Back to MAC suggestions

~ stashy

I’ve collected 6 MAC items to return to MAC!  They’re not all empties – most of them are expired products or items that just didn’t work for me.

For those of you may not be familiar with the program, this is what MAC’s site states:

Because we share your commitment to the environment, M·A·C accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back To M·A·C Program. By returning six (6) M·A·C primary packaging containers to a M·A·C counter or M·A·C Cosmetics Online, you will receive a free M·A·C lipstick of your choice as a thank you.

Since 100% of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipsticks and Lipglass is provided to organizations that help people living with HIV/AIDS, these are excluded from this program.

I thought I’d show you what I’m returning to MAC and then you can help me decide what to select as my free lipstick!
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This will be kind of an empties / purge post too.

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1) Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC30 – I like this powder foundation for the summer months because it is quite mattifying and easy to use.  This particular compact is not finished but has hardened over time – I’ve had to scrape off the hardened top layer to use it. It’s just too old to continue using on my face and I noticed there’s a smell to it now that isn’t typical of this powder.

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2) Blot Powder Pressed in Medium – one of my all time favourite translucent powders.  It gets the job done without adding a powdery finish on the skin.  The writing on the sticker has completely rubbed off on this since I carried it in my purse.  I’ve used up many of these compacts!

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3) Prep+Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF30 in Light Plus – I had never owned a BB cream in compact form before so I was excited to try MAC’s version.  Unfortunately, I found this to look mask-like on my skin – I tried applying it with my fingers, a sponge, a brush… but I just couldn’t make it work.  And, it broke me out. The compact for this is really pretty – it has micro shimmer embedded in the plastic that glistens in the light.

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4) Paint Pot in Soft Ochre – I’ve owned this for close to 7 years and it’s just too dried out to wear on my lids anymore – the dryness of this makes my lids look crepey now.  It’s a great base for powder eye shadow.  I’ve got a bunch of other Paint Pots to use up first but I would definitely repurchase this colour.

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5) In Extreme Dimension Lash mascara in Black Extreme – this came as part of the Holiday kit from 2013. It looked promising based on the wand design – a silicone wand with short bristles.  But too much product comes out of the tube – it’s as if the stopper inside the tube isn’t small enough to wipe off the wand. The formula is also clumpy and flakey and smudgey – all the things that I dislike in a mascara! Unfortunately I received 2 of these. :/

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6) Greasepaint Stick in French Quarter – a limited edition item from the Venomous Villains collection in 2010.  It’s a beautiful blackened taupe with bronze shimmer, but it has completely dried out.  The formula wasn’t my favourite either – it was difficult to blend.  There’s a handy built-in sharpener at the end of the pencil.

Onto the Back to MAC selection!  Also, please note that freestanding stores will give you the option of choosing a free eye shadow instead of a free lipstick – I’ve only ever redeemed for eye shadows before.
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I have on my wish list, the following lipsticks:
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Brave (satin) – pink-beige with white pearl
Crosswires (cremesheen) – clean pinky orange
Fanfare (cremesheen) – mid-tone yellow pink
Party Line (cremesheen) – red-toned plum
Plumful (lustre) – blossoming rose-plum
See Sheer (lustre) – grapefruit pink

Which one should I redeem for? 🙂  Do you own any of these?
Have you ever Back to MAC before? What have you redeemed for?

81 thoughts on “Back to MAC suggestions”

      1. Yeah I think its going to be my next Mac lippy purchase! Yeah I’ve never tried the Lustre finish but the colour is so nice, it looks perfect for Fall!

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  2. I redeemed for M.A.C. Red to be my first true red lipstick. Love it for nights out.

    Get Brave. It’s a classic you need and most talked about from the bunch.

    If you want a more fun color, my vote goes to Fanfare.

    Have fun picking your prize out! Haha

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    2. Yes, Brave is the natural choice… but Crosswires is a strong contender! I like how it’s a creamsheen formula. I’ve only swatched it – not tried it on so I’ll see how I feel once I try it on. Sometimes I think it’s better to choose something fun and out of the norm for a free item, ya know?

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    1. What, they don’t do Back to MAC in the Nederlanders? Man, that’s no fair!
      Yes, I will have to take some time to test out the shades on my lips instead of just swatching on my hand! See how I feel after that. 🙂

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      1. No, I believe it is only the UK and the US…could save them up and hand them in when I travel I guess 😛
        Sounds like a lovely plan, I look forward to seeing what you picked 🙂

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  4. Wow! I never knew MAC did that!!! That’s awesome!
    As for the lipstick, I would have to say Brave. Brave has been on my wishlist for a while now and I bet it would look awesome on you ❤

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  6. Never redeemed anything….so far! Had no idea you could return unfinished products! !! I’ve got Crosswires, Plumful & See Sheer and they’re all v pretty. I’ve got swatches on here if you’d like to see. Don’t have Brave but have heard great things about it. Depends on what you’re looking for I guess 🙂

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    1. Oh yeah you can return unfinished products – they’re just after the plastic casing for recycling. I mean, if they won’t accept unfinished product, I’ll just scoop the stuff out and go back, what are they going to do? lol.
      Yes I want to see your swatches! Are they on your blog? Off to check now!
      I was thinking of getting something maybe a little more “fun”? I know Brave is a safe choice but I already have so many MLBB lipsticks.

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      1. Hmm yes very true! I just can’t imagine throwing out product ahhh haha, but joking apart, that’s good to know if you end up with something you really dislike (or can re-pot!) Yup they’re on my blog 🙂 Plumful is a nice Autumn/Winter colour so now might be the right time to get it! Although Crosswires and See Sheer are just soo beautiful – not too deep, not too pale, just in between and great for a sophisticated look for both daytime and evening. You can find them under Mac Lipsticks: Mid-Tone shades & Dark Shades. Let me know when you decide! 😀

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    1. Yes, it does, doesn’t it? I don’t even remember WHERE I saw that shade mentioned, but I noted it down and it’s been on my wish list for a while. I’ll see how it looks on me when I’m at the store!

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    1. I think colour makeup items are pretty impossible to finish up so the only things I’ve ever Back to MAC for are face products (foundation, concealer, powder) and skincare. I heard they even take cleansing cloth packages as Back to MAC so I’d imagine that’s probably the fastest way rack up empties.

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    1. I wasn’t aware of the Back to MAC program when I was first into makeup so I know that I threw away some MAC packages without realizing how valuable they were! 😛
      Party Line is surprising me with how much love it’s getting. When I posted the photos, it was probably one of the lowest on my list, but it’s probably now #3!

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      1. I know! I mean of all the make up here, MAC has the most following . Wouldn’t it be nice to pay it forward? Well if not to it’s consumers at least to the environment. I think the management of MAC here is to blame.

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  17. I have both Brave and Plumful! Both amazing shades! I can’t choose which one you should get but definitely narrow it down to those two! 😉 lol

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  18. Brave brave brave brave brave! !!!!!😍😙😙😋😋😋😋😋😋😋 I’ve never finished a product up so I haven’t done the back to mac ..however I’m almost out of 2 lipsticks so that leaves me with a few more products to go lol!:)

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    1. Eh usually I finish face products or skincare from MAC (or in the case here, the products have gone bad!), I know lots of people who depot eye shadows are lipsticks and do Back to MAC that way but I think that’s kind of sneaky.

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      1. Lol definitely! ! It’s just I have so many options that I hardly finish lipsticks and well powders too! I really have to love the lipstick/powder or whatever product to use it daily lol. As for depoting the lipsticks I just can’t! ! They are too pretty to cut lol

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      1. But to tell you the truth, I would probably come back more with 6 Paint Pots (or Paints) 😀 The No-Buy is some kind of relief and Sephora keeps on sending me deluxe samples 😉

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        1. No I won’t be going, I’ve never been because the thought of lining up and fighting with all those people makes me stressed out! I’ve also heard the products offered aren’t the full selection and good stuff sell out quickly!

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  21. What a shame about the BB compact and the Greasestick – they looked so nice.

    Well, Fanfare is one of my faves (really the only lighter pink I care to wear). Party Line is also really nice, and it’s probably a better one for fall/winter.

    Brave, Crosswires and Plumful are on my wishlist, though probably not Plumful so much, since I don’t love the Lustre formula.

    What about Russian Red? 😉 I also love Brave Red and Brick-O-La, which are redder options without being in your face like Russian Red.

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    1. I was SOOOO psyched for that Greasestick but used it all of about 5 times with poor results each time! Really too bad. And yes, that BB compact was something I had high hopes for but it just didn’t agree with me.
      Oh, what’s wrong with the Lustre formula? Too sheer? Hmm. I’ll have to see how they apply. I don’t have many MAC lipsticks so I’m not too well versed in their formulas – all I know if I like Amplified and Creamsheen.
      You’re the red lipstick queen… I don’t think I can pull those colours off…

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      1. The Lustres are just too sheer for my taste. Color looks amazing in the tube, then blah on my lips. There are a few exceptions, though, like Sophisto and Capricious, and the d/c Sheer Plum that I adored. Amplified Creme, Cremesheen and Satin are my fave MAC formulas.

        Hey, I gotta try with the red suggestions, right? 🙂

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  22. I used to have Crosswires, but found it was too bright and pink on my lips so I got rid of it.

    Plumful is a pretty, sheer lippie that goes slightly purple on me so it’s great for autumn. If you want a slightly warmer, rose version of Plumful you should check out Capricious (it’s also a lustre finish), which I like and wear more than Plumful.

    See Sheer is my ride or die lipstick. I’ve redeemed it at Back to MAC it countless times and wear it year-round even though it’s a coral. On some people this does turn a slightly red colour, but it’s beautiful nonetheless and something I will always repurchase since it was my first ‘bright’ lipstick!

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    1. Wow, THANK YOU for such a comprehensive response!
      Hmm yes I am worried that Plumful might be too cool toned for my liking – I will definitely check out Capricious as well when I’m there. Thanks for the suggestion!
      I remember seeing See Sheer on a YT video and really liking how brightening it looked on the complexion as well. I will definitely keep that one in mind! Thanks again! 😀

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