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Thursday 20 November 2014

Mac Lipstick in 'Paramount' | A 90's Twist on the Classic Vampy Lip

A while back, I shared my Mac Lipstick Collection (you can read it here if you haven't already) and it occurred to me that I hadn't yet written a full post on my newest addition - 'Paramount'.  To be honest, I bought on a bit of a whim - It's by no means one of the most raved about shades and prior to having a good ol' flick through google one dull, autumn evening (dangerous times for online shopping amirite?)  I had no idea it existed.  I was after a new vampy shade to add to my collection but I wanted something a little different from the norm.  As 'Velvet Teddy' has been one of my favourites for a while now, I decided to look for something a little more brown-toned instead of your typical purple-y red hues.  After a little swatching session in store, I decided i'd be a bit of a dare-devil and take a chance on the colour.  Described on the Mac website as a 'reddish brown', 'Paramount' is a satin finish lipstick with a slight gothic vibe - and it packs a lot of pigmentation!  It certainly isn't for the faint hearted...


The colour is really quite unique - in the bullet, it looks like a standard dark brown/deep burgundy but on the lips, it really is quite vampy and dark - it's certainly quite a bold shade to wear.   I did think it would become one of my 'go to' winter staples but at the moment, I'm still sitting on the fence.  I think it's one of those colours that you have to wear with the right makeup, the right outfit and for the right occasion to get it to truly work. However,  when I have worn it, I've really loved how much definition it gives to my lips and the brown, brick-like hue taps in to the 90s trend that seems to be all the rage at the moment.  It's a good way of wearing the 'vampy lip' look in the daytime without it being too over the top as the brown tones in it somehow make it look a little more understated and neutral.  If you didn't want to apply this colour straight from the bullet, it also works well if you just 'dab' some of the colour into the lips slightly after applying a dash of neutral liner - it gives that 'just bitten' look whilst still maintaining the definition.

It looks lovely with subtle brown eye makeup and a simple base - think neutral blush, flawless foundation and a little bit of highlighter to add a touch of a glow to the skin.  It's the perfect autumn/winter statement shade. I have to say it does work incredibly well with my fair skin - i've noticed I really have gotten a little paler the past few weeks (thanks, winter!) and this shade really is quite complimentary against my skin tone. However,  I find I have to combat any dullness with my blush in order to prevent my skin looking too flat or lifeless when I wear it - because it's a dark brown, it can make you look a little dead in the face if you're not careful. Despite this, i'm so glad I have it in my collection - it's such a unique shade. I do love the 90s vibe it has going on - it's perfect for the current season.  I can imagine this would really suit those with darker, more olive skin tones and it's well worth a swatch if you're after something a little bit different.


Overall, I'd definitely recommend having a look in store - like i said, it's not going to be everybody's cup of tea and I have to say it's not one of my ultimate favourites as yet - but one that I still enjoy wearing nonetheless.  If this is a little too dark for you I'm aware that there's a shade called 'Verve' which is ever so slightly lighter (it was between the two for me!).  You can find Mac's 'Paramount' lipstick on the Mac website here, priced at £15.50.

Have you tried a shade like this? 

26 comments:

  1. This shade looks stunning, and I love that it is so 90s! :) Definitely will take a look at that and Verve :)

    xxxx

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  2. Beautiful color! Perfect for this time of the year

    Xo

    Diary Of A Mua

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  3. This colour is Heaveeen!

    Serene xox

    www.imserenel.wordpress.com

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  4. This shade looks so pretty! It's slightly scary though!
    Jodie xo // La Lune Song

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  5. I've never seen this before either, it's a lovely colour! I've been after a brown-red for autumn x

    tmzn loves / beauty blog

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  6. I like darker lip colors, so I will have to give this one a try.

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  7. I love seeing MAC lipstick posts like this - it's so nice to see someone taking a chance on shades that everybody isn't raving about! Paramount looks like such gorgeous shade - I have Brick O La and this looks much browner than that, but I still love it...a lot!

    www.ceejayell.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. This shade is to die for! :) I haven't heard a lot about this color but now that I have, I am going to get my hands on it. Thank you for doing a in depth review on it.

    www.ksenyagray.com

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  9. Perfect shade for Autumn, shame I don't suit this colour nor lipstick x

    pintsizedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. This is a stunning colour, it is much nicer than the more brown toned lipsticks because of the red too! xx

    Laura | lauraslittleloves

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  11. Haven't heard of this colour - it's a nice change from all the red and plum colours at the moment. I actually think I'd like this one on :) I'll need to try it!
    xxx

    Maisy Meow | Fashion Blog |

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  12. This is such a stunning shade of red, I've never seen anything quite like it!

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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  13. I really like that color! I'm not sure if it would look good on me or not but I am definitely going to test it out!

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  14. Ooooh I like the look of this I'll have to give it a try in store.

    Victoria x
    FlorenceandMary.com

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  15. I ADORE it definitely not too dark for me, it's an incredible shade xx

    BlondeOfCarbs


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  16. I love that shade, it's amazing!

    Sophie x

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  17. The shade looks gorgeous - I've never heard of this before! xx
    Elise @ Elise Dopson

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  18. this is such a pretty wintery shade x

    http://cristynottingham.blogspot.co.uk/

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  19. This would be a tad dark for my skin tone, but I love the colour regardless!

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  20. MAC have so many amazing shades of lipsticks gahh, I want them all. I'm definitely going to check this one out when I next go to my local MAC outlet.
    -Saan

    http://punkpsycho.blogspot.co.uk

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  21. ,Oooh, so pretty! It's like a blood-orangey color it looks like to me! :) I don't know if I would be brave enough to wear it however..

    Watching for Pigs on the Wing

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  22. What an amazing shade for this winter! The 90's are in full swing of coming back and I couldn't love it anymore, now off to put my hair up in a scrunchie, watch Dawson's Creek and rock this lipstick!

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