News! Mac and Gaga Do It Again!

Lady Gaga has signed on for her second year with MAC as a Viva Glam spokesperson. I'm excited to see what eye popping shades they will come up with this time around.

And how amazing is this picture?!? So inspired by this etheral and glamorous photo. Goo goo for Gaga!

My Top 10 Eyeshadows!

Here is a list of my top 10 eyeshadows. All of the eyeshadows mentioned are by MAC. They are not listed in any particular order. Let me just note that I pulled all of the pictures and descriptons from http://www.maccosmetics.com/ and many of them do look much different in person. If you are not familiar with eyeshadow finishes make sure you read this post.

Pink Friday Lipstick!

Nicki Minaj has teamed up with MAC and will have her own signature pink lipstick. The lipstick will be called "Pink Friday 4" and will become available online next Friday November 26th. However there is a catch. The color will only be available online for 4 consecutive Fridays.

I'm anxious to see what it looks like. I'm sure it will be beyond a Barbie pink and look more like a porno pink lip. Come on ladies...let's not act like you don't know what a porno pink lip looks like. Not very many women can pull it off and its very costumey.

Oh well, can't wait to see what it looks like and I'm sure I'll be purchasing it for shits n giggles.

FOTN: Bitter and Carbon

I went out over the weekend to celebrate a friends birthday. Despite my car battery dying and getting a $50 parking ticket the night was a blast! At the end of the night I still looked cute and my face was beat! Here are some pics I took before I went out.  

Products used:

Face:

MAC Mineralize Satin Finish foundation

DuWop Bronzerush in August

MAC Sunbasque (blush)

Stud brow pencil

Eyes:

UDPP

Bitter

Carbon

A dark grey color (was in a palette and I don't know the name)

Grain

Revlon HIP creme liner in navy blue

MAC Dazzlelash mascara

Lips:

MAC Half n Half l/s

MAC lip gelee in lila crush (discontinued) 

MAC F/W 09 Nail Trend

MAC has teamed up with famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi to release a new and exclusive nail lacquer line. The F/W 09 Nail Trend collection features a new high gloss formula to enrich the cream finishes for each polish.

Here is a look at the new collection below.

Polishes from l to r: Under lacquer, Over lacquer, "Cool Reserve", "For Fun", "Dance All Night", "Dry Martini", "Rich, Dark, Delicious", "Beyond Jealous"

I'm most excited about the green and brown shades. I think they will be rather lovely for the fall and winter. I'm really into earth tone colors and I'm obsessing over blues and greens right now. Those 3 I must get my hands on.

Foundation Foundation Foundation!

Ok I'm really back now on my blogging grind. And I have quite a few things to talk about. My journey away from MAC products has led me toward so many other things. Things I couldn't even imagine I'd love so much. Ok, who am I kidding. I'm a product junkie so I knew I would love other brands.

With that being said I think I have completely demolished my hope of completing a full cycle of project 10 pan. Maybe I will try it again after I get all the things I feel I really need. Maybe not, who knows! I was doing pretty well until I ran out of my StudioStick Foundation from MAC and I gave my bronzer away. I felt what's a girl to do?!? So I did what any make up wearing woman does... I GOT SOME!

I tried

• Make Up Forever (MUFE) HD foundation
• Stila Iluminating Foundation
• MAC Mineralize Satin Finish

MUFE:

I liked it. I thought the coverage was great. Really gave me even coverage. However after setting it with powder it looked just a little too matte for me. I think I would use it for photo shoots but not every day. Also I'm in between colors so I would have to buy two and mix. Not the end of the world but not the most cost efficient thing when each bottle is $40+.

STILA:

Love Love Love this foundation. My color is 80 watts. I was wondering how the coverage was goign to be and how it was going to set because it seemed a little watery to me. But it sets so well. Lasts all day with a good primer underneath. This is my every day foundation now. With bronzer and some fix spray I still can get that dewey look that I love oh so much.

MAC:

When I first tried the foundation on in the store I wasn't too thrilled. I wasn't feeling the setting powder or the MSF bronzer she put on me afterwards. I felt like a lil glitter discoball. Not my cup of tea. But when I got home and tried it myself and just used my DuWop bronzer I LOVE IT! A little heavier coverage than the Stila foundation but I still love it. This is more of my evening foundation or something I will use with heavy eye make up. Wouldn't use it for every day, but its definitely a foundation that will stay in my collection.

Product Review: Exclusive MAC Collections at Nordstrom

A few posts ago I was so excited for a few things from the new exclusive MAC products at Nordstrom. Here is the verdict:

I'm going to keep it brief. I was not enthused once I was up close. At the end of my trip I didn't want to purchase anything, and I no longer felt bad for not having money. The one thing that I would purchase is part of the standard products anyway so I can get it at any time.

Graphic Garden Collection:

• Didn't want the brushes once I saw them. Would only need 1 brush from each set, and for all that I can find a cheaper alternative.
• Lip bags weren't that cute up close. The colors weren't essential to me.
• The eyeshadow palettes are good only if you don't already have a million and one eyeshadows. If you have tons of eyeshadows I'm sure you have dupes of all the colors that are present in these 2 palettes. Not necessary, and you're really only paying for the case that the palette comes in, and they aren't that cute up close.
  

Look In A Box:

• All I can say is not worth it.
• You're guaranteed to have at least one of the two eyeshadows that come in the kit, or dupes for both.
• Boxes aren't skin tone specific. You're bound to look ashy if you're a brown girl with the beauty powders that come with them.
• The lip colors are suspect.
• The only plus is that it comes with a face chart on how to achieve the look, but that's only good if you know how to apply and have the right brushes in the first place.

MAC Wishlist

Ok, so as soon as I say I'm taking a MAC break they come out with an exclusive collection for Nordstrom that I actually like. But in general I'm a sucker for anything that is exclusive or limited edition. I think this will be the death of me completing a cycle of Project 10 Pan.

After I saw the Spring Garden Collection I fell in love. I love the palettes but I know I have colors that may be similar. I don't want to jump the gun and buy them. But I'm definitely going to go and swatch the products and see if the color pay out is good. I also like the Look in a Box idea that they are doing (finally following suit with many other companies) but I found that I had most of the colors already or something very similar.

I told myself that I didn't want to spend a lot of money but low and behold I did my initial tally of the things that I wanted and it came up to $200! But in hindsight I think I'm going to get a lot of bang for my buck.

Here is what I want:

• Look In A Box (Seductress)
• Lip Bag (Summer Crop)
• Brush Bag (Shape & Perfect)
• Brush Bag (Define & Blend)

Might seem like a lot for only 4 things. HOWEVER if you really break it down, for $200 I will get:

• 2 eyeshadows
• 11 brushes
• 2 lipsticks
• 1 lipglosses
• 1 bare slim shine
• mascara
• beauty powder
• 3 cute bags (to hold products)

Damn...I really just sold myself. Who can pass all of this up for $200. Need we even discuss how much it all would have been with each item at full price? Well, looks like I'll be buying all of it! And as horrible as it may seem, since I'm getting it from Nordstrom that means I can always take it back if I don't like it anymore. YAY FOR THAT!

MAC Brush Finder App and 100th post!

Hello all. This is my 100th post. I'm kinda excited about it. At first I was kinda anxious just to post something, anything but I didn't want to do one just because. But then I looked in my email and saw something that I got from MAC. They have some new brush finder app on their website. I honestly don't think that its new, but anyway I decided I would post it. I'm sure all of you received the email as well, but so what LOL.

I'm really big on brushes. I think they are very integral to achieving certain looks when it comes to applying make up. I'm becoming very big on collecting brushes. There are still some brushes that I need now that I'm beginning to do more with make up. I have quite a few brushes that I've acquired. 95% of my brushes are MAC but that's only because I only buy brush sets. I just think its a better buy than to purchase them individually. I do have a few Sonia Kashuk brushes that I got from Target and I don't have any complaints thus far.

I like the Brush Finder app because it breaks it down into categories and you can see which brushes are used for what. Pretty cool. What I don't like are the prices so much. Can't wait for the next brush sets that come out. I think there are some contouring brushes and I can get dupes for some brushes that I already have. Can never have too many brushes!

Beauty Tag! MAC products

Here's a MAC Tag!I tag anyone who hasn't done it yet. Enjoy!

How long have you been using Mac? Since I was 19. Didn't know what I was doing but I just kept buying it.

What was your first Mac product? Amber Lights eyeshadow and Instant Gold Lip Glass

What's your all time favourite Mac product? I don't think I have one

What's your least favourite Mac product? Pro long lip colors. Make my lips feel really gross and peel. YUCK

Do you own a Pro Card? No, but I want one.

Your Mac foundation shade? NC45

What's your favourite Mac-Foundation? I love the Studio Stick. My skin tends to be dry and it makes me look "dewey" without looking too caked up. And a little goes a long way with the right brush.

Blusher: Powder Blush in Format, Peach Twist, Sunbasque, Sweet as Cocoa, Breath of Plum, Mountain High and some bronzey color I never use

Powder: Blot Powder/Pressed

Eyeshadow: would have to say my fave is amber lights because i've gone through 2

Lipstick: LoveLorn

Lipgloss: Revealing

Liner: None

Brush:190

Nail Lacquer: Twink Pink

Pro Product: None at this moment

Comment on the following Mac product; Have you used them? If so, give feedback:
Prep + Prime Skin: Like it
Full Coverage Foundation: Never Used
Studio Sculpt Foundation: I liked the finish, but it wasn't a perfect colour match
Face + Body Foundation: Never Used
Mineralize Satin Finish: Never Used
Studio Fix Fluid: Never Used
Hyper Real Foundation: Never Used
Select SPF15 Foundation: Never Used
Studio Tech Foundation: Liked it for going out but it was a little too heavy for every day for me.
Studio Fix Powder: My skin is dry so it tended to make me look ashy
Studio Stick: LOVE IT. i swear by it.
Hyper Real Pressed Foundation: Never Used
Beauty Powder: Never used
Sculpting and Shaping Powder: Never Used
Loose Blot Powder: Never used
Pressed Blot Powder: I have it but have never really used it. Might start using it.
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: Never used
Mineralize Skinfinish: Never Used
Bronzing Powder: Refined Deeper Bronze looks amazing against dark skin. I love this!
Powder Blush: Love them
Blushcreme: Don't have any and probably won't ever have any.
Mineralize Blush: never used
Gel Blush: never used
Cream Color Base: love them. have Bronze and its on its last bit. So sad because I can never find it.
Studio Sculpt Concealer: never used
Select Cover Up Concealer: i like it.
Select Moisturecover Concealer: Never Used
Studio Finish Concealer: ehhh its ok
Studio Stick: Never Used
Lip Erase: Never Used
Tinted Lip Conditioner: Never Used
Lipstick: they're ok
Lipglass: LOVE!
See Thru Lip Color: don't have this color but i know a lot of bloggers that do
Dazzleglass: Never Used
Cremesheen Glass: didn't like it. maybe its just the color i got
Lip Gelee: SWEAR BY THEM. Lila Crush (LE), Sapilicious and Slicked Pink are my faves. Alone or over a lipstick or over a gloss. Does wonders.
Lip Pencil: they're ok i guess. never really use them.
Solar Bits: never used
Nail Lacquer: only have 2 and i'm not really impressed by them. I'd rather have OPI
Shadestick: use it from time to time. its ok
Paint: Never Used
Paint Pots: never used
Eye Shadow: love the shadows. especially those with good pay off. but I'm ready to try a new brand
Pigment: I haven't used them yet, but I know I want to try.
Glitter: Nah!
Eye Kohl: good if you want to smudge it out. have to set it with a shadow if you don't
Chromaline: I heard about this product, have not tried
Liquid Last Liner: not big on liquid liner
Lustre Drops: Never Used but i want to. anything that can make you glow i want it!
False Lashes: haven't used any from MAC
ProLash Mascara: my lashes are already really long and this didn't do anything but make them look more black
Zoom Lash Mascara: not a fan
Plush Lash Mascara: not a fan
Fibre Rich Lash Mascara: its ok. i may use it for every day or just on my lower lashes.
Dazzle Lash Mascara: only MAC mascara i like. swear by it. people always ask me if my lashes are fake and i say no DAZZLE LASH.

What has been your favourite Mac collection to date? I don't have a favorite. I would always buy them just to buy them. But now that I know what I'm doing, I haven't seen one that I HAVE to have. And that's been a while now.

Which Mac collection, in your opinion, do you think was disappointing, if any? Naked Honey. I wanted to love it.

What products do you think Mac are missing? I'm not sure. but i don't care. I'm ready to try new lines.

My Top 10 Eyeshadows

I have seen a lot of the gurus that I follow on youtube do top 10's for their favorite eye shadows. I thought I would do the same. There are certain colors that I use with almost every eye, and there are some colors that I will always replace or go through fairly quickly because I just adore them so. 

Most of the colors are neutral and can be used for day time, and amped up for evening and easily transitioned into a smokey eye. They work well with all skin tones and are great buys!

So here goes my list ( they are all by MAC).

1. Carbon

2. Amber Lights

3. Courdoroy

4. Grain

5. Contrast

6. Sketch

7. Motif

8. Woodwinked

9. Nocturnelle

10. Satin Taupe

MAC Haul, Cotton Candy Eye & Product Review

Ok I've been getting a little carried away with the E/S looks this week but I can't help myself. I went to the MAC counter (yet again) and picked up a few things. I couldn't help but run home and try them right away.

I have quite a few pink shadows from MAC that I have acquired over the years but I never really used them and I'm not sure why, because I wear a lot of pink and its one of my favorite colors. I got a new blush, a lip gelee that I had been looking for and other places were out of stock, an E/S and the Fix+ spray that I said I was going to get. I spent less than $75 and I'm very happy with my purchase. Here is the new look that I tried using pinks and a touch of purple. Let me know what you think! If you want to know how I did it just ask me.

Product List:

• MAC E/S in "swish", "hepcat", "nocturnelle" and "grain"
• Loreal HIP cream liner in black
• MAC blush in "sunbasque"
• MAC lip gelee in "slicked pink"
• MAC "Dazzle Lash" mascara
• MAC "Fix+ Spray"

Product Review: I must say that I love the Fix+ spray and I'm really excited about the color pay out for the lip gelee in slicked pink. I had tried sunbasqued at the counter before (which is just a shade lighter than peachtwist). I didn't think I would need it since I already had peachtwist but it gives such a different look. Love it all!

MAC Haul

Last week I had lunch at the MAC counter. I must say it was more nourishing than a greasy burger which would have been my lunch of choice otherwise. I went there with a bare face and had all intentions on picking up majority of the Hello Kitty collection, both Wild and Mild. Needless to say I was not that thrilled with it once I saw it in person. I do still like the eye shadow quad from the Wild side and just might get it.

I then went on a hunt for neutral lipsticks and glosses, which didn't turn out well. Just ask my oh so patient friend Blake. Both he and the girl at the counter were a little frustrated with me and wondered if I even knew what I was looking for...which I apparently did not. I finally found some shades that I wasn't too disgusted or bored with and then they didn't look right because my face wasn't completely done. So I asked some questions about foundation and we came to the conclusion that my skin is way more dry than I thought, and the powder foundation I was using wasn't the best fit.

BOUGHT

1. Studio Stick Foundation SPF 15

This is the best foundation for me ever! I was left with the dewey look and I absolutely love it. Everyone has noticed and tells me that I'm glowing.

2. Select Cover Up concealer

It worked wonderfully as a brow highlight and goes on very smoothly. I definitely recommend it.

3. Brow pencil in spiked

Not much to say about it other than the fact that its great. And ladies, please use a light hand. No one wants to look like they have their eyebrows painted on.

TRIED

1. Studio Moisture Fix moisturizer:

My face was really really dry and they applied it to my face with a brush (which i'm now a fan of doing. No more hands for me) prior to putting the foundation on. It was very nourishing to my skin.

2. Fix+ spray:

After my face was applied she sprayed me with the fix spray to lock it in. I like the smell of it, and it didn't leave my face feeling to wet. My face didn't run and it was locked in place for the rest of the day and on into the night. I'm definitely going back to buy it.

Calling All Kittens!

MAC has finally introduced the Hello Kitty line of cosmetics. There are two sides to this kitty: Wild and Mild. I like some of the colors from each side that look appealing and I want to try. I can't wait to buy them and try them out. I will let you know how it goes!

I will absolutely buy all of the nail polishes. I think they are very chic and in line with the palette of colors that I'm into at the moment. I will also most definitely buy the brush set. As I've said before I always buy the brush sets because they are a better buy. Its an easy way to acquire all the brushes you need and in my opinion you can never have too many. There are also some really cute accesories that I may pick up as well. I've never been a big Hello Kitty fan, but I just may be converted.

Essential Make Up Brushes

A lot of my friends have been asking me about my make up and how I'm acheiving certain looks. I can't stress it enough, its all in the brushes and blending! If you really love make up or just want to try new things, you're really going to have to invest in brushes. I have quite a few brushes that I have acquired over the years. Although 90% of my brushes are from MAC you don't have to get them from there. I just buy brush kits whenever they come out for the holidays because its a better buy. You can get 5 or 6 brushes for the price of 2 brushes. You can't beat that!



You can also buy brushes from Target, Sephora and Ulta. Whatever works for your budget. The most important thing is that you clean them and take care of them and they should last you a very long time.



If you aren't sure if you have all of the right brushes or you're just getting started and want to know what to get, I have listed the essentials below. Although you don't have to buy MAC brushes, I will put the MAC brush style number after each description. This way you can go to their website and look at the brush and its full description and usage as a reference. You can either buy it from them or find something similar else where.



Face:

• (134)


• (109)


• (187)


• (249)

Eye:

• 239


• 242


• 217


• 224


• 227


• 231


• 219

New Website Design for MAC!

To all my MACheads, maybe I'm late, but I just thought you should know the website has been updated and has a new format. Finally they have color swatches that show the true colors. Much easier if you want to buy something on line and see what the color is supposed to look like.

My absolute favorite new feature of the website would have to be the tutorials! You all know how I love tutorials. There is nothing like learning how to do something yourself. I watched all of the videos they have posted, and although I think they are helpful, I don't think they would be that helpful to a makeup virgin. I really think MAC is trying to monopolize on their skills so you have to go to the counter for help and ask questions. Not bad for them, but not too good for those who don't want to have to go to the counter. Take a look for yourself. I don't know if this is a gift or a curse for me...probably both...but who cares!

Make sure you check out the site for yourself. Let me know what you think.

Product Review: Recent Make Up Haul

I recently bought a few new products and I thought I would write about them since quite a few of my friends are asking me. Majority of the products I purchased from Ulta. I had never been before and now I'm in love with the store. They have everything!

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion: 99% of the youtube tutorials that I watch, the girls prime their lids with it to make their eye make up last all day. So I figured I would try it because I hate when my color fades throughout the day. I tried it and I love it. My shadows adhere that much better to the lid as opposed to just using a cream shadow base or a pigment. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to play up their eyes a lot.
2. HIP pigment: I like it but I don't. There is a lot of fall out from the pigment unless you use a mixing medium or a dab of water on the brush. It wasn't extremely expensive and they had vibrant colors. I would say buy it but be careful and don't be heavy handed with it.
3. HIP cream eye liner: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I wanted to try a liquid liner and it didn't work. I don't know if I was doing something wrong or it just takes some getting used to, either way traditional liquid liner wasn't for me. When I saw the HIP cream eye liner I wanted to try it. I did a test swipe on my hand and the color was very true and bold. It had the look of a liquid liner but glides on like a pencil. *warning* Have a steady hand and use lighter strokes until you achieve the look you want. It dries very quickly and does not smudge at all! I tried rubbing my hand and even scrubbed with soap and water and it would not budge. So its good for staying all day, but just know that you will have to use an eye makeup remover in conjunction with a cleanser to get it off.
4. MAC technakohl liner: I tried my stepsisters technakohl liner in graphblack and I loved it. Its another product that is frequently used on the youtube tutorials that I've seen so I thought I would try it. I didn't think it would be that much different than any other liner but it is. It goes on very smooth and has a finer point to it than most of the MAC pencils. The color was very true. Good for smudging and lining the water line with.
5. Lip glosses: I tried HIPs lip gloss in "zealous" and Urban Decays ultraglide gloss in "video" and I loved them both. They are simple natural glosses with a hint of pink or rose to them. The Urban Decay has a slight fragrance/taste to it that I like. They both glide on very well.

If you have any questions about any of the products I reviewed let me know!

Dazzled by MAC!

Want your lashes to enter the holiday party before you do? If so, you must try Dazzle Lash mascara by MAC. Even though I normally love all products by MAC, I have never really been a fan of their mascaras until I tried this one. Needless to say I was dazzled. It lengthens, separates and coats your lashes with a sheen for a very dramatic look.

Colors: Star Brunette and Black Dazzle ($12)