Wearing a cardinal concoction of products from the new MAC Red, Red, Red CollectionLike the hulking, crazy-eyed dog next door that barks and pulls at its leash when it crosses your path, or the mean girl bully in second grade who corners you in the girl’s bathroom at recess, red eyeshadow can sense your fear…

Today I fully intended to put MAC’s Strike While Haute matte red eyeshadow from the Red Red Red collection to good use, but then I chickened out…
It’s just so dang red, homie!
Eventually, I think I’ll be able to psych myself up to try it. I just need a couple more days to build up the courage. I keep hearing that it can look amazing on lids when done right…
Of course, it’s that last part ? “when done right” ? that has me a little nervous, LOL!
Instead, for my makeup today, I ended up using some other pieces from MAC’s new crimson collection ? pearlescent pink champagne Lustre Eye Shadow in Give Me Fire (watch out for the fallout with this one ’cause it’s kinda fluffy) and reddish copper Red Alert (beautifully pigmented and looks great with warmer browns like MAC Texture). Then, I added a flashy pair of falsies with longer lashes at the outer corners for extra lift. Eyelure’s No. 121s.
For cheeks and lips, I went with soft pink tones ? soft rose Casual Color in Red Obsessed, which I stippled on the apples of my cheeks with a skunk brush, and grapefruit pink Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer, topped with Cremesheen Glass in Meteoric. Both are also from the Red Red Red collection, which is available now in-stores and online (through January 15).
MAC Red Red Red

Eye Shadow swatches from the left: Give Me FIre, Strike While Haute and Red Alert ($16 US, $19 CAD each)
Lipstick swatches from the left: See Sheer, Toxic Tale, Lady Bug and 5-Alarm ($16 US, $19 CAD each)
Cremesheen Swatches from the left: Nectarsweet, Meteoric and Night is Young; Dazzleglass Swatch in Love Alert ($20 US, $32 CAD each)
Casual Color swatches from the left: Secret Admirer, Out for Fun and Red Obsessed ($22 US, $26 CAD each)LIPSTICK
Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer, a grapefruit pinkSatin Lipstick in Toxic Tale, a bright coralLustre Lipstick in Lady Bug, a yellow tomatoLustre Lipstick in 5-Alarm, a soft orangey red$16 US, $19 CAD eachCREMESHEEN GLASS
Nectarsweet, a soft pinkish peachMeteoric, a mid-tone vibrant coralNight is Young, a bright red cream$20 US, $23 CAD eachDAZZLEGLASS
Love Alert, a raspberry red with red pearl$20 US, $23 CADCASUAL COLOR
Secret Admirer, a coral pinkOut for Fun, a cool coralRed Obsessed, a soft rose$22 US, $26 CAD eachEYE SHADOW
Lustre Eye Shadow in Give Me Fire, a soft pink champagne with pearlMatte Eye Shadow in Strike While Haute, a true redVeluxe Pearl Eye Shadow in Red Alert, a mid-tone copper$16 US, $19 CAD eachBEAUTY POWDER
Hot Sensation, a sheer pale peach highlighter$26 US, $31 CADNAIL LACQUER
Cream Nail Lacquer in Impassioned, a bright warm pinkFrost Nail Lacquer in Red, Red, Red, a creamy orangey redFrost Nail Lacquer in Rouge Combustion, a pinkish red with sparkle$10 US, $12 CAD each
What do you think of the Red, Red, Red Collection so far, and what you do think about red eyeshadow in general? Would you ever go there (or have you gone there before)?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen