountiful booty and what they have to say about their kits: the MAC Stroke of Midnight Face Palette in Cool and the Eye Kit, Eye Shadow Palette in Cool.

Heatherreports: I think that mid-century and art deco style fanatics will love the look of the Stroke of Midnight Face Palette in Cool ($49.50). This slim black compact is accented with gold and white graphics.

Things get even better when it’s opened, revealing a coordinated palette for eyes, lips and cheeks in seven shades of plum, blue-gray and black.

Eyes will pop with the three shadows in All Races (a mauvey taupe), Scene (a muted blue-gray), and Magic Moor (a pearly blackened plum); I found the universally flattering All Races highlighting shadow to be the standout here. Frame those eyes with the intense eye kohl liner in Ebony (a deep black) to finish the look.

Next, add a glow to the face with a few swipes of the Sparkling Rosé iridescent powder (a peachy pink with gold pearl). Complete your holiday look with a choice of two lip shades, either Sublime Pleasure (mauve cream with a luster finish) or Romantically Inclined (a Cremesheen in plum) and let the party begin!

Stroke of Midnight Face Palette in Cool – swatches, indoors

Sparkling Rosé Iridescent Pressed Powder – light peachy pink with fine gold shimmer
All Races Eye Shadow – cool light grey (matte)
Scene Eye Shadow – medium blue grey (satin)
Magic Moor Eye Shadow – plummy charcoal (veluxe pearl)
Sublime Pleasure Lipstick – sheer mauve (lustre)
Romantically Inclined Lipstick – brightened cool plum (cremesheen)

Stroke of Midnight Face Palette in Cool – swatches, outdoors

Finally, Alyssa had a chance to play with the MAC Stroke of Midnight Eye Kit in Cool ($39.50) and she claims this is more than your typical limited edition holiday fare.

She tells us: The packaging just screams old Hollywood to me – two simple white and gold stripes on a sleek black compact, very Art Deco. The five shadows in this kit are lovely and extremely wearable.

Fair Sex, Deception and Romance Me are perfect for a day look but throw in Shadowy Lady and Frisco and you’ve got the makings of a perfect evening smoky eye. At less than $8 per shadow, this is a gorgeous and affordable palette; I’m putting the other two on my Christmas list!

Stroke of Midnight Eye Kit in Cool – swatches, indoors

Fair Sex – frosty white pink (frost)
Deception – shimmery milk chocolate (frost)
Romance Me – plummy brown (lustre)
Frisco – cool light/medium pink (matte)
Shadowy Lady – blackened plum (matte)

Stroke of Midnight Eye Kit in Cool – swatches, outdoors

we heartsters – Will you be wearing MAC at the stroke of midnight this New Year’s Eve?

photos: we heart this, swatches shown on NC25/30 skin tone

Sherri is co-author of What Would You Do With This Room? My 10 Foolproof Commandments to Great Interior Design, and of course, a wht writer!

Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag/Gold
Genuine Treasure Paint Pot – reflects antique gold
In Extreme Dimension Lash – black
Blitz & Glitz Fluidline – intense black with gold pearl
209 Eye Liner/239 Eye Shader – double-ended brush
$39.50 US/$47.50 CDN

Stroke of Midnight Face Palette/Cool
Scene Eye Shadow – muted blue-grey (satin)
All Races Eye Shadow – cool light mauve taupe (matte)
Magic Moor Eye Shadow – rich blackened plum with pearl (veluxe pearl)
Sparkling Rosé Iridescent Pressed Powder – soft pink with gold frost
Ebony Eye Kohl – intense black
Sublime Pleasure Lipstick – soft mauve cream (lustre)
Romantically Inclined Lipstick – cool plum cream (cremesheen)
$49.50 US/$59.50 CDN

Stroke of Midnight Eyes/Cool
Fair Sex – light frosted pink (frost)
Deception – frosty golden brown (frost)
Romance Me – warm plum with gold pearl (lustre)
Shadowy Lady – blackened plum (matte)
Frisco – soft pastel pink (matte)
$39.50 US/$47.50 CDN