Mac Glitter and Ice for Christmas 2011: Pictures & Swatches

Mac's Christmas collection, Glitter and Ice, is on counter at the start of November and is visually, pretty impressive looking. Everything (barring the lashes) is limited edition, and packaging's white, which lifts it immediately - I'm not a big fan of Mac's drab black pots and bullets; they're quite tired and pedestrian at this point and it could benefit from changing them. For a company that's so fashion-forward, I wonder why does it allow itself to be left behind with something as basic as this, especially when other beauty brands knock it out of the park day-in, day-out.

Yeah, the pro argument can be made but Mac is a massive consumer company too, and hey - we all love a bit of handbag candy. The packaging looks great in white actually - like it a lot. I've got a few samples ahead of the on-counter date as well as a collection overview for your viewing pleasure today: lets get to it.

This is one half of the seasonal goodies, the other forms up the gifting offer.  Glitter and Ice is all about eyes, lips and complexion and shine is high on the agenda. Proper order really, given the season. There are six larger-than-usual Mineralize Eye Shadows, €21.50, in Fresh Ice, Snow Season, Hold that Pose!, Frozen Blue, Shimmermint and Winterized.

This is Shimmermint: Mac describes it as a "pale green melange." It's very frosty, well pigmented and not one for me shade-wise - though used sparingly over a back base or with a smokey eye could work well.

Shimmermint swatch.

Three Paint Pots in Let's Skate!, Morning Frost and For Effect will be €20 each.

More for eyes: Opulash in Bad, Bad Black is €16.50 and there are six Technakohl liners in Silver Skates, Going for Gold, Seasonally Spicy, Fancy Moves, Practice Makes Perfect and Smooth Manoeuvre. They'll be €19 each.

I was sent Practice Makes Perfect. Mac say it's a navy with pearl but to me this is a matte or creme teal. I'll let you decide:

I like this - it's a great shade for brown/green eyes and the formulation of Technkohl is very good. They're easy to use and very non-budgey once in place. You don't need to pare 'em either, just twist from the middle to reveal a little more product as needed.

There'll be two Beauty Powders as part of this collection: Snowglobe and How Beautiful! will be €29 each.

Laaaahhhhving this. Definitely one of the nicest beauty powders Mac has released recently, Snowglobe made me swoon. It doesn't look much, I know, but it's a very fine, smooth powder with sophisticated shimmer. I wouldn't be inclined to use this as an all-over setting powder - unless the C3pO effect is one you actively seek - but dusted across cheekbones, down the nose and chin will be perfect for a little get-yer-glow-on.  It's a lovely luminizer for paler gals - and massive with it, you'll get yonks out of this.

Beauty Powder in Snowglobe swatched.

Six Dazzleglass lipglosses for €21 are also incoming. Shades are Pleasure Principle, Dressed to Dazzle, Glitter and Ice, She-zam, Love Alert and Spanking Rich. Loving the look of the last two!

If you like lipstick you'll be happy with this little lot: another sextuplet of shades will land as part of Glitter and Ice and they are Whirls and Twirls, Double Spin, Soft Sable, Eloquent Air, Such Flare and What Joy! €18.50's the damage and I've gotten a sample of Such Flare and Dazzleglass in Glitter and Ice.

The lipsticks in this collection come in a variety of finishes - there's a glaze, a cremesheen, a frost, a glaze, a matte and a satin. Such Flare is listed as a true red matte and while it looks dark in the bullet, it's actually really lovely and bright on the lips, and even tends slightly towards pink. Very fond altogether. The Dazzleglass shade is a good basic - you'll never go too wrong with a sparkly nude, eh?

Swatches of Such Flare, left and Dazzleglass in Glitter and Ice, right.

Lastly, the collection includes lashes in 7, €12 and three Nail Lacquers in Unconditionally Fabulous, Get Noticed! and Festive Finery. They'll be €13.50.

Anything going on your lust-list for November?