MAC & Marcel Wanders (November '10)

So... I was getting makeup fix on Temptalia and I saw that a new MAC collection is in the making. I don't make it a habit to post about MAC collections (because I can offer a large list of other bloggers that already do that) but I'm very excited about the collaboration with Marcel Wanders -- a contemporary industrial designer. This will be a luxe collection, which will feature the Sheer Mystery Powder. The powder was also released in the previous luxe collections, about $60 (certainly not a typical price tag for MAC!). From what I see, I'm really liking the 187 and the nude & red lippie. I think I can live without the powder, but I'm not making any promises. Christine also says that there is an Air of Style concentrated perfume... sounds interesting, no? I've never tried a MAC perfume. What do you think about this collection so far?

Set to release on November 24th, 2010

Totally Random Stuff (MAC, Olivia Wilde)

Sorry I've been neglecting this blog. It's been a week or so since my last post. I said I was going to do some looks with the UD Naked palette and although I had a lot of fun playing around with it, I didn't have time to take pictures or write about it. My daughter came down a nasty sinus infection that she passed on to me (with love, I'm sure). We were both pretty miserable this past week. She's getting a lot better, and so am I, but I still can't breathe (and it frustrates me that I have to blow my nose every thirty seconds.... don't my sinuses realize that I spend time on my makeup?!). Anyway, this is going to be a sort of random post...

First off... did you know that you can give product reviews on the MAC website?! This MUST be new... I'd be an idiot not to notice (although being oblivious to the obvious is in my nature). I'm now sure how I feel about this. I took a quick look at it and from what I see, you can't review a specific shade. For example, you can't review Twig (Satin), you can only review lipsticks in general (so you'd have to mention the details in your review). I think that's kinda-sorta lame. I know MAC lipsticks rock.... but how does "XYZ" pan out? Know what I mean?

Anyway, speaking of MAC, I got a few things from there. When I was little and I'd get sick, my mom used to get me Barbie coloring books and a fresh pack of crayons. This is the same concept, except that I get stuff from MAC. I'm just very, very bad....

MAC Hue (Glaze)

Most of what I got isn't coming in the mail until Friday or Saturday, BUT I did get a lipstick from the counter. I decided to opt for Hue. This is my first time experimenting with a Glaze formula. I had some idea of what to expect. I knew that it would be a more glossy finish and that the color would be very sheer. In my opinion, I really like Lustres best, since you can start out light and build up the intensity as you please. Yeah, that's pretty nice. So, I tried out today and I really liked it. It's a very pale nude-pink. It didn't wash me out and I can see this complimenting most skin tones but you have to ask yourself: do I prefer colors on the sheer side or colors that are opaque? If you prefer the latter, opaque colors, this isn't for you. Another thing, I think this color in particular is fabulous for gals with light colored lips. Mine are very pigmented, quite red and because this is a glaze, I have to really put in the extra effort to hide the natural color of my lips. From now on, I'll be sure to wear a liner with this color. Still, I'm really warming up to this color & formula -- I just used to opting for formulas that pack a bigger punch.

It took numerous swipes to get this swatch

Lastly, I'm a major (I mean, MAJOR) fan of House. It's definitely one of my favorite shows. One of the characters, Thirteen (Olivia Wilde), is incredibly beautiful. I just can't help but to admire her natural beauty and gorgeous makeup. I saw a picture of her today and I just felt like I needed to share it (picture taken from here):

Birthday Goodies

So, I turned 22 this past Saturday, the 7th, and I had a very nice birthday with my boyfriend and daughter. Dinner, Netflix, a day of total relaxation -- just what I wanted / needed! I even got a few goodies that I've had on my wishlist for a while. Sorry I didn't post this sooner, but my daughter hasn't been feeling well since yesterday but she's napping now. Anyway, there's just a couple of things, so I'll do my best to keep this short and sweet =)

MAC 239 Brush

I like getting the MAC pamphlets in the mail =)

I feel like there are certain brushes that you just need to have duplicates of. For me, this includes the 239, 266, 168, and I'm sure there's another one that I can't think of at the moment...

NARS Angelika Blush

I had the most difficult time trying to capture the true color of this blush. Angelika is a cool blue-pink cotton candy color that looks very intense in the pan. This was the best I could get it, but the true color is more intense looking than this. 

Again, the true color is more intense. This is a very pigmented blush, so you have to be careful not to apply too much. Sometimes, I like to buff it out with a kabuki brush so it looks more subtle. Also, keep in mind that it doesn't look glittery on the skin!

NARS Lip Gloss in Dolce Vita & Striptease

I got these lip glosses using the code "TEMPTALIA" on narscosmetics.com (expires 8/15). The offer was originally for three individual mini lip glosses, but now they're offering the duo. I knew I'd love Dolce Vita but I was pleasantly surprised that I ended up loving Striptease too. On its own, I could never pull off Striptease because these kinds of neutrals wash me out, big time. When I dab it on my lips over a lipstick, like MAC Lazy Day (LE), I just really love the muted effect it offers. Both colors are beautiful! Also, there's free shipping on any order over $25 using the code, "25FREESHIP".... which almost everything is $25+ so it shouldn't be hard to become eligible (lol).

On a side note, I know a lot of people don't like NARS lip glosses because of the "smell". I'd like to add that I think the smell is so faint, it's dismissable. Then again, when I like something enough, I never let those things offend me.

China Glaze: Ruby Pumps

This color is gorgeous. So unbelievably gorgeous. I haven't tried it out yet, but I'll take pictures when I do.

Last, but certainly not least......

The NAKED PALETTE!

I purchased this online from Ulta last Monday and just got it two days ago. In my opinion, this truly lives up to the hype. The colors are gorgeous. I love neutrals of almost any kind. This palette is fun, the colors are gorgeous, and the possibilities are endless. I'm going to dedicate a whole post to this palette when I get to try out more looks with it and I'll post them. I'll also include swatches in the post as well. I was going to do it today, but my boyfriend and a bunch of guys are framing out an addition to our house so I would've felt a little silly walking around with my camera and an arm full of eye shadow. I did swatch the liners though!

Whiskey on top, Zero on the bottom

Isn't it GORGEOUS?!

Hug Me VS Jubilee

I just wanted to do a quick post featuring my two favorite nudes: MAC's 'Hug Me' and 'Jubilee'. Both of these shades are my perfect nudes. I'm very fair and my lips are pretty pigmented, so this is my kind of nude. They're darker than the more popular nude colors, (Myth, Peachstock, Freckletone, etc.), but this is good since it doesn't wash me out at all. They swatch a little similar, don't they? Both of these are Lustres, by the way.

'Hug Me'

'Jubilee'
(sorry, the lighting is a little off from the sun)

'Jubilee' on the left, 'Hug Me' on the right

They're both pinky-brown, but Hug Me is a little pinker. So, what do you think of Hug Me and Jubilee?

July Favorites

This past month has flown by so quickly! My daughter celebrated her FIRST birthday on the 20th of July and I'm happy but so sad at the same time. My little girl is growing up so fast!

My little monster<3

Anyway, I definitely have a few favorites that I've been using almost everyday in July...

NARS Primer

This has been a favorite of mine since I got it in May. I've been through so many primers and when I got this, I didn't even think I'd like it -- but I love it. I feel like this deserves a review.

Lazy Day Lipstick (Lustre)

Lazy  Day is from the 'To The Beach' collection. It's a milky-cool pink. On it's own, I don't care for it because it makes me look sort of sickly. If I line with Subculture first, it warms up the color a bit, making it very pretty and wearable. Lining with Subculture has the same effect when I use VG Gaga, too.

MAC Subculture Lip Liner

As of now, it's my favorite liner EVER!

Tare Cheek Stain: Flower Child

I went on a cheek stain craze this past winter. I'm over the phase, but I still love Flower Child for my lips. It's a golden rosy-pink. The beauty with cheek stains is that they have the ability to give you an overall natural glow and a light flush -- that 'just pinched' look. I have five of them, and this is my favorite. Though the taste is quite repulsive, I don't let it offend me. Also, the consistency of this stain differs from the others -- probably because this one has shimmer to it. This was limited edition and it's discontinued, but there's still a wide variety to choose from at Sephora. Tarte's cheek stains retail for $30 USD (keep in mind that you get a lot of product).

A few swatches...

Flower Child

By the way, I like these a lot for summer -- for those days when all you need is some tinted moisturizer and concealer.

MAC Summer Rose Beauty Powder

I bought this from the Liberty of London collection. For a beauty powder, it's quite pigmented. I can't say this would show up well on darker skin tones, but as a pasty princess, this works well as a blush. 

                                                                  

Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

I've had this for a while. I probably got it from Sephora during the winter. It went in the drawer and didn't come out until a few weeks ago. It has a nice sugary scent and a taste to match. The tint is sheer, but yet it has a nice color payoff. My only complaint is the hefty price tag. While I love this now and will continue to use it, I'm not sure I'd repurchase it again. $22.50 USD is a lot of money for a tinted lip conditioner!

As you can see, the month of July was all about lips for me!

P.S.: My skin has gotten so dry! NOT a sexy look! If anyone knows of good products for SUPER dry skin, do tell! For now, I'll see how this drinking water thing works out. Thanks =)