Things that match brighten my day… matching dishes, matching clothing hangers, matching furniture….matching makeup? The latest MAC Fashion Sets Collection for Summer 2012 is all about matching lipstick, lipgloss and nail polish in top selling shades from around the world!  There are four different world collections (North America, Asia Pacific, Europe & Africa and Latin America & Middle East), each with seven top-selling, color-coordinating trios.  Some of the world collections contain some of the same shades and some different ones. To see a full list of all the shades and which world collection they belong to, click here.

Usually I review collections by product category… but since I only have two shade sets to show you- I thought I would do it by color instead this time.

MAC Fashion Sets Collection for Summer 2012

Russian Red

Russian Red is a staple for so many people.  It is the #1 selling lipstick in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Singapore and Venezuela.  This bluish-red is better described as “the perfect red lip”.  Not too cool, not too warm, not too deep, incredibly rich… it’s the first shade I recommend when a red lip recommendation is requested.

MAC Fashion Sets Collection in Russian Red

MAC Fashion Sets Collection in Russian Red

MAC Fashion Sets Collection in Russian Red (Wearing Lipstick, Lipglass & Nail Lacquer)

Lipstick

The MAC Lipstick in Russian Red ($14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD) is described as a matte finish… which is quite surprising because it really isn’t like any other matte lipstick I’ve tried from MAC.  It actually has quite a bit of sheen, and is very comfortable on the lips. It feels and looks much more like a Satin finish.  I highly recommend starting off with a lip pencil first, because it is so pigmented.

MAC Lipsticks have a slight vanilla scent that I really love. I really can’t say enough great things about this lipstick!  Usually I stay away from red lips because it makes my teeth look yellow, but because it is a cool red, I find it to be much more flattering.  If you’re looking for that Old Hollywood Glam look…then look no further. This lipstick is in the permanent line.

RATING: A+

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

MAC Lipstick in Russian Red

Lipglass

The MAC Lipglass in Russian Red ($14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD) is a vivid, opaque lipgloss that is slightly more cherry toned than the lipstick.  It’s brighter and more vibrant, but still in the blue-red family.  If you want patent-leather red lips, this is your new friend.  MAC Lipglasses have a slight vanilla scent, similar to the lipsticks.  They are thick and sticky, but last the longest out of any lipgloss that i’ve tried.  I didn’t experience any bleeding with the lipgloss, however you do have to be careful about smudges because it is so pigmented.

Overall, it’s a very flattering lipgloss, because it doesn’t settle into the lines of the lips and it maintains an opaque, high-shine finish.  It can definitely be worn on its own, but I much prefer it on top of the lipstick. This lipglass is also in the permanent line.

RATING: A

MAC Lipglass in Russian Red

MAC Lipglass in Russian Red

MAC Lipglass in Russian Red

MAC Lipglass in Russian Red

MAC Lipglass in Russian Red

MAC Russian Red Lipstick (left), Lipglass (middle), Lipstick + Lipglass (right)

Nail Lacquer

The MAC Nail Lacquer in Russian Red ($16 USD / $19 CAD) is described as a mid tone, neutral red.  It is a cream finish, and I was happy with the opacity after two coats.  I found it to dry darker on my nails, so be aware of that when looking at the bottle itself.  It’s much more similar to the lipstick rather than the lipgloss. I usually get about 4-6 days of chip-free wear from MAC Nail lacquers, but I find the shiny finish fades away after about 2 days. It’s definitely one of the nicest red nail polishes that I’ve seen, however it is very dupe-able because it is such a common shade.  This nail lacquer is limited edition.

RATING: A-

MAC Nail Lacquer in Russian Red

MAC Nail Lacquer in Russian Red

MAC Nail Lacquer in Russian Red

Myth

Myth, the ultimate nude.  It is the #1 selling lipstick in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia & Finland.  This light nude shade is a go-to for so many people when they want the nude-lip look. While I personally prefer Creme d’Nude for its slightly pink undertone, many find this shade very wearable and flattering to their skin tone.

MAC Fashion Set in Myth

MAC Fashion Set in Myth

MAC Fashion Set in Myth (Wearing Lipstick, Lipglass & Nail Lacquer)

Lipstick

The MAC Lipstick in Myth ($14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD) is a Satin finish lipstick, with great pigmentation and a soft sheen.  You can dab it on for a little lighter coverage (that’s how I like to apply it because it is so intensely nude).  It is very similar to Creme d’Nude, the only difference is that it is more neutral and not as pink.

The lipstick is very flattering on its own as a nude lip, but you can top it off with your favorite gloss.  I also like to pair this lipstick with a lip pencil, just to give a bit more definition to the lips because they tend to lose it (especially when it is so close to your skin tone). This lipstick is in the permanent line.

RATING: A

MAC Lipstick in Myth

MAC Lipstick in Myth

MAC Lipstick in Myth

MAC Lipstick in Myth

Lipglass

The MAC Lipglass in Myth ($14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD), while also described as a light neutral nude, I found to be way different than the lipstick.  It looks almost like a brownish-yellow in comparison, and unfortunately settled into the creases of my lips, both on its on and on top of the lipstick.  Light, milky lipglosses tend to have this effect, but with this particular shade I found it to be very noticeable.

I wouldn’t wear this one on its own, and I’m not really a fan of the color it turned out to be. This lipglass is limited edition.

RATING: C+

MAC Lipglass in Myth

MAC Lipglass in Myth

MAC Lipglass in Myth

MAC Lipglass in Myth

MAC Lipglass in Myth

MAC Myth Lipstick (left), Lipglass (middle), Lipstick + Lipglass (right)

Nail Lacquer

The MAC Nail Lacquer in Myth ($16 USD / $19 CAD) is a cream-finish polish and I was happy with the coverage after 2 coats (that’s pretty good for such a light, nude shade).  It has the same finish, look and wear as Russian Red.  I’m loving this nail lacquer!  It’s much more similar to the lipstick than the lipgloss, which I’m happy about, and it complements my light skin tone nicely.

Definitely one of my favorite nude polishes that I have found so far (it’s not an easy task trying to find one)! I recommend trying to swatch it though, because nude polishes can look very different on different skin tones. This nail lacquer is limited edition.

RATING: A

MAC Nail Lacquer in Myth

MAC Nail Lacquer in Myth

MAC Nail Lacquer in Myth

See More

COLLECTIONS
MAC Fashion Sets Collection for Summer 2012 Photos & Information

LOOK BOOK
Look Book: Russian Red

Summary

• Price: $14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD for 0.1oz / 3g (Lipsticks), $14.50 USD / $17.50 CAD for 0.17oz / 4.8g (Lipglosses), $16 USD / $19 CAD for 0.34oz / 10mL (Nail Lacquers)
• Availability: MAC
• Selection: See the entire MAC Fashion Sets collection here
• Overall: I think the collection is a great idea. I love matching shades, and especially because these are top sellers, I think many people will be excited to have a few of their favorite products in alternative formulas. I think that the shades differ a bit from product to product, but especially in the Myth lip glass, which missed the mark in both color and texture.  All of the other products are excellent, especially the Myth nail polish and Russian Red lipstick.
• Rating: A- Overall (Individual products rated above)