MAC's Dear Diary & Embrace Me - swatches and review

From the desk of 14-year-old Nicole:

Dear Diary,

If you could create a super-awesome MAC collection which brought together polka dots, bright colours, a bit of attitude and harmony that'd be cool with me.  I can do my own makeup, like, pretty okay, but I'm really looking for a fun colour that's easy to wear and lasts all day long at school.  And, it can't come off.  I don't really have time to hit the bathroom for touch-ups every hour - teachers don't hand out hall passes like candy.  I mean, come on!

So, get on it and keep me posted.

Yours,

Nicky

xoxo

Dear Diary and Embrace Me

Lip Pencil and Pro Longwear

Earlier this month MAC released a limited edition collection ranging between brights and pastels - punk rock goddess, Beth Ditto just so happened to be their muse.  Plus, it helps she loves to pack a punch with her makeup and her curves.  Fearless and confident - those are two things you need to be or hope to achieve when applying a bit of Dear Diary and Embrace Me.  These bright watermelon pink hues were released with companionship in mind, but you can certainly take each colour on a solo journey too.

Friends to the end

Embrace Me

Dear Diary

Embrace Me and Dear Diary

When I first swatched these two colours, I got twinges of joy because they both reminded me of NARS' Mexican Rose.  Mexican Rose is deceptively pink and lasts all day.  Looking to make a statement? Then hop to it and add Embrace Me to your makeup bag; Dear Diary is sold out online and in stores (sorry ladies).

Side by side comparison

Mexican Rose certainly isn't a dupe for either of these colours - it leans more red, whereas the other two have blueish undertones.  Embrace Me and Dear Diary both dry matte and require minimal maintenance; first, reach for your favourite lip balm, add a dash of Embrace Me, Dear Diary or both.

A few weeks ago I took both colours out for a spin, all told this duo hung around for eight hours.

MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary

Total amount for MAC Embrace Me and Dear Diary:

• $30.00 AUS and $40.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags – I’m a sucker for bright pink lips

Likelihood to purchase again:

• Hi MAC, what else do you have in store for us this year?