MAC Haul

Yay!! I was finally able to buy a few new products, after what seemed like forever, and I just had to get my hands on some products from some of MAC’s new collections.

What I ordered:

• MAC Fix + (long-time favorite! I use this spray daily)
• “Jungle Camouflage” Face Kit (From the Carine Roitfeld Collection)
• “Eden Rouge” Mattene Lipstick (From the Styleseeker Collection)
• “Copper Beech” Pro Sculpting Cream (From the Face & Body Collection)
• “Coffee Walnut” Pro Sculpting Cream (From the Face & Body Collection)
• “Pure Sculpture” Pro Sculpting Cream (From the Face & Body Collection)
• “Day Gleam” – NC30 shade – Pressed Pigment (From the Face & Body Collection)

A compact that showcases Carine Roitfeld’s sophisticated and seductive smoky eye and rouged cheek. Features: Dew, “Camo,” Bad Lieutenant and Carbon Eye Shadows, and Cremeblend Blush in Bootcamp Bronze. Limited edition.

My Thoughts:

• The packaging is cute and compact, plus it includes a mirror. This kit would be great for travel.
• Loving the cremeblend blush/bronzer! Blends beautifully, sheer but buildable, with a natural finish.
• I chose the “Jungle Camouflage” because it is the cool (yellow) toned kit. Also comes in “Desert Camouflage” which is a warm (pink) toned kit.

With its streamlined design, this new slimline lipcolour, features the traditional glamour properties of a matte lipstick – intense colour and semi-matte velvety finish – while offering a creamier, softer, more glide-on application. Non-caking, non drying. Moisturizing and incredibly wearable yet absolutely matte.

My thoughts:

• LOVE this lipstick – MAC really should make the mattene lipsticks part of the permanent line.
• Eden Rouge is a bright blue red! Would be great on probably every skin tone. Read more on bold lips and application here.
•  I would not classify it as a true matte lipstick. It has a slight semi-matte sheen to it, which I prefer even more.
• Highly pigmented, about 85% opaque. Non-drying, so great if you are looking for the matte look but without your lips drying out.
• Good staying power, but will still transfer. Add liner to extend wear.

A cream-to-powder formula for sculpting and shaping key features. Silky-smooth, easy-to-blend and neutrally-shaded. Apply where extra dimension is needed, eyelids included. Provides moist, skin-soothing, natural-looking sheer-to-medium buildable coverage.

My thoughts:

• I have been looking for a product just like this for a long time now and I’m not disappointed!! 🙂
• Copper Beech and Pure Sculpture look similar, but when applied are very different shades.
• Love the formula. It is described as cream-to-powder, but it does not have a very powdery finish, but enough that it self-sets.
• Natural finish, with a sheer application, but very buildable without caking.

An intensely creamy highlighter offering extreme pearlescence and versatility of finish. Apply dry for a high shine, or on damp skin for a dramatic wet look. Provides eye-catching sheer-to-moderate buildable coverage and natural dimension finish. Pressed Pigment is delicate. Please handle with care.

My thoughts:

• I was a little wary of purchasing this one at first, but I am glad I did. Day Gleam is described as an NC30 shade.
• This product is not for the inexperienced and a light hand is suggested.
• May look a bit scary to the more novice make-up user. I would recommend those unfamiliar with pigments, pressed pigments and highlighters should pass on purchasing this product. 
• Does have a high “glitter/shimmer” content, but the more you work the product the smoother it looks. Works very well with damp brushes or on damp skin.

Overall I’m very excited to wear and work with these new products ♥

Side note: I have been planning to do a subscriber giveaway for a while now and it is going to be awesome!! So stay tuned, I will probably be announcing it next month 🙂

A few of my favorite things: April

Wow! My second ever favorites of the month post!

A little late… but I will try and stick current obsessions that I haven’t included in previous “favorites” – which well, shouldn’t be too hard, since this is only the second time.

Just like my previous favorites post, I will include prices just in case anyone has been contemplating trying these out.

SKIN:

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($44 to $68 USD)

From Kiehl’s: Purely Potent Over-Night Repair. • Lightweight, overnight treatment. • Regenerates, repairs, and replenishes skin for a smoother, healthier skin. • Works with the skin’s natural nocturnal activity when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors to dramatically restore skin. • 99.8% naturally-derived and paraben-free. 

Why I’m loving it:

• Literally made a difference overnight!
• After a month – my skin has improved dramatically
• I don’t think I can go a day without using this stuff
• P.S. It smells lovely!

BODY:

Neutrogena Body Oil ($9.99 to $15.99 USD)

From Neutrogena: Delicately light sesame formula that instantly vanishes into the skin, sealing in moisture. Skin feels moisturized, soft, silky and looks radiant. Lightweight, Absorbs quickly, Available in Original and Fragrance-free.

Why I’m loving it:

• Hydrating – locks in the moister ( I apply it at the end of my shower)
• You can add it to your bath water
• Fragrance is subtly amazing and stays on your skin all day
• Great for lazy days or days I’m so rushed I skip the body moisturizer  

FACE:

So the following products, in addition to being some of my favorites, are my current favorite daily face make-up combination.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free in “Bisque” ($42 USD)

Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in “Nude”  ($7.99 USD)

NARS Bronzer in “Laguna” ($34 USD)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in “Medium” ($29 USD)

MAC In Extra Dimension Extra Dimension Highlighter in “Whisper of Gilt” ($29 USD)

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in “Dollface” ($25 USD)

FRAGRANCE:

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($25 to $105 USD)

BOOKS:

So this one overlapped April and May, but it’s has quickly become an all-time favorite obsession!

E.L. James Fifty Shades Trilogy

Why I’m loving it:

• CHRISTIAN GREY!
• Hot, Sexy and Sensual
• Complicated, Complex and Raw
• Intriguing and Real

The following are courtesy of the E L James Facebook…

And that’s all for now 😀

It’s my BIRTHDAY and I’ll go to the BEACH if I want to!

Whoa… I feel like I have been M.I.A. from the blogosphere – gosh, sometimes having a job really gets in the way of blogging!

Well, guess what, I’m getting old – yeah, it’s my birthday very soon and one of my presents to myself is a mini-vacation to the BEACH!! So excited, haven’t been in a few years, plus I’m actually taking some vacation days from work! I haven’t taken any vacation days, whatsoever, since I have been working at my current job.

I’m not sure how the company will survive without me, BUT I don’t care ’cause I’ll be chillin’ at the beach!

So, since I’m obviously a make-up junkie, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ll be taking with me.

SKIN:

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50

Neutrogena SPF 15 Lip Moisturizer

MAC FIX+ Spray

Great for giving your skin a moisture boost!

MAKE-UP:

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in “Bisque” 

Great coverage and so light on the skin! Love it.

Neutrogena 3 in 1 concealer in “Buff 09” 

Lightweight concealer + Eye cream + SPF 20 = Awesomeness!

NARS Bronzer in “Laguna”

Check out my love and tips for bronzer here!

Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer in “Park Ave Princess”

Show me swatches! << Click!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in “Medium”

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish  in “Whisper of Gilt”

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in “Glorify”

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in “45 Bold Gold”

Stays put forever!! Wear it sheer or layer it up for gold painted lids! Use it subtlety on other areas to highlight and brighten.

MAC Paint Pot in “Rubenesque”

Who doesn’t love a MAC paint pot and this one is perfect for that bronzed beach look!

Top: MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in “Buried Treasure”

A black-brown with gold shimmer and serious staying power. Hello waterproof!

Bottom: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Junkie”

Great way to add a pop of color at the beach without going heavy on the make-up! Waterproof!

Korres Lip Butter in “Mango” 

Great for keeping your lips soft and hydrated, with the perfect flush of coral color!

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm in “Flame”

Long-lasting color, plus a balm – perfect for sunny beach days.

FRAGRANCE:

 Jo Malone Wild Bluebell 

Keep it light and fresh! Want more on Wild Bluebell?

 HAIR:

Tresemme Climate Protection Finishing Spray

For all hair types, won’t leave white residue in your hair, works against humidity, static, wind and has a UV blocker!

SUNBLOCK!!

 

 Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Faces SPF 50 Sunblock

Oil free, waterproof, sweatproof, fragrance free, tear free, hypoallergenic – if its good for a baby’s face its good for mine!

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling  Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45

Amazing feeling on the skin in hot weather! It’s also non-greasy and waterproof, also non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores).

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray SPF 100

Ultra sweatproof, waterproof, non-greasy, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), oil free! Resists wear-off from friction, activities, sweat and water! Of course, you need to reapply throughout the day.

 So excited for my mini-vacation!!! Did I mention it was going to be PERFECT weather 😀 

MAC + Carine Roitfeld = PORNO CHIC?

You may love her, you may hate her, you may not know who the hell she is but, Carine Roitfeld has joining forces with MAC and releasing a make-up collection this Fall. Carine Roitfeld, former model, was the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Paris  from 2001 through early 2011. During which time she was the mind behind some of the most beautiful, boundary-pushing publications.

While some of her decisions at Vogue Paris caused controversy, and while I may not agree with everything Miss Roitfeld does or puts out there, I’m excited to see her MAC collection – because let’s face it – the woman was and is a force in the style world!

Roitfeld’s portfolio of work and her aesthetic approach is often labeled with things like provocative, sexy, controversial, far from p.c. (politically correct), boundary-pushing,  beautiful and bold, and of course “porno-chic”.

Check out CR herself here – with her signature smoky eyes and bold brows – the focus of her Fall 2012 MAC collection:  

Some of Carine Roitfeld’s covers during her time at Vogue Paris:

Vogue Paris August 2008

Vogue Paris November 2008

Vogue Paris October 2010

Vogue Paris December 2010/January 2011 (CR last cover)

So what has MAC been saying on Twitter?

• She is a living image of provocative fashion. Her colour collection debuts this Fall.
• We have a Good Luck Star for you. Stencil it this Fall
• The nude lip, bold brow and signature smoky eye will be elevated to a new art form this Fall.

According to what I have found out, the limited edition CR MAC line will focus heavily on the eyes and brows – reminiscent of Roitfeld’s signature look. She is most often seen with smoky eyes, bold brows and bare/nude lips. Carine Roitfeld is said to have been involved in every step, which is very much in line with her character and work style, including product design and packaging, collection and product names, colors and marketing ads.

So, I wonder if they are going to name the collection for her trademark aesthetic, Porno-Chic? Personally, I think that would be amazing!