MAC Cosmetics ShadeScents Collection

What it is: A new collection of fragrances from iconic makeup brand MAC Cosmetics.

The ShadeScents Collection features six eau de parfum elixirs inspired by six of the brand’s cult-classic lipsticks shades.

“From the seductive red leather Ruby Woo (a woody floral) to the flirtatious Candy Yum-Yum (a fruity-floral gourmand), there’s a unique fragrance and matching Lipstick for each and every one of you,” according to the company’s website.

The other four shade/fragrance iterations are Créme D’Nude (an amber musk), Velvet Teddy (a velvet honey), Lady Danger (a woody “floriental”) and Heroine (a wood leather). The “natural perfumes” feature notes ranging from oriental amber and golden patchouli, to exotic pink guava and Cordovan leather.

What we say: The idea of choosing a fragrance based upon your favourite lipstick shade had our testing team lining up to take their pick. We were curious to see if an affinity for a certain shade would translate into a scent that would be a strong enough match to secure it a place in our regular fragrance rotations. Well, they didn’t disappoint.

Three testers chose the lip colour that “spoke” to them with the co-ordinating fragrance to match. And after spritzing them on, the trio of testers revealed their respective fragrance choices were as good as the hues that inspired them.

The scents are complex and alluring, offering a unique take on natural, less synthetic aromas than many other offerings from beauty brands. Our testers found the fragrances had some serious staying power throughout the day — especially the woody “floriental” scent Lady Danger. One tester even remarked she wouldn’t mind collecting all six scents as their heady mix proved to be so pleasant.

While these new releases may not usurp your favourite fragrance at first spritz, they’ll do a darn good job trying. Where to get it: Maccosmetics.ca; What it will cost you: $67 for 50 mL fragrance; Matching lipsticks are $21 each