Mac

MAC Haul Part 2 (Tempting, Buckwheat, and Retro-Speck)

8:00 AM

After I saw my mom's MAC Tempting, I decided I needed to run over to the department store and get my own. I had a meeting by the mall on Friday, so on my way home I made a pit-stop to pick up the MAC Tempting from Style Warriors, and managed to find a couple others that I "needed" as well. I also picked up Retro-Speck and Buckwheat, which is from the Naked Honey collection.


Retro-Speck is a gorgeous, golden ivory with tons of shimmer. This is such a great color as a base and high light, and I've been wanting this color ever since I discovered MAC, but for some reason my local store was always out! Lucky for me, I must have come when they restocked, because they finally had the color, so I picked it up. I can already tell this is going to be one of the colors I wear every day, it's that gorgeous!


Next up is MAC Buckwheat, which is from the Naked Honey collection that recently came out. I had not seen this collection, nor had I heard a lot of buzz about this one online, so I didn't really have any desire to look at it until I saw it in person. The color Buckwheat is a deep chocolate brown that has shimmer and a hint of wine to it. A great crease color, I think this would also make a gorgeous smokey eye and even a liner if used wet. I am thrilled I picked this up!

I know I showed you all Tempting (from Style Warriors) in the last post, but I figured it would be nice to see it next to the other two colors for comparison purposes. Again, this is a deep taupe with bronze-golden undertones.
Below are the swatches. I would have never put Tempting as such a golden color until I lined it up next to Buckwheat, which really turned into a deep chocolate color. Such great shades, I'll have to do something with all three and post for you gals!

Mac

MAC Sumo Sale Order! Phloof, Tempting, Soft Focus, Bold 'n Brazen & Dazzleglass Rags to Riches

8:00 AM

I had been waiting for my shipment confirmation to come from the order I placed back for MAC's Sumo-Summer sale, when the other day the order showed up on my doorstep! Woo-hoo! I couldn't be happier with the colors I ordered, either. My mom picked two, and I picked two and kept the Dazzleglass as well. The four colors I ordered were Tempting (from Style Warriors), Phloof, Soft Focus (from Style Warriors) and Bold 'n Brazen. The Dazzleglass is Rags to Riches. I ended up keeping Phloof and Bold 'n Brazen. I was so excited to finally get Phloof because of how many times I read about it on other people's blogs, or on Makeup Alley.


Soft Force (below), reminds me of a more golden version of Sugar Shot from the Sugar Sweet Collection earlier this spring. It is a very beautiful, sparkly golden ivory color, and matches beautifully with Tempting, which is farther down the page.


Phloof reminds me of an ivory color with a hint of a pink undertone. I've already worn it a couple of times, and it adds a great high light to the brow bone, but is also great as a base under the darker shadows that will be layered on top. I think this would also be a great finishing highlight to a blush as well.


Bold 'n Brazen is a gorgeous deep, peachy bronze. It was a little lighter than expected, but I don't have any colors like this, so I was thrilled to add this to my ever expanding collection!

To me, Tempting was the most gorgeous, deep and frosty taupe. It reminded me of a color that Loreal or Maybelline used to carry, but of course I cannot remember the name now! This is the other color that my mom picked up, so I proceeded to go to the MAC counter and get myself this color as well! I absolutely love it!


Below all are swatched so you can see them each individually and next to the other colors. All of these shades would work very well together.
I had been wanting to try these gorgeous Dazzleglasses when they came out earlier this year, so I was excited to pick one up with the 25% off deal that was running earlier this month. I opted for Rags to Riches because I had seen it on Nessasarymakeup's blog, and fell in love with the color. This is a beautiful baby pink with sparkles.






Bare Escentuals

FOTD: Bare Escentuals Pink Diamonds Collection

8:00 AM

A few days back I showed you all the BE Pink Diamonds Collection. This is such a beautiful collection of colors and brushes, that I wanted to put together a quick and simple FOTD, using the "instruction card" that comes in the set.
I love the color pink, but I have noticed that more often than not, the pink blush or eyeshadow that a cosmetics company will put it leans more towards Barbie Pink than something that can be worn by most people, which tends to be frustrating. I mean, pink is supposed to be the color of our cheeks when we're flushed, not the color of her dream home! :)
With that said, I have found that the colors in this collection are deceivingly wearable, although they come off a bit bright in the tube/jar. In particular, the blush seemed to me very bright in the jar, and even when swatched, but when applied correctly with a blush brush or skunk brush, the color is an absolutely perfect, natural, flush. Adding the Rose Radiance over the top gives a little glow and shimmer that the blush doesn't yield, which is just the kick I wanted for this look.
Face:
Bare Escentuals Medium Foundation
Bare Escentuals Illuminating Mineral Veil
Bare Escentuals Pink Diamonds Blush
Bare Escentuals Rose Radiance (over blush)
Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion - all over lid
Bare Escentuals Equisite Diamond eye color - all over lid
Bare Escentuals Enchanting Diamond - crease
Bare Escentuals Elegant Diamond - corners, outer lashline, lower lashline, and wet as liner.
Loreal Extreme Collagen Mascara - black
Lips:
Bare Escentuals Strawberry Cream Lip Gloss (my new favorite!)

DuWop

Makeup for the Twilight Junky!

6:46 PM

For all you Twilight fanatics, DuWop is coming out with a Twilight version of their Lip Venom! You can read more about it here and here.


Described by DuWop below:

"Instead of a gloss, Lip Venom V is a shimmering crimson lip stain suspended in a venom-laced liquid lip conditioner with a bite, and contains argan, avocado, olive oils and vitamin E. This product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds …”

Chances are, I'll be getting some of this! :)

Bare Escentuals

Comparison of Bare Escentuals Mineral Veils (Illuminating, Feather Light, Original, and Hydrating)

8:00 AM

If you are a Bare Escentuals lover, you have probably noticed all the different types of Mineral Veils that have come out over the past few years.  Most recently, the Hydrating Mineral Veil has become the newest mineral veil to hit the market.  I have four different varieties - the original, the hydrating mineral veil, the feather light tinted, and the illuminating tinted mineral veil.

Below is a picture of all four next to each other.  Unfortunately, it's a bit washed out, and you can't really tell that the tinted, are in fact *tinted*.  From the top, and clockwise around, we have the Illuminating Tinted Mineral Veil, Original Mineral Veil, Hydrating Mineral Veil, and Featherlight Tainted Mineral Veil.


Below is the original Mineral Veil.  As you all probably know, this is a transparent setting powder to put on top of your foundation.  This gives the *flawless* look that we are all looking for, which lasts through the day.


Next is the Hydrating Mineral Veil.  This came out to give you the fresh feeling before you walked out the door.  As you apply, microscopic beads of water *burst* to give you fresh spritz of coolness on your skin, without making your skin wet.  As you can see, this is the same color as the original mineral veil, but it has a hint of shimmer, that adds a bit of glow to your skin.


The next is one of the tinted mineral veils, as well as an illumination, known as the Feather Light Tinted Mineral Veil.  With a hint of color and shimmer, this adds some glow to your skin on top of your foundation.


Finally, my most recent acquisition is the Tinted Illuminating Mineral Veil.  I bought this in the large 28g jar that will last forever.  I love the shimmer in this, which gives a hint of shimmer to the skin.  Again, this is tinted for a little bit of glow.  


I tried to swatch, but the lighting isn't helping you pick out the shimmer/color, so I will try and do that again later.

Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals Pink Diamonds Collection

8:00 AM

This collection is the extension of the Champagne Diamond Collection from the end of last year.

Again, this collection comes with some fantastic brushes, including the Flawless Face Brush, the Liner Brush and the Heavenly Buffing Eyeshadow Brush. It also comes with a Mineral Veil, three eye color, a blush, radiance and lip gloss.

We'll start off the brushes. I love BE's brushes, and you can get them for a steal when you buy the kits that are offered on QVC and at Sephora, etc.


The Heavenly Buffing Eyeshadow brush is a great "all over" brush, but of course can be used to buff and bend your shadows together. It's a compact round brush, with natural fibers.


The Flawless Face Brush is one of Bare Escentuals staple brushes, and one of the originals. Not only can this be used for foundation, but it is great to apply the mineral veil, radiance, and blushes as well. This is a "oval" type brush with compact, natural bristles.


The Eyeliner brush is your typical, straight eyeliner brush with long and compact bristles.
Below are the swatches from the entire collection, except the mineral veil. Aren't they so pretty?? You'll notice that the blush and radiance look *very* similar next to each other. They definitely are the comparable pink base, but the radiance has more golden shimmer than the blush does itself.
The three eye colors are below - beautiful, warm rose undertones that blend so well together.

Bare Escentuals "Elegant Diamond" is a liner/shadow that can be used to create a gorgeous deep taupe with some Rosy shimmer liner, or a smokey taupe eyeshadow.


The eyeshadow, Bare Escentuals "Enchanting Diamond" is a deep mulchy warm brown that can be used in the crease to accentuate the depth of the lid. This has a hint of shimmer, but it is not overwhelming, but I also wouldn't call this a matte.
The lightest eyeshadow color is called "Exquisite Diamond" which is a warm vanilla with rosy shimmer. Perfect as a high light, this color is so universal and warm that it would be beautiful on anyone!


The blush, "Pink Diamonds", is the most beautiful light pink with a hint of shimmer. If you want any more shimmer or glow, add the radiance below!


Bare Escentuals "Rose Radiance" is a beautiful pale pink with lots of glow and shimmer. This is just the perfect pink to add the just sun-kissed glow!


Continuing with the Bare Escentuals natural lip gloss, they have come out with another which is called Strawberry Cream. This is such a gorgeous pale pink with gold and rose shimmer. Perfect alone or on top of lip colors and lipsticks. The swatch is below.



What a great collection. I believe this is only available on E-bay right now, but it is well worth the $40-$50 you can get this collection for, as this is a beautifully warm and neutral set for anyone.

CVS

Review: Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

8:00 AM

I'm sure many of you have seen or passed the end-cap at the Walmart's of the world where they have this new, vibrating mascara by Maybelline. For a while they were "advertising" the product before it was even available! I have to admit, I was intrigued when I first saw the signage go up for this mascara, as I was hoping it would live up to the hype of the Lancome version from the holidays.




At the top of the cap is a little button you hold while you apply your mascara, which allows the brush to vibrate ever so quickly, but gently, in an effort to wrap each lash with mascara.

The brush is a typical plastic *combing* applicator. My apologies that the picture came out so small, I'm not sure what the problem is!

Below are my lashes without mascara.

After two coats with the Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara. This product definitely lengthens, and has the ability to add some volume, and separate the lashes. It took me a while to coordinate holding the brush and applying, but overall it's a nice mascara. I need to run a comparison of this vibrating wand versus their basic wand with the same brush and see if there is actually a difference. That would be interesting!

Retail Price: $11.99 USD
Where to purchase: Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, www.maybelline.com
Product: 4.5 out of 5
Price: 54out of 5
Packaging: 4.5 out of 5 - The package is durable and the brush is very strong and sturdy. Once I was able to coordinate the button, I didn't have any trouble with the package and/or application
Overall: 4.5 out of 5
Would I purchase again? Maybe - I still need to run a side by side using a mascara with the same type of brush (without vibration) to see if it really is the brush or the vibrations that give the results.
I think I would definitely buy if there was a sale or BOGO at one of the drugstores.

Mac

MAC's "Sumo Big Savings" - 25% off!!

8:23 AM

It's that time again - the big summer sale from MAC. Use the code "SAVE25" and receive 25% off at checkout! I know my basket is filling up quickly!!

More FOTD's to come - I have so much to catch up with!!

Mac

MAC Naked Honey

12:46 PM

Have any of you seen and/or bought anything from the new MAC Naked Honey Collection? I haven't had the chance, but I think I will this weekend.

Any suggestions on what to get? Take a look at the collection here.


Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals "Siren of the Sea" Collection

8:00 AM

I recently went into Sephora to buy my friend a gift card for her birthday and stumbled over to the Bare Escentuals counter to see if there was anything new that I *needed*.  Go figure, I found something!  The Bare Escentuals Siren of the Sea collection has a set of beautiful summery colors, including a new version of the mineral veil.  I had read about the new Hydrating Mineral Veil, which is supposed to be little capsules of water that burst when applied, giving a refreshing and cooling sensation.  When I read about this, I thought it would be perfect to use in the summer, especially on some of those hot days when a little extra cooling helps!  When I saw the actual sample in the store, I was pleasantly surprised at the bit of shimmer/glow that the hydrating mineral veil had as well, and thought it might help brighten my complexion on some of those "blah" days we all have...so, I bought the kit!


The kit comes in a gorgeous box that encompasses everything about the colors inside.  Not only is there a cute little straw clutch, but you also receive a double ended brush (I forgot to add it to the picture), the Hydrating Mineral Veil, a beautiful turquoise eyeshadow in Mermaid, a shimmering pale taupe in High Shine Sand Dune, a soft and natural coral blush in Hydrating Coral and a gorgeous lipstick in Chiffon.  


Below is the Hydrating Mineral Veil.  I'm not sure that the picture captures the "glow" that you can achieve with this veil, but there is definitely something there.  It's not shimmer, per say, but instead just a little *umph* for the complexion.


The blush, Hydrating Coral, has no shimmer, but instead is a matte terra-cotta coral.  An absolutely beautiful color, this would look great on anyone, especially with a hint of a tan.  We'll have to see how it fares with me in the winter when I am ghostly pale!



I was immediately drawn to the turquoise color, Mermaid, which is apparently one of Bare Escentauls best blue/teals in their entire line!  Not only is it a more neutral color, there is a hint of a shimmer, but it is still dark enough to create a beautiful smokey eye or use it wet as a liner.


I think this might be my favorite color in the collection.  I was a little apprehensive at the appearance of High Shine Sand Dune at first because it looked like the "foiling" colors BE has had in the past (and the Solar Bits collection from MAC), which I found difficult to blend without just using your fingers.  I was pleasantly surprised when I actually applied, as it was no different than any other mineral eyeshadow I have used in the past - it applied simply and evening on the lid and is an absolutely stunning light taupe color with tons of shimmer.


Below are all the swatches.  I tried layering the Hydrating Mineral Veil in hopes of you seeing the "glow" I keep talking about, but instead I think it just looks chalky in the picture.  Everything else is absolutely gorgeous!  The other thing I didn't swatch out on my lips is the natural lipgloss in Chiffon, which is a gorgeous, neutral golden beige.  An absolutely stunning color on it's own, this would also be a great layer on top of another color to add some warmth or shimmer as well.


I used the suggested look in the pamphlet that the kit comes with, which basically created a smokey eye using the Mermaid in the outer corner and halfway from the outer corner into the crease.   I also used Mermaid to line my lower lashline, but did this dry, whereas I used it wet on my upper lashline.  The rest of my lid has the High Shine Sand Dunes.  I used the blush as well, which created a natural color to my cheeks.  And, again, the lipgloss is a huge hit with me!







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