Tonight I have a belated MAC Haul to share, from the first summer collection that MAC released for 2011–Fashion Flower!
Traditionally, MAC releases two distinct product groupings for summer. One collection typically features flashy packaging, and a broader array of product choices (read: this year, it was Surf Baby!) while the other follows (or in this case, precedes) in the shadow of its sister collection.
I quite liked a lot from Fashion Flower, as quickly as she passed us by. I picked up Alpha Girl beauty powder (a repromote from Heatherette), Budding Beauty lip gelée, and three lipsticks (Mlle, Summer Shower, and Ever Hip). Quite a few items from the collection are still available online, so check that out if you’re interested! (Last I checked, Alpha Girl and Budding Beauty were still in stock.)
Let’s start with Alpha Girl. Blush is one of my major makeup weaknesses. I love to wear different colors, play with layering and various finishes. Peachy pinks are on the top tier of that weakness. Alpha Girl is a beauty powder, which MAC promotes as a product that can be worn anywhere on the face (perhaps as highlight, contour, or all over color), depending on skin tone and desired effect. Many beauty powders are simply blushes to me, which Alpha Girl most definitely is. It comes in a nice large, mirrored compact, which is a plus! I could have done with more creative packaging, but the floral imprint in the actual powder is a happy medium for the collector in me.
Alpha Girl has decent pigmentation, perhaps just slightly more sheer than a typical MAC blush. The finish is a little powdery, but still very finely milled. It looks especially beautiful when swirled on the cheeks with a 187 style stippling brush.
Next up, Budding Beauty lip gelée, a shimmery and smooth peach gloss…
The formula of lip gelées is non-tacky, non-sticky, slightly thick (but capable of sheer application) and smooth, as mentioned above. Fine golden particles float throughout, giving the lips a beautiful, light glitter finish. Budding Beauty is my third MAC lip gelée. Compared to many other high end glosses, you get a TON in that squeeze tube, making these one of my favorite glosses.
Another collection weakness for me? LIPSTICK. I picked up Summer Shower, Mlle, and Ever Hip.
Summer Shower is the most interesting color of the three, a pale rainbow glitter infused blue. But fear not, as this is a sheer Glaze formula lipstick… the effect that Summer Shower provides is a cool toned wash of sparkle. (Perfect for layering!) Also, blue based colors can make the teeth appear whiter, which is always a good thing.
Mlle, a pale white based pink Glaze, is very pretty despite being a bit tricky to pull off. Your lips have to be perfectly supple to sport Mlle without looking like you have majorly chapped lips (even when they aren’t!). I still adore this super pale pink, but I can’t just slap it on and run out the door. One needs a mirror, lip balm, and patience. I will say that it looks gorgeous with a bronzer and lots of black mascara though– very 70′s Malibu.
Ever Hip, on the other hand, is SO easy to wear, despite being a BAM bright coral. A Cremesheen formula, Ever Hip applies smoothly and richly, and is perfect for summer. Next time this one is repromoted, grab it. If you dig bright colors, Ever Hip is absolutely worth it.
Stunning.
Good luck finding some of these limited items, if you’re interested. Remember, even if something is sold out on MAC’s website, it might still be available at Nordstrom, Macy’s, or Bloomingdale’s online.
Oh, and the next MAC Haul I have for all of you is the Surf Baby! collection. I went a little bit nuts. That’s your preview comment. 
xoxo, Emma
