It’s been a while since I’ve even considered a MAC Cosmetics Holiday Collection. When I say awhile I mean three to four years as they’ve always been kinda “meh” to me and beginning to look the same, actually there are several holiday collections that seem just to look like the year before’s. The MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection is the breath of fresh air that Holiday 2016 needs. The gorgeous packaging with raised baroque gold, the vibrant colors, the to die for eye compacts with just the right amount of shimmer…
To say that this collection is massive would be putting it mildly. Of course, like most Holiday Collections it’s limited edition and will more than likely sell out quick. The packaging is super cute without being too cute. I think the gold baroque detail adds a bit of sophistication to the pink and purple. The collection comes in several kits as well as individual pieces. I was sent a few of the individual pieces to share with you.
NutCracker Sweet Lipstick $18
The MAC Nutcracker Sweet lipstick comes in five-holiday inspired hues. Kingdom of Sweets (soft milky pink, creme sheen), Flamboyish (hot deep pink, matte), Saucy Little Darling (deep coral red, amplified creme), So Good For You (intense cool red, matte) and Leap of Delight (deep plum purple, matte).
I was sent two of the lipsticks in the shade So Good For You and Leap of Delight. You can tell from the swatch that So Good For You leans a bit bluer. Leap of Delight is a vibrant purple matte, and unlike other purple lipsticks it actually surprised me by not being splotchy and going on smooth. You will need to add more than one layer to get good coverage, color me impressed.
Leap of Delight, So Good For You
Magic Dust Powder $28
The Magic Dust Powders are a translucent ultra-fine, light-catching pearlescent powder for face, neck and décolleté. This particular product comes in two shades, Sweet Vision and Yum Yum Yum If you don’t get anything else from this collection you HAVE to get the Magic Dust Powder in the shade, Sweet Vision which is described as a pinky peach with gold pearl. It reminds me of NARS Orgasm, but the shimmer while noticeable isn’t as pronounced as it in Orgasm. Yum Yum Yum is a soft pink with gold flecks.
Magic Dust Eyeshadow $19
Six new eyeshadow shades are released in a new, long-wearing shimmering pearl powder eye shadow with a unique silky texture, creamy to the touch. Dance Flowers Dance (light pink), Pretty Dainty (pink coral shimmer), Rabblerouser (bright intense pink), Forward March (peachy gold shimmer), Dark Lullaby (midnight purple) and Mustache (black with gold sparkle).
I received three of the six shades to try and out I’m feeling all three. After taking that Make Up For Ever Glam to ghoul class I feel like I can confidently rock black eyeshadow so I’m totally here for Mustache. The gold flecks are not only visible in the pan but are highly visible when swatched.
Mustache, Dark Lullaby, and Forward March
NutCracker Sweet Warm Eye Compact $39.50
Nutcracker Sweet Warm Eye Compact x 9. The Warm Eye Compact is one out of three eye shadow palettes. Warm includes nine shades in four different finishes. Filament (platinum silver, lustre), Whirling (metallic silver beige, lustre), Era (golden beige with shimmer, satin), Woodwinked (warm antique gold, veluxe pearl), Unwind (dirty olive, veluxe pearl), Lady Fingers (true gold, matte), Twelve Chimes (metallic deep cool brown, lustre), Showstopper (deep blackened brown, matte), and Beyond Gorgeous (black with gold pearl, veluxe pearl). All the kits include a dual ended brush.
This palette just might take the place of my Urban Decay Naked Palette that I take with me everytime I travel. All the shades performed well, except for showstopper, ironically. Showstopper took a little bit of coaxing and it didn’t go on well even with a primer.
From L-R: Filament, Whirlwind, Era, Woodwinked, Unwind, Lady Finger, Twelve Chimes, Show Stopper, Beyond Gorgeous
NutCracker Sweet Smokey Eye Compact $39.50
Like the Warm Compact the NutCracker Sweet Smokey Eye compact comes in nine shades of various finishes. This is another one of the holiday products that I’m completely head over heels for. The texture and pigmentation are soo good. Usually in the MAC x9 smaller compacts half of the shadows are dudes, but in this one only one (Sweet Dreams) seemed to disappoint.
Toodleoa (Light Warm Beige,Frost), Deception (Cool Medium Brown, Frost), Sweet Dreams (Warm midtone stone, matte), Kid (Beige cashmere, Veluxe), Dewdrop (Bright apricot, lustre), Cake & Biscuit (soft peachy brown, matte), Swiss Chocolate (muted reddish brown, matte), Dance in the Dark (deep cool brown, matte), Licorice Lance (Deep blackened brown, matte).
From L-R: Toodleoo, Deciption, Sweet Dreams, Dewdrop, Cake Biscuit, Swiss Chocolate, Dance in the Dark, Licorice Lane
I don’t think there was anything that I didn’t like from the item that I was sent for review. Again, this is the first time that MAC Cosmetics has wowed me with a Holiday Collection. The entire collection plus all the fun lipstick, gloss, and brush kits are available at Nordstrom (in store and online) and well as MAC Cosmetics (in store and online)
Thank you for the awesome review & swatches! The MAC Nutcracker eye palettes are now on sale for $23.50 at Macy’s! I found your site while
I was looking for swatches… I’m trying to decide if I need to order more eyeshadow. After your review, I’m sold! I just ordered the Smoky Palette. Thanks Again!