The MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection for Fall 2012 includes one Beauty Powder ($28 USD / $34 CAD) and two Powder Blushes ($22 USD / $26.50 CAD). Both compacts feature the glossy, black limited-edition packaging, each with a Marilyn Monroe picture on the lid. I have the Beauty Powder and one of the blushes to show you, but you can see more photos & information on the full collection here.

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection Blush & Beauty Powder Packaging

MAC Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn (left) & Blush in The Perfect Cheek (right)

Beauty Powder

MAC Beauty Powders are a little tricky… they are basically complexion enhancers that are meant to be used either all over the face, or just in certain areas, depending on the look you want to achieve. They are usually very sheer, with a slight hint of color and/or texture.

The MAC Beauty Powder ($28 USD / $34 CAD)  in Forever Marilyn is a sheer peach powder with a hint of radiance.  It’s meant to be used as a highlighter on the cheeks or softly all over for a luminous glow.  It’s a pretty good concept- who wouldn’t want that creamy, flawless Marilyn complexion?

I’m actually quite fond of this product for my own use, however it’s really not that sheer… and will definitely look chalky on most skintones. My NC20 skin is probably on the verge of being too dark… so really it’s best for pale, ivory complexions to use all over.  More people can use it as a highlighter, but because it’s has such a light radiance, I’d suggest using a different highlighter for sculpting those cheekbones.  This powder is much better used as an overall powder in my opinion.

It does give a nice glow to the skin without looking shimmery, but it’s hard to recommend it unless you’re quite fair.

MAC Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn

MAC Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn

Powder Blush

MAC Powder Blushes ($22 USD / $26.50 CAD) are one of my favourites- they are usually intensely pigmented and finely milled for a flawless flush.  This shade in The Perfect Cheek is a matte, neutral pink-beige, and it’s probably one of the least pigmented blushes from MAC I’ve ever come across.

Unless you’re going for an extremely natural-looking color, this blush won’t do much good. I’m also not a fan of matte blushes- I much prefer Satin finishes, as this one does look a bit chalky on the skin.  I had to swatch several layers to get it to show up in the photo so you could see the color… but trust me, it’s not the intense blush we’re used to seeing from MAC.

If it were just a bit more pigmented, I’d probably be swooning over this one- because I do love natural shades… but this one requires a little too much work to get a soft color on the cheek.

MAC Blush in The Perfect Cheek

MAC Blush in The Perfect Cheek

Swatches (L-R): MAC Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn & MAC Blush in The Perfect Cheek

Summary

• Price:  $28 USD / $34 CAD for 0.35oz / 10g (Beauty Powder) and $22 USD / $26.50  CAD for 0.21oz / 6g (Powder Blush)
• Availability: MAC
• Selection: See the entire collection here
• Overall: I’m not overjoyed with these complexion products, but they aren’t the worst either. The Beauty Powder gives a nice overall glow, but only for fair-skinned complexions- any darker than NC20 and it will most likely look ashy. The Blush in The Perfect Cheek doesn’t have the intense pigmentation I’m used to seeing from MAC blushes, and the matte texture is a bit chalky, despite the gorgeous hue.
• Rating: B+ (Beauty Powder) and B- (Powder Blush)