I’m sure many other makeup artists out there will join me as well breathe a sigh of relief and say, “Finally, MAC!” when they get their hands on these beautiful MAC PRO Lip Palettes ($40 USD / $47.50 CAD each), launching this Fall (Available August 23 in PRO Stores and then online later in October). The entire collection features five different palettes, including Pinks, Reds, Browns, Plums and Oranges (see them all here).

Each palette contains six different MAC Lipstick shades in one convenient palette.  It has a clear lid and magnetic closure, and looks very similar to the MAC Pro Palette quads.  The palette contains 6g of product, which works out to about 1/3 of a regular lipstick for each shade… so unfortunately it’s not a better value, but you’re getting more variety.

MAC PRO Lip Palette in 6 Preferred Pinks

Note the size

As a makeup artist, these palettes would be a great tool. When you rarely finish a lipstick in the first place, and simply wish to have more shades, this palette would be really handy. I can see everyday makeup users enjoying the palette as well, especially since you can pick a color family.  I also don’t see why you couldn’t refill the pans with the lipstick after you’ve finished it… bringing me to my next point- MAC, please release empties of these palettes so we can make our own (and possibly offer PRO Lipstick pans)!

I’ve been playing with the 6 Preferred Pinks palette for a few days now, and I must say I’m totally in love.  I was immediately drawn to the pink palette first, because I really am a pink-lip girl.  The palette has a nice variety of shade and texture, as do all the palettes.

The shades include…

• Violetta: Bright clean violet purple (Amplified Creme); this shade is super bold- but I totally love it. It’s not the most wearable shade, but I love how it looks and I would definitely mix it with the other colors as well to give a hint of violet.
• Crème de la Femme: Pink laced with gold (Frost); a very wearable mid-tone pink. It almost has a metallic reflection to it, but is still very nice and simple.
• Lovelorn: Emotive blue pink (Lustre); a classic pink lip. Safe, essential and well-pigmented for a lustre finish.
• Show Orchid: Vivid hot pink (Amplified Creme); the most bright and bold shade in the palette- my favorite!  It’s actually a very wearable hot pink (more so than Candy Yum Yum, in my opinion). It has more of a fuchsia tone to it, so I feel like it’s more complimentary to many skintones.
• Please Me: Muted rosy-tinted pink (Matte); this is the only matte shade in the bunch, and it’s actually really pigmented and nice. It’s quite light, which isn’t always easy for a matte shade, but I do quite like it.
• Pretty Please: Pale pink pearl (Lustre); the lightest, pale shade in the group and definitely the most sheer. This shade was never one of my favorites in the actual tube, but for some reason I like it a lot more in this palette.

I’m quite happy with this palette, although I do wish that it would have included a baby pink shade (something along the lines of Saint Germain, perhaps).  I find Creme de la Femme, Lovelorn and Please Me to be all very similar in tone (although their textures do distinguish them from one another), so I would have swapped out one of those for a bright baby pink shade.

MAC PRO Lip Palette in 6 Preferred Pinks

Swatches (L-R): Violetta, Creme de la Femme, Lovelorn, Show Orchid, Please Me & Pretty Please

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Violetta

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Creme de la Femme

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Show Orchid

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Please Me

Wearing MAC Lipstick in Pretty Please

Summary

• Price: $40 USD / $47.50 CAD
• Availability: MAC PRO
• Selection: See all five palettes here
• Overall: These palettes are definitely handy for makeup artists and afficiandos alike, however its important to keep in mind that the value isn’t as great as buying the lipsticks individually- you’re paying for the convenience of having several shades together. I do think the palettes would be easily re-fillable, and although I do like the 6 Preferred Pinks palette overall, it would have been nice to see a baby pink shade in it.
• Rating: A-