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Thursday 21 March 2013

Another Back 2 MAC Success: Glaze Lipstick in Hot Tahiti

Hi, everyone! It was last month when I realized I'd accrued one of the most covetable collections a makeup maven could ask for: 6 MAC empties! Of course I'm referring to the exciting and incredible Back 2 MAC program, in which you return 6 empty MAC containers and exchange them for a brand new lipstick or eye shadow of choice. The most glamorous form of recycling out there!

I tend to do about one Back 2 MAC exchange per year (a true outcome measure of my MAC consumption) and have always been quite smitten with the free lipstick I've selected. Last summer I chose the lovely Vegas Volt lipstick, which you can see swatched here. It really is the perfect vibrant coral lip for the warmer months; I received compliments within minutes of applying it. Truly! Two years ago, my Back 2 MAC trade led me to the girly and daring Impassioned, which I featured here. It  has been a staple in my lipstick rotation since.

This year, I wanted to select a shade not quite as vivid as the two I just mentioned; instead, I was craving something that would give a pop of colour to the lips, while still being subtle and versatile enough to wear daily. After loads of painstaking research (yes, even makeup research can be painstaking!), I chose a much un-hyped about shade, Hot Tahiti. And when I say un-hyped I really mean under-hyped. This shade should definitely get more attention!

MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hot Tahihi

Hot Tahiti is a slightly warm rosy red with a sheer but buildable finish and a soft sheen. MAC describes the shade as a "soft reddish-coral". While I see the warmth in the shade, I can't detect any coral undertones. Just a pretty, wearable rosy red! I'd categorize it as a "my lips but better, plus" shade, slightly punchier than a natural lip colour, but subtle enough not to fall into red, berry, fuchsia, or vampy category.

The packaging is that of a standard MAC lipstick, a sleek black bullet:



And here are some swatches of Hot Tahiti under slightly different lighting. In each, the left swatch is a sheer application and the right is swatched more heavily:

MAC Hot Tahiti swatched (L) lightly and (R) heavily on my NC15 skin tone


As you can see from the swatches, the Glaze formula makes for a slightly shiny, sheer but buildable finish. I love it! Its buildable texture really makes it quite a versatile lipstick.

One swipe of the lipstick creates a sheer, 'just bitten' finish like this:

MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hot Tahiti

And a few more layers creates a richer, more pigmented finish like this:

MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hot Tahiti

And here are a couple pictures of me wearing it, in the context of an entire look. It was difficult to get a good shot that day (mainly because of my dorky facial expressions, rather than the lighting), but hopefully you still get a good idea of what it looks like on!




Overall, I am super pleased with this shade. As I've mentioned, its sheer, but buildable formula makes it incredibly wearable and versatile. Though it is warm-toned, it's not overly so, making it suitable for both warm- and cool-toned skin. I find that it really brightens up my face and just makes my lips look great overall.

There have been several MAC lipsticks receiving tons of love in the blogosphere lately (for instance, Rebel (which I have and love), Brick O La, and Plumful). I really think Hot Tahiti should be among them! I definitely deserves some love :)

Have you tried this shade? Is it something you'd wear? Any other favourite "my lips but better plus" shades that you love?

And one final photo for you- kitty photo bomb! She really is soo nosy.


38 comments:

  1. This looks gorgeous! I really want Vegas volt too. It looks so pretty. I didn't know about their back to mac programme forages & I was throwing all my things away :| oops xx

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    1. Haha, yeah no fun to find out about Back 2 MAC after-the-fact ;) And you should definitely check out Vegas Volt. It's perfect for summer! :)

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  2. I love it! Looks great on you. I recently got Brick-o-La, a friend of mine who works on MAC gave a tester to me, it's beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Rute! Brick O La was on my list too, but Hot Tahiti won out this time. Doesn't mean Brick O La won't still be mine someday :) It really is a lovely shade!

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  3. "...slightly warm rosy red with a sheer but buildable finish and a soft sheen." It shows that you're writing about things you like, really like - I like that.:) But we don't get Mac in Slovenia, I'm so pissed about that!!

    P.S.: I'm looking forward to your day look, I honest to god need to try something new...;)

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    1. Aww, thanks, Peet! Haha... yeah, I guess my writing gets extra flowery and descriptive when I'm talking about something I love :) And I have a look coming out in the next couple days that features purple eye shadow and corally lips. Something a bit different for sure! xo

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  4. The colour looks great on you, and I love the finish!
    I'd say the sheerer application does look eeever so slightly coralish, lovely :)


    Emily x - prettypleaseprettyplease.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Emily! It really is a fantastic shade :)

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  5. Thanks so much for the review. I've been debating whether or not to buy hot tahiti. This just made my decision easier.

    beautyonrehab.blogspot.com

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    1. Glad you found this helpful and that I could aid in your decision! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. That lipstick is so pretty! Thank you for the review.

    Laura
    http://lauraneuzeth.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks, Laura! Glad you found it helpful! xo

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  7. Can't believe I've never heard of this shade... it is absolutely gorgeous and I'd love to own it!! Good for you for saving up your empties for Back 2 MAC!

    xx Ellie
    www.ellalogy.com 

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    1. Yeah, this shade definitely doesn't get enough hype. Glad I could introduce you to something that you like! :)

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  8. This is absolutely amazing!! love the shades

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  9. they are such gorgeous shades and looks great on you!:)

    http://laurenlovesmakeupxoxo.blogspot.co.uk/

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  10. Hey Jen - great post as always! I wish I could carry off the deep reds like you can!

    Thought you may like to know that the giveaway post is now up - http://miscriant.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-package-of-pretty-parcels.html

    Becs xx

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    1. Thanks, Becky! I still think this is worth trying, since it can be worn so sheer. And thanks again for the feature on your blog! xo

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  11. The back to Mac thing is so cool. I own so many Mac lipsticks but I hardly ever use them to ever take advantage of this scheme! Love the shade you chose, and love the way you described it, it's between natural and glam. It really suits you, looks really lovely on.

    http://www.youremyfavouriteflavour.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks so much! Glad you found the review to be helpful! Yeah, it definitely takes a while to gather 6 empties; it's usually a mix of powder compacts and lip glosses that are a bit (or waaay) too old :)

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  12. I haven't heard much about this lipstick and I don't know why because it looks gorgeous...right up my street. I'm definitely going to have to check this out next time I'm at a MAC counter. It looks really lovely on you...vibrant but not too out there.

    www.lustforlipstick.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aww, thanks, Chloe! Glad I could introduce you to a shade that you like! It really is a lovely lipstick :)

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  13. Such a gorgeous colour, might have to give it a go (:

    http://laurathroughthelens.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. It really is! You should try it for sure. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  14. Replies
    1. Isn't it great?! Thanks for stopping by, Stacey :)

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  15. Replies
    1. Aww, thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)

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  16. great color!
    www.frankvinyl.com

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  17. wow, I recently bought Ruby Woo and I ADORE the shade. This one seems wonderful too. I'm loving the texture of Mac's lipsticks, especially the mattes.
    The colour looks gorgeous on your complexion!


    xx, Sandra @ Blasfemmes

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! MAC really does have some standout shades. Ruby Woo really looks incredible :)

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  18. loove this lipstickcolor!
    xx Stephanie (www.stephaniesstyleblog.blogspot.com)

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)