While some brands tend to play it safe with the ubiquitous smoky and neutral tones, M.A.C. continues to push the color envelope with its prolific limited-edition collections. Its 2006 releases--from romantic (Deja Rose) to vibrant (Sweetie Cake) to airy (Sundressing) and saturated (Lure)--have offered up a rainbow of dazzling palettes to the cosmetically inclined. And its latest lineup, Turquatic, is sure to have an equally mesmerizing effect when it hits stores in July. The collection includes three illuminating Lipglasses ($14 each; maccosmetics.com) that range from light and wearable (the pearly pink Crystal Rose and frosty peach Orangedesence) to bold and offbeat (the daring neon yellow Vibrational). Although Turquatic's eye shadows ($13.50 each) come in lush shades of magenta (Purple Shower) and pink (Light Ray and Pink Source), not surprisingly, it's the eponymous turquoise shadow that truly embodies the collection's calm, tranquil vibe.

In keeping with its cool mood, Turquatic also boasts a fresh, aquatic fragrance that we found equally, if not more, tempting than the glosses and shadows. After a crisp, invigorating opening of Corsican cedrat and mineral water, sparkling notes of lotus and orris emerge and eventually subside to warm basenotes of anemone and blue cedar. Perfect for sweltering-hot summer days, Turquatic marks a welcome alternative to this summer's standard fruity florals and also seems to mark a bit of an olfactory departure for M.A.C. (many of whose fragrances have, up to now, included a sweet vanilla base). Either way, in conjunction with the color collection, it should be enough to keep beauty addicts painting, blending, and spritzing until the brand's highly anticipated mineralized skinfinishes are unveiled this fall. --Jennifer Riley

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Review: M.A.C. Attack!
Review: The Sweet Life
Branded: M.A.C.--Beauty for All
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