MAC Min Liu: Lipstick in Peach Blossom Pink and Dynasty Red

Last Thursday, MAC launched their collaboration with Chinese fashion designer, Min Liu. It is inspired by "the creation and rejuvenation of life" featuring "bold reds, deep peony pinks, and misty metallics, capturing the flow of energy that connects mountains, oceans – and all of us." This collection features a total of ten products, all of which are new and limited edition. Min Liu sees the launch of two new and limited edition lipsticks, which are housed in glossy black metal square tubes "with Min Liu’s signature in red, bedecked with a black tassle." Each lipstick contains a total of 3 grams of product, and retails for $25. It is available online and in select MAC Store locations across North America, and at all MAC locations in China.
Peach Blossom Pink and Dynasty Red
Peach Blossom Pink and Dynasty Red
Min Liu is a Chinese fashion designer whose label is called Ms MIN. She graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2007, and worked for Viktor + Rolf and Ports 1962 before launching her own label. Min takes inspiration from her love of culture, history, and the arts. "Combining modernity with classicism, Min takes inspiration from her love of culture and the arts, defining 'simplicity with depth, romanticism with edge, classicism with a twist' as the driving spirit behind her diverse collections. Threading global influences through a range of eras — lush Chinoiserie to crisp mid century couture — Min weaves retro elegance with modern panache for a contemporary wardrobe as polished as it is original. Exquisite fabrics, expert technique, beautifully cut silhouettes are the hallmarks of her aesthetic philosophy: strong yet feminine clothes for the fashionably independent woman who refuses to drift along with the crowd. Sophisticated, discerning, not bound by convention, she prefers 'Ms' as her title of respect, a prefix that defines her, not by marital status, but by her own worth. A woman whose refinement and confidence makes a bold statement because she understands that elegance is a mindset and her wardrobe the most revealing expression of her point of view." 
Peach Blossom Pink and Dynasty Red

Peach Blossom Pink is a medium cool brightened peony pink with blue undertones in a Matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is brighter than Pink Nouveau, more muted than Candy Yum-Yum, and lighter than Pink Pigeon.

Dynasty Red is a medium-dark neutral-warm brightened strawberry red in a Matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is slightly warmer than Ruby Woo, lighter than Russian Red, and slightly warmer than Feels So Grand.

What I've always appreciated about MAC as a brand is that they spotlight designers and artists that are less well-known, and take their inspirations and visions to execute beautiful makeup collections that they would never otherwise have had an opportunity to do. This collection as a whole really embodies Min Liu's sophistication, artistry, and love of Chinese culture, which is especially apparent in the lip colours here with a vibrant peony pink and a classic Chinese lacquer red. Peach Blossom Pink is actually a pretty unique colour within MAC's permanent range, especially for a matte, but it's not going to be flattering on everyone because it has such a cool, blue undertone. However, those who love their bright cool-toned pinks like Pink Nouveau and Candy Yum-Yum will want to check this one out, and it's definitely a fun colour choice for summer. On the other hand, Dynasty Red is very dupeable as MAC has made dozens of similar red shades, but as Ruby Woo is universally flattering, so is this. If you like Ruby Woo but wish it were less drying, Dynasty Red is actually a very good substitute. As it is, I don't think either of these are must-haves, but if you don't have anything similar at home, these are worth considering; both shades go on smoothly with full colour pay-off, and the packaging — complete with tassles — is gorgeous, elegant, and chic.