Review: Mac Nocturnals- Green & Teal Set

I normally do not purchase makeup that comes in pre built sets as I prefer buying individual items(although you do end up spending a bit more) that I know I will definitely be using rather than cluttering up my draw with items that I would never use. I made an exception this past week when I bought Mac's Holiday Edition- Nocturnals, the Green & Teal set. I am a bit disappointed with this buy and need to remind myself why kit purchases are not for me.

The Price: R530 for 5 little vials- 3 of which are pigments and 2 glitters.

The Packaging: The mini vials come in a neat gift box with a transparent lid that allows you to see the product and product shades without opening the box itself. The store assistant told me that the vials are stackable- which unfortunately is not true, with or without the lid...unless I'm doing it all wrong. Each vial is smaller and works out much cheaper than the full sized Mac pigment or glitter. This has an advantage for those that prefer buying makeup in kits as you end up getting more for your money for the quantity- and honestly speaking, I'm sure majority of us will not even be able to get through the entire amount.

The Product: As mentioned earlier, there's 2 vials of glitter and 3 vials of pigment.

• Reflects Gold: is a super fine shimmery white powder that has a glint of gold in the reflecting light. I remember seeing something similar at the Inglot stands. I think this is perfect for applying over your completed eyeshadow look to give it that dancing stars effect for bridal and evening makeup. It can also be used on the body as a highlighter.
• 3D Gold: is a much grainier sparkly gold glitter. This as well can be used on the body and on the nails.
• None of Mac's glitters are recommended for eye use- which is a pity as nobody really wants to spend a lot of money on glitter that you are just going to sprinkle on your hair/ body or used on your nails. I have to admit though that I have used Mac's glitters over glitter glue to create glitter lines without any hassles. Don't know if this is just a way of Mac protecting themselves but I strongly suggest that if you have sensitive eyes or if you would just prefer to be cautious, then do avoid using their glitters on the eye area.
• Old Gold: I have been using Old Gold for the past 10 years and have come to realize that this is one of Mac's most sought after pigment in their permanent range. It's a highly shiny, metallic, olive green gold that looks very antiqued at certain angles in the light. It's highly pigmented, very easy to blend but without a primer on my lids, tends to crease after a few hours of wear time. When I've used it over a primer, I got a longer use from it with little or no fading. 
• Deep Blue Green: This is an intense blueish steel grey color that would be perfect for smokey evening looks. This is the first time that I've owned this color and already I'm loving it... It's color pay off is excellent and is soft and smooth to work with. I haven't used it to create a look with it as yet- so I can't really comment yet on it's staying power. I'm sure like any other pigment, used with a primer, will give you good wear time.
• Just Before Dawn: I was a bit hesitant to purchase this set after seeing this brown pigment in it as browns are really not my favorite shade. After playing around with it, I realized that its an excellent color to use in the crease area and when blending the outer V to a gradient. It's a medium brown that is matt in its finish and very soft and smooth to work with.

I know I will not succumb to impulse buying in the near future as when I got home, I realized that only two vials of the five really catches my eye. If I did not already own Old Gold, I would've been happy with 3 out of the 5- finding uses for the other 2 is really not my idea of intelligent shopping. But all does not go to waste as thankfully I have nieces who would be only too glad to become owners of them.