MAC Pink Opal

MAC pigments are some of their most talked about products, and MAC Pink Opal is no exception. Their notoriety comes from their versatility and color payoff.

I Had My Doubts

MAC Pink Opal looks a little boring in the jar, but my fellow cool-toned friend had raved about it so, I had to give it a try. It looks mostly white with a hint of pink when you look at it in the container. When you apply it to your skin, however, it looks like a real opal.

I still had a few things to get past when I sucked it up and ordered online:

• Pigments can be messy and they don't come with sifters. That makes spillage for klutzes like me pretty darn easy. Twenty dollars could literally go down the drain with the flick of a wrist.

• There's so much product there, and a little goes a very long way.

• They're $19.50 each, and I'm an eye shadow addict. I could get an eye shadow for $13.50. If I got addicted to pigments, I'd have a whole slew of new things to buy—at a higher price. My makeup habit is unstoppable.

Getting Past the Problems

• The messy factor's not really a factor if you divide up the pigment into smaller 5-gram jars. Personally, I haven't bothered yet, but I should. I think you can get 5-gram MAC jars at the pro stores, but you can also buy small containers at other types of stores, as well. If you spill one little jar, you're not out the whole twenty bucks.

• Splitting a product with a friend is a way to get around the cost (if you split it, you're spending only $10 each—less than an eye shadow that you can't share). Buy an extra jar in the crafts section of any store and divide it up. That should ease your conscience when it comes to buying more product than you can ever possibly use in a lifetime unless you're a makeup artist.

The Queen of Versatility: MAC Pink Opal

Eyes As far as pigments go for the eyes, this is one of the most workable. You can put it on your lids, use it as a highlight for cool toned eye shadow looks, or use it in the inner corner to brighten up your eyes and keep a smoky look from looking a little too heavy or drab.

Another use is to put it on top of matte shadows to give them a hint of shimmer without being over the top. You could also put it in the center of your movable lid for an eye-brightening effect. This is especially effective for deep-set eyes while wearing dark colors on the lids.

The only place this one really wouldn't work on your eyes is in the crease (unless used as a wash from lash line to brow).

Lips Want that pouty pucker like Angelina Jolie's but can't afford the injections? So what. Put a bit of Pink Opal in the center of your lips and POW—they'll stand out.

Cheeks/Face The palest of all skin tones could probably get away with using this as a blush because of the slight pinkish-lilac color. The pigment is mostly white, but the other colors make it multi-dimensional enough to pull off without looking like Frosty the Snowman when you wear it on your cheeks.

Another way to use it on your face is to just highlight your temples and cheekbones. Sweep it in a "C" motion from your temples to the tops of your cheeks. This is an especially nice touch for a night out when you're all glammed up with smoky eyes and nude lips. Your skin will shimmer under the lights.

Skin Add this to your favorite lotion for a kick of subtle shimmer.

Nails If you add a pigment to clear nail polish, it'll mix beautifully. You could even mix multiple pigments first to custom create your own color. MAC Pink Opal would look especially pretty stroked over just the tips of your nails, French manicure style.

An Alternative Color

If cool tones don't look that great on you and you want to stay away from adding a frosty lilac-pink sheen to your face, don't worry. For those girls with beige or warm undertones, there's a sister product. Its name? Vanilla pigment.

Would I Buy Again?

Since the product is so versatile and so flattering, I probably would buy it again, even though I had misgivings at first. I don't think I'll have to, though, since I still have most of the jar in my possession (I didn't split it with a friend).