PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH FOR JANURY--MAC ORIGINALS COLLECTION REVIEW AND CONTEST--HURRY!

In the Advice Sisters "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review Columns we feature new products, colors and trends. But the "tried and true" classics in beauty and fashion endure because they work and people love them! M.A.C. Cosmetics knows that it's legion of fans clamour for M.A.C. classics as well as the new, nifty and trendy, so this Winter they launched the "Classics Collection," with a nod to celebrities from the glamorous Carol Channing to shape-shifting, Bowie. The AdviceSisters received the collection too late to include it in our January/February What Works review column, but we making the M.A.C. Classics Collection the Products of the Month for January on this blog.

One of the things I've always loved about M.A.C. Cosmetics is that while their colors can be totally trendy, they're also totally wearable. When I look at the colors in this large collection, I realize that everyone old is really still new. We got a chance to check out some of these products that have stood the test of time. If you're a die-hard M.A.C. Cosmetics collector and fun, you will recognize some of these products, and perhaps, you've been seeking them without success. If you're relatively new to M.A.C. you'll find pleasing wearable colors in high-performance formulas (M.A.C. tweaked the formula just a bit to make them better than ever) that will make you love them instantly. MAC switched formulas around just a bit to give them an extra ‘push’.
Now, through the end of January, they're yours for the taking!

Here's the entire line-up:

LIPSTICK: (Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN) Bold reds were big for the holidays, and they're big huge for Spring, too. For those with cool complexions, the M.A.C. Lipstick in "Russian Red" is an intense, rich, bluish-red that looks ladylike and bold. Slightly warmer and more pink than red, but no less glam is "Rozz Revival Watermelon" a lustre red/pink that reminds me of a color starlets wore in the '50's.

Rozz Revival Watermelon reddish pink (lustre)
Chintz on Chintz Sheer mid-tone yellow brown (lustre)
Utter Pervette Soft pastel pink (lustre)
Back to Del Rio Deep brown red (lustre)
Nouveau-Frou Beigey grey pink with white pearl (lustre)
Retrofluid Sheer Dirty deep plum with gold and red pearl
Supersequin Plummy pink with silver pearl (lustre)
Twig-Twig Neutral brown plum (lustre)
Sandy B Light shell pink
Russian Red Intense bluish-red

TINTED LIPGLASS: (Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN). These lip glosses give you a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen that can be worn "as-is" or over a lip pencil or another product. My favorite is "Avarice" (interesting name) that is a mid-tone yellowed-red with a soft red pearl in a creamy finish that shows up as the perfect, sexy rose on lips. I also have a soft spot for "Nico Now," a creamy, mid-tone grey/purple with parti-colored shimmer that shows up on lips as a beautiful, shimmery, soft pink.

Full on Lust Neutral brown pink (cream)
Avarice Mid-tone yellow red with soft red pearl (cream)
Real Desire Deep plum with red plum
Nico Now Mid-tone grey purple with multicoloured pearl (cream)
C-Thru Soft peached-beige with shimmer (cream)

SINGLE EYE SHADOW: (Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN) the eye shadows are mostly muted, blendable and intense, with colors such as "A Little Folie," a mid-tone, matte red/brown that looks perfect all year long no matter what colors you're wearing on your body, and the much beloved "Parrot," a frosty, mermaid blue/green that will look nice with Spring's tropical tones, too.

Daisychain Soft yellow beige with soft white pearl (satin)
Ochre Style Mid-tone yellow brown with gold (frost)
A Little Folie Mid-tone red brown (matte)
Memorabilia Dirty purple (matte)
Clue Mid-tone dirty grey with silver (matte)
Alum Mid-tone blue grey with soft blue pearl (frost)
Charred Deep steel grey with silver pearl (frost)
Frisco Soft pastel pink (matte)
Parrot Deep aqua blue with bright green and blue pearl (frost)

PIGMENT: (Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN) The Pigments (highly concentrated loose color powders with ingredients to help it adhere to the skin in a subtle wash or intense color) still look pretty and trendy, with colors such as Kitschmas, a shimmery pink/mauve pearl and "Melon," a frosty golden peach that managed to be both bright, and soft.

Kitschmas Light airy shimmering pink/mauve pearl (frost)
Violet Vivid bright violet-purple (frost)
Melon Soft bright golden peach (frost)
Golden Olive H High frosted green gold (frost)
Steel Blue Rich deep turquoise green-blue shone with small pearl particle (pearl)

GLITTER: (Suggested Retail Price $16.50 U.S./$20.00 CDN) Standouts from the Reflect (glitter) offerings include: "Very Pink," a shocking, sparkling fuchsia pink that I like mixed with lip gloss (but you can wear it on eyes or cheeks, of course) and a very wearable and glam " Antique Gold," a sparkling taupe that is universally flattering and versatile in every season.
Reflects Blackened Red Sparkling burgundy
Reflects Very Pink Sparkling fuchsia pink
Reflects Transparent Teal Sparkling white with turquoise
Reflects Antique Gold Sparkling taupe

EYE PENCIL: (Suggested Retail Price $12.50 U.S./$15.00 CDN) These slim pencils are soft and blendable, but stay put. A fine point lets you apply a fine line without struggling! They're "must-have" in every makeup bag.

Ebony Soft black
Coffee Muted brown
Indigo Muted greenish-blue

MASCARA X: *Suggested Retail Price $12.50 U.S./$15.00 CDN) I wish it came in as many colors as the other products! Mascara X coats lashes without clumping or smudging and makes lashes thick, long and glossy, thanks to a soft-fiber (football-shaped) brush.
Black Black
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MAC ORIGINALS CONTESTS! ENTER THIS WEEKEND JANUARY 4-6, 2008:

National Contest – How to Enter:
To enter the “Are You A M·A·C Original?” contest on a national level, consumers can visit http://www.maccosmetics.com/ beginning December 26th to submit a picture of themselves wearing their favorite M·A·C products, along with 50 words on what makes them a M·A·C Original. The winner will be determined by votes online. The winner will receive a $1,000 M·A·C gift card and the complete Originals collection.

Regional Contest – How to Enter: On a regional level, M·A·C will hold the “Are You A M·A·C Original” Contest in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Houston on the weekend of January 4th-6th. M·A·C customers can visit designated M·A·C locations for a complimentary makeup application and get a professional photograph taken. Customers can then enter to be the MAC Original winner of the city and will also be automatically entered into the national contest. The regional winner will receive a $250 M·A·C gift card, the complete Originals collection and a story in a local publication. For contest rules and regulations, please visit http://www.maccosmetics.com/.

....AND, DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE ADVICE SISTERS NEW YEARS' RESOLUTION CONTEST: What's your #1 New Years resolution for 2008? Whether it's a traditional goal such as losing weight, being more communicative at work, reducing stress, being more considerate or more charitable, or something totally different, the AdviceSisters want to give you extra incentive to stick to it and be the champion we know you are. So, we're giving away a fantastic collection of Champion Sportswear! All you have to do to win is tell us your top New Years Resolution for 2008 with a brief explanation of how you intend to reach your goal. If you win, you will receive a women's Super Hoodie, sports pant and sports bra along with a bonus goodie: a Men's Hoodie! Go the the CONTEST PAGE read the Official Rules, and then complete the ENTRY FORM *now through March 1st, 2008. The winning entry will receive a Champion sportswear collection worth over $200.