Holiday parties, beautifully wrapped gifts, a chill in the air…all of these are eagerly awaited signs of the Winter holiday season. But another sign of the season is the always spectacular collection of holiday gifts offered by MAC Cosmetics. As usual, MAC has out-done a lot of their competition not only with user friendly products in great and trendy colors and formulas, but with packaging. And there are always a LOT of MAC-tacular holiday beauty gifts to covet for every budget. This season, the big holiday collections are: MAC Ice Parade Collection; MAC Glitter & Ice Collection; and MAC Dazzlespheres Collection. All of these limited edition goodies are available now at MAC cosmetics counters, at MAC boutiques, and online at www.maccosmetics.com The offerings are truly mind-bogglingly-extensive, and I personally tried just a few pieces *which I have mentioned in bold and italics. However, with the help from the great people at MAC, I can provide an inventory of all this “Holiday MAC” in one post, along with descriptions and cost. The good news is that there is so much — something for everyone. The bad news is that avid collectors of MAC cosmetics, along with avid fans, are going to rush to get every single thing. If you want these items you should not wait –get yours NOW before they are all gone.

Have a MAC-tacular holiday!

THE LARGE, FUN & COOL “ICE PARADE” COLLECTION:

The Ice Parade Collection is quite large, with a lot of bling and fun, for eveyrone. But one of the most unusual items are the compacts with actual, snow globes in the top, called MAC Ice Parade Snow Globe Eye Shadows ($38). The square, white compacts hold six sensational shadows in three versions: Cool, Warm and Sultry. The cool collection is full of frost, greys and blues. The warm collection features golds and soft mauve/plums, and the sultry version I received is a light-to-dark potpourri of very shimmery shades including berry, charcoal, copper, gold, and ivory, plus a deep, matte chocolate brown. Each compact also has a nice, mini shadow brush to help you get the glam look going. While I don’t know how many people play with their eye shadow compacts, this is one you might just keep on your desk to shake now and then as you need a bit of holiday spirit-or a touch-up.

MAC's Ice Parade Collection for Holiday 2011

Cool Eyeshadow Palette ($38.00. / $45.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Howzat Pale lavender (Satin) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Snowball Frost white (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Warm & Smoky Medium purple (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
Idol Eyes Silvered violet with gold (Lustre) (Permanent)
Illegal Cargo Slate (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Set to Dance Dark royal blue (Matte) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Warm Eyeshadow Palette ($38.00 U.S. / $45.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Buckwheat Bark brown (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Gaelic Gold Gold (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Patina Taupe brown with golden pearl (Frost) (Permanent)
Magical Mist Sparkle concrete (Lustre) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Winterscape Bright taupe pearl (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
Midnight Flurry Dark warm black (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Sultry Eyeshadow Palette ($38.00 U.S. / $45.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Black Tied Black with silver sparkle (Velvet) (Permanent)
Trax Burgundy-plum with shimmer (Velvet) (Permanent)
Shadowy Lady Blackened plum (Matte) (Permanent)
Fun! Pink patina (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
Lightfully White with pink reflect (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
Festive Delight Bordeaux wine (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

Cool Iced Delights Lip Bag ($38.00 U.S. / $45.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Fashion Whim Pink flesh(Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent)
Creme de Nude Pale muted peach beige (Lipstick,
Cremesheen) (Permanent)
Stripdown Creamy brown-beige (Lip Pencil) (Permanent)

Sultry Iced Delights Lip Bag ($38.00 U.S. / $45.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Deelight Mid-tone neutral (Cremesheen Glass)
(Permanent)
I Love Winter Passion fruit (Lipstick, Cremesheen)
(Limited Edition)
Boldly Bare Dirty red brown (Lip Pencil) (Repromote)
(Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Rocking Iced Delights Nail & Lip Bag ($36.00 U.S. / $43.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Kanga Rouge Bright red(Lipstick, Amplified) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Golden Blanket Translucent with silver pearl (Lipglass) (Limited Edition)
Asiatique Exotically classical red (Nail Lacquer, Cream) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Pure Drama Iced Delights Nail & Lip Bag ($36.00 U.S. / $43.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Hang Up Deep berry (Lipstick, Cremesheen) (Permanent); Frozen Lame Frosty nude (Lipglass) (Limited Edition); Vintage Vamp Deep black wine (Nail Lacquer, Cream) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Silver Iced Delights Eye Bag ($45.00 U.S. / $45.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Silverwear / Blue Spruce Metallic lilac (Frost) (Repromote) / celadon with violet sparkles (Velvet) (Eyeshadow Duo) (Limited Edition) ; Graphblack Black (Technakohl) (Permanent); Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara (Permanent)
275SE Brush (Limited Edition) ;

Pearl Iced Delights Eye Bag ($45.00 U.S. / $54.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Taupeless / Celestial Black Lavender pink (Lustre); (Repromote) / Rich blue-black with red pearl (Velvet) (Eyeshadow Duo) (Limited Edition) ; Purple Dash Purple (Technakohl) (Permanent) ; Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara (Permanent) ; 275SE Brush (Limited Edition)

Gold Pearl Iced Delights Eye Bag ($45.00 U.S. / $54.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Baby, It’s Cold… / Woodsmoke Butter yellow (Frost) / ; Muted emerald green (Frost) (Eyeshadow Duo) (Limited Edition); Brown Border Brown Technakohl) (Permanent); Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara (Permanent) ; 275SE Brush (Limited Edition)

It Makes Perfect Brush Kit (Mineralize) ($49.50 U.S. / $59.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): 187SE, 130 SE, 286SE, 282SE

It Makes Perfect Brush Kit (Essential) ($49.50 U.S. / $59.50 CDN) (Limited Edition) 90SE, 129SE, 275SE, 266SE, 226SE *This is the kit I tried. The clear plastic zippered makeup bag lets you see everything you are carrying without having to fish around, and the large, metallic silver disk on the outside adds a glam touch. Inside are five absolutely essential makeup brushes: powder/blush, foundation, angled eye shadow, crease/blender, and angled flat eye liner. The clear plastic handles are infused with silver glitter. It is the perfect “girly” gift for a young woman learning about makeup application, a fashionista who loves to look and feel glam on the go, and anyone who just wants a good set of small but perfectly usedful, full sized brush heads with travel-friendly-sized handles.

It Makes Perfect Brush Kit (Special Edition) ($49.50 U.S. / $59.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): 167SE, 168SE, 239SE, 217SE, 212SE

Warm Fabulously Festive Face Kit ($59.50 U.S. / $72.00 CDN) (MAC Exclusive) (Limited Edition) : Golden Flurry Beige with sparkle (Lustre) (Limited Edition); Soft Brown Soft golden peach brown (Matte) (Permanent) ; Carbon Black (Matte) (Permanent) Omega Soft muted beige-taupe (Matte) (Permanent); Join the Party Pale peach (Lipglass) (Limited Edition); Mellowarm Peach (Lipstick, Frost) (Limited Edition); Seasonal Appeal Orange brown (Blush) (Limited Edition) ; 129SE, 275SE, 266SE (Limited Edition)

Cool Fabulously Festive Face Kit ($59.50 U.S. / $72.00 CDN) (MAC Exclusive) (Limited Edition) : Phloof! Frosted off white (Frost) (Permanent); Quarry Soft muted plum-brown (Matte) (Permanent); Dance in the Dark (Limited Edition); Brun Muted blackish-brown (Satin) (Permanent); Emancipation Light pink (Lipglass) (Limited Edition); Hot Gossip Mid-tone pinky plum (Lipstick, Frost) (Permanent); Mocha Soft plum pink (Matte) (Permanent); 129SE, 275SE, 266SE (Limited Edition)

Johnny Weir In Glitter and Ice!

The MAC Glitter and Ice Collection for Hoilday 2011

THE GLITTER & ICE COLLECTION:

The Glitter and Ice is a 34 piece makeup collection, with ice-skating champ Johnny Weir as the “face” of the collection (some of the products also have “ice-skating-centric names). Weir uses MAC makeup when performing. Last year Johnny Weir answered some of my makeup questions, and told me last year that he loves glitter. Glitter and Ice has a bit of all the MAC makeup products fashionistas love including: Paint Pots, Mineralize Eye Shadows, Beauty Powders, Nail Lacquers, Lipsticks, Dazzleglasses, Technakohl Eye Liners and more.

Paint Pot ($18.50 U.S. / $22.00 CDN) (Limited Edition) : Let’s Skate Pale pink with pearl (Limited Edition); Morning Frost Shimmering champagne taupe (Limited Edition) ; For Effect Black with pearl (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eyeshadow ($21.00 / $25.00 CDN) (Limited Edition) : Fresh Ice White silver melange (Limited Edition); Snow Season Soft taupe melange (Limited Edition) ; Hold That Pose! Pale mauve melange (Limited Edition); Frozen Blue Blue silver melange (Limited Edition); Shimmermint Pale green melange (Limited Edition) ; Winterized Dirty purple with silver, indigo, and pink melange (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($24.00 U.S. / $29.00 CDN) (Limited Edition): snowglobe Frosty pinky beige (Limited Edition); How Beautiful Pale shimmering beige (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($16.00 U.S. / $19.00 CDN) (Limited Edition) :Unconditionally Fabulous Super sparkle white (Frost) (Limited Edition);Get Noticed True bright red (Cream) (Limited Edition); Festive Finery Dirty mid-tone greyed violet (Cream); (Limited Edition)

Lashes ($15.00 U.S. / $18.00 CDN) (Limited Edition) #7

Lipstick ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN) (Limited Edition):Whirls & Twirls Sheer pink with gold pearl (Glaze); (Limited Edition);Double Spin Pale mauve pink (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition);Soft SableCool frosted taupe (Frost) (Limited Edition);Eloquent Air Sheer white silver(Glaze) (Limited Edition);Such Flare True red (Matte) (Limited Edition); What Joy! Deep berry (Satin) (Limited Edition)

Dazzleglass ($19.50 U.S. / $23.00 CDN) (Limited Edition): Pleasure Principle Clear white violet, teal, and white pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote); Dressed to Dazzle Pale dirty pink red and gold pearl (Limited Edition); Glitter & Ice Light nude with white and gold pearl (Limited Edition); She-zam Sheer silver with silver and red pearl (LimitedEdition) (Repromote); Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl (Permanent); Spanking Rich Raspberry pink with red and gold pearl(Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Technakohl Liner ($16.00 U.S. / $19.00 CDN) (Limited Edition) : Silver Skates Silver with pearl (Limited Edition); Going for Gold Gold with pearl (Limited Edition); Seasonally Spicy Brown with pearl (Limited Edition); Fancy Moves Purple with pearl (Limited Edition); Practice Makes Perfect Blue with pearl (Limited Edition);Smooth Manoeuvre Black with pearl (Limited Edition)

Dazzlespheres Great For Giving!

When it comes to gifts, presentation is paramount, and what can be better than seven different, and fabulous, MAC mini kits? Dazzlespheres are just that: dazzling little quartets of makeup for nails, eyes or lips, packaged in darling (and large), re-useable, clear, “space-age-y” ornaments. The Mini Gloss Kits feature two wanded and two brush-tip glosses in three collections: Coral, Pink and Neutral. The Mini Eye Kits feature four stackable crushed metallics in Smoky Blue, Plum and smoky Berry. All four wearable polishes are covet-able in the Petite Nail Lacquer Ornament.

Mini Nail Lacquer Kit ($25.50 U.S. / $30.00 CDN) (Limited Edition): Dark Angel Goth romantic dark lilac: Style Tip Soft pink nude: Much Adored Sheer white pink with pearl; Mistletoe Pale gold * Mistletoe is a golden standout — not too brassy, not to dull–always fun!

Dazzlesphere! Smoky Berry Crushed Metallic Pigment Kit ($32.50 U.S. /$38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): Pearl Pearl; Rose Light Rose; Spicy Smoke Dark strawberry; Roasted Chestnut Deep chocolate with gold pearl

Dazzlesphere! Smoky Blue Crushed Metallic Pigment Kit ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50CDN) (Limited Edition): White as Snow Snowy white; Silver Sleet Medium grey; Wintersky Purple blue; Dark Moon Charcoal

Dazzlesphere! Smoky Plum Crushed Metallic Pigment Kit ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): Light Violet Pale violet ; Grape Purple; Seasonally Cool Sparkle taupe; Misty Pale silver

Dazzlesphere! Neutral Mini Gloss Kit ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): Bare Necessity Caramel apricot with red and gold: pearlized pigments (Dazzleglass) (Permanent): Get Rich Quick Warm yellow brown (Dazzleglass) (Permanent): Boy Bait Light neutral beige with pearl (Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent): Over Indulgence Neutral brown (Cremesheen Glass (Permanent) *this is the kit I tried. Two sheer but very shimmery-bordering-on-glittery glosses, and two creamy nudes, offer lots of ways to gloss lips. “Bare Necessity is the quintessential don’t-be-afraid-to-kiss-me” gloss with lots of pouty shine and of course, MAC’s signature, vanilla scent.

Dazzlesphere! Coral Mini Gloss Kit ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): Phiff! Yellow pink with red and sapphire pearl: (Dazzleglass) (Limited Edition) (Repromote): Eurobeat Peach coral with gold pearl (Dazzleglass) (Limited Edition) (Repromote); On the Scene Light coral beige (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote): Richer, Lusher Peach coral (Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent)

Dazzlesphere! Pink Mini Gloss Kit ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition): Rags to Riches Plummy pink with red pearlized pigments (Dazzleglass) (Permanent): Like Venus Clean light bubblegum pink with red pearl (Dazzleglass) (Permanent): Fashion Scoop Clear pink (Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent): Petite Indulgence Mid-tone bright blue pink (Cremesheen Glass) (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

…and while it isn’t necessary a holiday item, there are three eye-tastic products that make up the adorable, MISS PIGGY COLLECTION for MAC:

To celebrate the supremely talented Miss Piggy’s return to the silver screen, she & M∙A∙C have created a limited edition, online exclusive collection for Eyes featuring Eyeshadow ($15.00 U.S. / $18.00 CDN): Miss Piggy Pink Mid-tone blue-pink (Frost) (Limited Edition)**Don’t be wary of wearing pink! This lovely, Miss Piggy Pink Eye Shadow is ladylike (as Miss Piggy is a “lady”) and it is sheer, blendable, layerable and soft. Penultimate Liner ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN). ADD: Rapidblack Black Lash ($15.00 U.S. / $18.00 CDN): #36 Lash Full lash, creates a naturally dramatic look