Chasing Liberty

MAC Cosmetics and Target released their Liberty inspired collections almost simultaneously. Both collections quickly sold out online. Liberty of London is known for flowery, art nouveau prints. The shop opened in 1875 and sold fabric and objects from the East. Clients included Oscar Wilde and artists from the arts&crafts and art nouveau movements.
You can spot a Liberty print from a mile away. The flowers are tiny, bright and plentiful. The vines are cluttered and tangled. There are partridge birds and fruits. Everything is either cheerful or gothic romantic like Wuthering Heights.

So who had the better representation of the look and philosophy of Liberty fabric?
MAC Cosmetics.

I was bitterly disappointed with the Target line.
I purchased a scarf sight unseen.
Huge mistake. It looked like a bed sheet with cheap tassels.
To put it simply...it was a hot mess.
The print is all Liberty. The flowers are perky and happy. The color scheme is mint and buttery yellows. The quality of the fabric is not well translated.




MAC's Liberty collection was pure perfection. It captured the essence of Liberty.

The product and paper packaging is based on a William Morris design called Strawberry Thief. This print is littered with birds, leaves, vines, strawberries and flowers.

Open up the package, and you are greeted with friendly and colorful posies. It is a whimsical and lovely surprise!

The lippies are on the bright side.
1. Peachstock is a peach nude with no pink undertones. Great for olive toned gals! (satin)
2. Ever Hip is a creamy, light coral with a pink undertone. (cremesheen)
3. Blooming Lovely is a creamy, greyed out lilac. Less Blue than Lavender Whip. (amplified)
4. Petals and Peacocks is a creamy, ultra bright magenta pink(amplified formula). Brighter and more intense than MAC 's Show Orchid.



The lipglasses are pink twinged.
1. Frankly Fresh is a neutral pink beige pearl.
2. Perennial High Style is a bright coral with a rose undertone.



3. English Accents is a mid-toned lavender pink
and the one that seems out of place with the pinks is
A Different Groove which is a deep purple brown with pearl. This is more William Morris inspired.

The eye shadows capture the shades used in Liberty prints.
1. Give Me Liberty of London is a flat, matte sheer posey pink.
2. Free to Be sounds like a Chemical Brothers song and is a true matte coral.
3. Dames Desire is a frosty, reddish purple.
4. Bough Grey is a blueish gray with a quirky hint of green fire. Worth the buzz.


5. Birds and Berries is a dark, frosted teal blue with green flashes.

Nail Lacquer
1. Vestral White is a creamy white
2. Blue India is a cool, cornflower blue toned gray. This is a creme formula with no shimmer. I have layered it with great success with OPI's Alice in Wonderland shimmers.


The Powder Blushes are:
Prim & Proper is a neutral nude, satin formula and
Dirty Plum is a sheer, matte dark plum. Dirty Plum is hard for me to wear.

Beauty Powder
Shell Pearl(pictured) is a pale peach with gold pearl. It is the most perfect touch of apricot! I have been layering it with Ripe Peach with great success.


Summer Rose is a soft violet pink with pearl. Very flush-like.

This collection will be difficult to locate since it largely sold out and old by makeupalley standards. However, there are stragglers here and there.

Readers: If you have spotted this collection at your local MAC counter or free standing store...speak up and let us know. Tell us the store and phone number in the comments.