Casual and Versatile: MAC Casual Colour

As you know, I'm sometimes less than enthused with MAC's limited edition collections. Nothing gets me more excited, though, than a well thought out quality product release. Well edited collections with high quality products cause me to feel all the excitement I did when I'd just discovered the brand in high school. The Casual Colour collection brought back those feelings of unbridled enthusiasm, and while many pined for Hey Sailor! and Beth Ditto I had my eyes on the new Pot Rouge-esque lip and cheek colors.

MAC touts these products as "weekend chic," a description that conjures images of effortless beauty and "no makeup" makeup looks that many of us strive for on days off. I purchased two shades from the range: Keep It Casual (an autumn/winter shade) and Out For Fun (a spring/summer shade). 

(Left to right): Keep It Casual, Out For Fun

 I captured a shot in full sunlight in an effort to display the texture of these products. Highly emollient and incredibly easy to blend the Casual Colour lip and cheek products are definitely not cream to powder blushes. Those of you who have had the opportunity to try Korres Cheek Butters will find the consistency quite similar, though MAC's offering is much easier to blend. I love that in a world of "cream to powder" products these remain proudly creamy on the skin after application leaving a fresh, dewy blush behind. They're a bit more drying as lipsticks, but can easily be paired with other products to amp up the shine.

MAC describes Keep It Casual as a "warm wine," although the shade reads more strawberry red both as a blush and as a lipstick on my skin tone. Out For Fun is an unabashed near neon coral that is an absolute blast to wear as a blush or a lipstick. If you dislike products that leave a stain (particularly those of you with pale skin) Out For Fun should be avoided. I swatched these products over forty-eight hours ago and there is still a strong mark where this shade was applied!

(Left to right): Keep It Casual heavily and blended, Out For Fun heavily and blended

 

After playing with the Casual Colour pots for a few days I've determined I need more. I love a versatile product, and I can't say no to a blusher/lip cream that also makes a magnificent base product. I've mentioned before that I don't have problems with lasting power under normal circumstances, but just like anyone a work out that induces sweat causes my makeup to slide right off. Guess what stayed behind (as a hint, it definitely wasn't my tinted moisturizer)?

Have you tried any of MAC's Casual Colour products? Which shade is your absolute favorite?