I recently visited the new Pat McGrath Labs counter at Sephora. I've had bad luck with Pat McGrath products in the past. Mostly because the kits were so complex--they just never felt designed for someone who needs a simple morning routine like myself. I always hated the cheap lab style packaging and the fact that everything came in a kit and not as singles. I hate kits because I never use half of it so it's a waste. I was happy to finally see a line from Pat McGrath that was not kits and came in beautiful sturdy packaging. I grabbed the LuxeTrance Lipstick in Donatella. Most of the shades were what I figured they would be. Dark, bright or very vibrant. All shades are creams no shimmer.
I was surprised Donatella worked for me. With the description Beige Mauve I figured it would be too cool for me. This is a cool beige mauve as it says. However, it's a great nude. Not too light to wash you out either. It's not extremely cool in tone either. Check out that box. It's stunning. It shuts by wrapping the string tie around the two circles. The glittery lips is an amazing photo. The packaging is a deep navy glossy plastic with a gold metal trim. There is gold lips on the front--Love it! Very artsy and unique much like Pat McGrath. While her kits were always too extensive for me I did appreciate their artistic appeal.
The bullet of this lipstick is also stunning. It's so glossy & has a very streamlined shape. I almost didn't want to ruin this by wearing it because it's so beautiful. The texture is creamy. The lipstick is pigmented, has a satin finish and is long lasting. I very much loved it. I'm thinking of grabbing a red shade now. This feels creamy and thick on, not too thick but enough to really last and hydrate the lips at the same time.
Here it is on the lips. Not too cool, nor too pale. Has enough pink (mauve) to not be just a cool brown nude. If you love nudes I would recommend this creamy long lasting satin finish formula to anyone. While it's a bit pricey at $38 it's a good quality lipstick with a fun artsy flair.
The Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil & Ultra Glide Eye Pencil were pleasant surprises for me. These glide on like butter. Seriously these are amazing. They're pigmented, blend easily and last all day long. These don't budge or smudge. I'm officially obsessed now. The lightweight gel texture is so good. Plus look at that box packaging. Love it.
I grabbed the Permagel Lip Pencil in Done Undone. Described as a light pink nude. That's accurate. I's a warmer toned pencil that has an ever so hint of shimmer to it. This on isn't drying on the lips like some long last lip liners. All lip liners are drying to some degree from the high wax content, this one is not bad. It's very comfortable.
I also grabbed the Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in Shade. Described as a midtone taupe which is fairly accurate. It's a cool brown grey. It's a deeper shade but a relief from black. I like non black shades for the most part to define my eyes. Black is nice but can be a bit harsh for me. These pencils retail for $25 and come with their own pencil sharpener. They are well worth the price.
Overall, I was very pleased with this new range of products from Pat McGrath. Finally her great quality products match in a quality package. I would love to see her expand the lipstick shade range. There's a big lack of shades in the lighter nude range. Not really pale shades, though that's lacking too, but in the medium light range. The majority of shade are in the medium, medium deep to dark and vampy range. I wanted badly to love the eyeshadow palette as well, but it just had way too much glitter for me. As expected the texture was amazing on the eyeshadows.
Left Done Undone, Right Shade.
Top to Bottom--Pat McGrath Donatella, MAC Fleur de Force, Surratt Hevyn, Zelens Nude Beige, Charlotte Tilbury Confession, Lipstick Queen The Whole Truth, Le Metier de Beaute Beauty Professor:
Top to Bottom--Pat McGrath Done Undone, Kevyn Aucoin Flesh Tone Lip Pencil Medium, MAC Spice, MAC Boldly Bare; Pat MGrath Shade, Armani Smooth Silk #2, Pixi Graphic Greige:
