A New Collaboration That Brings Back Nostalgia
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt the urge to constantly check the M.A.C. Cosmetics website for new releases, but the brand has brought back some old memories with its latest collaboration. To celebrate National Lipstick Day, M.A.C. partnered with two celebrities—model Alex Consani and rapper J.T.—to launch lip combo kits. These kits are designed to be easy to wear and offer a complete look without needing other products from your makeup collection.
Each kit features a variety of lip formulas in shades that both Consani and J.T. favor. Consani’s selection includes a lip pencil in Whirl, the Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Warm Teddy, and the Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Clear. However, I found myself drawn more to J.T.’s set, which includes nostalgic items like the Chestnut Lip Pencil, the Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Lipstick Snob, and the Clear Lipglass.
As a limited edition bundle, J.T.’s collection is currently sold out online due to viral TikTok videos. While it’s still available at some freestanding stores, the beauty of this collaboration is that all the products included are part of M.A.C.’s permanent collection. This means you can purchase individual items even if you missed the initial drop.
If you’re thinking about visiting your local M.A.C. store or counter, I highly recommend it. I’ve been wearing this lip combination non-stop and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
The Formula
The standout item in J.T.’s kit is the Lipstick Snob lipstick. It’s a soft, neutral pink that comes in M.A.C.’s “macximal” matte formula, known for delivering a lot of pigment without any shine. Compared to the brand’s retromatte formula, which can sometimes feel dry, this version glides smoothly onto the lips without tugging and offers excellent staying power.
Another reason to consider buying these products individually is because of the lipglass formula. It’s known to be thick and tacky, which might be a sensory challenge for some, especially if you have long hair. However, I find it to be one of the glossiest and most long-wearing lip products I own. I strongly suggest trying it in person at a M.A.C. counter before purchasing, as returning the entire kit could be cumbersome if you don’t love the product.
The last item in the set, the Chestnut Lip Pencil, has been a staple for years. This deep brown shade enhances lighter lip colors, making them look more refined on deeper skin tones. It transforms the light pink shade in the collection from unappealing to luxurious.
The Application
When applying the kit’s shades, I always start with the lip pencil and use my signature overlining technique. I then blend the liner out so that the color merges with my natural lip color, creating a beautiful gradient when I apply the lipstick.
Next, I gently tap Lipstick Snob onto the center of my lips and pat it in with my fingers. I’ve learned that applying it too heavily can make the pink tones overpower the brown, which defeats the purpose of the lip liner. Finally, I apply the Lipglass to the center of my lips and blend it outward. This keeps the colors from blending too much and gives me control over where the gloss ends up.
The Wear Time
This is one of my longest-wearing lip combinations, and I believe it’s thanks to the lip gloss. I usually get around three hours of perfect wear before I need to eat, and even then, I only notice a slight loss of color in the center of my lips. (Nothing that an extra dab of lipstick and gloss can’t fix!)
I typically remove and reapply the combination myself to keep the look fresh, not because the color becomes patchy or the formula feels uncomfortable. M.A.C. has truly mastered the art of comfortable, long-wear lip products.
Takeaways
In short, this collaboration is a smart move that highlights the incredible formulas in M.A.C.’s permanent collection. I love that the products featured in the kit are still easily available at any M.A.C. counter or standalone store, and even online and in-store at Ulta.
Beyond just the products in this collab, M.A.C. Cosmetics is one of my favorite beauty brands. Here are a few more must-haves from the brand that I always recommend keeping in your makeup bag:
- MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer Powder in Matte Deep Golden – One of my favorite bronzers of all time, especially during the warm summer months.
- MAC Powder Blush in Melba – M.A.C.’s powder blushes are among the best on the market.
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder Highlighter in Global Glow – A great alternative to gold deposit for those with neutral undertones.
- Hyper Real Serumizer – One of my favorite skincare products of all time, known for its impressive skin prep benefits.
- Strobe Beam Liquid Blush – A recent favorite, with Unsweetened being my go-to shade.
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