MAC x Selena Quintanilla Collection Review & Swatches

I unfortunately learned about Selena Quintanilla the day she died (3/31/95). She was only 23. I remember that day so clearly. I had just finished working out at the gym, sat in my car and turned on the radio. The radio host stated that popular Tejano (Tex-Mex) singer Selena Quintanilla had been killed. The outpouring of grief, sorrow and condolences I heard over the radio really got to me. I sat still in my car listening to everything. I barely knew her name. I had never seen her. I didn't know what Tejano/Tex Mex music was or sounded like. But from just sitting their & listening, I knew she was loved by many. I didn't have to see her. I didn't have to know her. I could feel & hear the love (through the radio). I drove straight home to find out who she was...

I read a book about Selena and when I finished it, I kept asking myself ... why would anyone want to hurt her, let alone kill her? She and her family formed a successful musical group, that was just about to crossover into mainstream music. They started out doing fairs, traveling in an old bus, but ended up selling out domes and large venues. Selena gave back to her community in Corpus Christi, Texas by raising money & awareness for charities. She opened her own business (a boutique shop), where she designed accessories & clothes, and had fashion shows. Coca-Cola had given her a contract to promote their drinks. She had a small role in a movie Don Juan Demarco. She loved her husband and wanted to start a family. They had a modest home right there in their community. Hers was definitely an untimely death. She had so much more to offer this world. It still brings sadness to my heart.

There had been talk among the beauty community for a MAC x Selena Collection. A petition was started and it gained enough signatures that MAC worked with the Quintanilla family on this collection. Her sister Suzette took on the project. She used Selena's own personal makeup bag to put this collection together. MAC recreated what she actually used. Selena loved the color purple, which explains the packaging. This collection didn't go without controversy. Because of the age difference, some thought this collection was about Selena Gomez. Many did not know anything about Selena Quintanilla to relate to this collection. Some YouTubers mispronounced names of the makeup (her songs). Some maliciously joked about the collection. Many bought multiples to re-sell on eBay at exorbitant prices. MAC pretty much sold the collection to customers who spent over $150 - $500+ a year.  Many of her true fans (even ones that signed the petition) were left with hardly anything. This collection sold out within minutes at Macys, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Belk, etc. There is good news! Because of it's popularity, MAC will be releasing this collection again (see below).

Some of my favorite Selena videos are No Debes Jugar and Donde Quiera Que Estes with the Barrios Boys. Both are such great dance songs. I love the way Selena connects with her audience in No Debes Jugar. She reaches out to them. They sing together. You can feel the connection & warmth. In Donde Quiera Que Estes, you witness Selena's awesome dance moves, style (the leather outfit she wore was gorgeous), and her ability to sing with others (duet). Her voice blended perfectly with that group.

 

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff)

 

MAC x Selena: Techno Cumbia - Bittersweet & Brush - Sweet

(Bronzer & Blush Duo and Brush sold separately)

I love the blush! It's very pretty! As you can see from the pictures, they didn't give you much. I wish it was a pan by itself. The bronzer wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I had to use a very light hand. I don't know if it was just the type of brown, but it didn't compliment me as much as other bronzers do). But you have to realize, they copied a formula that was back in the 80's & 90's. The brush is very small! It's fine, if you want to swirl everything together, but just to use it for the blush does prove to be difficult.

MAC x Selena: Eyeliner - Bittersweet & Mascara - Sweet

The eyeliner is not very black, unless you constantly go over it. Many YouTubers ended up using their own eyeliner. It's also difficult to draw a straight line. It dries fast, so mistakes are unforgiving. MAC's mascara is really good. It gives you length and volume. The only problem I found, was after maybe a half a day it starts to flake :( But it starts off good. 

MAC x Selena: Amor Prohibido Lipstick - Supersweet

This is what I always loved about Selena. She was a lipstick girl and I am to! I always wanted to know what lipsticks she wore! I almost didn't order this lipstick. I thought it might be too light for me, but that wasn't the case. It's a gorgeous pink brown. I may just order another one, when they restock. It's a great everyday lipstick. It also compliments the blush color.

MAC x Selena: Como La Flor Lipstick - Sweet

Como La Flor is a beautiful red lipstick! It has a gorgeous shine to it. I love it. 

MAC x Selena: Dreaming of You Lipstick - Supersweet

....but I love Dreaming of You better on me :) I love berry colored lipsticks. 

MAC x Selena: Bidi Bidi Bom Bom Lip Gloss - Supersweet

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom is exclusive to MAC! It wasn't sold anywhere else. Let me tell you! This looks great alone, as a topper and looks fab with the amor prohibido lipstick above. People were paying BIG MONEY for this on eBay because of it's rarity.

MAC x Selena Eye Shadows - Sweet

There are 5 eye-shadows in this collection. The pigmentation for these are really good. I wasn't expecting them to be. I love all the shades. I didn't put together any looks using them. I plan to next year. Right now, I'm just trying to review what's left in my collection and get them sorted in my makeup room :P

As I mentioned above, Selena was about to crossover into mainstream music. She signed a deal with Coca-Cola (commercial below). She had her own boutique in San Antonio, Texas. She was always fashion forward. Ahead of her game! She designed clothes and had hometown runway shows (see video below). So as you can see, she was a beautiful girl both inside & out. Both men & women loved her respectfully.

I thought I would include some pics that I saw on Snapchat. MAC held a big event in Corpus Christi, Texas. They flew in beauty influencers. There was a dinner. The next day they sold makeup to fans. The fans lined up the night before to get the collection. I loved seeing their remembrance tshirts, costumes, nail art, and odes to Selena. Dunkin Donuts made specialty donuts for that day. The Quintanilla family was there (God Bless Her Mom...picture below). Selena's husband was there. There was a concert later that evening.

Do you feel the love? I have 3 cds of hers and I love her music. Her impact on me in death was very strong, so I can imagine her impact on people while she was living. She's what a person should be. You don't see qualities like hers much anymore. Whenever I get off track, I think about how she lived her life. When I use these products, that is what I'll think of. For me, this collection goes beyond the makeup...the colors...the quality! When I see her name, I think of her heart & soul. That's what's so beautiful.